197. Baritra (3)
197. Baritra (3)
- 1 -
The streets of Pandemonium came alive when the sky turned red.
Beneath the Demon Realm's characteristic crimson-tinged sky, bright sunlight streamed down, producing an odd, hard-to-adjust-to sensation.
It felt like it should soon be time to go in and rest.
Moreover, while the streets themselves were not so different from those on the continent, the impressions they gave were alien.
That was because numerous eccentrics and heteromorphic beings filled the streets everywhere you looked.
At the same time, if you looked closely, their true identities were guild members working in private organizations, ordinary citizens, or mercenaries and soldiers of the Demon Realm.
Even Skeletons and Zombies were among them.
"H-Huk...! S-Sorry. Please, go ahead."
The giant's booming voice was at odds with his hulking frame as he hunched his shoulders and hastily stepped aside.
I shifted my attention from a passing Skeleton Knight, smiled at the giant, and gestured.
"It's fine. You first. You look busy."
"Th-Thank you!"
Just like the giant now striding off in his suit, or the Goblins and Kobolds clustered around a Dark Elf street vendor.
The same applied to the occasional giants or monstrous beasts whose appearances seemed unsuited for wandering the streets.
In this place, they were mostly ordinary people or someone's pet.
"What an unusually shaped structure."
At the same time, the city itself was fundamentally alien.
For instance, when I looked at a massive perch or lantern hanging from a tall building and commented,
"That's a rest stop for the winged or bird-like demons to take a break."
Serica or Mure would explain things like this, which had already happened several times.
Buildings suspended in midair by magic and the bridges linking them gave the impression of a second city floating in the sky.
Though nothing appeared on the surface, magical circles were constantly operating in every building when viewed with magical sight.
Like the 'Air Carriage' I had seen before, all manner of magic-powered conveyances decorated the sky.
For someone with a deep curiosity about magic, there were irresistible elements everywhere I simply could not ignore.
"Over here!"
Serica tugged at my arm as my steps slowed.
The place she pointed to was a large jewelry store with crystal windows glittering.
Inside the display cases visible through the windows, various magic stones and ornaments shone with a beautiful light.
"Welcome, young ladies."
When we opened the glass door, a subtle aroma gently brushed my nose.
The clerk recognized us and bowed politely. He had noticed that we were noble young ladies, or more precisely, noblewomen.
"Good day to you. Noble guests. Have you come to view magic stones? Or perhaps ornaments? Either way, we only handle the finest quality goods..."
While I was examining the mana flowing among the display cases—though I hadn't sensed him—the shopkeeper had somehow noticed our arrival and soon descended from the second floor with quiet footsteps to attend to us.
"The young lady and the lady will be choosing by eye, so please don't trouble yourselves."
"Oh my, of course."
"By the way, do you also sell items capable of enchantment here?"
"Ah-ha. If you look this way right here..."
While Mure handled the shopkeeper, Serica and I tried on a few ornaments on each other.
"What shall we get here... Rita. This is your fault. No matter what I choose, I don't think I can shine next to you."
Serica pouted. Her voice was very cute, a little sulky.
"Ah, how about this?"
But then, she grew quite composed and asked, holding a mana-infused diamond necklace to her throat.
The diamond glittering in her hand was certainly beautiful, but it didn't suit her lively appearance.
A dissonant feeling prickled at me, and I soon understood why.
"It's different from your usual style."
"Yeah... Mother said something like this would be more befitting of a noble young lady."
I shook my head and took the necklace from her hand.
The quality was good enough that it could be useful elsewhere, but she didn't need it.
"May I choose for you?"
"Sure."
Smiling at Serica, whose expression was a mix of bitterness and a sweet blush, I picked out a few items.
"Anything you pick, Rita, will probably be pretty."
It wasn't difficult to choose something suitable.
As a vampire, she liked flashy attire and things with a lot of red.
"Isn't it too flashy?"
"The honor of a noble house is merely an ornament that brightens your beauty and true nature. You are far more valuable than such things."
"... Really?"
"Yes. This is much more like you. And prettier."
A ruby necklace and a full set of ornaments to match.
At my words as I handed them over, Serica's cheeks flushed even redder.
As she looked in the mirror and repeatedly fiddled with the newly chosen ornaments, a satisfied smile lingered on her lips.
