Chapter 16

It's been cold for a while, hasn't it?

Recently, I almost dropped my phone because it was so cold.

"…You seem to have lost some weight…"

Prince Schueler said this as soon as he entered Lina's room.

…It's like déjà vu.

I heard those words just the other day.

But did I really change that much?

Actually, I'm more concerned about your complexion…

Are you eating properly?

I'm really curious about what would come up if I used "Appraisal" on you… even though I can't see it.

…Well, by the way, I've changed from being a bit overweight… to being plump.

〈Status〉

Perfectly healthy…

…But still plump.

I don't know what to make of my appraisal magic, even though I used it on myself…

They said there are individual differences in appraisal magic… but what does it mean?

Is it telling me to diet?

I remember that my appraisal sphere was the only one that had "a bit overweight" written on it, as if it was a prank.

Even the Minister of Magic didn't have any such notation…

Well, he isn't fat, but still… mine had an extra comment!

…What? Is this world being hard on me? Hard on fat people?

Hey, can I go find all the fat people and appraise them one by one?

If everyone else just says "healthy"…

This world is definitely picking a fight with me, right?

…Then I'll take it down!

Lina secretly issued a challenge to the other world.

◇◇◇

I told Prince Schueler that I wanted to meet Prince Egiedilus, and now I'm heading to the dungeon.

As befits a dungeon, it gets darker and colder as I go down the stairs.

I've heard that underground places and caves are usually cold, but it's really cold.

The chill makes me shiver, and maybe it's not just the cold air, but some kind of "spirit energy" too…

Does this world have ghosts?

If they do, would they be poltergeists?

That would be interesting…

The more I learn about this world, the more amazing it seems.

There's no electricity, but lamps can be lit with magic.

Even without magic, saying "light" out loud will turn them on, and they can even be turned on with a touch panel.

There's something called a "magic stone" inside the panels and lamps, and they react and synchronize with it.

It's kind of like a battery, I guess.

When the magic stone's power runs out, it fades, and you have to replace it with a new one.

I'm glad this isn't a primitive world with magic.

If it were a world where magic exists but can't be utilized, I'd be swinging around a club and magic, saying "Yay, yay"…

Yeah, in a world like that, there probably wouldn't even be the idea of summoning a "Holy Maiden."

My head doesn't seem to be working properly because of the cold…

What? You mean I'm always like that? …Hey, don't say that!

◇◇◇

After descending several levels underground, I found those example mages.

The six mages are each in a cell about 8 tatami mats in size, with two per cell.

There's a simple wooden bed on the stone floor and a blanket to keep out the cold.

There's also a small round wooden table for meals. There are no chairs, but there's a toilet area visible at the back.

It's designed to be out of sight.

There's a bit of space above and below, but it's arranged this way to prevent any risk of escape.

If there's a real risk of escape, the prisoner is put in a solitary cell with a door that only partially hides the toilet.

To make sure they don't do anything inside, their faces are clearly visible…

…Can they not use the toilet without being watched? …Probably.

There seem to be various types of prison restaurants and prison hotels nowadays.

I'd like to visit, but I don't want to be in one.

Thank you for reading.