Chapter 70
──Sophia's POV──
'Gik, gigigigigi!!'
"──'O great power of Light'"
Princess Sofia began chanting a Light magic spell.
She knew she would not finish in time.
The magic soldiers to either side of her were flustered.
They, too, had failed to notice the giant centipede moving underground.
(I never imagined there could be a demon beast like this──)
Sofia's eyes widened as the demon beast came within striking distance.
Its enormous body was pitch-black, with countless legs and fangs as thick as human arms.
Any one of them could probably defeat Sofia in a single blow.
"'Into these hands, countless stones to strike down my enemies──all things lie within the palm of the Great One'──"
Even so, Sofia continued chanting as she stepped in front of the magic soldiers.
She had made up her mind. She would protect the people, staking her life on it.
That was why she could not allow a demon beast like this to run wild.
(──I leave the rest to you, Thor Kanan-sama.)
The dust kicked up by the demon beast struck Sofia's body.
Even so, Sofia did not waver.
She continued chanting the strongest spell at her disposal while staring at the giant fangs and red eyes looming before her.
Just then──
"──Here I go. 'Icicle Bind'!!"
An ice blade suddenly flew in from behind Sofia and froze one of the giant centipede's legs.
Sofia reflexively turned around.
She saw Thor Kanan. Running beside him was a silver-haired elven girl.
(Don't come any closer! Thor Kanan-sama!!)
'Gigigigaaaahhhhhhh!!'
The demon beast roared in displeasure.
"Don't hurt my friend! 'Vivid Light Strike'!!"
"Our benefactor cares deeply for that person! 'Void Arrow'!!"
The white and black owls above Thor's head fired spells as well.
A white sphere of light and a black spear.
The two spells pierced the giant centipede.
(No. You will only put yourselves in danger! Stop──)
Attacks of that magnitude would not stop the demon beast.
It would eat Sofia, then attack Thor and the others.
(Then I must cast my spell before those fangs shatter me──at least let us perish together──!)
Sofia would not let the demon beast reach Thor Kanan.
Sofia steeled herself.
Thinking this was the end, Sofia looked toward Thor and the others.
Just then──
"Mabel! The item!"
"Yes. It is ready!"
She saw Thor and the elven girl raise their hands.
Both of them were holding something between their fingers.
She recognized it. It was what Thor had tried to give Sofia earlier. What was it──?
"'Buzzer,' activate!!"
Thor and the elven girl pressed their fingers with a small click.
Then──
'Omawarisan!!'
Flinch!
──A loud voice suddenly erupted around the demon beast.
As though struck by the voice, the giant centipede stopped moving.
The giant centipede looked around fearfully.
It was as though it sensed an enemy nearby that it could never defeat.
Sofia, too, felt the presence of something terrifyingly immense.
She felt as though she were being watched. She could even hear its breathing.
Yet when she looked around, no one was there.
Perhaps the demon beast noticed it, because it tried to move forward again──
'Omawarisan!'
'Wee-woo, wee-woo!! Omawarisan! Over here!!'
Flinch, flinch!!
The voices echoed again, and the giant centipede stopped moving.
During that time, Thor Kanan and the elven girl reached Sofia.
The two of them were holding disks slightly larger than silver coins.
The voices seemed to be coming from them.
(Could this also be the power of one of Thor Kanan-sama's items!?)
Sofia had never seen an item like this.
It produced neither light nor heat, yet it made that enormous demon beast recoil.
What could someone possibly do to make that possible...?
"Your Highness, now! Use your Light magic!"
"──'And, O great power of Light, annihilate my enemy!!'"
Sofia could not let this opportunity pass.
She completed her chant and activated a Light-Attribute attack spell.
"Take this! 'Vivid Light Destruction'!!"
Countless spheres of light appeared around the giant centipede.
'Omawarisan!' 'Help me! Omawarisan!!' 'O-Omawarisan!!'
