First Outer World Story Series: The Black Mist that Devours - Chapter 121
Translator: MadHatter Editor: MadHatter
(Kurokiri POV)
“How’s the development of the diving technique going~ Fox Princess.”
After linking my consciousness to Fog in the meeting place, I spoke with the Fox Princess’ demon, the Little Fire Fox. Furthermore, it had been verified that she had already assumed control of her demon; hence, it will not seem as if I was conversing with someone while believing they were not present.
“I wonder if the Mist King has made any progress in developing the Ultra-long-distance Transportation Formation~”
The Fox Princess returned the question with something like an absentminded yawn.
“…Hah…”
“…Hah…”
So, after exchanging glances for a while, we let out a mutual sigh.
One year had apparently elapsed since the initiation of the development. Both sides were beginning to simmer down, so to speak.
“Do you mind if I start grumbling about the progress for now?”
“Sure~”
After she said no, I began to complain.
“To begin with, the intricacy of teleportation-related techniques is astounding. I feel as if I’m disassembling a piece of precise equipment that was created in this country many years ago but doesn’t come with an instruction manual.
When reflecting on it, it is only natural that a teleportation technique demands not only information about the current location, but also the understanding and selection of the destination.
In the case of God of Calamity, the coordinates are coded and protected by multiple layers of protection so that gravity and other factors that affect space do not appear in the results of the transition.
What’s the issue at hand right now is the protection and the specification of the coordinates… If it is utilized as is, the amount of power expended will be proportional to the distance and will rise at a monstrous speed.”
“By how much, in particular?”
“More than exponential.”
“Ah, no way we can pull that off.”
“Isn’t that so?”
The Fox Princess looked convinced by my answer.
Incidentally, I had managed to finish the analysis other than coordinate specification and protection in the past year and restructured it, thus it was conceivable to transport about 100 individuals from “White Mist and Black Swamp Forest” to the west coast of the American continent in an instant if the fuel consumption is not a concern.
But, in the end, fuel consumption is out of my control!
“So, how about your side?”
“Well… to be honest, I’ve already finished the technique composition itself. As for the technique composition, I was able to work it out by applying barrier skills and a few special skills.”
The Fox Princess replied with a sigh.
“However, what lies ahead is the main problem. Since the place to which it is directed is the destination, it would be hopeless to concentrate on the battle if the owner’s power supply is disrupted, and it is out of the question that a slight injury would cause the technique to break down.
In short, the challenge now was to figure out how to combine the materials for imprinting the technique with the materials needed to attain a realistic usage level, including effect duration.
The level sought for these materials was the key issue. Initially, I figured that all I needed was a solid and strong object, so I tried to forge and use diamond, steel made from iron sand, and the scales of Cuélebre that you had given me as payment, but these materials could not withstand the complexity of the technique and would fracture during the process of engraving.
On the other hand, if the materials are not capable of engraving diving techniques without problems, the main body will lack adequate strength and cannot be employed in battle. It’s a total nightmare.”
The Fox Princess had a resigned look on her face as she said this.
“Is there any way to enclose the material on which the technique is engraved with a solid material?”
“Of course, I tested such a method. However, the device would become massive and the fuel consumption would be unfavorable. In any case, a material that is difficult to inscribe a technique into seems to have poor power transmission.
That being said, even if a solid material was to be used for some sections, interference with the technique would arise which would lead to malfunctions.
Therefore, the ideal material is one that is sufficiently robust, has excellent power transmission and storage capacity, and is not susceptible to interference with surrounding objects. Well, this is idealism though.”
“I suppose so.”
Even the Fox Princess, who appeared to believe such a material did not exist, spoke as if she was describing a dream.
“O Mist King.”
“What is it?”
The Fox Princess stared at me somewhat seriously.
“May you ask Ichiko if she knows of any suitable materials?”
“Oh, okay. Hold on a second.”
Once I had disconnected the link, I headed downstairs to Ichiko.
————–
“Ichiko. Sorry to interrupt, but can I have your attention?”
“…Ngh, what is it?”
Ichiko rose in response to my voice and faces me.
Now, let me enlighten you on the situation.
“———-”
Well ー high-speed communication spell is convenient…
“Hey, as if I can grasp your message, please explain it to me properly.”
“Rightー”
Therefore, I informed Ichiko, who had been going along with my joke, about what the Fox Princess had requested me to do.
“Hmm. If that’s the case, I happen to have some knowledge of it.”
Whoa, are you for real?
“There is a golden monolith-shaped dungeon in Lake Turkana, Kenya, and the monster of that dungeon is a giant robot…”
“Robot huh…”
My eyes, unintentionally, twinkled with brilliance.
Although Ichiko was slightly taken back by my reaction, it was inevitable that I react in this way. We were talking about a robot after all. A robot, you know. I was a man too, thus I had a yearning for robots on a basic level.
“Um, those robots are dramatically different from ordinary monsters by having armored plates, power reactors, etc. That is why it may be a possibility to put them to use.”
“I see…”
I was unconsciously amazed.
Anyway, if things with the Fox Princess went smoothly, I will dispatch some of my team members to apprehend them. Then I will see whether they can be utilized in my location as well, with some magical modification. They were robots, after all!
————–
Following that, the Fox Princess also agreed to give it a shot, and the four Demon Kings each decided to send one of their kin to capture one of the robots for traveling to gain skill in combat as well.
For the record, from my side, I had Chirito, whose sugar content had recently soared too high that my subordinates were beginning to complain that I should do something about it; from the Fox Princess, there was Mugi; from the Snow Sage, there was a level 4 Yukijin, a female knight named Shirafune Yukiko; and from the Dragon Sovereign side, there was a level 3 Sakurahijin, a female healer named Shidare Hachi.
Chirito was chosen because he had an exceptional analytical ability to find flaws of the opponent even when confronting one another for the first time, while Mugi had high firepower and processing techniques, allowing her to experiment with local processing. The other two, on the other hand, remained a mystery to me.
Moreover, Une was expected to participate from the Sugar King’s side following the continental teleportation, according to what I have heard.
Anyway, there you have it. Although I didn’t suspect that Chirito will cheat on his wife, let me say this.
“Harem guy should explode!”
“As if you have the right to say that! You Erokiri![i]”
————–
T/N:
[i] A mixture of the word Erotic and Kurokiri’s name, meaning pervert
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