Manowa - Chapter 442

Episode 442 – Let’s Decide the Retirement Destination

Beginning with the Tatsuyoshi Copy surprise, the negotiations with Tsuvara’s royal family ended, and they also received their reward for the investigation of Anglais.

But that wasn’t the end of the purposes for which Kazane and the others came to visit Yuuko-nee; as a matter of fact, there were still two things remaining.

One of them was a consultation about having the『Pilot Light of the Gods』they found on the seafloor belong to Minshiana Kingdom, but Yuuko-nee was wholeheartedly happy about that and immediately accepted.

As could be seen from the fact that Master didn’t have a『Pilot Light of the Gods』, there was currently no furnace in the Minshiana Kingdom with a Flame of the Gods. Therefore, the transfer of a Flame of the Gods was the dearest wish of Minshiana’s blacksmithing masters, and the birth of a Smithing Miko was an extremely important matter for the country. And during the conversation, they decided that for the time being, they would only give a flame to Master so that information wouldn’t be leaked to the dwarves too quickly and cause trouble.

And the last item was Kazane’s proposed Kazane Land.

It was a plan to create a town centered on a huge castle in Kazane Magic Hot Spring Town. As Louise said to do, Kazane was trying to get Yuuko-nee’s approval to carry out her plans.

「As a matter of fact, I think I’ll give the throne to Sieg and retire once he becomes an adult.」

It was a bombshell statement. Immediately after the discussion started, Yuuko-nee broached the subject. It seemed Roger at her side knew about that from the beginning, and although he didn’t say anything in particular, his expression showed he had his own thoughts about it.

「Umm, you’re going to resign from being Queen?」

After Kazane said that with a tilted head, Yuuko-nee nodded.

From the start, Yuuko-nee became Queen to fight against the aristocrats who were trying to make Prince Sieg a puppet to obtain the kingdom. She had always thought it would be natural for her to retire from center stage once Sieg could safely take the throne and operate the country with his own ability.

After Yuuko-nee’s words, Kazane and Yumika had an ordinary impression (without any particular reason) of「Regrettable」… but Mefirus and Louise had different reactions.

『In short, she overdid it.』

「That’s right.」

After Mefirus quietly muttered, Louise smiled wryly.

Almost 10 years had passed since Yuuko-nee took the throne. During that time, she wielded her power in a way that brought benefits to the masses, but not necessarily to the aristocrats, so her enemies had continually increased.

Yuuko-nee had thoroughly exterminated the hardliners who bared their fangs at her, but there were still many moderates in this country who didn’t show any movements. And for them, Yuuko-nee was a person they wished would exit the stage as soon as possible.

Yuuko-nee knew there were many people who thought that way, and if Sieg could become King in a way that repaid her late husband, she intended to satisfy that demand.

「If Sieg acquires the ability and connections to stand on his own feet, having a nuisance like me leave would be correct. I’ve mostly finished cleaning up for that purpose.」

「So you want to use Kazane Land for your retirement?」

After Kazane’s question, Yuuko-nee nodded. It seemed she wanted to use it.

「Originally, I was thinking about imposing on the West Dragon Village and consulted with Ao-san, but there is a hot spring at Kazane Magic Hot Spring Town, right? The mountains and sea are both nearby, so I thought it would be just right for enjoying my post-retirement life.」

Then Yuuko-nee looked at Kazane and Yumika.

「Besides, Kazane, Yumika, Naoki, and while he’s not the person himself, Tatsuyoshi-chan will be there, right? I’m thinking of making it in an independent country where players are gathered. It’s Kazane『Land』, so there’s no problem, right?」

There was a superfluous implied (taxi) included with a certain person’s name, but it was convenient, so that couldn’t be helped. Kazane was also well aware of the convenience of the Return Stake.

「Umm, is there no problem, master?」

「Don, don’t ask me.」

「Or rather, this conversation. Is it fine for me to hear this?」

After Yumika’s question, Jinrai groaned, and Emily had a pale face. Isn’t this the kind of conversation one would usually be disposed of for hearing?… Emily thought, but that perception was correct. Looking objectively, it was about a tyrannical queen trying to divide her country and become independent in order to protect herself.