The echoing voices struck the demon beast's body as well.
The demon beast could not move. It could only twitch and convulse repeatedly.
In that opening, Sofia's spell struck.
Pshoom.
'Gugyaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!'
A hole opened in the giant centipede's body.
Sofia had used a high-ranking Light-Attribute attack spell.
Each sphere of light possessed the same power as 'Vivid Light Strike.'
Just as the power of Darkness represented 'nothingness,' the power of Light represented 'existence.'
And spheres imbued with excessively powerful Light magic possessed an overwhelming force of existence.
Anything that touched them had its existence painted over by light.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Centipede. I have to protect everyone, so please disappear."
'Gugyaaaaaaaaa──!'
Responding to Sofia's will, the spheres of light touched the centipede's body.
The giant centipede's torso began to be scraped away.
'Gigi!? Guga!? Giiaaaaaaaa!!'
The giant centipede had nowhere to escape.
The parts of its body that touched the spheres of light were scraped away one after another. Its legs disappeared, then its torso, until its body fell apart. And then it died.
After watching this, Sofia──collapsed to her knees on the ground.
"I used magic for the first time in a while, and this is what happened. I really am still a 'hopeless case,' aren't I?"
Using magic just once had exhausted her strength.
But... somehow, she felt relieved.
Because Thor Kanan, who had come to her side, was supporting her.
"Please don't push yourself, Your Highness."
"...I wanted to show you something impressive."
"You were impressive."
"...That is a relief."
Sofia let out a relieved breath.
Then she took a deep breath in Thor's arms.
Somehow, she steadied her breathing and stood up.
The battle was nearly over.
Of the three demon beasts, one had been annihilated by the Demon Lord, and another by Sofia.
The one the Imperial soldiers had been fighting was still alive, but barely breathing.
"Feel the might of the Empire!!"
'Giggyuaaahhhhhhh!'
When the soldiers drove their spears into its torso, the last giant centipede──stopped moving.
Immediately afterward, Isaac came over to Sofia.
He had probably fallen from his horse. His helmet was off, and he had dropped his spear as well.
Isaac looked at Thor and the elven girl, then said,
"Thank you for saving Her Highness Princess Sofia!"
He bowed deeply to the two of them.
"Failing to notice the demon beast moving underground was my mistake. Furthermore, it seems my adjutant was effectively the one who lured this demon beast here. The responsibility is mine. If you had not been here... even Her Highness's life would have been in danger."
"Not at all. I'm glad we made it in time."
"But that thing that stopped the demon beast's movements... what was it?"
"I cannot go into detail, but it seems to be a type of magic developed by the Demon Lord's Territory."
Thor Kanan answered.
Isaac Mueller tilted his head and said,
"I see. But what is an 'Omawarisan'...?"
"I have read about it in a book."
Sofia found herself interrupting.
"If I remember correctly, it was a story like this. A young Hero who was bullied by his fellow Heroes said, 'Don't do that! I'll call the Omawarisan!'"
"How curious. I remember reading a similar book in the library at my workplace."
"You did too, Thor Kanan-sama?"
"It was, 'I'll tell the Omawarisan on you,' wasn't it? It was a story about one of the Heroes' younger warriors."
At Thor Kanan's words, Sofia nodded repeatedly.
For some reason, she was incredibly happy that they had read the same book.
However, Isaac Mueller looked unconvinced and said,
"The two of you seem to understand, but I am afraid I do not. What exactly is an 'Omawarisan'?"
"I believe it is some kind of being that protected people in the Hero World."
"I agree. Otherwise, there would be no point in calling its name in this world."
Thor and Sofia exchanged looks and nodded.
Sofia remembered what had happened moments earlier.
The giant centipede had certainly appeared frightened by the voice shouting, 'Omawarisan!'
It was probably due to an instinctive sense of danger.
In fact, neither Sofia nor the Imperial soldiers had been affected at all.
