Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 39: The Meeting to Save the World

Daniel yawns and stretches in his meeting chair in the Citadel's control area where he met with Vaergraes the first time. He was surprised the night prior when Ryuogriar called for him, and he helped her through laying her egg. More surprising was how quickly the egg developed, at least as far as he knew. He figured it would take months or even years, but instead, it only took a couple of weeks. Depending on how quickly it hatches, dragons could be a threat to the world's population.

But, those are future Daniel problems, and Ryuogriar, Reignleif, and Geirahoel have given him very little reason not to trust their self-control and care for the world. Even Geira was docile and polite the day she's been freed from her cell. Daniel is fully aware that they are likely all much older than he is, and likely they could outsmart him if they want, but for the three of them specifically, they really only need to outlive him, and they're right back to normal.

However, Ryuogriar carrying around an obvious pregnancy prior to the recent past night carried a lot of weight with every single one of the dragons, amplified when Reignleif revealed her own as well, if anyone was still skeptical.

Of course, Hekate has made her feelings on the matter very well-known. She's currently pouting on Daniel's lap, 'guarding him' from the Demon Queen. Since she's technically the ruler of the Citadel as far as anyone outside of the Citadel will be concerned, it's natural that she will be present for the meeting.

Xyreko appeared from a teleport, reporting, “Master, material conversions are going smoothly. I have another shipment of ore arriving later tomorrow, which will conserve mana, so I will focus on materials that we have in stockpile.”

“Sounds perfect,” replies Daniel warmly. “Thank you, Xyreko.”

She steps up alongside him, taking position with him to await the arrival of the Demon Queen. 

Hekate asks, “Xyreko, can I stay the whole time this time?”

“Have you practiced the mental exercises and spells I recommended?”

“Yes!”

Xyreko nods approvingly of Hekate’s efforts. “Then, I will monitor the Queen. If she attempts to employ telepathic magic, I will begin countermeasures. I have also prepared a more fool-proof countermeasure, though I will unveil it only if needed.”

Daniel approves of her taking charge of defense. “I’m counting on you, Xyreko. Thank you.”

Hekate sits up on her knees on his lap to face him, saying excitedly, “Daniel! I learned magic to defend myself! We won’t even need it!”

He smiles, petting her head. “I’m hoping we won’t need it because she’s a good person, but I’m glad you’re being prepared.”

“Trust but verify!” She grins cheekily at him. When he explained his plan for the dragons to her, that was his excuse for the contracts. Of course, it’s true. He does trust them well enough, but he also wants to look after people he can’t actively protect himself. 

Xyreko suddenly states seriously, “Master, she approaches.”

He acknowledges her with a nod, checking his second-model revolver briefly to ensure it’s loaded. Thanks to Xyreko and the Citadel, he was able to manufacture and test this one extensively, compared to his first model, which he has hidden away in his secret hiding place in the castle; his secluded lab.

As before, a winged wyvern appears in the distance, and it is flanked by two others. They fly to the large flyway platform leading outside from the control floor and looking out over the massive lake. The three wyverns land, and their riders calm the creatures briefly. Xyreko asks, “Shall I annihilate the others, Master?”

He scoffs. “I think you know the answer to that.”

“This was not agreed upon. Such scheming…”

“I bet a personal favor that the Demon Queen approaches and verifies it’s alright for her to have brought an attache.”

Xyreko looks at him as the three dismount, and she remarks, “That does not preclude scheming to use numbers to their advantage.”

“If you can annihilate them now, you can annihilate them if they attack. I’m betting they’re not hostile.”

Xyreko straightens her posture. “Master… I appreciate you.”

Hekate states, “We could still annihilate the Demon Queen. That would be good, yes?” She looks at Daniel pleadingly, and he smirks at her. He pinches her cheek, causing her to whine as she settles back down into a seated position on his lap, swishing her tail vigorously back and forth, brushing his chest and expressing her frustration and simple jealousy.

Vaergraes approaches, bowing politely. “Daniel of the Otherworld, I have returned as promised. I hope you have been well.”

“I have. Thank you. Same to you. Was your trip safe?”

She smiles warmly. “Yes. There are few airborne threats in the skies.”

Hekate cuts in, “Excellent! Then, I will be the one negotiating. You’re not allowed to speak to Daniel anymore.”

Vaergraes is stunned for a moment, and Daniel sighs. He asks Hekate, “Hekate, can you please let it go?”

“No!”

“Please?”

