Chapter 107
I stared blankly at Tiamat's beautiful corpse, sealed in ice and bobbing on the sea, but the mage unit on the rooftop still hadn't lowered its guard.
The three-way battle, like an adult armed with a bludgeon barging into a children's squabble, had ended with Tiamat's elimination. Gazer-kun had crashed into the warehouse district and showed no sign of getting back up.
However badly beaten and weakened it might be, a Class 1 monster was still a Class 1 monster. A single spell could slaughter hundreds of people.
They were intelligent, so they would patiently endure until an opening appeared, then bare their fangs the moment anyone let their guard down. We couldn't relax until their deaths had been confirmed.
Since we were several kilometers from the scene, I couldn't tell what was happening unless something conspicuous occurred.
Monster-kun negotiated with the mage unit about something, borrowed a telescope, and watched the situation at the scene, but there was no way I could imitate him.
Besides, the mage unit's furtive glances, clearly asking, "Who is this guy?" kept stabbing into me from every direction. I felt unbearably awkward.
The Blue Witch was a strategic weapon, so her arrival had been welcomed.
Monster-kun also fit in here perfectly as an authority on Class 1 monsters.
But I was merely an ordinary passerby, a Legendary Wandmaker.
The mage unit probably didn't know my face or name, and most likely saw me only as "the person the Blue Witch brought along."
Hiyori seemed to have instructed them not to approach me, which was a relief, but I could still feel the same subtle, silent attention a convenience-store clerk gives the only customer in the shop late at night. My insides clenched.
I'd already seen the giant monster battle and the strongest witch in action, so I wanted to go home. Maybe I should go back alone? No, if I returned by myself, Hiyori would definitely lose her temper...
As I fidgeted, shrinking into myself and trying to erase my presence, Hiyori came racing back through the air after nearly ten minutes. I waved in relief, and she smiled and gave me a small wave in return.
Then she wiped away her smile, assumed a stern, cold expression, and spoke matter-of-factly to Monster-kun.
"Gazer is docile. I restored him with healing magic, but he shows no sign of rampaging. He seems to be resting because he is exhausted now."
"Th-that's a relief. He's all right, then?"
"Yes. However, there is one problem. Lend me your ear."
With that, Hiyori and Monster-kun began whispering to each other.
Partway through, Monster-kun visibly turned pale and stiffened, but as the conversation progressed, his tension gradually eased.
Eventually, the discussion seemed to be settled. The two nodded to each other and parted.
Hiyori boldly addressed the mage unit, who had been watching them.
"I killed Tiamat. Gazer is currently subdued.
Monster-kun here is a renowned monster scholar, and many of you are likely familiar with him. He has tamed Gazer, and I judge that Class 1 monster to be under humanity's control――――On the other hand!"
The mage unit grew restless upon hearing that a Class 1 monster was under control, so Hiyori raised her voice and continued.
"The danger of a rampage cannot be denied. Even if he is docile now, once he starts rampaging, he will become a great calamity. Even if Gazer has no intention of killing anyone, someone could still die.
Earlier, I confirmed the Illusion Mage's corpse. They appear to have been crushed to death by Gazer when they were trying to withdraw from the warehouse district. They were invisible, but I checked their Transcendent Identification Card and touched the corpse to confirm it. There is no mistake."
The well-disciplined mage unit did not raise an angry outcry, but its resentment clearly swelled.
Of course it did. I didn't know what kind of person the Illusion Mage had been, but they seemed to have been working in coordination with the mage unit, so they must have known each other. They couldn't remain calm after hearing of that person's death.
Had Hiyori and Monster-kun decided to dispose of Gazer-kun?
I wouldn't have minded if they had, but Monster-kun, who seemed the most likely to object, was quietly watching events unfold.
Hiyori took an empty vial from inside her coat, held it up, and made sure the mage unit could see it clearly.
"Some of you may have already heard the rumors. For the past eighty years, I have been researching resurrection magic. And I found it. Humanity has transcended death. The Illusion Mage who was crushed to death can be resurrected. The one death caused by Gazer can be reduced to zero... Be quiet. I am not finished yet.
Resurrection magic has conditions. Deaths caused by magic cannot be undone. Is that clear? The enormous amount of magical power it consumes can be supplied by a Transcendent.
The final condition is that a Ghost Gremlin of sufficient size must be consumed. This vial contains two Ghost Gremlins. They are invisible because they are transparent, but they are large. You may assume that they can generally only be obtained from Class monsters. Ghost-type monsters cannot have Gremlins implanted in them, nor can they be bred. Naturally, Ghost Gremlins cannot be mass-produced either. These extremely valuable large Ghost Gremlins, obtainable only from naturally occurring ghost-type Class monsters, are essential to resurrection magic. Do you understand? I discovered resurrection magic, but it is not something that can be used repeatedly.
And Gazer may be the key to removing this restriction... Monster-kun, explain the details."
As Hiyori stepped back, Monster-kun, who had been observing in silence, stepped forward.
This is getting interesting, huh?
Monster-kun took a deep breath to calm himself, then began to speak.
"My name is Monster-kun, and I serve as vice president of the Japan Monsterology Society.
