I can’t afford to keep Sophia outdoors until I find work. A room at an inn would cost money. I was too worried about Priscilla throwing a tantrum or Rufina and Orietta doing something untoward to sleep.
A chill ran down my spine when I saw Rufina and Orietta heading to the courtyard with Sophia. I followed them at Godspeed.
“What are you all doing together?”
“We’re going to see the results of an experiment. I’ve been teaching Sophia new magic for a while now.”
“New magic.” The words sounded appealing, but I couldn’t shake a bad feeling. I wondered what kind of magic they were teaching her, shifting from black magic to white.
“Orietta devised it from fragments of the Captain’s memories, I refined it, and Sophia is demonstrating it.”
With Orietta involved, it was bound to get even more dangerous. There were times when Orietta took the lead in reading my memories, with Rufina assisting. On the other hand, Guard Duty was easy enough that I could just sleep through it.
“It’s faster to see than to discuss. Sophia, give it a try.”
“I’ve gotten a little better. Please watch. ■■■■, Laser.”
What?! A laser?! From Sophia’s fingertips, a cruel, bright beam of light shot out. It was truly a laser beam.
“With one finger, it can extend about fifty centimeters.”
The light extending from her five fingers reached about ten centimeters, emitting a dazzling platinum glow. When I brought my hand close, it felt hot.
“It gets quite hot, so it can cut through plate armor. Once I get more accustomed to it, I can go on the offensive as well.”
Why does this world have lasers? This is definitely strange. And I’m sure my memories don’t contain instructions on how to create a laser.
“I didn’t understand much when reading the Captain’s memories, but with Orietta’s help, it seems we can do many things.”
“The Captain is amazing~. He knows so much!”
“I don’t know how to make things like this!”
“Yes~. So I thought it might be possible for Sophia using black magic and alchemy~. Simply put, it’s light compression~.”
Compressing light doesn’t create a laser. Is light compression even possible? This is pushing the boundaries of fantasy. These demonic duo.
“Are… are there other things he knows about?”
“Of course. Like what happened at the mansion last time.”
“You mean that unpleasant incident that I’d rather not recall?”
“That’s right~. I was able to turn what Rufina taught me into a mist and scatter it over a wide area~. The point is that it doesn’t lose its effect even when dispersed~.”
“May I ask what you based that on?”
“Biological weapons~. I also heard about biological weapons that can kill a large number of people, so completion is near~.”
Biological and chemical weapons, called the poor man’s nuclear bomb. This shouldn’t be used. This time, no lives were lost, but Orietta might do it. However, in my past life, it did bring victory to the Allied forces who were being pushed back by the demons.
“That is forbidden. You cannot use it without my permission, at least.”
“It’s a waste not to use something I worked so hard to create~. I want to finish it~.”
“It’s fine to finish it. However, you must get my permission before experimenting or using it.”
“Understood~. I’ll hurry to finish it~.”
There’s no need to rush. There should still be time, and if it can be avoided, I don’t want to use it. I don’t want to be scolded by the Geneva Conventions.
“What other memories did you read?”
“Hmm, then there are a few of the Captain’s personal memories… like who the Captain lost his virginity to.”
The person who took my virginity… Don’t ever speak of it. Take it to your grave and die.
“This isn’t interesting, so I haven’t told anyone~. It’s a secret between the Captain and me~.”
Good work, Rufina. If you keep it a secret, I might even share some of my blood. Just a little bit…
As soon as Rufina finished speaking, Sophia zipped past like the wind and grabbed Rufina by the neck. Was that speed even faster than mine?
“Rufina, secrets with the Captain alone are not good.”
No laser was being emitted from her clenched right hand, but Rufina, held tightly, let out a groan of agony.
“S-Sophia, let go! It… it hurts…”
“You’re the one who needs to talk, Rufina. I could release lasers from my hand if I wanted to. I wonder if Necromancers can survive even if their heads are severed.”
I can’t stop her. I’m afraid to stop her. I’ve experienced Sophia’s intensity before, but it seems she’s improving daily.
“If you stay silent, this is what happens.”
A small laser shot from Sophia’s left index finger, burning through Rufina’s clothes from her throat. I couldn’t stop it. I didn’t want to stop it. I wanted to see more. As Sophia’s left hand lowered, Rufina’s clothes were cut further.
Oh, now it’s below my stomach… If only the wind would blow right about now, I could see something wonderful.
“I’ll talk! I’ll talk! Just stop!”
Ah, Rufina, I wish you could hold on a little longer. Just a little lower… Come on, wind, blow.
“You should have talked from the beginning, Rufina. So, who is it?”
Satisfied with who Rufina named, Sophia smiled, but her expression was a complex mix of satisfaction and disappointment. …I’m not telling you. I blocked Orietta’s ears, so I won’t tell anyone.
Sophia then chuckled, “Hehehe,” as if nothing had happened, and left. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Sophia’s jealousy power, and it made me flinch. First a knife, now lasers. I wonder if healing magic can fix that.
“As expected of Sophia. To master it so quickly, truly remarkable.”
As she drew the torn clothes to hide her fair, beautiful body, her posture was alluring. I’d get excited thinking about what would happen if she hadn’t answered even after her clothes were cut.
Rufina’s soft skin and frightened face were cute. Sophia’s unprecedented power was terrifying. Orietta had collapsed, surprisingly chicken-hearted.
In any case, today I saw a new side of her. Sophia’s lasers are effective, and what she read from memories will surely be useful. Provided, of course, they aren’t directed at me.
“Captain, I have a favor to ask.”
Rufina’s requests usually lead to trouble, but this was unusual, so I decided to listen.
“Please appease Sophia’s anger. I think it should be alright, but that killing intent just now was problematic.”
“What am I supposed to do…”
That killing intent was truly frightening. I wanted time to resolve the situation and would have preferred to stay out of it.
“Today is my turn. I’ll trade with Sophia. Please find a way to appease her.”
I can manage that much. I do like sleeping buried in Sophia’s ample bosom.
“Alright. In exchange, I want you to promise that any stabbings, cuttings, or poisonings in the future will be prohibited. And anything else that might interfere with my work.”
“Mmmph. Understood. The deal is struck. I will definitely appease Sophia.”
I wanted to see Rufina writhing while her clothes were being cut, but I couldn’t help it; I’m the Captain. If I can manage Orietta, I think I can get through this. In more ways than one.