She looks over her shoulder at him, pouting. She looks down, and then moans a little in disappointment. She concedes softly, “Fine… But you’re not allowed to flirt with her.” She makes a hand expression warning the Demon Queen that she’s being watched.

Vaergraes smiles, looking at Daniel. “Before we begin, I would like to apologize for not sending a request, but I have brought a couple of my loyal advisors. I’d like them to serve as audience clerks to this meeting.”

Daniel glances at Xyreko, who silently returns his gaze, and he replies warmly, “That’s fine with me, since you graciously flew all this way. You understand that they won’t leave this place if you prove to be a threat.”

She acknowledges the warning with a graceful professionalism. “I’m aware. Please allow me to introduce my companions.” She waves her companions over, and two more women approach, both apparently belonging to the Uhl’tall race, sharing similar features with the Queen.

She gestures at one dressed similarly to herself, saying warmly, “This is my younger sister, Thymeria. As you’ve correctly observed, my title is appointed, rather than inherited, but she has been my most loyal companion.”

Thymeria bows, saying politely, “I am Thymeria. It is my sincere pleasure to meet you, Lord Daniel.”

Daniel bows his head respectfully. “Daniel. The pleasure is mine.” Hekate tries to elbow back into him, and he whispers, “Hekate, it’s just a greeting.”

“You were flirty. You never flirt with me.”

“Then how would you know?”

 She flinches, “Urk!”, shrinking a little and remaining quiet for a bit.

Vaergraes then gestures to the woman remaining a little behind them. She has a magic bag with her, and she has a less ceremonial-looking outfit. Her clothes, while similarly ‘eastern’ in design if Daniel were still on Earth -it reminds him of either more ancient Chinese or Japanese attire-, are more utilitarian and less elegant looking. “This is my esteemed confidante, Illianna. She has served our family since long before I became a Shrine Priestess.”

Illianna bows, “I am she. A pleasure, Lord Daniel.”
“Likewise. Thank you all for coming all this way. You know me. This here is Hekate, the official ruler of the Citadel now…”

She snaps brazenly, crossing her arms, “I am Queen of the Citadel and wife of Daniel. So don’t get any ideas.”

The other three are quiet, but Daniel ignores Hekate’s outburst. “And, this is our Chancellor, for all intents and purposes; Xyreko.”

Xyreko bows. “Welcome to our esteemed fortress. If you should need anything, please allow me.”

Daniel moves Hekate to her feet so he can also stand up, and he says gently, “Please join us at the meeting table that we set up. We’ll discuss the immediate future.”

Vaergraes nods respectfully. “Please lead.”

The six take seats around a table with seating for more than just them, but for now, it’s only the six of them. A handful of servant golems arrive with refreshments and snacks, and Daniel offers, “If you feel weary, we can allow you to rest for now before our discussions.”

Vaergraes replies warmly, “Much appreciated, Daniel, but our trip was more comfortable this time, thank you. If we could accept your hospitality prior to leaving, that would be much appreciated.”

Daniel agrees warmly, “Of course. That sounds reasonable.”

“Now then, allow us to offer a gift.” Vaergraes gestures, and Illianna presents the magic bag she was carrying. Xyreko sends a golem around the table to retrieve it, and it vanishes in a teleport, surprising all three of the Uhl’tall women.

But, only a moment later, the golem reappears, handing the bag to Xyreko. 

Thymeria observes excitedly, “You can teleport!?”

Hekate is the quickest to answer -and boast-. “We have many abilities that no one can match! That was just a tidbit.”

The junior shrine priestess asks excitedly, “Can it be taught?”

“Thymeria,” murmurs Vaergraes softly.

Hekate crosses her arms, saying a little arrogantly, but also surprisingly diplomatically, “Maybe. It depends on how this meeting goes.”

Xyreko inspects the bag herself. It’s likely she had it sent off to be inspected in a control zone first, and now demonstrates the contents to Daniel. “Potations, Master.”

Daniel nods gratefully, and Vaergraes explains, “Indeed. These are all of the revival potations we could collect. I… hope if they are needed, they may be used well.”

Daniel thanks the Demon Queen. “That’s much appreciated. After searching our own inventory, we found that we only had five of our own. With these five, I intend to keep one for our use, but the other nine can go to the dragons. Which, of course, brings me to that topic; there were more dragons deceased than living. In total, eleven dragons survived, and all but one have agreed to the contracts. As for deceased dragons, I will allow you to confer with the survivors to choose dragons to resurrect.”

