Chapter 95
──Isaac's Unit's Perspective──
"Open the gates, Commander Geralt-dono! The demon beast that has appeared in the borderlands is dangerous. In the name of Princess Sofia Dolgaria, we wish to investigate it to protect the people's peace!!"
"W-wait!!"
Along with his flustered voice, Commander Geralt disappeared from the fortress wall.
Isaac and the others stopped some distance from the fortress.
They still had not drawn their weapons. Their opponents were Imperial soldiers as well. They could not resort to a forceful approach.
Isaac and the others were searching for the new demon beast's lair and its handler.
They had never imagined their investigation would lead them to an Imperial fortress.
"Isaac-dono. May I call the 'Robot Vacuums' back to us?"
General Raizenga Freizad of the Demon Lord's territory spoke.
He wore a hood and was mixed in among the Imperial soldiers. Behind him stood a Minotaur unit whose members had likewise concealed their faces.
They had accompanied Isaac to cooperate in defeating the new demon beast.
They had hidden their faces so as not to frighten any Imperials they encountered.
"General, the people from the Demon Lord's territory had prepared hoods to conceal their faces in advance..."
Isaac suddenly asked,
"Did the people of the Demon Lord's territory already know that Imperial soldiers were involved with the new demon beast?"
"Of course not. These hoods are simply something like a dress code when entering Imperial territory."
Raizenga said this with an awkward smile.
"There are all kinds of people in the Empire. Some, like you, Isaac-dono, can be trusted, while others fear us demi-humans. We try to choose whom we reveal ourselves to."
"Raizenga-dono..."
"As for the 'Robot Vacuums'..."
"Indeed. It would be troublesome if the people in the fortress captured them. Let us call them back for now."
"I have been entrusted by Thor-dono with a magic stone for calling them back. I shall use it."
Raizenga took a small magic stone from inside his clothes.
He placed it on his palm and spoke a single phrase.
"You who clean, return to your charger—House!"
Twitch.
In response to Raizenga's voice, the spider, snake, and Spherical Type 'Robot Vacuums' changed direction.
The spider, which had been climbing the fortress wall, leaped down to the ground and retreated.
The snake began slithering back through the grass.
The Spherical Type spun at high speed with a whir and returned to Raizenga and the others first.
"...The 'Robot Vacuums' truly are remarkable."
"...I had no idea golems could be used for scouting and investigation."
"If we had a large number of these, hunting demon beasts and animals would become much easier."
"Thor-dono might even make 'Robot Vacuums' to guard Princess Sofia, you know?"
"That would shatter common sense, so I would rather not think about it. More importantly, should we return all the 'Robot Vacuums' to the support team?"
"We should leave one here. Once the fortress gates open, we will need it to guide us."
"Understood. Then—"
"Yes. Quite so—"
Isaac and Raizenga turned around.
Three cats stood behind a tree some distance away.
Their fur was black, red, and silver, and they occasionally walked on two legs.
Of course, they were actually the alchemist Thor, the elf Mabel, and Agnis, Raizenga's daughter.
"...Thor-dono truly is something else."
"...This 'Robot Vacuum' aside, he has completely transformed himself into a cat."
"...That, too, is merely one facet of Thor-dono's power."
"...How could someone so extraordinary have been unknown in the Empire?"
As they spoke, Isaac and Raizenga placed the Snake Type and Spherical Type 'Robot Vacuums' on the ground.
The two immediately ran toward the black cat.
They would presumably receive a magical-power refill and adjustments now.
Only the Spider Type remained here, where it would guide Isaac and Raizenga.
"That 'Robot Vacuum' was heading straight for the fortress. If so, I believe the new demon beast is in that place. What is your opinion, Isaac-dono?"
"...I agree, General."
Isaac nodded with a bitter expression.
"I do not want to believe that Imperial soldiers are hiding a demon beast... but it is also true that the fortress commander is suspicious. He refused to let me approach the fortress."
"And on top of that, he has left you waiting while keeping the gates closed."
The fortress gates still did not open.
Commander Geralt had said, "Wait," but had yet to return.
