I undid the clasp on my cloak and spread my wings. Instantly, I felt liberated.
Even now I just can't get used to the idea of restraining myself with my own wings. I mean, if there was anybody like that, I'd be really creeped out.
Now then, I just punched this woman as she was loitering around me spouting an insanely long speech, but is this the woman Juvia told me about? The one behind Fiona? Honestly, she's not really strong, so I'm not sure, and if they're just running their mouth, anybody can do it.
…Ahh, didn't she say something about being one of the Seven Grimms of Destruction?
"Seven Grimms of Destruction, huh? We are not familiar with that name."
"Let this cute little sister of yours explain!"
As if she was just waiting for me to ask a question, Haruka suddenly appeared in golden flash.
Yeah, uhhh, you know… I'm really thankful, but has explaining things become your hobby recently or something?
"The Seven Grimms of Destruction is the title for the seven commanders supporting the grimmfolk, and it was established three hundred years ago. It wouldn't be too much to say that they're the strongest among the grimmfolk, excepting the Grimm King himself and his son."
"…At this level? From what We see, this one's only level 300…"
"That just means the level of the grimmfolk has also dropped. It's true that humanity lost against the Grimm King, but the grimmfolk were bloodied, too. The other side lost almost all their strong fighters. If they hadn't, this world would have been destroyed long ago."
Ahh, I see. That answers one of my questions.
Before I wondered, "How is it we're maintaining this equilibrium?" But now that I think about it, it was weird that I assumed the grimmfolk were at the same level in the first place.
With all the high level and mid-level players that were wandering around the world, if a fight occurred that wiped all of them out, of course it'd be strange if the other side wasn't dealt a huge blow, too. In other words, my prediction of "definitely level 1000" couldn't be farther off the mark, and the reason that Svel was still standing was simply because its opponents were weak enough for it, too.
…Hm? Which means… Could it be that in the world right now, the only ones able to fight me properly are the Grimm King and the Twelve Zodiac's Guardians?
"By the way, Big Sis, shouldn't you go deal them the finishing blow? It doesn't look like you've killed a single monster yet."
"Hm? Ahh… About that. Even We don't feel like killing monsters that are only being used. Our enemy is only the grimmfolk," I said before lightlywaving my finger.
When I did, the countless weapons that blew away the monsters and were currently scattered all over the ground disappeared. It's the opposite of alchemy. Disassembly, I'd call it?
"What are you going to do about the monsters? Now that they've lost their master, they're going to return to the wild. You can't guarantee they won't attack people."
"We have thought of that… 'Capture'!"
I activated the skill that was the foundational and most prized skill of Monster Tamers, "Capture." Its effect was to, with a certain chance of success, capture a monster that was under a certain amount of HP or otherwise rendered unable to move and add it to the player's forces. The number of targets a player could try to capture at once, as well as its success rate, increased along with the class's levels, and in my case, I could capture ten at a time.
With this number, I'd have to repeat the skill over fifty times, but I had something I wanted to try. It was an underhanded trick that wasn't available in the game but at the same time was used regularly by enemy characters.
I should be the same as Vernal in the fact that I had the Monster Tamer skill to control monsters. Then there was no reason I wouldn't be able to do what she was able to. This wasn't the game, so there should be no rule saying, "It breaks balance, so only enemies are able to use it."
In other words, I'm going to try to view these monsters not as individuals, but as a group!
[ Mixed Monster Army ]
[Level]: ????
[Race]: ????
[HP]: ????
[SP]: ????
[STR (Strength)]: ????
[DEX (Dexterity)]: ????
[VIT (Vitality)]: ????
[INT (Intelligence)]: ????
[AGI (Agility)]: ????
[MND (Mind)]: ????
[LUK (Luck)]: ????
…I did manage to do it, but what the hell is this? All the numbers are in question mark. Can it not display properly since all their values as individuals are different?
Like this it's basically impossible to understand their actual strength.
