Published: September 10, 2025
Corrected typos on 2018/8/21.
“Self-detonation terrorism at the Echigoya Trading Company’s main store?”
“Yes. However, thanks to Laylas-sama, who just happened to be visiting the store, there were no fatalities among the staff or customers. Though there were many injured, they have already been healed by magic potions and the resident mages at the main store.”
Tifaliza, the secretary to Manager Elterina of the Echigoya Trading Company, came to report this to Satou and Sera, who had returned to the Isolated Island Palace for their lunch break.
It seems Laylas, the Holy Shield wielder of the Shiga Kingdom’s eight swords, had come by to adjust the new armor integrated with additional armor plating and the simplified “Fortress” prototype circuits provided via the Echigoya Trading Company.
I should go thank him properly next time, perhaps in Kuro’s form.
“The one who self-detonated didn’t survive, but upon examining the corpse, some organs looked inhuman. We had someone with the appraisal skill confirm it, and it turned out the bomber was a homunculus.”
Tifaliza added that this homunculus wasn’t the modern mainstream type, but an old model combat homunculus created back in the Furu Empire era.
“Still, terrorism…”
The enemy leader seems to be a reincarnator. Since we can’t win through straightforward military might, they might resort to terrorism — something we should have taken more seriously.
There have been indiscriminate terrorist attacks in the Royal Capital of the Shiga Kingdom using the Rebirth Pill (Reborn Seed), and terrorist activities by agents of the Weasel Empire in the Silga Kingdom, after all.
While pondering such things, Satou pulled several items from the storage.
“Tifaliza, give these to you and Manager Elterina. And pass these on to the senior staff and the big sisters guarding the reception.”
“Bracelets, delicate gauntlets, and umbrellas?”
Both the bracelets and gauntlets have the same function: they can generate pseudo-substance shields of arcane magic at will.
Moreover, just equipping the bracelets automatically maintains a defensive barrier stronger than “physical defense granting” by skilled mages, so everyone should wear them even when not going out.
The umbrella-shaped item is called an “Umbrella,” a defensive item equipped with prototype circuits of the “Fortress.”
Compared to the current “Fortress,” it only has about 20% of the defensive power, but it should be more than enough against ordinary terrorists.
Since the King, Prime Minister, Marquis Muno, and Nina-san are likely targets too, mass-producing bracelets and distributing them via Echigoya might be wise.
â—‡
“We can see it now!”
Karina called out to Pochi and Tama, who were chasing a snow rabbit while playing, as she gazed up at the tower visible beyond the snowfield.
“Where~?”
“There it is!”
The two, faces covered in snow, lifted their heads and shook off the snow.
Behind the three were also Lulu and Liza.
Today, they had been invited by the “Icefield Witch” and had come to play at her tower.
“Barrier~”
“I somehow feel like I can slip through it.”
“Yess~?”
Pochi poked part of the barrier with his sword, still sheathed.
“Both of you, since we were invited by the witch today, we must not break it,” Liza admonished Tama and Pochi.
With the Dragon Fang Sword that can break barriers, most barriers would be destroyed without a joke.
“Looks like the witch is here.”
Lulu called everyone’s attention.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Oh? Has Lord Satou not come?”
“No, Master had some business to attend to.”
“I see…”
The witch’s shoulders slumped as she murmured, disappointed she couldn’t talk about the demon deity as much as she wanted.
“Master was looking forward to this too, so I’m sure he’ll come once his business is done.”
“Right? We even borrowed the demon world-related materials Lord Satou was concerned about from Hyo-chan, so it’d be troublesome if he didn’t come.”