62 Chapter 62: Determination
"What a long day…"
I haven't been as tired as now than before. I had to settle many things for tomorrow. My workload might be lesser than Lord Hermes, but I have to do some last-minute forging. That included forging the first batch of 'magic guns'.
Through [Miracle Maker], I create these guns with 'passive functions'. Both Lady Artemis and Hephaestus-sama had their Arcanum sealed. They wouldn't be able to use tools that require magic. Hence, I focused on improving the components.
Theoretically, it would be able to inflict considerable injuries to level three and even level four adventurers.
That is the limit of the 'passive functions' bestowed by [Miracle Maker]. For now, that is. If I could create the more complicated versions, I might be able to upgrade them.
"Yawn…"
I looked around. I saw the usual lively sight of Orario. Even in night-time, it still has that kind of air.
Nobody in this crowd knows about the impending 'clean-up' tomorrow. It was publicized that Evilus was utterly destroyed by the operation a month ago.
Tomorrow operation might be impossible to hide. On the off chance Thanatos or Enyo (Dionysus) gets killed, there will be a light pillar. Then again, I doubt we'll encounter Enyo. He's crafty enough to lessen his exposure without someone like Filvis.
My thoughts were halted as I passed by a jagamarukun stall. It offered croquettes with different flavors as well as several drinks—coffee included.
"Three originals, two spicy ones, and a coffee with two portions of milk, please."
"Got it!"
The human staff managing the stall began taking care of my orders.
I was leisurely waiting for it when I came across several acquaintances.
"Sirius?"
"What a coincidence, Daphne-san."
They are Daphne-san and Cassandra-san. I discovered some things after the visit from Lord Apollo. These girls are friends for a long time. They are included in the members who chose to leave the familia.
I turned to look at Cassandra-san.
"Greetings. I still have to thank you for that time, Cassandra-san."
"N-no. There's no need to."
Somehow, the blue-haired girl overlapped with an introverted guitarist that I know of. Their similarities are uncanny, to say the least.
"Eh? Did the two of you meet?"
Daphne-san was quite surprised at our interaction—
"I see, I see."
—before she flashed a knowing smile.
"It's not what you're thinking of!" Cassandra-san spoke before I could do so. "I-I shared one of them."
"Them? Ah, you mean your dreams?"
"That's right! S-so, stop what you're thinking of."
I could see the dormant will of introverts within her. If they gathered to Bocchi-chan in my world, perhaps they gathered to Cassandra-san in Gekai.
"I'm curious. Did Sirius believe that?" Daphne-san asked.
"Yes. I do believe her prophecies."
"Oh…"
Both of them became perplexed. Daphne-san's is more of a surprise while Cassandra-san is more of a shock.
"Y-you believed me?"
"Yes." I affirmed once more. "Your reminder helped me greatly."
It is not an exaggeration to say that. If she didn't prompt me to be cautious, I wouldn't have used my chance for the eighth iteration. I would've saved it for future dangers. Although, it might not work by the time I am ambushed. There are high chances it'll be a repeat of what I experienced with the special-grade curse.
In short, I owe her a favor.
"Everything you have predicted happened. I was able to avoid that thanks to your help."
"Really..?"
Cassandra-san became lost in thought. It's impossible to know her thoughts as of the moment.
If she is the same as the 'Cassandra' that I know in the myths, she might have led a difficult life. In the myths, the prophet 'Cassandra' was cursed by Apollo to be 'never believed' by others. It gave her the ability to see impending disasters, yet she is helpless to do anything about it.
My situation is at least better than hers. I could affect the future and see its effects with each iterations. Once I come back, I am more confident to turn that future upside-down.
"What do Daphne-san and Cassandra-san like?" I pointed at the jagamarukun stall. "My treat."
In the end, Daphne-san chose the flavors. Cassandra-san is currently pre-occupied with her thoughts. The former knows her friend best, hence this is also fine.
We talked a bit more while waiting for the orders. From Daphne-san, I came to know of their current situation. After leaving Apollo Familia, they surveyed several familia and joined an exploration/production-type familia called 'Miach Familia'.
They are only second to Dian Cecht Familia in terms of potion production. I've heard them from the Dian Cecht Familia themselves. It seems that their god is very skillful with medicine which led to his followers having notable skills themselves.
Time passed and our orders were completed. I gave the bag to Daphne-san before bidding farewell.
I was about to leave when Cassandra-san snapped back to her thoughts.
"...Thank you."
It is the words of a relieved prophet.
*****
"Is it really fine…"
"Nobu-kun is resolute in certain things. He would go to such lengths because he saved you."
Currently, Filvis and Haruhime are cleaning the dishes. Ever since Filvis' arrival, Nobu and Hephaestus had been eating less outside. The arrival of the reliable former vice-captain gave the the chance to taste homemade food.