But I definitely managed to capture them. I felt the response when all the fallen monsters here became my followers. After this, I can just give them the instruction to not attack people without reason and have them return to their homes.
By the way, I have no intentions of bringing them along with me. It stands out way too much to have this many monsters following me.
"Now then. Now it's only you—Fiona."
I turned my gaze to a spot a little ahead of me… Where Fiona was standing, staring at me. Her expression was the picture of complete surprise. It was the face of someone who didn't believe what they were seeing.
Well, it's not like I couldn't sympathize. A person who'd been dead for one thousand years just suddenly appeared like nothing happened. Anybody'd want to yell, "Just who do you think you are, coming back after all this time?" But I purposefully pretended I didn't mind and approached Fiona.
"What's wrong, Fiona? Do you not believe your own eyes? Or do you think We are just someone that happens to look similar?"
"…Uu… Ahh…!"
Now then, how will Fiona react?
If she calms down, that's fine. But if she starts yelling "You're a fake!", that'll be a little troublesome.
Honestly, I'm not great at using my words to convince anyone. No matter how high my INT stat is, that's just a measure of memory and not a person's quick-wittedness or ability to express themself. In other words, I have something very near photographic memory, so once I commit something to memory I'll never forget it, but it's not like I can think particularly fast or anything.
"No… way… Lady Naru should… be dead…! As if you'll… trick me now…!"
"We aren't tricking you at all, though."
Well, it is true that there is some doubt whether I'm actually Lunaru Fenris, though. But this body is undoubtedly Naru's, and her will still resides in it. So, that probably means that I am Lunaru Fenris. I've got no basis for it, but there's something inside me telling me that.
So, I will say this with full certainty:
"We are certainly Lunaru Fenris. We are not simply a doppelganger nor are we in disguise. We are not an illusion, a ghost, or a dream. If you still don't believe, then—Let's see, why not try to verify physically?" I said, cracking my knuckles.
The most certain proof that Naru is Naru. That would be strength.
For the face, the wings, or even the speech pattern, all of it can be copied and imitated. But this strength was something no one could imitate. I wouldn't let anyone imitate it.
I wagged my finger, inviting Fiona to try her luck.
"Come at us, Fiona. We will test just how much you've grown these one thousand years ourself. And at the same time, We will remind you that the one standing before you right now is none other than ourself."
"Oh-UUOOOGGGHHHHH!" Fiona let out a roar that was filled with fighting spirit, but also sounded like a great cheer.
Just by her shouting, the air shook, conveying her strength as tingling on my skin.
I'm definitely no battle junkie. I've never even properly fought anyone. I don't want to, either.
Ahh, but what is this feeling of excitement?
It's unmistakable. Right now, I'm definitely excited. The prospect of finally having a proper 'fight' after coming to this world has my heart dancing.
"OOOOOHHH!"
Fiona used her body's entire weight and rushed at me.
Normally, the sight of it would scare me and I would cower. But I actually saw it as charming. It was as if a lost puppy was jumping into its owner's arms after finding them… I felt something like that from Fiona's actions.
Then, there was only one action for me to take.
"Hm, your desire to be coddled hasn't changed after one thousand years, huh? Then fine, We shall embrace you."
I took flight and stuck out a hand. At the same time, that arm made contact with Fiona's head, and I felt some force pushing back at me.
A sound like an explosion erupted, and my body was carried backwards. As one might expect, without any feet on the ground it was hard to brace oneself, but the air was a flugel's territory. I spread my wings and flew forward.
Just that stopped Fiona in her tracks, and I even started to push her back as I placed both of my hands on her head.
"How cute."
It was funny. I couldn't help but see this over-100-meter-tall monster sheep as a spoiled puppy or something. Or maybe something like a grown dog that's still cute no matter what? At any rate, it seems I can't bring myself to dislike her at all.
Still, Fiona was huge. It probably couldn't be helped that our skinship would be a little extreme.
"Here!"
