Kukuku... I'll Strip You Down...!

On the topic of the Holy Kingdom… we would be continuing our own investigation even though I'd reported to Haku-san what we'd already found.

There was no need to worry about the large number of melons we bought spoiling since they were all stored in Soto's [Storage] dungeon. We'll just deliver them to our village at the proper time and divert some to Haku-san.

To avoid suspicion, we'll share the portion that wouldn't fit in the [Storage] with Ichika and the others.

"I'm getting tired of melons."

"Well, there are five hundred of them. How many have you eaten so far?"

"Thirty-ish? Anyway, since Soto has been eating them by the boxful in the dungeon, we can eat as many melons as we want from now on."

Since Soto's [Minor Replication] can produce the same amount of food eaten at once, if she ate them by the box, she could also produce them by the box. Amazing, right? Unlimited fresh melons. They'd have to be consumed within the one hour they lasted—not to mention factoring however long it took them.

"Maybe we should cook the rest… Anyway, what should we do with the investigation?"

"Right, Haku-neesama's subordinates said they would investigate the dungeon, but should we give it a try too, Kehma?"

I was definitely concerned about it, but getting in the way would also be troublesome.

"Maybe we should send in some mice?"

"Oh, but don't they have that magic tool to keep away small animals? Wouldn't it be unnatural if we forced them in?"

"Hmm, I'm really curious about its actual performance."

"Then let's investigate that!"

"… How?"

When I asked how, Rokuko laughed confidently.

"Kehma, you saw the magic tool, right? You can use [Super Transformation] to transform into it then."

"Oh yeah, I didn't think of that… We could check its effective range by examining one in operation. We shoudl even be able to check out its controls too."

With that, we sent a message to Narikin's group to check the effective range using mice and we decided to use [Super Transformation] on that magic tool in the Master Room.

"Alright, time to use [Super Transformation]… but why's Nerune here too?"

"Isn't it obvious? Do you think I can investigate it on my own? Nerune is the best choice for magic tool investigation."

"If it's me~, I'll probably~, understand that stuff~. Magic formations are my specialty~."

Well, that made sense. Nerune was [Cave of Desires] resident magic tool expert after all.

It's a magic tool created by the people of the Holy Kingdom, so it should be informative.

"If you come across any unfamiliar magic circles, make sure to copy them. I'll try to decipher them later."

"Yeees~, understood~."

And thus began the magic tool investigation.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

I transformed into the massive magic tool with [Super Transformation]. It was a huge magic tool about the size of a small classroom. The magic tool's control room was a magic tool in itself.

Rokuko and Nerune promptly began investigating the magic tool I had transformed into.

"The operation is simple, huh? You move this small lever to switch the effective range?"

"Shall I remove the cover?"

I couldn't speak because I was a magic tool and couldn't feel any sensations like pain or anything, but it did feel strangely ticklish as they touched my buttons and dismantled me.

"This button seems to be connected to this magic formation~… Fumumu~, then this does this~…? This switch changes the magic formation? This gimmick is a good reference~"

"Hey hey, Nerune, what is this?"

"That's a fire magic formation~… Oh—"

There was a small explosion inside me, and some of my magical power was released.

"… Did something explode?"

"It seems to be a confidentiality protection gimmick. It self-destructs to prevent its secrets from being discovered."

"Kehma, are you alright?"

I couldn't reply because I couldn't speak. Could I use the [Telepathy] Skill even if the magic tool I transformed into didn't know it?

"If you're okay, please stay in the transformed state a little longer~. We'll investigate the broken parts and countermeasures now~."

"Be careful, Nerune. It's a bit late, but it'll be a big problem if there's a deadly trap, right?"

"Don't worry~. If that happens, please revive me with DP, okay~?"

"I also have [Healing], so just let me know if you get injured. The sooner, the better."

Having said what she wanted, Nerune crawled into the magic tool (me).

"This burnt part… Hmm, since it's thoroughly destroyed here, it must be an important point, right? In that case, if I shave the opposite side and cut the magical power line…"

"Nerune, how is it inside Kehma? What's it like?"

"… It's really amazing~! Ah, is it not thrilling~? Being inside Master~, I'll make sure to probe him thoroughly~. Ufufu~"

That way of speaking sounded a bit inappropriate…!

"Alright, can you undo the transformation and try again?"

With that, I used [Super Transformation] again for a second attempt. It was at Lv. 5 now, so we could try four more times that day.

It was almost like cheating to be able to attempt this disassembly investigation—something that should have only been possible once—without fear of failing multiple times.

"… This should be enough for me to make one~? It'll take some time~, but I can make a blueprint~"

"Aren't you a first-class engineer at this point? Maybe we should give you a technical allowance?"

"That's right. Nerune, do you have any requests?"

"Could you increase my salary~!? If so, please teach me a new spell—!"

And so, with mine and Nerune's combined efforts, we thoroughly investigated the Holy Kingdom's former magic tool from top to bottom.

… It did take several days, though!