Hearing the Pixies' Report

──A Few Days Later—Thor's POV──

"──We have returned from reconnoitering near the border."

"──We etched the information into our eyes and ears!"

"──It was so much fun flying around in our brand-new clothes!"

The Pixies said this and bowed to us.

This was my room in the general's mansion.

More precisely, we were inside the small storage room placed in one corner.

While Lukie was here, we had decided to hold tea parties here, just as we did in the Demon Lord's Castle.

That was why Lukie, Mabel, and I were sitting around the table, drinking tea and talking.

The Pixies had been near the border reconnoitering until just a short while ago.

They had said they wanted to report to us as soon as they returned, so I invited them to our tea party.

I would have preferred for everyone to relax together, but that was no longer possible.

A few days earlier, we had received word that an Imperial military force was approaching.

It was both earlier than predicted and much larger than expected.

Lukie had been planning to inspect the border, but she was now waiting at General Raizenga's mansion.

We could not decide how to act without knowing what the Empire was doing.

Of course, General Raizenga and Chancellor Kelv-san had also sent soldiers to reconnoiter near the border.

The Pixies had heard about that, gone to reconnoiter as well, and returned with all this information.

"Then, Soleil. Could you tell us what you saw?"

"Yes, as you command, Alchemist-sama."

Soleil, dressed in a translucent outfit, stepped forward to the center of the table.

She pinched her skirt and curtsied.

While drinking tea from my spoon, she slowly began to speak.

"This time, we Pixies went to reconnoiter the border region."

Soleil nodded, then continued.

"First, near the highway, I saw many soldiers heading toward the town of Noza. There was an imposing-looking warrior at the front, and a carriage was traveling in the middle of the formation. It was a magnificent carriage, bearing a crest of a sword and a flower."

"A crest of a sword and a flower..."

"Do you know it, Thor-sama?"

"I believe it was a crest placed on the carriages of female members of the Imperial family. Perhaps another princess has come from the Imperial capital."

"Could she be the Holy Sword Princess?"

Mabel spoke in an anxious tone.

I looked toward Soleil.

"That caught your attention, so you entered the town of Noza, Soleil?"

"That's right. Now that I'm feeling better, I had to do at least that much."

Soleil puffed out her chest proudly.

She braced both legs and held the pose with all her might.

She seemed to have regained her energy from soaking in a 'footbath' every day.

"If the person who came here is the Holy Sword Princess, the Demon Lord's Territory might be thrown into an uproar again. So we secretly approached the building where she was staying, but..."

"But?"

"I don't think she is the Holy Sword Princess. The princess Soleil saw possessed very powerful, warped Light-Attribute magic. No one could wield the holy sword with magic like that."

Soleil nodded with a grave expression.

I see.

As a Light Pixie, Soleil could sense Light-Attribute magic.

"But what do you mean by 'warped magic'?"

"She was like Soleil before the Alchemist-sama healed her."

Soleil answered my question.

"No, it was even more warped. It was as if water that should have been flowing had stagnated, stopped, and frozen solid like ice. Being in that condition must be incredibly painful."

"The Empire went out of its way to bring someone like that all the way to the border..."

The same thing had happened to me, but why did the Empire keep doing such reckless things?

It was almost as if they were trying to send someone they considered useless away to some distant place and abandon them.

"Soleil. Do you have any other information about that princess?"

Lukie asked Soleil.

Soleil listened to the other Pixies, compiled their testimonies, and said,

"The people in the mansion seemed to call the princess 'Sofia-sama.'"

"Sofia... So that is the princess's name."

Lukie looked at me.

"Do you recognize that name, Thor?"

"No. She is probably a princess without the right of succession to the Imperial throne."

The names of the princes and princesses were made public to the nobility.

The only names that were not made public were those of princes and princesses without the right of succession.

Apparently, that was how the Empire treated those born as children of the Emperor but without the power to fight.

They never appeared on the public stage and were sometimes used in political marriages.

