The Ketsy King had changed some of the members’ genders.
“Oh, you’re still here. You seem smaller, but you still exist. And you still have strong male legs peeking out from under your skirt. Perhaps you haven’t completely turned into a woman?”
As I left the room, I ran into Lassie walking down the hallway.
“Ah, Hiroaki, are you alright? I’m sorry, I wish I hadn’t spoken to you.”
“No, you saved us, so there’s no need to apologize. More importantly, I have something I want to ask your father, the King. Could you arrange a meeting for me?”
I asked Lassie for a favor and walked to where the King, who had become small, was staying. Instead of the dark courtroom I had met him in before, he was lying on a large bed in a room made of wood. It was somehow cute to see fluffy green furballs mixed with the cushions.
“Oh my, what is it? Do you need something from me? I can’t do anything for you, though.”
“I’m sorry to bother you suddenly. I have something I want to ask. Regarding the magic cast on me and my companions, does it not completely change one’s gender?”
The small, fluffy creature placed a hand on its chin and hummed.
“Well, it depends on the state of the enchantment, but gender-bending magic doesn’t change things suddenly. Some parts change all at once the moment the magic is received, but after that, it’s gradual. If everything changed at once, wouldn’t your body go haywire?”
That’s true when you put it that way. Currently, my voice and hands have changed, and my face too, slightly.
“What if it’s completely changed…?”
“You won’t be able to go back. You’ll just have to cast a reversal spell. But your body probably wouldn’t be able to handle it.”
What a terrible thing, a time limit. I can’t afford to dawdle; I need to meet the Sage as soon as possible. He must have seen my anxious face. The Kooshi King then offered a gift.
“I can’t do anything for you. At least, I hope your journey goes well. Here, take this.”
From somewhere, he took out a cloak with a smooth texture, looking very expensive. By the way, the one I have now is a thick cloak that was given to me by Rose of the Sand Lizard Tribe.
“Is it alright for me to receive something this nice?”
“Yes, it’s a Magical Tool that I imbued with my magic. I call it ‘Torrent Silk.’ Try shaking it.”
As instructed, when I shook it, water splashed out as if I had been hit by a downpour.
“Amazing, a cloak that produces water! With this, I can get an infinite amount of water even in the desert. Thank you.”
“Uh, no, that’s not it. I didn’t make it with that intention, but… that cloak easily gathers water Mana, so it’s easier to use magic. Yes, you can’t use magic at all, can you?”
Even if I can’t use magic, I’ll gratefully accept it. A cloak that drips water when squeezed is too convenient.
“Does this also use a Magic Stone?”
“Yes, of course.”
Since coming to this world, I’ve frequently heard the term “Magic Stone,” but I wonder what it actually is. I have a vague image of it being a stone that condenses Mana, but is it different from minerals like iron and copper?
“Huh? About Magic Stones? Well, even though they’re called stones, they’re not just ordinary pebbles. They’re softer than regular stones and have different properties. So, even when we say ‘Magic Stone,’ there are endless variations, and the profession of appraiser who can discern them is first-rate.”
According to the King’s explanation, many Magic Stones are formed when Mana solidifies the magic power contained within the earth. However, since that results in many impurities and they are hard and difficult to process, artificial ones are now the mainstream. Occasionally, they are found to form within the bodies of living creatures. This is probably the case with the Chimera Magic Stone that Piyo has.
There are also those that accumulate in the roots of plants. The processing methods are also varied, such as melting them with heat or deforming them with magic power. Incidentally, the one used in this cloak was melted with heat and made into fine threads.
“Hey, are you really going? Shouldn’t you wait here until I’m back to normal?”
“Thank you for your concern. However, we have a mission. I would be grateful if you could send us to the nearest town.”
Honestly, I want to choose the method that can cure us for sure. But I want to return Sen no Tsurugi and Sylvie to their families as soon as possible.
“Is that so? Then, Lassie, please send them to the place they wish to go. But don’t rush; rest a little first.”
I thanked him for his explanation and returned to the rest of the group. Philiana and Nina were nowhere to be seen, but most of the other members seemed to be in good spirits. Elana also seemed to have been treated by the Kooshis.
The next morning, I stood before the mirror and took a good look at myself again. Hmm, male legs are sticking out from under my skirt. And my leg hair is messy; will it disappear when I fully become a woman? For now, it would be best to wear pants. I packed my luggage for the next departure.