「As you’d expect, Makka-san will die, won’t she?」

Kazane being Kazane, her thinking went in a bit of a deviated direction. She was brimming with intention to throw everything to others. In other words, it was a premonition of the birth of the founding acting Queen of Kazane Land, Makka-san.

Even though Makka didn’t have much screen time, the road to her becoming a bigwig was rapidly being opened without her knowledge. And Kazane intended to support that with all her power.

Money, connections, securing personnel, and even a guardian Golem; Kazane had certainly sent sufficient support. That was exactly why the responsibility was so heavy.

「No, as you’d expect, there’s no way I could leave this to her alone. Honestly, I think she’s already over maximum capacity, so I’ve been preparing to send support.」

「As expected of Yuuko-nee.」

Kazane planned to inform Makka of the good news later, but since she would be informed of the grand plan just before that good news, her stomach pains would surely increase. The world never went as one wanted.

『However, a new country is overdoing it a little, isn’t it?』

After Mefirus asked with a frown, Yuuko-nee nodded.

「Well, perhaps. But as you’d expect, I think having the power of players gathered in one current country would be inconvenient. For example, Jinrai’s prosthetic arm. It’s called Cindy, isn’t it? If in the future, it became known that Minshiana mass produced 100 units and equipped a squad with them, what would happen?」

After those words, Mefirus groaned. Getting direct hits for full power was a bit of a problem, but if a large amount were assembled, that would no longer be the case. Thousands of soldiers would be slaughtered in tens of seconds, and a city could collapse in a short amount of time. Mefirus understood that that would be too dangerous.

『I see.』

And Mefirus nodded deeply to Yuuko-nee. Since he was used to them being used on an everyday basis, his awareness was fading, but the Golems Kazane created were dangerous weapons.

「The materials being what they are, a large number can’t be made, though. And only one-armed people can use them properly.」

After Kazane’s words, Yuuko-nee shook her head.

「If a country mobilizes, it can collect the materials, and arms can be cut off, Kazane. Something that was a funny story in the game could happen in reality. At least Jinrai’s arm is well worth it.」

After that reply, Kazane said「Mm」as her mouth turned down at the corners.

「Most player Unique Skills stop at being the Unique Skill of that player alone, but Kazane’s Golem Maker isn’t so individual. And at the same time, considering the possibilities of Golem usage, I think even attacking Toure Kingdom to take the Grimoire Field and produce Golem users has merit.」

It suddenly became a dangerous subject, but actually, ever since the military learned about the existence of the Golem horse Mighty owned by Agato of Magiria Magic Tool Workshop, they repeatedly brought that up to Yuuko-nee. Yuuko-nee didn’t really consider invasion a proper action, but she did think that consultation with the Toure Kingdom about Golem users, including the possibility of a cooperative relationship, was necessary.

「It could happen in the future. Even if Minshiana doesn’t act, others will.」

Jinrai told them. Jinrai knew the power of the prosthetic arm best. In the first place, Jinrai joined the ranks of the monsters called rank S adventurers because its power became known and not due to his own ability. The fact that Kazane could mass-produce them was the same as saying she could mass-produce rank S adventurers.

「However, I think there’s a considerable difference in ability between Kazane and ordinary Golem users.」

Yumika pointed out, and Yuuko-nee cut her down by saying「Naive.」

「They don’t have to be the same. Even degraded versions would be fit for use. If Golem users reach the point where they can apply and use the technology of Kazane’s Golem Maker, the value of being one will doubtlessly completely change.」

「That’s true.」

After Yuuko-nee spoke, Kazane nodded and acknowledged her words. In order to prevent it from being a skill only she possessed, Kazane gave the Golem user Yuzu a Golem doll and asked her to study it. It wasn’t for the purpose of the dangerous ideas Yuuko-nee spoke about, but was in expectation of the development of Golem users.

