| Author: Shizuku | Original Source: Syosetu | Word Count: 2164 characters |
| Translator: Nomad | English Source: Re:Library | Word Count: 982 words |
| Editor(s): Robinxen | ||
A group of employees of the Platiboros Company gathered around the Sorcery Core that just returned to a warehouse in the slums.
“I didn’t expect to see it be used for a magic automaton.”
“Yeah, and I don’t know much about magic automatons, but I can tell this one is pretty well-made too.”
They were used to dealing with items related to magic, so even they could tell the quality of the magic automaton.
And they were correct, Plum was more elaborate than any common magic automaton. Though that made sense considering she was based on Natalia, who was even more intricate.
The workers thought this was just a test of a Sorcery Core, so they were actually quite pleased to see they had obtained something more.
“We’ll have to send it over to the headquarters for reverse engineering as soon as possible. Where’s Arrold?”
“Apparently he’s still trying to dial-in the transfer method. I’ll shut down the Sorcery Core’s regeneration functions.”
One of the workers whispered something, which made the white flesh swelling around Plum’s arms pop like a balloon and get absorbed by the Sorcery Cores.
Then the workers got closer to examine Plum’s state, including her cracked arms and the nerve threads, before nodding multiple times.
“Selling a Sorcery Core without disclosing backdoor commands, and then activating said commands is illegal. Please release me, it’s still early enough.”
Plum’s weak voice came out, which left the workers startled.
“It even has highly developed speech, almost like it’s actually alive.”
“I guess that’s the creator’s twisted preferences. Usually there’s no need to put such abilities on a doll.”
“No matter how lifelike it might look, it’ll never be more than a doll. I guess you never know what gets people off out there.”
One of the workers shrugged saying that.
All of them were only interested in the monetary value of the technology used in Plum’s construction, they had no other care for magic automatons. They were dolls, constructs used as tools by their creators. That was how they thought, and how most magicians also thought.
“If that was meant as an insult for my master, please take it back.”
Plum looked at that worker, saying with a firm but low voice.
“I bet the logic circuits of this thing will also fetch a good price.”
“Yeah, I can see them being used for all sorts of things in the future.”
But none of them paid any attention to Plum’s words, she was nothing but a marionette that could move on its own for them.
“Anyway, I’ll just-”
“Hold it!!”
Just when the worker was about to say something to Plum, a different voice thundered through the warehouse.
“I’ve heard every word of how you scoundrels deceive your clients with bogus items!”
All the workers turned around to the source of that voice.
“Look! Up there!”
One of them pointed at the roof of a container, where a girl wearing blue clothes, a white rabbit mask, and actual white rabbit ears, was standing.
“I am the blade of justice who fights against evil in the dark. I am Bunny Moon! And now in the name of the moon, I will punish you1!”
Her words left everyone utterly confused.
Ruri leads us out of the Academy, into some shabby-looking alleys, and then a warehouse amongst them. We took a few detours to avoid being noticed by anyone, but Ruri’s hearing made sure we didn’t get lost.
“The Platiboros Company?”
Christina reacts to the sign placed outside the warehouse.
“Christina, you’ve heard of them before?”
“Actually… I bought Plum’s Sorcery Core from a merchant named Arrold, he’s part of the Platiboros Company.”
“Oh? That’s interesting.”
So that Arrold guy has been selling tampered Sorcery Cores. Or well, I guess it’s still a bit too early to say for sure. But it’s easy to assume he did something to Plum’s Sorcery Core.
I’ll make sure he pays for it properly as soon as we get Plum back.
“Christina, just in case, even if the Sorcery Core had some sort of extra commands hidden in it, both Plum and the core’s ownership will show your name, and if we retrieve her it’ll serve as proof, correct?”
“Err… yes, that’s correct.”
Christina mumbles for a bit in a low voice as she retraces her memories, but eventually nods with a positive answer.
It would feel like a really bad joke if we started prosecuting them and then we found out we were in the wrong the entire time. This doesn’t mean we can do anything we want, but at least I feel a bit more comfortable.
But just retrieving Plum won’t be enough. As long as those extra commands are in her Sorcery Core, she’ll never truly be free from them. We’ll have to figure out the core’s password for that though.
“Let’s split up. I’ll go to the front door and act like a proper client presenting a claim to distract them. Meanwhile you two can sneak in through the back and rescue Plum.”
“That’s too dangerous. I’ll get Plum alone, Ruri can go with you to the front gate.”
Christina isn’t thinking about her own safety. These people have already sold an illegal Sorcery Core and taken it back through underhanded methods, I can’t allow Christina to go talk with them on her own. That would be like sending a squirrel into a pack of wolves.
“No, the Platiboros Company is pretty big and famous, I doubt they would want to risk their reputation by handling a claim so poorly. Considering how this warehouse is in the slums, I feel like the back entrance will be far more dangerous. That’s why you two should go together, and I’ll present the claim on my own.”
She has a point, but even now I can tell her legs are trembling, like she’s about to collapse.
