Chapter 80
──A Few Days Later. In the Mountainous Region of Raizenga Territory──
The force led by General Raizenga was searching for the magic circle.
This was the mountainous region where the 'Demon Beast Gargarossa' had appeared.
Agnis was taking part in the investigation as well.
With a tense expression, she followed her father, Raizenga.
This was Agnis's first job.
"I'm going to do my best for Demon Lord Lukie and Thor-sama, too."
Sword in hand, Agnis murmured.
Because of her tendency to catch fire, she had been unable to remove her armor all this time.
She had barely been able to leave the estate, let alone take part in military operations.
For Agnis, this mission was like her first battle.
"Agnis. Have you found any reaction from the magic circle yet?"
"Yes. Father—no, General-sama!"
She had almost reflexively answered "Father," and hurriedly corrected herself.
They were in the middle of an operation.
Even if her father Raizenga looked lonely, she had to distinguish public and private matters.
"There has still been no reaction from Thor Kanan-sama's 'Magic Power Detector.' There does not seem to be a magic circle nearby."
Agnis reported to her father, the soldiers, and the civil official accompanying them.
"The 'Demon Beast Gargarossa's' leg is inside the 'Magic Power Detector.' If it finds magic power of the same type, these wings twitch, so we'll know. There hasn't been any reaction at all yet."
"Hmm. In that case, we will have to investigate the rocky mountains farther west as well."
The rocky mountains continued ahead of them.
But it was an undeveloped area, one barely touched by demons or demi-humans.
Demon beasts appeared there, and the paths were treacherous.
They had a map, but it was still a dangerous place.
"But searching for the magic circle is an important mission. If another new species of demon beast appears, it could cause serious damage. Let us continue the investigation."
"However, General. Is something called a 'Magic Power Detector' truly worthy of our trust in the first place?"
A voice suddenly rang out.
It came from the young civil official accompanying the investigation.
"I think it would be dangerous to place too much trust in an item made by that alchemist, General."
"...Elte-sama. Please be careful what you say."
Agnis stared intently at the speaker.
Before her stood a tall girl with gray hair. She wore a robe and held a bundle of parchment in her hands. The large pack on her back was probably reference material on the mountainous region.
The girl's name was Elte.
She was a civil official dispatched from the Demon Lord's Castle to accompany the investigation of the magic circle.
"If I offended you, Agnis-sama, I apologize."
Civil official Elte bowed obediently.
"However, this is my honest opinion. The alchemist named Kanan has only just arrived in the Demon Lord's territory. I think it is dangerous to rely on him too much."
"Is that why Thor Kanan-sama couldn't accompany us on this investigation?"
Agnis asked.
"Did Chancellor Kelv-sama advise that Thor Kanan-sama and the loyal pixies who serve him should not accompany us for that reason?"
"My uncle said, 'If the magic circle is left intact, there is a danger that Thor-dono will use it as a reference to make some astonishing surprise item.'"
"...Chancellor Kelv-sama said that?"
"It seems Demon Lord Lukie also accepted Uncle Kelv's opinion."
Chancellor Kelv was the head of all the civil officials in the Demon Lord's territory.
Even Demon Lord Lukie could not ignore his wishes.
Perhaps Lukie wanted to surprise Thor by showing him a diagram of the complete magic circle, but Agnis had no way of knowing that.
"I respect my Uncle Kelv."
Elte's gray hair swayed as she looked north, toward the Demon Lord's Castle.
"Uncle said, 'My head hurts every time Thor-dono makes an item.' That must be because the items created by that alchemist are things that bewilder people!"
"That's not true!"
Agnis shouted.
"Thor Kanan-sama is someone who makes people happy! Thanks to him, Mabel and Agnis... and the pixies, too, can do more things... Our world has grown larger."
"I beg your pardon, but since you have benefited from the alchemist-sama, I must conclude that your opinion is not impartial."
"...Elte-san."
"I believe in my uncle, Chancellor Kelv-sama. I want to become an excellent civil official who protects the Demon Lord's territory he loves and helps him. That is why I cannot like the alchemist-sama who troubles Uncle Kelv."
Civil official Elte stated this firmly.
