Welcoming His Majesty the Demon King (2)

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'IC Recorder (Voice Recorder)'

Even your unpleasant boss gets knocked out with this!

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Is there someone you want to fight back against but can't because of the difference in power?

Everyone has troubles at work, don't they?

For people like that, we recommend our 'IC Recorder'!

Our 'IC Recorder' is packed with advanced functions.

It records any words clearly and plays them back in the speaker's own voice.

(It has passed our company's original quality-assurance tests.)

Playback at normal speed, double speed, quadruple speed, and sixteenfold speed is also possible.

The audio remains clear even at increased speed.

A voice played back without distortion is sure to have a powerful effect.

Your opponent will be shocked and flustered by your unexpected counterattack!

To protect yourself from powerful opponents, be sure to use our 'IC Recorder'!

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"...So there really is an item like this."

"...It's astonishing."

Lukie and Mabel listened to my explanation and sighed.

"I understand the abilities of this so-called 'IC Recorder.' In other words, you believe this item is the source of the 'Instant Caster's' power, Thor?"

"Yes. After all, it can 'record any words' and 'play them back in the speaker's own voice.'"

"And it can even play them back at sixteen times the speed..."

Furthermore, it could apparently knock out the 'unpleasant boss'—in other words, even a higher-ranking Hero.

Could it penetrate the opponent's defenses, or exploit an opening? ...It was probably the latter.

This 'IC Recorder' probably recorded magical incantations in advance and played them back whenever the user wanted.

And it could play them back at four to sixteen times the normal speed.

If someone could chant and activate magic at that speed, it was only natural that they would be powerful.

If magic came flying at sixteen times the normal speed, there would be no way to deal with it.

"In other words... this was an item that allowed a Hero to become an 'Instant Caster,' wasn't it...?"

"I believe you're right, Mabel. 'Instant Caster,' 'Interrupt Caster,' and 'Infinite Caster' all begin with the initials 'IC.'"

"So the 'IC Recorder' is an item symbolizing 'Instant,' 'Interrupt,' and 'Infinite.'"

"That must be why it was called the 'IC Recorder.'"

Mabel and Lukie sighed.

"Its official name might have been 'Recorder for IC—Instant Caster.'"

When I said that, Lukie and Mabel nodded.

Both of them wore tense expressions. That was only natural.

Even the Demon King's Domain must have preserved a legend about the 'Instant Caster' repeatedly casting magic without incantations. To the Demon King's Army, who had actually fought that Hero, they must have been a terrifying threat.

And this 'IC Recorder' was an item symbolizing the strength of that 'Instant Caster.'

"When I read the legend of the 'Instant Caster,' I thought..."

Mabel murmured softly.

"It said that the Hero unleashed a huge number of ice spells immediately after announcing their name. I had always wondered how anyone could do that..."

"I know that story. The part where they say, 'I am the strongest spellcaster! Demon King's Army, fear my name and praise it!'—while shouting 'Gigantic Blizzard!!'—right?"

"Y-yes, that's the one."

"At that time, they blew away a huge number of demi-humans with a gigantic blizzard..."

"It should have been impossible to unleash enormous magic without even chanting a spell..."

"That must have been the power of the 'IC (Instant Cast) Recorder.'"

Lukie nodded while peering into the 'Mail-Order Catalog.'

"They must have recorded incantations they had chanted in advance into the 'IC Recorder.' During battle, they played them back while announcing their name. No doubt they mixed their voice in so that the incantations could not be heard."

"They might have played them back at about sixteen times the normal speed."

"They must have spoken at a terrifying speed. To anyone who did not know about the 'IC Recorder,' it would have sounded like nothing but noise."

"But, Your Majesty, would magic really activate even with an incantation played back at sixteen times the normal speed?"

"There are people in this world who chant spells quickly, after all."

"That's true. Besides, it was something a Hero did."

"Indeed. If it is something a Hero does, I suppose it cannot be helped."

