It was strange, but I could picture Redelia bowing deeply in my mind, even though she didn’t have a human form.
Monsters coexisting with humans… According to the knowledge I gained from the guild, there are precedents. It’s from old records, but apparently, there once was a settlement where humans and monsters lived together.
There are indeed monsters that are friendly towards humans. In that case, there shouldn’t be any problems.
“Alright. Let’s go together.”
‘Ah… Th-thank you so much!’
If she were human, surely she’d be shedding not only tears but also a runny nose.
When I looked to the side, Filoé was smiling brightly.
“Accepting even monsters… I knew it, Isto, you’re really open-minded.”
“Sorry, Filoé. I decided on my own.”
“I trust everything Isto says and does, so it’s totally fine! No problem at all!”
Well, that might be taking it a bit too far.
“Oh, by the way, Redelia-chan.”
Filoé called out. Her casual tone might have been because she thought of Redelia as being younger.
“You said you’d come with us, but how exactly? You’re, uh, a box, right?”
‘Um, um… I’m sorry for making you worry. Actually, I possess a transformation ability. Ah, it’s really nothing impressive though, for someone like me!’
“Oh? What can you transform into?”
Despite Redelia’s negative tone, Filoé responded normally without any sign of dissatisfaction. Filoé really was a considerate girl.
Still, transformation, huh? I didn’t see any skills like that when I used ‘Monitoring.’ It must be a special ability unique to monsters.
‘For example—uh?’
“What’s wrong?”
‘Ah, ah, ahhh!?’
“W-what happened!?”
‘I-I’m so sorry! I really thought I could transform, but I completely forgot what I was supposed to turn into! I’m nothing but a trash can! There’s no way I can be of any help to you two!’
“Don’t cry, don’t cry.”
Filoé and I worked together to calm her down. I spoke as slowly as I could.
“You didn’t remember your form. It can’t be helped.”
“But, what should we do now? If Redelia stays in this form, she won’t be able to move, will she? It’s not like we can carry her around ourselves.”
‘Um… If you could tell me what you want me to transform into, I might be able to manage.’
Redelia timidly suggested. Well, that makes things simple.
‘However, in order to do that, one of you two… will need to become my master.’
“Master? Redelia-chan, does that mean a master-servant contract?”
‘Yes… It’s something like an instinct of mine. It seems I need someone’s cooperation to fully utilize my power. Of course, I completely understand if neither of you wants to become the master of someone as worthless as me.’
“Nobody’s saying anything that harsh. Alright, Isto, go ahead. Please become Redelia-chan’s master.”
Filoé recommended me without hesitation.
“Isto is the perfect choice. There’s no one better suited.”
‘P-please, I beg of you!’
With both of them urging me like that, I had no choice but to agree.
Besides, I had a responsibility toward Redelia, having named her. I couldn’t just leave her to wither away in loneliness.
“Alright, I get it. So, what should I do?”
‘Just place your hand on my crystal, and I’ll take care of the rest. Then, at the end, you just need to say, “I permit it.” Oh, I’m so glad I still remember how to do the master-servant contract.’
Feeling a bit of unease, I trusted Redelia and did as she said.
Tiny specks of light emerged from the crystal, flowing through my palm and wrapping around my body. Yet, it wasn’t unpleasant at all.
I stood there for what felt like a long time—about ten minutes, I’d say. Finally, Redelia spoke.
‘I-it’s done. Now, as the final step… I, Redelia, pledge to serve you, Isto Rilos, for life, devoting all my power to you and staying by your side always, no matter the circumstances.’
What an elaborate declaration, I thought as I spoke the final words.
“I permit it.”
The light burst with a pop.
I opened and closed the hand that had been touching the crystal. Nothing seemed different with my body.
“Is it over?”
‘Y-yes. The master-servant contract is complete. I-I’m still inexperienced, but I look forward to serving you, Master.’
“Yeah, same here.”
Then I turned my thoughts to what Redelia should transform into.
Filoé asked, “Do you have any ideas, Isto?”
“Just one. How about ‘The Iron Carriage of the Holy Hero’? It’s the carriage that the hero who defeated the Demon King long ago rode in.”
“Whoa! That sounds so cool!”
“The guild records say the carriage and horse were covered in special iron. You sometimes see carriages that imitate its appearance, so if Redelia transforms into that, she shouldn’t stand out too much when we enter the town.”
“That’s so well thought out! Amazing!”
While Filoé praised me, I couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious.
Ideally, I’d draw a picture to show her an example, but unfortunately, I didn’t have any tools for that.
It wouldn’t be as simple as just imagining it perfectly, so I worried if I could convey the image properly through words alone.
I did my best to recall the details as I described them.
A simple yet elegant, black-painted box-shaped carriage.
Four sturdy wheels that were said to never break.
And the most distinctive feature: a large, jet-black horse adorned with metal armor at key points on its body.
‘It’s done.’
“That was fast!?”
“Wow, amazing! It’s so cool!”
Filoé clapped her hands, cheering.
There it was—the exact image of the ‘Iron Carriage of the Holy Hero’ I had seen in the records. Sacred water from a waterfall splashed against it, casting a small rainbow over it. The transformed Redelia was bathed in a divine aura that made her look remarkably authentic.
Wow, this was unbelievable. Astonishing, really.
“I can’t believe you recreated it so perfectly just from my description.”
‘Ehehehe… I was worried, but I’m glad it turned out okay.’
Redelia’s bashful voice came from the crystal that had moved to the horse’s forehead.
With a clunk, the door to the carriage opened.
‘Please, get inside, Master. And Filoé too.’
Redelia had just displayed such an incredible transformation ability. My expectations were rising.
What would the inside look like?
