Halo for the Prince

The prince's target room turned out to be a sci-fi-styled space that looked like an infirmary.

Or rather, the plate at the entrance just plainly said "Infirmary."

"It's exactly like the memoirs said! …The script is here, the script is here!"

"Oh, so the locals can't read this stuff?"

"I mean, it just says 'Infirmary,' yo."

"Right? It's ■■ language."

A bit of static crackled through, but to us it was just regular, readable text.

Well, it is a game. Of course you can read it. It probably has multilanguage support, too.

And several rings were rolling around the floor. They looked similar to the halos of Mahariku-san's subordinates, only without the glow.

"…I-I see, so only the Spirit-Possessed can read it…"

"Well, probably?"

"Then while we have the chance, would you mind teaching me what these say?"

"Hmm, where, where?"

I looked at the spot the prince was pointing to. What was written there read "Skill Auxiliary System Add-on Option."

"In my research, that comes out as 'Will not summon companions to assist with skills.' The square in front signifies negation."

"I see, looks like an option to add a system that supports skills. We should tick this on before the procedure. There."

"…Ah, yes. So this square, touching it toggles between affirm and negate. I see. That's helpful."

"Anyway, let me set things up however looks right. Hmm, I'll flip the other options to something sensible too."

"…Very helpful."

A Passive Skill Suppression System Add-on Option, that one was almost certainly necessary. We had to suppress the prince's skills, after all.

"Tria, looks like we set this on the prince's head next, yo."

"Oh, so we really do put it on his head?"

"There was a manual just lying around, yo. Hey prince, hurry up and lie down over there, yo. I want to wrap up my errand and get to exploring, yo."

"Y-yes."

You good? That manual and mecha halo, they haven't deteriorated over time, have they?

Well, I don't know what's powering them, but the lights are on, the facility's still running, and at this level of tech, I'm sure it does a self-check before locking onto a human body…

"All right, switching on, yooooo!"

"T-this is nerve-wracking… gugh, oh, oh, oh!?"

The prince laid back on the treatment table. His head was fixed in place, the machine clamped on, and… ah, he's asleep. Maybe the goggles played some kind of hypnotic video.

Then the procedure ran through while he slept. Huh, it runs on bioelectric current and magic, so no charging needed and it's standalone. Pretty high-tech, this ancient civilization.

The procedure seemed to wrap up, because the machine pulled away from the prince.

"O-oh, looks like it's done."

"Prince, good work. …Oh, his halo's floating."

When the prince sat up, there was a softly glowing halo above his head.

…I see, this is NPC Spirit-Possession. And it works on men, too.

That said, it looks super mechanical. So that would make him an ancient-civilization mecha character, then? …I'd allow it!

"I… mn, what is this. Something is showing up in my field of vision. Mn, it's gone."

"Oh. Did a menu or something pop up?"

"If you think it's in the way, it goes away, you know."

"Subtle, but it's pretty handy that it comes up when you need it, yo."

"Menu… so this is what you call a menu? Is this ancient script?"

For the prince, who didn't know about AR or MR or anything like that, it must have felt like unfamiliar characters and lines floating in his vision.

…Maybe voice input would work?

"Prince, think you can adjust your skills?"

"I-I can't tell."

"Oh, check the manual, yo. …Prince, I'm pretty sure this screen comes up first, so scroll past the terms of use and tap OK, yo!"

"T-terms of use? You mean a contract? No, I am royalty, after all. I cannot enter into a contract without reading it."

"Just shut up and sign the contract, yo! We could always ditch you and head off exploring, yo!?"

"…Understood. Then I shall confirm the bare minimum of the contract terms. Until then, the rest of you may go off and explore."

"I'm goooing, yo!!"

The next moment, Alto headed off to explore.

…Should I go too? I can go too, right?

"Please. I'd like one of you to stay and help with the deciphering."

"Aah, well, can't be helped. I'll keep you company, then. Tria-shi, would you explore for my share too?"

"Okay. If I find anything that looks interesting, I'll grab Penpen's share too."

And so it was decided.

Now then, I'm off to go explore some ancient ruins!