The relocation of the magic-barrier-generating organ removed from the Holy Capital into the fortress had been completed.
Naturally, this was also the first undertaking of its kind for the Chimiya Family.
Its function had been passed down by oral tradition, but no one knew how it actually worked in practice.
“As I explained before, the barrier will not appear for a certain period of time. For the barrier to appear, we likely have to wait until it takes root.”
“I understand. And I also understand that the length of that period is unknown.”
Neun=Iris and Supreme Patriarch Turanta were speaking while checking the surrounding situation in the command room. At present, the fortress was in the middle of active construction, and the two of them had made it their daily routine to constantly share information.
“About ten of us have already begun prayer. What is needed is true desire. In the Holy Capital, prayer was conducted by many believers, but with us, the Chimiya Family, a small number can produce an equivalent effect.”
“Awakening the <Magic Stone> through prayer, is it? A phenomenon difficult for us to understand.”
Neun replied negatively to Turanta’s explanation.
That said, by now, the two of them shared the understanding that exchanges like this were part of their communication, a stylish little joke, according to <Iris>.
It was not as though their relationship had worsened.
“Science, was it? A method where every phenomenon has a reason, and by preparing that reason, you cause the desired result. To knock down a stick placed somewhere beyond reach...”
“In your case, you can knock it down by willing it to happen. We cannot reproduce that.”
The Chimiya Family could use the technology called <magic> with relative ease.
If they wanted to knock down a stick in a distant location, they could simply activate <magic> and topple it remotely.
“We throw a stone in order to knock down the stick. To ensure it hits, we perfectly control the size of the stone, the strength of the arm swing, and the point where the stone leaves the hand. If the size of the stone differs, we can adjust the force so it hits properly. But if we prepare stones of exactly the same size and weight, then by throwing them at the same place with the same force each time, we can make certain they will hit. That is what it means.”
“And you can instantly share that motion with many of your compatriots, while also creating more and more compatriots in the first place. Newly born compatriots know from the start how to knock down the stick. For us, it takes more than ten years after birth before we can knock down a stick for the first time.”
The Chimiya Family had already begun to understand <Paraiso>’s true essence.
Of course, this did not mean they had mastered the enormous body of knowledge called <science>.
It meant they understood that <Paraiso> used a technology different from the magic they used to cause phenomena that looked just like magic.
“I understand the part about grasping the principles, but in the end, even our magic feels as though it would be analyzed by you in no time.”
“We cannot detect the magic you use. If we cannot detect it, that means we cannot observe it. Without accurate information, we cannot create anything that moves.”
The two of them deepened their exchange through a conversation that seemed to have substance and yet had none at all.
And then, about one week passed after the Chimiya Family began praying to the <Magic Stone>.
As for confirming the barrier, they were checking it by bombarding it every day. At present, the barrier still had not appeared.
However, one observation result had emerged that absolutely could not be ignored.
Namely, the mana concentration in the surrounding area, including the fortress itself, had risen noticeably.
They had already consulted the Chimiya Family about this as well.
But since there was no precedent, and the extent of the effect was unknown, they had ultimately concluded that they had no choice but to continue monitoring it for some time.
◇◇◇◇
“Now then, Asahi. You said you specifically wanted to make this report orally, so I arranged this meeting.”
“Yes, no problem, <Ringo>. For the moment, I thought I needed to report it to you. It still feels a little too uncertain to tell Big Sister, you see...”
This was a lounge inside <The Tree>.
Inside the room were a doll-machine communicator controlled by <Ringo>, and Asahi.
“Would information sharing not have sufficed? Especially if the information is uncertain.”
“Hmm. Well, yes, that’s true. This is just intuition, 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 best to set the matter aside for now.
Experience had shown that even when an event was unnecessary to <Ringo>, it might be necessary in terms of <Absurd Fantasy>.
“For the moment, I accept that. Then, may we proceed to the main subject?”
“You’re so impatient, <Ringo>. This is a tea party after all, so why not enjoy it a little more?”
“...Very well. If you say so, then surely that too has some meaning, does it not?”
“Huh? 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 going along with 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 too. Nutritionally, they’re perfect for me. Big Sister Akane really is incredible.”
“If you think so, perhaps you should come back more often. We can serve Akane’s home cooking as well.”
“That is very tempting, but, well, you know. Right?”
They continued making that sort of casual conversation.
Eventually, the prepared sweets were gone, and Asahi seemed to decide it was time to get to the main subject.
“Now then... To start with the report. As <Ringo> knows, magical tools usually use <Magic Stones>. In other words, <Magic Stones> are used as power sources!”
“Yes. I believe I understand that, precisely from your report.”
“As expected of <Ringo>! Now, magical tools also come in passive types and active types. In other words, there are two kinds: types that are always active, and types that require some sort of action when used!”
Asahi began talking about her beloved magic and raised her own excitement all on her own.
If this sort of topic was thrown her way, Asahi would perk right up.
Well, rather than someone throwing it her way, she simply started it herself.
“Passive types pose no problem! The most familiar example is the mana meter! That reacts to the concentration of mana around it and automatically indicates the mana concentration! The problem is active types!”
“I have indeed heard that active types will not activate no matter what we do. And?”
“Yes, that is the problem! Now, to the main subject. I actually brought one here with me.”
What Asahi took out was a palm-sized magical tool.
“Hmm. If I recall, that is used for ignition, yes? The one adventurers # Nоvеlight # value highly.”
“Yes, exactly! It seems this activates when you think, ‘ignite’...”
Asahi twirled the rod-shaped magical tool in her hand while displaying a projected display beside her.
What appeared on it seemed to be the analysis results for the magical tool.
“There seems to be a troublesome monster in the <Demon Forest> called a fire-breathing lizard. It’s a very annoying creature that sets the forest on fire and triggers wildfires. Apparently, its ecology involves making burned clearings, where grass grows and small insects gather for it to prey on. Couldn’t it find a slightly more efficient way to live?”
Apparently, this ignition magical tool was 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 breathes fire from the tip.”
As she explained that, Asahi smoothly pointed the perforated tip into empty space.
FWOOSH.
The ignition magical tool performed its function.
