◆ In Front of the Matere Trading Company, Kingdom of Kashiram ◆
“Matere is currently extremely busy. I, the secretary Lady, will take your message.”
A multitude of soldiers from the Kingdom of Kashiram, numbering in the hundreds, were deployed, all radiating a palpable aura of hostility. Their gaze was fixed on a tall, elongated building reminiscent of those seen in the Kingdom of Metallica. Flanked by lush green grass, a beautifully paved stone path led through a garden that exuded an air of cleanliness. In stark contrast to the fantastical entrance, the towering structure behind it seemed to embody the current strength of the Matere Trading Company.
Amidst this tense atmosphere stood a woman, calm and composed, facing the robust soldiers and the King. She wore a form-fitting black outfit that accentuated her ample bosom and slender waist. Her straight skirt clung to her healthy, slender legs. Even from my perspective, she appeared exceedingly serious. Under normal circumstances, someone like me would never cross paths with her. Yet here she was, welcoming the rough men with an expressionless demeanor.
“You are not worth discussing this with. Bring out the president.”
“At this moment, Matere cannot be disturbed. If you have business, I will hear it.”
“This is a direct order from the King. Bring him out. Defy me, and I will enforce punishment here and now.”
“Such a violent approach, as expected from one dubbed the Barbarian King. At the very least, could you share the purpose of your visit?”
“Do you intend to investigate the allegations of supplying weapons to the Comet Wolf Brigade? If you are innocent, there should be no issue.”
“There is no such fact. Furthermore, entry is strictly prohibited to anyone not affiliated with the company. Is that all? Please take your leave.”
“Hmph… This is indeed a waste of time.”
As the King raised his right hand, the cavalry surged forward in unison. The sheer force of their advance would make any ordinary opponent tremble. Yet, the woman remained unfazed, her expression unchanged, as if she were observing something unrelated to her.
“Behind that defiant attitude, you must have developed new weapons with the technology of the Kingdom of Metallica.”
“Please take your leave.”
“This is your final warning. Answer me.”
“Please take your leave.”
With her mechanical response, the King swung his raised hand toward Lady. This was likely a signal to attack. Without hesitation, the soldiers charged toward the lone woman. No, more accurately, they charged toward the Matere Trading Company behind her. With that army, she would be crushed in an instant, and it seemed they were disregarding her entirely. It would be problematic if she were to die right before my eyes; perhaps I should intervene.
However, it took too long for both the King and me, as well as Weiss, to realize that this was a grave mistake. The soldiers never reached Lady. They were incinerated by something released from above, and the ground where they landed erupted in an explosion, scattering them in all directions. If something were there, I would sense it. Yet, there was nothing.
【The Sturdy Guardian Beast has appeared! HP 7440】
“The headquarters defense machine, the Sturdy Guardian Beast. A terrifying machine that eliminates those who attempt to intrude.”
What Lady introduced was a monster made of iron. A four-legged beast with silver wings, from which flames erupted with tremendous force. It was a machine, akin to the Legions of the Kingdom of Metallica. I understood immediately.
“What is that monster?!”
“R-Retreat!”
“It seems we’ve had about seventy casualties from that. Further damage will not benefit either of us. Please withdraw immediately.”
“That was a clear act of treason against the state! You have finally revealed your true nature!”
“It was self-defense.”
“Silence, you thief! Do not think you can stop us with such scrap metal! All units, disperse! Use your mobility to divert its aim!”
Without faltering, the soldiers quickly split into smaller units. The shock of the sudden casualties was overwhelming, but what troubled me more was how I hadn’t sensed that beast approaching. There had been no presence at all, and the Guardian Beast was unlike any foe I had faced before.
But defeating it should pose no problem. Lady remained expressionless, watching the clash between the Guardian Beast and the cavalry, but did she have confidence in her position? Being there, she would surely be caught in the crossfire.
“That thing is nothing to worry about. Let’s go…”
“Rua! You two need to head for the headquarters now!”
“But…”
“There must be a reason for their refusal to let us through! We must obtain it at all costs!”
The King shouted loudly, and given the fierce battle unfolding with the Guardian Beast, it seemed unwise to interfere. With the King and Weiss fighting, they were unlikely to lose. Perhaps it would be best to follow his orders. If I were to meddle and receive another snide remark from Weiss, it would be disastrous.
“Kurinka, let’s go. I can’t turn into a Dragon here, so I’ll carry you.”
“Yay! I’ve missed this since the Royal Capital of Kashiram!”
