Discussing the Item's Weaknesses and Reinforcement

I decided to explain how the 'Chain Lock' worked.

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'Chain Lock'

(Attributes: Earth, Earth, Earth, Earth, Water) (Rarity: ★★★★★★★★★★★☆)

Its powerful Earth Attribute raises its durability nearly to the limit.

Because its powerful Earth Attribute heightens its affinity with the earth, it can use 'Land Lock' to connect deep underground.

The 'Auxiliary Chains' imbued with the Water Attribute sink into the earth like water.

There is a magic-powered 'Lock Mechanism' at each end of the 'Chain Lock.'

By bringing the two ends together and infusing them with magic power, the chain can be closed into a ring.

The 'Lock Mechanism' is released when magic power is infused into the locked item again.

'Land Lock Mode'

When magic power is infused into the chain to activate 'Land Lock,' the auxiliary chains for anchoring extend toward the ground.

They automatically search for rocks and bedrock underground, then connect to them magically.

Because of their powerful Earth Attribute, they merge with hard layers such as rocks and bedrock, making them extremely difficult to move.

The only way to pull them free is to dig underground and sever the connection between the rocks and the chains.

Its weakness is that its anchoring power is reduced when there are no hard objects, such as rocks, underground.

When leaving the chain dangling, note that it tends to point toward rocks and bedrock underground, and use that to decide where to place it.

Physical Destruction Resistance: ★★★★ (Can only be destroyed by weapons enhanced with advanced magic.)

Service life: 2 years.

Includes one year of user support.

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"...Oh."

When I explained it, everyone let out an impressed sigh.

"I see... So it had this ability. No wonder even Raizenga and Kelv couldn't lift it."

Lukie nodded repeatedly.

"With this, we could use it to prevent item theft. Wonderful, Thor."

"Thank you. However, it has a weakness."

"A weakness?"

"It won't work against Heroes who can blow away the entire ground."

Heroes casually change the terrain, after all.

They open huge holes in the ground with giant fireballs or collapse rocky mountains by dropping enormous boulders.

They were so merciless that it was almost as if they enjoyed destroying the environment.

The 'Chain Lock' would not work against people like that.

This 'Chain Lock' is a degraded copy of an item from the Hero's world.

This item cannot perform the 'Earth Lock' found in the 'Mail-Order Catalog.'

...I wonder how they manage to connect a chain to the world itself.

I don't know.

Every time I make an item, I am merely reminded of how incredible the Hero's world is.

"There are other weaknesses as well. For example, a high-level magic weapon could cut the chain itself. If it took a strike from the holy sword wielded by the Imperial princess, the chain and the fixed item would probably both be blown away."

I said that and sighed.

"It makes me realize how lacking my abilities are. I still don't even come close to the Hero's world."

"No, I think this 'Chain Lock' is more than powerful enough."

"No, it still has a long way to go. The 'Chain Lock' can be released even by someone who isn't a Hero. A group of dozens of people could dig through the ground and destroy the rock it is connected to..."

"Surely no one would go that far?!"

Really?

Without an 'Earth Lock,' it could never be perfect security.

I thought we should consider methods of releasing it and countermeasures against them as well.

"So, I have something to discuss with Your Majesty and all of you."

"You want to discuss something?"

"Yes. I'd like to hear your opinions about a new function I want to add to the 'Chain Lock.'"

I looked around at everyone's faces.

Chancellor Kelv-san, General Raizenga, Mabel, Agnis──and Soleil and Rune as well──were all watching me with astonished expressions, waiting for me to speak.

What I was considering was improving the 'Chain Lock's' security.

An idea for reinforcing this incomplete item.

That was──

"If someone forcibly unlocks it, should it self-destruct along with the item, release flames, or crush the item by tightening the chain around it and then self-destruct along with the chain? Which do you think would be best?"

"You'd go that far, Thor?!"

They were startled.

"Um... Thor-dono. This 'Chain Lock' is meant to prevent items from being taken, correct? If it destroys the item it is supposed to protect, wouldn't that defeat the purpose?"

"Kelv-dono is right. That would be an incredible waste."

Chancellor Kelv-san and General Raizenga said this.

I should explain this properly.

"Your Excellency, may I ask what kind of situation you mean when you say that an item is being taken?"

"Let's see... Perhaps the situation would be that someone carrying the item was attacked by thieves or enemy soldiers."

"So that means the people of the Demon Lord's Territory would be in danger?"

"Y-yes, exactly, but..."

"...Ah."

A voice escaped.

Mabel's eyes widened, and she nodded repeatedly.

She seemed to understand what I was trying to say.

A little later, Lukie also said, "I see."

Had they both realized what I meant?

"Thor. Is your 'Land Lock' meant to buy time for the people of the Demon Lord's Territory to escape?"

"That's right, Your Majesty."

"To forcibly release 'Land Lock,' they would have to keep using magic against the ground or have dozens of people dig it up. In other words, anyone trying to take the item would have to go to all that trouble..."

"Yes. In the meantime, the people of the Demon Lord's Territory would be able to escape."

Having an item taken by someone means that someone is attacking you.

If 'Land Lock' is activated at that moment, you can escape without worrying about the item. If the enemy becomes distracted by the item, they will not pursue you as closely.

The people of the Demon Lord's Territory should be able to escape safely.

"You'd be curious if you saw an item fixed to the ground like this, wouldn't you?"

"Certainly. It would draw the enemy's attention. And if they forcibly released it, the item would be destroyed as well?"

"That's right."

"But wouldn't that mean losing an item we went to all the trouble of making?"

"I make items so that people can live comfortably and peacefully. If people are injured or killed while protecting an item, then there is no point. This 'Chain Lock' is also meant to prevent that."

