◆ Avangarde Royal Capital, Hotel Maison ◆
“Then I will officially accept the request.”
I never expected that to be the first thing she said after I made my request. Meria-san is a registered Adventurer, which means that completing requests leads to rank advancement. I never thought I would end up registering a request with the Adventurer’s Guild after reaching A-Rank. In fact, it was my first time. Thanks to that, I was completely clueless about the procedures, and I registered alongside Kurinka, receiving explanations from the Guild staff as we both became A-Rank.
Beside us, Meria-san maintained her cheerful smile. Elmera was clapping her hands, urging us on, and in that moment, I realized that these sisters were fundamentally the same.
The registration fee was set for D-Rank, so it wasn’t a huge deal, but the amount was outrageous. A thousand gold? That’s not a reward for a D-Rank Adventurer. Such a reward is only something you receive after reaching B-Rank. If veteran Adventurers saw this, they would surely be furious. How long do they think it takes for a D-Rank to earn a thousand gold?
“The request is for a search… What kind of search costs a thousand gold?”
“A treasure that could save the nation, perhaps?”
“That’s too expensive.”
“Then don’t do it! Why not just handle it yourself?”
“I didn’t ask Elmera. You were the one shouting about how impossible it is to find a human you’ve never seen before, even with Imagination Magic.”
“Well, let’s just say you should rely on your big sister’s abilities.”
“What do you mean by ‘rely’?”
Speaking of which, I wondered what kind of magic Meria-san used. If Elmera said she couldn’t even compare to her, then it must be some incredible magic. She even uses sealing magic that Vandalsia can’t break, so we might be witnessing the true power of an elf for the first time.
“Meria-san, how do you plan to find this person named Terrace? Can you use some kind of magic for that?”
“I can’t use it, you know?”
“Huh?”
“I can’t.”
The atmosphere froze. With a bright smile, Meria-san answered Eeks-san’s serious question. I could tell a few people were getting irritated. “Huh?” was clearly an expression of disbelief from Rash.
I thought Hast-sama would feel the same, but he seemed fixated on Meria-san’s chest. I wondered if I should pull his beard like Elmera suggested.
“After all, I haven’t really left the village much, and I don’t search for things. I keep everything I need within reach.”
“You can take anything from your sister’s bed, right?”
“I don’t care about your living habits! I’m asking how you’re going to search!”
“Well, it’s not like I requested this, so stop being so loud… I mean, I’m sorry! Since I’ve accepted it, I will do it, Eeks-san? Hehe.”
“More importantly, I want to know about your living habits in detail.”
Eeks-san was getting caught up in Meria-san’s rhythm, and Hast-sama was being tugged at by Elmera, who was pulling his beard. They both knew this wasn’t the time for such antics. It was nice to be lively, but the Nation of Kashiram was on the brink of destruction.
Just as I was about to say something, Meria-san flopped onto the bed, hugging a pillow. What on earth was she doing?
“Ahhh… This pillow feels so nice…”
“Rua, is this what elves are like?”
“Don’t ask me… Meria-san, Eeks-san is going to get angry soon. Are you being serious?”
“I am.”
A faint light of magic emanated from Meria-san, swirling like a snake and briefly swimming through the room. Just that much made me expect something more to happen, but Meria-san sat up, still clutching the pillow with her eyes closed.
“Big sister really loves soft things, huh? She sleeps hugging anything, whether it’s a stuffed toy or a fluffy cushion. So, did you finish it?”
“Creation… complete.”
At this point, it felt like most of the problem was resolved. I sensed that she answered with a faint smile. Even I could tell she was using some kind of magic for just a moment. Elmera’s Imagination Magic was already astonishingly powerful, but Meria-san’s magic was terrifyingly understated.
“Creation Magic, Magic Echo.”
For just a moment, Meria-san’s hair fanned out like rays of light. Something was released from her and permeated the entire room. No, it wasn’t just the room. From the astonished expressions of Kurinka and the others, it seemed to have spread even further.
“Yes. First, the person named Terrace is in his early seventies. He has white hair and a thinning scalp, with a slender build. After narrowing it down, it appears that Terrace-san is imprisoned in Grand Hate Prison. Moreover, this facility seems to be divided into several sections, and Terrace-san is located on the highest-ranked floor.”
“W-what? Meria-san, what are you talking about?”
“What do you mean? It’s what Rua-san and the others wanted to know, right?”
“Big sister, that’s not what I meant! Explain Creation Magic to these ordinary folks!”
“Oh, I see. Ugh, how troublesome… I mean, I would be happy to explain!”
Sometimes, I wondered if she could keep her true feelings to herself. As expected of Elmera’s big sister, they were fundamentally the same in many ways.
“The current Magic Echo is based on various fields of foundational knowledge.”
“That’s not what I meant! Just give us the gist of it in one word, big sister!”
“In short, I used my magic and knowledge to create a spell. The knowledge I’ve cultivated, and the path my magic follows to reach a solution. Magic… mana is something that actually resides in all living beings. To put it simply, everyone has a small amount of it.”
