Chapter 281
"You're going to train those kids in actual combat! Wonderful idea, Jigoro-kun! But! You're forgetting something important!"
Shiitake was the one who charged into the hall, dressed in an oversized white lab coat. The coat had discolored in places, presumably because of chemicals, and some of its edges even bore scorch marks.
Recently, she had been using not only Shiratsuki's workshop but also the research facility underground. I both wanted and did not want to know what experiments she was conducting there... It left me with complicated feelings.
Shiitake stood at the entrance to the hall with her arms crossed and her chest thrust out. Since she was only about as tall as a Centaur child, her haughty pose was not intimidating in the slightest—in fact, it was almost comical. She was probably doing it with full awareness of that fact.
"Something important, huh?"
"Exactly! Something important! Jigoro-kun, how are you planning to heal those kids?"
"Huh? We can just bring Mikero along."
"Too bad! Mikero is out with Mossan and the others right now. Your backup plan fell through, huh?"
"Guh..."
The means of healing available to the Undead are limited. Apparently, Jigoro had intended to bring Mikero with him, but he was absent. I could heal them as well, but I wanted to devote myself to my work today. That meant I could not accompany them.
Perhaps because he understood that, Jigoro could not argue back. As he pursed his lips in frustration, Shiitake thrust out her chest even farther.
"But! You can rest easy now! With this, even the Undead will be safe!"
What Shiitake took from the inner pocket of her lab coat was a sphere roughly ten centimeters in diameter. Its surface was smooth and brown, and since it had no decorations of any kind, it was probably either a weapon or a consumable item.
Was it a new throwing item? No, if that were the case, it would not make the Undead safe. Perhaps she sensed my question, because Shiitake tossed the sphere toward me. Apparently, she was not using a martial art, and its trajectory was far off to one side. Before it could hit the ground, I extended my tail and gently caught it with the mouth at its tip.
"Whoa. You're pretty dexterous, aren't you?"
"It is convenient to be able to use it like a fifth arm. I only practiced so that I could make delicate movements with it. More importantly..."
Leaving aside how I handled my tail, the matter at hand was the sphere before me. I immediately attempted to use 【Appraisal】 to determine its true nature.
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Zombie Heal Quality: Good Rarity: R (Rare Grade)
A special medicine that heals wounds suffered by the Undead.
It bursts and scatters its contents throughout the surrounding area when subjected to a strong impact.
It is effective for treating wounds only on the Undead, while it deals minor damage to the living.
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A healing medicine for the Undead! So she had finally completed it! This would certainly be a great help. It would save us the trouble of casting 【Soul Arts】 on each individual, and the fact that it scattered around the area was perfect for organizing an army. I did not know how many she had, but I would have Jigoro use them.
However, why had she tossed something at me that would burst when subjected to a strong impact...? It was fortunate that I caught it with my tail. If things had gone poorly, it might have burst before I could use 【Appraisal】 on it.
And could she not have done something about this name? Well, using 'zombie' as a synonym for the Undead was fine. But unless its function of 'healing Undead wounds' were explained, it sounded as if it were medicine for returning someone from a 'zombie state' to the living. I did not even know whether such a status ailment existed.
"...This is a splendid invention, Shiitake."
"Right, right!? I'm responsible for the contents, while Iris made the exterior. Yeah, I went and made another groundbreaking item! Gahahahahaahhh!?"
Regardless of the way it was handed over or its name, it was undeniably a splendid invention. When I offered my sincere praise, Shiitake thrust out her chest as far as it would go and let out a booming laugh... only to lose her balance and fall over.
She was a mushroom monster, and her head was covered in numerous spikes and lumps. In other words, her head was unusually heavy. She was already prone to losing her balance, and then she deliberately took an even more unstable pose. That was the inevitable result. Jigoro and I exchanged glances and had no choice but to wryly smile.
"Owwww..."
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine. I'm as right as rain! More importantly, the main ingredient in this Zombie Heal is Death Miasma Ash, so mass-producing it is a breeze. Use it as much as you like!"
While rubbing her cap, Shiitake handed Jigoro an armful of Zombie Heal. She had not only created a new item but also prepared this much of it... I found myself admiring her enthusiasm for invention and creation.
At any rate, thanks to Shiitake, we now had a way to heal the Undead Puppets. They would surely be able to withstand the practical training under Jigoro.
Since Jigoro was supervising them, I had a feeling he would make them do something reckless, but that aside, it would also serve as a test of their durability. Perhaps I should have them go fight until he was satisfied.
"Shiitake-san! Don't go on ahead without me!"
As Jigoro examined the Zombie Heal he had received, Iris arrived late at the hall. She could move quickly using her tentacles, but only where she had something to hook them onto. In places with few such surfaces, like the corridors of this royal palace, she had no choice but to move forward little by little.
Because of those circumstances, Iris had arrived later than Shiitake. However, there were only a limited number of reasons why she and Shiitake would come here together. It could only mean that the things I had asked for were finished.
"Sorry, sorry. I just wanted to show it off as soon as possible."