Since Isaac wanted a peaceful resolution, all he could do was wait for a response.
"We cannot attack an Imperial fortress. If possible, I would like them to admit their guilt and willingly accept an investigation."
"I do not want a conflict near the Demon Lord's territory either."
As the two were discussing this,
Creak...
A sound came from the fortress gates as they groaned.
"It seems they are coming out. If I may, General, please move to the rear—toward the alchemist-dono."
"There may be things we cannot discuss while we are present. Understood."
"Thank you for your consideration, General."
From this point onward, Isaac would negotiate with the fortress commander.
This was a moment when the people of the Demon Lord's territory should withdraw.
It was almost certain that the fortress soldiers were involved with the new demon beast.
As an Imperial noble, Isaac did not want to show the people of the Demon Lord's territory the Empire's internal troubles.
Therefore, he had asked Raizenga and the others to move away, promising to tell them everything later.
(How petty of me. I suppose I can never become a Hero.)
What would Princess Sofia have done if she were here?
She might have boldly introduced Raizenga and the Minotaurs. Then she would probably have persuaded the people in the fortress to tell the truth.
The Hero world's 'Omawarisan' would have used spirit power to force the fortress soldiers to confess.
But—
(As an Imperial noble, I want to settle this without incident. Am I still unable to break free of the way I have always thought? How dull.)
Isaac began walking, frustration showing on his face.
He headed toward the fortress with the 'Omawarisan Unit' behind him.
At the same time, the fortress gates opened completely, and a man accompanied by soldiers emerged from within.
"I am Geralt Tsenger, commander of this fortress in the northern reaches of Imperial territory!"
The robed man at the head of the soldiers called out.
He was Geralt, the fortress commander.
He was probably older than Isaac. He carried no weapon. He was likely a mage soldier.
Behind him stood armored soldiers. There were roughly twice as many as the soldiers under Isaac's command. It was obvious that they were wary of Isaac.
"I am Isaac Omawarisan Myura, here from 'Noza Town'!"
Isaac shouted toward the fortress commander.
"As I stated earlier, we have come regarding the new demon beast—"
"I know nothing of any demon beast!"
The fortress commander, Geralt Tsenger, spat out.
"Furthermore, you have no right to investigate this fortress. That is all."
"Wait, Geralt-dono. We cannot discuss matters like—"
"What are you talking about!? You were the one controlling the demon beasts!"
Geralt Tsenger pointed at Isaac and shouted.
"You controlled the demon beasts—a spider, a snake, and a mysterious ball—and sent them charging at this fortress! Then you accused us of hiding a demon beast. You were probably frustrated at being assigned to the borderlands and tried to force yourself to achieve some accomplishment so you could return to the Imperial Capital, were you not!?"
"That is not true! Those spiders are not demon beasts! They are magic items for tracking demon beasts—"
"There is no such magic item!"
"I understand how you feel."
"You said you followed the traces of a demon beast. Then show me proof."
Geralt narrowed his eyes and glared at Isaac.
"Even though you are Princess Sofia's subordinate, you have no authority over this fortress! I cannot allow you to enter without proof!"
"It is true that I have no authority to give orders. However, we are working to preserve peace along the border."
Isaac puffed out his chest and declared,
"The people of the borderlands cannot live peacefully while an unidentified demon beast roams about. Protecting the peace to reassure them is our mission!"
"Indeed! We are the 'Omawarisan Unit,' protectors of the peace!!"
The soldiers from 'Noza Town' echoed his words.
But—
"What does this 'Omawarisan' amount to? My House Tsenger may be a count's house, but it has a long history. Our ancestors had close ties with the Heroes from another world, and ours is a distinguished family that preserved records about them! The history of House Myura is nothing compared to ours!"
"I am aware of that."
"Then if you are casting suspicion on me, show me proof!"
"Very well."
Isaac suddenly lifted the Spider Type 'Robot Vacuum'.
He reached toward its underside and infused it with magic power, just as the alchemist Thor had taught him.
The spider's abdomen popped open.
Isaac then took a bag made from 'Magic-Woven Cloth' from inside his clothes.