As Agnis watched her,
"The day will come when you understand Thor Kanan-sama, too."
she sighed quietly.
(If I get angry and ruin the investigation, I'll make Thor-sama's efforts in creating the 'Magic Power Detector' meaningless...)
Thinking this, Agnis took a deep breath.
Then she looked toward her father, Raizenga, and nodded.
He had been about to intervene, and now he let out a relieved sigh.
"It seems that discussion is over. Then let us continue the investigation."
Raizenga pointed beyond the rocky ground.
"Chancellor Kelv-dono's instructions were, 'If nothing is found in the area where the Demon Beast Gargarossa appeared, investigate the undeveloped region. Investigate for three days, and if nothing is found, return for the time being.' Is that correct?"
"Yes, General. As a precaution, I will give you the documents on the undeveloped region."
Civil official Elte took a piece of parchment from her luggage.
"Maps of the surrounding area were kept in the civil officials' wing of the Demon Lord's Castle. Please use them."
"This will be a great help. You have my thanks, civil official."
"And please use these for reference as well."
Civil official Elte took several hides from her luggage.
"A 'Mountain Lizard' was hunted at the foot of the rocky mountains several weeks ago. It had come down from the mountains around here and been spotted by soldiers at the fortress. I brought its hide. Please use it as a reference for the demon beast's defensive power."
"Indeed. You have prepared remarkably well. Almost like Thor-dono... Oh."
The moment he mentioned Thor's name, Elte's expression stiffened.
Seeing this, Raizenga cleared his throat and said,
"I-I mean, in any case, I thank you for your consideration, civil official."
"You are too kind."
"Agnis will carry this material. It may prove useful."
"I leave that decision to you, General."
Civil official Elte bowed and stepped back.
She had prepared everything necessary, behaved courteously, and never overstepped Raizenga's authority.
As a civil official accompanying the investigation, she was beyond reproach.
"Then let us proceed. If possible, I would like to have a clear idea of the investigation's prospects by the end of today."
At General Raizenga's signal, the investigation party began moving.
"Please be careful, everyone."
After they had advanced for about two hours, civil official Elte called out.
In response, the general and the soldiers stopped.
They were on a mountain path.
Rocky ground surrounded them, and a difficult slope continued ahead.
Civil official Elte compared the scenery with the documents and said,
"According to the documents, this area is a habitat of 'Mountain Lizards.' As you can tell from the hide I gave you earlier, their defining feature is their high defensive power. Despite their large bodies, they move quickly, and they are dangerous beasts that attack people from cover. First, we should secure the area—"
"There's a 'Mountain Lizard' behind that rock."
Agnis said it.
Twitch, twitch.
The wings of the 'Magic Power Detector' on her back were pointing toward a large rock several dozen meters away.
"...Huh?"
"A-Agnis-sama! What is that?!"
"As soon as Elte-san stopped, I put the demon beast's hide inside the 'Magic Power Detector.'"
Agnis pointed over her shoulder at the 'Magic Power Detector.'
"If there's a 'Mountain Lizard' nearby, it can detect its magic power!"
Behind Agnis stood a female soldier holding the leg of the 'Demon Beast Gargarossa.'
She must have replaced what was inside the 'Magic Power Detector.'
Before they left for the investigation, Thor had adjusted the 'Magic Power Detector' for her.
He had made it possible to change its magic-detection precision.
At higher precision, it could detect individual magic power signatures, such as Soleil's or Rune's.
At lower precision, it could not distinguish individuals, but it could detect the magic power of different races, such as humans and demon beasts.
(Thor-sama had gone that far for Agnis, who was heading into an area where demon beasts lived...)
The 'Magic Power Detector' had a detection range of several hundred meters to one kilometer.
There was currently a 'Mountain Lizard' hide inside it.
If there was even the slightest trace of magic power there, the detector could search for something with similar magic power.
"Agnis trusts Thor-sama. I will prove that his item has power."
"Then let us prepare!"
Raizenga gave orders to the soldiers.
"As civil official Elte-dono said, arrows are ineffective against 'Mountain Lizards.' Archers, prepare the 'Laser Pointers.' Magic soldiers, begin your incantations."
