Chapter 96
"Minotaur unit, full speed ahead!!"
"Ooooooooooh!!"
At General Raizenga's command, the Minotaur-sans set off at a run.
Mabel, Agnis, and I went with them.
"The demon beast is evidence of Geralt Tsenger's crimes! Defeat it quickly and recover the materials. Keep moving!!"
"Omawarisan Unit, advance!!"
Isaac-san's unit followed behind us.
The fortress unit noticed the commotion.
"Y-you people. What is this...?"
"I will ask for the details later. Imperial commander!"
General Raizenga shouted toward Geralt, the fortress commander.
"I will not hold you accountable for the crime of insulting us—not now. For the moment, cooperate with us and subjugate the demon beast!"
"Y-you mean cooperate with demi-humans!?"
"If you refuse, then at least tell the Omawarisan Unit everything! That is all I ask of you!!"
General Raizenga delivered a sharp reprimand.
Geralt Tsenger trembled at his ferocity.
"You summoned something you cannot control and allowed it to ravage the borderlands. You have neither the resolve to admit your crimes nor the ability to settle this situation. If Imperial soldiers who are our neighbors are in such a state, His Majesty the Demon Lord will be disappointed!"
"H-heeek!"
"I address the soldiers defending this Imperial fortress!"
Ignoring the frightened commander, the General turned to the soldiers.
Behind him, the Minotaur-sans raised their weapons.
"It is already clear that you were keeping a dangerous demon beast! If you do not wish to compound your crimes, cooperate with my unit and Isaac Omawarisan Myura-dono! Defeat the demon beast here and keep the damage to a minimum!!"
"The General of the Demon Lord's territory is right."
Isaac-san picked up where General Raizenga had left off.
"That is the best way to reduce the severity of your crimes. Use magic to attack the demon beast and keep it from approaching us. I will report your cooperation to Grand Duke Charon-dono."
"......"
"Surely you have no other path left, do you!?"
The fortress soldiers appeared uncertain for a while.
Then—
"So all we have to do is attack the demon beast?"
"W-we have no choice. We can only obey the people from 'Noza Town.'"
"How did this happen...?"
They began launching attack magic at the giant scorpion without further resistance.
Thank goodness.
Just as expected of Flame General Raizenga-san. He is incredibly intimidating.
And while the General was cowing the fortress soldiers, Isaac-san quickly guided them toward cooperating with us.
The two of them might make a surprisingly good team.
"Do not obey anything these people say! Stop 'Demon Beast Nozerias' in close combat, then use 'Taming Magic' to—ghak!?"
"Do not say anything unnecessary, Geralt Tsenger!"
Isaac-san threw the fortress commander to the ground.
"You need only tell us what you have done. Now be quiet! My men and the people of the Demon Lord's territory will dispose of that demon beast!"
"W-what can you possibly do!?"
"I did not ask about that! I told you to speak about the demon beast!!"
With that, Isaac-san handed the fortress commander over to the Omawarisan Unit.
The members of the unit bound Geralt Tsenger with rope.
Geralt gnashed his teeth, but perhaps he had realized there was nothing he could do.
He began reluctantly explaining the demon beast's abilities.
The demon beast's name was 'Demon Beast Nozerias.' Its name had been given to it by Commander Geralt.
It was a giant scorpion-type demon beast with hard skin that weapons and magic had difficulty penetrating.
It had a spear-like stinger on its tail. Fortunately, it appeared not to be poisonous.
Well, a poisonous demon beast would be too dangerous to keep...
"We were just one step away from... successfully completing our plan."
Commander Geralt Tsenger muttered to himself.
"If you had not come, this would never have happened. You people..."
"...Shut up. It was a mistake to think I could reason with you. To expose the Empire's shame this thoroughly in front of everyone from the Demon Lord's territory..."
Isaac-san muttered bitterly. I understood how he felt.
Even I, who had abandoned my country long ago, did not want Mabel and the others to see a place like this.
"...Sigh."