「But even if they obtain that power, will the balance break that badly?… I feel like that, but should I hold back after all?」

After Kazane’s words, Yuuko-nee shook her head.

「That’s why we’ll create a country. Through Golem Maker and its access to Zexiaharts’ library, technology from our world can be brought here, and while it won’t be to the same extent as Kazane, we can analyze our Unique Skills and perhaps make it possible for other people to use them. We should become able to do various things by putting them to practical use. And, centered on Kazane Land, the Minshiana, Tsuvara, and Lindo Kingdoms will also be used as buffers to spread technology and gradually bring about a paradigm shift in this world.」

Those words shocked Mefirus and Louise. There were various details that could mess things up, so much consideration was necessary to make it more than a rough blueprint. But it certainly wasn’t impossible. With the Shorty in front of them, it could be done.

And Kazane,

「I see. I understand. As expected, Yuuko-nee is a scary person.」

She didn’t really understand, so for the time being, she glossed over it by making a grave expression and saying something perfunctory.

Name: Yuihama Kazane

Occupation: Dragon and Beast Ruling Tenma Monarch (Apprentice)

Title: Ogre Killer, Dragon Slayer, High Beast Summoner, Rea King, Liberator, Guardian

Equipment: Staff 『White Blaze』, Draghorn Tonfa x2, Dragon Eating Ogre Army Armor (True), Indestructible Cloak, Mysterious Pouch, Crimson Saint Coffin, Heroic Spirit Summoning Ring, Circlet of Wisdom, Aim Bracelet, White Magic Accumulator (Revised) ×2, Rainbow Necklace, Rainbow Dragon Ring, Angel Bracelet

Level : 40

Health: 156+20

Magic Power: 378+520

Strength: 81+45

Agility: 83+39

Endurance: 45+20

Wisdom : 75

Dexterity : 53

Spell : 『Fly』『Torch』『Fire』『Heal』『Firestorm』『Healer Ray』『High Heal』『Golden Dusk「Dragon Exclusive」』『Mirror Shield』『Rabbit Speed』『Flare Mirage』

Skill : 『Apprenticeship Cancellation』『Nil Principle』『Skill Hand (１)』『Halo』『Evolution Hand (１)』『Kick Devil』『Kick Decapitation Wave』『Warrior’s Memory: Lv2』『Night Vision』『Crushing Blow』『Dog’s Sense of Smell: Lv2』『Golem Maker: Lv4』『Aegis Shield』『Fire Principle: Third Chapter』『Healing Principle: Fourth Chapter』『Air Jump: Lv2』『Killing Leg: Lv3』『Fear Voice』『Invisible』『Tiger Eye』『Wall Walking』『Intuition: Lv2』『Cheat Death』『Nimble』『Charge』『Material Shield: Lv2』『Information Link: Lv2』『Optical Camouflage』『High Dash』『Bloodsucking Blade』『Dragonization: Lv3「Dragon」』『Regenerate』『Soul Breaking Blade』『Stealthy Hand Placement』『Thunder Chariot: Lv2』『Sturdier Teeth: Lv2「Dragon」』『Crystallization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Devil King’s Intimidation』『Stone Minotaur: Lv2』『Mega Beam: Lv2』『Space Expansion』『Pseudo-Silver Creation』『Poison Claw』『Fireball「Dragon」』『Cuticle「Dragon」』『Arms Creation: Black Flame』『Ingredient Connoisseur: Lv3』『Dragon Pheromone「Dragon」』『Boost』『Monkey’s Strong Arm』『Two-sword Style』『Boobies Plus』『Living Armor』『Alarm』『Six-sword Style』『Mental Attack Complete Protection』『Spider Web』『Wire Cutter』『Flexible』『Magic Power Absorption』『Red Body Transformation』『Friendship Tag-team』『Battleship Tonfa Summoning』

Yumika: 「I feel like the story has gotten bigger, and it makes me wonder if it will be okay?」

Yuuko-nee: 「Well, it isn’t something that will happen right away. It’s fine to think about it as just one future option.」

Kazane: 「Mm, understood.」