I was raising Gazer-kun. We met by chance, but without implanting a Gremlin, I established a friendly relationship with him, achieved mutual communication, and succeeded in stopping him from attacking humans.
In other words, I succeeded in controlling a Class 1 monster. This time as well, he decided to side with us humans and engaged in a fight to the death against a monster of equal standing. You witnessed how he fought. Gazer-kun is an ally of humanity.
Gazer-kun has male and female individuals, and I have a general idea of how they reproduce. There are many major obstacles, but in theory, Class 1 monsters can be bred and controlled. Just like other magical beasts, I am convinced that humanity can welcome him and his kind as beloved neighbors, accept them as friends, and walk alongside them.
Based on my proven success in raising and controlling Gazer-kun, Blue Witch-sama has promised to support my experiments in raising and breeding ghost-type Class monsters. We will apply the knowledge gained from raising him to the husbandry of ghost-type Class monsters. It is still only a plan, but if the plan and research progress and bear fruit, we should be able to mass-produce large Ghost Gremlins. Then resurrection magic can be used reliably.
Sparing Gazer-kun will lead to knowledge of Class 1 monsters. That knowledge will lead to the raising and breeding of other ghost-type Class monsters. Breeding ghost-type Class monsters will lead to the stabilization of resurrection magic."
Monster-kun had carefully delivered his argument, with his friend's life at stake, and concluded by bowing deeply.
"Everyone here knows better than anyone else how dangerous a Class 1 monster can be. However, I am convinced that the magnitude of its potential danger is equal to the magnitude of the hope it offers humanity. Please, I beg you to spare him."
The mage unit grew restless again, as though making a commotion were its job. These people had done nothing but buzz among themselves since earlier. I wished they would follow my example and keep quiet and still, holding their breath.
The mage unit had been discussing matters amid a hubbub, but when the older, important-looking man who had spoken with Hiyori raised a hand, it fell silent in an instant. Everyone sat or stood in perfect posture without so much as twitching.
Hmm. This level of discipline was no joke. The unit that had deployed to deal with a Class 1 monster really was elite. They hadn't had a chance to distinguish themselves, but I always imagined that defense forces joining a kaiju battle were basically there to get blown away and add to the spectacle. Maybe it was better that they hadn't gotten their chance. Treasure your lives!
"This is not the consensus of the nation or the Ministry of Defense, but merely my statement as the commander responsible for this scene.
If adequate safety measures can be put in place, then rather than simply eliminating the threat before us, choosing to prepare for future threats and reduce the damage they cause is what I believe true 'defense' means."
Hiyori nodded in response to the commander's cautious yet bold statement.
"The higher-ups should have no problem with this. I am currently discussing the discovery and use of resurrection magic behind the scenes with all the relevant parties. Announcing the discovery of resurrection magic will likely cause considerable turmoil. Dealing with that turmoil will be your responsibility—the people on the ground. As will dealing with Class monsters. If you people believe it is acceptable, I see no problem."
"What I said earlier was merely my opinion as the commander on the spot at this moment, based on the information currently available. I cannot let my personal words determine a matter of grave importance to the nation—indeed, the world—involving Class 1 monsters and resurrection magic. Would it be acceptable if I submit a report to my superiors presenting the facts together with my opinion?"
"Yes. I will see to it that the matter is communicated from my side as well."
The broad outline had been settled. Monster-kun crumpled weakly, braced himself against a table, and somehow managed to remain standing as he let out a long, relieved breath.
"I'm glad. Oh, right. I was the one who requested assistance from Blue Witch-sama this time, but I learned the truth of the situation from an urgent report sent by my younger brother, who works for Kranom. Without him, Blue Witch-sama's deployment would have been considerably delayed.
The account given by the person who went to the Ministry of Defense seems highly questionable, so I will tell my brother to report to the Ministry of Defense. He should be able to provide more impartial information about the internal circumstances of Kranom, the company that was handling Tiamat."
"Your brother? I see. That would be a great help. I will contact the Ministry of Defense. By the way, I am very sorry to ask this when you are exhausted, but might we discuss one more matter? I mean the immediate handling of Gazer, who is lying silent in the warehouse district――――"
Just as Monster-kun and the commander began discussing complicated matters, Hiyori beckoned to me.
"We're heading home. Your stomach's probably at its limit by now."
"I know~! Let's go home."
When I nodded, Hiyori lightly slung me over her shoulder, just as she had on the way there.
But I struggled and climbed down from Hiyori.
Hiyori looked puzzled, but there was no reason for her to be so surprised.
We had been in a hurry on the way there, so it couldn't be helped. Having Hiyori carry me had been the fastest option.
But there was no need to hurry on the way home.
I cast self-enhancement magic and picked Hiyori up in my arms.
The so-called princess carry.
"!? Y-you! This...! W-Waaah...!"
"Oh. So you do like this kind of thing after all."
I had no idea what was so great about it, but seeing her cling tightly to me with her face so red that steam seemed ready to rise from it, she clearly liked it very much. Thanks, girls' manga. All that studying paid off.
Princess Hiyori, leave the journey home to me.
I held Hiyori securely and jumped off the rooftop of the general trading company, fleeing the astonished gazes of the mage unit, whose eyes looked ready to pop out of their heads.