第５１０堀：想って作って造って創るのです (Part2)
"Running along the ground is better for fighting. I learned that from Brother, but as he said, it’s not actually all that useful. At most, it’s only good for jumping up to high places. If you’re flying through the sky, you just attract attention, and it’s a hassle because you can’t really use it for travel anyway. If you want to move through the air quickly, you should just ride with the Wyvern Corps, and if you’re going a long distance, it’s easier to just use a Gate."
"..."
The three of them were staring at me, completely dumbfounded.
"Oh, that’s right. This is perfect timing. Yuki-san asked me to prepare some gifts for our guests. I was planning to come by later to make some adjustments, but is now a good time?"
"Oh, yes. Wait, Firia, what about your schedule after this?"
"Nothing in particular. But it shouldn't take too long, okay?"
"It’s fine. They aren't exactly high-performance, and since Firia-chan is here, we'll be done in about an hour."
"Then that’s fine."
"Alright then, everyone, please come this way. Oh, and let’s check Aslin-chan and the others' equipment while we’re at it."
"Okay!"
"...You aren't going to add any troublesome features again, are you?"
"...I’d prefer to avoid that, as it takes too long to learn how to use them properly."
"Rest assured, it’s just a check-up. Since we don't know the environment of that continent, it would be a waste to give you new features or prototypes, and we wouldn't be able to get accurate data anyway. Oh, but the warhammer Firia-chan mentioned is finished, so I’d like you to test that out."
"It’s done!?"
"Yes. I made it in a rush during the recent commotion. I figured since Firia-chan can maintain it herself, it would be fine."
For that reason, we went into Narjia-neesama’s workshop in the back to adjust the gifts for the three of them. They weren't anything particularly amazing. I just had them choose between a necklace or a ring and handed it over. Of course, these weren't just ordinary accessories. They were rings that provided defense, natural healing, detoxification, and even allowed the wearer to use minor magic.
"..."
Well, to those three, these were practically out-of-place artifacts, so they were quite shocked. Narjia-neesama and the others had said that this was being too generous, but when Brother said that if these three died, his work would become even busier, everyone was convinced. Still, they were just made from leftover materials, so their performance was several tiers below what Firia and the others were equipped with.
"Here you go. I’ve also added a tiny Item Box function, so please take five bottles each of recovery potions and panaceas, and choose one weapon you like from that shelf over there. If you keep them in the Item Box, you can take them out whenever you need them, so they’ll serve as weapons for emergencies."
"..."
As expected, their jaws were hanging open.
"C-c-could it be that we are allowed to receive such... legendary items?"
Finally, Catherine spoke, trembling as she stared at the ring on her finger.
"It’s fine. I just made them on the side, anyway."
"O-on the side!? T-then, the weapons over there as well..."
"Yes. I made those to clear my head. They don't have any major effects. At most, they improve your physical abilities or allow you to fire magic from the weapon."
"H-how is that just for clearing your head!?"
Old man Georgin and Kagura were also shaking as they stared at the weapon rack.
"...Well, that’s a normal reaction, isn't it?"
"...I suppose so. Everything here is basically something that anyone outside of Weed would pay a fortune to acquire."
"Those rings are practically national treasures, too."
"Yes. They shouldn't even exist under normal circumstances."
As Labyris and Shera were talking, Narjia-neesama brought me a large warhammer.
"Firia-chan. Try swinging this over there. It has the performance you requested, so give us a demonstration. Then those three should feel comfortable choosing their own without hesitation."
"Understood."
The warhammer I received had a head twice as large as the one I had been using. It had been properly processed with magic formulas, and the special effects were working perfectly. I confirmed the base stat boost and the wind-based magic formula that assisted in swinging the weapon; this allowed me to swing the warhammer easily without reducing its actual weight.
...I’d start crying if someone told me guns or magic were better, so I’d prefer they didn't. This was strictly for close-range annihilation when guns or magic couldn't be used. Thinking about the existential purpose of the warhammer made me feel empty, so I quickly moved to test its performance.
"Quake Wind!"
I shouted and slammed the warhammer into the ground.
*Thud!!*
The sound echoed as the ground caved in... and then—
*Crash!!*
I used the wind from the additional effect to blast the kicked-up gravel outward. It was an application of a shotgun. The power depended on the footing, but if I stopped the swing just before hitting the ground, I could also use it as a wind-based deterrent. As expected of Narjia-neesama.
"It won't be that powerful, so please feel free to choose whatever you like."
"O-oh, okay."