''As expected, it's too much of a nuisance this time. We can't just let him go. Mr. Gunray, I'm coming to get you!

　We can't leave Mr. Gan-ei alone anymore as he deliberately released the orc chimera outside and caused a lot of trouble for many people.
We must definitely catch this person!

Huh, you want to catch me?　If I can do it, I'll do it!

　As he said this, the orc that would carry Mr. Gan-ei flapped its wings.

''Fast!　That orc is pretty fast for its appearance.

You can't run away from me, Mr. Gunray!

　I chase after Gunray-san, who escapes with my flying magic.

''Everyone else, please take out the remaining orc chimeras!

'Oh!　I'll take care of it, brother!

Okay, okay!　You take care of yourself, Lex!

Yes!

　Leaving the orc chimeras to Gyro-kun and the others, I focus my attention on chasing Gan-ei-san.
　Gan-ei-san's bird orcs are faster than they look, perhaps because they are assisted by wind magic.

''But if it's this fast, we'll catch up with it soon enough!

　I'm going to increase the speed of my flying magic and get closer to Gunray.
　But if I increase my speed too much, the shock wave will cause a lot of trouble on the ground, so it's hard to adjust.

"Huh?

　We were so close to Gunray and his friends that the bird orc changed direction. It made a big arc and started to fly up over the mountain range.

"Is it trying to escape over the mountain range and beyond?

　The bird Orcs carrying Gan-ei are going up in a flash.

I'm sure you're not the only one. I'm not going to be able to get my hands on any of them.

That would make that bird orc's wings tattered.
Sure enough, the rising bird orc was wobbling and unable to fly properly.

''Hmm?　Is that Mr. Ganey?

　From the back of a wobbling bird-oak, a figure that looks like Mr. Gan-ei jumps down and lands on the mountainside.

'Are you trying to run away from the trees in the mountains to blind them?　But we're not going to let you go honestly either!

　I shoot my magic towards the spot where Ganei-san landed.

'Graviton Press!'

Under the influence of the magic released, the trees in the area where Gan-ei-san landed caved in.
　Gravity Magic Graviton Press. It is a magic that multiplies the gravity of the target area over a wide area.
　Originally, it was intended to slow down the enemy's movement, but depending on the magic power it can apply enough gravity to kill or injure the opponent.

"Gan-ei-san is an undead person. I'm going to cast it a little stronger!

　As I put on the Graviton Press, I descend to the area where Ganei-san got off.

''As I recall, it's around here........what's that?

　There was no sign of Mr. Gunray there.
　Instead, what was there was.....

Transition Gate!

　Yes, what was there was a transition gate to move to a distant land.

''It's functioning shut down, but there's a remnant of magic power that the gate activated. You locked it so that it would stop functioning after the transfer.

　I didn't know there was a gate in this place.

You made it look like you were going to run away without a plan, and that's where you wanted to be all along.

　Ganei.

'Hahahahahaha!　I got away with it!

　I was laughing as I escaped from the little boy.

I thought I was done for when the magically assisted bird orcs caught up with me, but I'm glad I remembered that the gate is there!

　And I've locked the gate so it can't be used again.
　You can now move on to the next study without worrying about it!

Anyway, the Orc Chimera are just the middle man. It was a bit of a shock that Giga-Orcs were defeated, but they were monsters that could take out my lovely prototype chimera all by themselves, and they deserved to lose.

　What is important is that the orc chimeras we have released into the world can grow wild and give birth to mutants.

It will take time for this to happen. Then we'll deal with that boy.

I won't let you!

Hahahahaha, the gate is closed. I don't care how hard you try, you can't come here.

　When I turned around, I saw the little boy there.
　No way!　We've locked down the transfer gate!

You!　How did you do that?　I thought you sealed the gate!

Yes, sir, I unlocked the gates, and we've moved in.

What the hell?

　How is it that modern humans understand the structure of the gate?
　I believe that our civilization is in decline and our technology has gone backwards.

Well, you are going to get caught this time.

It's not going to happen.

　I jump into the other transition gate I had prepared for such an eventuality.

　◆

The landscape changes in an instant.
　It was a strange place, and there was no sign of the gate again.

'Phew, phew, phew, phew!　We won!　This time we won!　After all, the one I just used is a transition gate with a completely random untraceable destination!

　Yes, I used the random transfer gate, which was used for escaping.
　The disadvantage is that there is no gate to return to the place where I'm going to escape from the pursuers, but the advantage of being untraceable is still great.
　By the way, it's also possible to set up the gate so that it won't move within a certain area to prevent it from appearing nearby.

"Well, now we'll have to start over again, but there are still a lot of research facilities left as ruins. There are many more research facilities left in the ruins that can be used to resume research. All we have to do now is wait for more Chimera to arrive in the field...

