Kays Translations

Chapter 94: “Beginning the Magical Beast Investigation (2)”

──From Thor’s point of view──

“The ‘Cleaning Robots’ somehow managed to find traces of the magical beasts.”

After confirming that Isaac’s unit was moving away, I stepped out from behind the trees.

Since I kept my distance, I don’t think they spotted me.

I already told General Reisenga, “There are three big cats in the forest, but please ignore them. Sometimes these cats walk on two legs, but please just pretend you don’t see them.” Princess Sophia also passed the message to Isaac. No problem there.

The reason I’m here is to provide user support.

I can’t just leave the golems—the ‘Cleaning Robots’—as they are after creating them.

In case any malfunctions or operational errors happen on-site, I decided to secretly support General Reisenga and Commander Isaac.

“Thanks for following me, Mabel and Agnis.”

““Meow~””

“You can take your hoods off, you know?”

When I said that, Mabel and Agnis removed the cat-ear hoods of their ‘transforming pajamas.’

Their transformations popped off, and they returned to human form.

By the way, I’m wearing a black ‘cat-type transforming pajama’ myself.

Mabel and Agnis are wearing pajamas too—white and red, respectively. However, the shapes are different from what they wore before. The tailors at the Demon lord’s Castle upgraded them to suit the two better.

Mabel’s pajamas have pointed ears and a longer tail. Agnis’s have rounded ears and a shorter tail. Both are cute. The tailors have brought out their charms fully.

I can’t make something this cute.

As for magical items’ ‘functional beauty,’ that’s one thing, but in terms of aesthetic design, I’m still unskilled.

When it comes to dressing them cutely, I’m no match for the tailors at the Demon lord’s Castle…

“…Thor-sama?”

“…What’s the matter?”

“I was just reaffirming how unskilled I still am.”

““Why do you say something like that!?””

They were surprised.

“Thor-sama, the ‘Cleaning Robots’ you made perfectly detected traces of magical beast debris and tracked them down, right? Why would you say you’re unskilled?”

“Both the ‘Spider-type’ and ‘Snake-type’ moved like living creatures. Thor Canaan-sama, you made perfect golems!”

“I can make golems. Because I’m an alchemist.”

I kind of already knew that with ‘Creation Alchemy,’ you can make golems.

I learned the technique of tracing the forms of living things when I made the ‘hugging pillow.’

Thanks to Mabel and the others, I also awakened the ‘Pseudo-Life Grasp’ skill. I became able to make items that mimic real life.

Applying those skills, I thought I could create golems.

The only thing left was how to reproduce spider-like and snake-like movements, but that was solved by incorporating magical beast materials into the ‘Cleaning Robots.’

I confirmed with the ‘hugging pillow’ that magical power contains personal information. This was an application of that.

For now, by incorporating materials from similar magical beasts into the ‘Spider-type’ and ‘Snake-type,’ they started moving like a spider and a snake respectively.

Then I just had to add functions to search for target magical power—like a ‘magical power detector’—and a function to suck in dust and debris using the ‘Wind Magic Stone.’

The problem was—

“I didn’t know what kind of movement to make the ‘Spherical-type’ do…”

As expected, Chancellor Kelve’s idea was a high hurdle.

How many tough challenges will that person set for me? Seriously, it’s troublesome.

If Mabel hadn’t stopped me, I would’ve pulled an all-nighter making it nonstop.

“In the end, I made the ‘Spherical-type’ work in coordination with the other two.”

“That’s what the link function is for, right? Thor-sama.”

“Yeah. I tried to imitate the ‘Wi-Fi’ from another world.”

“I divided a large magic stone into three parts and built each into the ‘Cleaning Robots’… truly a new technology.”

“If they share the same magic power by doing that, the magic will resonate and link. I thought so, and I’m glad it worked.”

“…Only Thor-sama could divide a magic stone into three parts.”

“That’s the power of ‘Material Transmutation.’ It allows me to process materials and shape them as I like.”