"That Hero confidently called themselves the 'Instant Caster' and 'Interrupt Caster' because they were confident in the 'IC Recorder's' functions."

"Otherwise, there would have been no reason to announce those names."

"The technology of the Hero world really is incredible..."

Lukie and Mabel continued speaking seriously while looking at the 'Mail-Order Catalog.'

"...The 'Instant Caster' really was a terrifying existence..."

"...Your Majesty?"

When I looked closely, Lukie's body was trembling slightly.

Could she be afraid of the 'Instant Caster'?

...Of course she was. That was someone her ancestors had fought.

As the Demon King, Lukie might have heard about that person's strength and abilities directly from her family.

Seeing the magic item used by that 'Instant Caster,' it was only natural for her to be frightened.

"Your tea has gone cold. Let's replace it with something warm."

Mabel suddenly stood up.

"I'll prepare some hot snacks as well. Please use them to warm yourself, Lukie-sama."

"In the meantime, use this."

I took a cloth from the 'Ultra-Compact Simple Storage' and draped it over Lukie's knees.

It was uncut 'Water Magic-Woven Cloth.' It was left over from when I made the bathing clothes, but it clung tightly to the body and prevented body heat from escaping.

"Y-yes. Thank you, Thor."

Lukie looked at me and smiled.

"I had heard about how frightening the 'Instant Caster' was over and over when I was little. I couldn't help trembling."

"That was only natural. That Hero was astonishingly aggressive."

"They were apparently also called the 'Magic Berserker.'"

"This 'IC Recorder' was an item used by that Hero, wasn't it...?"

I looked at Lukie and murmured.

"In that case, perhaps I shouldn't make it."

It was a convenient item, but I had no desire to make it if doing so would frighten Lukie.

I could record Grand Duke Karon's story with another item, after all.

That was what I thought, but—

"It would be different if it were an item made by you, Thor."

Lukie suddenly placed her hand over mine.

Her hand rested on her lap, wrapped in the 'Magic-Woven Cloth.'

There, Lukie tightly squeezed my hand.

"There is no way an item made by Thor could be evil. Besides, as the Demon King, I need to learn as much as possible about the Heroes' power. I must learn their technology so that I can prepare for new Magic Beasts and for Heroes who might appear again in the distant future."

"...Lukie-sama."

"Therefore, I give you permission, Thor."

Lukie leaned against me, bared her teeth, and smiled.

"Go ahead and make this 'IC Recorder.' Record the Grand Duke's voice and let me hear what he says. We need to know and learn about humans."

"Understood, Lukie-sama."

"Still... why did the Hero create an item like this?"

Lukie tilted her head while tracing a finger over the photograph of the 'IC Recorder.'

"The Hero was already sufficiently powerful. They should not have needed an item for chanting spells. And I cannot understand why they were fighting with bosses and business partners..."

"If they had a boss in the Hero world, it was probably a Great Hero or a Mythic Hero."

"A more powerful Hero? Were those people managing the Hero who sought to become the strongest?"

"The business partner might have been another Hero who traded Magic Beast materials with them."

"That is certainly possible."

"If they were fighting that person... perhaps the Hero world had Heroes fight one another in order to create the truly strongest Hero."

"I see! If that is the case, it makes sense that they needed an 'IC Recorder.'"

"Then the key to their strategy would have been bringing the 'IC Recorder' in without their boss noticing."

"Perhaps. But did the Heroes constantly engage in such exhausting battles in their own world...?"

"They might have been competing with one another in strength and achievements."

Even in the Empire, nobles fought Magic Beasts and competed over their accomplishments.

It would not be strange for the world of the Heroes who founded that nation to have done the same thing.

In a world like that, the 'IC Recorder' would be an important key item.

I told Lukie all of this.

"...Heroes fighting one another to become the strongest? Some of them would collapse from exhaustion. Does the Hero world really have enough people for that to be possible?"

Lukie nodded as though she understood.

"From the perspective of the sparsely populated Demon King's Domain, that is an enviable situation."

