第６７１堀：おでかけの服選び (Part1)
**Chapter 671: Choosing Outfits for the Outing**
**Side: Enora Hylen, Bishop Proxy of the Hylen Church in the Kingdom of Haiden, currently on assignment in Weed.**
"Yes, yes! What kind of coordination are we looking for today? Annihilation? Erasure? Wide-area type? Full-field type? Barrage? Or perhaps a one-shot-kill super-firepower model?"
A spirit—no, a member of the Fairy race—was fluttering around in front of me, saying things I didn't quite understand.
They aren't exactly common in Weed, but I see them occasionally. They are a race said to be the ancestors of our spirit warriors and shrine maidens—a race we believed had gone extinct in our lands long ago. Yet, on the continent where Weed is located, they seem to be quite ordinary. They are still a rare race, but apparently, you can find them if you look.
...It was a realization of just how narrow our own world had been. But that wasn't the point right now.
"Um, Dressa? Why are you having this Narjia-san pick out weapons for us?"
I asked Dressa, who had brought us here. She had told us that we were helping Yuki-sama and that we should prepare for an overnight stay, which is why we were brought to this place. But looking at this, it feels like we’re being equipped to hunt wild beasts or bandits...
"Weapons, weapons, weapons..."
Dressa seemed puzzled by my words and stared at Narjia-san.
"You mean weapons, right?"
When I looked back at Narjia-san, she was saying, "This longsword is a simplified version of the gun-sword that Ria-san carries. If you do this..."
*Thud-thud-thud... BOOM!!*
"Huh?"
Something shot out from the tip of the blade, struck a target far in the distance, and erupted in a massive explosion. Not just once, but several times over. Regardless of the power, being able to fire in such a rapid burst is something only the top-tier students at the Haiden Magic Academy could hope to achieve.
"Well, as you can see, it can do three-shot bursts, single shots..."
*BOOM!!*
"...and it also has rapid fire."
*Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-thud... BOOM!!*
"Now, for this longsword, it's a bit much to load live ammunition, so it only supports magical cartridges. However, instead, you can do this..."
She took a gemstone attached to the hilt, swapped it for another similar one, and continued.
"By swapping these out—which are processed monster cores, or magic stones—you can fire again. You just need to pour magic into them. For those of us with vast reserves, there's no need to swap them out, but it's a good method to avoid misfires or excessive magic consumption. The only drawback is that it’s just a regular sword in fields where emission-type magic is nullified. So, what do you think?!"
She held the sword out to me.
"E-er, Narjia-sama. Please forgive my questioning. I don't quite understand, but are we heading somewhere that requires such legendary weaponry? Yuki-sama told me we were just going to look around the site, didn't he?"
Yes, that was it. I was certain that was what I heard. It was supposed to be related to the establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Surely, a task like that wouldn't require carrying legendary weapons...
"Ah, I see. You mean we should carry these to show everyone how much is expected of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' establishment?"
It was a common tactic—a display of power, a show of authority. It’s like when the Hylen Church gathers in large numbers to visit various countries. It’s an easy way to demonstrate, *Look at the power we can mobilize.* It’s no different from a threat, but if such a clear display can suppress trouble, there’s no reason not to do it. Though, many people are easily intoxicated by overwhelming power...
But that should be fine in Weed. After all, Sota-sama and Yuki-sama are there. Just as I was convincing myself of this...
"Eh? You aren't going to use it?" Narjia-sama looked surprised.
"Eh? Are we going to war?"
With just one of these weapons, one could scatter not just a squad, but a thousand soldiers. That’s the only situation I could imagine using this in. As we both stood there, frozen in confusion, Dressa and the others stepped in.
"Yes, yes. For now, this longsword isn't Enora's specialty weapon. She’s a brawler."
"That's right. Please use something else for her. Besides, we don't want to provoke the other side, so let’s go with something more subdued."
"Exactly. I know Jia-onee is amazing, but let's go with that for now."
"I see. That can't be helped, then. Let's see... then, Micos-san, you take the longsword. Here."
"Feh!?"
Perhaps convinced, she handed the dangerous sword to Micos for some reason.
"Huh? You’re good with swords, right?"
"Y-yes."
"I’ve only given you the ring so far, and I hadn't given you a weapon yet, had I?"
"T-that's right."
"Then, tell me how it feels later. I’m going to head to the armory for a bit."
"..."
Micos stood there, face pale, holding the legendary weapon of slaughter. Of course she was. That weapon was clearly beyond her capabilities. Why would she so casually hand over such a legendary weapon, especially to someone from another country?
I was thoroughly confused. I decided to ask Kagura, who seemed to know the situation.
"Hey, Kagura?"
"W-what?"
"Why is Narjia-sama lending such legendary weapons to people from other countries like us? Is it because Yuki-sama trusts us that much?"
"..."
"The 'gun' or whatever it was that I saw at the headquarters was amazing, but a sword with similar capabilities is even more incredible. I mean, it can fire explosive fire magic in rapid succession! Oh, I see, the gun was modeled after that sword, wasn't it? But even so, it feels rude to say this about Micos, but surely these aren't things that can just be lent out to us, right?"
"..."
...But there was no reaction from Kagura. Why? Is she ignoring me to play around? She didn't look like she was doing that, though...
While we were talking, Narjia-san returned from the armory.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Enora-san, you're a martial arts type, just like Deryu-san, right?"
"Eh, ah, yes."
"Then, please take this."
She handed me a pair of gauntlets, polished so brightly they reflected like mirrors. I decided to put off asking Kagura for now and accepted them.
"These are excellent gauntlets. No unnecessary decorations, and it looks like high-quality iron was used."
I said so honestly. Honestly, I thought, *I already have gauntlets I'm used to, why give me new ones?* But this is Weed, after all. And this is the handiwork of Narjia-sama, who crafts the weapons for Weed's VIPs.
"For now, please try them on. We'll need to check the fit and comfort."
"Yes. Then, excuse me..."
I tried them on right there. I see. They don't just use straps to secure them; they have iron bars inserted like bolts between the straps to increase durability. This way, even if the straps come loose, the gauntlets won't fall off. A double-layered precaution, I suppose?
After that, I opened and closed my hands and tried a few forms.
"Yes. The padding on the inside feels great, too. I think I can put quite a bit of force into my strikes without damaging my fists."
Without that padding, the shock from the gauntlets would transfer directly to the skin, which is quite painful.