第８４４堀：解体現場 (Part2)
"Precisely. It is the core of the monster—the very essence that makes a monster a monster: the magic stone."
"Wait, since it’s a monster, isn't it only natural for one to drop?"
"Oh, you haven't realized it yet? Do you really think we’d just hand over an ordinary magic stone?"
"..."
Prompted by that, I take a closer look at the washed magic stone. It doesn't seem to have any particular distinguishing features. Well, if I had to point out something strange, it would be that for a stone of this size, the amount of stored magic power is unusually low...
Ah. Is this it?
"Is it the low amount of stored magic power?"
"Exactly. My, you really are quick on the uptake."
"Well, it’s easy enough when you tell me it’s a hint."
"Yes, yes. It’s a relief that you’re so easy to talk to, Yuki. Though, I suppose we can’t be certain with just one. We’ll need to examine a larger sample size."
It’s true; there’s a possibility that this single stone just happened to be an outlier.
"Um, Yuki-san? Could you explain what’s going on here?"
"Ah, sorry, Milly. To put it simply: Agil and Comet believe that the low magic power contained within these stones is the reason the monsters attacked Shera and the others first, while completely ignoring the fish."
"Magic power? But, Master, isn't magic power something that all living things possess to begin with?"
"Ah, you’re right, Kirue. Under normal circumstances, every living thing has magic power. But this continent is different. Do you understand?"
As I say this, Sasari, who is standing next to Kirue, seems to have had a realization and speaks up.
"Ah—that’s right. On this continent, thanks to Hairen-sama, there are no monsters that require magic stones, are there?"
"Exactly. Well, I hadn't confirmed if that influence extended as far as these waters, but that is what Agil and Comet were getting at. And now we understand what Shera meant when she said they were malnourished. Even if they eat the creatures in this sea, they don't recover much magic power."
Once I finish saying that, everyone seems to grasp the situation...
"Ah, I see. So that’s why these fish targeted Shera-chan."
"Compared to attacking the soldiers on the warships, Shera-chan possesses overwhelming magic power."
"If they wanted to replenish their magic, she’d be the ultimate bait."
"Though it seems they didn't think as far as whether they could actually eat her or not."
While the little ones understood, General Rake, who had been helping with the dissection, asks a question of his own.
"Hmm. However, Yuki-sama, that leaves one question. Certainly, Shera-dono possesses a great deal of magic power. But you and your companions on this ship possess even more vast amounts of magic. Why, then, did these monsters swarm only Shera-dono?"
General Rake’s doubt is perfectly valid. But there is a sound reason for it. Before I can answer, however...
"General Rake, the answer to that question is simple. This carrier and its escort ships are equipped with devices that deploy magic barriers, aren't they?"
"Yes. We are grateful that you provided them for the 5th Fleet as well."
"Indeed. Well, regarding those devices—aside from the magic barriers, they have one other function. We’ve installed a feature that suppresses magic signatures."
Agil and Comet answer.
That’s right. This marine research fleet is equipped not only with magic barriers for safety but also with a suppression system to ensure that nothing can detect the massive reservoirs of magic power that we represent.
"...Come to think of it, there are monsters that react to those who possess magic power, aren't there?"
"Exactly. As expected of General Rake, you’ve done your homework. If there were monsters of that type in these waters, we would have been under constant attack without a moment's rest."
"So, we were hiding ourselves by suppressing our magic. These monsters, however, remembered the warships they had attacked previously, so they attacked upon seeing the ships."
"I see. Is that how it is?"
"Regardless, as I said earlier, this is still just one example. We need to examine the other stones to be certain."
"Alright, everyone! Let’s do our best to find those magic stones!"
Comet points toward a towering mountain of entrails.
"Hey. You haven't separated them yet?"
"“Do you really think we’re capable of something so dexterous!”"
Are these two just women who can't clean up after themselves?!
Women who can't clean. Is that what they call 'mo-jo'? It sounds like the name of some kind of yokai. Well, it’s not limited to women; there are plenty of people who can't keep things tidy. It’s just like that.