The ‘Cleaning Robots’ have magic stones of light, darkness, earth, water, fire, and wind divided into thirds and incorporated as their power source.

Though divided into three parts, they are all the same magic stone.

If you liken it to a living creature, it’s like sharing nerves and thought circuits.

When I operated them in that state, the magic power resonated and linked.

“The feature of the ‘Spherical-type’ is high-speed movement. It receives information from the other two and moves quickly. It also spins rapidly and supports the spider-type and snake-type.”

“The spider-type is durable and strong.”

“The snake-type can have options attached to its tail.”

Among the three, the strongest is the ‘Spider-type.’

The most versatile is the ‘Snake-type,’ with attachable tail options.

The ‘Spherical-type’ moves quickly and supports the other two.

…I just hope this helps us find the new kind of magical beasts and their summoner.

“Well then, let’s chase after the ‘Cleaning Robots’ too. Keeping our distance from Isaac’s unit, so we’re not noticed.”

“Understood, Thor-sama.”

“We’re moving out!”

For ‘user support,’ we decided to follow the joint army of the Demon lords territory and the Empire.

── Afterwards, at a fortress in the southeast of the Demon lord’s territory ——

“The Archduke Kharon and the Princess of the Holy Sword are approaching. Hurry preparations for evacuation.”

In the fortress’s plaza, the commander declared this to the soldiers.

This fortress was originally built to prepare against invasions from other countries.

In the past, there were many small nations in the northeast of the empire. Those countries repeatedly engaged in minor conflicts, involving the empire as well.

But that was long ago.

All the small nations were annexed by the empire, and now, the only foreign land surrounding the fortress is the Demon lord’s territory.

The fortress is now only a place where a small number of soldiers are stationed to exterminate the nearby magical beasts. Both the fortress’s soldiers and the commander hold insignificant positions within the imperial army.

Therefore, this fortress was just the right place to serve as a base for cultivating a top-secret unit.

The gathered members were those loyal to the country and mercenaries hired with money.

They began research to discover a new “trump card” following the hero.

As a result — despite several failures — they finally succeeded in commanding a new magical beast.

They were supposed to report this upwards and conduct a field experiment on the battlefield, but—

“Who would have thought Archduke Kharon would set his eyes on this fortress so quickly. Truly, he is said to have been the late emperor’s right-hand man.”

The fortress commander muttered calmly.

His superior was most wary of Archduke Kharon.

But the Archduke was, after all, a retainer of the emperor. It was not difficult to grasp his movements.

Countermeasures had already been devised.

“Therefore, we will execute Plan B.”

The commander in his robe told his assembled subordinates.

The gathered soldiers murmured.

Plan B — that is, “abandon the fortress.”

Hearing those words, the soldiers exchanged glances. They must have realized just how critical the situation was.

In the front row were the commander’s direct soldiers. Their loyalty was high. They would obey the commander’s words without question.

In the rear were mercenary magicians hired with money. As long as they were paid, they likely would not betray. As a precaution, there were watchers assigned as well. They could be controlled.

“—You say you will use Plan B, Commander Geralt?”

The representative of the hired magicians suddenly spoke.

“So, you mean to abandon the fortress and escape?”

“The troops will do so. I, as the fortress commander, will remain and talk with the duke.”

The man called Geralt nodded.

“All materials will be taken out. The aforementioned ‘trump card’ will be moved using the prescribed route. Without evidence, even Archduke Kharon will have nothing to say.”

“If that ‘trump card’ is used on the southern front, won’t the duke become suspicious?”

“The empire judges by results alone.”

The commander said.

“Produce results and convince the soldiers on the battlefield. Then it will be meaningless for the duke to complain. The duke does not have the power to change the course of the war, but we do. Also, we are a top-secret mobile unit. Even imperial soldiers do not know our true identity.”

“Is that the plan your superior came up with?”

“Mind your tone.”

“I respect my employer. But if we abandon the fortress, what will happen to the ‘trump card’ we summoned? Won’t the duke catch up to it if we carry something like that around?”