“I see… I appreciate that you have humored returning them to me.”

“I have no use for corpses that might be useful to someone else,” replies Daniel candidly. “And, as prisoners, they eat a lot.”

Thymeria asks gently, “Did you have to fight them?”

Hekate retorts sourly, “Daniel protected himself and the Citadel! If they had conquered it, there would be nothing stopping them from destroying everyone else.”

The three Uhl’tall are silent for a moment. Illianna murmurs, “She’s right…”

Vaergraes glances at her for a moment, pondering. 

Daniel adds, “I wasn’t a warrior in my world. In fact, I was falling asleep and half drunk when I arrived. If they hadn’t attacked Fort Peony, they’d all likely be alive. Of course, the Feral Feldrok would still be alive, and nothing would stand in the way of the Devourer.”

This causes the other three to sit up attentively, and Hekate grins, proud of her ‘husband’.

“You… found a way to defeat it?”

“Not yet. But, I have a weapon from my world that I doubt it can survive, just like the dragons.”

“This staff… Can you teach us to use them? I swear that only myself and Thymeria will wield this power if you…”

“No. This weapon is different, and I won’t be sharing it with anyone until after I confirm that it can be guarded.”

She cocks her head, asking cautiously, “You… believe you’ll be able to defeat the Devourer alone?”

“You’ll understand when you witness the power of this weapon.”

Hekate nods proudly. “We don’t need anyone!”

“And they won’t be alone.” The newest speaker is a sultry and elegant voice as three new presences enter the room. As everyone looks, Vaergraes’ chair falling when she stands up abruptly causes a calamitous noise.

The three entering, of course, are Ryuogriar, Reignleif, and Geirahoel. What is most shocking, however, is the large, backpack-sized egg that Ryuogriar is carrying with a somewhat smug and wholly content smile.

Xyreko has golems pull out chairs for them, allowing them to take seats at the table with the other six.

“L-Lady White…”

“Ryuogriar, now, your Majesty Vaergraes. Please address me as such, and allow me to inform you of Reignleif and Geirahoel’s friendly names.”

Vaergraes stares at her for a long moment, glancing at the easy-to-recognize dragons, even though they’re in human form. She then stares at Ryuogriar’s egg, causing Ryuogriar to grin proudly. “I should thank you, your Majesty. Because of your request, my life has drastically improved. All of ours, actually.”

“Th… This is the first… The first egg in…”

“Two hundred years. Yes. It would seem our fallen lord was not as proud and mighty as he fancied himself.”

Vaergraes is silent for a long time, glancing at Illianna. Even the stoic-seeming confidante is visibly surprised, and Thymeria more innocently says, “Congratulations, Lady Ryuogriar! Do you know when it should hatch?”

“Thank you so much, Lady Thymeria. And, if I recall correctly, our eggs should hatch approximately eight months after being laid.”

Daniel makes a mental note of that, and he nods at Xyreko, who acknowledges with a nod, understanding the silent message.

Ryuogriar affectionately pets her egg, adding softly, “We have hope and a future. A future we will ensure comes to pass.”

Vaergraes bows her head, offering gently, “We’ll see that your egg gets the utmost care, and prepare facilities to…”

“Excuse me, your Majesty. There seems to have been a misunderstanding.”

Vaergraes pauses. “Th-There has?”

Ryuogriar nods with her time-perfected grace. “I can only speak for myself for certain, but I will not be leaving. Daniel has kept his word, and I shall repay his many kindnesses. I have no loyalty to our former lord. Daniel has earned my loyalty.”

“I-... In such a brief time?”

Ryuogriar smiles, emphasizing the existence of the egg once more as she pets it. And, without prompting, Reignlief inadvertently draws attention to herself when she tries to shrink into her outfit to do the same for her belly, which still houses her egg.

Geira looks away from Daniel, but she adds softly, “I… I want to stay with my seniors and ensure they are treated well. A-... And…”

Vaergraes, once more stunned, looks at Daniel. He replies politely, “These three are welcome to stay, since Hekate was able to vouch for them. The others are free and will likely choose to go with you. Their contracts are more restrictive and bound to Hekate as well as myself, but I won’t provide them orders that they can’t refuse.”

“You… They’re…”

“We’re free, your Majesty. I’m holding an egg. My loyalty has been bought and paid for, if you genuinely believe me to have a price. If you know better, then you know… Daniel intends to save this world.”

