I was riding in a carriage, heading for Alfheim.
I could have flown, but Flying Company is apparently an incredibly advanced magic, and besides… I was tired.
So, taking a break, Sho had prepared a carriage for me, and I gratefully decided to use it.
The members going to Alfheim were me, Luciel, and Seira. I had the Twilight Dragon go to cities other than Carter to assess the damage and handle the reconstruction work.
“So, what kind of place is Alfheim, Sinri?”
～～～～～～
Sinri: “Alfheim”
→ A forest of giant trees spreading in the northern part of the Imperial Capital. It has nests of Magic Bugs, and is filled with miasma. It’s counted as one of the world’s four great secret realms.
～～～～～～
“Hoo. So it’s a dangerous place.”
“That’s right… For us Imperial citizens, Alfheim has always been one of those troublesome spots.”
Seira, an Imperial citizen, explained.
“Because there are nests of Magic Bugs in the forest, we’re always troubled by bugs flying out from there.”
“Then, why not just exterminate the nests?”
“It’s not that easy. After all, just entering Alfheim is a big deal.”
Because there are swarms of Magic Bugs, and the inside is filled with a poisonous gas called miasma… I see.
“If that’s all, it’s not a big deal at all, is it?”
Monsters and poisonous gas, right? Seira sighed, and Luciel patted her shoulder.
Huh, what?
～～～～～～
Sinri: Master, Magic Bugs are S-rank monsters. The miasma is a deadly poisonous gas that can kill you in seconds.
～～～～～～
“Yeah, well. So…? That’s all there is to it, right?”
～～～～～～
Sinri:＼(^O^)／
～～～～～～
Huh, what’s with that pose?
“I understand, I understand you, Sinri-dono.”
“I know exactly how you feel.”
Huh, am I the only one who doesn’t get it…?
“Hey, hey, what’s going on? Hey, Sinri~”
～～～～～～
Sinri: It seems there was once a plan to burn down the forest of Alfheim, but as they investigated the forest, they discovered natural resources, and the plan was abandoned.
～～～～～～
Ah, really?
That’s strange. My AI isn’t answering my questions.
Ha! Is this… the rebellion of AI…? Is this what they call the singularity…?
“Hey, Luciel. Has Mika always been this… airheaded?”
Airheaded?
“I’ve only recently joined, so I don’t know… But when she came to me, she was already like this.”
Like this…
～～～～～～
Sinri: It’s common in creative works for a character’s personality to change as they write.
～～～～～～
What’s with you all? Geez, am I being left out?
Ah, whatever.
“Mika God-dono, don’t sulk, let’s talk about what’s next.”
“Yeah, yeah… We just need to go to Alfheim and crush the Magic Bug nests, right? Then, we don’t need to go into the forest. Just boom with fire magic!”
No, no, Seira shook her head.
“Were you even listening to what Sinri said earlier?”
“Not at all.”
～～～～～～
Sinri: (｀皿´)ノ
～～～～～～
Sinri-chan, don’t get angry.
“There are natural resources buried in Alfheim. Specifically, there are magic crystal mines and lots of rare ores like Orichalcum.”
～～～～～～
Sinri: The Empire has a shorter history compared to the Kingdom, but thanks to the abundant resources harvested from Alfheim, it has now grown into the number one technological power in the six continents.
～～～～～～
I see… So we can’t just destroy the whole forest.
“We just need to hit the main body of the Magic Bug nest, right?”
“That’s right. But… the Magic Bug nest is in the middle of the forest.”
“Then, why not fly there from the sky?”
“No, no. Magic Bugs can fly, you know?”
If we fly in the sky, bugs will whoosh and attack us… I don’t like that. The strength of each individual Magic Bug isn’t that great.
But there are a lot of them. It’s a pain.
“Enter the forest from the ground, go to the Magic Bug nest in the middle, and destroy the nest. That’s the mission this time.”
～～～～～～
Sinri: Correct~. Well done, well done.
～～～～～～
I was made fun of by an electronic voice…
Huh?
“Could it be that… all my subordinates are looking down on me…?”
” “…………” “
“Stop being silent!”