Now it was my turn.
"How about this amethyst necklace? It seems like it would match your eye color perfectly."
"That one's nice too. But it won't be enough."
"Then how about this? This subtle one seems like it would really suit you, Rita!"
Serica laid out a dozen or so ornaments on the display counter.
Her eyes sparkled affectionately as she held the ornaments against my body.
"Isn't this too many?"
"For you, Rita, at least this much is only natural!"
Serica debated for a long time, and only when I finally picked out a few I liked did it end.
"My Lady. How about these?"
"Yes. You chose well."
In the meantime, I checked the accessories and magic stones Mure had selected, and then nodded.
They were to be made into gifts, or else selected as ornaments to engrave new magic upon for my subordinates.
"Nirvana. Come here."
"Master?"
After that, I stepped outside for a moment.
The jewelry shop was designed for 'Gnomes', so it was far too cramped for Nirvana, who was accompanied by a large Fate Flower, and the bulky Kamaya to fit inside.
"It suits you very well."
I looked at Nirvana and gave a satisfied smile.
I had just finished having her try on a choker and bracelet, as well as several similar accessories on the black Fate Flower that was part of her body.
"This is..."
"It's a gift to commemorate you becoming a Lord. It will also help you control your mana more precisely from now on."
"Thank you. Master."
Nirvana gave a captivating smile as she spoke her thanks.
I opened her status window and checked the changes in her.
『Name - Nirvana』
『Grade - Advanced』
『Profession - High Lord』
『Species - Green Skin』
『Title/Entity Name - Mysterious Alraune Matriarch』
Now she could supply additional forces through the dungeon core, aside from the Alraune or Green Skins she originally had.
Since her mana had increased considerably compared to before, she was having some difficulty controlling it.
The scent of temptation that emanated from her uncontrollably at any time—she might not mind it, but it was troublesome for the people around her.
An external control device for its regulation was essential.
"Then, I shall order it like this."
"We will deliver it right away!"
After asking the shopkeeper for additional craftsmanship on the ornaments and delivery to the Baritra Marquis Household, we exited the jewelry shop.
Mary looked at the shop's display window once more and let out a 'Kkaak-' cry.
- Sparkle, sparkle!
Mary, who was sitting on my shoulder, cast a small spell toward the light reflected in the window. For a moment, the light reflecting in the window intensified, then soon faded.
"What a little prankster."
When I stroked Mary's head, she cried 'Kkaak-' and lightly nibbled my finger with her beak before letting go.
After that, we headed for a clothing store.
The dresses visible through the glass window were elegant, filled with designs reflecting the characteristics of various species, and on the patterns hung on the wall, artistically arranged magical circles glowed.
"Isn't this pretty?"
Next to the pattern Serica pointed at, a small purple dress was projected, floating in the air.
"... Are you joking?"
With its considerably short skirt, it felt more like a magical girl outfit than something a noble young lady would wear.
It seemed like something to wear in an informal setting rather than a formal occasion, so to speak.
I also felt that, somehow, it wouldn't suit me, since I'd only ever worn long-skirted dresses.
"But it's cute!"
"Haa."
"Ow!"
I did flick her on the forehead, but I bought the pattern anyway.
Because Serica had pestered me about it several times.
"Then let's pick one out for you as well."
"Uh... how about that pink one? Or this..."
Unlike her usual flashy taste, Serica chose a dress in a neat, proper style.
Looking at me while choosing, she seemed to be worrying about how she'd look standing next to me.
"Choose the one you like. That's more beautiful."
In the end, only after my words did she manage to select a dress.
Serica's expression was now completely bright.
"This one is interesting... Serica. Come over here and look. This will help you too."
The next place we headed to was a magic tome shop.
Serica approached me with a reluctant expression as I stopped in front of a magic tome inside a display case.
"What is it? I don't really find magic that interesting..."
"Don't you have to become stronger to go up to the surface?"
When I pointed at the cover of the magic tome, Serica slightly frowned. It was a magic tome detailing how to handle the flow of mana.
She preferred leaving the flow itself to spirits rather than handling it directly.
This was a method that prioritized convenience and firepower.
However, it had the drawback of making the versatility of the mana she personally handled somewhat lacking.
"W-Well, that's true... Don't look at me with such stern eyes... You're scarier than my tutor..."
