Chapter 257: Kaede-san Search Operation
After indulging in a hot spring—though it hasn’t been that long—I decided to distribute photos to all the search team members first. I can’t help but think that we should have sorted this out before bathing, but I couldn’t bring myself to dampen Phonia’s excitement as she joyfully exclaimed, “Oofuro! Oofuro!”
“I contacted everyone, but we only managed to reach four locations,” reported one of the executives holding a smartphone.
There were five executives in total. Out of those, only two were reachable. Five branches had already received their smartphones, and it seems that two of them were able to make contact. The places we couldn’t reach were likely too far away.
“So, a total of fifteen smartphones were taken out from here for distribution?”
“Yes.”
Each person took three smartphones, leaving us with five in stock. This is the number we plan to operate with at the Guild headquarters, including spares.
“It looks like it will take at least six months to distribute them to all the branches across the continent, even with generous estimates.”
“Wow, really…”
I wonder just how far they plan to distribute them. I haven’t been informed about where all the branches are, but I assume they’re scattered all over the continent? It hasn’t even been a month since we handed out the smartphones, yet five branches have already received theirs.
There are six countries on this continent. I don’t know if we’ve infiltrated the Demon Tribe’s country where my master resides, but with twenty smartphones, we should be able to cover a decent amount. Probably… I’m not entirely sure.
While we can still make more, I’d like to conserve the materials for now, so I think it’s best to leave things as they are.
I obtained Kaede-san’s smartphone through an auction five years ago. While it’s possible to search around the Commercial City, there’s also the chance she was summoned to another country. In fact, the most suspicious place is probably the country that summoned us…
However, if we go that far, the smartphones we created shouldn’t be able to communicate.
“Hmm, how about we deliver Kaede-chan’s photos to everyone who has a smartphone?”
As I pondered how to make contact, Rio casually suggested this. It wouldn’t be impossible if we flew through the sky at high speed, but gathering everyone would take quite a bit of time.
“…I can’t trouble you all that much.”
“Distributing everything would be quite the task, you know?”
When I asked if she was serious, Mesaria-san chimed in.
“Eh? If we Teleport, it’ll be quick, right? We know the locations of all the smartphones…”
To my surprise, it was Rio who said that. She knows where the smartphones are located…
Oh, right! The smartphones I made had Spatial Magic applied to them. If I can sense the coordinates, then perhaps…
“Oh, you’re right. It seems we can Teleport…”
Focusing my mind, I could indeed determine the coordinates of the smartphones. Since I had applied Spatial Magic to the smartphones myself, this might actually work. Moreover, we now have access to Dimensional Magic. While long-distance Teleportation was previously impossible, I feel like we could reach anywhere if we utilize Dimensional Magic effectively.
Thinking about it, if I reapply Dimensional Magic to the smartphones I created, it might allow us to communicate across dimensions.
“Wait? Isn’t Teleportation only possible over short distances…?”
As I contemplated Teleportation, Mesaria-san voiced her vague doubts. Ivan had mentioned it was a legendary spell, but it seems some people are aware of its limitations.
“Don’t worry; we can manage that. Since we don’t have any prior connections, it might go smoother if you come along, Mesaria-san.”
“Understood.”
“Then I’ll go too. I might be able to extend the communication range of the smartphones, so if possible, I want to modify all of them.”
“Eh? …So that’s what you meant by communication range.”
Rio quickly grasped my words, realizing the logic behind being able to perform long-distance Teleportation. However, since I’m the only one with the Skill to apply modifications, Rio won’t be able to do it.
“Then let’s try with the smartphones we have here first.”
“That sounds good.”
“I’ll go fetch them now.”
“Thank you.”
Understanding the situation, Mesaria-san left the room to retrieve the smartphones. Ivan, who had been watching her, turned to us and spoke.
“Well then, I think I’ll go accept a request at the Guild. What about you, Phonia?”
Phonia, who had been playing with Nil, turned at Ivan’s words and tilted her head, saying, “Hmm?” It seemed she hadn’t been paying attention, so I explained again.
“Then I’ll join Ivan-nii in accepting a request!”
She raised her hand and declared.
“Got it. Then Nil, stick with Phonia.”
“Woof~”
As I patted Nil’s head, I received a playful response.
“I’ll, of course, go with Rio.”
El, who had been quietly listening, decided to join us. Since she’s technically Rio’s maid and slave, she would naturally follow her unless there was a specific reason not to.
“Alright, I’m off.”
“Wait a moment.”
As Ivan raised his hand, seemingly done with the conversation, I stopped him and pulled out a smartphone from the Dimensional Box. First, I would modify this one and hand it over to Ivan so he could help with the experiment.
“Is that the smartphone Shu made?”
Nodding at Ivan’s words, I focused on modifying the smartphone. I rewrote the coordinates to include Dimensional Magic, allowing us to locate the user. If I incorporate Dimensional Magic into the transmission mechanism, it should work.
After about ten minutes of trial and error, I finally completed the modifications. We can’t test it without the other party present, though. I also modified it to allow for group calls.
“Alright, I’m really off this time.”
“Take care.”
After handing the modified smartphone to Ivan and seeing him off, I began to modify the remaining smartphones that Mesaria-san brought back, preparing to distribute them to the team.