225 - - Episode 223 Experiment

After exploring the eighty-sixth layer, I found that I was useless. Since it was my first time to explore this new layer and I felt empty just floating around, I tried various experiments with the help of Bell and his friends. Fortunately?　Fortunately, lightning is constantly striking all over the place, so there is plenty of room for experimentation.

Experiments

(i) Pure water

At first, I tried pure water, which seems to be almost impervious to electricity, to the best of my knowledge. When I defeated the subspecies of Sea Serpent in the 70th layer, I had explained this to Rain, so he made it for me immediately.

Place a plate of pure water on top of the water flowing on the ground. A piece of metal is placed on top of it. I wondered if the pure water would mix with the plain water, but it seems to work. I was wondering if the pure water would not mix with the metal shards, but it seems to be OK. ...... Basically, there is less resistance for electricity to be transmitted to the ground than to pure water, and the metal shards are almost unaffected by lightning strikes.

The electricity does hit the metal pieces by some chance, but it seems to be reduced to the level of static electricity. When I fearfully checked, I heard a cracking sound and my hand went numb. It was a little stronger than the electric shock goods used in punishment games, wasn't it?　It hurts, but not unbearably so. Would shoes and gloves made of pure water help?

(d) Vacuum

Ask Bell to create a layer of vacuum.

Bell did not seem to understand the vacuum well and failed. Sylphy says that it is very difficult to keep a vacuum with wind, so even if it works, it is not suitable for exploration.

(iii) Lightning rod

We asked Tulu to grow metal pillars deep into the ground.

It works, but not all of it flows into the ground, and the surface of the water makes a banging sound. Hmmm, is it saturated with too much lightning?　It is hard to walk around with a lightning rod bobbing around, so we reject the idea.

(iv) Joint work

Tulu lifts the ground, Lane drains the water, and Flare dries it completely with fire. Electricity no longer flows, but this too is too time-consuming and is rejected. It seems to me that just lifting up the ground might work, but I am not sure about this either, so I dismissed it.

We tried many other things and failed repeatedly, and when we lost our way, we asked Tamamo to make a ship of leaves, and ended the experiment by doing something stupid like getting scorched by lightning.

"So what are you going to do?"

Sylphy asks. I felt a hint of annoyance in her voice, but she seemed to give only a sad answer, so I let it go.

"Well, I've tried various methods, but the one that seems to work well is the use of pure water as a countermeasure against electric currents.

"That's the first method you tried, right?"

"...... yeah."

In the end, I couldn't think of any other way to do it, so it's no wonder. You have done a lot of hard work, so please value not only the results but also the process. For someone like me, who doesn't even know the difference between direct current and exchange, I'd like to say out loud that I'm doing a good job. I won't say it.

"So what do you do with pure water?"

"Well, I'm thinking of having Rain make me some thick-soled, pure water shoes and gloves, and then I'll have him divert the water on the ground away from me."

If we had shoes like thick-soled boots of pure water and gloves like mittens, we could make it work. They say that it does not take much force to divert the flow of water, since it only changes the flow of water. Even if an electric current flows through the water, it can be tolerated as long as it is a punishment game. It's not perfect, but we can say that we have a good prospect for our search.

**

"How do you like it?"

"It looks great on you, doesn't it?"

Sylphy, why are you half-smiling in a questioning way?

"cool", "cue cue cue", "very nice", "coooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" ......"

It's nice to see the pure-eyed admiration of the Belles, but the thick-soled shoes of pure water and the mittens of pure water...... probably have the right reaction to Sylphy's.

After breakfast and before leaving for the 87th layer, I asked Rain to make me some lightning protection equipment. I'll give up on the looks of it, since no one is looking at it. It's not as kitchen-roomy as nature's armor, so it's easier to feel comfortable. Now we have to summon If before we leave.

"Finally!"

As soon as I summoned If, he jumped out of the room full of energy. He had been waiting for it.

"Yes, it's my turn, but it's like that outside. Are you okay?"

"Hmm?　Oh, it's raining, no problem. Rain don't put out my fire!

If smiles grinning. Flare is smitten by the sight of him. So this is how he learns. It's cool, but it's only cool iff she's mature and wildly beautiful. If Flair said the same line, it would only make me smile. Well, I won't tell you that because you'll be disappointed if I do.

"Well, that's good to hear. The demon is an adamantite golem. I'll leave all the demons that attacked me to you.

"Adamantite!　Yeah, I'll take care of it!"

"Yes, please. I'd like to test the effectiveness of this equipment, so please turn a few demons this way at first.

"Equipment?　That weird water?　It looks like it's hard to move."

"Cue cue cue cue."

Rain protests hard against If's problematic comments. She flaps her flippers in the most adorable way.

"Hmm?　Rain made that?　Lightning doesn't penetrate?　That's awesome. I'm sorry I said it was weird."

