Mel and Colette involuntarily squinted. They were unable to properly decipher the information written on the back of the business card. After all, what was written there was —
“The font is unbelievably small, isn’t it…”
“And it’s a long text, written with an excessive amount of characters…”
—It was a tiny, tiny, yet massive amount of text crammed onto a business card-sized piece of paper. Before even considering the content, the sheer visual impact was overwhelming.
“Haha, well, that’s the kind of reaction you’d have. I was the same. Here, I’ve prepared a magnifying glass, so please use it. It’ll be a bit easier to read.”
“Ah, thank you. Then, let me take another look…”
With a magnifying glass in hand, the two stared at the business card. A short while later.
“…Um, this is a status notation, right? It seems quite different in format from what we’re usually used to.”
“I think that’s because we live in different worlds. In Maria and Kuon’s world, this format is probably common. Well, I was only given this, so I don’t understand the nuances, like the difference between the black and white rhombus marks.”
“I-I see… Hmm, skills and professions seem to have levels, too. This is very interesting.”
“Um, personally, there’s something that bothers me even more… Aren’t the numbers in your status strange? Numbers exceeding ten thousand are normal, and depending on the item, they reach into the hundreds of thousands? Surely, this is an exaggeration…”
Colette asked suspiciously while intently examining the business card through the magnifying glass. Indeed, as she said, the numbers lined up were unbelievable, resembling a joke. Even if the number of digits were reduced by one, they would still be formidable values. It was understandable to doubt their truthfulness.
…Meanwhile, the fact that the age was listed as ■■10 years old was also unanimously noticed, but it seemed no one decided to point it out. Well, yes… one could vaguely understand why.
“Well, it’s natural to think so. Even if these numbers were true, the way the system works is fundamentally different between our world and theirs. Strength can’t be compared based on simple numerical values. But when it comes to Maria, even if she had this exact strength, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
“Oh? Do you have any basis for thinking that, sir?”
“I had an opportunity to fight a doppelganger of Maria once. You know, those guys called Spring and Summer.”
“Ah, the incident where Kuon eventually defeated them with a surprise attack, and you were complaining for a while, right?”
“Yes, that! They were created from Maria’s arms, and they were strong! Grrr…! I wanted to fully exploit that fight until the very end…!”
Kelvin genuinely seemed regretful about the outcome.
“Lord Kelvin, how regrettable…”
Colette, unintentionally tearing up.
“Sir, back to the main topic.”
“Ah, right. Well, what I’m trying to say is… Although it was one against two, Spring and Summer were individuals with strength almost equal to mine. But for Maria, they were nothing more than a simple magic she could create by sacrificing both her arms.”
“Um, sacrificing both arms seems like quite a considerable price…”
“No, it’s almost negligible. Losing her arms isn’t much more significant than a mosquito bite for her. Even if her head were blown off, it would regenerate by the time she blinked. If she wanted to, she could probably mass-produce doppelgangers on my level.”
“Mass-produce Lord Kelvin?!”
“Oh, my — Hey, Colette, you’re drooling. Honestly, this is just too much.”
Her situation worsened with her tears and drool, so Mel took out a handkerchief to wipe Colette’s face clean. And then, immediately after wiping away her tears and drool—
“Ugh!!!”
—Unfortunately, this action had a further negative impact on Colette. Frankly speaking, for Colette, who possessed the world’s most sensitive sense of smell, Mel’s handkerchief was too stimulating. Contacting her face was a fatal blow.
“…Sir, Colette seems to have ascended.”
“Well, let’s let her sleep for now. And about what we were saying earlier.”
“Ah, you’ll continue as it is.”
“Tomorrow, for ‘Wait a moment,’ Colette won’t be fighting. As usual, she’ll be working hard on barrier construction.”
After laying the peacefully sleeping Colette in bed, Kelvin and the others continued their conversation.
“If everything I said is true, then it makes sense that Maria has the status on this business card. It’s the same with her fight against Rukil today. Even after witnessing me and Mel become ‘Monster Parents’ up close, she didn’t falter at all. Moreover, she even told me to use it from the start when it’s my turn.”
“So, you’re saying there’s that much of a gap in strength between her and us… Certainly, that’s sufficient grounds to fight while anticipating the worst. So, what’s the plan for dealing with that worst-case scenario?”
“The plan is to do everything I can, as you wish! That’s it! I’ll send the details to everyone via telepathy!”
Kelvin stood up from the bed and struck a pose as if issuing a command. It seemed he had telepathically transmitted the plan content at the same time.
“…Isn’t that too direct?”
“Direct is fine. Since I’ll be executing it exactly as planned, abandoning all shame and reputation. Hehehe, I can’t wait for tomorrow! And I’m so excited I don’t think I can sleep tonight, what should I do…?!”
With a smile at its peak, Kelvin blurted out a rather serious concern. Coupled with the tension of their upcoming fight with Maria and Ange’s wedding ceremony, he seemed quite flustered.
“…Heh heh. Sir, you seem quite energetic? Yes, very much so.”
“Eh?”
“In that case, shall we conduct a bit more of our ‘ íntimate interaction ‘super plan’?
“M-Mel, why are you proposing that plan now? Also, the plan name has changed again, the plan you’re about to execute is completely different, and what you’re trying to ‘unearth’ is nonsensical — Wait, wait!”
“There’s no waiting, nor is this a hermit crab war. Since Colette is asleep and we’re finally alone? I think it’s inevitable that we’ll put in a little more effort around here. Well, it’s true? It might be slightly different from ‘unearthing,’ but the intention should be understood. Yes, unless you’re a complete dullard, hehehe…!”
Mel slowly closed the distance with Kelvin, licking his lips. His eyes were those of a predator, as if saying, “Become food for my reserves from afar.”
“Hmph… Be gentle!”
…Several hours later, Kelvin took out the small bottle of ‘Blood of the Sage’ that Maria had given him. There was no particular reason; he just took it out for some reason. He truly had no deep reason. However, this much he could say. He was glad he had forced himself to eat some food at the reception.
