Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 94: “Beginning the Magical Beast Investigation (2)”
──Thor’s point of view──
“The Cleaning Robots successfully found traces of the magical beasts.”
After confirming that Isaac’s unit was moving away, I stepped out from behind the trees.
Since I had kept my distance, I didn’t think they had noticed me.
I had already told General Raisenga, “There are three large cats in the forest. Sometimes they walk on two legs, but please pretend not to notice them.” Princess Sophia had passed the same message to Isaac, so there was no problem.
The reason I’m here is to provide user support.
I couldn’t create the Cleaning Robots and then simply abandon them in the field.
In case of malfunctions or operational problems, I had decided to provide secret support to General Raisenga and Commander Isaac.
“Thanks for following me, Mabel and Agnis.”
“Meow~”
“You can take your hoods off, you know?”
At my suggestion, Mabel and Agnis removed the cat-ear hoods of their Role-Playing Pajamas.
Their disguises vanished, returning them to their normal forms.
I was wearing a black set of cat-type Role-Playing Pajamas as well.
Mabel and Agnis wore white and red sets, respectively. Their designs differed from the previous versions because the tailors at the Demon Lord’s castle had improved them to suit each girl.
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.
I understood the functional beauty of magical items, but I still lacked skill in aesthetic design.
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 would you say that!?”
They were surprised.
“Thor-sama, your Cleaning Robots perfectly detected and followed traces left by the magical beasts. Why would you call yourself unskilled?”
“Both the Spider-Type and Snake-Type moved like living creatures. Thor Canaan-sama, you created 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 remaining challenge was reproducing spider-like and snake-like movement, which I solved by incorporating materials from similar magical beasts into the Cleaning Robots.
The Hugging Pillow had taught me that magic contained information about its owner. This was an application of that principle.
By incorporating materials from similar magical beasts into the Spider-Type and Snake-Type, I enabled them to move like a spider and a snake.
Then I added a target-search function like a magical-power detector and a suction function powered by a 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.”
“Yes. I tried to imitate Wi-Fi from the Heroes’ world.”
“You divided each six-attribute magic stone into three portions and built one portion into each Cleaning Robot… It’s remarkable 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.”
Each Cleaning Robot contained one-third of the same light, darkness, earth, water, fire, and wind magic stones as its power source.
Though divided into three parts, they’re all the same magic stone.
If they were living creatures, it would be like sharing nerves and thought circuits.
When I operated them in that state, the magic power resonated and linked.
“The Spherical-Type specializes in high-speed movement. It receives information from the other two, moves quickly, and supports the Spider-Type and Snake-Type by spinning at high speed.”
“The Spider-Type is durable and powerful.”
“The Snake-Type can equip different attachments on its tail.”
Among the three, the Spider-Type was the strongest.
The Snake-Type was the most versatile because of its interchangeable tail attachments.
The ‘Spherical-Type’ moves quickly and supports the other two.
I only hoped they would help us locate the new species of magical beast and its 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 followed the joint force from the Demon Lord’s Domain and the Empire.
──Later, at a fortress in the northeastern Empire──
“Archduke Kharon and the Princess of the Holy Sword are approaching. Begin preparations to evacuate.”
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, many small nations had existed to the east of the Empire, and their repeated conflicts had often drawn the Empire in.
But that was long ago.
All those small nations had since been annexed, and the only foreign territory near the fortress was the Demon Lord’s Domain.
The fortress now housed only a small garrison tasked with subjugating nearby magical beasts. Neither its soldiers nor its commander held important positions in 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 researching a new trump card to replace the Heroes.
As a result — despite several failures — they finally succeeded in commanding a new magical beast.
They had intended to report to their superiors and conduct a field test on the battlefield, but—
“Who would have thought Archduke Kharon would notice this fortress so quickly? As expected of the late Emperor’s former right-hand man.”
The fortress commander muttered calmly.
His superior was most wary of Archduke Kharon.
But the Archduke was still a retainer of the Emperor, so tracking his movements hadn’t been difficult.
Countermeasures had already been devised.
“Therefore, we’ll execute Plan B.”
The commander in his robe told his assembled subordinates.
The gathered soldiers murmured.
Plan B meant abandoning 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.
The rear ranks consisted of mercenary mages hired for money. As long as they were paid, they were unlikely to betray the unit, and watchers had been assigned as an additional precaution.
“—You say you’ll 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 leave. I, as fortress commander, will remain and speak with the Archduke.”
The man called Geralt nodded.
“All materials will be removed, and the trump card will be moved along the prescribed route. Without evidence, even Archduke Kharon will have nothing to accuse us of.”
“If that ‘trump card’ is used on the southern front, won’t the duke become suspicious?”
“The Empire judges results above all else.”
The commander said.
“Produce results and convince the soldiers on the battlefield. Then even Archduke Kharon’s objections will be meaningless. He can’t change the course of the war, but we can. We’re also a top-secret mobile unit, and ordinary Imperial soldiers don’t 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’ve sent scouts. We know the duke’s location. It’s a distance we can escape.”
“And if, by some chance, we can’t escape?”
