Chapter 3 "This Suits Me Better"
Hidden beneath the gauntlets was an otherworldly hand. Fine, crimson scales covered it densely, and its long fingers sported sharp claws.
"They call it the ugly arm of a demonic ogre."
"Is that... from birth?"
Moving her fingers, Eel spoke with a hint of pride. In response to Lala's question, she nodded slowly.
"I've had this arm since birth. I take pride in the toughness and strength it gives up, forsaking my humanity."
"Can't it be healed?"
"Originally, I started this journey to heal this arm. Well, now it has become a necessary tool to earn a living as a mercenary."
That arm concealed capabilities far removed from human. Lala discreetly analyzed it with nanomachines, revealing not only the scales but also the bones inside possessed considerable strength.
"So, I am also an otherworldly being like Lala."
"I don't really think of myself as otherworldly."
"There's no way an ordinary person could defeat an Arms Bear single-handedly without a scratch."
Eel dismissed Lala's unconvincing expression. Among her long journey, there were only a few who could think of defeating such a magical beast alone.
"So, where are we headed?"
"Oh, right."
In response to Lala's question, Eel pulled out a worn-out map from the baggage tied to the horse's back and checked it.
"If we continue down this road, we'll reach a village with the mercenary guild's base. Let's prepare ourselves there."
"The mercenary guild...?"
"I'm also a member. It's a gathering of mercenaries. Having skills like mine is an asset for a life on the road."
Tapping her right arm, Eel grinned.
The village was only half a day's walk from where they were. The sun was casting an orange glow, creating long shadows.
"We've arrived for now. Let's go in and get a room quickly."
Following Eel's experienced lead, they entered the village. In terms of size, it was not much different from the previous Copa Village. Villagers carrying farming tools turned their gaze towards the unfamiliar duo.
The two entered the inn located in the middle of the village. The structure matched Lala's image of an inn: a bar on the first floor and rooms on the second floor.
"Two for one night. The rooms can be the same."
"Got it."
Eel handed several silver coins to the innkeeper behind the counter. Tapping the coins, the innkeeper took out a key.
"Room number four at the far end. Water is provided in buckets for each person. If you want a meal, you can have it here, but it's an extra charge."
"Ah, thank you."
Waving her hand, Eel thanked the innkeeper. Lala, who was waiting behind, also bowed her head and followed Eel, who had started walking.
Climbing the creaky stairs to the second floor, they found a long corridor with several doors lined up. Eel checked the plate on the door, then inserted the key into the farthest door.
"Now, this is our castle for tonight."
"Yay."
Eel said with narrowed eyes. Lala, who was accustomed to clean and soft beds, twitched her cheeks on the bed with dusty straw sticking out.
"Well then, let's hear your story."
Sitting on the bed, Eel looked at Lala. Lala, having unloaded what was on her back, sat on the other bed.
"What do you want to know?"
"Well, first, how did you defeat the Arms Bear?"
"How, huh..."
Asked a difficult question out of the blue, Lala scratched her white cheek.
"Firstly, as prior information, I have nanomachines throughout my body."
"...Sorry. What's a nano-ma-sheen?"
Facing a puzzled Eel, Lala smiled wryly.
"Well, you can think of it as something small and high-performance. It can do various convenient things."
"Hmm... And then?"
"Using those nanomachines, I unleashed my self-defense technique, 'Rotational Spear Spin Shot.' That's how the bear died."
"Spi...n shot...?"
"By causing ultra-high-speed vibrations on the skin, manipulating the surrounding air, compressing it, and then adding rotation to release it."
"So, it's wind?"
"Well, something like that."
Understanding seemed to lag behind. Eel furrowed her brow, looking up at the ceiling.
"Lala, are you a wind mage?"
"Sorry, I don't know anything about magic."
Eel widened her eyes. As if she couldn't believe it, her mouth moved as if to say something.
"How have you been living until now..."
"I was sleeping."
Nonchalantly, Lala declared. Eel deliberately ignored it.
"Magic is a technique that rewrites the phenomena of the world using the magical power possessed by living beings."
"?? ...Hmm, I might not get it."
"In other words... 'Let the flames of the target ignite at my fingertips'—it's something like that."
Casually, Eel lifted her left hand and spoke. Then, above her left hand, a vague orange light appeared.
In response to the sudden phenomenon, Lala raised her shoulders with a start.
"Wow. What's this!?"
"It's magic. A magic for illuminating lights, like those used in lighting."
"Amazing... Is this real fire?"
"No, it's just an illusion of light."
Explaining, Eel extinguished the flame by crushing it in her hand.
"Is Eel a mage?"
"Well, not that skilled."
"Is that so?"
If you asked, most of the magical power required for magic use was being absorbed by her right arm. Powerful magic was mostly unusable, she said.
Instead, Eel touched the sword hanging at her waist.
"I'm better suited for this."
Having a compatibility with the monstrous arm, Lala understood that it excelled in close-quarters physical combat.
"So, you see..."
"Yeah, yeah."
"It's a bit late to ask now, but can Lala stay with me?"
"It's really late to ask that after spending half a day together."
"Well, I'm okay with it."
"Since Eel seems kind and I'd like to go with her."
"I see. That's fine, then."
Saying that, Eel extended her left hand. Lala, peeking into her face, grinned and tightly held that hand.
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