It was one of the 'Robot Vacuum's' parts: the 'Garbage Pack.'
It was sturdy and long-lasting, and became transparent when infused with magic power—a remarkable item.
When Isaac pressed it against the spider's abdomen and tapped it, fine powder-like material and a magic stone fell into the bag.
"As I mentioned earlier, this 'Robot Vacuum' possesses the ability to follow the traces of demon beasts."
Isaac showed the bag's contents to Commander Geralt.
"The 'Robot Vacuum' does not merely follow demon-beast traces. It can also collect the target demon beast's magic power and pieces of its skin."
"──W-what!?"
Geralt froze.
The fortress guards who had been condemning the 'Omawarisan Unit' one after another fell silent.
"According to its maker, it can 'collect skin, fur, and other materials while drawing the demon beast's magic power into empty magic stones.' That is what is inside this bag."
Isaac held up the white bag.
"This is what it collected along the road to this fortress. This is proof that you and the demon beast are connected!"
"Y-you are merely saying that!!"
Commander Geralt shouted.
"You simply stuffed some random material into the golem's belly! Can you claim that it has anything to do with this fortress!?"
"I see. Then I shall give this to Grand Duke Charon-sama and have him investigate it."
"────!?"
Commander Geralt's eyes widened.
His robed body began to tremble slightly.
Before Isaac set out on the investigation, Princess Sofia had said,
'Grand Duke Charon-sama appears to be a trustworthy person. If... in the unlikely event that someone from the Empire is involved with the new demon beast, let us borrow his power.'
Grand Duke Charon had received permission from the Imperial Capital and come to investigate the new demon beast.
Unlike Isaac, Grand Duke Charon had the right to investigate the fortress.
Princess Liana's visit had allowed Princess Sofia to learn the Grand Duke's location.
That was why they had decided to borrow the Grand Duke's power if the Empire was involved with the new demon beast.
"I opposed Her Highness's suggestion,"
Isaac said while staring at Commander Geralt.
"Because I did not want to believe that someone from the Empire was involved with a new demon beast ravaging the country. However, Her Highness's concern appears to have been justified."
"──W-well..."
"If we have this appraised in Grand Duke Charon-sama's presence, we can determine whether it belongs to a demon beast. Then we can check whether the same magic power or demon-beast skin remains inside the fortress. This 'Robot Vacuum' can even 'easily collect pet hair tangled in long-pile carpets' and 'microorganisms that cause allergies'!"
"...Guh."
"If you refuse the investigation, that is fine as well. I will simply send a messenger to Grand Duke Charon-sama. Then I will wait near the fortress until the Grand Duke himself arrives."
He was prepared to go that far.
Isaac was the one who had wanted a peaceful resolution with the fortress soldiers.
Camping here for several days would be no problem at all.
"That is all I have to say. Do you have any objections, Geralt Tsenger-dono!?"
"I-I have no need to listen to anything you say!"
Commander Geralt muttered in a voice that sounded as though he were forcing the words out.
He raised an arm as if signaling to the soldiers behind him.
"I know that 'Noza Town' has been on friendly terms with the Demon Lord's territory. You have built a trading post and even conduct business with them."
Commander Geralt trembled as he twisted his lips into a smile.
"You must have been influenced by demi-humans and demons and are trying to bring us down!"
"What did you say?"
"The people behind you are proof! Those people hiding their faces beneath hoods are demi-humans, are they not? Isaac Myura of 'Noza Town' must be plotting to disrupt the Empire with demi-humans!"
"Wait. I do not understand. What are you saying?"
Isaac reached out toward Commander Geralt.
But—
"My soldiers, use wind magic! Do not let the 'Noza Town' soldiers who have been swayed by demi-humans approach the fortress!!"
"Oooooooh!!"
Geralt's voice rang out, and a great deal of 'Wind-Attribute Magic' was fired from the fortress.
What it created was a huge headwind.
Dirt and grass were blown into the air, blocking Isaac and the others' view.
Taking advantage of the opening, Geralt and the soldiers retreated.