"Soleil managed to overhear a little of what the princess was saying."

"What was she saying?"

"Um... She said, 'I want a smartphone.'"

"'A smartphone'?! The legendary item?!"

I shouted in surprise.

Lukie and Mabel were startled as well; both of them opened their eyes wide.

"...What a terrifying princess."

"...A 'smartphone' is the all-purpose item said to exist in the Heroes' world, isn't it?"

It was no wonder they were both so surprised.

A 'smartphone' was the item the Heroes valued most highly.

They had always wanted to use 'smartphones.'

There was no record of them using 'smartphones' in this world.

The prevailing theory was that they either could not bring them here or that they were sealed away when the Heroes were summoned.

Incidentally, according to the Heroes, 'smartphones' had the following abilities.

・They could view the ground from a lofty perspective, like a bird.

・They could connect to a space where all kinds of emotions swirled.

・They could speak with people who were far away.

・As long as one paid the price, one could draw anything in the world to one's hand.

Their abilities were extraordinarily diverse.

Even I had thought, "You've got to be kidding. This ability..." when I read the Heroes' records.

"Can you make a 'smartphone,' Thor?"

Lukie was looking at me with a slight tremor in her body.

I shook my head.

"Unfortunately, I can't. I don't know its shape, structure, or specific abilities."

"Is it not listed in the 'mail-order catalog'?"

"There are 'smartphone cases' and accessories, but the 'smartphone' itself isn't listed."

There was no picture of the 'smartphone' itself in the 'mail-order catalog.'

That meant I had no way to confirm what it actually looked like.

In the first place, I had no idea how anyone could make such an all-purpose item.

I did not know what materials or attributes it required, either.

It was a dream item, far beyond the reach of my current skills.

"...I suppose not. It is an item the Heroes wanted, after all."

Lukie sighed.

"But I am curious. What do you think it is like, Thor?"

"I think it is a key item used in a large-scale magical ritual."

It would be impossible for a single item to possess so many abilities.

Most likely, there had been many magical rituals for granting wishes in the Heroes' world.

I believed the 'smartphone' was an item at the center of those rituals.

"The pictures in the 'mail-order catalog' show that a 'smartphone case' is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. I can't believe something that small could let you talk with people far away or order items from all over the world. So──"

"So you think it is a key item used in a wish-granting ritual?"

"Probably. Perhaps it is placed at the center of a magic circle, or set on an altar and worshiped. Something like that."

I could not make a 'smartphone' yet.

But someday, I would duplicate one with 'Over-Alchemy.'

That would also prove that I had surpassed the world of the Heroes.

"Sorry, Soleil. We got off topic. Did the princess say anything else?"

I asked Soleil.

Soleil thought for a moment, then said,

"Come to think of it... She said, 'I have no intention of fighting the Demon Lord's Territory. I do not intend to start a war or involve the people in one.'"

"'She has no hostile intentions toward the Demon Lord's Territory'?"

Lukie wore a puzzled expression.

Mabel tilted her head as well. I was probably making the same face.

What the Imperial soldiers were doing was the exact opposite of that.

We turned our eyes toward the map on the table.

It was a map of the border region and the area around the town of Noza in Imperial territory.

The white stones placed on it showed the positions of the Imperial forces.

We had placed them based on information from the Demon Lord's scouts and the Pixies.

"This is the town of Noza. There is a plain to the west. Soldiers have confirmed that Imperial troops are conducting test shots of magic on that plain."

"There is a road near the plain."

"As I explained before, the Demon Lord's Territory trades with villages in Imperial territory. This road is the route they use."

Lukie's slender finger traced the route from the highway to the village.

That made the Imperial soldiers' objective clear to me as well.

"If the Imperial soldiers are using this plain as a place for military training... then they are probably trying to harass us."

"It is certainly troublesome."

Lukie moved a white stone near the road leading to the village.

Then she picked up a black stone and moved it from the Demon Lord's Territory toward the village.