"Yes, sir!!"
At Raizenga's signal, the archers raised large cylinders called 'Laser Pointers,' while the magic soldiers began chanting.
After a while, something moved behind the large rock.
Slowly, a gigantic shadow emerged.
It was just under three meters long.
Its body was covered in glossy black skin.
Its gaping mouth was lined with countless fangs. Each fang was about the size of a human finger. They could easily tear through leather armor.
More fearsome still was its tail.
It was covered in thick skin and bristled with countless spikes.
The soldiers understood. That was the 'Mountain Lizard's' weapon of attack.
It would swing its enormous tail to make its prey recoil, use its hard hide as a shield as it approached, crush its prey beneath its weight, and tear it apart with its huge fangs.
The soldiers remembered the documents civil official Elte had shown them.
When they had fought 'Mountain Lizards' in these mountains before, nearly ten soldiers had been killed.
It had been a sudden encounter.
They had been unable to defend against the tails, and the beasts had closed in and claimed victims.
Now four 'Mountain Lizards' had appeared.
The demon beasts had already spotted them.
Using their hard hides as shields, they moved their legs over the difficult rocky ground and approached faster than expected—
'──Gweh?'
──As if realizing that red points of light were shining on their bodies, the demon beasts cried out.
"Now! Release the magic!!"
"Ooooooooooh!!"
Drrrrrrrum—crack-crack-crack!!
Flame magic guided by the light of the 'Laser Pointers' rained down on the 'Mountain Lizards.'
Fireballs, fire arrows, and flame bombs.
The barrage of flame magic did not stop.
The ones casting the magic were the kin of the Ifrits.
They manipulated flames as naturally as breathing.
Guided by the light of the 'Laser Pointers,' the flames concentrated on a single point.
They burned through the 'Mountain Lizards'' hard hides, boring holes into them.
'────Giiiiaaaaaaa!!'
The moment the demon beast let out a scream, the light of the 'Laser Pointer' shifted to its mouth.
A moment later, flame magic flew into its mouth—and the 'Mountain Lizard' was burned from within and collapsed.
Seeing this, the second one fled.
But the 'Laser Pointer's' range did not allow the demon beast to escape.
Fierce flames flew from behind and charred its body black.
'Gooaaargh!!'
The panicked third and fourth beasts ran toward Raizenga's unit.
The light of the 'Laser Pointers' struck their mouths and eyes, and flames flew inside.
'.........Ggah...'
The battle lasted only a few minutes.
The 'Mountain Lizards' had been wiped out without even reaching the general's unit.
".........Er..."
"Civil official Elte-dono. We have defeated the 'Mountain Lizards,' but do you think there are any others?"
"Huh? Wh-what? Ah, yes. No..."
Civil official Elte hurriedly checked the documents in her hands.
"'Mountain Lizards' are rare demon beasts. I do not think they form large groups, so I believe there are no others. Yes."
"Then let us continue the investigation. Now, Agnis."
"Yes, General."
"Replace what is inside the 'Magic Power Detector' with the 'Demon Beast Gargarossa's Leg.' And one more thing..."
Raizenga made a stern face and said,
"You must not replace what is inside the 'Magic Power Detector' without permission. That item is for searching for magic circles. Do not take liberties."
"...I'm sorry, General."
"In such situations, consult civil official Elte-dono. She is the person most familiar with this land!"
"Understood."
Agnis bowed deeply to her father, Raizenga.
"I'm sorry for doing that without permission, Elte-sama."
"Huh? Ah... yes."
"I'll replace what's inside the 'Magic Power Detector' with the 'Demon Beast Gargarossa's Leg' right away."
Agnis opened the door of the 'Magic Power Detector' behind her.
The waiting female soldier removed the 'Mountain Lizard' hide and replaced it with the 'Demon Beast Gargarossa's Leg.'
Then, when Agnis poured magic power into the 'Magic Power Detector'—
Twitch. Twitch-twitch.
Once again, the wings of the 'Magic Power Detector' moved.
The four wings twitched and pointed diagonally upward.
Beyond them was a sheer rocky area, with a cave-like space near its summit.
