The relocation of the magic-barrier-generating organ taken from the Holy Capital into the fortress had been completed.
Naturally, this was a first for the Chimiya Family as well.
Its functions had been passed down orally, but no one knew how it actually worked in practice.
“As I told you before, the barrier will not appear for a certain period of time. For the barrier to appear, we will likely need to wait for it to take root.”
“Understood. As is the fact that the length of that period is unknown.”
Neun=Iris and Supreme Patriarch Turanta were conversing in the command room while checking the surrounding situation. At present, the fortress was still in the middle of full-scale construction, and the two of them had made it a daily routine to constantly share information.
“We have already begun prayer with around ten people. What is needed is a true wish. In the Holy Capital, prayer was performed by many believers, but if it is us, the Chimiya Family, a small number should be able to produce an equivalent effect.”
“Awakening the <Magic Stone> through prayer, is it? A phenomenon difficult for us to understand.”
Neun returned a negative-sounding comment to Turanta’s explanation.
That said, by this point, both of them shared the understanding that this sort of thing was already part of their communication: a stylish little joke, according to <Iris>.
It was not as though their relationship had worsened.
“Science, was it? The method in which every phenomenon has a reason, and by preparing that reason, one causes the desired result. To knock over a stick standing somewhere out of reach...”
“If it were you, you could knock it over by willing it to fall. We cannot reproduce that.”
The Chimiya Family could use the technology known as <magic> with relative ease.
If they wanted to knock over a stick some distance away, they would simply activate <magic> and knock it over remotely.
“We throw a stone to knock the stick over. To ensure it always hits, we perfectly control the size of the stone, the motion of the arm when throwing it, and the point where the stone leaves the hand. If the stone’s size differs, we can also adjust the force so it hits properly. But if we prepare stones of exactly the same size and weight, then by throwing them with the same strength at the same place every time, we can make certain they hit. That is how it works.”
“And that action can be instantly shared with large numbers of your compatriots, and in the first place, more of those ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) compatriots are constantly being made. The moment a new compatriot is born, that compatriot already knows how to knock the stick over. Whereas for us, more than ten years pass after birth before we can knock down a stick for the first time.”
The Chimiya Family had already begun to understand the true essence of <Paraiso>.
Of course, that did not mean they had acquired the vast body of knowledge known as <science>.
It meant they understood that <Paraiso> was using a technology different from the magic they used to produce phenomena that seemed just like magic.
“I understand the part about understanding the principles, but in the end, even our magic seems as if it would be analyzed in no time if you turned your attention to it.”
“We cannot detect the magic you use. If we cannot detect it, we cannot observe it. If we do not know accurate information, we cannot create anything that moves.”
The two of them continued their exchange, a conversation that seemed to have substance but in fact had almost none, and deepened their relationship that way.
About one week passed after the Chimiya Family began praying to the <Magic Stone>.
They checked whether the barrier had appeared by firing on it every day. At present, no barrier had appeared yet.
However, a single observation result had emerged that absolutely could not be ignored.
Namely, the mana concentration in the surrounding region, including the fortress itself, was rising noticeably.
They had already consulted the Chimiya Family about this.
But with no precedent and an unknown range of effects, they had concluded that there was nothing to do but continue monitoring it for the time being.
◇◇◇◇
“Now then, Asahi. I created this opportunity because you said you wished to report verbally despite the extra effort.”
“Yes, no problem, <Ringo>. For now, I thought I needed to report this to you. It feels a little too vague to tell Big Sister about it...”
This was a lounge inside <The Tree>.
Inside the room were the doll-machine communicator controlled by <Ringo>, and Asahi.
“Would information linkage not have been sufficient? Especially if the information is uncertain.”
“Hmm. Well, yes, it would. This is an intuitive matter, but I think talking face-to-face like this is probably important too.”
At Asahi’s answer, <Ringo> attached a question tag to it, then judged it should be left pending for the moment.
There was a rule of thumb that even events unnecessary to <Ringo> might become necessary in terms of <Absurd Fantasy>.
“For now, I understand. Then, may we proceed to the main subject?”
“You’re impatient, <Ringo>. Since we went to the trouble of holding a tea party, shouldn’t we enjoy it a little more?”
“...Very well. If you say so, then surely that too has some meaning?”
“Hm? No, not really.”
“............”
That said.
It was not as though <Ringo> and Asahi were on bad terms. Rather, Asahi, the youngest sister, was more on the doted-on side.
One way or another, <Ringo> was keeping her company for this tea party. It would not be wrong to say she was indulging her.
“Still, sweets really are wonderful. They look gorgeous, and they taste good. In terms of nutritional value, for me, they’re perfect. Big Sister Akane really is amazing.”
“If you feel that way, why not come home a little more often? We can serve Akane’s home cooking too.”
“That is extremely tempting, but, well, you know. Right?”
They continued exchanging that sort of casual chatter.
Eventually, the sweets that had been prepared were gone, and Asahi apparently decided to get to the main subject.
“Now then... for the report, first of all. As <Ringo> knows, magical tools normally use <Magic Stones>. In other words, <Magic Stones> are used as their power source!”
“Yes. I believe I understand that precisely because it was reported by you.”
“As expected of <Ringo>! Now, magical tools also come in passive and active types. In other words, there are two kinds: the type that is always active, and the type that requires some kind of action when used!”
Asahi began talking about her beloved magic, and her excitement rose all on its own.
For the time being, as long as this sort of topic was thrown her way, Asahi would perk right up.
Well, rather than anyone throwing it to her, she usually started on her own.
“Passive types are no problem! The most familiar example would be mana meters! Those react to the density of surrounding mana and automatically indicate the mana concentration! The problem is active types!”
“Indeed, I have heard that active types cannot be activated no matter what we do. And?”
“Yes, that is the problem! So, to get to the main point, I brought this with me.”
What Asahi took out was a palm-sized magical tool.
“Hmm. If I recall, that is used for ignition? Adventurers value it highly.”
“Yes, exactly! It seems this activates if you will it to ignite, but...”
Asahi spun the rod-shaped magical tool in her hand while displaying a projected screen beside her.
What appeared there seemed to be the magical tool’s analysis results.
“Apparently, there’s a troublesome monster called a fire-breathing lizard in the <Demon Forest>. It’s an incredibly annoying thing that sets the forest on fire and triggers wildfires. It seems its ecology is to wait for grass to grow in the burned-open area and then prey on the small insects that come there. Couldn’t it live a little more efficiently?”
This ignition magical tool was apparently made using the ignition organ and <Magic Stone> of that monster.
“In any case, when a human thinks, ‘I want to use this to light a fire,’ this thing blows fire from the tip.”
As she explained, Asahi smoothly pointed the perforated tip into empty space.
FOOM.
The ignition magical tool performed its function.
