I Became the Strongest With The Failure Frame【Abnormal State Skill】As I Devastated Everything - Chapter 372: Eve Speed

……Ahh, I see.

The reason Liz had specified this route———–

[I understand.]

I said.

[Please bring that person here.]

▽

[Fufu…… That’s quite the imposing attire, Milord.]

As soon as she met me, the corner of her lips rose to a smile.

[You seem well.]

Taking off my Fly King mask……

[Eve.]

Just now, I had invited Eve Speed into my tent.

[It’s been a while, Touka.]

Eve, who came to visit me, appeared in her human form.

Seemingly having anticipated the question I was about to ask……

[Erika invented a magic tool that can condense magic power itself and store it for a certain period of time. And so, using that magic tool, I can take on this form by myself.]

Eve proudly puffed out her chest.

I don’t know the details but……

Isn’t that quite an impressive invention on a global scale?

[Piggii♪]

Pigimaru slithered his way on my shoulder.

[Hmm? Pigimaru is here too huh. You’ve gotten good at concealing your presence.]

[Pigi~~♪]

[It’s been a while since we’ve met, so it seems he wants to go over to you.]

After I handed him to Eve, Pigimaru climbed onto her shoulder.

[Pinyuiii~~♪]

He happily rubs cheeks (I think?) with Eve.

[Fufu…… I’m glad to see you again too, Pigimaru.]

[……Anyhow, it’s impressive you managed to come through the Demon Zone.]

“Umu”, Eve crossed her arms with a smug look on her face.

[I’ve got several factors that allowed me to do so.]

Eve smirked, showing the white teeth at the corner of her mouth.

[After we left the house in that magic chariot, Erica immediately started working on the next one. After that, she made them for individual use. Well, this time it wasn’t chariot-shaped, being more like a horse-shaped magic creature.]

[Hmm? Could that be something easy to mass-produce? It didn’t seem like it……]

From Erika’s tone……

The recognition inhibition ability felt like it was unique to the magic chariot.

[Here, that magic tool that can store magic power I talked about earlier comes into play.]

[……I don’t quite see its relevance to it though.]

[Isn’t Erika a researcher? She seems to have been researching whether she could make a magic tool with the power of recognition inhibition itself.]

[And while she’s researching———– She just happened to come up with that idea?]

[In a sense, yes.]

[…………, ————Hijiri huh?]

Ahh, I see now.

The reason why Eve came.

[Fufu, you’ve caught on huh. As expected of Touka.]

Eve uncrossed her arms and placed a large backpack on the ground.

Incidentally, her outfit wasn’t that of a Fly Knight.

Her outfit makes her look more like a commoner———– clothes that she received from Erika at her house.

[Changing the subject for a moment, have you already talked about this with Hijiri?]

[Yeah.]

Recalling what the Takao Sisters had told me before……

“I heard that Erika-san has been working on magic tools against the Goddess over there for a long time.”

“She said she might be able to complete a magic tool that could inhibit the abilities of a Deity, albeit slightly. However, she still hadn’t finished it yet by the time we left.”

“At that time, Elder Sister apparently gave her a hint of some sort and it felt like she got the piece she needed.”

“A magic tool that inhibits the abilities of a Deity”

I was also debating whether I should go into the Demon Zone to get this.

However———– I judged it difficult to leave the army for several days.

I also considered asking the Takao Sisters to help me with this.

That said, I didn’t know how much I should reduce our forces.

Moreover, it was only a possibility that it could be completed……

However———–

[So it’s completed now, and you brought it here?]

[Umu.]

[Going back to the topic, in other words…… Thanks to the hint Hijiri gave to Erika, she had completed not only the magic tool that inhibits the abilities of a Deity…… but also magic tools for storing magic power and a recognition inhibition magic tool?]

All of this sounds quite convenient.

[“No matter how long one lives, as one ages, one’s thoughts tend to become rigid.” That’s what Erika said. Living a long time apparently doesn’t make one a “genius”.]

Well…… That makes sense.

Even in my previous world, there were plenty of teenage geniuses.

There were many of them who produced better results than their elders.

