第１７５掘：魔剣の秘密 中章 (Part2)
Is this what passes for a staff on our continent?
The staff-fighting techniques I excel at also utilized magic stones attached to my weapon to facilitate spellcasting, so perhaps it’s something like that?
But the sheer power is different. Is it a difference in scale? That’s the impression I get.
"Hmm, hmm. What do you think, Zargis?"
"Indeed. How should I put it... it’s rather underwhelming, isn't it?"
Yuki and Zargis seem to share my assessment.
As I thought, something is lacking. Have we simply become too strong?
"...Very well. Though we were defeated, it would be a disgrace to the Zilba Empire to have our magic swords and our power looked down upon."
"Sister... I understand. Let us show them our full strength!!"
And so, those two fools drew enough magical power from their magic swords to engulf the entire testing chamber, intending to unleash fire and water spells, but...
*Puff.*
*Splosh.*
With those sounds, the flow of magical power simply vanished.
"What are you doing? If you used that much power for a spell, it would just explode. You'll waste the equipment and the research data, so stop it."
"Ah."
"Eh?"
"Honestly. Why do you let your heads get so hot so quickly? So, Zargis, what do you think?"
I believe Yuki used a spell to dissipate their magical power.
He is my husband, yet he is terrifying; with that ability, no one could cast a spell against him.
If one could manage physical ability and body-strengthening magic like Deryu, it wouldn't be an issue, but we still haven't mastered control even half as well as she has.
"Hmm, the scale is certainly impressive, but it is easy enough for an individual to replicate. If it were someone like you or me, Yuki, who excels in magic, couldn't we do it faster and on a larger scale?"
"Besides, any action that requires a 'charge-up' time is useless. Wouldn't it be faster to just drop a bomb?"
"That is true, but let us assume only you can do that, Yuki. In any case, it is obvious they are drawing power using a dungeon core. The sisters' own mana capacity wouldn't be enough to trigger such large-scale magic. Why don't you try seizing control of the core, Yuki?"
"I thought about that, but if there's still an administrator present, it might give us away. That’s the problem."
"Ah, I see. Then, shall we try creating something similar ourselves?"
"That would be best. After that, let's see how they handle a light sparring session. We shut them down completely last time, after all."
"If it comes to a fight, that is the best way to test them."
Once the two finished talking, they turned their gazes toward us.
"That’s how it is. Just as we discussed, Riel and Kaya, I'll leave the sisters to you."
"Leave it to me!"
"Understood."
As we stood before the sisters, the older one looked slightly displeased.
"Are you sure? It’s difficult to hold back when the opponents are demi-humans, you know?"
She ignored me and spoke directly to Yuki.
This woman—she shouldn't be so familiar with him.
"...Huh? Yeah, well, do your best. Kaya, don't kill them."
"...I'll leave them half-dead."
"My, you shouldn't say things you can't actually do."
In the next instant, I sent Olive flying.
"Sister!?"
"Ah, ah, Kaya, that’s no good. We need to see how they use their magic swords."
"Ah, sorry, I forgot."
I pulled Olive up from where she had crashed into the wall.
"Ugh..."
"...Your bones are broken. *Sigh*, Heal."
I had no choice but to heal her.
Recovery magic is so convenient; I should thank Lilishe for allowing me to use it.
As for Luna... well, it doesn't matter.
"...Come on, let's continue. I'll be in trouble if you don't attack me properly with your magic swords. I can't seem to block your attacks from before, so I'll go easy on you."
"G-go easy on me!? Eek!?"
I had no choice but to strike Olive lightly with my staff, as if we were in training.
By the end of the day, Olive had collapsed without ever using her magic sword.
Riel seemed to handle Mist quite well, too.
Thanks to that, there wasn't much for the fox-spirit to do.
Honestly, I'll make sure they use their magic swords properly tomorrow.
Well, that’s all there is to these "magic swords."
It just goes to show that while they might waste experimental equipment and data, they pose no threat to Yuki and the others.
Next, we return to the conference room to discuss the connection to the dungeon core.