Chapter 35

So, I brought Ririfa on a picnic.

Well, it's called a picnic, but in reality, it's just a walk in the nearby courtyard.

As a guard, I have brought a few members of the First Legion's Royal Guard and some magic armor, but I left Rieve at the castle. The domestic issues have just settled, and I felt some resistance to both of us leaving the castle.

Now, Eltina is working with me and is on standby to be ready for any emergencies.

"Alright, let's start the experiment, shall we?"

I explain simply to Ririfa, who looks puzzled.

What we're going to do is a verification test of the game functions in the form of a game—testing the various abilities the king possesses. We've already verified the basic abilities before, but there are still a few more functions that need to be tested.

"An experiment?"

"Yeah. I need you to accompany me in a simple verification experiment. For Ririfa, it's just like a game, so feel free to relax."

"But isn't this work?"

"It's different from work. Besides, if Ririfa helps me, it will be a great help to me."

"Hmm..."

She looked at me with a doubtful gaze, but I'm not lying.

If Ririfa, who doesn't need to be concerned, can accompany me in the experiment, it would be very helpful for me.

Besides, I've been cooped up in the office recently. It would be a good change of pace to go outside occasionally. And since a task will be completed as a result, it's a win-win situation.

The guards are guarding the courtyard from a distance, keeping a distance where they can't hear our conversation. They can see us, but we'll act as if we're deepening the friendship between the two countries for the children, so there's no need to worry about their gazes.

"Let's start right away. First, we'll do the <Information Sharing> experiment."

[Information Sharing]

"Information Sharing?"

"It's the ability to absorb the information possessed by subordinates near me and visualize it on various <Virtual Windows>... but I guess that's hard to understand, right?"

"I don't get it."

"Yeah, I see."

It's hard to explain.

To begin with, if I want her to understand, I need to start with an explanation of <Virtual Windows>, but even then, I'm not sure if the concept of a "screen" would make sense to Ririfa, who is a resident of this world.

"Um... to put it simply, it's a function that allows me to know the information Ririfa knows without needing an explanation in words."

"Hmm. What should Ririfa do?"

"Nothing special. You might feel something intuitively, but if you accept it, that's fine."

"?? I don't really understand."

"I'm sorry, but I don't fully understand it myself. If you try to convey information to me, it might work... I think."

Since Ririfa is a citizen of a vassal state and not a subordinate, automatic <Information Sharing> is not possible. I need to manually initiate <Information Sharing>, but I don't know what the sensation is like for the receiving party.

"I don't really understand, but I get it. Let's try it!"

"Alright, let's start the test.

Virtual Window: Unlock.

Ability Activation: Information Sharing: Direct Connection.

Target Input: Direct Selection."

By displaying Ririfa's <Character Information> on another <Virtual Window> and performing <Information Sharing>, several unknown items became clear. The <Character Information> of Ririfa was updated due to the successful connection.

There were no changes in the basic stats such as strength and endurance, which had already been judged by Rieve and Eltina, but the skill list was updated.

The summoning magic Ririfa used before—“I call my companion”—revealed all the information Ririfa knew about it.

"Hmm, so that was Ririfa's unique ability?"

It seems it wasn't a common magic.

At least according to Ririfa's understanding, “I call my companion” is a magic that only Ririfa can use.

Another updated item was the [Notes] section, where special remarks are recorded.

"…Three sizes?"

Why would this appear in the notes section?

"Brother, did it work? Did you receive the information?"

"It did, but there was some unclear information included..."

"Did you receive information about Sister's body shape?"

...Is this your doing, Ririfa?

The <Information Sharing> should display information that the target considers important or noteworthy, but for some reason, Ririfa thought her sister's three sizes were important information.

By the way, the various pieces of information shared through <Information Sharing>—since incorrect information can also be shared—can be manually corrected, and if you want to delete it, you can remove the three sizes from the notes section.

"…Well, it's information, after all. It's not like it's a problem to have it. There's no need to delete it."

That's how it turned out.

There was no ill intent.

[Compression Key]

"Alright, next. This time, we'll test the <Compression Key>."

"Compression?"

The <Compression Key> is a collection of commands that can be freely configured.

In essence, it's a shortcut key that you can create as you like. When a specific action is performed, it executes the commands that were registered in advance instantly.

For example, if you store an <Order> in the <Compression Key>, you can convey a standard command to your subordinates in an instant.

Moreover, the <Compression Key> can execute not just a single command but a combination of multiple commands.

For instance, you can issue a complex command like "Grant support magic A to allied units Alpha and Beta. After a five-second wait, start attacking the enemy engaged with allied unit Gamma" with a simple motion.

In the early stages of the game, when tactical-level combat is required, I often used <Compression Keys> composed of template tactical commands.

However, explaining this to Ririfa would probably not lead to understanding.

Like with <Information Sharing>, the concepts of commands and shortcuts are not something she can understand. Therefore, I only told her that it's "like a simple message game."

"Compression Key Setting: Complete. Setting Virtual Window: Close."

After completing the registration of the <Compression Key>, I closed the virtual window that was obstructing my view.

The content of the <Compression Key> I set up is simple, containing only the <Order> to "raise your right hand." The method of selecting the target unit is set to direct selection, so all I need to do is select Ririfa and execute the <Compression Key>.

By the way, for the execution motion of the <Compression Key>, I mainly use a finger snap—commonly known as a finger snap—because it's a quick action that can be performed in an instant, and it looks cool.