“We have sent scouts. We know the duke’s location. It is a distance we can escape.”

“And if, by some chance, we cannot escape?”

“In that case… we will use one of the ‘trump cards’ to hold the duke back.”

Commander Geralt twisted his lips beneath his hood and laughed.

His subordinates let out an “Oh.”

“When the matter is on the verge of being discovered, that is what we have been told to do.”

Geralt continued with satisfaction.

“We obtained three ‘trump cards.’ One will be sent toward the duke’s troops. Our troops will escape during that distraction. That is the plan.”

“…Where is Archduke Kharon now?”

“More than two days’ travel on foot from here. We have enough time to recover the materials and leave this place. Stay calm and deal with it. This is when our secret unit will show its true worth.”

“““…Oh.”””

Geralt answered the questions one after another.

His confident attitude seemed to reassure his subordinates, who let out relieved voices.

“Our ‘Nameless Unit’ has just been established. Our chance to shine is ahead.”

The man called Geralt declared.

“Our summoning magic will become a power for the country. Let us break through the deadlocked southern front. As a shadow force lurking behind the empire. We will show everyone that heroes are a thing of the past.”

“—One last question.”

The hired magician who spoke earlier raised his hand again.

“Apart from Archduke Kharon, is there anything else we should be wary of?”

“Anything else? Say it.”

“The Demon lord’s territory and Princess Sophia’s troops.”

His words caused a stir.

The giant spider summoned in the first experiment — called the ‘Magical Beast Gargarossa’ in the empire.

The giant centipede summoned in the second experiment.

The ‘Magical Beast Gargarossa’ was defeated by the Demon lord’s army.

The giant centipede was defeated by the Demon lord’s army and Princess Sophia’s troops respectively.

“That’s a foolish question. How would the Demon lord’s territory or Princess Sophia’s troops come here?”

Commander Geralt said.

“Archduke Kharon set his sights on this fortress based on information from the imperial capital. But it is impossible for the Demon lord’s territory or Princess Sophia’s troops to do the same. There is no way they will come here.”

“…Maybe.”

“If you are convinced, then get to work. Everyone, start preparing to leave immediately. The magician squad commanding the ‘trump cards’ has the highest priority. Geralt’s direct unit will handle the disposal of the materials —”

“Report! Imperial soldiers and magical beasts are approaching the fortress!!”

Suddenly, a scout dashed into the plaza.

“Imperial soldiers!? Which unit are they!!”

“The banner indicates, according to the markings, that they are Isaac Muira’s unit stationed in ‘Nosa Town’! Ten soldiers. Behind them, several large men with faces hidden under hoods follow!!”

“Soldiers directly under Princess Sophia!?”

“In front of them are small magical beasts—no, are those really magical beasts…?”

The soldier cried out, clutching his head.

“Reporting! The magical beasts are about one meter in size! There are three of them! A spider, a snake, and a mysterious ball!”

“What’s a mysterious ball!?”

“It’s a mysterious ball!”

“I know that! I’m asking what kind of magical beast it is!”

“I cannot explain it. Please look for yourself, Geralt-sama.”

“Alright, understood. Everyone else, hurry with preparations to escape!”

After receiving the report, the commander left the room.

Led by the soldiers, they moved to the high ground of the fort—

‘Rustle rustle rustle rustle rustle!’

‘Shush shush shush shush shush shush!’

‘Rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble—!!’

“Th-they’re too fast! W-wait—!!”

They saw the spider, snake, and mysterious ball approaching the fort.

About ten Imperial soldiers were chasing them. Behind were the large hooded men.

They were desperately chasing the magical beasts.

Most likely, small magical beasts had appeared where these soldiers were guarding.

Judging it dangerous, the ‘Nosa Town’ unit had come here to exterminate them. It must be so.

“As fellow Imperial soldiers, we should support the magical beast extermination…”

Cold sweat trickled down Commander Geralt’s forehead.

The fort’s—official—role was to exterminate magical beasts and maintain order.

