The Black Fog that Devours - CH 121

(Kurokiri POV for the whole chapter)

“How’s the development of the diving technique going~ Fox Princess.”

After linking my consciousness to Fog in the meeting place, I speak with the Fox Princess’ possessor, the Little Fire Fox. Furthermore, it has been verified that she has already assumed control of her demon; hence, it will not seem as if I am conversing with someone while believing they are not present.

“I wonder if the Fog King has made any progress in developing the Ultra-long-distance Transportation Formation~”

The Fox Princess returns the question with something like an absentminded yawn.

“…Hah…”

“…Hah…”

So, after exchanging glances for a while, we let out a mutual sigh.

One year has apparently elapsed since the initiation of the development. Both sides are beginning to simmer down, so to speak.

“Do you mind if I start grumbling about the progress for now?”

“Sure～”

After she says no, I begin to complain.

“To begin with, the intricacy of teleportation-related techniques is astounding. I feel as if I’m disassembling a piece of precise equipment that was created in this country many years ago but doesn’t come with an instruction manual.

When reflecting on it, it is only natural that a teleportation technique demands not only information about the current location, but also the understanding and selection of the destination.

In the case of God of Calamity, the coordinates are coded and protected by multiple layers of protection so that gravity and other factors that affect space do not appear in the results of the transition.

What’s the issue at hand right now is the protection and the specification of the coordinates… If it is utilized as is, the amount of power expended will be proportional to the distance and will rise at a monstrous speed.”

“By how much, in particular?”

“More than exponential.”

“Ah, no way we can pull that off.”

“Isn’t that so?”

The Fox Princess looks convinced by my answer.

Incidentally, I have managed to finish the analysis other than coordinate specification and protection in the past year and restructured it, thus it is conceivable to transport about 100 individuals from “White Fog and Black Swamp Forest” to the west coast of the American continent in an instant if the fuel consumption is not a concern.

But, in the end, fuel consumption is out of my control!

“So, how about your side?”

“Well… to be honest, I’ve already finished the technique composition itself. As for the technique composition, I was able to work it out by applying barrier skills and a few special skills.”

The Fox Princess replies with a sigh.

“However, what lies ahead is the main problem. Since the place to which it is directed is the destination, it would be hopeless to concentrate on the battle if the owner’s power supply is disrupted, and it is out of the question that a slight injury would cause the technique to break down.

In short, the challenge now is to figure out how to combine the materials for imprinting the technique with the materials needed to attain a realistic usage level, including effect duration.

The level sought for these materials is the key issue. Initially, I figured that all I needed was a solid and strong object, so I tried to forge and use diamond, steel made from iron sand, and the scales of Cuélebre that you had given me as payment, but these materials could not withstand the complexity of the technique and would fracture during the process of engraving.

On the other hand, if the materials are not capable of engraving diving techniques without problems, the main body will lack adequate strength and cannot be employed in battle. It’s a total nightmare.”

The Fox Princess has a resigned look on her face as she says this.

“Is there any way to enclose the material on which the technique is engraved with a solid material?”

“Of course, I tested such a method. However, the device would become massive and the fuel consumption would be unfavorable. In any case, a material that is difficult to inscribe a technique into seems to have poor power transmission.

That being said, even if a solid material was to be used for some sections, interference with the technique would arise which would lead to malfunctions.

Therefore, the ideal material is one that is sufficiently robust, has excellent power transmission and storage capacity, and is not susceptible to interference with surrounding objects. Well, this is idealism though.”

“I suppose so.”

Even the Fox Princess, who appears to believe such a material does not exist, speaks as if she is describing a dream.

“O Fog King.”

“What is it?”

The Fox Princess stares at me somewhat seriously.

“May you ask Ichiko if she knows of any suitable materials?”

“Oh, okay. Hold on a second.”

Once I have disconnected the link, I head downstairs to Ichiko.

“Ichiko. Sorry to interrupt, but can I have your attention?”

“…Ngh, what is it?”

Ichiko rises in response to my voice and faces me.

Now, let me enlighten on the situation.

“———-”

Well ー high-speed communication spell is convenient…

“Hey, as if I can grasp your message, please explain it to me properly.”

“Rightー”

Therefore, I inform Ichiko, who has been going along with my joke, about what the Fox Princess has requested me to do.

“Hmm. If that’s the case, I happen to have some knowledge of it.”

Whoa, are you for real?

“There is a golden monolith-shaped dungeon in Lake Turkana, Kenya, and the monster of that dungeon is a giant robot…”

“Robot huh…”

My eyes, unintentionally, twinkle with brilliance.

Although Ichiko is slightly taken back by my reaction, it is inevitable that I react in this way. We’re talking about a robot after all. A robot, you know. I am a man too, thus I have a yearning for robots on a basic level.

“Um, those robots are dramatically different from ordinary monsters by having armored plates, power reactors, etc. That is why it may be a possibility to put them to use.”

“I see…”

I am unconsciously amazed.

Anyway, if things with the Fox Princess go smoothly, I’ll dispatch some of my team members to apprehend them. Then let’s see whether they can be utilized in my location as well, with some magical modification. They’re robots, after all!

Following that, the Fox Princess also have agreed to give it a shot, and the four Demon Kings each decided to send one of their kin to capture one of the robots for traveling as to gain skill in combat as well.

For the record, from my side, I have Chirito, whose sugar content has recently soared too high that my subordinates are beginning to complain that I should do something about it; from the Fox Princess, there is Mugi; from the Snow Sage, there is a level 4 Yukijin, a female knight named Shirafune Yukiko; and from the Dragon Sovereign side, there is a level 3 Sakurahijin, a female healer named Shidare Hachi.

Chirito was chosen because he has an exceptional analytical ability to find flaws of the opponent even when confronting one another for the first time, while Mugi has high firepower and processing techniques, allowing her to experiment with local processing. The other two, on the other hand, remain a mystery to me.

Moreover, Une is expected to participate from the Sugar King’s side following the continental teleportation, according to what I have heard.

Anyway, there you have it. Although I don’t suspect that Chirito will cheat on his wife, let me say this.

“Harem guy should explode!”

“As if you have the right to say that! You Erokiri![i]”

T/N:

[i] A mixture of  the word Erotic and Kurokiri’s name, meaning pervert