“Phew, I’m more satisfied than I expected. You guys really do a good job, King Reigand. You’ve incorporated some unique amusement elements too, so I can look forward to future developments.”
“Amuse? Was there such an element?”
After our fervent meal (?), we were shown to our guest room in Reigand Castle, where Mel and I were relaxing. Mel, having eaten a tremendous amount of food, rubbed her not-so-swollen stomach and said contentedly.
“That aside, your ladyship,”
“Hm?”
“What’s the condition of that fallen angel you newly subjugated with ‘Summoning Magic’? It hasn’t made a sound on the subordinate network, and it’s been unusually quiet, which is quite uncanny, you know?”
“Oh, so you were concerned about it.”
“Of course! I’m a respectable wife with a daughter now. It’s only natural to worry about my husband, yes.”
Even as she said it, Mel was still patting her stomach. With a bitter smile, I summoned Ridwan, whom I had made a subordinate during the recent battle. A magic circle formed in the center of the room, and from it, a metallic sphere appeared.
“Oh? Um… Your Ladyship, what is this?”
“This is the new ally, Ridwan… or supposed to be, but ever since he became a magic body, he’s been in this state.”
The metallic sphere floated a few centimeters off the floor, bobbing in the air. I wasn’t even sure if I could still call it Ridwan in this state, but it was definitely what was once Ridwan. …Right? It was, wasn’t it? Ugh, now I’m getting worried too.
“He doesn’t respond when I talk to him, or even when I tap him lightly. I did make the contract rather coercively, so maybe he’s sulking?”
“I can’t imagine someone who possessed the Ten Authorities would do something so childish. It’s not like me.”
“Another comment that’s hard to respond to… But this complete lack of reaction makes him seem unconscious. Is he in shock and fainted? Hey there, wake up soon, or I’ll modify you without permission! You’ll become a modified golem!”
Even with my half-joking threat, there was still no response. What should I do? I’m beginning to get seriously concerned.
“Perhaps he malfunctioned due to the effects of the battle. After all, the enemy was like some kind of precision machinery.”
“You think so? I fought him directly, and he reminded me of Kuro…”
“No no, I’m absolutely sure. If that’s the case, there’s only one thing to do! Hit it at a 45-degree angle! The angle is important, you know, the angle!”
“Mel, what do you think Ridwan is?”
With confidence, Mel delivered a sharp chop towards the sphere. However, it seemed that even in this state, the ‘Indestructible’ Authority was still active. Mel immediately cried out in pain, clutching her hand, and rolled around on the floor.
“Honestly, he’s not some old appliance.”
While sighing at Mel, I placed my hand on the surface of the sphere. Worst case scenario, I could feed him to Kuro and have him replicate the special metal that made up Ridwan, but… I really didn’t want to do that since he’s now an ally. Besides, it’s doubtful if Kuro could even absorb Ridwan in his absolute defense state.
“I had all sorts of new techniques in mind for him when he became an ally…”
For example, I could mimic Ridwan’s combat style, where he could instantly transform into any weapon, like this.
“Ridwan, become a sword!”
— *Clang!* —
“Just kidding. …Huh? Clang?”
I thought I heard a strange sound. And the feel of it was completely different from before. It didn’t feel like I was touching the surface of a sphere, but rather like I was gripping something.
“Eh…?”
When I checked, my hand was holding a stylish sword with a metallic finish. That’s strange, I don’t remember forging such a sword. Nor do I remember taking it out of Kuro’s ‘Storage’.
“I see, so that’s what it is!”
“Whoa?! M-Mel, you’re back? And more importantly, what’s ‘that’?”
“It’s exactly as you see. It seems that the Ten Authorities known as Ridwan were unique individuals who, despite being golems, possessed their own will. When he was disheartened by you and became your subordinate, in the process, well, how should I put it… it’s like an old appliance breaking down, he lost his ability to make his own judgments, or perhaps something along those lines? Yes, I think that’s it! I’m absolutely confident!”
She’s gone and called Ridwan an old appliance! And her reasoning, despite her conviction, was quite haphazard!
“Hmph, you still doubt me, your ladyship!”
“No, but…”
“There’s no ‘but’! Even gourds are edible! The proof is that Ridwan only acted when he received your command. Ridwan’s will may have vanished, but since you’ve made a contract, he’s in a state where he can accept his master’s orders. Look, try giving him another command.”
“O-Okay.”
I wonder what that gourd comment was about? While harboring that trivial doubt, I sent a telepathic command to Ridwan.
“Ridwan, become a shield.”
Immediately after, Ridwan transformed instantly from his sword form, becoming a large shield that could hide my entire body. Next, I caught sight of Mel’s smug expression, as if to say ‘See?’.
“…Maybe Mel’s deduction wasn’t entirely wrong?”
“That’s what I’ve been saying. However, in this state, he’s no longer one of the Ten Authorities, nor is he even Ridwan… Oh, that’s right. Your Ladyship, like you did with Kuro and Alex, why not give him a new name? It’s a bit awkward to keep calling him by a name that was once an enemy’s, and it would be easier for him to adapt.”
“Eh, is that allowed?”
“Absolutely. After all, it’s a summoning artist’s prerogative!”
I thought I’d been a summoning artist for quite some time, but this was the first time I learned it was a prerogative. Oh well.
“Um… He was originally Ridwan Mahad, right? Mahad, Mahad… Ah, since he’s incredibly defensive, how about the name ‘Hard’?”
“Isn’t that a bit too simplistic? I was expecting a more original and unique name that showcases your poetic sense.”
“Please, don’t have such expectations on your own… If this goes on any longer, it might get scary, so it’s decided, Hard! It’s decided, I tell you! Nice to meet you, Hard!”
Impulsively, I raised the shield form of Hard and welcomed him anew to our party. A different kind of ally than before, or perhaps a weapon? But… well, for now, that’s that.
“…Because he’s big and heavy and hard to hold, could you change into a moderately sized staff?”
“You’re ruining the atmosphere, your ladyship.”
And so, we officially welcomed Hard as our ally.
“Speaking of which, I wonder how much Hard can transform? I’m curious about how much of his Authority’s power remains.”
“If you’re going there, I’d like to check how much of my imagination can be reflected as well. Since we’re at it, let’s verify it thoroughly. Hard, I won’t let you sleep tonight, okay?”
“Your Ladyship, that’s something you should say to *me*! You should be saying that to me!”
True to my word, we continued our investigation until dawn to uncover Hard’s functions.
