Episode 142: Scorching Blade Type-0
As Tennoji looked surprised, Tanabe raised both hands in response.
“That’s right! This is the ‘Red Diamond’ dropped by the Duke of Red.”
“You’re going to incorporate it into a Magic Enchanted Armament!?”
Tennoji’s voice involuntarily grew louder.
The common knowledge was that even the strongest Magic Gems used in Magic Enchanted Armaments had a Magical Power of around 1000. Magic Gems with Magical Power exceeding that wouldn’t work.
“Well, I understand your surprise. This thing’s Magical Power exceeds 6000, so normally, it shouldn’t be possible to create one.”
“If you know that, then why…? Isn’t this going to be a repeat of the weapon ‘Gae Bolg’ that Fameel Corporation made in the past?”
That was a Magic Enchanted Armament once created by the major company Fameel.
It used the “Yellow Diamond,” a Magic Gem from a Gold Dragon collected by a large-scale Seeker Clan in America, as its Core.
Its Mana Index was 8000, and no one could use it.
Fameel obtained this Magic Gem and worked on research and development to use it as material for a Magic Enchanted Armament. The result was the “Lightning Spear Gae Bolg.”
However, as expected, no one could master it. On the contrary, the Seeker who used it suffered serious injuries due to a Magical Power runaway, ending in a complete failure.
Since then, it had been reduced to nothing more than an “antique” displayed in Fameel’s Laboratory.
“Well, it’s natural to think so, but this time it’s different.”
Tanabe, speaking with confidence, operated the computer and displayed the design data for the Magic Enchanted Armament using the Red Diamond.
“Scorching Blade Type-0—designed by Elceed Corporation using the latest technology. You can basically think of it as different from what Fameel made.”
“So, even ordinary Seekers can use it?”
Hearing Tennoji’s words, Tanabe slowly shook his head.
“Even though it’s easier to use, not just anyone can use it. You need the talent to draw out the Magic Gem’s power.”
“Then, who is going to use this?”
In response to that question, Tanabe picked up the documents placed on the desk. He flipped through them and showed one sheet to Tennoji.
“A person who scored extremely high in the preliminary test for drawing out Magical Power from the Magic Gem, and who also possesses the same Fire Magical Power as the Red Diamond…”
“Could it be—”
The gazes of everyone present, including Tennoji, focused on one person.
It was Rui who audibly gulped.
“Amasawa Rui. You will use this Scorching Blade Type-0 to defeat the Black Armor.”
“Me…? Defeat the Black Armor…?”
Told by Tanabe, Rui showed a bewildered expression. That monster, so strong that he couldn’t even lay a hand on it, he was supposed to defeat it with his own hands.
To Rui, that didn’t seem realistic.
It was Tennoji who gently placed a hand on Rui’s shoulder.
“Tennoji-san.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll support you. It’s not our intention to burden you with such a difficult role, but if you’re the only one who can do it, we’ll support you with all our strength.”
When Rui looked around, Tennoji, Taizen, and Misaki Bluewell were all looking at Rui with strong and kind eyes.
If they had expectations, he had to meet them. But—
“Even if this Katana’s Magical Power is 6000, even combined with my Magical Power, it won’t reach the Second Tier Magic…”
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
Tanabe declared and smiled confidently.
“We’re going to have you grow. We have a plan prepared for that as well.”
He handed over a file. The file contained training content for raising Mana in the Depths of the White Dungeon.
The same file was handed to Tennoji. He opened it and carefully checked the contents.
“I see… This means we have to fly to Hokkaido right away.”
“Is that okay? We have orders to subjugate the Black Armor. And yet, we’re going to the White Dungeon in Hokkaido?”
Rui voiced a reasonable concern, but Tanabe clearly denied it.
“Either way, we can’t beat the Black Armor as we are now. The completion of the Scorching Blade is still a ways off. If that’s the case, we have no choice but to do what we can now. It may seem like a detour, but I believe it’s the quickest way to defeat a transcendent monster.”
Tanabe showed confidence, and when he looked back, Tennoji nodded strongly.
Was he really going to be okay? The unease that wouldn’t disappear remained. Even so—
“I understand. I’ll do it… I will definitely defeat the Black Armor…”
A definite determination could be seen in Rui’s eyes.
◇◇◇
Yuma Mitaka, at D-Minor Corporation in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture. After returning from Seeker’s Town, the company had been on break for a while, so Yuma was going to work for the first time in a while.
“Here, Yuma-kun. Your pay statement for this month.”
Maika handed him an envelope, and he said, “Ah! Thank you very much,” and immediately opened it to check the statement inside.
“Eh!? This much?”
Yuma’s eyes widened at the amount.
It was a completely different amount from the starting salary he received last month.
“Yeah, the ‘hazard pay’ from entering the Black Dungeon and a portion of the sales proceeds from the Ruby that Yuma-kun brought back have been added. Well, it’s a reasonable amount.”
“I-Is that so…”
His face naturally broke into a smile. With this much, he could buy as many things as he wanted.
As he was thinking about that, the president, who was sitting in the back of the office, called out to him.
“Yuma, why don’t you send your parents a present since you have the chance? Your starting salary wasn’t that much, but you can buy something this time.”
“That’s right. I’ll do that!”
A present… He was at a loss as to what to buy, but well, he’d think about it at his leisure.
That day, he decided to write a report to submit to the Dungeon Association about what happened in Seeker’s Town.
It seemed that all the Seekers involved had to submit one, but Kanzaki and Yuma, who weren’t used to writing, were struggling.
After somehow finishing it and discussing future plans, Yuma left the company early.
◇◇◇
“Haa… A present for my parents, huh? I certainly didn’t buy anything with my starting salary.”
On the way home, he came to a shopping mall he often visited.
He looked around the stores, wondering if he should get clothes or jewelry, but he didn’t really know what to buy.
At that moment—
“Oh? Yuma, what are you doing?”
“Eh?”
When he turned around, there was his childhood friend, Kaede.