第６７１堀：おでかけの服選び (Part2)
"Well, if it were just the armor, that might be fine, but since I’ll be fighting in these gauntlets and greaves, I can’t use them for long without padding."
"That’s good to hear. Now, for the rest, point your right arm toward that target over there, support your right arm with your left, and while channeling your mana, press the switch on the right gauntlet."
Thinking there might be some minor mechanism involved, I did as instructed without a second thought...
"Is this it?"
*BOOM!!* *KA-BOOM!!*
"Huh?"
Wait? A spell similar to the legendary sword from earlier just flew out of my arm?
"Looks like there are no issues. Yes, that’s the cartridge. It’s disguised to look like a bolt, but it’s essentially the same as a sword hilt. Please use it well. Deryu-san, for some reason, can't handle these kinds of fine-tuned mechanisms in her gauntlets. Her raw power tends to break the delicate work, which is deeply saddening for a weaponsmith and enchanter like me... Well, what was it, armor next? You don't like clunky armor, do you? I suppose I could bring you some clothes made from the fiber I invented with Firia-chan..."
Saying that, Narjia-san flew off somewhere else again.
However, I couldn't react; my consciousness was completely stolen by the second legendary weapon attached to my arm.
"...Why? Why would they give us such legendary weapons so easily..."
As I stood there, shaken, a hand was suddenly placed on my shoulder. I turned to see Kagura standing there with a distant look in her eyes.
"...Listen, Enola. To Yuki and the others, these armaments are just products of their experiments. I wouldn't call them mere toys, but from their perspective, they’re second or third-rate weapons they can't even use."
"Huh?"
These are second or third-rate weapons?
"To Yuki and the others, they’re just handing out basic self-defense gear. This ring, too."
The ring Kagura showed me was embedded with a national-treasure-class enchantment. Come to think of it, even though it’s national-treasure-class, not only Kagura, but Mikos and Solo had them too...
"Listen, what makes Yuki and the others amazing isn't the powerful magic they use, their power as Dungeon Masters, or their power as Weed. It’s their ability to combine all of that to create something new, a different kind of strength. What you’ve seen and heard so far, Enola, is just a fraction of the power they possess. I’m sure there’s something else out there that even I don’t know about."
This is just a fraction of their power? And there’s still more I don’t know about?
As I stood stunned by the shocking truth from Kagura, a voice called out from another direction.
"Hey! Kagura, Mikos, Solo, Enola, did you find some good equipment?"
It seemed Yuki-sama had come to check on us... I immediately approached him and asked.
"U-um, are we being taken to a battlefield or something while carrying weapons like these!?"
Yes, even if they are second or third-rate weapons to Yuki-sama and his group, that doesn't change the fact that they are incredibly powerful to us. Giving us these meant we were being taken to a place that required them. We were personnel from another country here to help establish the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; our job wasn't to wage war.
"Hm? Ah, it’s not exactly a 'battlefield,' but it is a greeting to the If Continent, so we have to carry something appropriate."
"...I see. Indeed, if we are carrying weapons of this caliber, the people of the If Continent won't be able to look down on us."
So that was the reason. Because we were heading to the If Continent, which we hadn't visited before. They had provided this equipment to ensure our safety and standing as much as possible.
"Exactly. And if anyone does try to look down on you, I plan on having you knock them down one after another, so don't hold back."
"Huh?"
"What do you mean by that, Yuki!?"
"Hmm. Well, we’re heading to August, and there are various problems there. If things end quietly, that’s fine, but if something happens, I’m saying don't hold back."
"Ah, I see."
In other words, it’s about layering safety upon safety. This is common in negotiations. It’s the fault of the side that gets hot-headed and acts out, but it would be foolish to get hurt by taking violence quietly—that’s why we have this equipment. I was convinced, but Kagura didn't seem satisfied, and she asked Yuki-sama with a suspicious look.
"...Really?"
"Really."
The way he smiled as he said that... was somehow fishy.
There is nothing wrong with choosing clothes for an outing. Right? It’s the perfect equipment for an outing. To Narjia, they are just prototypes, and it’s fine if we just test their performance while we're out. Oh, and of course, Yuki and the others have disabled the self-destruct mechanisms.
***
*Author's Note: Since today is April 1st, April Fool's Day, here is a little joke.*
*"Celebration!! Anime adaptation confirmed!!"*
*I told a lie. It’s impossible, you know? It’s a lie. It would be difficult to adapt a story that is fun precisely because of conversations and explanations like these into an anime. There isn't even a shred of talk about such a thing. Got it? It’s a lie. Really.*