The sigh that escaped me came out in unison with Isaac-san's.
Perhaps he noticed, because Isaac-san gave an awkward smile and said,
"The Omawarisan Unit and I will command the fortress soldiers and attack the scorpions from a distance."
He looked toward the General and me.
"People of the Demon Lord's territory, feel free to carry out the alchemist-dono's 'plan.' We will guard your backs."
"Understood! Then, Thor-dono, may I borrow the item you mentioned?"
"Yes. Here you go."
I took the 'Super-Miniature Simple Storage' out and removed the 'Laser Pointer.'
I handed it to the Minotaur-san standing beside the General.
"Use this to hold 'Demon Beast Nozerias' in place. While it is immobilized, Mabel and I will hit it with our strongest magic."
"I am counting on you, Thor-dono."
"For that purpose, I have a request of you, General. Please give me permission to use those arrows."
I addressed General Raizenga.
"You received those arrows from Erte-san in case the demon beast was too powerful, right? I would like permission to use them."
"...Understood. Then, Agnis."
"Y-yes!"
"In the name of Flame General Raizenga, I command you. Hand those arrows to Thor-dono."
"Yes. I, Agnis Freizad, have received Father's command."
With that, Agnis knelt on the ground.
She reached for the 'Super-Miniature Simple Storage' hanging from her waist and took out three arrows.
They were special arrows with black stone arrowheads.
I had wanted to avoid using these if possible, but it could not be helped.
"This is an emergency. I will take responsibility. Thor-dono, use your full strength!"
"Thank you, General."
"Then I shall open the way for you. I would like to show my daughter what her father can do once in a while."
The General grinned and began chanting a spell.
"Demon beasts that disturb the peace of the borderlands, receive the wrath of Flame General Raizenga!!"
Flames rose from the General's bright-red hair.
Sparks flew through the air, beginning to illuminate the surroundings in red.
The power of the 'Flame Giant' enveloped the General's body.
"'Primordial flame, pass judgment upon those who would harm us'—'Arc Flare'!!"
A gigantic fireball formed at the General's fingertips.
It rode along the Laser Pointer's beam and flew an impossible distance.
Its target was, of course, the rampaging giant scorpion—'Demon Beast Nozerias.'
Gwoooooooooooh!
'Shugyaaaaaaaaaah!!'
'Gwa! H-hot────Gugyaaaaaaaaaah!'
Wrapped in 'Arc Flare,' 'Demon Beast Nozerias' shrieked and came to a stop.
Amazing. It is working.
"Follow the General of the Demon Lord's territory! Fire your magic along that beam!"
"Oooooooooh!!"
Gwoooooooooooh!
The attacks launched by the Imperial mage soldiers flew along the Laser Pointer's beam.
Countless flames, stones, and bolts of lightning battered 'Demon Beast Nozerias.'
The enemy was completely immobilized. We might actually be able to do this...
"It is useless. There is no way demi-humans can defeat 'Demon Beast Nozerias'!!"
When I turned around, fortress commander Geralt Tsenger was shouting.
He was still bound and pressed against the ground.
"Magic like that cannot kill 'Demon Beast Nozerias.' Its shell blocks swords and arrows, and it can regenerate minor wounds. To kill it, you must throw it into a hole and pierce its exposed belly. Can you do that?"
"Its belly is a weak point?"
"Who knows? If you want to find out, release me."
Geralt Tsenger looked at me and grinned.
"Use 'Taming Magic' under my direction. If we pour the magic power of our unit, Isaac Myura's unit, and the Demon Lord's forces into it, we may be able to turn 'Demon Beast Nozerias' into a familiar again."
"And then you would turn the demon beast into a familiar again and do whatever you wanted with it, right?"
"...There are circumstances."
"Circumstances?"
"......I will tell you if you release me."
Commander Geralt Tsenger looked away with a pale face.
I was interested in his circumstances, but...
"That comes later. First, we will carry out the plan."
"Yes, Thor-sama."