Something that stopped only evil beings—in other words──
"The 'Omawarisan' must be something like guardian spirits that exist throughout the Hero World."
"I think it is something like a golem that protects towns and is activated by the keyword 'Omawarisan.'"
"That is a plausible theory as well."
"No, I had not thought of guardian spirits. I think that is a good idea."
"Thank you, Thor Kanan-sama."
Sofia and Thor Kanan exchanged looks and smiled.
She wanted to keep talking about the Hero World like this.
She felt that, with Thor Kanan, she could probably continue talking all night.
"W-what!? Guardian spirits!? Golems!? You mean it is a spell that summons them!?"
Behind the two of them, Isaac Mueller raised his voice.
"B-but nothing like that appeared. Why was the demon beast frightened!?"
"That spell seems to create a presence like the 'Omawarisan.'"
Thor Kanan answered.
"It cannot summon the 'Omawarisan' itself. It only creates a similar 'presence' to frighten the demon beast. In other words, it is a spell that borrows the authority of the 'Omawarisan' from another world."
"Come to think of it, the Demon Lord Lukie Evargard said that the Demon Lord's Territory would 'learn from humans.'"
Sofia continued.
"Perhaps the Demon Lord's Territory developed new magic by learning in that way."
"That is exactly right, Your Highness."
"You heard her. Let us continue learning without becoming arrogant, Isaac Mueller."
"Of course, Your Highness!"
Isaac Mueller thumped his armored chest.
"I, Isaac Mueller, feel as though my eyes have been opened. So that I will never forget this feeling, I shall change my name. From this moment onward, please call me Isaac Omawarisan Mueller!"
"I think it is a fine name, Isaac Omawarisan Mueller."
"I agree. It sounds cool."
"Thank you, Your Highness. And also... Thor Kanan."
Isaac Mueller bowed to Sofia and Thor Kanan once more.
"Then I shall investigate the identity of this demon beast. We must also determine whether there are any similar demon beasts nearby. I will borrow some of the soldiers. Your Highness, please return to the 'Town of Noza.'"
"Understood. I leave it to you, Isaac Omawarisan Mueller."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
With that, Isaac began gathering the soldiers.
He clenched his fists, his face filled with satisfaction.
"I was not a Hero. But I was something close to a guardian spirit who protected a Hero..."
As Sofia watched him leave, Isaac Omawarisan Mueller──muttered those words.
──Thor's POV──
"So that was the high-ranking Light spell 'Vivid Light Destruction.'"
Particles of light enveloped the giant centipede and destroyed its very existence.
Amazing. Princess Sofia.
Once she recovered, she could use magic like that.
"No, I think the 'Buzzer' you made, Thor-sama, is even more amazing."
Mabel murmured as she placed the item on her palm.
Resting there was a thick disk about twice the size of a silver coin.
This was the 'Buzzer.'
It was an item activated by placing a finger on it and infusing it with magic power.
"It actually stopped that enormous centipede in its tracks... I'm amazed."
"It consumes magic power, so we have to replace the magic stone every time we use it, though."
But it was worth the cost.
The 'Buzzer' listed in the 'Mail-Order Catalog' really was amazing.
Incidentally, its description went like this.
──────────────────
We are pleased to introduce our recommended 'Buzzer'!
Walking alone at night or coming home from cram school can be worrying, can't it?
Even if you try to 'call for help' or 'run away,' there may be times when you cannot make a sound or move your body when it matters.
But with this 'Buzzer,' you can rest easy!
Simply squeeze it with all your strength, and it will make a loud sound and call the police!
A siren will ring out as well.
Your attacker will be so startled that they will be unable to move a muscle.
It is tremendously effective against anyone approaching with hostile intent!
For your safety, please purchase one 'Buzzer' for every member of your family!
──────────────────
It was an incredible item.
And this was what I made based on the 'Mail-Order Catalog.'
