92: 'Hetero Water Mirror'

"Back again, I am."

"Welcome back, Sata."

"Welcome back, Master Sata."

"Good work. It's incredible you managed to warp solo like that."

The destination of the transfer was aboard the ship formerly known as 'Pumpkin Witch,' now renamed 'Cool Cocatrix,' at a point about one meter away from Viridiana.

Successfully arrived—no mishaps.

Well, to be honest, I originally teleported to a point farther away, then visually confirmed the destination from the main body before flying over.

I was worried about overlapping coordinates if I flew in too casually, since 'Cool Cocatrix' was moving.

Anyway, if I don’t say it, you won’t know, right?

"So, Satā. Did you manage to secure cooperation from Seiryō Corporation?"

"Basically. The effect is a device capable of detecting cosmic monsters... in other words, a radar, and something that allows my special technique to be used within a star system. However, I haven't read the manual yet, so I don't fully understand how to operate it precisely."

"I see."

"I've also heard it's not very accurate or stable, so it's not guaranteed to work properly."

"Noted. We'll have to be careful."

I place the two objects I received from Dr. Mizeon before Viridianiara and the others—a machine shaped like a tray and a ring made from the main material.

Then, I transfer the instructions sent to Viridianiara's terminals.

Hmm, let's check the radar first.

From Viridianiara's expression, it seems the Megalynia hasn't been detected yet.

"Designation: Prototype No. 40, portable size, Mizumi-style anomaly detection radar, Ver. 1.06, acronym 'I-Sui Kyō'... Looks correct, right?"

"Is double-checking really necessary?"

"Trusting that they didn't make a mistake and actually needing to verify are two different things. Mistakes or accidents can happen. Then again, if we're going to say that, we'd end up being told to make sure they confirmed it properly before bringing it back..."

"It's fine to just overlook it, given how rushed they were. We were right this time, after all."

At least the manual and the actual device number match up.

Incidentally, the 'Hetero Water Mirror' resembles a shallow basin or a flat dish about 30 centimeters in diameter, with several terminals and memory-like components visible, but at first glance, it certainly doesn't look like a radar at all.

As for the crucial part—how to use it...

"I see. This certainly has issues with accuracy and stability. But, that's assuming an ordinary human is handling it."

"Quite the expert, Memo. You've already finished reading the manual, I see. So... can you use it?"

"Memo, I can manage somehow."

Memo seemed to have finished reading the instruction manual.

Truly impressive for an artificial intelligence.

But with Memo's specifications, 'manage somehow'? What does that even mean?

"Still, Memo only handles basic startup and processing. Left like this, we won't be able to eliminate noise properly, and we won't get meaningful results."

Upon further inquiry,

this radar, known as the 'Hishui Kyō,' is apparently so defective that it might as well be called a flawed product—its specifications are exceptionally demanding.

Therefore, if it's to be used by a machine intelligence like the imperial princess named Memokushi, it would require specifications of that caliber. Even when installed on a regular machine without intelligence, it would still demand a sizable casing and a top-tier operator, making it clearly impractical to carry around.

Moreover, even if one manages to prepare such a device, it still won't be able to eliminate noise, meaning we won't achieve the results we desire in its current state.

"Fortunately, however, there is a solution."

"What do you mean?"

"It's Lady Johalis."

"Me? Really?"

Well, putting aside the technical details,

apparently, the way to use the 'Strange Water Mirror' is to pour the required amount of liquid into the basin.

And the quickest method for removing noise is to have a slime-type enter the basin.

Depending on the generation of the slime, it can reduce the noise to a usable level just by doing so.

"I see. There won't be any issues with my body, right?"

"It seems the company, Seiryo, has thoroughly tested it, and they guarantee no problems even after continuous use for 168 hours."

So, in this case, it appears Joharis can safely enter the machine without any issues.

"……"

"Satā, you seem to have something on your mind."

"No, well, yeah. I just couldn't help wondering—how come he knows about Joharis's existence, even though he shouldn't?"

"True, it does seem like a targeted choice... but maybe it's just coincidence? Even if Joharis weren't around, we could've found at least one slime-type creature somewhere in the Flaretanbo system. And the manual even explains what to do if there are no slime-types present."

"……"

Overthinking it... I guess, logically speaking, it's probably just coincidence.

Dr. Mizeon surely knew I'd become subordinate to Viridianiela, and it's certain he also knew about Memokshi—the excellent mechanical intelligence who was one of his colleagues.

But beyond that, it's definitely just coincidence.

Just as Viridianiela said, the manual even includes instructions for what to do when she's not around.

"Ohh, weird feeling I'm getting here."

"That's right. It's a strange sensation, almost like a memo. Could this be the world that Master Sata is feeling?"

"That's an intriguing thought."

"Well, I don't know. The way I sense different operating systems is pretty subjective... I'm not even sure if it's truly matching up..."

"I see..."

Meanwhile, as we were talking, Memokushi was holding the 'Hishui Mirror' like a basin, with a jelly-like creature—Joharis, a type without a core—compressed into a floating sphere above it, its surface rippling.

"Then, Memo, Joharis-san. How long will the detection take?"

"Still a little while... perhaps ten to fifteen minutes, Mistress Vee."

"Seems like it'll take some time to get used to."

Understood. Please let me know once the results are in. Sata, while we wait, we'll also prepare the other item.

That's right. It's better if we can avoid using it, but it would be troublesome if we can't rely on it when needed.

I look away from Mequxi and Joharlis, then start reading the instructions for the ring alongside Virijanira.

Once I finish reading, Virijanira says:

"I'll be the one using this ring. Is that alright with you, Sata?"

"I understand. More accurately, it feels like there's no one else suitable but you, Vee."

Vilijanira solemnly puts on the bracelet, her expression resolute.

Well, it's only natural she'd make up her mind.

After all, misusing it could potentially blow apart everything within a light-year or so.

"Let me be clear on one thing: of course, Vee is included among the things I want to protect."

"……Yes. I'll keep that in mind."

Moreover, if used incorrectly, it could easily lead to a complete reversal of priorities.

That was precisely what it was.

"Vee-sama, Sata-sama. I've detected them. Meglinia is located… beneath the sea."

"……"

Shortly thereafter, the memo pinpointed Meglinia's location.

11/15 Correction of typo