Her attempt to avoid my gaze was so cute that a laugh escaped me.
When I touched her cheek as she tried to turn her head, she flinched and twisted her body, which was even more adorable.
"I don't want to force you to do something you dislike. But if you were to get hurt, I think I'd be... very, very angry."
"If you put it that way, Rita..."
In the end, Serica picked up the magic tome, and I smiled as I stroked her head.
After searching for magic that would be necessary for Sonia and the other mages of my dungeon, I headed to the last scheduled location.
"Ah, My Lady! Welcome. We have been waiting."
"Are all the ordered items ready?"
"Yes! Please come this way."
By the time the afternoon arrived, I reached the Pandemonium branch of the 'Ash Heap Artisan Corps', which I had confirmed yesterday, and checked on the order.
"Kamaya. Come over here."
"Yes. Master."
Having received a greatsword from the artisan, I gestured toward Kamaya and lifted the weapon with one hand.
It was a bit burdensome for me to hold, but not just because of the weight. The rough mana fluctuations from the massive blade tingled in my palm.
Charreu...
First, I examined the blade, which flexed slightly as I traced its curve.
The tip of the smoothly curved blade sparkled in the sunlight, and below it a blazing bird was engraved, a pattern similar to the phoenix or vermilion bird of the world I originally came from.
The firebird seemed full of life, as if it might take flight at any moment. It was thanks to the mana radiance that flowed like flames across its surface.
'The magic settled in well.'
All of my specifications for durability, ordered from the artisans to make it a functional weapon, had been engraved, and the design left gaps in the mana flow so that additional magic could be added later.
To my magically attuned eyes, this greatsword was like a musical score where the harmony was still lacking, but the melody had been beautifully arranged.
After examining the various empty spots and swinging the greatsword once in the air, I handed it over to Kamaya, who had come closer.
"Give it a swing."
"If you'll excuse me."
Tu-ung!
As she received the greatsword, a glint of keen interest swirled in Kamaya's eyes.
"... It's heavy."
"It might be, for now."
Given the fame of the weapon that served as its model, the greatsword in her hands was extremely heavy.
Its weight was on a different level from the lightweight crescent blades she had used up until now.
For the Kamaya of the past, merely holding it would have been difficult, much less lifting it and flying.
But not anymore.
『Name - Kamaya』
『Grade - Advanced』
『Profession - Overseer』
『Species - Were Dragon』
『Title/Entity Name - Belligerent Elder Harpy Falcon』
Watching Kamaya hold the greatsword, I checked her status once more.
Having become a Dungeon Lord, she was no longer a simple Harpy.
As a Were Dragon, which was classified as a 'Dragon' by the standards of the Western Continent, both the speed of her growth and the yield of mana acting on her physical body had changed from before.
"If you just adapt to it as it is, you'll be able to suppress most ordinary enemies with just an aerial bombardment, without any other magical additions."
"That certainly seems to be the case."
Kung!
Nodding, Kamaya withdrew the greatsword and set it beside her.
The tail of the blazing bird became a tassel, beautifully coloring the arc of the greatsword as it was swung.
The slight hesitation that had initially been visible in her eyes had already vanished.
"It is still difficult for now, but I will endeavor to show you a splendid sword dance soon."
"I'll look forward to it."
Thus, by the time the sky was shifting from red to a purple hue, the afternoon schedule, including my date with Serica, came to an end.
"Let's go in now. I had fun today. Rita."
Before returning to the mansion, we were at a cafe.
Serica was hesitating about something while holding my hand.
With her head resting on my shoulder, her red eyes were looking up at my face gently.
I lightly kissed her on the forehead.
Serica's face instantly flushed red, and then she soon wore a happy smile.
"We'll be staying at the mansion tomorrow too, right."
"Of course. Since I couldn't devote enough time to you today, we'll see even more of each other tomorrow."
"Euh-hee..."
Letting out a laugh utterly unbefitting a noble young lady, she gave my cheek a last small kiss, then stood up and headed ahead with a bouncing step.
I also followed behind her and returned to the Marquis household's palace.
Of course, that didn't mean that all of today's business was over.
"Lady Libertas. The guests who came to see you have been waiting since a while ago."
Returning to the Marquis's palace before dinner began, I received those words from a maid sent by the lady of the palace.
Now, all the free time was over.