"...I don't envy it."

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

"I couldn't survive in a country like that."

The Hero world was overflowing with powerful magic items, so it had no need for alchemists.

But there was no way I could fight like a Hero, either.

If I had been born in the Hero world... I probably would not have been able to survive.

"I don't think you need to envy the Hero world, Lukie-sama. It doesn't matter if the Hero world has a large population or if its people are overflowing with talent. Um... what I'm trying to say is..."

...I was not expressing myself very well.

But Lukie listened to me with a puzzled expression.

I had to explain it in a way she could understand.

In other words, what I wanted to say was... um.

"I like the Demon King's Domain where you are, Lukie-sama."

I said it.

"—!?"

Lukie's eyes went blank.

Maybe that had been difficult to understand.

I should put it more simply...

"I am happy to be able to stay in the Demon King's Domain, near you, Lukie-sama. Everyone in the Demon King's Domain works with such energy. I can tell that everyone respects you, Lukie-sama. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be able to serve you."

"........Thor? What are you suddenly saying?"

"I was saying that I like the Demon King's Domain more than the Hero world."

"I-I see."

"Because this is the Demon King's Domain, I can enjoy making magic items. One reason I am so devoted to magic swords is that I want to repay you, Lukie-sama. Of course, I also think Lukie-sama would look incredibly cool wielding a magic sword."

"...Y-yes? What?"

"Wouldn't it be great to see you, Lukie-sama, wearing the 'Perception Interference' mask and robe and firing blades of darkness called 'Shuzvadburn'?"

"............"

"And since I know what your face looks like, Lukie-sama, when I watch you swing a sword while using 'Perception Interference,' I can imagine your true face swinging the sword as well. I get to enjoy it twice... or rather, it feels like I have you, Lukie-sama, all to myself, which is really—"

"Th-that is enough, Thor!"

Whoosh.

Lukie released my hand.

Then she pressed both hands to her cheeks and turned away.

"...I'm sorry, Lukie-sama. I got carried away..."

Oh no. I had gotten too absorbed in explaining.

"In any case, I was saying that I like the Demon King's Domain ruled by you, Lukie-sama, more than the Hero world."

"I-I understand. I understand your feelings very well."

"I'm sorry for talking so one-sidedly..."

"That is all right. It is... all right, so..."

Lukie pressed a hand to her chest and nodded.

Then she took a deep breath, as though making some sort of resolve, and—

"I-in any case, we were talking about the 'IC Recorder,' weren't we!?"

"Y-yes. We were talking about the 'IC Recorder.'"

"I do not mind you making it. Knowing you, Thor, you've already thought about how to make it, haven't you?"

"That's right. I was thinking of using the 'Improved Hugging Pillow' as a reference."

I had learned that magic power contained personal information when I made the 'Improved Hugging Pillow.'

If I applied that knowledge, I should be able to play back a voice 'as though the individual had chanted it on the spot.'

"It might take some time, but I do not think it will be technically difficult to activate magic with an 'IC Recorder.'"

"I see."

"Well, if all I need to do is record and play back a voice, I can make that right away."

I activated 'Creation Alchemy.'

I also took a 'Wind Magic Stone' and a 'Water Magic Stone' from the 'Ultra-Compact Simple Storage.'

I thought I could make an item that only played back voices right here.

A voice was a vibration of air, so the 'Wind Magic Stone' should be able to record and play it back.

Let's see... Perhaps I should speak while pouring magic power into the 'Wind Magic Stone.' Adding the 'Water Magic Stone' might allow the recording to be preserved for a long time.

Wind magic carried the meaning of 'circulation.' In other words, I could preserve the vibration of the voice and have it circulate round and round in water. When needed, I could pass it through the 'Wind Magic Stone' again and convert it back into vibrations in the air.

Yes. In theory, this should work.

All that remained was the outer casing... Since this was a prototype, wrapping it in 'Earth Magic-Woven Cloth' would be enough.

