The town’s military strength

Well, I said I’d protect this town from Malart, but what exactly am I supposed to do about it?

“Menu open.”

From the creation list, I summon a magic circle. Risha and Mira spring into action immediately, scurrying off in all directions to gather materials.

And what begins to take shape is iron swords and bows with arrows.

“Stuff like this can be made quickly… but…”

I glance at Agafon and the others.

The townspeople look grim, even at the sight of freshly forged weapons.

They’re saying it’s not enough. Not sufficient as military strength.

So we need something more.

I open the menu again, scanning the items unlocked after the silver card activated.

Among them, I find one called “Neetka.”

I touch it. A video-like image flickers to life beside it.

“Huh, a new feature?”

I watch the video. Apparently, Neetka is some kind of trebuchet.

A machine like a pitching device—spinning stones at high speed.

The stones shatter the target rock.

Watching the sample video—yeah, this one’s good.

I set a magic circle on the ground, confirm the materials.

“Wait, a single arm of Throie—”

“A Throie arm?!”

Agafon shouted. The townspeople murmured, stirred.

Some looked pale, nearly frightened.

“What’s this Throie, anyway?”

“A monster, like a giant. Body three times the size of a human, strength at least ten times greater.”

“I see. That’s why the material’s Throie’s arm.”

“That’s… too dangerous. We joined Malart’s faction because Malart’s private soldiers protect us from Throie.”

“Huh.”

So they weren’t just collecting protection money. They actually did something useful.

“Anyway, Throie’s too dangerous. We can’t do anything about it.”

“Is that so.”

I looked at the magic circle, at the arrow’s tip.

☆

We walked through the wasteland with the two slaves.

Naturally, following the arrow to find Throie.

Apparently, Throie’s a serious threat. Normally, we’d leave the slaves behind in situations like this—but not this time.

Of course, that’s because I’m using them as Eternal Slaves, modified.

“How strong is Throie, really?”

Mira asked Risha, casual tone, like idle chatter.

“Pretty strong, seems like.”

“But?”

“Master will win, obviously.”

Hey, seriously, just declaring I’ll win no matter what?

“True, but…”

Mira nodded along.

“Then it’s not a problem, right?”

“Hmm, maybe.”

I let their small talk drift past me as I kept moving forward.

“Master, look—”

Risha spoke in a serious tone.

There it was—straight ahead, at the end of the magic circle’s arrow.

Throai.

A giant. Three human-sized. Roughly five meters tall, if you had to guess.

Green skin. A loincloth wrapped around his waist.

Every inch of him was pure muscle. Looked like he could crush stone with his bare hands.

“Um, master… those people lying around him…?”

Mira said, voice trembling.

“Yeah. Humans.”

I nodded.

A few humans lay scattered around Throai.

Some didn’t move at all. Others were split open, limbs torn off.

All of them—definitely dead.

“About twenty, I’d say.”

“So that’s what we’re up against.”

“Master…?”

Mira clutched the hem of my robe, trembling.

“Risha. Mira.”

“Yes?”

“W-what is it?”

“Which one of you can handle being scared more?”

They looked at each other, then blinked—completely thrown.

I waited for the two of them to answer.

After a pause, Risha timidly raised her hand and said.

“If it’s just fear… I think I can bear it.”

“Huh. Then bear it.”

I said that, drew out Eternal Slave Rev., and touched the blue gem.

Left Risha to endure it, stepped into Mira, turned her into a sword.

“Ah…”

A sound slipped from Risha’s lips.

Mixed emotions—something complicated—but I caught it clear: envy.

“Bear it. I’ll make it up to you later.”

“—Yes!”

Risha beamed, nodded vigorously.

Still holding Mira’s Eternal Slave Rev., I moved toward Throï.

She noticed me too—thud, thud, thud—ground shaking as she marched this way.

Up close, she really did have presence.

(…scary…)

Even as a sword, Mira was a little afraid.

Without a word, I just tightened my grip on the hilt instead.

(Oh... )

The relief I felt was palpable.

Now.

"GooOOOOO!!"

Throï swung her arm down with a roar.

I raised Eternal Slave Revised horizontally above my head to block.

"Muuh."

The impact slammed into me.

The shock shot through my body and punched into the ground.

Around my feet, the earth cracked outward like radiation lines.

"Damn. She’s got power."

I glanced again at the fallen humans.

Some were flattened beyond recognition.

Even a human trying to smash tofu or butter wouldn’t make a clean mess like that.

"GooOOOOOOOO!!"

Throï lifted both arms high.

Hammer punch, hands clasped—swing it down with one hand if the other’s broken, two if needed.

Simple. Therefore clear.

At the same time, I understood that this was its limit.

Pouring eternal slave-modified magic into the blade.

(ah...ngh...)

The blade flares to life.

Swung by Mira, it meets Throï’s arm head-on.

Two arms—soar high into the air.

☆

Outside the town of Beesque.

Ten Neetka units stood in a row, each operated by a townsperson.

"Alright, Akito-san."

Agafon looks at me. I nod.

"Teē—!"

Immediately after the command, the Neetkas spew fire.

Ten fist-sized stones, fired simultaneously, smash into the wooden house Mat made—reducing it to splinters.

"Whoa, awesome!"

A cheer erupts from the townspeople.

"If they bring that kind of force, we won’t fear the Malart gang anymore."

"No, even Throï wouldn’t scare us now."

"Let's keep someone stationed here."

The crowd lit up. They were practically vibrating with excitement over the "weapon" in their hands.

"With this, we can handle defense for now. We’re planning to make a few more—go ahead and scout out where to place them."

"Understood."

Agafon nodded vigorously.

Agafon, and the other townspeople too.

Eyes full of gratitude. Eyes that said, *You’ll make more, won’t you?*

I felt that weight on my back as I turned and walked back to the slaves.

"Good work, Mira."

"Hehe."

— Magic power charged: 10,000.

I ran a hand through Mira’s hair, then looked at Risha.

"You did well holding back, Risha. Remember our promise—something special for you."

Risha blinked, then blushed.

"What would you like?"

I wanted to give something to the slave who’d kept her promise and suffered through it. A reward, just for that.