I, Reincarnate as the Leader of the Villainous Knight Order - Chapter 180: Experiment

Chapter 180: Experiment

“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

When I approached and called out, Aria turned around with a wide grin.

“Nfufufufu. The experiment was a success! Even though you all made such a fuss, the monsters didn’t come close, right? Normally, with that much noise, at least one or two of the sharp-eared Horn Rabbits would’ve shown themselves, don’t you think? In fact, outside the effect range, there are monsters. Look, see?”

She said that and pushed out what looked like a notebook-sized box-shaped magic tool toward me.

Looking at it, in the center of a panel-like screen where a magic stone was embedded, there were several small red lights forming a circle outward from it.

I’ve never seen or heard of a magic tool like this—almost like a detection spell.

It’s so amazing, it made me worry if this was some top-secret matter.

“There are three lights glowing near this magic stone too? Aren’t those monsters?”

“Ah, that’s us. The biggest one is Jest. And this smallest one here is Justin.”

The moment Aria explained, a burst of laughter could be heard.

“Gufu—! The, the Commander is smaller than Jest… what the—!”

“Simon, you idiot!”

Before Arnault could cover Simon’s mouth, I silently caught Simon in a headlock and rubbed my fist hard on his skull.

“Owwww!! That hurts! I’m sorry!!”

“So the light corresponds to the amount of magic power. It’s natural that the dragon has more magic power, Simon.”

Ignoring Simon’s pained voice, I confirmed with Aria.

It was obvious that Simon had implied something with his words.

As a man, it’s only natural to be sensitive about being called small.

“That’s right, but… that guy really seems to be in pain, you know?”

“Ignore it.”

“Don’t ignore it!! I’m the one to pity here, right!? Jest, help me!”

When Simon teared up, I let him go. He was getting too loud anyway.

Once freed, Simon rushed straight to Jest and crouched. He was letting Jest pat his head.

“Huh? It’s faint, but maybe one of the four of them has magic power too. Though with training, they probably could only manage basic utility spells.”

Aria narrowed her eyes and looked at the panel part of the magic tool.

Most likely, the one with the potential is Arnault.

The other subordinates also looked at Arnault. But they chose not to say anything.

“If it really bothers him, he can go get a magic power appraisal or something. More importantly, are you sure it’s okay to show us that magic tool?”

“………Ah. B-but, but, even if you saw it, you don’t have the technology or knowledge to make one, right!?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“Right!? So, no problem!”

She hadn’t thought this through at all, had she?

That’s an extremely relieved expression you’re making.

Most likely, the Magic Tower Master understands that kind of thing and gave permission accordingly.

Still, if this magic tool were mass-produced, it could be used to manipulate monsters and drive them where you want…

That thought probably comes from my perspective as part of the subjugation force.

Seems like I’m not the only one thinking it, judging by the eye contact among the subordinates—excluding Simon.

Given that the Kingdom of Eldrasia is surrounded by mountains, I don’t think this could affect other countries unless the effect is massively enhanced.

But if neighboring countries find out, it would be seen as a threat.

Rather, it wouldn’t be surprising if envoys rushed over to negotiate for this technology.

Maybe this is the Magic Tower Master and the King of Eldrasia testing whether we in the Kingdom of Rafios can be trusted.

I’ll report this concern to Ernest just in case, and then keep quiet.

At the very least, it would be geographically difficult to use this magic tool against the Kingdom of Rafios.

“So… is the experiment over with this?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“If you also need materials, we can hunt a few monsters in this forest. That’s why I brought the subordinates, after all.”

“Really!? Then let’s hunt some Needle Bears!”

At my suggestion, Aria’s face visibly brightened.

Needle Bears don’t exist in the Kingdom of Rafios. I’ve only seen them in encyclopedias.

If I remember right, they’re monsters that closely resemble hedgehogs.

“Needle Bears? What’s that?”

Naturally, Simon tilted his head, not knowing.

“A small bear monster with needles on its back. They mainly attack by shooting those needles, so be careful. They say the needles can easily pierce through arms or legs.”

“Ah, since Needle Bears are rare, please try not to kill them! I only want the needles to be collected!”

“Wait, you mean you want us to make them attack with their needles on purpose, and then collect them!? Didn’t you say those could pierce arms!?”

To Aria’s request, Arnault shouted like it was a scream.

Even I haven’t seen one in person, so I can’t say much—but if it can pierce arms or legs, it must be shot at considerable speed.

We don’t even know how big the needles are. So of course it’s worrisome.

“That small one is probably a Horn Rabbit, and this slightly bigger one is likely a Needle Bear.”

Looking at the panel of the magic tool, Aria pointed to one of the red lights.

It certainly looked a bit bigger than the others.

“I’ll stay and guard Aria. So don’t worry about us. Go ahead and give it a try. You don’t often get a chance to gather materials from a monster you’ve never seen before. Jest should be fine. But if he’s in human form, he might get hit—so stay close to me.”

“Okay!”

And so, with an unusual look of tension on their faces, the subordinates took the lead and headed deeper into the forest.