She was the former 'cook' of Dionysus Familia. Even Aura, their vice-captain, conceded in her cooking skills.
Surprisingly, Haruhime is quite proficient with house chores. It is the result of her being ordered around by her fellow familia members in the past.
"If you're worried about implicating him…"
Filvis could not find the answer to her words. A little over three weeks ago, she was the same. She worried about the problems Nobu might face by housing her. She is also worried about her former familia, too.
She knew how worried they would become when she went missing. At the same time, she couldn't bear to show herself after becoming a 'creature'. It is different with Nobu around—he made her feel "normal".
Nobu stated it is nothing more of a special state—that Filvis remains unaffected. It doesn't affect her in any way other than the constant voices which Ein continuously endured.
"...Nobu-kun already considered it. If it's not a problem, he wouldn't worry about it."
Filvis developed a deep trust to him. She is unknowingly becoming similar to Ein, her unrestrained self. She is confident of Nobu's abilities.
She hadn't seen any look of worry, either. Be it in the surface or hidden, she never felt it once from him.
"I see. Filvis-san might be correct…"
Haruhime was feeling nothing but depreciation. She was always being helped from the day she left her home. Not once could she do the same for others, or so she believes.
Nobu helping her this morning came off as a surprise. She heard his identity as 'Sirius' in the red-light district and thought he was destined to be a great adventurer. However, he wasn't only an adventurer in her eyes—
'A hero.'
Everything she had heard, from his feats down to his good deeds, pointed out to that one fact.
The two talked about several things. By the time they were finished, Haruhime resolved to help her benefactor. She might be a burden, but she knows about her value from Ishtar Familia.
Haruhime might be naïve from the perspective of others, but it is her form of goodwill.
In a sense, she and Nobu are similar in this aspect.
Knock.
*****
"Haruhime-san?"
"Did I bother you?"
"Not really." I replied. "Do you need something?"
Haruhime-san fiddled with her fingers before she responded. I invited her inside the room. It is nothing wrong since this is the designated tool production room. There won't be any awkward air around us.
"Akasaka-san… You will be participating in an operation tomorrow, right?"
After the entire networking, I briefly went back to the familia home to talk with Haruhime-san. I mentioned having an operation to do tomorrow and that she could refer to Filvis about the plan to let her live here temporarily.
"Yes. Is something the matter?"
"I… I could help."
"There's no need to, Haruhime-san. It will be dangerous."
Even with my magic tools, something might go wrong. The Knossos operation is full of uncertainties.
"I-I will be useful!" She said. "My magic could help you."
"No. Haruhime-san could fall into danger. It's not an ordinary operation."
Facing Haaruhime-san's insistence, I remained resolute.
"My magic isn't ordinary! I could definitely help! If… If you don't believe it, I will use it!"
All of a sudden, her tone became formal. She is speaking pure Japanese this time. I noticed the change and directly looked at her eyes.
"Haruhime-san—"
"Please!"
Her pleading eyes looked determined. It is the same as when Lady Artemis swore to help me; or when Hephaestus-sama wanted to reforge [Sora] for my sake. I could name several more occasions, though they all taught me one thing—it couldn't be easily prevented.
"...Alright."
Inwardly, I thought of the method to politely reject her. I understand how I am burdening the ones I had helped—especially Filvis and Ein—without asking for something in return. However, their situation requires for it. They couldn't be spotted by her former familia or acquaintances.
The same situation went for Haruhime-san. I helped her this morning and promised to thoroughly help her regain freedom. After all, both Dionysus and Ishtar are people I would fight sooner or later.
The former is self-explanatory. He would destroy Orario no matter what if left unrestrained. He needs to go back to where he couldn't touch Gekai.
Meanwhile, the latter has huge dealings with Evilus. It is inevitable they would be caught in the cross-fire sooner or later. I have already showed evidence to Hermes Familia. As long as they verify it with the clues inside Knossos, Ishtar Familia is done for.
"Grow. That power and that vessel. Breadth of wealth and breadth of wishes. Until the bell tolls, bring forth glory and illusion."
'This..!'
A weird aura surrounded Haruhime-san. It is the long-lost feeling from my future iterations.
'No doubt… Telesma..?'
Telesma is a power exclusive to spirits. But, it could also be present in something 'divine'. Both spirits and gods exist in a higher state than mortals, hence their power—Telesma—negates lower-ranking magic. That phenomenon is known as 'Rank Disparity Extinction'.
"Grow. Confine divine offerings within this body. This golden light bestowed from above."
Golden particles of light enveloped her—and in turn, myself. A vague image of a hammer is presented in my eyes. Briefly, I saw the 'origin' of her magic.
"Into the hammer and into the ground, may it bestow good fortune upon you. Grow."
With the last line, something changed within myself. A surge of power came out of nowhere. Instinctively, I sought for the 'status' in my back.