"Wait! Princess Sofia has given us permission to investigate in cooperation with the people of the Demon Lord's territory. In the first place, people in the borderlands have been trading with the Demon Lord's territory for some time. The High Council already decided to turn a blind eye to it—"
"I will hear none of it!"
Geralt's voice faded into the distance.
In its place came the shouts of the fortress soldiers.
"Look! The wind magic knocked the hoods off the soldiers in the rear!"
"It's true. The people from 'Noza Town' brought Minotaurs with them!"
"Were those people consorting with demi-humans!?"
"As the commander said, they must have been plotting to bring us down!"
Bang.
The fortress gates closed, and Commander Geralt disappeared from view.
"What an outrageous excuse! You should be ashamed, Geralt Tsenger!!"
Isaac spat out.
Commander Geralt's claims were absurd.
Even so, they had driven Isaac and the others away.
They probably intended to make the whole matter disappear as though it had never happened.
"No... perhaps this was due to my own inadequacy. I never considered what would happen if the culprit were Imperial soldiers. Because they were fellow Imperials, I tried to settle this peacefully. This is... my limit."
He was still inexperienced.
He was a long way from becoming a 'True Omawarisan.'
Isaac sighed.
"I am no Hero. It is frustrating, but... I will have to rely on someone else."
Arrows and intimidation magic rained down from the fortress.
Seeing this, Isaac ordered the unit to retreat.
The fortress soldiers presumably did not intend to injure them.
But the same was true of Isaac and the others. They could not forcefully storm the fortress either. They could not shed blood against fellow Imperial soldiers.
Raizenga and the others could probably take the fortress, but... doing so would turn this into a conflict between the Demon Lord's territory and the Empire. That would play directly into Geralt Tsenger's hands.
"...I am sorry, Isaac-dono. Perhaps we should not have come."
Raizenga rejoined them and spoke apologetically.
The Minotaurs around him had also let their shoulders droop.
"Our presence has made your position worse."
"It is not your fault, General. Their claims are absurd."
Isaac shook his head.
"We came to subjugate a demon beast. It is only natural to borrow your strength when fighting a powerful demon beast. In the first place, it is absurd for someone from the Empire to be involved in demon-beast summoning. That Geralt Tsenger..."
"What will we do now? Will you truly wait for the Imperial Grand Duke to arrive?"
"What is your opinion, General?"
"If this were the Demon Lord's territory, we would break down the fortress gates and charge inside... but this situation is difficult."
"Then—"
Isaac looked at the black cat-like figure standing behind Raizenga.
"What is the alchemist-dono's opinion?"
"..."
Thor did not answer.
He had already removed his cat-eared hood and returned to human form.
However, he appeared to be deep in thought.
He was holding the Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum' and staring intently toward the fortress.
"What is the matter, Alchemist Thor-dono?"
"Thor-sama?"
"What is the matter?"
"Ah, yes. I was wondering about the 'Robot Vacuum's' reaction."
As though he had noticed them calling him, the alchemist Thor raised his head.
"The 'Robot Vacuums' have the same function as a 'Magic-Power Detector,' but because of that, this one is moving as though it is being pulled toward the fortress. Look, its head is stretching toward the fortress, isn't it? It wasn't doing this until a moment ago—"
He was right.
In Thor's arms, the Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum' was desperately stretching its head toward the fortress.
The other two were doing the same.
The Spider Type was moving its legs with a kasa-kasa sound in Isaac's arms.
The Spherical Type repeatedly dashed forward and came to an abrupt stop. It looked ready to shoot off at any moment.
"It certainly is behaving strangely. What does this mean, Alchemist-dono?"
"I think the demon beast's magic power is growing stronger."
Thor lowered his head thoughtfully and said,
"Perhaps the demon beast is becoming active. Assuming the demon beast is in that fortress—no, it almost certainly is—what is causing its magic power to grow stronger?"
Possibility (1): It is trying to attack our unit and force its way out.
Possibility (2): It is happy because it has been given food. No, that is unlikely in this situation.
That leaves Possibility (3), but this is—"
"Thor-sama, Thor-sama."
The elven girl Mabel whispered into Thor's ear.
"Is that dangerous? Please tell me, Thor-sama."
