Volume 7 Chapter 11 (1/2)
A few days had passed since Prince Leonard's party left Avalon.
Fearing the worst, I had ordered R'lyeh Diva and two Ocean Singers to hide in the other dimension and follow the prince so that they could observe and, if need be, protect him.
Furthermore, I had arranged to send five Avalon-Ritters via air transport to the outskirts of the Axela capital and have those units hide there until Ruru felt the need to summon them via a transmitter.
With these preparations in place, so long as it wasn't anything too major, Prince Leonard would remain alive and safe. Even if countless assassins were dispatched after the prince, none would even notice.
According to Ruru's reports, the prince's preparations seemed to be going well.
As for me…
I was in my room, readying myself for my trip out with Kuina.
”Today's the day Kuina's gonna fight Fel-chan!”
”I've already told you this yesterday, but I'm going with you today.”
”Yay~ ♪! I'll show Oto-san lots of cool things!”
Our destination today was the [Time] Demon Lord's Arena where Kuina was doing her special training.
Kuina was Avalon's strongest combatant, so it was undoubtedly important that I see for myself the new strength she had found.
To my knowledge, her training consisted of regular fights with Fel, one of the [Time] Demon Lord's monsters.
Considering that the [Time] Demon Lord's Arena could turn back time and reverse all wounds, they could go all out without fearing any risks. And since they didn't have to hold back—which they had to do when sparring the normal way with others because they were just too strong—it apparently had led to tremendous growth for the two.
”Kuina's just ahead by one win! If Kuina loses today, it'll be a tie again, so Kuina has to absolutely win!”
Perhaps it was a sign of her motivation, but her beautiful fox tail pointed skyward. Finding that to be amusing, I smiled wryly.
While we were like that, a knock came from the Carriage's door.
”Kuina, I've come to get you! You better be thankful.”
Speak of the devil.
It was Fel, the girl who looked exactly like Kuina except for her wolf tail and ears.
When she saw me, a great smile appeared on her face.
”Master, it's been a while! Kuina told me you were coming today. I'm gonna show you lots of cool things!”
She said the exact same thing Kuina said.
The two really are like sisters.
I thought so and laughed.
”Haha. I'll look forward to it, then.”
I was of course rooting for Kuina, but there was no need to voice it out.
Fel had been coming every week to fetch the Avalon wine I had promised to the [Time] Demon Lord and some other items made from the First Tree's golden apples.
Today was the next scheduled day for such a delivery.
I had been occasionally exchanging letters with the [Time] Demon Lord so I knew he himself had been enjoying and consuming the wine being sent to him. That being said, according to him, less than half of his accumulated stocks remained after the frequent visits made by the [Dragon] Demon Lord.
At any rate, it was time to go.
As planned, the crow monster that came together with Fel was going to transport the three of us to the [Time] Demon Lord's Arena.
”Kuina, Fel, wait. I'm also coming along today.”
The other person was Rorono.
”How about your work, Rorono-chan? Are they finished?”
”No, they're not. But coming along with you today is important work as well. Here, take this, Kuina.”
What Rorono handed to Kuina was something long that was wrapped in cloth. After receiving the item, Kuina, undid the wrapping.
”Could this be…”
”Yes, I've completed it. It's the EDS-05S Claíomh Solais, the latest shotgun model specially made just for you, Kuina. It's a weapon specialized for you, to the point that only you can use it.”
And so, the thing Rorono handed was a shotgun. It had a certain shade of silver, a sign that it was made with an alloy composed of orichalcum and mithril.
Unlike the previous ED series shotguns which were progressively getting bigger and bigger, this one was rather slender.
”Rorono-chan, I can feel amazing power coming from this kid.”
”You're not the only that has grown, Kuina. I've gotten stronger too from the many battles I've had. And the stronger I get, the more I can do and make. This weapon was made using that new-found strength. …also, like I said, this weapon was made with you and just you in mind. I focused on increasing the power, but in exchange, handling it has become much more difficult than previous iterations. If it's you though, I'm sure you'll manage.”
”Yay~ ♪! Thank you, Rorono-chan!”
Kuina said so and then embraced Rorono.
Due to the difference in their physiques though, Rorono was put off balance and they fell down.
”Thank me later. That brings me to why I'm coming along today: I need to verify its performance in an actual battle. Kuina, use it as you wish. Don't hold back.”
”Understood! Leave it to Kuina!”
”Would you like some explanations about it?”
”Nope, I'm good! The moment I held it, I heard this kid's voice! It wants to go wild!”
”Mhm. Then, as you said, I'll leave it to you.”
The new weapon Rorono made certainly made things more exciting.
What kind of effects does it have? I have to see it with my own eyes.
Meanwhile, Fel looked envious.
I wanted to make her happy, but obviously, making and then handing out another weapon wasn't a real option.
Nevertheless, Kuina's new shotgun gave her quite the advantage in their upcoming fight.
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And so, the crow monster transported us to the hidden room in the [Time] Demon Lord's dungeon where the interconnecting Transfer array was. From there, the crow monster used Transfer again, this time transporting us to the Arena.