A narrow path led across the rocky area to the cave.
The path seemed to wind all the way around the rocky area, making it a considerable detour.
"The 'Magic Power Detector' is pointing at that cave. Could the magic circle be inside...?"
"There is a possibility."
Holding the documents, civil official Elte spoke.
"The records of a previous search of this area say that this rocky area is difficult to climb from the Demon Lord's territory, but gentle and easy to climb from the Empire's side. If people connected to the Empire summoned the demon beast, it would not be surprising if there were a magic circle in that cave."
"I see..."
General Raizenga and the soldiers nodded.
Seeing this, civil official Elte said with satisfaction,
"It will be a detour, but there appears to be a narrow path leading to the cave. Let us see whether it is passable."
"Very well. Soldiers, follow civil official Elte-dono's instructions and check the route to the cave."
"Please do. And what will you do, General?"
"I shall climb the rock face by ladder with some of the soldiers."
"I see, by ladder... Wait, what?"
"Agnis. Prepare yourself."
"Yes, General."
Agnis took the 'Improved Chain Lock—Ladder Type' from the 'Ultra-Small Simple Storage.'
Holding one end, she threw it toward the rock face.
When the chain reached an appropriate height—
"Activate. 'Earth Lock.'"
Clink. Jingle. Clang!
──When Agnis infused it with magic power, the 'Support Chains' unfolded.
The 'Support Chains' bit into the rock face, securing the chain ladder.
Agnis gave the chain a light tug to check its stability. It was fine. It did not budge.
The 'Chain Lock' Thor made was equipped with an anti-theft system.
When magic power was infused into it, the 'Support Chains' bit into the rock and secured the main chain.
By making the chain itself into a ladder and deploying the 'Support Chains,' it became a rope ladder that could be used anywhere.
"It worked, General. We can climb the rock face safely with this ladder."
"How many more 'Chain Locks—Ladder Type' do we have?"
"Thor-sama prepared ten of them for us."
"The cave is... about fifteen meters up. That is enough. Then we shall climb. Agnis, throw the chain up from below."
"Understood, General!"
"Civil official Elte-dono, you may take the mountain path. This chain was also made by Thor-dono. Agnis and I trust him, so we can place our weight on this chain. But you would understandably feel uneasy, civil official."
"........."
"...Civil official Elte-dono?"
"...Y-yes."
"Do not push yourself. If anything happened to you, Kelv-dono would be saddened."
"........."
"Thank you for your concern."
"Then we shall be off."
Raizenga and the others began climbing the chain ladder.
On the ground, Agnis stood ready with the 'Chain Lock—Ladder Type' in hand.
Once Raizenga and the others reached the top of the ladder, Agnis used the strength boosted by the 'Health-Enhancing Pendant' to throw up the chain. When it reached a suitable height, Raizenga touched it and infused it with magic power. The 'Support Chains' unfolded, and the ladder extended higher.
"...Uncle. When did the Demon Lord's territory become a place that Elte herself doesn't know?"
"Elte-sama! You'll hurt yourself if you rub your forehead against the rock face!"
"I'm fine... I just lost sight of myself for a moment..."
Soldiers came over to Agnis and Elte.
They had come to report on the route to the cave.
"The path is narrow, but it seems to continue to the cave. It is only wide enough for one person to pass at a time. The footing appears stable, and there does not seem to be any danger of it collapsing."
"Understood. I will go."
Elte declared this without hesitation.
"My duty is to inspect the magic circle and find clues as to who used it. I must see the site with my own eyes and report to Demon Lord Lukie and Uncle Kelv."
"Soldiers, protect Elte-sama. Take only the minimum necessary equipment. Agnis and the others will keep the rest here."
Agnis gave brisk orders as well.
"There isn't room for spears on the narrow path. Take longswords or short swords. Take a regular 'Chain Lock' as well, just in case. If you use it on the wall, it can serve as a handrail. And..."
Preparations of various small details continued for a while.
Agnis handed the soldiers items taken from the 'Ultra-Small Simple Storage.'
The path was dangerous, but—if someone had drawn a magic circle in the cave, that person might have used the path as well.