If fellow Imperial soldiers were chasing magical beasts, they had to be supported.

But if they spent too much time on extermination, their escape would be delayed.

They might lose time to flee from Archduke Kharon.

“Then leave the magical beasts alone? No… that’s no good either.”

If they left the magical beasts alone, Isaac Muira’s unit would become suspicious.

After exterminating the beasts, they might come to complain to this fort.

If occupied dealing with that, escape would be delayed again.

If they entered the fort—the ‘trump card’ might be discovered.

“I am trusted by that person… and entrusted with this mission because I am strong for such tasks. Therefore, I understand the priority.”

Commander Geralt muttered as if reminding himself.

The highest priority was to deliver the ‘trump card’ to the destination.

In the worst case, one of the three beasts would be used to delay Archduke Kharon, but the other two had to be secured.

That was the mission of this unit.

“Direct subordinates, prepare to escape. Mercenary soldiers, attack the magical beasts with magic from here! Don’t… let them approach this fort!”

Commander Geralt shouted.

If the magical beasts were exterminated, Isaac Muira’s unit would have no reason to come here.

They should also be able to repel them at the entrance.

“Even so… what are those magical beasts?”

Different species of magical beasts coordinating was impossible.

Something extraordinarily strange might be happening. They had to stay alert—

Thinking this, Commander Geralt gave orders.

“Cast attack magic along the beasts’ path. After they falter, unleash a volley of arrows. Don’t let them near the fort!”

“““Understood!!”””

“Use ‘Flame Wall’ magic. Create a wall of flames in front of them. Magical beasts have no intelligence. If they realize they can’t win, they’ll flee. That will give the impression that Isaac Mura’s unit and the beasts are being attacked from both sides.”

Receiving Geralt’s orders, the magic soldiers began chanting.

The magical beasts approached the fort straight ahead.

At the rear was the snake beast, swiftly writhing its body as it moved.

In the center was the spider type, resembling the magical beast Gargarossa in some way.

Leading the pack was the spherical one—that was already beyond comprehension. It could only be described as a mysterious ball.

Commander Geralt concluded that the exact nature of the magical beasts didn’t matter.

What was important was to prevent Isaac Muira’s unit from approaching the fort.

Before Archduke Kharon arrived, they had to escape with the documents and the ‘trump card’.

“The beasts are within magic range. Now, fire—!!”

“““‘Flame Wall’!!”””

The soldiers activated their magic, creating a giant ‘wall of flames’ in front of the beasts.

Several meters high. Tens of meters wide.

Ten magic soldiers had lined up the ‘flame walls’ as instructed.

The formation was flawless, and the walls formed a massive barrier, blocking the beasts’ path.

If the beasts saw this, they should retreat—

‘…rustle’

‘…shush’

‘…rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble’

“What…?”

The beasts’ behavior changed.

The three, which had been scattered, began lining up in a row.

Leading was the ball-shaped beast. The spider increased its speed, while the snake slowed down.

Then, the ball-shaped beast jumped.

It was crushed on the ground, bounced high, and while blowing air—leaped.

Following the mysterious ball beast in the commander and soldiers’ view, the spider also jumped.

In midair, using the high-speed spinning mysterious ball as a stepping stone—

Rustle rustle. Boing.

“““Whaaaaat!?”””

Using the momentum of the spin──it easily jumped over the Firewall.

“No way!? A magical beast has that kind of jumping power!?”

“The ball-shaped beast acted as a springboard…?”

“Why are magical beasts of different species working together…? This makes no sense…”

They don’t know.

They don’t know that what they’re calling a magical beast is actually a “cleaning robot” modeled after the Hero’s World.

They don’t know that the alchemist who read the phrase, “This cleaning robot can handle steps with ease!” in a mail-order catalog, calculated based on a hero’s jumping ability, and greatly overestimated the size of “steps” in the Hero’s World.

That, under the theme of “surpassing the hero,” he even added a 50% margin to that estimated height.