'Earth Magic-Woven Cloth' was durable, and it let both voices and magic power pass through.

If I made it into a bag and wrapped the components inside, the prototype would be complete.

"—It's finished. This is the prototype 'Voice Recorder.'"

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'Voice Recorder (Prototype)'

(Attributes: Wind, Wind, Water)

(Rarity: ★★★☆)

Records and plays back voices using multiple 'Wind Magic Stones.'

The 'Water Magic Stone' preserves the voice for a long time.

The 'Voice Recorder' is a simple voice-recording item.

It records a voice when you hold it and pour magic power into it while speaking.

To play it back, simply think, 'I want to play it back,' and pour in magic power.

However, it can only record and play back voices.

Unlike the 'IC Recorder,' it cannot activate magic through a voice.

Therefore, its name is not the 'IC (Instant Caster) Recorder' but the 'Voice (Audio) Recorder.'

Physical Destruction Resistance: ★☆ (As it is made of cloth, its durability is low.)

Service life: six months.

One year of user support included. Recorded voice data is not covered by the warranty.

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"That is what it does."

"You really made it in the blink of an eye..."

Lukie stared intently at the bag-shaped 'Voice Recorder' I had handed her.

She placed it on her palm and rolled it around, as if checking its size and texture.

"Try saying something, Lukie-sama."

"........ I see. Yes, I suppose so."

Lukie took a deep breath.

"Th-then, I shall speak."

"Go ahead."

"......Hmmmm."

"Lukie-sama?"

In front of the prototype 'Voice Recorder,' Lukie fell silent.

"...Having one's own voice recorded is rather nerve-racking."

"Yes. This is technology that does not exist in this world, after all."

"...I-I see."

Lukie poured magic power into the bag-shaped 'Voice Recorder.'

Then she took a deep breath—and opened her mouth—and

"How strange... I cannot seem to get the words out."

"Perhaps it is because you are a king, Lukie-sama."

Lukie was the Demon King. Her words held power over others.

She could command people, and she could pass judgment on them.

Perhaps Lukie, in her position as Demon King, felt some resistance to having her words recorded.

"...Yes. You are right, Thor."

Lukie placed the 'Voice Recorder' on the table.

"The words of the Demon King have meaning... I see. As expected of you, Thor. You observe things carefully..."

"I'll try it myself for now."

I picked up the 'Voice Recorder.'

I poured magic power into the 'Wind Magic Stone' and put it into recording mode.

Then—

"...I am glad I came to the Demon King's Domain."

I repeated the words I had just spoken.

This way, there would be no problem even if someone heard it.

"Everyone in the Demon King's Domain works with such energy. I am happy to have become a member of the Demon King's Domain. In other words, I like the Demon King's Domain ruled by Lukie-sama."

That should do it.

Next, I would pour magic power into the 'Water Magic Stone' and put it into preservation mode.

Then, when I activated the 'Wind Magic Stone' again—

'...I am glad I came to the Demon King's Domain.'

The voice played back.

Good. It worked.

'—I like the Demon King's Domain ruled by Lukie-sama.'

When my words ended, the 'Voice Recorder' stopped.

Using 'Appraisal,' I could tell that the sound vibrations were circulating around and around inside the 'Water Magic Stone.' The recorded sound seemed to be preserved properly.

However, the recording time was short. At most, it could record for a few minutes.

I would have to increase the number of magic stones or adjust the preservation method to extend it.

Still, it was sufficient as a prototype.

It did not have the 'Instant Cast' function, but it could record and play back voices.

"That is how it functions. What do you think, Lukie-sama?"

"............"

"...Why are you facing away from me?"

"...It is nothing."

Lukie had turned her back to me and was sipping her cold tea.

That was strange.

The 'Voice Recorder' should have worked properly...

"...Thor."

"Yes, Lukie-sama."

"Can the voice in this 'Voice Recorder' be preserved for a long time?"

"Yes. If you pour magic power into the 'Water Magic Stone' regularly, it should last for several months."