"There may be clues left behind." Saying this, Elte set off with the soldiers.
Agnis and several soldiers remained on the rocky ground below.
Their job was to support Raizenga, Elte, and the others.
...If Thor Kanan-sama were here, he might make an item that would let us 'jump to the cave' on the spot...
Agnis suddenly found herself thinking this.
What was Thor doing right now?
Perhaps he was researching bath-related items.
He had said he wanted to make something like a 'Foot Bath' that all the pixies could use together.
Agnis definitely wanted to take part in the experiments.
A bath that the pixies and Mabel... and Thor too, if possible, could all bathe in together would be fun.
If they used that technology to build a public bathhouse, surely everyone would acknowledge how amazing Thor was.
Perhaps even people wary of him, like Elte, would become fewer.
"Thor Kanan-sama made the 'Alchemy Available' sign so everyone would understand him, too. Surely someday everyone will come to love Thor Kanan-sama..."
It would be troublesome if too many people came to love Thor...
But it would be much better for him to have more people who understood him.
Thinking this, Agnis threw the 'Chain Lock—Ladder Type' upward.
The ladder had already reached the third section.
The fourth section would reach the rocky area where the cave was.
Since she only had to throw it straight up, it was easy for Agnis, whose strength had been enhanced by the 'Health-Enhancing Pendant.'
The difficult part was the horizontal position. She had to throw it slightly to one side so it would not hit Raizenga and the others. That was the only part requiring care. Agnis steeled herself.
It was difficult, but fun.
This was Agnis's first job.
Being useful to everyone. Using Thor's magic items.
That was immensely fun.
She felt as though she understood why Thor was so absorbed in alchemy—in his work.
"General! I'm throwing up the next ladder!"
"──Oh! Go ahead!"
At Raizenga's signal, Agnis threw up the fourth ladder.
This one should reach the top.
Just as Agnis was wondering what had become of Elte-san,
'Kishaaaaaaaaa!!'
The cry of a demon beast rang out.
Agnis instinctively looked up.
Beyond the rocky ground, she saw a black bird flying above the narrow mountain path.
It was several meters in size.
It was targeting Elte and the others as they made their way along the mountain path.
"A-A 'Dark Condor' in a place like this?! I-I know there are records of sightings, but this is supposed to be a demon beast that lives in hilly regions...!"
She could hear Elte's voice.
This was bad.
The soldiers guarding her were there, but the footing was far too poor.
Since they had to travel along the narrow mountain path, the soldiers had left their equipment behind.
All they had with them were small items. They had neither spears nor 'Laser Pointers.'
Her father, Raizenga, had only just reached the rocky area above.
It would take time to reach Elte. They would not make it in time.
So Agnis shouted,
"Soldier! Use the button I gave you earlier!"
"Agnis-sama?! Wh-what button?!"
"Don't worry about Elte-sama! Soldier, please! Just put your finger on it and infuse it with magic power!"
Agnis shouted instructions toward Elte.
At the same time, she removed the 'Health-Enhancing Pendant' from her chest.
"Anyone with a free hand, aim a 'Laser Pointer' at the demon beast! And please stay away from Agnis!"
Flames rose with a whoosh from Agnis's body.
Feeling the familiar heat, she clenched her teeth.
Agnis was wearing clothes made of 'Earth Magic-Woven Cloth.' Her underwear was made of the same material.
'Earth Magic-Woven Cloth' was fire-resistant. Even if it caught fire for a while, it would not burn up.
All that remained was for the 'Dark Condor' to stop moving—
'Omawari-saaaan!'
Jolt!
The sound of the 'Security Alarm' rang out, and the 'Dark Condor' stopped moving.
She had given it to the soldier earlier, just in case.
The 'Security Alarm' was small and light, making it easy to carry. It could be activated simply by touching it with a finger when encountering a monster. It was the perfect self-defense item for a mountain path.
"Everyone, take your 'Laser Pointers' and aim at the demon beast! Hurry!"
Agnis ordered the soldiers around her.
The soldiers immediately aligned the sights of their 'Laser Pointers.'
Then—
"Fire magic—release. 'Gigantic Flame Bind'!!"
