Magic Maker - How to make magic in another world - - Chapter 161

Magic Maker – How to make magic in another world –

Chapter 161   Carla Ackerman

I woke up to a loud banging sound, “Gan, gan, gan.”

Jumping out of bed, I quickly put on my Raika and headed towards the source of the noise.

It seemed like someone was pounding on the entrance of the Count’s mansion.

“Hey, open up!!”

An angry shout echoed from outside. There was definitely someone out there.

The voice had a strangely imposing tone, but it seemed to be that of a woman.

“Hurry up and open it, or I’ll break down this door!!”

Rough language and violent actions. There was no mistaking it; these were people one should avoid getting involved with.

“What’s going on!?”

“…What a way to start the morning, honestly.”

Winona, my sister, and the Count arrived a bit later, all still in their nightclothes.

It was only natural, considering it was still early in the morning, and the dim outside scene was visible through the window.

Gan, gan, gan.

The entrance door continued to make a loud, disruptive noise.

“Is it… a robbery?”

“If it is, then we have no choice but to fight.”

Winona looked frightened, and my sister assumed a defensive stance. Either way, we couldn’t just stay like this. It seemed like we had to open the door.

I gathered my resolve and approached the entrance.

“Hey! Open up! I came all the way here, damn it, Coruaa!!”

I wish she’d stop with the scary rolling “r” sound.

I swallowed hard and quickly opened the entrance.

“Open up, open—gwaahhh!!!”

With a forceful swing of the door, someone tumbled out and rolled towards us. She continued rolling, passing by my sister and the others, finally crashing into the wall. With a loud “thud,” she came to a stop.

“Ugyuu…”

A small, curled-up figure let out a faint sound, lying sprawled near the wall. We cautiously approached to assess the situation.

It was a woman, and quite tall, probably around 180 centimeters. Strangely exposed, she wore little more than a bikini top, barely covering her ample chest. Almost her entire chest was visible, with her belly button and armpits also on full display.

She had short hair, giving off a somewhat tomboyish vibe, but her attire was undeniably feminine, creating an intriguing contrast. Perhaps one would call her boyish.

She carried a large bag on her back, and its contents were scattered all around – numerous books, pens, and papers littered the floor. While her belongings were interesting, our immediate concern was the person herself.

“Um, are you okay?”

As I timidly inquired, the woman trembled visibly. Was it shivering? It seemed a bit frightening.

“Eep!”

Winona let out a scream and clung to my shoulder. I could feel a soft sensation, and my heart involuntarily skipped a beat. I scolded my pounding heart internally. No, this was not the time for that!

The tall woman slowly stood up, appearing even more imposing on her feet. She then pointed her index finger at me.

“You, it’s dangerous to just open it suddenly!! Ah!?”

She had such force that it seemed like a sharp sound would pierce through. I instinctively lowered my head.

“S-Sorry.”

“As long as you apologize! Be more careful!”

The woman huffed, crossing her arms. Why was she acting so high and mighty? It was a mystery, but since she forgave us, it was fine. The woman widened her eyes as if coming to her senses, hastily gathering her scattered belongings back into her bag.

“Geez, my work tools are gonna get dirty… grumble.”

Muttering to herself, she efficiently packed her belongings into the bag. All we could do was exchange glances and watch her. Once she finished arranging everything, she shouldered her bag and stood tall.

“I am Carla Ackerman! The top linguist in the Mediph region, no, in the whole world!”

With a proud expression, Carla-san declared. She appeared to be in her mid-twenties, with slanted eyes and a somewhat firm impression. Despite her large stature and appearance, she gave off a decidedly tomboyish vibe.

But really, she was quite big. In various ways.

“Ahh!! Hey, Goltba! You can’t just leave me hanging after asking for help, Corua!!”

“Help? Does that mean this person is the linguist Count Goltba hired to decipher ancient texts?”

“Well, um… yeah. I didn’t really want to get involved, though.”

“Hey, hey! Don’t ask for help and then act like that! I came all the way here, you know!”

Cut it out with the ‘hey, hey’! It’s quite hearty, or rather, rough. “It’s a bit difficult to deal with this person.” The Count discreetly whispered to me.

“This person isn’t a bad individual, and she can be trusted. However, actually getting involved with her can be a bit troublesome…”

“Troublesome, you say?”

“…You’ll understand eventually.”

“Hey, heyy! Don’t whisper like that! Didn’t your mom tell you not to talk like that in public!?”

“Um, by the way…”

“Don’t abruptly cut off the conversation unnaturally! What is it!?”

“Could it be that you’re the scholar dispatched by the king?”

“Yeah! I don’t really get it, but they told me to help decipher fairy language! And why didn’t you ask me for help when you were doing something interesting!”

The Count fidgeted with his beard. Then, he absentmindedly opened his mouth.

“Huh? What was that?”

Ah, he’s planning to escape with the ‘I don’t know anything about it, grandpa’ act. The Count is still very much active. There’s not a trace of him acting senile.

Or rather, he does things like this, doesn’t he?

“Tch! Again with that. Always resorting to it when in trouble!”

“Alright, fine. Anyway, I’m joining from today, so count on me!”

“Thank you. I’m Shion Ornstein.”

“Mariann Ornstein. Shion’s sister. Just call me Marie.”

“I’m Winona Olof… I-I serve as Lord Shion’s maid.”

Carla-san laughed heartily, nodded approvingly, and then turned her shoulder to look back. The Count was still pretending to be a senile old man. My sister shrugged her shoulders, and Winona had wide eyes.

…This is unsettling.