If apologizes, perhaps over Rain's protests. Rain nods, cooing. It seems that he has forgiven her. After the conversation, Flair greets If happily, followed by Belle and the others.

"Hey, you're looking good. How are you doing?"

If pats the greeting belles, and one by one, they give him a firm answer. He had taken care of the younger ones in the volcano where he used to live, he said. She is taking care of Belle and the others in a familiar way. She's like a big sister.

"Osh!　Yuta, let's get going!"

"Okay. Let's go. Rain, you clear the water around me, and Flair, you take the perimeter. Bell, Tulu, Tamamo, Moon, you search the chests and stairs. I'm counting on you.

"I'll find it, I'll do my best, I'll do my best, I'll do my best, I'll do my best, I'll do my best, I'll do my best, I'll do my best. ......"

The search party runs out into a heavy thunderstorm. Since the heroes have not fully explored since the 87th layer, we can expect a lot of treasure chests. Good luck finding the treasure chest containing the magic wand.

"All right, let's go!"

If can't wait either, he jumps into the thunderstorm without waiting for me. I thought ...... well, I don't have a specific destination in mind, I'll follow If, ...... but I can't see him anymore.

"What the hell!"

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I'm just saying, I can't collect the demon if it's defeated without me. It would be a waste of Adamantite if you throw it out there, so at least fight them where I can see it."

I ask iff he resumed and complains.

"...... Hmm, well, I see. Okay. I'll go slowly, so follow me."

Good. I think spirits are wonderful because they understand us when we talk to them. With the human battle-crazy types, it's easy to end up talking like you don't know what's going on.

"I'm coming for you!"

If runs out into the rain, waving his right arm in the air. I rush after him. I catch up with him as he said he would go slowly, but his hands are already lit. He's really going for it. Flare, that's not what I meant by "watch the perimeter"...

Our job is to watch where the demons are coming from, not to fly around the perimeter and guide If to the demons!

"......I'll warn you if the demons are about to surprise you, so why don't you let them do what they want this time?"

Sylphy gives me a wry smile. ...... Well, I guess it can't be helped. Flair loves ifs. I feel like I'm losing to If, but Freya seems to be having a good time, so I'll give up this time.

"Thank you, please."

I thank Sylphy and follow behind If as Flare leads the way. A little further on, three orc adamantite golems appear. Iph is happy to see them. Ah, the fire from his fists disappears as if it bursts out of him.

"Adamantite indeed!　This much fire isn't enough. Next time I'll go even hotter!"

If is happy that his fire is extinguished. I immediately light both fists on fire and strike the orc that was coming towards me. Gains!　The orc is blown away with a dull thud.

I wonder why metal and fire collide, and why metal is pushed down. Does fire become matter when it becomes dense?

"You're dealing with me!　Don't look the other way or you'll get burned!"

Well, even a golem will come to me rather than to the fire. And does metal burn?　You've got a lot to be picky about this time. I watch the ifs fight in a daze, making clanging noises.

"Hmm, this is just right!　If you make it too hot, you lose the feel and it's boring. And remember the flare."

Flare nodded with a cooing face. It seems that he has found the right temperature to melt adamantite while still having a certain degree of responsiveness. I wonder what the temperature is?

"Hey Sylphy. I think I'm starting to get a weird gifted feeling...should I stop?"

"Even if I stop you, you'll learn on your own because you'll be watching."

"I see. ......"

Results of the IF experiment. An orc adamantite golem, melting into mush like an avant-garde work of art, but still moving awkwardly. Am I wrong to feel a little sorry for it?　

"It's time to move on."

If gives the battered golem a quick blow and walks away. I guess he's forgotten all about my request for a few demons to turn around. I guess I'll wait until Iph is somewhat satisfied. I stow the melted orc golem and chase after Iph. If she's not satisfied by the end, we'll go to the 88th layer to verify it.

*****　

"You can call me again anytime you want!　You can really call them if you want!"

You definitely want us to call them. I understand.

"I'm going back to Izumi's house at the 90th layer this time, so I'll call you again next time."

Absolutely!

"Yeah, no problem. I'm going to send you back now, so give my regards to the others."

If had been in a good mood after the riot earlier, but now that he was to be repatriated, he was anxious to see what would happen next. He must have been bored to death. I feel a little sorry for him, but I send him back.

Well, compared to the battle with the undead, the battle with If was worth watching. The fight against the dragon adamantite golem was especially great.

A beautiful woman with fire in her fists punches a huge dragon in a heavy thunderstorm. If you don't mind the fact that her high pitched smile reminded me a bit of a berserker, it was a mythical world.

Just as she was about to lead us to the treasure chest, Belle and the others were excited to see it!　It was like a hero show. I wish I could fight like that. It's a little sad when you use hammers and saws.