Manowa 342

 Chapter 342 - Let's Investigate the Cause


The day after the meeting with Guild Master Runei, Kazane and the others were summoned to the royal castle, and the award ceremony for the title Liberator was held in the throne room. At that same time, Kazane handed the letter from Hyvern Dukedom's Archduke Rynox to Queen Yuuko. Though since Yuuko-nee already knew the contents due to emails from Kazane and Ao, this was meant to inform the surroundings that she had been formally told the story by Rynox.

Also, Prince Sieg was already heading to Tsuvara, so it looked like their next meeting would be at Audin's coronation ceremony.


「Yuuko-nee's child? I'm looking forward to meeting him.」


And Yumika couldn't get Naoki's muttered words out of her mind. Didn't that mean bloodshed might be unavoidable?... she thought and shuddered. And would the flowing blood be Prince Sieg's or Naoki's? Either way, Yumika thought that great care needed to be taken to prevent Naoki from attacking Prince Sieg or Yuuko-nee from attacking Naoki.



◎ Near Royal Capital Shubain, Just Past Noon


「A harem can't be formed with just love. Cooperation between women and the ability to manage the collective are important...?」

Emily was secretly taught the secrets to a successful harem by Anne yesterday. A harem is a collective that surrounds a man. The man seems to be the core, but us women hold the reins... she was told that with a laugh. Then Emily's shoulder was struck and she was given the motivating words「Do your best.」

However... Emily thought as she saw Yumika punching Naoki.


「Come now, avoid it, Naoki.」

「Damn it. Even though there's already a difference in ability, Kuromaru's also with you!?」


(Can I live together with Yumika)

She felt like it could go smoothly with Tiara. Thinking about the difference in status, it wasn't something she should normally be optimistic about. But considering her own social standing and Tiara's personality, there probably wouldn't be a problem. Former King Mefirus might even give his stamp of approval for this matter.

But Yumika was different. The person herself denied it, but when it came to Naoki, Emily felt there was a difference between herself and Yumika that was far greater than one or two steps. She felt there was a danger of Naoki being monopolized someday.


「Hey. If you don't run away, you'll dieー. Kuromaruー, eat him.」

「Stop. If you say that, he'll really eat me. Dangerous. No, seriously!?」


After all, right now, Emily couldn't join that enjoyable training. That was vexing.


「Ah, he was bitten.」

「GyaAAAAAAA」


That usual everyday life was occurring there.


Currently, Emily and the others were training on a plain that was a little away from Royal Capital Shubain. Since the award ceremony was that morning, they couldn't do their early morning training, so they made up for it by starting their evening training early.

However, Kazane was not among them. Kazane went to the Magiria Magic Tool Workshop to have her『Dragon Eating Ogre Army Armor』processed.



◎ Royal Capital Shubain, Magiria Magic Tool Workshop


「This time for sure, I'll have you do it for me.」

「Yes, of course.」

After Kazane enthusiastically entered Magiria Magic Tool Workshop, Agato immediately made a suitable reply and nodded with satisfaction. It looked like he was very pleased by the flight ability that was given to Mighty. It seemed he had been out with Mighty until just a short while ago.


「Well, I'll examine it at once, so please come inside.」


So saying, Agato invited Kazane to enter a certain workshop.

Despite appearances, Agato was a tuner for every magic tool. His ability for magic tool creation was unremarkable, but when it came to adjustments and processing, there was no one better in all of Minshiana.



◎ Magiria Magic Tool Workshop, Investigation Room


And the room Kazane was taken to by Agato was a large room with magic circles drawn on the walls, ceiling, and floor. There was a decorated pedestal installed in the center of the room, and there were small staff-like objects with crystals on top sticking out of the ground here and there around the room.


「This is?」

「It's a room tuned for detailed investigation of magic tools and the like.」

Agato so answered Kazane's question.