"We will do it!"
We simply had to get a little closer to 'Demon Beast Nozerias.'
After attacking, we would immediately retreat. That was the important part of this plan.
"We will escort you."
"We will protect you, Alchemist-sama."
"Please let us accompany you!"
Hoist.
Three Minotaur-sans lifted me up.
It seemed they would serve as my legs. What a relief.
Speed was important for this plan, after all.
"General, please continue attacking with magic from here. We will approach until we are within range of the arrows."
"Understood. Agnis, protect Thor-dono!"
"By the name of the Primordial Flame, I will protect him!"
"We are off, General-sama."
Agnis, Mabel, and I—with me carried by a Minotaur-san—set off at a run.
"Mabel, prepare your bow. Agnis, throw the 'Robot Vacuum' at it."
"Understood!"
"Understood!"
Mabel took her bow in hand.
Agnis lifted the Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum.'
There was an option attached to the Snake Type's tail.
A long, black, gleaming chain—the 'Chain Lock.'
"Activate. Fire Magic. With the 'Health-Enhancing Pendant,' give Agnis several times her normal strength!"
When Agnis declared this, the 'Health-Enhancing Pendant' on her chest began to glow.
'Through Fire-Attribute Magic: You have gained Vitality +200%.'
'Excess Fire Magic will be converted into the magic power of other attributes.'
'Fire Magic has been converted into Earth Magic. Earth-Attribute effect: Stability +200%.'
'Earth Magic has been converted into Gold Magic. Gold-Attribute effect: Fortitude +200%.'
'Gold Magic has been converted into Water Magic. Water-Attribute effect: Flexibility +200%.'
'Water Magic has been converted into Wood Magic. Wood-Attribute effect: Life Force +200%.'
"I am counting on you, Snake Type. Stop the demon beast's feet."
Shushu.
At my words, the Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum' nodded.
Immediately afterward, Agnis threw the Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum' with all her strength.
Shu-shu──!
The Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum' flew toward the giant scorpions while spinning.
At the same time, I moved forward while being carried by the Minotaur-san.
The moment it entered range, I would activate the 'Security Alarm.'
'Omawarisan! Isaac isn't the Omawarisan Unit either, Omawarisan!'
Flinch!
The two giant scorpions stopped moving.
But the effect was weak.
That was because it was affecting both of them at once. It could not completely immobilize them.
But—
Shu-shu────!
The Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum' thrown by Agnis flew through the air and reached the space above the giant scorpions.
A black chain was attached to the Snake Type's tail.
It was the additional option, 'Chain Lock.'
The Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum' adjusted its position while writhing through the air.
It wrapped the 'Chain Lock' around 'Demon Beast Nozerias.' Now!
"Activate 'Earth Lock'!"
A large number of chains shot out from the 'Chain Lock.'
They were 'Support Chains' meant to anchor the target in place.
They pierced the earth and sank deep underground.
Then they restrained both 'Demon Beast Nozerias' creatures in place.
"Good. So far, so good."
The 'Chain Lock' was wrapped around the legs of the two giant scorpions.
It had succeeded in stopping their movements.
At this rate, perhaps we would not need to sacrifice the Snake Type...?
'Shugyagyagyagyagyagyagya!!'
Clang! Clang! Thunk.
Several of the dozen or so 'Support Chains' tore free from the ground.
It really was not enough. Those things were far too strong.
Besides, the ground around the fortress was nothing but grassland and soil.
But the 'Support Chains' were meant to be anchored in rocky terrain or solid bedrock.
On roads and grasslands, their anchoring power inevitably became weaker.
"Hah! It is useless. You cannot defeat that demon beast."
Commander Geralt Tsenger's voice reached us.
"The power of 'Demon Beast Nozerias' is several times that of 'Demon Beast Galgarossa' or the giant centipede. There is no way chains like that can restrain it! The only way to defeat it is to control it with 'Taming Magic' before attacking!"
He is still saying that.