We've found him, Mr. Ganey!

"Why are they coming!

　I should have escaped through the Random Transference Gate, but the kid came after me again.

"A Random Transfer Gate!　How can you keep up with me?　Do you think it's just a coincidence?

No, I tracked the remaining scent from the Transition Gate's transferable magic and adjusted the destination.

"I can't pull a fast one!

　You want me to analyze and track random transitions?　Not even the developers of the Transference Gate can do that!
　That's because it's an emergency getaway!　If we could track them, we wouldn't be able to use them in an emergency!

Well, there's a trick to it, sir.

"What kind of tricks?

　I hate you, you little bastard!

'I can't help it if it comes to this!　I will do it myself!

　I am, however, a researcher.
　In fact, I'm not a good fighter.
　But if we don't fight them, we won't survive.

Eat this!　Flame Inferno!

　I activate the most powerful magic I can use.
　It's used to incinerate Chimera that have been decommissioned, and if a human eats it, they're all dead!

What a Flame Inferno!

　But the boy easily neutralized my deadly magic.

What?

　I knew that wasn't going to work against the boy.
　How can I get away from this little boy?
　I'm desperately trying to think of a way to get away from the boy.
　Think, think, there's a better way to get away from the kid...?

What?

　Then I came up with a breakthrough.
　Yes, I've got it!

Chuckle. Chuckle.

Mr. Ganey?

　I suddenly burst out laughing, and the little boy looks at me dubiously.

I've found a way to get away from you!　Not in a way that isn't flight magic or a transition gate!

''What?!''

　The boy is surprised to hear that there is a way to revive the situation.
　You don't think there is such a thing, do you?
　But there is!　Because I am the one who has it!

'It is!　You must voluntarily attain Buddhahood!

What?

　In that moment, I let go of my physical attachments.
　I dropped everything and pulled out the wedge between my soul and this world.
　As an undead person, I am dismantling the magic formula that was tied to my body.
　Moreover, this time it's a voluntary Buddha, and the speed at which he's attained Buddhahood is much faster but it's harder for him to get out of his body.
　Well, it's the first time I've ever voluntarily achieved Buddhahood.

"Hahahahahaha!　If you flee to the Underworld, you will not be chased!

　We won!　This time I'm going to beat the kid.

I can't let you go!

　Firmly, the kid's hand grabbed my spirit's leg.

"What?

　Before I knew it, I saw the little boy standing beside my body.

"I'm not letting you go until I've paid for it!

"Aaaaaaah!

　That's right!　Come to think of it, before this boy, when he tried to reach nirvana, he forced my spirit down my throat!
　You mean to say that the reason why it was so difficult for me to dislodge my spirit is because the little boy had a hold on the undead magic that was inside my body when he forced me to return to my body before?

"I've got him, Mr. Ganey!

　As soon as the spirit body returns to its full physical form, the little boy restrains me.

''Gaaaaaaaaaaaah!

　I-I-I can't do this, I've been caught!
　Where the hell is this kid, for real?　Am I a monster?　No, I'm the monster.
　Anyway, I don't know what I will do if I don't do something.
　I even forced my soul back into my body by saying I'd like to take responsibility for it.
I'm sure that he's not going to just kill them!
　Somehow, we have to do something.

So you'll have to take responsibility for that.

Heeeee!

　What the hell do they want me to do?

First, they will retrieve the Chimera that we irresponsibly cast out!

Huh?

　The boy's request was unexpected.

　◆.

That's not all of it.

　I returned to the place where the collapsed laboratory was located after the boy caught me.
　The boy had his own personal transfer gate, and he used it to get back to me in a flash.
　What kind of a boy has this thing in his possession?
　I even reuse ancient gates.
　I'm a chimera researcher. Gates are out of my field.

　Anyway, the little boy threatened me, and I was calling back the orc chimeras I had sent out.

"Wow, the orcs are really back.

　The boy's companion, the red-haired boy, looks at the assembled orcs with admiration.
　Ha-ha-ha, surprise, surprise.

These chimera orcs have been conditioned to listen to me, just in case. Even if they are far away, they will return to wherever they are when I release a wave of magic that tells them to return.

That's an ancient civilization. It's a hell of a lot of technology.

Mmmmmm, that's the proper response of a modern wizard!

That's a lot of them. That's a whole town.

''Yes, I'm really glad that so many orcs didn't attack the town as one group.

　In fact, the number of orc chimeras collected was large.
　I was a little surprised that I released so many of them.

'Then let's take care of everything. Lightning Rain!

　When the little boy activated his magic, a group of orc chimeras, which could be as large as a town, were wiped out by a thunderclap.

　'T-that's it!

Aha!