“So, in other words?”
“In other words! I spread my magic throughout the Royal Capital, making contact with all sorts of people. The flow and movement of magic can also reflect emotions; those who wield magic are often influenced by their mental state, right? This time, I sent out a query through my magic to see if anyone knew the person named Terrace from the Kingdom of Metallica.”
What was she saying?
“The result was mostly no response; most people didn’t know him. But there were indeed two people who did. When my magic touched them, it vibrated slightly. They unconsciously answered me. After that, I repeated the questioning with my magic until I was done.”
“Interesting.”
The only one who reacted was Hast-sama. He was no longer staring at her chest; he seemed genuinely interested in Meria-san. But then, his gaze dropped to her thighs. I really wanted to pull his beard.
“To imbue your magic with intent and release it requires knowledge from various fields. Not to mention creating ripples throughout the Royal Capital and sensing the responses within it—only big sister could do that in the world, right? Right, Rua-chan?”
“Why am I being singled out? Elmera isn’t even that impressive. Elmera’s Imagination Magic is impossible unless she can imagine it, but Meria-san makes the impossible possible with her knowledge and magic.”
“Exactly, that’s Creation Magic. It requires quite a bit of magic and concentration, so it’s pretty difficult to do in the middle of a fight.”
“Don’t mention weaknesses!”
“I’m sorry!”
Kurinka and I were left in stunned silence, as was everyone else. No one had spoken for a while, and no one even dared to ask Meria-san a question. The only thing I managed to understand was that the two people Meria-san mentioned who had answered unconsciously were Genia and Corin. This meant that only a limited number of people knew that Terrace-san was in prison. It was becoming increasingly suspicious.
“Ahhh… It’s been a while since I created something, and I’m tired. So, that wraps up the request, right? Well then, everyone, good luck.”
“Wha?! Wait, Meria-neechan! You’re not going to help us?”
“Huh? Me?”
“The country might be destroyed?!”
“Wait a moment. Now, I will ask my will… Yes. Understood, I will help.”
With her eyes closed, Meria-san placed two fingers on her forehead and thought. After she opened her eyes wide, she smiled and responded. If Rash hadn’t asked just now, she would have left without doing anything. What a cold person; I couldn’t imagine leaving so many people to die.
“Don’t just follow your emotions blindly. Clarify your own will and understand why you are doing this. Even a single word is enough; if you can’t explain it to yourself, you’ll lose sight of the essence. Rua-san.”
“W-why me?”
“No, you just had a look of distrust on your face, so I thought I’d check with Magic Echo.”
“Ahahaha! Looks like big sister can’t lie anymore!”
This meant that everyone present could have done the same thing. To create such a terrifying spell in just a few seconds—could it be that we had gained an incredible ally?
“Meria-san, Elmera-chan. Thank you for your cooperation. I cannot overlook the reckless actions of the Kingdom of Metallica. Moreover, the threat is not just from Metallica—”
Just as Hast-sama was about to formally express his gratitude, a deafening explosion assaulted our ears. Wooden splinters from the door scattered across the floor, and the blast knocked several people off balance, causing them to crash against the walls. Ord barely managed to shield Kou and Bun, while Maternya leaped, cradling Seigel-san. Only Tiferia-san and Eeks-san remained unfazed, weapons in hand.
“What in the world! Who dares to act so brazenly over there?!”
“Ah, my apologies. I noticed a strong reaction from Kara, so I came to investigate.”
Standing there in full metallic armor, a man with a faint brown beard was imposing. The unique metallic sounds of his armor echoed as he entered the room, intimidating everyone present. This towering figure was none other than the Machine General, Branburm. The one who least wanted to see him here was Platiu, who was hiding under a blanket, trying to remain inconspicuous. It was clear she had suffered greatly during her training with the Machine Maiden, Crimson, as the blanket trembled slightly.
“Hmm, I see we have an S-rank Adventurer here, and that must be the hero, Eeks. With the renowned Sage Hast among us, this is quite the impressive gathering. Oh, but there’s another S-rank here as well.”
The trembling of the blanket intensified. Branburm was clearly enjoying the fear he instilled. I couldn’t let him get away with this, especially after what he did to Platiu. I stepped forward, standing defiantly before Branburm’s metallic form. He wouldn’t advance any further.
“Why did you abandon Platiu?”
“That decision was made by Director Corin. It seems it was too ambitious to turn a human into a combat weapon, or so he murmured.”
“You and Corin aren’t even human.”
“Not in this body, no.”
I regretted my words as I saw the sardonic smile on Branburm’s face. His body was mechanical, and indeed, he wasn’t human. But that wasn’t the point.
“Your heart is just like a monster’s.”
“Step aside, Flash Strike Girl. I didn’t come here to engage in a debate with you.”
“W-wait! What’s going on here?!”
The manager of Maison was cowering behind Branburm, overwhelmed by the sight of the massive machine that resembled a human.
