Talking in Pajamas

──Late That Night, on the Day Princess Sofia Met the Owl (Thor's POV)──

"We're back!"

At dawn, the Pixies who had gone on an errand returned.

They were all wearing owl-themed 'Dress-Up Pajamas.' Their hoods were off now, leaving them in their ordinary Pixie mode.

Leading them was Soleil, the Light Pixie.

She was wearing fluffy, white owl-shaped pajamas.

Tiny wings were attached around the arms. When the hood was lowered, they transformed into large wings.

There was a slit in the back of the pajamas so that a Pixie's wings could emerge.

When in 'Owl Mode,' the wings became invisible through Recognition Interference.

This was the ability of the 'Dress-Up Pajamas' I had created.

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'Dress-Up Pajamas' (Rarity: ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆)

(Attribute: Varies depending on the Magicweave Cloth used as material)

Pajamas made from Magicweave Cloth.

Through Thor Kanan's 'Pseudo-Life Comprehension' Skill, the pajamas themselves have been given transformation abilities as though they were alive.

Their appearance is that of ordinary hooded pajamas.

Parts that accurately express the features of a living creature are attached, making it obvious at a glance whether they are 'an owl,' 'a lizard,' or 'a cat.'

Materials such as 'owl feathers,' 'lizard scales,' and 'cat fur' are used. (About one feather, one scale, or one strand of fur per outfit.)

As a result, the characteristics of the creature used as the model are added to the pajamas.

Lowering the hood activates 'Dress-Up Mode.'

When in 'Dress-Up Mode,' the pajamas transform, and the wearer changes into 'an owl,' 'a lizard,' or 'a cat.'

A lifelike illusion of the target creature appears over the wearer's face.

As a result, the wearer's breathing is not obstructed.

Recognition Interference is added to certain parts, causing features that do not belong to the creature to become invisible (such as Pixie wings).

Furthermore, some of the abilities of the creature used as material become available.

They are also excellent as pajamas, and are well regarded for their comfort, softness, and durability.

Physical Destruction Resistance: ★★ (They will not tear even if you slide across rocky terrain.)

Transformation Duration: As long as the wearer's magical power lasts.

Service Life: 3 years.

Includes one year of user support.

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But... these pajamas are still far from complete.

Even Pixies transformed into owls are not flying with their wings.

The wings are merely decorations. They are flying through the Pixies' own power.

Compared with the abilities of the Heroes, these 'Dress-Up Pajamas' are probably nothing more than an inferior copy.

There are records that the Heroes summoned from another world transformed into various forms and mastered the abilities of those creatures.

I really wanted to make it possible to fly using an owl's wings.

But all I managed to reproduce was the appearance and the fluffy texture.

This is the limit of what I can do right now.

Ultimately, I want anyone wearing bird-type pajamas to be able to fly, and anyone wearing fish-type pajamas to swim without needing to come up for breath.

I still have no idea how to make that happen, but it is worth working toward.

Let's keep working hard until we surpass the world of the Heroes.

"Good work. Did anyone see you?"

I called out to the Pixies.

"We're fine, Alchemist-sama."

"Soleil and the rest of us fulfilled our mission without any problems."

"Please praise us!"

The Light Pixie Soleil, the Dark Pixie Rune, and the Earth Pixie child all bowed before me at once.

I stroked the Pixies' heads one by one with my index finger.

After I continued for a while, Soleil and the others seemed satisfied and began their report.

Princess Sofia of the Empire had used the 'footbath.'

She had also accepted the 'Light Magicweave Cloth underwear' I had given her.

"She didn't say it was uncomfortable or that anything displeased her?"

"She said it wasn't uncomfortable at all!"

I see. Good.

But... that was a little disappointing.

I had thought that, as an alchemist, I would have to take responsibility if she found even the slightest thing unpleasant.

Princess Sofia hadn't found it particularly unpleasant.

Then she wouldn't use 'Light Attack Magic' on me...

"Why do you look so disappointed, Thor?"

A voice suddenly spoke.

When I turned around, Lukie was standing among the trees.

She was wearing her pajamas with the hood off, and she was looking at me with exasperation.

"Did I wake you, Lukie-sama?"

"I couldn't sleep. I am not accustomed to camping."

"We are in the forest, after all. The birds are noisy, too. I suppose it cannot be helped that it is difficult to sleep."

We were in the forest between the Demon Lord's Territory and the Imperial territory.

Lukie, Mabel, Agnis, the Minotaur soldiers, and I had pitched tents in this forest and established a temporary base.

From here, we were sending the Pixies into the town of Noza.

We had also established it so that we could respond immediately if Princess Sofia made a move.

We needed to contact Princess Sofia while the town of Noza was lightly defended.

That was why we had decided to use the forest at the border as our base of operations.

I never expected Lukie to come along, though.

"If I had to send a fast rider back and forth to the Demon Lord's Castle every time my judgment was needed, it would take far too long. It is more efficient for me to be here."