I wish he would stop. We are not worried, but the Imperial soldiers are becoming anxious.
"I-it is true... Even after hitting it with this much attack magic, it has not budged."
"Its hard skin is reducing the damage. We need to hit it with more powerful magic."
"Where are we supposed to find that? Once it starts moving, we will not even be able to hit it with magic!"
See? The fortress soldiers were becoming frightened.
They must have been thoroughly taught how strong 'Demon Beast Nozerias' was.
The giant scorpions really were powerful.
Even the soldiers' magic attacks could do little more than hold them back.
The only attack having any real effect was General Raizenga's flame magic.
It had scorched one of the 'Demon Beast Nozerias' creatures' pincers and rendered it useless.
Powerful magic could hurt it.
Then we could defeat it.
"It cannot be helped. We will proceed according to the plan. Mabel, use the arrow."
"Yes, Thor-sama."
Whoosh. Snap.
Mabel raised her bow and fired an arrow diagonally upward.
At the same time, she began chanting.
"Come from the heavens, hammer of judgment. Shatter even the spine of the gods—"
Her clear voice rang across the grassland.
The arrow flew to the limit of its range, then began falling straight down.
As expected of Mabel. Her aim was perfect.
The arrow flew straight toward 'Demon Beast Nozerias'—
'Shagyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!'
Crack!
There was a hard snapping sound—and the remaining 'Support Chains' came loose.
The ground really was too soft.
The Snake Type and the 'Chain Lock' were wrapped around the legs of the two demon beasts, but they could not completely stop their movements.
The demon beasts slowly began to move.
"W-what should we do, Thor-sama!?"
Mabel looked at me with a pale face.
"The incantation is complete. But... the demon beasts are outside the arrow's landing point..."
"It is all right."
"B-but then the Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum' cannot reach them!"
Mabel was right.
The two 'Demon Beasts Nozerias' had moved outside the arrow's path.
At this rate, the arrow would miss and stick into the ground.
"The arrow cannot pierce 'Demon Beast Nozerias.' That is why the plan was for the Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum' to catch the arrow, right?"
"Yes. But there is no problem."
"Why not?"
"Because the thing wrapped around 'Demon Beast Nozerias' is a copy of the Hero world's 'Robot Vacuum.' I gave it powerful abilities for use as a vacuum cleaner."
"Powerful abilities?"
"Yes. The 'Mail-Order Catalog' had other kinds of vacuums listed as well. Just in case, I gave the Snake Type a similar function."
"Another kind of vacuum...? What sort?"
"A vacuum that sucks up dust with a powerful 'Cyclone.'"
"A cyclone!?"
Mabel and Agnis stared at me in surprise.
I understood how they felt.
I had been surprised too when I saw a vacuum that created a 'Cyclone.'
I had never imagined that the Heroes had succeeded in sealing a 'Cyclone that sucked in everything' inside a vacuum cleaner.
That was how the vacuums in the Hero world acquired such powerful suction.
But with my technology, I could not contain a 'Cyclone' inside a 'Robot Vacuum.'
At most, I could create a cyclone outside it.
"I incorporated a powerful 'Wind Magic Stone' into it. So it should be capable of suction strong enough to 'effortlessly collect pet hair tangled in long-pile carpets' from the Hero world."
"So that is why you gave the Snake Type that function!?"
"So even if 'Demon Beast Nozerias' moves, the arrow will still hit it!?"
"Exactly. So—"
I stared at the Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum' and shouted,
"Activate Cyclone Suction! Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum'!!"
Shu-shu────!
The Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum' responded.
It stretched its body as far as it could toward the falling arrow.
Mabel's arrow was a dozen or so meters above and diagonally away from the Snake Type.
Seeing this, the Snake Type opened its mouth wide—
and activated the 'Wind Magic Stone' inside its body at full power.
Gwooooooooooooooooooh!
A flow of air centered on the Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum'—a cyclone—was born.
Clods of earth and scraps of grass were sucked into the Snake Type by the current.
