"Wha-wha-what is this?!" (Reina)
"Ah, aaah, a servant of the devil? Or an angel of God?..." (Mavis)
"I-if-If we catch and sell them, we'll get a good price..." (Pauline)
There was one person among them who looked a little strange.
Just ignore them...
"It’s just a contraption, like Golem. Like a Scavenger, for non-combat use… And the image is the result of illusion magic." (Mile)
As Mile explained this, Reina and the other two quickly regained their composure.
When they were told that it was a fake like Golem and Scavenger, Reina, who knew about Mavis's left arm, simply said, "Oh, it's one of those things."
Even though the images were said to be magic, it didn't seem like a big deal to Reina and the other two, who were used to seeing Mile's invisibility and disguise magic and other optical magic.
And when you considered the beast-like beastfolks and ancient dragons that could speak, it's not a big deal for a bird to speak.
"So, what is the purpose of your visit? And why are you bringing a monster from another dimension to this one, and not the intelligent lifeforms that created you?" (Mile)
Nanomachines acted as an intermediary. There was no doubt that they had no intention of harming Mile and her party. So, although Mile was on guard, she was not that worried.
Now that invaders from another dimension had made contact, Mile was determined not to miss this opportunity, but...
[Oh, this little bird is a force on this planet, you know? Um, it's related to Scavenger whom you met before. Otherwise, how could it possibly know about Mile-sama or know about us, Nanomachines? The only ones who know about us are the Scavengers who you had previously come into contact with and exchanged information with via data communication, and the resource-saving type autonomous simplified defense mechanism management system auxiliary device, the third backup system.] (Nano)
(Is that sooo~?!) (Mile)
If you thought about it, there's no way that the forces from another dimension would know about Mile or be able to find her and make direct contact with her.
[Slow Walker, wants to meet administrator...] (Bird)
"Eh? Slow Walker? A new character appeared!" (Mile)
The Little Mecha-Bird didn't react to Mile's remark.
"Or rather, if you call me the ‘Administrator’, does that mean that you, Slow Walker, are also under my control…?" (Mile)
The fact that it was called Slow Walker suggested that Scavenger, who normally moved quickly on six legs, had suffered a malfunction or something that had slowed down, and so it had stepped down from its work duties to take on the role of commander.
However, since there was the technology and materials to build a new Scavenger, it should be possible to repair it.
It might be that there was a problem with the motor control part of the electronic brain or something, and trying to repair it would affect other parts, so it might be impossible to do anything about it.
Mile was thinking about such things, but there's no point in just imagining things.
"Has an issue arisen that I need to give them instructions? Or do they just want to give me a routine report or something about repairs at the base or other locations?" (Mile)
[Slow Walker, wants to meet administrator...] (Bird)
"Oh, so you're not the one with advanced thinking abilities like Scavenger, but just a messenger..." (Mile)
Since Little Mecha-Bird repeated the same lines as before, Mile decided that it could only give simple responses.
"Are you coming to see me? Or do I need to go?" (Mile)
[I'll guide you] (Bird)
"Ah~, can you wait a few days?" (Mile)
[Waiting] (Bird)
It didn't look like anyone far away was answering via radio or anything like that.
It appeared that it could respond to some questions, but these were probably just automatic responses to questions for which the answers had been entered in advance as anticipated questions and answers.
The reason why its thinking and judgment abilities were not as high as those of Scavenger could be because its body was small and the flight functions took up too much volume, so it was necessary to make its electronic brain small...
Little Mecha-Bird seemed to have decided that its role was now complete, as it flew off the table, moved onto the chest of drawers, and sat down there.
Mile thought that it's appreciated the consideration, as it's a nuisance when people sit on the table, but...
"Aren't you going back to report?! Are you planning on staying here until we follow you?!!" (Mile)
Apparently, the mission was to "Bring back Mile" and returning alone would be outside the scope of the mission.
To a mechanical intelligence that lived for an eternity, a few days was an inconsequential amount of time, perhaps within the margin of error...
"Well, if that's what they're receiving, it can't be helped. They're robots after all..." (Mile)
Mile was quite understanding when it came to the behavior of created beings.
"...So, could you please explain...?" (Reina)
And naturally, Reina and the other two, who had been waiting for the conversation with Little Mecha-Bird to finish, demanded an explanation...
"So, Scavenger and its allies, who are remnants of the ancient civilization, handed over command to you, a descendant of the ancient people?" (Reina)
"Yes… Well, even though we are the descendants of ancient civilizations, all humans in this world are like that, right…? Intelligent life forms don't just suddenly appear; they're all obviously the descendants of ancient humans. However, since I was the first one to speak, and I guess you could say I'm a throwback, or something like that, maybe I have a lot of ancient blood in me..." (Mile)
"Ah!" (Other 3)
Everyone nodded in agreement that it was a throwback.
It felt like somehow, she understood why the elves and dwarves always said that she smelled like one of their kind...not that she actually smelled, but that somehow felt like she was one of their kind.
Moreover, if she had a strong connection to the blood of the great races of the past, it would explain the ridiculously powerful magic of Mile.
Yes, humans had a tendency to believe that what they thought they had discovered on their own was closer to the truth than what someone had taught them or explained to them, even if they had been led to believe it.
"So, if it's for self-defense then it can't be helped, but when you have the time, I'll ask them to try not to harm humans or other intelligent lifeforms, and I'll encourage them to do their best... I left it up to them to make their own judgment, because I thought that if I, who know nothing about the specifics, spoke out, it would just cause confusion." (Mile)
"To reign but not to rule, I see..." (Mavis)
Mile nods in agreement at Mavis's appropriate interpretation.
"Well, anyway, I guess we have no choice but to go, right?" (Mile)
"Yes……" (Mavis)
"Don't look so sorry!" (Reina)
"That's right. Going to those underground ruins was part of this training journey, and Mile-chan's decision was the right one. For Scavenger, Golem, and the orphans there..." (Pauline)
"Yes. And Mile's actions are the actions of us, the Crimson Vow. We all share and support each other, both the benefits and the drawbacks. And that is..." (Reina)
"We are comrades bound by soul, Crimson Vow!!" (All 4 of them)
Author's Note
Volume 6 of "Potion" will be released on Amazon Audible on the 23rd.
It's OK even if you have poor eyesight, and you can even do it while working in the kitchen.
Instead of background music, listen to a novel. (^^)/
"Roukin" is also available. (^^)/
The magazine will be on hiatus next week and the week after for the Golden Week holidays.
Next time, in 3 weeks.... (^^)/