If that stone represented a merchant caravan from the Demon Lord's Territory, it would have to pass right beside the Imperial soldiers conducting military training.

It was certainly a troublesome location.

If Imperial soldiers were stationed there, they could monitor the wagons leaving the Demon Lord's Territory.

If military training took place while the wagons were traveling, magic or arrows might even come flying at them.

No one could trade calmly under those circumstances.

It would be difficult for the people in the human village, too.

"Trade between the Demon Lord's Territory and the villages in the Empire is not forbidden, is it?"

"The Empire is merely turning a blind eye to it."

Mabel answered my question.

"Some humans want goods from the Demon Lord's Territory. There are things that are difficult to obtain there but readily available in the Empire. That is why we have continued trading quietly and secretly."

"Do you think the Imperial soldiers know about that and came here to harass them...?"

Lukie looked fed up.

"But Princess Sofia said that she had no intention of opposing the Demon Lord's Territory. That was probably how she truly felt. She did not even notice the Pixies, so she had no reason to lie."

"Even if she had noticed them, it would be strange for her to go out of her way to say she had no intention of opposing us."

"...Yes."

Mabel and I nodded back at Lukie.

"The Imperial soldiers' actions make it clear whether they harbor ill will or not."

"Then the princess's intentions and the soldiers' actions differ. That is what troubles me..."

"Shall we go and ask her?"

Soleil suddenly spoke up.

"The Pixies will go and ask her!"

"If we speak with burning passion, surely our hearts will connect!"

"We'll make them all warm and shaky and draw out the truth!"

The other Pixies nodded enthusiastically as well.

"I appreciate your enthusiasm, but it is far too dangerous."

However, Lukie shook her head.

"There will be guards around the princess. The more often you go back and forth, the more likely you are to be discovered. If that happens, you will be in danger."

"What do you think, Alchemist-sama?!"

Soleil and the others looked at me pleadingly.

"I agree with Lukie-sama. I don't want to put everyone in danger. I know Pixies are good at concealing themselves, but that doesn't mean you can never be found."

I said this.

There were bound to be people among the Imperial soldiers skilled in magic and martial arts.

Some of them might be able to detect a Pixie's presence or see through their disguises.

I did not want to make them do anything dangerous. We should think of another way to investigate the princess──

"──We want to be of help."

"──We will make sure no one realizes we are Pixies!"

"──Alchemist-sama, please lend us your strength!"

The Earth- and Fire-Attribute Pixies, along with Soleil, bowed to me.

The Wind-Attribute Pixie kept eating snacks at her own pace.

Why was the Wind-Attribute Pixie looking at me...? Oh, the area around her mouth was covered in crumbs. I see. Hold still while I wipe them off.

But... "make sure no one realizes we are Pixies," huh?

That would certainly reduce the danger. For example, they could disguise themselves as animals.

"Lukie-sama, may I ask you something?"

After wiping the crumbs from the Pixie's mouth, I looked toward Lukie.

"What is the least conspicuous living creature in Noza?"

"The least conspicuous creature? Hmm... I hear that there are many owls and cats in that town."

"Owls and cats?"

"Yes. Apparently, the townspeople keep them to ward off rats and other vermin."

"Then if an owl approached the princess's room and delivered her a letter..."

"That would certainly be inconspicuous, but it is impossible."

Lukie shrugged.

"A bird cannot do anything that complicated. It would have to evade the soldiers' eyes and make contact at precisely the right time, when the princess was present."

"What if the Pixies transformed into owls or cats?"

I said.

Lukie stared at me in bewilderment.

Mabel covered her mouth as if she had realized something.

She seemed to have understood what I meant.

"Thor-sama. Are you thinking of making an item like the 'body pillow'?"

Mabel said this while staring intently at me.

"The 'body pillow' you made before transformed the pillow with magic. Are you planning to apply that technique to create a magic item that can transform someone into a different form?"