──────────────────
'Buzzer'
(Attributes: Light, Light, Light, Wind, Wind, Wind) (Rarity: ★★★★★★)
Generates an enormous sound through powerful Wind magic.
Through powerful Light magic, it generates a 'presence' as though an enormous creature were standing nearby.
An item used to intimidate enemies and stop them in their tracks.
Activated by placing a finger on it and infusing it with magic power.
It generally affects only those whom its owner considers 'enemies.'
When activated with magic power, it generates an enormous sound and an enormous 'presence.'
The sound intimidates the enemy, while the 'presence' frightens them and can stop them from moving.
The sound rings out as a voice calling for the 'Omawarisan.'
The 'Omawarisan' is a being that people in the Hero World call upon for help when they are in trouble.
(Sophia's theory: 'Guardian spirits omnipresent throughout the Hero World')
(Thor's theory: 'A magic item that protects people in the Hero World')
Anyone targeted by this item senses a terrifyingly enormous presence right beside them, and even perceives its gaze and breathing.
The more sensitive the target, the more thoroughly they are intimidated and immobilized.
Light magic stones and Wind magic stones are required.
Because it consumes magic power rapidly, it can only be used for several dozen seconds.
Replace the magic stones after use.
Physical Destruction Resistance: ★★★ (It cannot be destroyed except by a weapon enhanced with magic.)
Service Life: Half a year (It deteriorates quickly because of the intensity of its effect.)
No user support.
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"This item uses the Light magic that represents 'existence' to create an incredible presence behind the target. So the more sensitive someone is, the more they feel as though 'someone is standing behind me!' and flinch."
"So that is why the giant centipede was startled and stopped moving."
"But there was no one there when it looked behind itself."
"But it could still sense the presence, right?"
"Yes. It seems it could even sense a gaze and breathing."
"That is a terrifying item..."
"It is not as powerful as the Hero World's 'Buzzer,' though. That one was used to summon the 'Omawarisan,' while this one can only create a 'presence.'"
Well, summoning the 'Omawarisan' in this world might be dangerous.
It was powerful enough that Heroes from another world called out to it for help.
I wonder what the 'Omawarisan' of the Hero World actually is.
"Soleil and the others worked hard too, didn't they?"
"They restrained the demon beast with 'Chain Lock,' didn't they?"
"Yes. They linked together every 'Chain Lock' we had, wrapped them around the demon beast, and used 'Earth Lock.' The support chains came loose because of the demon beast moving underground, though."
"The main chain was constricting the demon beast itself, after all..."
I never imagined they could be used in battle, too.
But we could not have used them without the Pixies' cooperation.
I would have to thank Soleil and the others later.
"Thor Kanan-sama. And you, the elf."
Sofia, who had been watching Isaac Omawarisan Mueller leave, turned toward us.
Then she pinched the hem of her dress and bowed.
"Thank you for saving me when I was in danger... truly."
"Not at all. I'm glad we made it in time."
"Thor Kanan-sama, would you introduce me to that person?"
Princess Sofia smiled at Mabel.
"It would be rude not to know the name of someone who saved my life."
"This is Mabel Refrain. She is one of Her Majesty the Demon Lord's subordinates, and she takes care of me... and she is my cherished fiancée."
"T-Thor-sama!?"
Mabel turned bright red.
She looked back and forth between me and Princess Sofia in a panic.
But I had to introduce her properly.
Lukie had clearly stated during the talks that 'Thor has a fiancée.'
"So you are Thor Kanan-sama's fiancée."
Sofia stared intently at Mabel, then nodded.
Then she bowed once more with the courtesy expected of a princess──
"Pleased to meet you. My name is Sofia Dulgaria. As a fellow fiancée with more experience, I humbly ask you to guide Mabel Refrain-sama."
"Eeeeeeh!?"
Mabel let out a strange cry.
Yes. Anyone would be startled if an Imperial princess suddenly bowed to them.
But Mabel was also a close aide to the Demon Lord.