“Do not worry. Even if this place is completely destroyed, I will build an even grander hotel.”
“Th-that’s not the issue here…”
“I thought I was being polite when I told you to stay back.”
“Yikes! Eep!”
Branburm shifted his gaze back to us, as if dismissing anything unworthy of his attention. The only ones here who could face him properly were Lord Hast, Tiferia, and Eeks. Maternya and Etica were also present, but those two had no intention of engaging him seriously. Meria and the others stared at him with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
“It seems you’ve brought some unsettling matters to discuss. That Kara also serves as a listening device.”
“What do you intend to do with us? I’d like to be honored for my great hostility.”
“I will honor you, but I won’t allow you to be imprisoned in Grand Hate Prison. I’ll dispose of you here alongside the dying wretches.”
“Hey! This is a town!”
“Ord, it’s alright. I can handle this on my own.”
Just as I declared my resolve, a heavy sound echoed from outside the window. There stood a machine—no, a mechanical humanoid. It resembled a Machine Maiden but was different. Its neck extended from a white, slender mechanical armor, looking almost like a swan. Next to it was another figure, a green mechanical armor that looked like a grotesque Chameleon, pressing its hands against the window.
“Could they be the Zodiac?!”
“What’s that? One of Metallica’s top combat forces?”
“No need for an explanation.”
Without needing Ord to elaborate, Elmera’s guess hit the mark. There were many strong individuals here, yet their panic was palpable. How worrisome.
“The nation that twisted negotiations with Metallica and continued to provoke them was annihilated by these people. With less than a hundred elite warriors… and they spared neither women, children, nor the elderly. It’s terrifying, isn’t it? Sigh…”
“Moreover, I’ve heard they engage in battles and actions without any sense of courtesy. Each of those mechanical armors is said to possess unique abilities… but that’s irrelevant.”
“Well, shall we dance?”
Tiferia and Eeks were brimming with enthusiasm. Eeks pointed his sword at the two Zodiac members at the window, taunting them to come at him. Seigel, though hesitant, seemed ready to fight as he attempted to draw his sword, but Maternya was blocking him, still clinging to him in a daze. To her, they were likely insignificant opponents. I understood that, but…
“Powered Suit ‘White Swan,’ you know it?”
“Likewise, Powered Suit ‘Chameleon, the Shape-shifting Recluse.’ It’s been a while since I’ve had a good execution; let’s kill the men and have fun with the girls. Isn’t that right, Captain Branburm?”
“Just carry out your orders, as I’ve already conveyed.”
“This is no different from a sewer, this lack of dignity.”
Elmera was completely mocking them. Now that I think about it, she must really dislike these kinds of people. No one likes them, I suppose. I wondered if Powered Suits were different from Machine Maidens. More importantly, we needed to head to Grand Hate Prison soon. I could rush in and take them out, but since there were people eager to fight, perhaps it would be better to let them take the lead.
“Rua, you really have no reason to compete with them now, do you? Take that girl wrapped in the blanket and head to the prison.”
“Is that alright? I’m not worried about Eeks and the others, but the damage to the town…”
“Don’t worry about it. Not at all. I thought I couldn’t sense anything with the Magic Echo, but that’s how it is.”
The atmosphere in the room felt suffocating, as if the air had been crushed. For just a moment, the air vanished. I believed everyone, including Branburm, felt that deathly sensation. It was Meria who radiated that much anger.
“W-who is that woman…?”
Even Branburm seemed on the verge of kneeling. Rash and Rutna were unconsciously clinging to each other, and Seigel and Maternya were also… well, they were already like that.
“Earlier, you mentioned something about having fun. Without mutual consent, a relationship cannot be established. First, you must understand each other, taking time to connect. Only when you determine if the other could be a lifelong partner can you finally hold hands. Do you understand how many years that might take?”
“…? What is this woman talking about?”
“My sister is so pure in her understanding of love and sexuality that no amount of exaggeration could suffice. If your base desires were to be revealed, you might just die, you know?”
It was that last line from Elmera that made me understand Meria’s boiling point. Alright, we need to head to the prison immediately.
◆ Shin Report ◆
Creation magic, creation magic
Huh? They’re both the same
What on earth are you talking about?
But that sister is so scary that even Elmera is shaken
Elmera is teasing her
I never thought the day would come to realize this
This isn’t the time to be heading to a prison
This is no joke
Even though we’re in Metallica, we can’t even muster a proper counterattack
I couldn’t care less about that Zodiac elite squad
Here, I’ll just indulge in Meria’s affection, affection, and more affection
If I do it right, I can control everything
Hehehe, this feeling is finally, finally at its peak
Whether I eat Crinka’s snacks or whatever, I can do as I please
Hehehe
Huh?
Ah, wait, I just realized I’m in the sky, huh?!
Oh no! I’ve been taken away again! Even now!
Eek! The castle is so far away!
I don’t want to, I don’t want to, I don’t want to, noooooo!