Lukie said this.

"Besides, Kelv and Raizenga have gone to the mountainous region at the border. I cannot be the only one relaxing at the castle."

"That is true. If you are here, Lukie-sama, you can reply to Princess Sofia's letters immediately. That is helpful, but..."

I looked around the forest, then said,

"If possible, I would like you to stay somewhere safe, Lukie-sama. Personally."

"There should be no danger. Soldiers are stationed throughout the forest. I am also wearing 'Dress-Up Pajamas' in case I am discovered by someone from the Empire. If necessary, I only have to lower the hood... like this, correct?"

Pop.

Lukie transformed into a completely black cat.

Her coat was glossy, and her triangular ears stood straight up.

Wagging her long tail, Black Cat Lukie came over to me.

She really looked exactly like a cat. I almost reached out to stroke her throat.

"The Demon Lord has turned into a cat!"

"She looks exactly like the real thing."

"She's beautiful!"

The Pixies flew around Black Cat Lukie.

Lukie's long whiskers quivered, and she seemed quite pleased.

Seeing this, the Pixies lowered their hoods, too, and transformed into owls with a pop.

A wonderland of animals had appeared.

"This way, no one will think that someone from the Demon Lord's Territory is hiding here."

"Indeed. Thor's 'Dress-Up Pajamas' are truly incredible."

"Thank you, Lukie-sama. And all of you, Soleil and the others."

I bowed my head to everyone.

"This item came into being thanks to you, Lukie-sama, Mabel, and all the Pixies."

Because everyone had given me 'Lively Magical Power,' I had been able to awaken my 'Pseudo-Life Comprehension' Skill.

Thanks to that, I had become able to create lively Magic Items.

"However, we cannot change the wearer's body size. Even when Lukie-sama takes the form of a cat, her height remains the same."

"I do not think that is so bad."

In Black Cat Mode, Lukie curled up beneath a tree and purred. Cute.

"But you cannot use all of a cat's abilities, can you?"

"I can extend and retract my claws. Look."

Lukie held out a paw with its pads visible before me.

"Thanks to this, climbing trees is easy. My body also becomes very flexible. I tried it, and I could even hide under a bed or inside a box."

"I see... That is another way to use it."

"So, Thor, do not become depressed simply because you cannot perfectly reproduce a creature's abilities. Though I do appreciate that side of your personality."

With that, Lukie removed her hood.

Her transformation dissolved, revealing Lukie in cat-ear pajamas.

"Come to think of it, Raizenga said, 'Agnis said the Lizard Pajamas were cute! May I ask Thor-dono to make ten more?'"

"Sure."

"Do not agree so readily! It is Raizenga's selfish demand!"

No, no—I would be happy if he used them.

The general had helped me a lot, so sure. Ten pairs of pajamas or so. I would work through the night to make them.

"...Fine. That is for later."

Lukie turned toward the Pixies.

"Pixies, good work serving as messengers. I overheard what you said. So the Imperial princess used the 'footbath'?"

"Yes. I think she will recover her vitality like Soleil."

"Princess Sofia wishes to meet with Your Majesty."

"She says she wants to meet you!"

"Understood. I shall send a letter once morning comes. Did she say anything else?"

"She said, 'I respect Thor Kanan-sama's courage. I look forward to meeting him!'"

"...Hmm. I see."

Lukie glanced sideways at me and stared for a long moment.

"It seems you succeeded in winning the princess's trust. Well, of course you did. You even told her, 'If you feel even slightly uncomfortable, fire Light Attack Magic at me.' And you went so far as to obtain my permission."

"I thought it would be best for someone from the Empire—me—to act as an intermediary to win the princess's trust."

"...Is that really all?"

Lukie looked up at my face as her cat ears swayed in the night breeze.

"You arranged things so that either outcome would work in your favor, did you not?"

"What do you mean?"

"It would be good if you won the princess's trust. But if she found anything unpleasant this time, you intended to carry out additional experiments on the 'UV-Cut Parasol,' did you not? Using the Imperial princess's more powerful Light Attack Magic."

"Checking the item's effects is my responsibility."

The 'UV-Cut Parasol' had protected Soleil from her 'Vivid Light Strike.'

But I did not know whether it could withstand attack magic with even greater power.

There was no way to conduct such an experiment.

If a princess capable of using powerful Light magic came along, naturally I would want to conduct the experiment. It could not be helped, right?

"If the Imperial princess were to become an enemy, it would be important to know whether my parasol could block her magic. I thought we should conduct the experiment for that reason."

"You really did argue back head-on."

"But it looks like I will not get the chance. The Imperial princess seems like a good person."

"Based on what I have heard, she does."

Soleil and the others nodded at Lukie's words.

Apparently, Princess Sofia had treated everyone politely as well.

"Then I hope Princess Sofia will become a good neighbor to the Demon Lord's Territory. If she governs the town of Noza, peace should continue in the border region."