Putting some power into my arms, I lifted Fiona up. Like someone lifting up their pet and going, "look at how high you are!" I lifted Fiona over my head before tossing her away lightly.
The huge sheep flew through the air. Fiona crashed into the ground, causing the largest earthquake today.
But it's not over. It won't end with just this. Right, Fiona?
"What's next, Fiona? No need to hold back. Come at us with all you have."
I invited her to continue, and at the same time, Fiona roared something that was hard to make into words.
All the wool on her body stood on end, and Fiona became a flame personified that shone rainbow colors. It was Mesarthim, the skill that made Levia suffer so. And it was Fiona's trump card.
It would be easy to defend against it but… Hm, why not try taking it?
"MeeeEEEEHHH!"
After becoming a burning personification of fire, Fiona charged at me, and this time, I used two hands from the get-go. When we made contact, I could feel the heat on my palms, and a heat like the middle of summer assaulted me.
Hm, I see. Even taking a flame like this, all I feel is the heat of the middle of summer. I just keep affirming how much of a cheater I am. Still, what's hot is hot. I'm basically taking no damage, but if this keeps going long enough, even I might suffer from heatstroke or something.
All right then, let's have her take some distance.
"Hup."
I once again threw Fiona, and she crashed into the ground. With that done, it was my turn.
Fiona was still covered in fire, but to me, it was basically like being in the middle of summer. It wasn't like that much heat would stop me, and I could move normally. In other words, there was no problem at all.
"Let's see… Why don't We pet you? It's been a while."
I flew above Fiona and "pet" her huge head. As a result, Fiona's head slammed into the ground, and the momentum was even enough for her to bounce back up.
Next, I turned my attention to her jaw and placed my hand there, causing Fiona to fly upwards. After that, I grabbed onto Fiona and turned us around, petting her stomach.
Well, I say pet, but with enough power to cause Fiona to slam into the ground back-first, cracking the earth.
"Now, how about it? Do you still not believe us, Fiona?" I asked Fiona after she picked herself up.
She replied in a low groan. "U-uuuu-urgh…"
Maybe I need to play with her some more? I thought, but that was when I was hit with a surprise attack.
Unexpectedly, Fiona suddenly became a tiny person and jumped into my chest.
"WWAAAAAAHHHHHH! I'm so sorryyyyyy, Lady Naruuuuuuu!" Fiona(?) grabbed onto me, crying, while I was stiff with surprise.
She was much shorter than me, most likely around 155-160cm tall. She has olive eyes and short and messy swept styled hair, and it was colored… What the hell? The color changes depending on where I'm looking from. Is that a thing? She also has sheep ears with a small hoop earring on her left ear and a small bell earring on her right ear. Fiona's limbs were thin, and her body was covered in a white robe.
No, actually, I get the feeling that when Fiona transformed into a human she was naked for a second, but Haruka instantly teleported behind Fiona and put a robe on her?
I tried looking over at Haruka, but she was just giving me a thumbs up with a satisfied look on her face.
You… Are you actually faster than the Twelve Zodiac's Guardians? And also… Hasn't Fiona's personality changed way too much? Just where was all the pressure from before? Or is this how she is normally, and all that before was the strange part?
For now, let's peel Fiona off and… ! Agh! I've got snot all over me?!
"Ahh, geez. Don't cry, don't cry. So, you're still a crybaby even after one thousand years."
"Buh-but, but… U-ugghu… EEEEeeeehhhhhh!"
"Aahhhhhhh! Okay, okay! Sorry for making you worry!"
In the end, I had to continue to comfort Fiona to the best of my ability for over twenty minutes until she stopped crying.
By the way, Haruka got bored after about five minutes and disappeared somewhere. And you call yourself my little sister?
After several tens of minutes, Fiona finally stopped crying. She was still sniffling, but as she was we could probably actually have a conversation.
For now, Fiona was safely returned to my possession and wasn't wild anymore, so I could see her stats. That meant the first thing to do was to check.
