“The ability to read surface thoughts, you say?”
“Yes. For the enemy, it was used to assess our strength, anticipate attacks, and psychologically unsettle us.”
“Hmm, a troublesome ability indeed. However, common sense would suggest it’s more suited for a scout. But this time, the individual himself said he was hunting elites? I don’t think it’s suitable for that purpose.”
“That man, to put it bluntly, seemed to have an aggressive and twisted personality. From the perspective of those who used him as a subordinate…”
“In other words, if he’s difficult to handle, throw him at the enemy. That makes sense, certainly.”
We have come to report the events in the tunnel to Nanashi-san.
The location is a room in an inn designated by Nanashi-san. It’s probably a place under the influence of the intelligence division; there’s almost no sign of people.
We reported to the Soldier’s Guild yesterday, immediately after exiting the tunnel, and received a not-insignificant reward.
Because of that, our purses are quite heavy. We invited the members of Van the blacksmith for a banquet, and there was still plenty of change left over.
However, it was impressive how quickly the alcohol disappeared… There were no teetotalers, and I wonder if there’s some kind of law that blacksmiths are heavy drinkers.
“I wish we could have captured him alive… but it was impossible under the circumstances, is that correct?”
The intelligence division probably had a mountain of questions they wanted to ask.
But, in that situation…
“Yes. If we had forced it, I believe there would have been casualties on our side.”
“I see.”
“What? Do you have a problem with that?”
“No, I don’t disregard the judgment of those on the scene. It’s simply a statement stemming from a difference in perspective. May I continue?”
“Yes, please do.”
Nanashi-san and Fina-san are at it again. Both of them are somewhat prickly.
“The ocarina in question was the same as the one the man we captured in Raza had.”
“I see. I can’t say for sure since I couldn’t hear the sound, but the white-haired man was moving his fingers actively while blowing it. It seems he can issue complex commands that way.”
“I see, analysis is indeed urgent.”
“That’s right.”
Not much time has passed since we captured the man in Raza.
It will probably be a while before we can develop countermeasures against the ocarina. Until then, the soldiers will have to manage somehow. The only thing we’ve gained from this is that we can safely assume the ocarina is a tool to control monsters.
“One more confirmation. Judging from the cut on the white-haired man’s neck, Katia-dono delivered the final blow, is that correct?”
I was startled by Nanashi-san’s question. He was taking notes while asking, so it’s probably for a report of some kind.
I was about to open my mouth to answer, but Fina-san quickly raised her hand, stopping me.
“That’s not right. The three of us did it.”
Fina-san…
“But, to so cleanly sever the head and torso…”
“The three of us did it! Right, Neil!”
“Ah, um, Nanashi-san, could you please let it go this time? It’s important to us. Please.”
Neil bowed his head.
I don’t know what kind of face to make at their consideration.
“…Sigh. Information is all about accuracy, you know.”
“So, is it okay?”
“Only this time. I’ll write it that way in the report.”
“Thank you very much. Everyone…”
The fact that I killed that man doesn’t change, but it’s certainly a relief.
I’m more grateful than anything for these two, who are willing to shoulder the burden with me.
So, next time, I won’t hesitate. To protect them, I won’t hesitate anymore.
“Oh, you’re here!”
Since the report was over, we visited the blacksmith we had promised to see.
It was evening; we were preparing to go to the next town, and the sun had set.
The setting sun dyed the inside of the workshop red.
“It’s done, a bastard sword made of Wootz steel. Here.”
Van-san spoke in a cheerful voice.
Even though he drank so much alcohol yesterday, he doesn’t seem affected at all.
“Thank you very much! Can I take a look?”
“Yes, please do. It’s a masterpiece.”
Neil, looking happy, received the sword and drew it.
“Wow, what’s this pattern?”
Fina-san raised her voice, a mixture of surprise and question.
“Interesting, isn’t it? Not only does it look good, but its performance is also superior to ordinary iron.”
The sword had a beautiful wood-grain pattern.
It’s beautiful, but I feel like I’ve seen it before. I think a high-end outdoor knife from my previous life had something like this.
The name was…
“It looks like Damascus steel.”
Yes, it must have been Damascus steel.
“Katia, how do you know the name for Wootz steel in the Dwarven country?”
“Eh, is that so?”
“You didn’t know! Well, whatever. You must have heard it somewhere.”
So it’s the same thing. I wonder if the term “Wootz steel” also exists in my previous life.
I have no way of confirming whether it’s the same as Damascus steel from my previous life, though.
“Hey, Neil-san. You’ve been quiet for a while, what’s wrong?”
Given his personality, I thought he’d be jumping for joy.
Even from my perspective, this sword seems like a masterpiece.
“…”
“Katia-chan, he’s frozen from being too happy, that’s what this is.”
“Ehh…”
Not again.
He was in the same state before, when I showed him the simultaneous activation of aura and fire magic.
“He’s always been like this. When his emotions get overloaded, he freezes.”
“How do you fix it?”
“You hit him at a 45-degree angle on the head. Like this!”
“Hah. This is an amazing sword!”
Neil is back.
He’s like an old CRT television… The TV we had in my family’s house until I was little was like this. The reception would get better if you hit it because of a bad connection.