I said this.

"I can always make another item, but I can't do the same with people. That is why this is a security system meant to save people's lives."

"...You really are thinking about the people of the Demon Lord's Territory."

"Of course. I am the Demon Lord's alchemist, after all."

"...I see."

Lukie slowly took a deep breath.

Then she turned her back to everyone else──

──As if to say, "This is a secret," she placed a finger to her lips and removed her mask.

"...In the name of Lukie Evergald, I shall give you a personal reward."

She whispered so softly that only I could hear her.

"...I wanted to reward you not as the Demon Lord, but simply as Lukie. When I saw your face while you were talking about saving people's lives... Ah, you needn't answer now. Just think about it."

Saying that, Lukie put her 'Perception Obstruction' mask back on.

Then, in a cheerful voice,

"We shall use the 'Chain Lock' you created in the Demon Lord's Territory."

Lukie said this in her Demon Lord's tone.

"As for countermeasures in case 'Land Lock' is released... I think explosions and flames would be too dangerous. It would be best for the chain to crush the item, then break apart itself afterward. We shall test it once that function has been added. We shall make a final decision after that."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Kelv, you're fine with that as well, aren't you?"

Lukie looked toward Chancellor Kelv-san.

"...I never imagined that Thor-dono had thought this deeply about the Demon Lord's Territory. It seems I had misunderstood him. I thought he was merely a wacky, surprise-gimmick alchemist who acted on a whim──cough, cough!"

Chancellor Kelv-san suddenly began coughing as though he had almost said too much.

Then he raised his head and looked straight at me.

"I-in any case, I was deeply impressed by your resolve to protect the people even if it meant destroying items you had made yourself. I shall steel myself as well. I hereby permit the use of Thor-dono's 'Chain Lock' and his other items."

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

I bowed deeply to Chancellor Kelv-san.

"I am truly grateful to you, Your Excellency. If not for your words, I would never even have thought of making the 'Chain Lock.'"

"...Yes. That's right..."

"Thanks to you, I learned about the 'Earth Lock.' I also realized that my current skills are not enough to recreate it. To be honest... I may have been a little conceited. I thought I could make splendid copies of items from the Hero's world... But..."

I raised my head and looked at Chancellor Kelv-san's face.

"However, the challenge you gave me made me realize that I still have a long way to go before I can match the Hero's world. It made me realize that I have to continue my research much, much further. That is why I am grateful to you, Your Excellency."

"......I see... Do your best..."

Saying that, Chancellor Kelv-san turned away.

Good grief. I had gotten a little too passionate.

I must have ended up staring at the chancellor of the Demon Lord's Territory as if I were glaring at him.

That was rude of me. I should reflect on it.

"I-in any case, the 'UV-Cut Parasol' and 'Chain Lock' will be used by the soldiers of the Demon Lord's Territory. This is an official decision made by the Demon Lord and Chancellor Kelv."

With his back still turned to me, Chancellor Kelv-san made the declaration.

Yes!

Now the people of the Demon Lord's Territory could use my items.

The problem was that the simple warehouse was too sturdy. It could only be destroyed with high-level magic. If we used a 'Chain Lock' on it, it might be impossible to destroy in an emergency.

However, the ultra-small simple warehouse should have weaker defenses because it was smaller.

I would test later whether it could be destroyed.

"By the way, Thor. I have a simple question."

Demon Lord Lukie suddenly tilted her head.

"What would happen if we used this 'Chain Lock' on an enemy soldier or a Hero?"

"...Huh?"

"I mean, what would happen if we used it to restrain someone?"

"...They'd become unable to move."

"What if a Hero forcibly tore it free along with the ground and escaped...?"

"They'd be caught in an explosion, or the chain would tighten around them to the limits of their body's endurance."

"I suppose they would..."

Lukie and I looked at each other.

That's strange.

I had made an item to prevent people from carrying items away, but it had turned into an item for restraining people.

"...If we restrained an enemy and they forcibly escaped, they would be caught in an explosion. Or the chain would tighten around their limbs. And if it wrapped around their neck or torso..."

Lukie murmured this with an astonished expression.

The 'Chain Lock' only had a 'Land Lock' function. It was still just a chain, after all.

It could be used in all sorts of ways.

Just thinking about it for a moment had given me countless ideas for traps to use against the Empire...

"Thor."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I have decided to keep you under my watch for a while."

"Why?!"

"From now on, Kelv and I shall travel near the border to observe the Empire's movements. You will accompany us. Mabel, you are fine with that as well, yes?!"

"Y-yes, Your Majesty."

Mabel knelt on the ground and answered.

Watching her, Lukie spoke in a gentle tone.

"You seem to be getting poisoned by Thor lately as well. I shall stay with you for a while."

Don't make me sound like the root of all evil.

"I would like the Pixies to scout the area while we patrol the border. Can I ask you to do that?"

"W-we understand!"

"We shall work for Alchemist-sama and Her Majesty the Demon Lord!"

Soleil and Rune flew happily around me.

"Then the experiment with the 'UV-Cut Parasol' and 'Chain Lock' is concluded. We shall have the general and the soldiers' commanders equip themselves with both items. We shall discuss the procedure after returning to the Demon Lord's Territory. Is that acceptable, Kelv?"

"Y-yes. I have already steeled myself."

"Then let us return to the mansion. We shall rest until dinner. I have a real craving for tea."

That was a signal that she wanted a tea party.

Mabel and I exchanged glances and headed toward the mansion together.

Soleil and Rune perched on my shoulders. They both seemed eager to join the tea party.

We would discuss the issue with Lukie's mask later, too.

And so, the experiment with the 'UV-Cut Parasol' ended without incident──

I ended up going with Lukie to observe the Empire's military training.