“In that case… we’ll 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’s what we’ve 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’s the plan.”
“Where’s 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 nation. We’ll break the deadlock on the southern front. As a shadow unit operating behind the Empire, we’ll prove that Heroes are no longer necessary.”
“—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 Domain and Princess Sophia’s troops.”
His words caused a stir.
The giant spider summoned in the first experiment was called the Magical Beast Gargarossa in the Empire.
The giant centipede summoned in the second experiment.
The Magical Beast Gargarossa had been defeated by the army of the Demon Lord’s Domain.
The giant centipedes had been defeated by the army of the Demon Lord’s Domain and Princess Sophia’s troops.
“That’s a foolish question. How would the Demon Lord’s Domain 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’s impossible for the Demon Lord’s Domain or Princess Sophia’s troops to do the same. There’s no way they’ll come here.”
“…Maybe.”
“If you understand, get to work. Everyone, prepare to leave immediately. The mage unit controlling the trump cards has top priority. My direct subordinates will dispose of the remaining 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 belongs to Isaac Muira’s unit from Noza Town! Ten soldiers are approaching, followed by several large men whose faces are hidden beneath hoods!”
“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 can’t 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 unit from Noza Town must have followed them here to exterminate them.
“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’m trusted by that person… and entrusted with this mission because I’m 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. Create a wall of fire in front of them. Magical beasts lack intelligence; once they realize they can’t win, they’ll flee. That will make it seem as though Isaac Muira’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.
The Spider-Type was in the center, somewhat resembling the Magical Beast Gargarossa.
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 trump cards.
“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 compressed itself against the ground and then sprang high into the air, blasting wind as it 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 ball’s rotational momentum, the spider easily cleared the Flame Wall.
“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 didn’t know.
They didn’t know that the creatures they called magical beasts were actually Cleaning Robots modeled after devices from the Heroes’ world.
They didn’t know that the alchemist had read “This Robot Vacuum Cleaner can handle steps with ease!” in the Mail-Order Catalog, calculated the height from a Hero’s jumping ability, and vastly overestimated the size of a “step” in the Heroes’ world.
That, under the theme of “surpassing the hero,” he even added a 50% margin to that estimated height.
The result was a wind-magic propulsion system that allowed the Cleaning Robots to clear steps a Hero could barely jump over.
“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 though it could see the arrows’ trajectories from another perspective, it skittered left and right, evaded every shot, and continued toward the fortress.
“W-What’s that thing!?”
“Can it see our movements? A magical beast!?”
“One grazed it, but the arrow 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.
They chose explosive and burst spells, hoping the loud noise and impact would frighten the creatures.
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 then be no reason to allow Isaac Muira into the fortress.
Those magical beasts weren’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 to intercept them! I’ll speak with Isaac Muira. If the beasts breach the fortress, it’s our duty to destroy them. The garrison from Noza Town mustn’t 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, soldiers of Noza Town! I’m Geralt, commander of this fortress!”
Commander Geralt shouted.
“The magical beasts you were pursuing have entered this fortress’s jurisdiction. We’ll take full responsibility for subjugating them. Wait where you are!”
“I’m Isaac ‘Omawarisan’ Muira, a direct subordinate of Princess Sophia.”
The unit from Noza Town stopped several dozen meters from 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 order, I came to eliminate the spider, the snake, and that mysterious sphere—”
“That beast has already entered the alert zone of this fortress.”
Interrupting Isaac Muira, Commander Geralt spoke.
“Therefore, we’ll handle their subjugation and hand the remains over to you afterward. That’s 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’re 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, Geralt thought with exasperation.
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’re 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—
“Then, in the name of Her Highness Sophia Dorgalia, I, Isaac ‘Omawarisan’ Muira, ask you this: Did you summon the Magical Beast Gargarossa and the giant centipede, or did someone inside that fortress do so?”
“—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?
“Those weren’t magical beasts heading toward the fortress. They were Cleaning Robots equipped with a magical-beast tracking function!”
Isaac Muira shouted, loud enough for it to echo across the entire fortress.
“They’re magical items modeled after devices from the Heroes’ world and capable of following traces left by magical beasts. If they have led us to that fortress, then evidence of a magical beast must be inside. Open the gate!”
“The Omawarisan Unit won’t permit anyone to threaten the peace of the border!”
“We have no intention of hostility. We simply wish to confirm something.”
“We want to confirm it.”
The soldiers of Noza Town and the large hooded men 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 had already reached the fortress wall and begun climbing.
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 authority to enter this fortress! You’re merely security soldiers from Noza Town. This is beyond your jurisdiction!”
“We’re Princess Sophia’s guards!”
Isaac Muira shouted.
“And Her Highness has previously been attacked by a centipede-type magical beast! If the one who summoned it’s here, they must be held accountable! I serve Her Highness. Eradicating the source of calamity is my mission!”
“…Guh.”
“Furthermore, this fortress is close to Noza Town. If a magical beast is present, we can’t ignore it. Who knows when it might threaten the border again? Subjugating magical beasts to protect our territory is the natural duty of 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.