"Are you a child? You really do have that side to you... Well, I have a similar tendency, so I will not deny it. More importantly, the equipment we discussed is complete, Izam!"
"Perfect timing, Iris."
As I had expected, what Iris had brought was weapons and armor for the Undead Puppets to equip. With these, the Undead Puppets' attack power and defense should increase considerably.
I should inspect the weapons and armor she had taken out. The weapons were a long spear, a square shield, and a sword for backup. The armor was a full suit of metal armor. If we could form an army equipped with these, its imposing presence would be tremendous.
Since ease of mass production and sturdiness had been prioritized over special effects, they had almost no decoration, possessing only the rugged, intimidating appearance expected of weapons and armor. The face of the helmet, however, was elaborate. It depicted a skeleton with three eye sockets and rows of fangs in its mouth—in other words, it was my head itself.
"Please wait a little longer for the bows. I think I can make something reasonably strong at low cost."
"Ah, that's fine, but... why this face?"
"Ah, haha. I just wanted to try it. Cool, right?"
"Cool, huh... Are you going to make every helmet with this design? That must be difficult."
"It's fine! I'm using a mold I made quite a while ago!"
A mold? When had she made such a thing, and for what purpose...? I decided not to ask too many questions about it.
Next came a check of their performance. I trusted Iris completely since this was her work, but it was important to know their exact capabilities. Let's see...
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Corundum-Scale Longspear Quality: Excellent Rarity: S (Special Grade)
A longspear with a spearhead forged from Corundum Giant Lizard scales.
Mist-Spitting Ash Oak is used for the shaft.
Designed with its length in mind, it is lighter and easier to handle than it appears.
Equipment Effects: 【Piercing Enhancement】 Lv5
【Strength Enhancement】 Lv4
【Dexterity Enhancement】 Lv3
Corundum-Scale Sword Quality: Excellent Rarity: S (Special Grade)
A straight sword with a blade forged from Corundum Giant Lizard scales.
Ancient War Demonfish hide is used for the hilt.
Its shape is simple, but the blade is thick and resistant to breaking.
Equipment Effects: 【Slashing Enhancement】 Lv5
【Vitality Enhancement】 Lv3
【Strength Enhancement】 Lv3
Ash Oak Greatshield Quality: Excellent Rarity: R (Rare Grade)
A large shield made from Mist-Spitting Ash Oak planks reinforced with metal.
Because it uses Mist-Spitting Ash Oak, it has physical defense and resistance to the Fire, Water, and Smoke-Mist Attributes.
The metal reinforcement possesses the Light Attribute, giving it slight resistance to the Light Attribute as well.
Equipment Effects: 【Defense Enhancement】 Lv3
【Fire Attribute Resistance】 Lv2
【Water Attribute Resistance】 Lv2
【Smoke-Mist Attribute Resistance】 Lv2
【Light Attribute Resistance】 Lv1
Corundum-Scale Armor Quality: Excellent Rarity: T (Treasure Grade)
Armor made from metal forged from the scales of a Corundum Giant Lizard.
The lining uses the elastic soft membrane of a Mist Demon Orb, giving it resistance to Blunt and Smoke-Mist Attributes.
A three-eyed skeleton's faceplate is attached to the helmet, creating an ominous atmosphere.
Equipment Effects: 【Defense Enhancement】 Lv5
【Blunt Resistance】 Lv3
【Smoke-Mist Attribute Resistance】 Lv3
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"M-Mass-produced...? This...?"
"Hahaha! Well, naturally you'd react that way."
After using 【Appraisal】, I was so stunned that those were the only words I could say. Shiitake had apparently anticipated my reaction, because she was cackling with laughter. The result made it obvious at a glance, but this equipment was far too powerful to be mass-produced.
The excellent effects were all welcome, but I was especially pleased by 【Blunt Resistance】. Unlike 【Light Attribute Vulnerability】, which I knew could be overcome with time, I still had not found a good way to overcome 【Blunt Vulnerability】.
However, the greatest advantage of these weapons and armor was that all their materials could be obtained on this continent. If we needed additional materials, gathering them would be easy.
Once the Undead Puppets equipped these, there was no doubt that we would have an army that would not be shaken by anything short of a truly serious threat. Shiitake presumably already knew how good the equipment was, so she surely felt the same way.
"Iris, how many sets can you make?"
"Um... We have plenty of materials, so we can make at least a hundred sets. If that isn't enough, we'll have to gather more at the 'Spear Rock's Lucky Mine.'"
"A hundred... Hmm, that's nowhere near enough."
With the bones we currently had, it seemed we could prepare around three hundred Undead Puppets. Equipping all of them would mean that we needed to go gather more materials.
"Then that's perfect. I'll take these guys and make a quick trip over there. It'd be easier with a guide, though..."
"Then why not ask Toji, who was in the lounge? He looked bored, so I'm sure he'll go."
"Sure thing."
Jigoro left the hall, leading the armed Undead Puppets. Our preparations for the battle against the Hell Beasts were steadily progressing.