「The room itself is like a magic tool. It is designed to bring out and visualize the magical power flow and magic formulas inside magic tools.」

「Really? But this is for magic tools, isn't it?」

While impressed by Agato's words, Kazane asked about the part she was interested in from the explanations she had just heard.

「Yes. However, arms made from monster materials are basically classified as magic tools. No matter what special characteristics they have, such as granting abilities or having their own will, that doesn't change the fact that they're constructed by magical power flow and magic formulas.」

「...... I see.」

While explaining to Kazane, Agato was moving between the staffs sticking out of the floor and loading them with magical power one by one to activate them.

「Speaking of which, I also tried investigating Mighty here several times, but...」

「How was it?」

Kazane had told him in advance that she had no problems with him analyzing Mighty. Just like with the Golem user Yuzu, she was wondering what a professional's investigation might uncover. Kazane was hoping they would inform her of the results someday. However, based on Agato's expression, it seemed it didn't go smoothly.

「I could see the magic formula. But the structure itself was too different from what we know, so unfortunately, I gave up investigating.」

So saying, Agato shrugged.

「That's how it is, huh?」

And after thinking a little, he said more.

「The approach is different from ours... no, it's like the magic is dozens of generations ahead of the magic we handle. It seems to be different from the ancient Ishtaria civilization's magic as well.」

「Is that so? I'm able to use it, but I don't know in detail. I thought I should understand it a little better if I could, but...」

So saying, Kazane and Agato's shoulders both dropped.

In a similar way, Kazane had given the Golem user Yuzu a『Muscle Clay Doll Golem』made using her Skill. The controlling magic formula for that should be simplified to a certain extent, so she might be able to get good results, but it seems the extent to which it can be investigated is questionable... Kazane thought.

「Although, when it comes to monster material arms, our knowledge is a little better. Can you give me the armor?」

After Agato's words, Kazane nodded and took the『Dragon Eating Ogre Army Armor』out of her Item Box. The light armor had an organic, metallic, and sinister design; it looked like exposed muscles had hardened into a villainous form. That armor currently retained its shape as Kazane's armor, but it had no joints or the like, so its shape deformed and stuck to Kazane when she actually wanted to put it on.

When he saw it, Agato's face warped.

「A cursed armament...? No, the will dwelling inside is too powerful, so it oozes out?」

So saying, Agato took a step back.

「You understand just from looking at it?」

「When it's to this extent, even an amateur could tell. Since Kazane-sama is recognized by this armor, you might not be able to sense it, but it's releasing an excessive amount of bloodlust to the surroundings. I see, this certainly might require my help.」

Despite saying that, Agato didn't try to approach the『Dragon Eating Ogre Army Armor』. On the contrary, he was slowly stepping back.

「Agato... san?」

「It's hopeless. It feels like I'll be killed the moment I touch it. Sorry, but could you put that armor in the center for me?」

「Eh? Yeah. Understood.」

Following Agato's instructions, Kazane walked to the center of the room and placed the『Dragon Eating Ogre Army Armor』on the pedestal.

「Well then, shall we take a look?」

So saying, Agato dispatched the magic formula constructed around him. Then, from the jewels on the tops of the staffs sticking out of the ground in the surrounding area, lights were emitted toward the『Dragon Eating Ogre Army Armor』. However, before they arrived, the lights were repelled by a black aura released by the armor.


「Agato-san, what is this?」

「It was rejected.」


Agato replied to Kazane's words. Kazane groaned after those words, but Agato didn't look discouraged. Rather, he seemed very interested as he looked at the armor.

「Well, that means the armor is just that powerful, but it looks like it isn't functioning well.」

「Isn't functioning?」

「Yes. As far as I can see, in this armor, there are 27, no, 25, no, that's wrong. Is one of them extremely powerful?」

After muttering what he was thinking like a soliloquy, Agato looked at Kazane.

「Inside this armor, there's one powerful monster soul that obeys you and 23 monster souls that obey that powerful monster.」

Kazane thought that was probably the Berserk Ogre and the Ogres that became his companions in the Black Stone Forest. The numbers coincided, so there was likely no mistake.