[Lack of stimulation from others or external sources can cause thoughts to stagnate, and surprisingly———– one may not notice things that they would normally notice easily. I guess that really might be the case.]

[Hijiri did say how “It might also be due to the effect of the Status Correction: <Wisdom>.]

Thereupon, as a certain slime was slightly poking on her cheek, Eve’s eyes squinted and her expression slackened.

[I heard that the status <Wisdom> alleviates brain fatigue and brings about long-term concentration…… It also enables “multitasking”, which is apparently typically a negative act in terms of processing capacity, and enhances the ability to process situations and information…… I didn’t quite understand what they were saying though……]

In fact, it’s difficult to understand “how much” exactly the status modifiers affect us.

Even Vysis herself……

“To tell the truth, some entries are quite inconsistent.”

———said something ridiculous like that.

Having such credibility through analysis is typical of Hijiri.

That said, I don’t feel like my mind has gotten any sharper……

Perhaps, my “intuition” and “perception” are also derived from <Wisdom>.

Thereupon, Eve’s slack expression disappeared.

However, what replaced it wasn’t a stern expression, but one showing concern.

[The way I see it…… I think the completion of these magic tools was also due to Erika’s unwavering efforts. Erika had already laid out the groundwork almost to completion. No matter how many flashes of insight Hijiri’s advice may have given her, without that groundwork———- I think she might not have reached her answer.]

[She believed and continued to make it after all.]

All by herself……

In the hopes of someday defeating Vysis……

So that she can be ready when someone wants to shoot their attack.

[Even after you left, Erika was immersed in research and creation. Perhaps meeting you, who were traveling to defeat Vysis, gave her hope. Fufu…… Seeing her immerse herself like that, I think it’s great that Liz and I, who support her in daily life, are here.]

Seemingly recalling something, Eve smiled.

[Come to think of it, Erica, while she was working, said this.]

While wiping the sweat from her forehead during her work, Erika apparently said this.

A statement to reassure herself.

“That would definitely bring a smile to me————”

The Dark Elf who forbade herself from smiling until the Goddess’ extermination was achieved.

[Even though she was bound to that place, she must have wanted to contribute in some way.]

[———–It was great that she was the Witch of Taboos.]

[Umu. Rather, we might be the ones who should be grateful to Erika.]

……We really have to win this.

So that she can smile.

Recalling something, I asked her a question.

[Regarding that recognition inhibition magic tool, was it improved to last until you left Erika’s house and got out of the Demon Zone?]

[No, as expected, just like that magic chariot, it still only lasts until I’m able to leave the Demon Zone’s deep area.]

Incidentally, it seems its effect is limited only to Golden-eyed monsters.

Also, even if it could be made, there was a limit to the number due to time and material constraints.

Thus, unfortunately, we can’t incorporate it into the upcoming decisive battle.

[So, you just pass through the rest with your own skills?]

[Umu, it’s understandable why you’re asking that.]

Back then……

“I might be perceived as a monster and not be targeted in the Demon Zone.”

She had said something like that but……

[I headed through the Eastern Demon Zone. It was slightly southward though, so I guess you could say I’m going southeast.]

Saying she didn’t directly encounter any Golden-eyed monsters, Eve continued.

[There are several reasons for this. First, at that time———- Back when I attracted a large number of Golden-eyed monsters due to my blunder.]

[When Pigimaru, Slei, and I acted as decoys and engaged in a major battle, right?]

[Umu. As a result, near Erika’s house, a considerable number of Human-Faceds and powerful Golden-eyed monsters were defeated. It seems that many of the Golden-eyed monsters that were somewhat away from the depths were drawn in.]

And so, their numbers in the outskirts decreased huh.

Moreover……

[In the past, after leaving Urza, we entered the Demon Zone from the south, moving up north.]

At that time, we advanced while killing the Golden-eyed monsters in our path.

Furthermore, the battle we mentioned earlier when we acted as decoys……

That significantly reduced the number of Golden-eyed monsters in that area.

Furthermore, there are also the Golden-eyed monsters from the Northern Demon Zone afterwards———-

Yes, the ones Kirihara brought along.