"I have one more question. May I... have this prototype?"

"Yes, of course."

"I-I see. Then—"

"In that case, I'll make one just for you, Lukie-sama."

I activated 'Creation Alchemy.'

What I had just made was nothing more than something wrapped in 'Earth Magic-Woven Cloth,' with no decorations or other embellishments.

For one meant for Lukie, I could make it easier to hold and give it a nicer texture—

"N-no! You do not need to go that far!"

Just as I was thinking that, Lukie raised a hand and stopped me.

"I only want to confirm its functions! This prototype is fine. I want this prototype!"

"No, no. Since I am giving it to you, Lukie-sama, I should make a proper one—"

"I understand how particular you are!"

Lukie pointed sharply at me.

"That is precisely why I want to use the first thing you made and tell you my opinions and impressions! Rather than improving it little by little on your own, would it not be better to incorporate other people's opinions and improve it all at once!? Isn't that right!? Isn't it!?"

"T-that's true!"

"Is it not?"

"You're right. Other people's opinions are important, too. I wasn't thinking."

If I only fixed the parts I wanted to change, I might end up making something based solely on my own assumptions.

I might overlook flaws that other people would notice.

Was Lukie planning to use the prototype to prevent that? She was amazing.

"Thank you, Lukie-sama."

"Then I may have this prototype, yes?"

"Of course. Please take it with you."

I held the 'Voice Recorder' out to Lukie.

Lukie accepted it and carefully enclosed it in both hands.

She seemed to like it.

"I-I see. Then I shall use this 'Voice Recorder' and tell you my impressions later—"

"Oh? Thor-sama, have you already made a magic item?"

Before I knew it, Mabel was standing there with a tray.

Steaming tea and hot baked sweets sat on the tray.

It seemed Mabel had stopped by the kitchen and brought additional sweets.

"Yes. The prototype is finished."

I answered.

"It is not the 'IC (Instant Cast) Recorder' for activating magic, but a 'Voice Recorder' for recording and playing back voices. I want to think a little more about the mechanism of the 'IC Recorder.'"

"Even so, you made it so quickly... As expected of you, Thor-sama."

"Isn't he? My alchemist is amazing!"

"Would you let me try it?"

Mabel said this with shining eyes.

"Since it is you, Thor-sama, you have already experimented with it, haven't you? Please let these elven ears of mine, Mabel Refrain's, hear what the recorded voice sounds like."

"Sure. Then, Lukie-sama, the prototype—"

"............"

"Lukie-sama?"

"..............I-I understand."

Lukie held out the prototype 'Voice Recorder.'

But why were her hands trembling?

Why was she looking down and avoiding Mabel's eyes?

"Th-then, I shall play it back!"

Lukie poured magic power into the 'Voice Recorder'—and turned away.

Then the voice I had recorded began to play—

"That is how you record and play back a voice."

"............"

"............"

Huh?

Why were they both silent? Lukie and Mabel.

"...I have a request, Thor-sama."

"Sure."

"You said something at the trading post, didn't you? You asked whether there was anything we wanted..."

"Yes, I did."

"May I have a 'Voice Recorder,' too? Not this one Lukie-sama has, but one of the same type, after you finish experimenting with it, that is."

"Of course. That's all right, isn't it, Lukie-sama?"

"........ I-I suppose so."

For some reason, Lukie nodded while looking away.

Mabel looked at Lukie kindly and said,

"And then... there is one more thing, Your Majesty."

"I-I see? What is it?"

"I love the Demon King's Domain ruled by you, too, Your Majesty."

Mabel said this with a gentle smile.

"I love the peaceful Demon King's Domain you rule. I love the Demon King's Domain where Thor-sama lives. I feel happy just being able to stay by your sides like this. That is why I love your Demon King's Domain just as much as Thor-sama does."

"...Mabel."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"You're starting to sound like Thor lately, aren't you?"

"That is a lovely thing to say."

"I did not mean it as praise... but never mind."

Lukie turned toward me with a serious expression.