"So that is the power of the 'Robot Vacuum's' Cyclone..."
The swirling cyclone caught Mabel's arrow.
The Snake Type drew the falling arrow toward itself—
Chomp.
and swallowed it.
"Good. It worked."
An arrow could not pierce 'Demon Beast Nozerias.'
That was why I had decided to have the Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum' swallow that arrow—the 'Meteorite Arrow.'
Its 'Cyclone Suction' could draw the arrow toward it.
"But... this means sacrificing you. I'm sorry, Snake Type."
When we return, I will definitely make a 'Snake Type No. 2' for you.
I will make it your successor—or rather, your clone.
So please forgive me. I will never forget you...
"Huh? What does it matter if an arrow fell?"
Commander Geralt Tsenger muttered behind us.
"That will not defeat my demon beast. Now release me and contribute your magic power. We will all use 'Taming Magic.' This is an important mission—"
"Get down, fool!"
Bang!
Isaac-san pressed Geralt Tsenger into the ground.
The Omawarisan Unit and the Minotaur-sans also forced the fortress soldiers to take cover.
The General dropped to the ground in a fully defensive posture.
"Gah! W-what is this? Let me go, Isaac Myura!"
"Shut up! Do you want to die, Geralt Tsenger!?"
"W-what!?"
"I am an Omawarisan! I will keep even someone like you alive and extract your testimony. I will teach you what reality is. Open your eyes and see the magic of the Hero era falling from the sky!"
"──!?"
Whoosh!
It was coming.
When I raised my head, I saw—a huge black boulder.
It was large.
Last time, it had been about the size of a human head, but today it was about as large as an adult's body.
The output was not very stable.
It could not be helped. It was a copy of a Hero's magic, after all. This was difficult.
"Even so, it is more than enough to blow you away. Take this combined attack from Mabel, the Snake Type, and me—'Meteor Impostor'! 'Demon Beast Nozerias'!!"
'Shagya! Shagyaaaaaaaaaah!!'
'Demon Beast Nozerias' began running, trying to escape from 'Meteor Impostor.'
But escaping was pointless.
The 'Meteorite Arrow' Mabel had fired was inside the Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum.'
'Meteor Impostor' was falling toward it.
And the Snake Type was wrapped around their legs along with the 'Chain Lock.'
It would never come loose. The Snake Type was fighting for its life, too.
General Raizenga continued firing flame magic at the demon beasts while lying flat on the ground.
The demon beasts avoided us, fleeing toward the area without any people.
'Shagya──! Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaah──'
Then the screams of 'Demon Beast Nozerias' rang out—
and the black meteor caught 'Demon Beast Nozerias.'
'Shagya──!'
'THIS IS THE POWER OF HUMANS────Gya, gyaaaaaaaaaah!'
KABOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!
A thunderous roar echoed.
As I lay face down, pieces of earth thrown through the air struck my back. The smell of scorched soil stung my nose. With my face pressed against the ground, I could clearly feel the earth trembling. Could I use this for something? Instead of mere destruction, perhaps 'Meteor Impostor' could excavate a hot spring or bring groundwater to the surface.
Thinking about this, I waited for the trembling to subside—
After a while, I raised my head, and 'Demon Beast Nozerias' was nowhere to be seen.
All that remained on the ground was a huge crater and a fragment of a giant pincer.
'Demon Beast Nozerias' had vanished.
As for the Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum'... there was no sign of it.
It seemed to have disappeared completely.
"...Thank you, Snake Type."
"...Snake Type 'Robot Vacuum'... I will never forget you."
"...I will record your name in the Freizad family's history books."
We pressed our hands together toward the spot where the Snake Type had been.
The General, the Minotaur-sans, Isaac-san, and the Omawarisan Unit did the same.
Without the Snake Type, we could not have defeated 'Demon Beast Nozerias' for certain.
Not a single person was injured, and that was thanks to it.
Thank you... Snake Type.
Kasa-kasa.
Rumble, rumble.
