“That was the result of explosively accelerating the monster’s natural growth and drastically increasing its combat strength without sacrificing any natural features. It may sound forceful, but I’d prefer you think of it as the formula drawing out latent potential. It grants them bodies that can withstand their might.”
“And they change at their own will?”
“Yes. However, they’ll obey their owner’s commands because of the collar.”
Honestly, I’d been expecting more inhumane research.
Wawok told us that releasing the creatures was part of his preparation. The woods had few monsters and magical beasts, making it the perfect safe training grounds.
“I’d like to ask that you use a place farther from human settlements. Unfamiliar monsters can create a commotion. I ask this as a guild employee.”
Wawok shrugged. “All right, I understand. I never meant to cause trouble, you know. And losing monsters I put so much care into is a real nuisance.”
Once we settled on a date to return in three months, Rila’s shadow, Dey, Roje, and I left the underground lab. Wawok told us about a path that brought us to a staircase to ground level.
The steps led up into a building close to the capital.
“Well, that worked out well for you, Lord Rileyla,” Dey remarked.
“Indeed. Though I shall need to be patient.”
Patient, huh? The collar technically inhibited her. Most people would feel the opposite way about this.
“Our lives likely would have been very different if the vampire assisted us in the past.”
“It is just as you say.”
Roje and Rila entertained some idle chat while we walked.
The Spiny Lizard’s transformation was incredible. Creating a method to bring that about was worthy of admiration.
“Don’t you want a right arm?”
Wawok’s words wouldn’t leave my head.
The next morning, I reported the facts to Iris.
“There’s a researcher who serves monster tamers. Some locals happened to spot some of his creatures while they were in the forest.”
I summarized the events in a written report. Iris read through it, nodding and humming in agreement.
“So they’re not dangerous?”
“They’re not. I’ve made sure. Special collars the researcher made keep the monsters in check.”
“And it seems that they become more powerful when needed in battle through this transformation formula, as you described it?”
“That’s right,” I replied.
“Isn’t this…kind of revolutionary?”
“It didn’t seem that he was after anything in particular by creating the collars. He’s been careful to ensure no one can abuse them. Baring a change of heart, I don’t think he’ll use his work for military purposes.”
“I see.”
Iris tapped the report against her desk to straighten the pages, then placed them in a drawer.
Had Wawok developed his creations during the war, he might have sold them to the military.
“Can I count on you to follow up with the clients?”
“Yes, I’ve already done so.”
“Oh, you have? Excellent work, as always.” Iris gave me a grin. “You know…today’s your day off.”
“Is that right?” I had come in to deliver my report without checking.
“But…you finally look like your normal self again.”
“My normal self, you say?”
Iris nodded. “You looked tense the whole time we were in Bardenhawk. What…really happened?”
Roje had explained away my lost arm as an accident, but Iris knew that was a lie.
“It wasn’t anything worth telling others about. It was just…a family dispute.”
“A family quarrel?” Iris cocked her head, confused, but I didn’t give her any more, instead turning to leave.
“Um, about today?!” she called to stop me.
I looked over my shoulder. “Yes?”
“This may be too late, but those of us from the Bardenhawk trip are planning to hold a dinner. Want to come??”
“Yes, I’d love to.”
Iris laughed. “You’ve really changed.”
“I never intended to… Have I really?”
She bobbed her head in the affirmative and told me to come back to the office before closing.
From the Lahti branch, I headed to Lina’s orphanage. I hadn’t seen her recently, and I wanted to check how things were going.
“Roland!” Lina spotted me right as I arrived and rushed over.
“It’s been a while,” I said.
She looked so young it was tough to believe she and Maylee were the same age. It was almost like her magical talent sucked away all the nourishment that should have gone to her growth.
“Roland, where’s your arm?”
“It’s gone,” I stated.
“Do arms disappear?”
“Sometimes.”
Lina regarded my missing limb with awe, but soon took my hand to lead me.
There were more children at the orphanage than I remembered.
“Ally said it’s been really awful.”
“That’s not surprising.”
“She thinks we need to hire some widows who’re looking for an outlet for their maternal instincts.”
What a specific job requirement.
“Stop that!” scolded an energetic voice I recognized instantly. It belonged to the orphanage’s director.
Kids ran through the garden, laughing.
“Almelia, you look well.”
“Oh, Roland. W-warn me before you stop by… You always drop in unannounced.” She averted her eyes while teasing a long golden lock between her fingers. “I’m doing fine…all thanks to you.”
“I’m happy to hear it.”
Almelia came to visit me after I’d woken up following the fight with Amy, but I’d spent the entire time speaking with King Randolf. I never had a proper talk with her.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll still beat you, even without an arm.”
“I see you’re just as confident as ever.”
“It’s the truth, isn’t it?”
“Grrr…”
Two boys snuck up behind Almelia and flipped up her skirt.
“Hyaaah?!”
They both ran away screaming, and Almelia chased after them, shouting, “You’ve really done it now!”
I was glad to see they were enjoying themselves.
According to Lina, most of Almelia’s work consisted of caring for the orphans.
“I suppose she needs more help now that there are more of them,” I remarked.
This was a good time to make the orphanage a place of learning, as I’d suggested in the past. King Randolf was always prompt to send the establishment money, so the orphanage had the necessary equipment and food.
“Um, Roland, I…” Lina fidgeted, pulling her knees together.
“What is it? Do you need to use the bathroom?”
“N-no! I wanna…teach…magic…”
My eyes widened; I hadn’t expected that. “Oh. How interesting.”
“I tried to teach everyone a teensy little bit. It didn’t go well, though… But if they can learn how to use it, I know they’ll have fun.”
“Getting others to understand a subject the same way you do is difficult, but I think it’ll be a good experience.” I tousled Lina’s hair. “Maybe one of them will turn out to become a great mage like you.”
“Even if they do, I’ll still beat them.”
“That’s the spirit.”
I wondered if Amy felt the same. There were some things you only learned by teaching. I believed Almelia was far from beating me, and I could hardly conceive of her doing so.