CH 110

Harold was completely on the defensive, but now he’s attacking Lily.

His slashes and movements in general are much faster, and keep accelerating.

“Master Rust, what kind of mechanism is that?”

Asks Ahri, still with a full smile on her face.

“It’s basically used to recycle. When people with knowledge of military arts fight each other, they usually envelop their weapons with magic elements, right?”

“Yes, of course.”

“This also means magic elements are scattered as they cross swords. That artificial eye collects them and returns them to Harold. Basically, this gives Harold an advantage the longer fights against strong opponents continue.”

I stop my explanation, as it looks like Harold has beaten Lily. He takes out a potion I gave him, and gently splashes it on her.

“Well done, making something like that in such a short amount of time.”

Ahri sounds impressed.

“No, I actually made it using what I learned when I was investigating your magic eye and Roa’s.”

“Master Rust.”

“Yes? Ah, of course, sorry for using that information without saying anything…”

“No. I don’t mind if it helped put together Mister Harold’s artificial eye. I was just wondering if you got his consent to install this mechanism.”

I turn away from Ahri.

“No, hum, it’s a surprise. See, it’s Harold, so he should be used to this sort of thing so…”

I stutter my way through a response.

“Now now Ahri. It’s no different than when we were in school together. I’m sure Harold is also expecting something like this so…”

“Lady Kalin, please be quiet.”

Kalin’s full smile turns to Kalin.

“…Yes…”

“Master Rust, I know you are friends with everyone, but this is a different thing entirely. Inserting an unknown mechanism into something that will become a part of one’s body is quite unnerving. And to hide it for a childish reason such as wanting to surprise him is…”

Harold then returns, holding a passed out Lily in his arms.

“Rust, this artificial eye is great. It really helped me out… What’s going on?”

Harold looks at both me and Ahri, sensing the awkward atmosphere.

Ahri is smiling silently, and I finally understand why.

I apologize to Harold.

“Harold, I’m sorry. It was childish of me to keep quiet about that mechanism just to surprise you.”

“Ah, is that it? Apology accepted, but it’s fine. It’s the same as always. And I know you, so I know there are a lot of safety margins in place, right”

Harold accepts my apology with a bright smile. I breathe a sigh of relief, and offer a short explanation.

“Thank you. Yes, there are safety margins. It’s also set so that the returning magic elements are added slowly at first, and the limiters are removed gradually in accordance with your own ability. And by the way, there is an emergency setting to remove the safety margins.”

“Hou, interesting. I want one too.”

Says Kalin.

“No, this doesn’t work unless it’s set pretty close to the brain. I wouldn’t recommend it for you.”

“Ahh…”

Kalin responds with a big sigh.

Everyone’s eyes are now on Ahri.

“Master Rust, Lady Kalin, forget about that. We should start dealing with the aftermath of the attack.”

Says Ahri while pointing to the fainted soldiers.

Kalin responds, and gives instructions to the soldiers of Habbafulton.

They start retrieving the downed soldiers, and I shrug while going back to doing my job.

Halhammer comes to me, and he brings Shellrule and Koto with him.

“Sounds like she has you under her thumb.”

He says while laughing loudly.

“Stop it Maser Halhammer, it’s not like that.”

I deny this misunderstanding, and Shellrule vigorously jumps in.

“Master Rust! That was incredible! I’m really impressed! It was a great honor to help with the production of the Potion Rabbits! To think I would ever be involved in the production of something so incredible…”

Shellrule says very rapidly.

“Yes, and thank you for your help Shellrule. You too Koto. You two did a good job. There’s one more thing to take care of. Koto, call everyone in the Kagero Institute.”

“What are we going to do?”

“Extract magic elements.”

The land has been polluted with the magic elements from all the Potion Rabbits splashing around. Extracting these magic elements is very important.