Vaergraes murmurs, “You mentioned your willingness… But…” She looks directly into Daniel’s eyes. “Can your weapon really stop the Devourer? Have you seen it? It’s… It’s humongous. Truly a titan. Even our most powerful coordinated strikes were unable to drive it back, let alone defeat it.”

Daniel replies sincerely, “I only have the weapons of my world that I can draw upon. One of them proved capable of slaying dragons, which were believed to be unbeatable.”

Geira murmurs bluntly, “And, you haven’t apologized…”

Ryuogriar hisses, “Geira!”

Once more, Daniel brushes it off. “Neither have you, Geira. You attacked my home.”

She huffs, looking away from him. “I suppose we’re even then…”

“Agreed. No hard feelings?”

She shoots him a quick, brief glance, and then looks away. Fortunately, she nods in agreement. 

Daniel smiles at Vaergraes. “I have spoken to the others about using the weapon I intend to use. We’ve agreed to keep it secret after the fact, particularly because it likely will succeed. If it doesn’t, then I’ll think of something else. I have a few options to try.”

“You… These weapons; you had monsters like the Devourer?”

Daniel shakes his head. “No. Just kingdoms and empires. It was used to break the spirit of a warrior nation.”

“If that is true, then they were no true warrior nation,” disputes Illianna.

“Again, I suspect you will understand when you see it.”

The group is silent for a moment.

Finally Vaergraes asks, “How soon can you utilize this weapon?”

Daniel replies with a prepared answer; “Six months.”

“Si-... Six months?”

“Will that not be soon enough?”

She fidgets, and Thymeria fills in, “It is encroaching on the threshold to our next closest people. It will likely drive them eastward in the next two months.”

“I see. Can they be evacuated temporarily?”

Illianna replies softly, “No. Even if it is defeated the day you are able to finish it, the destroyed areas will likely be unusable for half a year more at a minimum. Assuming the mana can be restored.”

“I see. Then,... You’ll be forced to invade eastward…”

The three Uhl’tall are silent. 

Daniel writes a shorthand note in English, and he hands it to Xyreko. He had her learn English through magic shortly before the meeting, and he also had her learn his shorthand notes by giving her a cheatsheet. In code, he’s asking her how many refugees the Citadel could handle receiving as a surge.

She writes an answer, handing it back to him. ‘[250k]’ is her response, meaning 250,000 people could suddenly move into the surrounding areas and survive for the time being, given current production capacity and resources. If they can be convinced to donate their magic to the Citadel, according to his understanding, that population can grow.

Daniel asks, “How many people are we talking about being displaced? Just a rough number.”

Vaergraes replies softly, “Millions.”

Daniel nods as his suspicion is confirmed. He sighs. “I don’t approve of the war, but I know you’re doing your best to minimize the impact. If diplomacy is still failing, then… I suppose you have to do what you can to keep your people alive.”

Thymeria asks urgently, “Could you speak to them on our behalf, Lord Daniel? Surely, as a summoned hero, they’ll listen to what you have to say. You could convey our situation. They have to understand. It’s not forever.”

Daniel is respectfully quiet for a moment. He replies apologetically, “I’m sorry. I was banished for my behavior. I fear I’d sooner make the situation worse. I can’t reprimand you for what you have to do, but the longer you can hold off, the better.”

Illianna asks coldly, “Do you intend to use your mystery weapon-...?”

“No.” Daniel’s reply startles everyone. “I wouldn’t make this weapon if there was anything I could think of that would work instead. But, I’ve been told it’s the size of kingdoms. I didn’t even want to do it at all. I’m still afraid. But,...” Daniel looks at the three dragons, as well as Xyreko and Hekate. He adds softly, “I have reasons to protect the future of this world. If I could kill it with mere magic or a special summon ability, I would. Instead, all I have is the technology of my world that I can barely cobble together. I can’t promise anything but one thing; that I will give my all to stop it. Everything else, I have no say over.”

Thymeria looks down, but Vaergraes says softly, “If there’s anything we can do to help…”

“As I said, do what you have to in order to survive, but the longer you can hold off tragedy, the better.”

She agrees softly, “It’ll take time to mobilize. If you can house the dragons, perhaps we can ration…”

“We can do that. I wish I could do more.”

Vaergraes is quiet for a moment. She smiles, “I’m putting my trust in you to handle the Devourer, Daniel. I have faith in your words. And, I will trust you to handle your power with care.”

He bows his head respectfully. “I want no power. Once it’s done, consider it gone.”