〇●〇

We, along with Carla-san, arrived at the Fairy Forest, Alsphere. Our group consisted of me, my sister, Winona, the Count, Carla-san, and a few royal knights led by Dominic. Carla-san and the knights seemed to have joined us along the way. Well, the knights were probably here to keep an eye on things. They were originally Dominic’s subordinates.

They seemed quite uneasy on the way, so they might be the ones who leaked information to the king. Actually, it’s more like we should be the ones keeping quiet, and the blame lies with us. The atmosphere was heavy. Silence dominated the surroundings. This was not good. We were going to be together as a team for a while at least. It’s not that we were in conflict, but it wasn’t a very pleasant atmosphere.

As I pondered what to do, my sister took the initiative.

“Hey, why is there only one scholar?”

“Huh? What do you mean? Is there a problem?”

“We don’t have an issue with it. But don’t you have a problem on your end? Based on the king’s tone, I thought more people would be sent.”

“I don’t know. I was just ordered, and they didn’t bother to inform me of the details. Well, I can guess what happened. Goltba probably went berserk and did something reckless.”

“Well, there’s another one going berserk as well.”

My sister glanced at me, and I chuckled. She sighed as if to say, “Well, can’t be helped.” Now that the conversation had started, it was the right time to join in.

“How much do you know?”

“Huh? Ah, well, monsters appeared in Alsphere, the fairy realm was discovered, and they are currently analyzing the fairy language. They’re also researching magical power used for treating lazy syndrome. And, there were ancient texts written in the fairy habitat, and I brought the actual items because I was requested to do so. I didn’t know fairies had their own things, though.”

The Count continued with his ‘I don’t know anything’ mode. He’s quite a slippery character. Well, I don’t intend to reprimand the Count’s actions because honestly, if I were in the same position, I might have done the same. It depends on the relationship with the other party.

“To be honest, it’s only half the story. I can’t see magical power, and I don’t really understand it. And did the fairy realm really exist? It was never found for a long time.”

“You’ll understand when you see it.”

“Hmph, if it’s a lie, it won’t end well for you.”

Judging from her sturdy physique, it indeed seemed like it wouldn’t end well at all. But why did she dress so revealingly? Well, I can’t really ask that, though.

“Hey, I’ve been curious about something. Why do you dress like that?”

The one who asked was right next to us. Truly my sister, someone who effortlessly crosses the walls!

But that question is quite personal. I wonder if it’s okay. My worry was unfounded, though, as Carla-san seemed unfazed.

“For ease of movement.”

“…Just that?”

“Linguists go to forests, mountains, caves, and such. Ancient texts aren’t neatly written only in books. They’re on stone tablets, murals, and various things. Well, it’s not just ancient texts; there are many old languages in common use too.”

Common languages refer to the languages we humans use.

“Try wearing fluttery clothes when you come to places like this. It would be a hassle getting caught on things, tearing, and hindering movement.”

“Hmm. But isn’t it more dangerous to expose your skin?”

“It’s fine. I’m trained!”

She’s a muscle-head. A theory from someone made entirely of brain muscle.

Terrifying. But oddly convincing.

“…Maybe I should dress more lightly too.”

“Yeah, do that. Being more agile makes it easier to move.”

My sister looked down at her own clothes, pursing her lips.

No, no, what kind of internal struggle is she having? Even in the current situation, she’s agile enough. Although, occasionally, the fluttering of her skirt as she moves around has been a bit distracting.

I couldn’t help but imagine what would happen if she exposed herself even more. Would my sister dress like Carla-san?

Stop, stop thinking about it.

“No, the way you are now is the best! Stay just the way you are!”

“Really? Hmm, if Shion says so.”

Absolutely terrifying. What kind of suggestion is she making? I can’t let my sister wear an outfit that makes her chest bounce with every step, revealing her thighs.

“Tch, I thought we were getting a new comrade.”

What a dreadful strategy. Just imagine if one day, your own sister suddenly started walking around town in revealing clothes. It would be half embarrassment and half terror at the thought of your family being seen. Not that I want to see it at all.

“Everyone, we’re almost there.”

Dominic’s voice echoed as he led the way. As we emerged into an open area, Melfi flew in as usual.

“I’ve been waiting, Shion!”

Melfi’s magical voice spread through our field of vision.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Melfi. Today, we have a new person.”

Almost perfect Fairy Language. It’s just at the level of everyday conversation, but Melfi tilted her head cutely and noticed Carla-san. She trembled a bit, then hurriedly hid behind me.

“Big… like an orc…”

The Count and I almost burst into laughter, but we managed to hold it back just in time. To the others, they had no idea what Melfi was saying.

“W-Why is the fairy getting attached… D-Did it say something just now!? I-I couldn’t hear anything, so maybe it’s a misunderstanding…? Anyway, fairies getting attached is rare. W-Well, I’m not a fairy scholar, so I don’t really care!”

While saying such things with apparent interest, she sneakily glanced at Melfi. Hm, is this person perhaps fond of fairies? Melfi, peeking out from behind my shoulder and observing Carla, seemed to be quite cautious. Carla, with shining eyes, watched Melfi for a moment, but then quickly averted her gaze.

“A-Anyway, it seems you really are analyzing the Fairy Language. Since your on such good terms with a fairy… So, where’s the fairy village? Is there really one? Where is it?”

Observing Carla-san, who had completely become restless, I felt a slight sense of camaraderie. Even if our personalities were different, scholars might all be the same kind of creatures. I want to know more. Driven by that feeling, I used magic to open the way to the fairy habitat.