She quickly composed herself and returned the bow.
"I am deeply honored by the gracious greeting from Her Highness the Imperial Princess. I am Thor Kanan-sama's maid and... fiancée, Mabel Refrain. I look forward to working with you."
"The pleasure is mine."
"...U-ugh."
"To begin with, Mabel Refrain-sama,"
"...Yes?"
"Could you tell me Thor Kanan-sama's favorite foods and hobbies? And... if you do not mind, the type of woman he prefers as well."
"I don't know what type of woman he likes, either."
"You don't?"
"His hobby is alchemy. He is always completely absorbed in it and thinking up incredible things. He does not seem to have any foods he likes or dislikes. He always eats while researching. He is so focused that he does not even notice when I feed him by hand."
Wait a moment. I didn't know that.
"A-anyway, Thor-sama is a wonderful person. He always puts us first! He is extremely important to both me and Her Majesty."
"I understand. Thor Kanan-sama is a person worthy of respect."
Princess Sofia looked at me and smiled brightly.
She tried to continue the conversation, but then──a voice called from far away. A soldier had come to summon her.
"Unfortunately, it seems I must return."
"...That's a shame."
I nodded.
I had wanted to talk with Princess Sofia about the legends of the Heroes and many other things.
"But Your Highness will be staying in the 'Town of Noza,' won't you? We are neighbors, so we can meet whenever we like, right?"
"Yes. You are more than welcome."
"Understood. Then, until next time."
"Mabel-sama, please tell me all sorts of things about Thor-sama too."
"Y-yes."
"I will work hard so that I can become like you, Mabel-sama."
For some reason, Sofia looked at Mabel's hand and said,
"And I, too, will work hard so that I may receive that ring, the proof of an engagement. I humbly ask for your guidance."
"Huh?"
"Then please excuse me."
After bowing once more, Princess Sofia returned to the Imperial soldiers.
Mabel and I stared blankly after her.
Princess Sofia had been looking at the 'Special Good-Luck Ring,' right?
And she had mistaken it for an engagement ring.
By the time we realized it and tried to correct her, Mabel and I were both too stunned to react.
Princess Sofia had already returned to the soldiers. She was directing them with a stern expression. There was no way I could interrupt her to discuss the engagement ring.
"Thor-sama."
"Yes?"
"I was so happy when you gave me the 'Special Good-Luck Ring.' It was the best present I had ever received in my life."
Mabel lovingly stroked the 'Special Good-Luck Ring.'
"So if this is an engagement ring, I would be incredibly happy, but..."
"I gave the same ring to Lukie-sama too..."
What should I do?
If the Empire officially recognized the 'Special Good-Luck Ring' as an engagement ring, that would mean I was engaged not only to Mabel, but to the Demon Lord Lukie as well.
"Well, it's fine. The 'Special Good-Luck Ring' isn't finished yet."
I said,
"Once the finished version is ready, I'll give it to Lukie and take back the unfinished ring. If Mabel and Lukie have different designs, that should solve the problem, right?"
"No, I do not think Her Majesty will ever give that ring back."
"...Really?"
"She is right over there, so why not ask her?"
Mabel smiled mischievously.
When I glanced over, I saw Demon Lord Lukie and Chancellor Kelv-san coming toward us.
Chancellor Kelv-san approached at a brisk jog and said,
"Her Majesty the Demon Lord and her troops will be heading to the demon beasts' lair now."
"The demon beasts' lair?"
"It is where the dormant 'Great Dark Bear' lived. According to the Imperial soldiers' testimony, those giant centipedes seem to have emerged from there. We must retrace the demon beasts' route and determine whether there are any others of the same type."
"Understood. I'll go with you."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm interested. Besides, there may still be demon beast materials left in the lair."
"...In that case, please accompany us."
And so Mabel and I were going to the demon beasts' lair.
Lukie was coming with us as well.
I would tell her about the ring when I found the right opportunity.