"I think so, too. Honestly, I never expected the Empire to have a princess like her."

Perhaps that princess had been in a position similar to mine.

She possessed powerful Light-Attribute magical power, but apparently had a weak body.

Since she was unable to fight, just like me—even if she was not exiled, she would have been forced into an unwanted political marriage or sent abroad.

If that was the case, I wanted that princess to remain near the Demon Lord's Territory.

If she governed the border region, at least this area should remain peaceful.

"I, too, want to speak with her and build an even better relationship."

Lukie seemed to like that princess as well, and nodded several times.

"Let us begin preparing for the meeting at once. If we determine that Princess Sofia can become a good neighbor to the Demon Lord's Territory, we will spare no support."

"Then I will support you, Lukie-sama, so that you can speak with Princess Sofia openly."

"I am counting on you, Thor. If possible, I would like to speak with her alone."

Lukie nodded firmly.

Princess Sofia was also a citizen of the Empire. If she had subordinates around her, she might not be able to speak honestly.

She probably wanted to speak with her alone so that she could hear Sofia's true feelings.

Lukie had no prejudice against other people, and she told others whatever they needed to know without hiding anything.

When I first came to the Demon Lord's Territory, she had asked what I could do and given me work.

It was my job to ensure that she could meet with Princess Sofia without holding anything back.

"In that case, Lukie-sama, I have a favor to ask."

I said this.

"There is an item I would like Princess Sofia to use so that you and she can speak without holding anything back. Will you permit me to let the Imperial princess use one of my items?"

Even if Princess Sofia agreed to speak with Lukie alone, that did not mean the people around her would allow it.

They were wary of the Demon Lord's Territory. There would probably be people assigned to watch over the princess as well.

For Lukie and Princess Sofia to speak freely, we would need to evade those people's eyes.

Of course, that was assuming Princess Sofia agreed to speak with Lukie alone.

"Understood. I give my permission. What item do you intend to have the princess use?"

"Actually, after awakening my 'Pseudo-Life Comprehension' Skill, I became able to create an improved version of a certain item. So..."

I explained the plan to Lukie.

With Lukie's cooperation, I even gave her a demonstration.

The item, displaying its enhanced effects, confused all the Pixies.

But after seeing those effects, Lukie seemed convinced. If we used the item properly, it would allow Lukie and Princess Sofia to speak alone.

She got angry when I tried to carry the item back to the tent in its current state, though.

After talking about all that, we settled down──

For a while, Lukie, the Pixies, and I sat on the ground and continued our idle conversation.

Lukie told me what kind of country she wanted the Demon Lord's Territory to become.

After telling her that I wanted to help her, I spoke about the kinds of items I wanted to make.

The Pixies told me about the places they wanted to visit while wearing their new clothes.

During the conversation, I asked whether there were any complaints about the items I had made so far.

Then Lukie suddenly turned bright red and said, "It is a problem that I can wear nothing but underwear beneath the 'Dress-Up Pajamas.'"

This could not be helped because of the item's structure. The 'Dress-Up Pajamas' used the wearer's magical power for transformation.

I wondered whether I could improve them. I had received a request, so I would have to try.

Afterward, Lukie asked me whether there was anything I wanted her to do, so I asked her to find out Princess Sofia's measurements during their meeting. It was for making 'Light Magicweave Cloth' underwear.

If Princess Sofia had the same symptoms as Soleil, she would be better off wearing Light-Attribute clothing.

But I could not make an Imperial princess wear semitransparent clothes.

So I had the Pixies bring her some underwear made from 'Light Magicweave Cloth.' That way, at least the parts touching her skin would be Light-Attribute.

"So, during the meeting, I would like you to confirm Sofia's measurements. Then the seamstress can make underwear that fits her body perfectly."

I made this request to Lukie with a serious expression.

Lukie replied, "O-okay. I just need to ask, right?"

She had turned bright red... Had she misunderstood and thought I wanted to know Princess Sofia's measurements?

...Of course, if she was willing to tell me, I would like to know.

There might be opportunities to make items that fit the body, not just underwear.

For occasions like that, I needed accurate data on the wearer.

──While we were talking, before we knew it, dawn had begun to break.

Lukie, who had started to grow sleepy, transformed into a black cat and quietly returned to her own tent.

The Pixies were sleeping on my lap.

I carried them with me and decided to take a nap in the tent.

And so, the next day.

The exchange of letters between the Demon Lord's Territory and the town of Noza began.

After several exchanges of letters, it was formally decided that a meeting would be held between Demon Lord Lukie Evargard and Princess Sofia Dolgaria.

The location was near the forest at the border. The meeting would take place the day after tomorrow.

The participants would be Demon Lord Lukie Evargard and Princess Sofia Dolgaria.

Their guards and several attendants.

And, at the request of both Demon Lord Lukie and Princess Sofia, it was decided that I, Thor Kanan, would also attend the meeting.