After a while, the Spider Type and Spherical Type 'Robot Vacuums' returned from the fortress.
The Spider Type was carrying an old scroll.
The Spherical Type had absorbed a metal plate into its body. A magic circle for 'Summoning Magic' was engraved on it. On the back... something like a spell was carved into it.
It was probably used for Summoning Magic. I should memorize it.
"...Ah... ah... aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
"...Huh?"
When I turned around, fortress commander Geralt Tsenger was trembling with a deathly pale face.
"W-what was that just now... a meteor? How can you use a Hero's magic...? Why would someone from the Demon Lord's territory..."
"You have no right to know that."
Isaac-san spat the words out.
He was absolutely furious.
Of course he was. Because of Geralt and the others, we had been forced to use enormous magic in the borderlands. As an Omawarisan responsible for public safety, he had every right to be angry.
"You will remain confined here until Grand Duke Charon-dono arrives! We cannot allow people who control demon beasts into the town. You will remain here and await the Grand Duke's judgment."
"...Grand Duke Charon-dono..."
"You will tell Grand Duke Charon-dono everything about your plan. We have evidence as well. You can no longer evade responsibility!!"
At Isaac-san's words, the fortress soldiers hung their heads dejectedly.
Some looked toward us and trembled. In fact, some had even fainted.
'Meteor Impostor' appeared to have completely broken their spirits.
"...Understood. I will tell you everything. I will... offer no further resistance."
Commander Geralt knelt on the ground and muttered blankly.
Then he looked toward Isaac-san and said,
"You may dispose of the last one remaining in the fortress as well... It will serve as evidence of my failure..."
"The last one?"
"...Yes. There were three 'Demon Beasts Nozerias.' The last one was still affected by 'Taming Magic,' so we dropped it into a hole and attacked it until it could no longer move. It may already be dead, but... I leave the final blow to you..."
"...There was something like that in the fortress?"
Shake, shake.
When I asked, the Spider Type and Spherical Type both shook their bodies as though denying it.
'Robot Vacuums' were sensitive to demon-beast magic power.
It was impossible that those two had failed to notice a demon beast, but...
"Commander-dono! Geralt Tsenger-dono!!"
While I was thinking, a soldier came running from the fortress.
His face was deathly pale.
I had a very bad feeling about this.
"The third demon beast... escaped through the eastern gate...!"
...I knew it.
Mabel, Agnis, and I sighed.
"It... escaped?"
Commander Geralt Tsenger began trembling violently.
With tears in his eyes, he turned to the soldier and said,
"Impossible! 'Taming Magic' was working on the third one! That was why we were able to drop it into the hole and attack it... and yet..."
"We do not know. But... it attacked the soldiers and escaped through the gate. It ran south. We do not know its objective..."
"South... don't tell me..."
Geralt Tsenger's eyes widened as though he had realized something.
Seeing his reaction, Isaac-san went pale.
South... could it be...?
"Did it head toward Grand Duke Charon and Princess Liana!? Because I ordered it to hold the two of them back!? No, that's not it. If 'Taming Magic' is no longer working, perhaps it sensed that Grand Duke Charon-sama and Princess Liana were threats. It may be trying to eliminate them... so that there will be no enemies left..."
"You!"
Isaac-san grabbed Geralt Tsenger by the collar and hauled him up.
"What were you thinking!? Why would you target Grand Duke Charon-dono and Her Highness Princess Sofia's younger sister!?"
"I did not intend to harm them! I intended only to hold them back... so that we could escape with the demon beast!"
"Hold them back!?"
"Yes. We planned to use one demon beast to hold Grand Duke Charon-dono back while we headed south. That was why we used Taming Magic so thoroughly and taught it that Grand Duke Charon-dono and Princess Liana were threats to be wary of. That last one may have retained..."
"It retained those memories!?"
"I do not know! I do not know whether we had truly made it our familiar or whether it only pretended to be controlled... Ah... that 'Demon Beast Nozerias' was never something I could use!"