A whip of flame shot from Agnis's fingertips.
It rode the light of the 'Laser Pointers' in a straight line toward the 'Dark Condor.'
The flames wrapped around the bird demon beast, bound its body—and burned it to ashes.
'Kisha?! Kishaaargh!!'
The defining feature of Agnis's flame magic was its power.
Without the 'Health-Enhancing Pendant,' so much magic power would leak out as flames.
Released as attack magic, it displayed tremendous power.
And now, it was combined with the accuracy of the 'Laser Pointers.'
The bird demon beast, the 'Dark Condor,' burned up in an instant.
"Thor Kanan-sama's items are meant to make people happy... I can't let anyone be hurt where they're being used!"
Agnis shouted proudly, thrusting out her chest.
"Agnis will guard your backs. Elte-san, please join my father—General-sama!"
As if pushed forward by her voice, Elte and the others began walking.
Once she confirmed this, Agnis put the 'Health-Enhancing Pendant' back on.
She also checked whether the clothes made of 'Earth Magic-Woven Cloth' had caught fire.
"...No problem. Thank goodness..."
After a while, Elte and the others reached Raizenga.
There were no injuries. No one had fallen behind.
Raizenga ordered Agnis, watching from below, "Come up."
Agnis quickly climbed the ladder.
Her father Raizenga and his soldiers had gathered in front of the cave.
"──Thanks to Thor Kanan-dono's chain, we climbed up with ease!"
"──We've gotten used to defeating enemies from a distance with the 'Laser Pointers,' too."
"──As long as Omawari-san is on our side, demon beasts are a piece of cake—"
The soldiers muttered one after another with laughter.
Raizenga glared at them and—
"Do not let your guard down! The unexpected can happen at any time!!"
he shouted, his voice echoing across the rocky area.
"Thor-dono's magic items are certainly powerful. But he himself has said that he still falls short of a hero! That must mean there may be enemies they won't work against."
Raizenga continued, fixing his gaze on the soldiers.
"Therefore, you must not let your guard down. An enemy that can avoid the light of the 'Laser Pointers' may appear. Someone may ignore the warning from 'Omawari-san'! The unexpected can happen at any time... Act without lowering your guard, keeping that in mind. Is that clear?!"
"Y-yes, General!!"
"...I see. Elte-dono's refusal to use Thor-dono's items was also to keep the soldiers from lowering their guard. As expected of Chancellor Kelv-dono's niece. Such remarkable insight for one so young."
"...Huh?"
Civil official Elte had just reached the front of the cave, and now she stared blankly.
Breathing heavily, she sank down onto the ground.
Not understanding why the soldiers around her were voicing their admiration, she looked around, saying, "Huh? Huh?"
"I'm glad you're safe, Elte-sama."
"...Agnis-sama."
Seeing Agnis, Elte hurriedly dropped to her knees on the ground.
Then she bowed deeply and said,
"──Thank you for saving me!"
"It was Thor Kanan-sama's item that saved you, Elte-sama. You should thank him."
"I understand... Once this mission is over, I will go thank him."
"Yes. So you should stop rubbing your forehead against rocks."
".........Yes."
After a while, Elte raised her head.
"...I am grateful. But, well, I am still confused. Wings point out the locations of demon beasts, light extends the range of magic... and the voice of 'Omawari-san' stops demon beasts in their tracks. When did the Demon Lord's territory become such a place full of astonishing surprises...?"
"That's what technology from the hero world is like."
"...Heroes. You mean those people who sought to become the strongest...?"
"Demons and demi-humans have to learn from humans. And when it comes to the strongest humans, there are heroes. I think we have to learn from Thor Kanan-sama, who can create items using technology from the hero world."
"...I still don't understand."
"You can take your time."
Agnis smiled and took Elte's hand.
"Thor Kanan-sama is important to Agnis, so Agnis wants more people to understand him. That's why... even if it takes time, I want you to understand him—"
"...Will I be able to understand him?"
Civil official Elte pressed a hand to her reddened forehead.
"Ah... Uncle Kelv. Is this how you, too, have been suffering headaches...?"
As they murmured this, Agnis and Elte began walking toward the cave.