Come to think of it, the branch manager of the Soldier’s Guild in Raza also hit him…
“I’m glad you’re happy, but… anyway. I guarantee its sturdiness. Wootz steel is a good material.”
“How is it different from ordinary iron ore?”
“Its characteristic is that the impurities are layered. That’s the secret to the pattern. It’s strangely stronger than pure iron.”
“Huh. I thought pure would be stronger. Just an image, though.”
“Of course, high purity is useful. But, you know, these seemingly useless things draw out the power. Don’t you think it’s a metal with character?”
Oh, that’s quite a profound statement.
I wonder if it’s his creed as a blacksmith; the other members of the workshop are also nodding.
“I see… It might be the perfect sword for me…”
Neil-san?
He’s smiling, but there’s a shadow on his expression that’s not usually there.
I wonder what’s wrong.
“Van-san, thank you for this wonderful sword!”
But it disappeared in an instant. A short amount of time that others wouldn’t notice.
“Yeah. Use it well and survive well.”
“Use it well,” huh?
The fact that he doesn’t say “take care of it” shows the depth of his character as a blacksmith.
Grandpa used to say that a sword is meant to be used, but I wonder if he got that from this guy.
Neil said he wanted to talk to Van-san, so we parted ways at the blacksmith’s.
Today, we’re just going back to the inn to rest.
“Katia-chan, I finished a new picture!”
“You work fast, as always.”
While Fina-san was holed up in her room to draw, I was practicing my swordsmanship in a nearby, sparsely populated square.
After sweating, I returned to the room and was called out by Fina-san.
“The second one is this!”
The location is the hollow deep inside the tunnel.
A red-haired woman is standing with both hands raised.
This is me.
At the tips of her hands, a worm is engulfed in a large flame. It’s a detailed yet powerful picture, amazing as always.
But…
“Um…”
I have no recollection of this event.
But I can’t imagine Fina-san drawing something she hasn’t seen.
“What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?”
“That’s not it. I think it’s a good picture. But I don’t remember doing anything like this…”
“Eh, seriously? You don’t remember? Katia-chan, maybe you have some kind of illness. You seemed strange at that time, too.”
I don’t think it’s an illness. This body is perfectly healthy.
In addition to a regular lifestyle, I’ve been exercising moderately every day, so I’m much healthier than I was in my previous life.
“Specifically, how was I strange? Could you tell me in detail, in order, if possible?”
I don’t have enough information to judge.
I need to hear more details…
“Okay, but… After Katia-chan released the control of the monsters and came back, and after you repelled the worm once, you suddenly became listless, and then–”
I sit on the bed in the room and listen to the story.
As I listened to the story up to a certain point, my heart started pounding.
It seems that I changed after I defeated the white-haired man and was overcome by intense sleepiness.
No, it can’t be. But, if I get my hopes up and it’s wrong…
I immediately arrive at one possibility. My body, no, the existence that can use this body besides me.
There’s only one such person.
–Is it her? Feelings of hope and doubt swirl around in my head.
“–and, you seemed kind of childish in your words and actions. And then you suddenly shot a fire magic that I thought was extreme level, so I was surprised.”
“Eh, this picture isn’t an exaggeration, it actually had this much power?”
“That’s right. The pillar of fire reached near the ceiling.”
I see, the ash that was on the ground…
And when I met her in the darkness, what did she look like?
I recall our first and last encounter, at least for now. At that time, she was weak, but she certainly had the form of a flame.
If that represented the essence of her power…! My doubts turn to certainty.
It’s definitely her!
“What’s wrong, Katia-chan?”
“Ah, no.”
I realized I was standing.
I walk around the room restlessly.
…She’s alive, she woke up! The feeling that her presence was fading recently might have been a sign of her awakening.
Normally, the presence would increase as the awakening approached, but if you think of it as the souls that were stuck together starting to separate, it makes sense.
Anyway, I want to talk, I want to talk to her!
“Calm down!”
“Yes!”
Fina-san’s voice is somewhat irritated.
I slink back onto the bed like a scolded dog.
“Seriously. You realized something, didn’t you?”
If I explained it, I might be thought of as crazy.
That there’s another soul inside me, and all.
It’s better to keep quiet, right? At least for now.
“…Yes. Um, I can’t go into details, but.”
“Yeah, I had a feeling. I don’t know the circumstances, but you have the face of someone who really wants to talk, so I’ll forgive you.”
Do I really have that kind of face…? Honestly, I feel like talking to someone.
“It’s not a bad thing, absolutely not.”
“I see. Then tell me when you’re ready to talk. It’s not a health problem, is it?”
“Ah, yes. That’s fine.”
Probably, is all I can say.
The separation or exchange of souls, what kind of effect it will have on the body is unknown.
It seems to be fine for now, though.
“Then it’s okay. Be grateful for my big heart!”
I made her explain everything, and I can’t even talk about my own situation.
I’m terrible, aren’t I? And Fina-san, who forgives me for it, is wonderful.
But, I wonder if there’s any way I can communicate with her, or have some kind of understanding.
“…Ugh. I’m not curious, I’m not curious… I don’t want to ask, umm…”
For the sake of Fina-san, who is desperately trying to hold back her desire to ask.