"Come to think of it... I was about to forget something important. We made this 'Voice Recorder' to record Grand Duke Karon's story, did we not?"

"That's right. By then, I think I'll be able to turn it into an 'IC Recorder.'"

Well, we only needed to hear the Grand Duke's story, so I did not think it needed combat capabilities.

Besides, even if I had an 'IC Recorder,' I could not use offensive magic myself. And even if I could, there was no way I could defeat a former Sword Saint in close combat.

Still, I intended to complete it.

"I intend to use it to record Grand Duke Karon's story and tell you about it, Lukie-sama."

"I see."

"Of course, I will keep the contents strictly confidential. I will entrust the recording to you, Lukie-sama, and I will not let anyone else hear it."

"Very well. However, I will allow one exception."

Lukie held the 'Voice Recorder' and looked at Mabel.

"You may let Mabel hear what the Grand Duke says."

"...Your Majesty?"

Mabel tilted her head upon hearing Lukie's words.

"I don't think I can be of any help even if I hear information about the Empire..."

"Grand Duke Karon said that 'the Empire once lost something precious,' did he not?"

Lukie looked straight into Mabel's eyes and said,

"And that was when the Grand Duke was still young. Then would it not have been around the time Mabel's grandmother came to the Demon King's Domain?"

"...Ah."

"Come to think of it, Mabel's grandmother was from the Empire, wasn't she?"

I had learned that Mabel's grandmother had been human when we used the 'Foot Bath.'

But I had not known when she had come to the Demon King's Domain.

"Mabel's grandmother came to the Demon King's Domain when she was young. She had lost all her memories, though. I believe it was around forty years ago."

"Around forty years ago?"

What had the Empire been like back then?

That country had caused quite a few civil wars and rebellions, after all.

I had no idea which of them might have been connected to Mabel's grandmother.

"There must have been conflicts and civil wars in the Empire around that time, but... the history books did not go into much detail. They only recorded the names of the ringleaders."

"There may have been an incident among them that the Grand Duke ought to discuss. Its effects might even have driven villagers from their country."

As she said this, Lukie looked toward Mabel.

"I want to tell Mabel who her grandmother was. It is only natural to wonder where one came from and what sort of person one's ancestors were."

"I am grateful for your concern, Your Majesty."

Mabel bowed deeply to Lukie.

"But... I am not very interested in my grandmother's roots."

As she said this, Mabel took my hand.

Her hand had once been slightly cool, but it had become warm and cozy from continuing to use the 'Foot Bath' and 'Fizzy Bath.'

She intertwined her slender fingers with mine and smiled again.

"I am an elf born in the Demon King's Domain, and I serve Thor-sama. Fortunately, I became Your Majesty's childhood friend, and I was able to become friends with Agnis-sama as well. That is enough for me. That is everything I am. Everything precious to me is in the Demon King's Domain."

"...Mabel."

"Please excuse me, Your Majesty."

Mabel took Lukie's hand with her free hand.

She held my hand and Lukie's to her chest as though they were treasures—

"My place—Mabel Refrain's place—is here. Where Your Majesty, Thor-sama, and Agnis-sama are, that is where I belong. This is where I want to be. I... do not really want to know what sort of person my grandmother was. I am just a little... afraid that learning it might shake who I am now."

"I understand, Mabel."

I nodded.

When I held out my hand, Mabel lowered her head as though she wanted me to pet her.

As if guided by her, I placed my hand on Mabel's hair.

Soft silver hair touched my hand.

When I stroked it just a little, Mabel narrowed her eyes contentedly.

"...Hehe. Thor-sama petted me."

"Um, Lukie-sama. About Grand Duke Karon's story..."

"I-I see."

Lukie nodded while leaving her hand in Mabel's.

I continued.

"I don't think I'll have an opportunity to ask Grand Duke Karon questions myself. I will only be present when Princess Sophia and Princess Riana hear what he has to say."

"I-I see. That is true."