～～～～～～
Sinri: You’re being looked down on quite a bit by the tsukkomi characters. Even I am looking down on Master.
～～～～～～
What an AI!
“Everyone was making fun of me…”
“That’s not true. I think your power is amazing, your power.”
Seira said.
“Mika God-dono, you can’t leave people in trouble, can you? I think that action is worthy of respect. Your action.”
Luciel said. Oh my, everyone loves me. I’m being showered with praise.
“And, while we were having this pointless conversation, we’ve arrived.”
Pointless conversation…? Huh, was that pointless…?
I got out of the carriage.
“Whoa… amazing… it’s huge.”
In front of me was a super giant tree that I couldn’t see the top of even when I looked up.
And there were many of them.
Every tree I could see was a super giant tree.
“This is Alfheim. If Abyss Wood is the ‘Forest of Death,’ then this is called the ‘Forbidden Forest.'”
Forbidden Forest.
It’s dangerous, so you shouldn’t step foot in this place.
“This is… one of the four great secret realms…”
Seira gulped.
“Excuse me~”
I walked inside, suta suta suta.
“Wait! Why are you going inside without any hesitation?!”
Seira and Luciel followed me from behind.
“Huh? Because I want to solve the problem quickly and go home to watch Splat●on 2?”
The first one was super fun, so I want to see the second one soon.
“Mika God-dono.”
Luciel silently raised a finger.
Ah, the super counter is spinning…
“Seira-dono, if you’re surprised by this, you still have a long way to go.”
“This much… Luciel, you’re also a little… getting infected.”
“Yes, that’s right. I’m already completely infected… It might be too late… I can’t go back to the way I was before…”
The two of them walked behind me.
Well, it means we have enough leeway to chat.
～～～～～～
Sinri: Magic Bugs are coming from the two o’clock direction.
～～～～～～
“Looks like enemies are coming.”
“I always think this, but Sinri… you’re really an enemy’s nightmare… Surprise attacks don’t work at all.”
Luciel held up the Sword of Omniscience (Hoteison).
“I’ll intercept them.”
“It’s okay, Luciel. Leave it to me.”
I took out a perfume bottle from the ■(Box).
I sprayed the perfume on us, shush shush.
“What’s this? It smells good.”
“It’s a warding perfume.”
“Wha…!? A warding perfume…?”
The Magic Bugs came towards us… but they passed right by us.
“They didn’t attack us.”
“Yes. I analyzed the pheromones emitted by the Magic Bugs and created a scent that makes them not recognize us as enemies.”
“Wow… really? That’s amazing, Seira-chan.”
“Hehe, well, I am a genius Alchemist, after all?”
This girl is amazing after all.
“But, the reason I was able to make this is ultimately thanks to you.”
“How so?”
“Luciel defeated a lot of Magic Bugs, right? By hitting them with a paper fan.”
She’s talking about when the Magic Bugs attacked Imperial Capital Carter.
Luciel certainly defeated a lot of Magic Bugs.
“With that, I got more samples of Magic Bugs than ever before. So, using that, I was able to create a perfume that utilizes the nature of the Magic Bugs…”
I see, I gave power to Luciel.
So… it’s thanks to me… huh.
“No, no, it’s thanks to Luciel.”
“No, if Mika God-dono wasn’t there, I wouldn’t have been able to get this far. I still think you’re amazing.”
Luciel is humble.
“Mika is amazing, in a way.”
“Yes, I think her power alone is unmatched by anyone in this world. Her power alone.”
Oh my, not really.
～～～～～～
Sinri: I’m not praising you (＾ω＾)
～～～～～～
[☆★Announcement★☆]
The short story from the other day
Due to popular demand, the serialized version has begun!!
There is a link at the bottom of the page!!
[Serialized Version] The Reincarnated Young Girl Travels Leisurely with Her Beloved Cat ~ I was abandoned because “I’m a young girl,” but in fact, I was a Saint loved by God. It seems I incurred God’s wrath, but I don’t know. I’m traveling freely in another world with my pet cat (the strongest God).
Or, please copy and use the following URL.
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2793jy/