[ Twelve Zodiac's Guardians: Fiona of Aries Constellation]
[Level]: 800
[Race]: Rainbow Sheep
[Element]: Fire
[HP]: 75000
[SP]: 7600
[STR (Strength)]: 4100
[DEX (Dexterity)]: 4000
[VIT (Vitality)]: 4050
[INT (Intelligence)]: 4300
[AGI (Agility)]: 4170
[MND (Mind)]: 4294
[LUK (Luck)]: 4180
Hm… her stats are slightly higher than what I remember? If I remember right, Fiona should have had 68000 HP, but that's clearly grown. So that means she's been doing her best in her own way these one thousand years.
Still, what even stats.
Well, her stats were so low in the first place, so I was the one that raised them like a jack-of-all-trades but master of none.
By the way, her stats have been boosted a lot. Without items, all her stats would have been around 1000-1500, since she's originally a monster for production, not battle. Frankly, the correct way to use her was to not have her participate in battle at all, but keep her in the back to produce wool. I was the weird one for forcing her to fight.
"Now, have you calmed down, Fiona?"
"Y-Yes."
The way she looked up at me with her red nose and teary eyes was really adorable, and stirred my big sister instincts to life.
"We are not good at explaining minor details, so We will keep this brief. We are currently on a journey to return all of the Twelve Zodiac's Guardians to our fold, and you are the first. Say nothing, and come. We will not allow any objections."
"Yes! Happily!"
At first, I was going to gather them all and return them to the Ouzel tower, but it really was a long way from here. Or rather, if I sent this girl out alone to go there I'd be scared that she'd get lost. She's a really great supporter, and it'll probably be much better to have her come with me. With that in mind, I gave her the command to follow me.
Well, Fiona seemed happy, so in the end, it seemed to be the correct choice.
"Let's do our best together again, Lady Naru! You, too… The red haired girl I don't know! Nice to meet you!"
"—?!" Haruka, who came back at some point, froze stiff in what seemed to be shock.
Ahh, yeah. Of course that'd happen if you just got called that by someone you knew.
I also went, "Who're you?" once, and Fiona seems the same way.
Haruka immediately restarted her systems and brought her eyes level with Fiona's before talking with a smile. No, if I looked closely I could see a vein twitching on her forehead.
"Miss Fiona? Do you really not remember me? Really? I've been in the tower the whole time, you know?"
"What? You were?"
"Come on, try to remember, please. I've been by Big Sister Naru's side the entire time in the tower, haven't I?" Haruka said, and Fiona got a far off look in her eye like she was remembering something long past.
After a while of that, she raised her voice. "Ah!"
"Could it be, that one girl with no presence, who always blended into the background?"
"Wh-What cruel words to say…" Haruka suffered another shock before turning to me, looking like she was about to cry.
No, uhh, yeah. It can't be helped, Haruka. I mean, you really were background in a literal sense. You had no lines, no role, and no abilities. And if you acted the same way in this world, of course no one would remember you.
"That's surprising! So you managed to move from there!"
"Am I some sort of piece of furniture?!"
"Actually, I'm surprised you can talk!"
"Big Sis! She's saying such mean things even though she's got such a cute face?!"
Sorry, Haruka. If you were this capable and noisy one thousand years ago, this wouldn't have happened in the first place.
Actually, why did she turn into part of the background in the first place?
Could it be that she just used to be a calm sort of person who didn't show off her own identity? If that's the case, that would make her another person who changed in these one thousand years… It might be a little too much for just a "change" though.
For now, I really do feel sorry for her, so I guess I should throw her a bone.
"Fiona. Haruka has supported us with all her might ever since We came back to this world until now. Don't tease her so."
"Huh? No, I wasn't doing anything of the sort… ! I was just saying what I thought…"
"That's even worse!"
Ahh, I see. Fiona is honest, for good or bad. Looks like Haruka will be feeling some pain for a while.