“W-What are you talking about…?”
I was momentarily taken aback by Kurinka’s carefree response. I couldn’t understand her longing for a piggyback ride. But if she was looking forward to it, perhaps I should be happy too.
“Here we go!”
“I won’t let you pass.”
Lady’s monotone voice summoned a group clad in full armor. They leaped out from behind the wall, immediately aiming their guns at me. The entire sequence was executed with such precision that I couldn’t help but think they were machines. After realizing this, I wondered if they were perhaps powered suits.
Then, the bullets fired were akin to the Heat Rays unleashed by the Dragonfolk Alma. They reached me in less than a second.
“Thank you for your hard work… Huh?!”
Lady, who had been so certain of her aim, finally showed a change in expression. The powered suit squad realized too late that their shots had missed me. This was merely my assumption, but I thought that while their physical abilities were enhanced, their reflexes remained ordinary. Yet, their efficiency was terrifying for beings that were not monsters, and if they were to swarm, even the cavalry would be in danger.
So, I decided to take care of the powered suits as well. I delivered a controlled kick to their backs, producing an odd sound, but I paid it no mind. The suits shattered, and their operators lost consciousness.
“Ugh!”
“Cough!”
“Ahh!”
I rushed over to the fallen powered suit operators, checking the damaged areas with my hands. Lady was muttering in disbelief, “This can’t be, we must have tested this multiple times,” as if she were questioning her sanity.
Even with good armor, if you don’t train what’s underneath, this is what happens. I had been wearing armor I picked up in the Abyss Cave, but it proved nearly useless, and I eventually stopped wearing it. I thought it was better to strengthen my body to withstand attacks instead.
Those people could wear suits, but if they neglected their training, they would lose even the battles they should win. Lady seemed overly confident in her creation, as she picked up the fragments of the shattered suits, fiddling with them between her fingers.
“I had proven in durability tests that it could enhance physical abilities by tenfold and withstand the strength of the strongest Dragon. Was there a flaw somewhere? What is this?”
“The Landlady should also stay hidden; she might get hurt. Those people truly kill without mercy. Especially the King of Kashiram and Weiss are genuinely terrifying.”
“…I see. You are the Flash Strike Girl. This is indeed outside the norm. If such a thing exists, a fundamental reassessment of development may be necessary.”
“Then, I will be entering.”
Despite her desperate attempts to prevent our intrusion, Lady rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought. I wondered if she was giving up too easily. Still, I thought it reckless to confront that fearsome cavalry in such light attire.
“…Raise the security level to the maximum. Evacuate all non-essential personnel and seal all gates, understood?”
Turning around, I saw Lady holding a small device to her ear, speaking to herself again. More importantly, that area was genuinely dangerous.
◆ Inside the Matere Trading Company, First Floor ◆
“There’s no one here.”
In the spacious room with white walls and beautifully rounded stone pillars, the floor gleamed like a polished gem, leaving me wondering how many times it had been cleaned to achieve such a shine. It had a cleanliness reminiscent of the Metal Tower, giving it a pleasant appearance. However, this only made it more suspicious, as it didn’t seem like a place where illicit activities would occur.
Before me stood a counter, but it was empty. In fact, there was no sign of any presence at all, and an unsettling feeling crept over me.
“I don’t know much about companies, but is it normal for there to be no one around?”
“Isn’t it strange? Even though there are people sitting around like at the Guild, it’s not surprising at all.”
“It looks spacious. Even if we’re told to find some evidence from here…”
“It was a tall building, and I have this image that the president’s office is up high. Shall we go check it out?”
I wanted to retort, “Is that really the case?” but we had no other leads. If we were just going up, it might be faster for Kurinka to transform into a dragon and fly us there.
“Hey, I’ve seen this in the Metal Tower too. A room that lets you go up to the higher floors once you enter. But it doesn’t seem to be moving. Kurinka, do you understand?”
“…Hey, what’s that?”
From the corridor next to the counter, a four-legged creature that resembled a wolf approached. It moved with a rhythmic gait, and then suddenly turned its head towards us. Its eyes glowed red, and without any hesitation, it lunged at us. This wolf was clearly a machine.