As a result, he added a propulsion function using a Wind Magic Stone to the cleaning robot, enabling it to jump over steps a hero could barely clear──

“Archers, shoot the spider beast! Magic units, attack the snake and the ball-shaped beasts!”

“““Roger!!”””

The archers released a volley of arrows.

But the spider beast easily dodged them.

Its movements were abnormal.

As if it could see the arrows’ trajectory from a different perspective, it skittered left and right, dodging each incoming arrow. It continued its advance toward the fortress.

“W-What is that thing!?”

“Can it see our movements? A magical beast!?”

“It grazed it… but bounced off!? That beast is made of metal!”

While the archers shouted, the magic soldiers unleashed spells at the snake and the mysterious ball beast.

Explosive-type──burst-type──also for intimidation, they chose spells with loud sound and impact.

But the snake and the ball remained unfazed. Neither frightened by the noise nor the vibration.

They altered their course, bypassing the wall of fire.

The snake moved through the grass, and the ball rolled rapidly along the ground, heading straight for the fortress.

“──It can’t be helped. We’ll prioritize subjugating the beasts.”

Commander Geralt made his decision.

They would exit the gate and eliminate the magical beasts in close combat.

If they halted evacuation preparations and fought with all troops, the battle would end quickly.

There would no longer be any need to let Isaac Muira into the fortress.

Those magical beasts aren’t normal.

Of course they’re not. It should be obvious. What kind of magical beast charges a fortress guarded by elite imperial soldiers?

If such a thing exists, it’s either a beast that’s lost its mind and is running wild, or a familiar. A newly summoned species.

But summoning magic is under their control.

In that case, it must be a berserk magical beast. That has to be it──

“All units, prepare for interception! I’ll speak with Isaac Muira. If the beasts breach the fortress, it’s our duty to defeat them. The garrison from Nosa Town must not interfere.”

The commander declared, and the soldiers sprang back into action.

The fortress bell rang out an emergency alert.

Leaving the field command to a subordinate, Commander Geralt climbed the wall surrounding the fortress. Seeing Isaac Muira’s unit approaching, he called out.

“Halt there, soldiers of Nosa Town!! I am Geralt, commander of this fortress!”

Commander Geralt shouted.

“The magical beasts you were chasing—we will take full responsibility for subjugating them! This is the domain of our fortress. You are to wait there!”

“I am Isaac Omawarisan Muira, direct subordinate of Princess Sophia.”

The unit from Nosa Town stopped several dozen meters in front of the fortress.

They raised flags showing they were imperial soldiers, looking up at Commander Geralt.

He could see the face of the man at the front.

There was no mistake. He was the heir of the distinguished Muira marquis family, which had produced generations of Ministers of Military Affairs.

“By Princess Sophia’s orders, I came to eliminate the spider, the snake, and… that mysterious orb──”

“That beast has already entered the alert zone of this fortress.”

Interrupting Isaac Muira, Commander Geralt spoke.

“Therefore, we will handle its subjugation. Afterwards, we will hand them over to you. That is all.”

“Wait a moment.”

“What is it, Isaac Muira-dono?”

“What we were pursuing appeared to head straight for the fortress. Are you sure about that?”

“Indeed. Those beasts recklessly attempted to attack the fortress. As you said, they came directly toward us.”

Geralt continued.

“But we are elite soldiers. We should be able to take down the magical beasts without any issues.”

“Still, it’s far too suspicious. I want to confirm something.”

Isaac Muira pressed on.

Persistent bastard—Commander Geralt looked exasperated.

For imperial soldiers, defeating magical beasts that have entered their territory is only natural.

Since those beasts had clearly charged toward the fortress, they had every right to take them down. Isaac Muira had no grounds to interfere.

However, the other party didn’t seem to understand that.

In that case, it must be explained so that he does.

“What exactly do you want to confirm, Isaac Muira-dono?”

“Is there any chance that those spider and serpent creatures, as well as the sphere, merely brushed past the fortress walls, or passed by without touching any buildings or people?”

“None.”

Commander Geralt replied curtly.