Geralt Tsenger shouted in a strained voice.
"...Please, stop that demon beast!"
His voice was choked with tears.
He had lost every trace of the dignity of an Imperial commander.
"If 'Demon Beast Nozerias' kills Grand Duke Charon-dono and Princess Liana... it will not end with my execution. My subordinates and the entire Tsenger family will be punished and erased from history... Not only that, but the soldiers here as well... Please, I will tell you everything I know. So... stop 'Demon Beast Nozerias'... please!"
"...Understood. You will tell me everything later. Prepare yourself."
Isaac-san released Geralt Tsenger.
Geralt Tsenger collapsed weakly onto the ground.
After that, all he could do was huddle up and tremble.
"General Raizenga. This is selfish of me, but..."
"Princess Sofia is a good neighbor to us. We will spare no effort to save her younger sister."
Isaac-san and General Raizenga stood up.
The two of them looked toward me together.
"Alchemist-dono."
"Thor-dono. Will you lend us your strength?"
"Of course."
Princess Sofia was an important person to me. I needed no reason to save her younger sister.
Princess Liana was not a bad person, either.
...Since I had the chance, I might as well ask her to show me the Holy Sword while I helped her.
I also wanted to see how much stronger it had become after 'Juwa,' 'Shuu,' and 'Suban.'
The problem was how to save her.
The third 'Demon Beast Nozerias' had escaped through the gate on the opposite side. The fortress had blocked our view, so we had not noticed it.
Time had passed while we fought the other two.
Those things were fast. They might already be far away.
To quickly warn Princess Liana of the danger—
"Agnis, may I ask you something?"
"Y-yes, Thor Kanan-sama."
"You stayed at Princess Sofia's place the other day, right? Do you still have the clothes or belongings you had with you then?"
"Yes. We exchanged handkerchiefs to commemorate becoming friends."
Agnis took a white handkerchief from the 'Super-Miniature Simple Storage.'
It looked expensive, with lace sewn around it.
"I understand what you are thinking, Thor Kanan-sama. You need Princess Sofia's magic power, don't you?"
"Yes. Princess Sofia and Princess Liana are twins, and each possesses powerful Light Magic. If I use Princess Sofia's magic power as a clue, I may be able to find Princess Liana."
I placed Princess Sofia's handkerchief inside the Spherical Type 'Robot Vacuum.'
I also took some parchment from the 'Super-Miniature Simple Storage' and wrote a note for Princess Liana. I put that inside the Spherical Type as well.
Then I asked Isaac-san and Commander Geralt which direction Grand Duke Charon was in, and said,
"All right, Spherical Type. The demon beast you need to pursue is in that direction."
I pointed south.
"First, pursue 'Demon Beast Nozerias.' You do not need to collect materials or fight. Just follow it. Do you understand?"
Rumble, rumble.
"Good. Once it approaches a human unit, change your tracking target. Someone in that unit should have magic power similar to the handkerchief inside you. Approach that person and show them the note inside your body. Can you do that?"
Rumble-rumble-rumble, roll!
"Good. Then go. We will follow you shortly."
Rumble-rumble-rumble-rumble──!
The Spherical Type then ran straight south and disappeared.
"The Spider Type 'Robot Vacuum' will guide everyone. Follow it."
"Understood!"
"Let us go, Alchemist-dono!"
"Leave the fortress soldiers to us, the 'Omawarisan Unit'!!"
Isaac-san divided his unit in half.
Half would pursue 'Demon Beast Nozerias,' while the other half would manage the fortress soldiers and investigate the fortress.
There were two 'Meteorite Arrows' remaining.
But the Snake Type was gone.
If possible, I did not want to use another one. It was conspicuous and would make the Imperial soldiers wary.
The best outcome would be for Grand Duke Charon and Princess Liana to defeat 'Demon Beast Nozerias' without difficulty, but...
...I could only pray that the note reached Princess Liana.
With that thought in mind, we set off south.