Episode 141: Lord’s Analysis
Elceed’s research facility was located in Koto Ward, Tokyo.
Tennoji, Rui, and several members of “Roar of the Raijuu” had gathered there.
“This is the footage taken by the drone at the time,”
He clicked on a folder on the computer, projecting the video onto a 60-inch monitor overhead.
The one operating it was Tanabe, a staff member of the research facility.
He was a young man with messy hair and glasses, munching on a Frisk with a seemingly unmotivated expression.
However, Tennoji and the others knew Tanabe well.
He was a prodigy who entered Cambridge University through skipping grades, and a specialist in data analysis. He was involved in the system construction used at Elceed.
“Take a look at this.”
Tennoji and the others stared intently at the video Tanabe pointed to. It was a video of the Duke of Red fighting the Black Lord.
A fierce clash. The Duke attacked the Lord with a flame-covered fist.
But it was easily dodged, and he suffered a counterattack many times stronger. The Black Monster’s speed surpassed the Red Ogre’s movements.
“Amazing. Power, speed… it surpasses the Duke of Red in every way.”
As Tennoji voiced his admiration, Tanabe shook his head, saying, “Naive, naive.”
“Look closely. This Black Monster isn’t just punching. It’s using martial arts like a human.”
When they looked again, as he said, they could indeed see movements resembling boxing and karate.
“What does that mean?”
When Tennoji asked, Tanabe exaggeratedly raised both hands and shrugged.
“I don’t know. Maybe it fought a human before and imitated their movements.”
“Wait a minute! Does that mean it has intelligence!?”
Taizen interjected from behind.
“There’s a good chance. Of course, it’s just speculation… and the punching power is insane.”
Tanabe pressed a key on the computer, displaying detailed numerical values.
“This is a calculation formula estimating the impact force of a single punch from the video. Considering the mass and speed, it’s outputting about 55560N.”
“Huh? Is that strong?”
Taizen frowned, as unfamiliar units appeared.
“Well, if a human took that, they’d be minced meat in an instant.”
Tennoji and the others grimaced at Tanabe’s nonchalant statement. Tanabe further manipulated the computer, displaying other data.
“Its combat ability is off the charts, but what’s even more troublesome is the strength of its outer shell.”
Tanabe retrieved video data from the folder containing the video of the Black Lord being attacked. It was from when Tennoji and the others launched their attack.
“Look at this scene.”
Using the “Release” of their Magic Enchanted Armaments, Tennoji and the others drew out their Magical Power to the maximum.
First, Ishikawa’s water slash attacked the Lord, and without pause, Taizen’s electromagnetic railgun exploded.
Tennoji’s Godspeed barrage was hammered in, and finally, Rui slashed with a blazing Katana.
Perfect coordination without a single gap. Perhaps the Duke could have been defeated by this barrage.
Even so, it didn’t work on the Lord.
“After this, it deflected anti-tank rifle bullets and knocked down tank armor-piercing rounds with one hand. Well, it’s a mess. You should assume that physical attacks won’t work at all.”
Tanabe said in an exasperated tone. Tennoji put his hand on his chin and groaned lowly.
“If that’s the case, does that mean we have no choice but to defeat it with ‘Magic’…?”
“But, it’s not that simple.”
Tanabe manipulated the computer, displaying yet another set of data on the monitor.
“What’s this?”
“The [Release] of the Magic Enchanted Armaments you guys used. This is a calculation of the maximum Magical Power released during that attack.”
Detailed numerical values were displayed there.
“First, Ishikawa’s water slash was 4800, Taizen’s electromagnetic railgun was 5600. Tennoji’s barrage was 6700, and Rui’s final attack was 5500.”
“Whoa, such high numbers came out!”
Taizen’s eyes widened at the Magical Power numbers in the released state, which he was hearing for the first time.
“Well, it’s just an estimated value. The problem is that the Black Lord was unharmed after taking that much damage. After this, it fought the Duke and defeated him as if nothing had happened.”
As far as they could see from the video of the Lord continuing to fight, it certainly didn’t seem to be taking any damage. There wasn’t a single scratch on its armor-like body.
A heavy silence spread through the research lab.
“In other words… there’s no way to defeat it?”
Rui and Taizen gasped at Tennoji’s words. If that were the case, an unmanageable Monster would be openly roaming the ground.
“With this much Magic resistance, it would be difficult to defeat it with Magic… that is, if we’re talking about First Stratum Magic.”
At those words, Tennoji and the others stirred.
“First Stratum Magic won’t work…?”
“Yeah, there was an experiment conducted by the American “Flame Emperor Albert” before. It was about how much flame the “Iridescent Jewel Beetle” in the Black Dungeon could withstand.”
“I’ve heard of that.”
“Well, it was a pretty well-known experiment. The result was that the outer shell cracked and turned to sand with a flame of about 6000 Magical Power. This was said to be the maximum value of resistance that Monsters possess, but…”
“The Black Lord exceeds that?”
Tanabe let out a chuckle at Tennoji’s question.
“There’s no doubt. To defeat it, you’ll need ‘Second Tier Magic’.”
“Whoa! Are you serious!?”
It was Taizen who raised his voice. He frowned as if he couldn’t believe it.
“Only Albert has ever used “Second Tier Magic”! Isn’t that practically saying we can’t defeat it!!”
Hearing that, Tanabe chuckled and suddenly stood up from his seat.
“That’s true. But it’s not like we’re completely out of options. Come with me.”
Tanabe left the research lab and walked away. Tennoji and Rui exchanged glances and followed Tanabe, who was striding away.
◇◇◇
“Where are we going?”
Perhaps irritated by Tanabe’s silence, Tennoji called out.
“You’ll see soon.”
The group entered the second basement floor of the research facility. It was an area where multiple research labs were lined up.
Tanabe stopped in front of one of the labs and opened the door with his card key.
Inside, several researchers seemed to be inputting something while looking at computer monitors.
“What is this place?”
When Tennoji asked, Tanabe sat down on a round stool and let out a breath.
“It’s a research lab that develops Magic Enchanted Armaments. Usually, they conduct research on new weapons, but right now, it’s that.”
Tanabe pointed beyond a thick glass door. There, a single Katana was being assembled by a robotic arm.
In the center of the Katana, at the “habaki” part, was a large [Magic Gem] that looked familiar.
“That is—”
Tennoji’s eyes widened. There was no mistaking it. It was the one Tennoji found in the battle in “Seeker’s Town” and handed over to Honda.
“Red Diamond! The Duke of Red’s Magic Gem!?”