“Eh, you’re taking me with you too!?”
I couldn’t help but raise my voice.
It was during lunch at home.
My father, Kurt, had invited me to watch a monster subjugation.
For me, who desired to become stronger, it was an offer I couldn’t have hoped for more.
I never imagined that the next opportunity would come so soon, following the extermination of the black ants and the earth spiders.
Of course, I eagerly agreed without a second thought.
“But this time, it’s going to be a bit different from before. So, you have to follow my instructions, alright?”
“Yeah, I got it. But what’s different from last time?”
Kurt gave me a serious look.
“There’s a possibility that we might encounter a dangerous situation.”
“Does that mean that the enemy monsters might be stronger than you, Dad?”
“…!”
He looked taken aback.
“Ha ha, you really don’t mince words. Well, there’s a chance that could be the case. That’s why, this time, you absolutely must follow my instructions. If it seems impossible, knowing when to run away is important too. Though, I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“Are you really taking Nero with you…?”
Diana asked with concern.
“I understand. I don’t want to push him too hard either. But when I think about what it will take for Nero to survive in the future, I realized that he needs to become stronger. And this child has plenty of potential. I want him to gain as much experience as possible and grow stronger. That will be key to him being able to protect himself.”
Yeah, exactly, you understand.
I agree with that too.
Being powerless means achieving nothing.
I learned that all too well in my previous life.
“That might be true, but it doesn’t have to be right now…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll protect Nero no matter what. And besides, if the worst happens, we can rely on ‘that’ so there’s no need to worry.”
That? What’s that??
As I wondered, Diana seemed to know what he was referring to—
“I see… if that’s the case, then I feel reassured.”
She wasn’t on board at all a moment ago, but suddenly she changed her mind.
Wait, what? Just… what is that?
Is it really something that can change someone’s mind so easily?
I’m super curious.
I have to ask about it.
“Hey, Dad, what’s that?”
“Hmm? Oh, it’s an item created through alchemy.”
Alchemy is an ancient magical technique that humans used before they had access to magic horns.
In ancient times, alchemy was the only way to manifest magic.
Many of its techniques have been lost over time, but some methods of alchemy still remain.
Even the human transmutation that led to my birth is one of those techniques.
However, unlike magic horns that can unleash magic instantly, alchemy requires creating magic in advance in a lab-like setting, which made it less practical and led to its gradual decline.
Nowadays, there aren’t many people who know that technique.
Kurt and the others said they wouldn’t have gone through the trouble of researching it if it weren’t for the purpose of bringing me to life.
Our house has a basement.
It’s the room where the incubation tank I was in was placed.
The “thing” Kurt mentioned is an item created in that room, which has partly become a research lab for alchemy.
“I’m just keeping it on hand for emergencies. Ideally, I wouldn’t have to use it. Well, it’s not something for you to worry about, Nero.”
“…”
When he says things like that, it makes me even more curious.
Is it some item infused with incredibly powerful magic?
Or is it a self-destruct item that you use when you’re cornered!?
No way…
Moreover, bringing it up like that… it feels like a flag for using it has been raised.
That said, it’s hard to ask about it any further.
Instead… not that I was trying to change the subject, but I decided to ask for more detailed information about this request.
What I found out is that, just like the previous incident with the earth spider, residents have been disappearing without a trace.
The only difference is that in the previous case, the damage affected the entire area and a large number of people were taken, while this time, only one or two people disappear at a time, and the location shifts the next day.
What I also learned is that the culprit extremely dislikes being seen.
And rather than just devouring things out of instinct, they commit their crimes with their own set of rules.
It’s clear that this is a different kind of shadow compared to the black ants and earth spiders.
“The crimes are concentrated at night. Therefore, we’ll set out after dusk. It’s bedtime for you, Nero, but are you going to be okay?”
“I’m fine, really.”
In reality, as a child, my stamina is low, and I get sleepy quickly, but I should be able to manage for one night.
Maybe I should take a nap now to prepare myself.
While I was thinking about this, Lux, who was sitting in front of me with bits of apple pie all over his face, curiously asked,
“Big brother, are you going somewhere?”
“Yeah, just going to hunt some monsters.”
“Good luck!”
“Thanks.”
Lux stuffed his mouth full of apple pie again.
He really loves that stuff.
Also, even though he’s still young and doesn’t fully understand the situation, his cheerful encouragement is adorable.
“Please be careful, both you and Nero.”
Eris, who had been eating at the same table as our family, said with concern.
“If you need anything, I’ll prepare it by tonight.”
“Yeah, that would help. I’ll make a list of what I want later.”
“Understood.”
While Kurt and Eris were having that exchange, Diana, who was sitting next to me, stopped eating and gently took my hand.
“Nero… you really have to be careful, okay?”
“Yeah, I know. I’m sorry for worrying you.”
Diana has probably been feeling stressed from always indulging my whims.
That’s why I said that to show my appreciation…
“Nero…”
“…!?”
I was pulled toward her.
In that moment, I was strongly embraced by Diana.