“Those magical beasts were headed straight for the heart of our fortress. The fortress guards saw it too. There’s no mistake.”

“But I find it hard to believe. That they were truly aiming for an Imperial fortress…”

“Magical beasts sometimes act erratically.”

“Are you absolutely certain? That the magical beasts were aiming for this fortress? Commander Geralt?”

“You’re being repetitive. Even if you serve directly under Princess Sophia, your words are crossing a line!”

Commander Geralt shouted.

“Are you using Her Highness’s trust as a weapon to cast suspicion on us, your comrades!? Don’t make me repeat myself! Those magical beasts were headed here. From three different directions, they are already advancing on us. Their target is… this fortress… Absolutely… not anywhere else…! Therefore, we have the right to subjugate them!!”

“…I see.”

Isaac Muira fell silent.

A few seconds passed, and then—

“In that case, under the name of Her Highness Sophia Dolgaria, I, Isaac Omawarisan Muira, ask you this! Were you the one who summoned the magical beast Gargarossa and the giant centipede!? Or was it someone within that fortress!?”

“—What!?”

Commander Geralt was speechless.

The surrounding magic soldiers, having heard his words, widened their eyes in astonishment.

They couldn’t comprehend it.

Why would a soldier who had been chasing the magical beasts suddenly bring up magical beast summoning?

“It wasn’t magical beasts heading toward the fortress—it was cleaning robots equipped with a magical beast-tracking function!”

Isaac Muira shouted, loud enough for it to echo across the entire fortress.

“They are magical items from the Hero World, capable of following the traces of magical beasts. If their destination is indeed that fortress, then there must be a clue to a magical beast there. I request you open the gate!!”

“““The ‘Omawarisan Squad’ will not permit anyone to disrupt the security of the border zone!!”””

“We have no intention of hostility. We simply wish to confirm something.”

“““We want to confirm it.”””

The soldiers of “Town of Nosa” and the large men with hoods covering their faces spoke in unison.

Hearing their voices, Commander Geralt and his soldiers froze.

A magical item that follows the traces of magical beasts? “Cleaning robots”?

There’s no way such things could exist.

But—if not, then what were those magical beasts?

The spider-type beast had already reached the fortress wall and begun to climb.

The serpent-type had bypassed the firewall and vanished from sight. The fortress had arrow slits, as well as gaps for water intake and drainage. A small enough serpent could easily pass through them. It was only a matter of time before it got inside.

The real problem was the mysterious sphere. No one could even begin to guess what it might do.

If those creatures truly had the ability to track the traces of magical beasts—then without a doubt, they would uncover whatever magical beast was hidden within the fortress.

But he couldn’t believe it.

It was true that the magical beasts had passed through the forest near the border a few days ago.

Could those “cleaning robots” really have followed faint magical traces all the way from there? Impossible. There’s no way…

“You have no right to enter the fortress! Aren’t you just security soldiers from the ‘Town of Nosa’? This is an overreach of your authority!!”

“We serve as the guards of Her Highness Sophia!!”

Isaac Muira shouted.

“And Her Highness has previously been attacked by a centipede-type magical beast! If the one who summoned it is here, they must be held accountable! I serve Her Highness. Eradicating the source of calamity is my mission!”

“…Guh.”

“Furthermore, this area is close to the ‘Town of Nosa.’ If a magical beast is present, we cannot ignore it. Who knows when the border’s peace may be disturbed? Subjugating magical beasts to protect our territory is only natural. That’s common sense for Imperial soldiers.”

There was no way to refute him.

After all, defending one’s territory by slaying magical beasts—

—that was the very logic Commander Geralt himself had just used moments ago.

“We’re not asking to comb through every corner of the fortress. All we want is to investigate the location where the ‘cleaning robot’ stops. That’s all. There shouldn’t be a problem. Don’t you agree, Commander Geralt?”

As Commander Geralt and the soldiers wavered in the face of Isaac Muira’s calm and logical words—

Isaac Muira and his troops began advancing toward the fortress.

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