"Yes. Just as you said, Mabel."

I opened the 'mail-order catalog.'

I had already found an item that looked useful.

It was on a page near the one for the 'body pillow,' so I found it right away.

──────────────────

'Dress-Up Pajama Set'

Your family can transform into adorable forms!

Puppies, kittens, and little birds.

Become animals and journey into the world of dreams.

Even children who never seem to want to go to sleep will happily climb into bed if they have these pajamas.

Available in adult sizes as well.

When Mom and Dad put on pajamas, too, your home will become a wonderland of animals!

Return to the wild and deepen your physical affection.

※ Penguins, pandas, and zebras are available in limited quantities.

※ Other animals are made to order. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

──────────────────

"No matter how you look at it, this is a transformation item."

"I think so too, Your Majesty."

After I read the catalog's description aloud, Lukie and Mabel nodded.

"With this item, they should be able to disguise themselves as owls or cats."

"They would not attract attention in the form of an owl. I think the Pixies could deliver a letter to the princess as well."

"We will need to confirm its safety before actually using it for reconnaissance, but it certainly seems convenient."

"They could also transport wagons to the village while concealing their identities."

Their eyes shone as they looked at the 'mail-order catalog.'

The Pixies were doing the same.

If we used magic-woven fabric for the material, the Pixies could fly while wearing the 'dress-up pajamas.'

If they transformed into common animals, no one should realize that they were agents from the Demon Lord's Territory.

The problem was──

"──whether I can make this item or not."

I said.

I could tell that even my own voice lacked conviction.

"What is wrong, Thor? Why such a gloomy expression? Normally, you would already have started making the item by now."

Lukie peered into my face.

"I feel as though I am missing something I need to make this item..."

I said.

"Lukie-sama, and Mabel as well, do you remember the 'body pillow' I made before?"

"I remember. It transformed into Mabel... and took your form, Thor."

"I never saw it take my form, but during the experiment, it certainly became a perfect copy of Mabel. At least in appearance."

Lukie and I looked at Mabel.

Mabel herself seemed to remember what had happened and turned bright red──

"But that 'body pillow' failed to express Mabel's own charm at all."

It had probably captured only about ten percent of Mabel's charm.

I could not feel any of Mabel's charm or vibrant vitality from that 'body pillow' at all.

It had been breathing, and it had body heat, but that was all.

──I explained this to everyone.

"For the Pixies' safety, these 'dress-up pajamas' have to let them transform into creatures that look exactly like real birds or cats. But I still don't have the confidence to recreate things like vitality and lifelikeness."

I had a vague idea of the reason.

Perhaps it was because I had not interacted with many people.

When I lived with my family, they had mostly left me alone.

I had no memory of being picked up by my parents or other family members.

I had spoken with people at work, but I had spent most of my time managing items.

I had little time to interact with people or get close to them.

That was why I did not properly understand the vitality of living creatures.

I believed that was why I could not imbue an item with vibrant vitality.

"So, Mabel, I have a favor to ask."

"Yes. What is it, Thor-sama?"

"Could you let me hug you for a little while?"

I said.

Mabel froze with a teacup in her hand.

I continued speaking to her as she stared at me with her eyes wide in surprise.

"Of course, I won't do anything strange. I just want to feel Mabel's body heat and heartbeat. You know how artists stimulate their sensibilities by touching masterpieces? It's the same idea. The people who have made me feel the greatness of God's handiwork most strongly in all my life are Mabel and Lukie-sama, so I thought that by sensing that beautiful vitality, my Alchemy Skill might awaken even further──"

"P-Please wait, Thor-sama. Just... give me a moment to prepare myself..."

Mabel said this, pressing a hand to her chest and taking a deep breath.

Then she looked at me with a serious expression and said,

"...Yes. I am ready. Please continue, Thor-sama."

Mabel nodded.

So I began carefully explaining to her──and to Lukie and the Pixies as well──why I wanted to hug Mabel.