"So I don't think I can mention Mabel's grandmother there."

"Indeed. You are right, Thor. Besides, it would be unwise to reveal Mabel's personal information to the Empire. It concerns my precious childhood friend's privacy..."

Then Lukie waved her hand as though trying to cover up what she had said and continued,

"I should make clear that I did not intend to use information about Mabel's grandmother for political ends. I simply wanted to tell Mabel if we could discover her roots... There was no ulterior motive."

"I understand. Your Majesty is a kind person, after all."

"...Am I?"

"Otherwise, would you let me hold your hand?"

"I only liked the feel of Mabel's hand."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"I-I see."

"By the way, Your Majesty. I am holding your hand and Thor-sama's hand together right now... What do you think of Thor-sama's hand?"

"...I noticed it earlier, but it really is a boy's hand. It is surprisingly rough. It is strange to think that all sorts of items come from this hand. But it does not feel bad. Rather, it is calming—wait, what am I saying!?"

"Did you hear that, Thor-sama?"

"Yes. Of course."

The three of us were now holding hands with Mabel between Lukie and me.

It was terribly embarrassing.

It was comforting, but also ticklish and incredibly awkward. What was this feeling?

Um...

"I'm sorry, Lukie-sama. Please lend me the 'Voice Recorder.' And let me record that last line one more time—"

"Do not be ridiculous!"

"Oh? Your Majesty, is it unreasonable for you to give the 'Voice Recorder' to Thor-sama? Or is it unreasonable for you to say your impressions again...?"

"Enough! Do not pry into a maiden's thoughts! Thor and Mabel, stop cornering the Demon King with words—!"

Lukie the Demon King's voice echoed through the 'Simple Storage.'

After that, we continued our tea party.

At any rate, I had received permission to make the 'IC Recorder' and the 'Prototype Magic Sword.'

Since neither was meant to be distributed throughout the Demon King's Domain, Chancellor Kelv-san's approval was apparently unnecessary.

When the tea party ended, Lukie left the 'Simple Storage' and headed for the great hall of the residence.

She was apparently going to begin preparing to establish the headquarters.

We decided to stay at the residence for the night.

Agnis was apparently going to hold a welcome party for the Demon King's party, so we decided to remain just in case.

"Then I'll start making the 'IC Recorder' tomorrow."

I said this to Mabel.

"In the meantime, I have one favor to ask of you, Mabel."

"Yes. Please tell me anything you need."

"Lukie-sama said she would help me with the prototype magic sword experiment, right?"

"Yes, she did."

"I want you to choose the clothes she should wear for it."

I spread the 'Mail-Order Catalog' open in front of Mabel.

This book was a treasure trove of magic items, but it also contained a very small selection of clothing.

There was a section called 'Seasonal Products,' and it included several swimsuits.

Bathing clothes could shift out of place when moving, but that would not be a problem with a swimsuit.

Moreover, the ones shown here apparently came from educational institutions in the Hero world.

The words 'official' and 'certified' appeared as well.

That meant they were probably high-quality and suitable for wearing in official settings.

"Could you choose something from these swimsuits that would suit Lukie-sama? It should be easy to move in and make it easy to observe the flow of magic power."

"Yes. It should be something that will not shift or fall off even when she swings a sword."

"? Y-yes. Exactly."

"Understood. Leave it to Mabel Refrain!"

Mabel thumped her chest.

That put my mind at ease.

There should be several days before we heard Grand Duke Karon's story.

I would complete the 'IC Recorder' by then.

The recording function alone would be enough for now, but... if I was going to make it, I wanted it to be perfect.

I would add incantation playback and a speed-up function as well.

Then Lukie could unleash dark magic while swinging her magic sword, and Mabel could create water while cleaning. It would be cool and convenient.

"Then let's do our best starting tomorrow, Mabel."

"Yes, Thor-sama!"

And so, we enjoyed a dinner party welcoming Demon King Lukie at General Raizenga's residence—

The next day, we returned to the workshop and began our work.