"Ah, yes... um..."
As though he had come back to himself, Thor looked toward Mabel.
Then he looked at Agnis, Raizenga, and Isaac,
"I was thinking about what the enemy will do next, assuming the new demon beast is definitely in that fortress."
The alchemist Thor said,
"It is impossible for them to keep the demon beast's existence hidden. They cannot let it escape while Isaac-san's unit is here. If time passes like this, Grand Duke Charon and Princess Liana's units will arrive. The fortress soldiers are already doomed."
"As the alchemist-dono says. That is why I thought they would give up and accept the investigation."
"But they did not."
"Commander Geralt used the presence of the people from the Demon Lord's territory as an excuse to close the gates."
"Then they will probably destroy the evidence."
"That is highly likely."
"But the 'Robot Vacuum' can sense that the demon beast's magic power is growing stronger. That raises a question."
"A question?"
"Can the people in the fortress really control the new demon beast completely?"
The alchemist Thor continued explaining.
The first demon beast to appear, 'Demon Beast Galgarossa,' had not been controlled by anyone.
The giant centipede that came next was the same.
The summoner merely called out the new demon beast and then left it alone.
If the enemy simply wanted to release demon beasts into the Demon Lord's territory or the borderlands, that would be enough.
But if they had failed to tame the demon beast and left it alone because of that—
"I think the new demon beast in the fortress may only have recently reached the point where they can barely control it."
"You may be right, but if so?"
"Yes. In that case, perhaps a demon beast that realizes its master is trying to kill it will sense that its life is in danger, causing the taming magic to break."
"...Ah."
Kasa-kasa, shushu-shushu, whirl-whirl-whirl-whirl.
The 'Robot Vacuums' on the ground were becoming agitated.
At that point, Isaac understood what the alchemist Thor meant.
Even in the Empire, familiars that were no longer needed were sometimes disposed of.
If a familiar had formed a bond of trust with its master, it would obey if the caster decided to 'kill' it.
Old or injured familiars could be disposed of easily. Usually, however, the master would see the familiar through to the end of its life.
If the familiar were an animal rather than a demon beast, it could simply be released.
But if the familiar were a demon beast, and a powerful creature at that—
And if it had only recently been made a familiar, with the spell not yet stable—
"Wouldn't a demon beast that realized it was about to be 'disposed of' resist with all its strength? I mean, if that really is a demon beast from another world, it might operate according to different rules from the demon beasts of this world, right? It might even be 'something' that merely resembles a demon beast. We don't completely understand 'Demon Beast Galgarossa' or the giant centipede either. If that's the case—"
While the alchemist Thor continued explaining—
'Shagyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah──!'
An unnatural scream and the sound of stone walls collapsing echoed from the fortress.
──Several minutes earlier, inside the fortress──
"Execute Plan E!"
The moment the fortress gates closed, Commander Geralt shouted.
"The operation has failed. Destroy all the documents, then dispose of the demon beast. Bury it."
"Understood!!"
The fortress soldiers answered immediately.
They knew that they were engaged in dangerous work.
They had prepared for the destruction of evidence long ago.
A huge hole had been dug in the fortress courtyard using Earth-Attribute Magic.
They would drop the demon beast into it, kill it with magic attacks, burn it to ashes, and bury it.
That should erase the evidence.
This was the best solution available to them now.
Commander Geralt might be punished, but he had allies in the Imperial Capital.
He could only hope that the punishment would be light.
"The problem is whether that so-called 'Robot Vacuum' really has the function of collecting pieces of demon beasts... but if the demon beast itself disappears, we should be able to deny everything."
Commander Geralt said this while looking around at his direct subordinates.
"Several mages will hold Isaac's unit at bay. The rest of you will focus on the Taming Magic. Gather the demon beasts in the courtyard, kill them, and bury them. Understood!?"
"Yes!!"
The direct subordinates ran off after receiving their orders.
After watching them go, Commander Geralt let out a long sigh.
The operation had failed.
They had attracted the attention of Princess Sofia and the unit from 'Noza Town.'
It was no longer possible to escape before Grand Duke Charon arrived.