After that, Xyreko provides dinner that they all share, and he leads them to meet with the surviving dragons that chose to remain in their draconic forms. She informs them that they’re free to leave the Citadel for the time being, but that Daniel and Hekate will provide them with food and lodging through the preparations for the next invasion. If they can survive long enough for Daniel to unleash his weapon, they’ll hold off.

Of course, what only he and Xyreko know is that he should be able to test the first weapon in a couple of weeks, and the attack run will be as soon as possible after that.

He is counting on Vaergraes moving people as far away from the Devourer as possible. Since they suspect it’s a feldrok -or was once upon a time-, it should have a singular point of life somewhere within its massive body, likely located near the center. As long as Daniel can destroy most of it, it should die, no matter how far spread it is.

He knows Xyreko is the only one who believes Daniel at his word about how destructive nuclear weapons can be. It’s clear that the dragons and Hekate have no real concept of the destructive ability.

And, they don’t fully grasp how dangerous it is. If and when word of it reaches Rikuto, he’ll know Daniel broke one of the greatest taboos of their summoning; greater even than making firearms.

But, if he could fully  what they’re up against, he might understand.

Regardless, for now, Daniel has work to do.

***

Ryukana fidgets as she watches the wyverns leave the Citadel from her location just outside of one of the villages. The gatonine women met up with a succubus, and the three seem to be waiting for something. However, the situation is growing worse and worse. Not only was the Demon Queen able to arrive and depart from the Citadel unchallenged, there are in fact dragons perched and basking in the sun leisurely, taking flights around the castle, and otherwise making themselves at home in the formerly-defunct castle; the only location in this world -or any world that she knows of- able to withstand and repel divine beings.

Graham appears near her, reporting his arrival. “My Lady Goddess…”

“It’s as bad as it looks, isn’t it?”

“We’re not sure what to make of it. A great deal of magical power is concentrated within the Citadel, as you know, and the dragons have made it their new home. It’s possible the meeting with the Demon Queen is in preparation for another invasion.

Saraelyn appears next, and she reports, “Lady Goddess, there are rumors that Daniel was able to defeat a dragon. They claim he had a magic staff. Is it perhaps a divine treasure?”

Ryukana shakes her head, still watching as the Queen flies away. “No. I had no idea Daniel was in this world until long after he was lost. The divine treasure I left for Rikuto has still not been found. I know how fortunate I am that he has managed to survive after all of this… I hope…”

Graham murmurs, “There seem to be no recent rumors other than those that point in the direction of this castle. If… he was killed…”

Ryukana is silent for a long time.

Saraelyn asks softly, “My Lady Goddess. Should Rikuto be informed of the movements of the Demon Queen?”

The goddess replies distantly, “Direct intervention is just as dangerous as doing nothing. I specifically chose Rikuto because he had no family and no close friends on Earth. If I intervene, he’ll be sent back whether he chooses to or not.”

“I see… But, without any way to find Daniel, and a war threatening to escalate…”

“I know. But in this case, my failure had no impact on this world’s fate. Just the fate of an innocent person.”

She looks down, biding her time for something to happen. She’s not sure what her options are, since it’s an unprecedented situation for her. She could ask for help from Chaos and Order, but they may abandon Daniel and strip Ryukana of her authority over this world, forever stranding him if he’s still alive.

If he has perished already, Order will likely have already processed his soul and cleansed the energy to be reused in a new life that would never be Daniel’s again.

She looks at Graham. “Make your best effort to inform Rikuto of the coming invasion. It’ll likely be within the next couple of months, or more solid information should reach him. Just plant the seed and let him work through it.”

“Are you certain, my Lady Goddess?”

“Yes. When I reveal my failure to Chaos and Order, Rikuto will suffer either way. Let him try to prove his worth to them on his own merits before I do so, and they should grant him what he desires and detach his fate from mine.”

Saraelyn murmurs, “If they find out you intervened…”

“I know. Which is why Rikuto should be made to understand the whole truth.”

The Observers are silent for a moment. She looks at them, and they look down, averting their gazes. “My Lady Goddess, your wish is our command. But, please ensure that this is the command you wish to give.”

“I’m certain. I’ll stay and keep searching for Daniel. And, if I can’t find him soon, I’ll report back to Chaos and Order on my failure.”

The Observers hesitate one last time, but they nod. “As you wish, My Lady…” They vanish into thin air, leaving Ryukana alone to ponder on the immediate future.

Just one sign. One small hint that Daniel is alive somewhere, and she’ll do everything in her power to fix it.