Those and the Golden-eyed monsters that remained in the south went to fight against Seras.

At that time, something like a powered-up version of a Kuchiyose’s ability was used.

It’s highly likely that the Golden-eyed monsters from the southeast had also been gathered at that time.

[However, there should still be Golden-eyed monsters even after leaving the depths, right?]

[According to Hijiri, the Heroes had been previously hunting Golden-eyed monsters in the Eastern Demon Zone to earn experience points.]

I see……

So at that time, the Golden-eyed monsters on the outskirts……

[Also———- Have you heard about the time when Hijiri was struck by Vysis’ poison dagger and ran off to Erika’s place?]

[……I see.]

The Sisters are S-Rank and A-Rank.

It seems that Hijiri, even though she’s poisoned, could fight up until they reach the depths.

At that time———-

[They advanced while killing Golden-eyed monsters huh.]

When they thought they had found a new habitat and moved——— they were killed.

Perhaps because of this, they judged that area as a danger zone.

Yes———– I’m talking not about the Humans, but about the Golden-eyed monsters.

……How ironic.

The Demon Zone, feared as a dangerous area where Golden-eyed monsters abound.

Now, the Southeast area of the Demon Zone has become an area avoided by Golden-eyed monsters instead.

[Thanks to that, I was able to come to Alion area without encountering Golden-eyed monsters almost at all. Well, it’s possible that me being alone plays a big part in this matter though.]

When we first stepped into the Demon Zone, Liz was with us.

Liz’s appearance makes our group an easy target.

What Eve said back then……

“I look like a monster, so I’ll probably be alright.”

———–may unexpectedly not just a bluff.

[As a final check, Liz’s familiar also conducted reconnaissance.]

[And so, with the familiar acting as a scout, you got out while finding a safe route huh.]

After that, since Eve safely passed through the Demon Zone, Liz’s familiar headed our way.

[Because Erika, who had been supporting you from behind, had collapsed, it seems Liz had also been flustered herself.]

Hearing it like this……

It seems understandable that Eve was able to pass through the Demon Zone by herself.

[But still, Eve.]

[Hmm?]

[If you were heading our way, couldn’t you have let us know in advance through Liz’s familiar? Well———–]

Looking at the back she brought on the ground……

[Can’t say I don’t have any idea what the reason is though.]

[Fufu, acting based on the worst-case scenario…… That is something I’ve learned from you as well.]

A magic tool that may play a significant role against Vysis.

I don’t know where Vysis’ “eyes” and “ears” are.

[We’ve decided to keep quiet about the completion of this magic tool and the fact that I’m heading your way. Until I directly meet up with you, that is. For now, only Liz, Erika and I will know about this. Erika also said “If Touka knows about it, you might try to come and pick it up” after all. She probably didn’t want to cause unnecessary consideration from you. As for whether this magic tool will definitely produce the intended effect on Vysis or not, it seems we really won’t know until the time we actually use it.]

With Erika’s circumstances, there’s naturally no way she could test it on a Deity.

[You also took care not to burden us with unnecessary thoughts or go through effort on something that isn’t absolute…… huh.]

Up to the end———– That Dark Elf’s being considerate.

Also……

[Eve.]

[Umu.]

[There was no guarantee that you would safely pass through the Demon Zone.]

[That’s true.]

[With that determination in mind, you rushed over here.]

That’s why……

[I mean…… Thanks.]

Hearing my words, she closed her eyes again and with her hands on her waist, Eve slightly smiled.

[Don’t worry about it. Besides, this is also to protect this world…… the world Liz will live in from now on. If that Vysis disappears, the world will become more livable for that girl. Most of all———— I’m also a senior member of the Fly King Squadron after all.]

With eyes lit by strong determination, Eve grinned.

[If the leader heads off to the decisive battle, then as one of your followers, I must also be given a chance to shine.]

……Even so……

Is it perhaps because she’s like an early member of the Fly King Squadron?

[Hmm? What’s the matter, Touka?]

[I’m just thinking…… How should I say this———— You really are easy to talk to after all.]