"Damn those accursed 'Robot Vacuums'!!"
He had never imagined that the unit from 'Noza Town' would come here.
It had been a complete blind spot.
He had been distracted by the approach of Grand Duke Charon's unit.
"Escape is impossible too. If it were only Isaac Myura's unit, we could probably force our way through, but..."
The forces of the Demon Lord's territory stood behind them.
Flame General Raizenga and his demi-human unit were powerful. Geralt knew this well.
His birth family, House Tsenger, had preserved records concerning demi-humans and demons.
The old House Tsenger had been close to the Heroes summoned from another world. They had heard many stories from them and recorded them for posterity.
That was why they also knew the strength of the Demon Lord's territory well.
They knew that they needed a 'trump card' against the Demon Lord's territory and the small nations in the south.
"That demon beast was supposed to become the trump card on the southern front. In time, it could have become powerful enough to destroy every small nation in the south. We should have been able to wipe out the south and even the Demon Lord's territory in the north someday."
Commander Geralt muttered.
"House Tsenger knows a great deal about the Heroes and demon beasts. We even understand the Taming Magic the Heroes used. No one knows more about Heroes and demon beasts than our family. With that power, we were supposed to strengthen the nation. And yet..."
But it was not over yet.
The operation had failed, but the technology was in his hands.
They could still use summoning magic.
Above all, House Tsenger understood the Heroes.
They should even be able to reproduce their power.
"Geralt-sama! We are having trouble with the taming magic. Please help us!"
"Understood. I am coming."
Geralt ran off.
His subordinates continued firing intimidation magic from the high ground.
They did so to keep Isaac and the people of the Demon Lord's territory from approaching.
He knew that Isaac and the others were not conspiring with the Demon Lord's territory.
But for now, this was the only way to maintain their position.
Some of the soldiers feared demi-humans. They should make use of that fear.
With these thoughts in mind, Geralt headed toward the demon beast's location—
'Shagyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!'
The demon beast's scream echoed.
"What are you doing!? The taming of this—'Demon Beast Nozerias'—should already be complete!"
Commander Geralt could not believe what he was seeing.
The demon beast that should have been made into a familiar through taming magic was rampaging as though it had broken down.
"What is the meaning of this!? What happened!?"
Commander Geralt shouted with a pale face.
"W-we do not know. 'Demon Beast Nozerias' obeyed us until yesterday. Why did it suddenly begin rampaging...?"
"Gather magic power! Focus! Use the authority of the taming magic to control the demon beast's movements—"
"It is not working! It will not stop. Begin the incantation again from the beginning!!"
Clang! Clang-clang!
The stone wall shook before the shouting soldiers.
A huge stone cage stood in one corner of the fortress.
It was a semi-underground cage made from an old tower and reinforced with steel.
A black demon beast was inside. The fact that it was there meant they had managed to put it there.
Several days earlier, they had certainly succeeded in taming the demon beast.
They had cast the spell as a group immediately after summoning it.
The demon beast had obeyed them. It had willingly come to the fortress and entered the cage.
And yet now—
'Shagyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah──!'
Clang! Clang!
The demon beast repeatedly rammed its body into the wall while screaming.
This was strange.
The magic Geralt and the others had used was the same 'Taming Magic' used by the Heroes.
The Heroes had used this magic to make demon beasts into familiars.
They had controlled not only small demon beasts, but even enormous creatures like dragons as they pleased.
"──Demon beast from another world, be quiet!!"
"──The taming is not working!? What is going on!?"
"──It is no good! It is resisting!!"
The mage soldiers continued chanting and pouring in magic power.
Even so, the demon beast's movements did not stop.
"Calm down. Begin the incantation from the beginning again. If we do that—"
'Kah.'
When Geralt spoke, the demon beast suddenly stopped moving.
It looked at him with crimson eyes, then opened its mouth and clicked its fangs.
It was almost as though it were laughing.
"You are demon beasts from another world, are you not? You are supposed to be demon beasts! ──Are you not?"
'Shagyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!'
Suddenly, the cage imprisoning the demon beast shattered.