「Yeah. I know that.」

「Originally, when an armament made of monster materials evolves, it grasps the will of the person wearing it and changes into an optimal shape. However, this time, that transformation didn't go smoothly. Is that right?」

「Yeah. That's right.」

She had no objections with its abilities. However, its appearance was too sinister and wasn't Kazane's taste.

「The cause is probably that the 23 monster souls are obeying the powerful Boss-class monster soul, not you.」

「Which means?」


「The 23 souls dwelling in the armor are currently only following that powerful soul. As long as they don't acknowledge Kazane-sama, it's impossible for the armor to change into Kazane-sama's ideal shape. This shape is probably the powerful monster soul's desired form.」


Kazane frowned after Agato's words.

She could certainly understand what he was saying. The Ogres she encountered in the Black Stone Forest changed into the armor at the Berserk Ogre's order. But they had no respect for Kazane.

At the present point, that group of ogres was only cooperating with Kazane due to the Berserk Ogre's orders. Thinking that way, she could certainly understand.

「In the end, what should I do about it?」

Then Kazane turned to Agato and asked for the proper measure. Agato's response to that was simple. It was the secret technique Tamers and Summoners used to get monsters to obey them.


「There is only one method for this type. Use force to make them obey. That's it.」


The moment she received that extremely clear advice from Agato.


A terrifying roaring resounded from the armor.



Name: Yuihama Kazane

Occupation: Summoning Fighter

Title: Ogre Killer, Dragon Slayer, High Beast Summoner, Rea King, Liberator

Equipment: Staff 『White Blaze』, Two Handed Sword『Black Fang』, Draghorn Tonfa x2, Dragon Eating Ogre Army Armor, Indestructible Cloak, Mysterious Pouch, Crimson Saint Coffin, Heroic Spirit Summoning Ring, Circlet of Wisdom, Aim Bracelet, Magic Accumulator, White Magic Accumulator, Rainbow Necklace, Rainbow Dragon Ring, Angel Bracelet

Level : 38

Health: 152

Magic Power: 340+420

Strength: 72

Agility: 78

Endurance: 43

Wisdom : 75

Dexterity : 51

Spell : 『Fly』『Torch』『Fire』『Heal』『Firestorm』『Healer Ray』『High Heal』『Golden Dusk「Dragon Exclusive」』『Mirror Shield』『Rabbit Speed』『Flare Mirage』

Skill : 『Kick Devil』『Warrior's Memory: Lv2』『Night Vision』『Crushing Blow』『Dog's Sense of Smell: Lv2』『Golem Maker: Lv4』『Aegis Shield』『Fire Principle: Third Chapter』『Healing Principle: Fourth Chapter』『Air Jump: Lv2』『Killing Leg: Lv3』『Fear Voice』『Invisible』『Tiger Eye』『Wall Walking』『Intuition: Lv2』『Cheat Death』『Nimble』『Charge』『Material Shield: Lv2』『Information Link: Lv2』『Optical Camouflage』『High Dash』『Bloodsucking Blade』『Dragonization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Regenerate』『Soul Breaking Blade』『Stealthy Hand Placement』『Thunder Chariot: Lv2』『Sturdier Teeth: Lv2「Dragon」』『Crystallization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Devil King's Intimidation』『Stone Minotaur: Lv2』『Mega Beam: Lv2』『Space Expansion』『Pseudo-Silver Creation』『Poison Claw』『Fireball「Dragon」』『Cuticle「Dragon」』『Arms Creation: Black Flame』『Ingredient Connoisseur: Lv2』『Dragon Pheromone「Dragon」』『Boost』『Monkey's Strong Arm』『Two-sword Style』『Boobies Plus』『Living Armor』『Alarm』『Six-sword Style』『Mental Attack Complete Protection』『Spider Web』『Wire Cutter』



Yuuko-nee:「Please tell me you're not doing this in the city...」

Kazane:「Ah」

Yumika:「Ah」