After all, with just a finger snap, my subordinates respond.

It's bound to look cool.

In middle school, I registered the finger snap motion as the trigger for the <Compression Key> without hesitation, which was a very natural progression. It's practical because it's a quick action, and it looks cool.

I also adopted several other motion types for drawing characters in the air, for the same reasons.

"Alright, let's go."

"??"

Ririfa, who looks puzzled, stands in front of me as I snap my right middle finger.

Then, Ririfa, surprised, shivers and suddenly raises her right hand.

—The experiment was a success.

"What just happened? Brother, did you tell Ririfa to 'raise your right hand'?"

"No, I didn't say it out loud. Instead, I sent an <Order> using the <Compression Key>. I wasn't sure if it would work with the residents of this world, but it seems to function properly."

"…It feels a bit strange."

Ririfa twists her body, looking somewhat uncomfortable.

"Would it be better to use my voice? I can also use another ability to convey my voice to a certain distance."

"Hmm. Maybe I'll get used to it, but I think it would be a surprise at first. If you can convey your voice from a distance, it might be more familiar. It would be like telepathy."

"Telepathy... I think it's a magic that conveys your voice to someone far away."

It's the magic used by the harmful beasts in Noblewood.

It's a relatively rare magic, and the Fourth Legion has started researching it.

By the way, I can also convey my voice to someone far away. Just like in a speech, I can set the chat mode to [Ultra-Wide Area] and shout.

However, I can't use this method to convey my voice to a specific target. While direct conversation is possible between PCs, it can't be used with NPCs. Unfortunately, using communication to convey my voice to Ririfa is—no.

"Wait... Maybe it's worth a try?"

Suddenly, I wondered how my ability recognizes Ririfa.

She is different from Rieve and the others, as she is originally a resident of this world. I have no idea what this world, which is similar to [Tactics Chronicle], is, but it might not be right to categorize her as an NPC from the start.

In the case of the <Subordinate Resurrection>, I didn't think of using the ability on Ririfa and the others, which almost led to a problem. This time, I was falling into the opposite way of thinking. There's no need to categorize Ririfa and the others from the start.

After all, I'm in a very different state from when I was playing the game.

In the game, I didn't feel fatigue, but in this world, I'm always out of breath.

Similarly, in the game, I didn't necessarily need to eat, and in the early stages, I often gave my share of food to my subordinates. If I did the same now, I would starve to death.

Since there are such differences from the game, it's a bad move to treat Ririfa and the others as completely the same as my subordinates from the start. Limiting my possibilities is not a good idea. Trying it out is free, and now is the time to conduct the necessary verification.

"Alright, Ririfa. Could you move to a place where my voice can't reach?"

[Communication]

So, this time, we're testing the communication function.

I've already explained to Ririfa what we're going to test, and she's waving her hand to indicate that she's ready.

"Communication Virtual Window: Unlock.

Mode Selection: Voice Chat.

Target Input: Direct Selection."

The communication virtual window opens, and the connection process begins, just like when talking to the king of another country.

The connection is completed without any error messages. I feel a sense of anticipation.

"Ririfa, can you hear my voice?"

Ririfa, who is in my line of sight, jumps up and down as a signal.

It seems that my voice has reached her. This is a pleasant surprise. It's always good to try things out.

So far, the differences from the game have been things like feeling pain, hunger, and fatigue, and almost dying from the backlash of a secret technique, which are not good at all... but I think I've finally found a positive difference.

I wave my hand with a wry smile in response to Ririfa, who is still jumping up and down. At least I can convey my voice to her. Now, I need to test the other direction.

"Ririfa, your voice should also be able to reach me. Try saying something. If what you say reaches me, it will be a complete success."

Ririfa stops jumping and looks down as if thinking about something. Then, she raises her face and opens her mouth with a childlike smile.

"Okay, I'll say it, Brother! Sister's favorite undergarment is blue—"

I immediately close the virtual window.

I look up at the sky with a Buddha-like expression, ignoring Ririfa, who continues to talk in my line of sight.

—Oh, why is the sky so blue?

While gazing at the vast blue sky, Helian indulges in escapism.

[Teleportation]

"I'm back. Hey, did you hear what Ririfa said?"

"...Yeah, I did. I confirmed that I can hear Ririfa's voice, but I didn't quite understand what she said."

"Huh? Really?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

"Then I'll say it again. Sister's favorite—"

"Stop. Let's just end this experiment. Let's move on to the next one, Ririfa."

Ririfa pouts.

I'm very curious about why she seems dissatisfied, but continuing this topic any further would be dangerous. It would be awkward when I meet Rayfa next.

"Next is teleportation."

"Huh...? Teleportation, the one where you can instantly move to another place? Can you use teleportation magic, Helian... I mean, Brother?"

Why did you correct yourself? Helian is fine.

...Well, it doesn't matter now.

"That's the right teleportation. You can't use it unless you have multiple bases, and you can only move between bases."

"......Um. Teleportation is supposed to be a very rare lost magic... In fact, it was a secret technique that only the legendary great sage could use..."

"It's not exactly magic, but yeah. Anyway, I can teleport."

I end the conversation casually.

If I were asked for a detailed explanation, I would be in trouble because I don't even know the basics of magic.

The teleportation that the king can use is, in simple terms, a means of moving between bases.