【Ruthless Execution Hound has appeared! HP 2490】
【The Ruthless Execution Hound suddenly attacked! Ruthless Execution Hound’s Flame Axel!】
Flames erupted from the base of its four legs as it leaped towards us, its fangs glowing with an orange and red hue that looked dangerously hot. I thought it would probably hurt if I got bitten, but I definitely didn’t want that, so I met its charge head-on with my fist. I thrust my fist into the iron dog’s mouth, piercing through to its body and destroying it. After a burst of electricity and fire, the dog’s body exploded, leaving it completely motionless. I was slightly surprised by its exceptional hardness compared to other monsters. Plus, its intelligence to attack without hesitation upon spotting an enemy made it clear why the Matere Trading Company felt so confident. But honestly, if anyone else had been walking around here, it would have been dangerous.
【Rua’s attack! Dealt 7101 damage to the Ruthless Execution Hound!
Defeated the Ruthless Execution Hound! HP 0/2490】
“Seriously, a building with something like this wandering around is dangerous…”
“Probably, it was released to intercept us. That would explain this eerie silence.”
“That’s just reckless. We just want to gather evidence.”
“Well, technically, we’re just thieves, right?”
【Seven Ruthless Execution Hounds have appeared! HP 2490】
Even as dangerous dogs gathered all around us, we continued to act as if we were on a picnic. After all, no matter how many there were, it didn’t matter. There were nearly ten of them, but with my intimidation, I felt confident. Given the current situation, these dogs would likely flee from my presence.
“Get out of the way.”
Just like how a horde of dragons fled from Dragon’s Valley, or how those uncles at the strange shop trembled in fear, these dogs should have reacted similarly.
【Ruthless Execution Hound’s Flame Axel!】
【Ruthless Execution Hound’s Flame Axel!】
【Ruthless Execution Hound’s Flame Axel!】
【Ruthless Execution Hound’s Flame Axel!】
“Wait, what…?”
【Rua cannot be damaged!】
I wasn’t surprised by the dog that clung to my shoulder and arm, twisting its neck to increase its power. I was more puzzled as to why it wasn’t fleeing. Beside me, Kurinka swung her staff down mercilessly, smashing the dog to pieces, and I found her quite reassuring.
“Kurinka, why aren’t these dogs running away?!”
“Since they’re machines, I don’t think they have emotions like fear… Here!”
【Kurinka’s Rod Strike! Dealt 3401 damage to the Ruthless Execution Hound!
Defeated the Ruthless Execution Hound! HP 0/2490】
While Kurinka calmly explained as she continued to smash the dogs, I found myself deep in thought. So, these dogs were created by humans and aren’t living beings. It was a shocking realization that hit me as hard as if I had been struck in the head.
“Then how are these dogs moving?!”
“For example, the toilets in hotels flush with a lever, right? All those facilities and sewage management are said to be the technology of the Kingdom of Metallica, so these dogs probably have commands programmed to attack us automatically. I’m not too familiar with that kind of thing, though…”
“Isn’t that… amazing?”
“What has Lua-chan seen in the Kingdom of Metallica…?”
Amidst the scattered remains of the dogs, Kurinka pulled my hand as if to guide me forward. So, the Kingdom of Metallica was incredible. But why was their technology here? Once I started thinking, I couldn’t stop.
◆ Shin Report ◆
You lot are thieves, aligning yourselves like that,
And here comes the woman, Bon Kyup Bon, to greet you.
I can no longer tell who the real villain is.
I suspect that woman and Matere are involved.
Just kidding.
Still, I wish I could have one of those defense machines for the Demon King’s army.
If only I could somehow get it into the Demon King’s hands,
Then I would be praised by the Demon King.
My head would be patted so many times.
Is there anything, anything at all, I can do?
That aside, it seems that dog is looking this way.
Ah, I see, is it trying to befriend me, Shin?
For a dog to curry favor with the commander of the Demon King’s army, it knows its place.
Huh? Wait…
Gyaaaaaaaaa!
Monster Compendium
【Sturdy Guardian Beast HP 7440】
A defense machine developed by the Matere Trading Company using the technology of the Kingdom of Metallica.
It resembles a monster to instill intimidation in its opponents.
Equipped with a spread laser and heat source detection, it can accurately and extensively eliminate targets.
The intent behind this development is unclear, but it remains a mystery why the Matere Trading Company can replicate the technology of the Kingdom of Metallica to this extent.
【Ruthless Execution Hound HP 2490】
A dog-shaped machine for indoor security.
It memorizes the scent of all employees and can identify them through its nose.
If it detects an unfamiliar scent, it automatically tracks and crushes any armor with its heat-infused fangs.
Due to past incidents where it malfunctioned and attacked employees, the current version’s manual states that sufficient safety measures must be ensured during practical use.