[Level 4]
Strength: D534 Defense: D504 Dexterity: D536 Agility: D527 Magic: D556
Hacker: F Ubiquitous: H
<<Magic>>
[Orionids]
[Memoir Manifest]
<<Skills>>
[Miracle Maker]
[Child of Constellations (星座の子)]
[Proof of Combat (F)] (64% to be upgraded)
Nothing changed from my status. The five attributes skyrocketing to D must be the work of my cheat as well as my feats. The achievement of killing a Level five, Level four, and dealing a fatal hit to a Level six transformed into high-quality excelia. My status jumped from zero to five hundred in one go. The feats in my eighth iteration—the truly ridiculous ones for Gekai—might have affected it, too.
However, this is not the main focus.
"Level… four?"
I began to doubt if I was hallucinating. Nothing changed from the numbers on my status, only the "level". From the previous level three, it became level four.
Could it be..?
"Akasaka-san, this is my magic. From what the others said, it is a level boost."
"..."
I fell silent before accepting her explanation.
There are far more ridiculous things in my world. I was simply surprised of its effects.
"I understand. It comes with a duration, no?"
"Yes! It only lasts for less than ten minutes."
I digested her explanation.
"Haruhime-san, why did you reveal this to me? Aren't you worried I might do something bad?"
The sheer value of her magic speaks for itself. If it didn't have any limitations, it could affect even level seven adventurers. They could possess the power of a level eight in a short time. It is enough to overturn Orario's current status. The top-ranking familias could be brought down with her power.
I couldn't fathom why Haruhime-san revealed something as important as this to me.
"No. You are very trustworthy, Akasaka-san. For me, you are…"
Haruhime-san's voice became lower. A tinge of blush could be seen to her face.
"...a hero."
"..?"
Hero.
It is somewhat in my expectations. However, I could not bring to treat myself as such. All the things I had done in those future iterations is not something I would consider heroic.
I killed.
I killed.
I killed more.
That was what I did. When it comes to reality, I never took care of them personally, but I had many contacts to do my bidding. It felt natural before I fell to Gekai. When I killed people myself, a sense of disconnection occurred within me.
Although I fixed it now, I couldn't bring to call myself as such.
Still, I knew some people might see me as such. Haruhime-san is one of them.
"Earlier… You looked like a hero."
"...I see."
I understood it the best that forcefully imposing your views could be detrimental.
I let Haruhime-san perceive me as such.
A hero.
My thoughts went back to normal.
"Haruhime-san… It'd be best to keep this a secret. There are many familia who would kill to have you with them."
"Alright…"
Fortunately, she seriously thought of my advice.
"In exchange for your magic, I will demonstrate my own."
A Level four…
It might be possible.
First, I cast [Sirius]. It went smoother than before. It is also far stronger due to Haruhime-san's magic. I haven't modified it as of now, yet it became stronger on its own. It broke one of the rules of [Mana Furnace].
Haruhime-san let out a surprised look when she saw my new features.
"Akasaka-san..?"
"It's one of my magic. It is akin to an enchantment."
"I see…"
She became lost in thought for a while.
I took out a catalyst in the form of a dagger. I started imbuing the necessary information inside. The [Mage] developmental ability appeared in my status. I used it to summon forth the support magic that came with it. A white magic circle appeared beneath my feet.
Five minutes later, I completed it. The increased computation speed allowed for such process. Right now, I am akin to a Level six. The sensation matched when I became one during my eighth iteration (as a creature).
"Fu…"
The grand-scale spell I could only cast with Miku and the suit. I still could not cast it in its full glory, the maximum output achieved by [Judgement]. I reckon I would be able to do so as a Level seven.
That time, I will achieve the Semi Magister Rank. It was something far from me a month ago, but Gekai opened those possibilities.
"Apertus inanua terra mirabili." (Open the door to my wonderland.)
A complex magic circle unfolded. It is small in size, but its complexity far surpasses most magic in Orario.
A bright light flashed.
Moments later, I found myself inside a dojo.
"Akasaka-san?"
Haruhime-san looked at the place in surprise.
"Welcome to this world."
"This is…"
"My magic."
The design for the dojo was completed. The parameters inside [Alice's Wonderland] is far more complicated than before.
"Haruhime-san."
"Yes..?"
"Do you want to see your hometown?"
It is the feature in the spell's complete state—the level of a grand magicka. I would be able to let others 'design' the surroundings based on their imagination.
The fleeting complex feelings passed by easily. Haruhime-san made her decision and nodded.
"Please hold my hand."
She was startled before continuing to do so. A hint of shyness is seen on her face.
The moment our hands came in contact, the surroundings were overwritten. It changed to a huge mansion. An altar could be seen within the room along with incenses and offerings.
Seeing the text, symbols, and figures drawn in the room, I paused.
"Amaterasu..?"
"You know her?"
"Well, yes."
This incident caused us to talk more closely.
