| Author: Shizuku | Original Source: Syosetu | Word Count: 2219 characters |
| Translator: Nomad | English Source: Re:Library | Word Count: 1035 words |
| Editor(s): Robinxen | ||
I quickly run off to sleep to escape from Olivia’s sexual harassment, and soon find myself in a white and empty space. I know this place, it’s my consciousness.
“Hey, it’s been a while.”
Ah, right. Hello again.
The demon Flute appears like it’s the most normal thing to do. She’s still wearing that stylish tuxedo that would fit a handsome butler, but the curves and lumps on her body make it impossible to mistake her gender.
“I’ve come to thank you.”
Thank me?
“That Arrold guy you fought today is the same person who sold the Crystal Ball of Postponement to Lacks. I’ve been praying to God every day for his ruin, and thanks to you I’ve finally gotten some closure.”
There’s a lot I’d like to say, but first… demons pray to God?
“Alright now, you might’ve come from another world, but if you’re serious about living here you should study history a bit more. Demons were born from the union of the Goddess of Light Branses and the Goddess of Darkness Nowarel.”
Ahh right, Christina told me that story when we were at church before. I guess it was more than a simple legend.
Wait, couldn’t you have done something to him before I fought him though?
“No, we demons live under strict rules and restrictions. I was bound by a pact with Lacks, so I could fight back, but I have no direct connection to Arrold, so I can’t do anything to him.”
Being a demon sounds tiring too.
“Demons sometimes need to go above the world’s laws to fulfill a person’s desires. But in return we also live under strict rules. I can’t just do whatever I want.”
I used to think demons were evil creatures, but I guess they’re more like civil workers.
“Though well, if someone desires anything that goes above the world’s laws, then they also have to pay with something of equal value.”
Okay I take it back. They’re still evil.
“Anyway, let’s get back on topic. I’d like to offer you one wish in return. But as I already explained, it can’t be anything too big.”
A wish, huh… I feel like I should ask this first, but what’s the extent of the wish?
“I can get your arm back, or prepare a Sorcery Core for your sister. Or I could tell you the location of the treasure of a lost kingdom or teach you magic from an era past. Though I can only tell you the location and theory, you’ll have to put in the effort to find it and to actually learn those spells.”
Hmm… but my broken arm was something I caused on my own1, so it’s my responsibility to fix it. Annabelle also said she’ll help with that.
Christina and I will handle the issue with Plum’s Sorcery Core somehow too. That’s our duty as master and sister.
“So you prefer the lost treasure or ancient magic?”
I’m not really strapped for money at the moment, and I doubt I can actually use any magic so that’s not very helpful. I really can’t think of any wish I’d like fulfilled right now. Actually, could I keep this on a tab for now?
“I don’t mind. Just call me when you want a wish fulfilled. I’m always watching.”
…Could you get rid of the bruise on my shoulder?
“…Until we meet again, goodbye.”
I knew it, that’s how you’re watching me! It’s an invasion of privacy!
“Ah, before I forget. Arrold didn’t die, so you should be careful.”
Hey, answer me! Wait what? He’s still alive? Wait!
A lone man stood in a room elegantly adorned. He was looking over some papers, documenting the results of some experiments, but the results were not as favorable as he hoped.
He had spent five years building up the theory behind that, but progress was still nowhere in sight.
As he debated on trying a different approach, or handling the experiments himself instead of leaving them to someone else, a knock was heard from the door.
After he gave permission to enter, a man holding a bundle of cloth entered respectfully.
“President, Arrold just came back.”
The owner of the room was the president of a certain organization, and the person who just entered was someone working for him.
That person came to report that one of their associates working in a different country had returned.
But that made the president wonder why he was not reporting personally, a doubt which the worker tried to dispel as calmly as possible.
“Someone attacked him a moment before the teleporting magic activated. We managed to keep him alive, but he’s still unconscious.”
“He was attacked? Arrold… just what did you mess up this time?”
Their company acted upright and clean-handed on the surface, but behind the scenes no matter was too illicit. That would obviously lead to them gaining various enemies too, though the company had plenty of safeguards and countermeasures to deal with them. But if those had failed, then something major or unaccounted for must have happened.
“This was the item that left such a grave wound on Arrold.”
The worker said that as he unfolded the bundle of cloth, showing its contents.
“An arm? Is it a magic automaton’s?”
The president’s eyes opened wide as he examined that elaborate arm imbued with magic.
As a highly skilled magician, he could tell at first glance what the arm’s purpose was.
“Orichalcum and World Tree wood…and not just that, but all the materials used, down to the nerve threads are uncommon. Actually even the craftsmanship is superior… I see, so such things do exist…”
While his associate had suffered life-threatening injuries by that arm, seeing its construction seemed to bring him a ray of hope. He felt like it was a clue to solving the quest he followed his entire life.
“Tell me when Arrold has recovered enough to talk. I’ll speak to him directly.”
“Yessir, as you wish.”
The worker bowed politely and left the room after that.
“There’s no need to involve myself with humans anymore if something like this can be manufactured.”
Alone once again, the president of the Platiboros Company grinned ominously2.