***

The two weeks pass, and Daniel looks at his abominable creation. From a design standpoint, it is rather crisp and functional. He has a manual, spring-loaded timer and a calculated value for gravity by performing the age-old technique of dropping various objects from really high up and timing fall to work out the acceleration. It won’t be perfect, but as long as he’s within a handful of seconds, the final detonation height shouldn’t matter. It should also detonate on impact in the worst case scenario, which should still do plenty of damage. Detonating nukes above the ground allows the blast to spread further and deliver more energy over a wider area, so it’s the ideal. But, as long as Daniel can hit the center and do devastating damage to the Devourer, there’s a very good chance it will perish no matter what. At a fundamental level, feldroks are living beings. This one just seems to have lost control of its ability to absorb magic and souls.

As he’s pondering his most terrible creation, Xyreko knocks on the door. “Master?”

“Yeah…”

She can’t enter the room because of the weapon. They haven’t researched it very thoroughly yet, but radioactive material seems to have a field that negates magic. It could be that it’s absorbing magic, like magic is an inverse of radiation in some capacity, but it’s not proportional to the type or amount of radioactive decay of the material in question. Regardless, magic does not work in the presence of uranium, polonium, deuterium, or tritium, which the simplistic bomb is abundant in.

“Master, there are visitors.”

“Has Hekate met with them, yet?”

“She was going to, but… there was a complication.”

Sensing that she wants a more direct answer, Daniel heads to the door. “I’m coming out.”

“I’m away from the door, Master. Please exit freely.”

He opens the door and steps outside, closing it behind him. He asks politely, “What’s the problem?”

“Both Hekate and I recognized the sigil they bear.”

Daniel cocks his head. “And…?”

She points at the simple black sigil on Daniel’s shoulder, emulated on his armor to match the one on the jacket he wore since receiving it from Wenlianna. He asks, surprised, “This one?”

She confirms with a nod. “An emblematic representation of a feldrok, yes?”

He nods in turn as he ponders options. “And, it’s identical?”

“Yes. Perfectly. Six out of the ten are human as well.”

“That’s…” Daniel doesn’t finish the claim of being impossible. He knows better. Truly, if he could make it this far, probably anyone else in this world could reach the Citadel, as long as they weren’t spotted by dragons along the way. And, now that the dragons are enjoying the luxuries of the Citadel without the responsibilities imposed upon them by the Lord and his brother, they spend most of their days leisurely flying, basking in the sun, or swimming in the lake. At a glance, it would look like the dragons successfully conquered the Citadel. In fact, if the stories of Daniel driving back or defeating the dragon at Fort Peony reached any distance east of the mountains, then seeing so many dragons in one place should specifically mean he isn’t present.

All of that being true, there isn’t much reason for a squad of Stalvaltan soldiers to specifically come to the Citadel, unless Rikuto sent them to deal with Daniel because he broke the pact.

Daniel says in a neutral tone, “Have they said anything yet?”

“Only that they’re looking for someone.”

“I see. Assume they’re assassins.” Daniel withdraws his helmet from his magic bag, putting it on. “If they do attack me, assume I can’t defeat them if you would.”

“Master?”

“I didn’t have any relationships good enough to warrant a rescue this far into enemy territory, less so from a fortress crawling with dragons when I am rumored -undoubtedly- to have driven them back or defeated them. It’s more likely the summon that arrived with me is specifically removing my weapons from the equation… by eliminating the only one who can build them.”

“I see… That does make more sense…”

Daniel nods when she understands. “If he discovers this weapon;” he knocks on the lab door to emphasize his point. “He’ll stop at nothing to have me eliminated to protect this secret.”

“Can this other summon build these weapons?”

“I genuinely don’t know. Assuming it works, you might believe that this knowledge was surprisingly easy to piece together from what was available to all people in our world. At least close enough to be dangerous. The hindrance would have been getting a hold of the materials without drawing attention. If he realizes I already have one, or even the materials alone, he’ll be even more desperate than if he thinks I have the rifle and revolver, which I probably left a shell casing behind.”

“I can eliminate them immediately, if you wish.”

“No. I’ll hear them out and try to cover my own trail. Please color-change my armor to hide the sigil.”

She obeys with a nod, changing his armor to a standard-looking sharmelkolle pattern that simply glows in a gradient, most brightly colored near the sword on his hip.

He’s not sure what to expect, but Daniel has even less reason to die than he arrived in this world with. So, for now, he’ll remain cautious.

***