Oh, I know, I know. That's what happens normally.

It's refreshing to see a normal reaction for the first time in a long time.

　What's the matter with you two?　Chimera!　My tweaked orc chimeras will be in range in a matter of seconds!　That's the equivalent of a town!

"Now that the orc chimeras are all dead, all we have to do is help Mr. Ganey.

"Gikri.

　Oh, no!
　It's my turn!　I'm not here, me!
　They've collected all the Chimera and destroyed them, and if they don't, they'll be done with them by now, right?
　What are we going to do about it?　I'm going to be blown up!

Well.....

The boy will cross his arms and contemplate my treatment.
　No, no. My life is on a countdown!

'I've decided, Gunray-san will be banned from developing any combat chimera in the future!

What the...?

　I'm shocked to hear that chimera research is forbidden.

Chimera research is forbidden?

Are you trying to take away my purpose in life?　My purpose in life is to devote my life to chimera research?

No, I forbid research on chimera for fighting purposes. Not unless they're for fighting.

Oh, I see. That's cheap...

A ban on combat chimeras, that's practically the same as a ban on chimera research!

"Chimeras are made for battles, not for the taking!　That's like saying all chimera research should be banned!

　I'm indignant, but the little boy looks calm and shakes his head.

It's not always so. The technology developed for military use is often used for civilian purposes. I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot of good reasons to go for it. It's all down to an idea.

An idea is not a chimera... hmm?

　Suddenly, I felt a tug on the hem of my foot and looked down to see that white furball-like demon.

Who are you?

''Kyuun!''

As I jumped back in surprise, the white furball monster walked away from me and walked underneath the orc chimeras that were lying nearby.

''Kyu!''

　And then they let out a cry that tells you to watch, and then they take a bite out of the orc chimera's body parts.

"What are you doing?

　I have no idea what that demon is thinking.

'Maybe that's his favorite part of the mofo.

"Parts?

　Is that what I think it is?　So that's your favorite part of the demon that took a bite out of it?

'I think Mohammed wants us to make a chimera to eat, not a chimera to fight, don't you?

You think it's a Chimera for food?

　What is that?　I've never heard of an edible chimera!
　I'm shocked by the concept of an edible chimera, which I've never even considered before.

"And yet... edible?

　I've only been researching battle chimaeras for the sole purpose of defeating the white disaster, and now I'm being asked to create a chimera that is the exact opposite of a battle chimera....

'Mr. Ganey, you've been studying the chimera to defeat the white plague, haven't you?

Mm. That's right.

　Yes, I have devoted my entire life to the study of chimera, in order to restore the earth to its former glory after it was overrun by that abominable monster!

'But there are no white plagues on this earth. There is no obligation for Mr. Ganey to study the chimera to fight.

Do I have to...?

Yes, I know you've been developing chimeras for combat use out of necessity, but there's no need to research combat chimeras in today's world. If that's the case, shouldn't I be free to research chimeras as I please?

"Free ... any ... research ... that you want ...

　I am told that there is no longer any obligation or need to develop a chimera to fight, and I look at that white furball monster.

"....

　If my suspicions are correct, then the monster is....
　But the monster does not seem to attack anyone, and it obeys the boy.
　On the contrary, it is eating my chimera now.

"If there's something to eat, he wouldn't attack people...?

　If that's the case, then even if I were to create a large number of delicious chimeras, even if the white disaster were to return, we could coexist with him.
　I can't deny such an improbable future, but I can't deny the possibility.

A world where no one has to starve.

　I felt something clear in my mind.

'Okay, let's not study combat chimeras. From now on, I'll study edible chimeras.

I'm glad you understand.

　The boy exhales in relief.

By the way, what would you have done if I had ignored your request?

　Suddenly, out of curiosity, I ask what the consequences would be if you chose a different future.

'Huh?　 Maybe I'll throw him into a long term seal to keep him conscious so he can reflect on it.

"A psychic windbreaker?

'Yes. It's designed to make violent criminals with important information reflect on what they've done, but it also throws the subject's soul into an empty sealed space, speeding up the time inside so that in a few minutes, hundreds of years will have passed. Of course, in order to prevent the spirit from accidentally collapsing, there is also a normalization technique inside the seal to keep the spirit alive.

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

　Not only me, but also the little buddy behind me screams with a blue face.

"I mean, the current spiritual wellness technique is the one we used in our training, right?

Using that thing for hundreds of years?

I will die, but I will die.

I don't know what healthy mental health means, but...

I don't like that magic anymore!

The hellscape that was unfolding before my eyes made me realize that I had made the right choice.

I'm not going to be able to get the best out of it.

""Not at all peaceful!"

　Under the warmth of the sunshine, we became cold both physically and mentally, and tsk-tsked....