Thus began the battle between the giant demon beast and the soldiers.
──Thor's Perspective──
Right before our eyes, the fortress gates were smashed open.
And from the inside.
What emerged from the fortress was...
"That's the commander and the soldiers from earlier."
"It looks like they are fighting something."
"And I can hear a strange scream as well."
Mabel, Agnis, and I looked at one another.
The next moment,
'Gugaraaaaaaaaaah!'
'Shagyaaaaaaaaaah! HUMAN──Gugyaaaah! DESTROY──'
...Huh?
"Did it just say something amid the screaming?"
"No. I only heard the demon beast's screams..."
"Really?"
Maybe it was just my imagination.
I felt as though the demon beast's scream had sounded like meaningful words.
"Retreat! Alchemist-dono, people of the Demon Lord's territory!"
Isaac-san suddenly shouted toward us.
"This was the Empire's failure. No, you could call it my mistake."
"Isaac-san?"
"The alchemist-dono located the demon beast for us. Therefore... I should have forced my way into the fortress, even if it meant fighting fellow Imperial soldiers. But I hesitated, believing we could resolve this peacefully. What happened was my mistake..."
Isaac-san bit his lip in frustration.
"As an Omawarisan protecting the frontier, I will take responsibility! People of the Demon Lord's territory, retreat!"
"Before that, I have a request."
I held out the Spider Type and Spherical Type 'Robot Vacuums' to Isaac-san.
"The people in the fortress may try to destroy the evidence. Before that happens, may I use these 'Robot Vacuums' to collect anything related to the demon beast? I think these children can collect anything in the fortress that is close to the demon beast's magic power."
"...Why are you asking my permission?"
"Huh? Well, we cannot bring Imperial items here without permission, can we? If I do not obtain permission from an Imperial person, it might cause trouble for His Majesty the Demon Lord."
"Very well. I will take full responsibility. Proceed, Alchemist-dono!!"
Isaac-san nodded.
"The evidence may be lost if we do nothing. Leave the collection to the alchemist-dono."
"I have one more request."
"T-there is more?"
"It concerns a plan to defeat the demon beast. Will you hear me out?"
I spoke.
Isaac-san and the Imperial soldiers' eyes went round.
Mabel and Agnis wore expressions that seemed to say, "Just as we thought."
General Raizenga and the Minotaurs nodded as though they understood.
Well, I had already explained to the people from the Demon Lord's territory about the options that could be attached to the 'Robot Vacuums.'
"...What sort of plan is it, Alchemist-dono?"
"A plan to kill the demon beast instantly and make the fortress soldiers lose the will to resist."
This would require the Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum' and Mabel's power.
The Snake Type was the key.
However, if the plan succeeded, we would have to say goodbye to the Snake Type.
...What a waste.
I had grown attached to it, and I had adjusted it so that it moved like a living creature.
But it could not be helped. My magic items existed to make people happy.
"I'm sorry, Snake Type."
Shushu.
When I spoke, the Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum' nodded as though saying, 'No problem.'
...Well, that was probably just my imagination.
'Shagyaaaaaaaaaaaaah────!'
Hearing the demon beast's scream, we turned toward the fortress.
The gates had been completely destroyed. The demon beast inside had revealed itself in full.
The first thing we saw was a pair of giant pincers.
There was one on either side, each about a meter long, followed by a hard-looking body.
Its body was covered in insect-like skin.
It had a long tail with a thick stinger at the end.
What had appeared was a scorpion.
Two giant scorpions, each more than five meters long.
The fortress soldiers were firing magic and arrows at the demon beasts.
But they had almost no effect.
Their black, gleaming shells deflected the attack magic. It did not even slow them down.
The opponents were simply too hard.
The arrows probably would not pierce them either.
"I will explain the plan."
I said this while looking around at everyone.
"If you think it will work, please cooperate. Also, this plan can only be carried out once, so please do not be too wary of it, Imperial soldiers. Now, as for the plan—"
I would keep it brief.
The important thing was to draw the demon beasts away from the fortress.
And to evacuate the fortress soldiers.
With that, I began explaining the plan.