That's what I mean. Do you know what that means?
I don't know. As I said before, we don't keep a watchful eye on them all the time, and it's true that there are races that travel to other worlds. But we can't do anything about that either. But we can't do anything about that or anything else.

　On the way back from meeting Ende, I asked God about what had happened so far, but it seems that God doesn't know what to do with it either. In the end, I guess the people of this world will have to do something about it.
　Although we have not yet fallen into an imminent situation, it would not be a bad idea to plan a countermeasure.
　The most effective way to get out of this situation is to use the power of Babylon. The Frame Gear, a decisive weapon for use against the Flaze that Dr. Reynolds had built. Could we somehow use it to fight off the Frays?
　Either way, the only options are to get the actual thing in the Hangar, or get the plans from the warehouse. As I recall, the remaining six Babylons are the Tower, the City Wall, the Library, the Storehouse, the Hangar, and the Laboratory. I'd say there's a one in three chance.

Maybe we should be more proactive in our search...

　I flew towards the town of Colette with that in mind.




"Is it in frame gear?

　After we all returned to the castle after greeting Else and her uncles, I immediately asked Rosetta, who was in the workshop, about it. It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has been helping with the development of this gear.

'Is that frame gear something that anyone can ride?'
It depends on the magic and compatibility of the machine, but basically anyone can move it. Without training, it will be difficult to control it like a limb.

　I see. So it's possible to mass-produce them to increase their strength? I guess it just depends on the training of the riders. If a giant robot army is created, it might be able to compete with the Freys.

However, it's difficult to mass produce them, isn't it?
'What? Why? If you use the copy function in the workshop, it should work.
The amount of materials used to make it is staggering. And even a simple frame gear would take a whole day to manufacture from scratch.

　Mmm. One body a day. 30 in a month. That's quite a feat in itself... According to the doctor, 5,000 years ago, tens of thousands of flames attacked the city. I'm not sure what to think.

How many bodies are stored in the hangar?
"Come on. I haven't been involved with the other Babylonians much. From what I've gathered, I'd say there are five to seven of each type of Babylon.
'That's it! I don't know how you tried to fight the Frays with that.
After all, we were about to start mass production when we ran out of partners. The workshop was supposed to be ready for the second and third models.

　Rosetta says ruefully. So the Workshop was going to be expanded. But that's what happened. The situation is settled before the mass production system is ready, isn't it?
　Hmm, the best we can do for now is to collect materials? As I was walking out of the workshop, Sheska and Flora walked in from the 'Alchemy Building'. The two of them have a basket with several bottles of medicine in their hands.

''What kind of potion is that?''
These are common medicines for colds, headaches, stomachs and other common problems. We didn't have much in reserve in the castle, so I made some for you.

　Flora in her nurse's uniform replies with a smile. No matter how many times I see it, I'm not used to seeing nurse's uniforms outside of hospitals.......
　But medicine? I'm sure there are some things that even recovery magic and my "recovery" can't follow up on. Hm? Wait, what?

'Flora, that potion can only be made in the Alchemy Building?
This is an ordinary potion, so it hasn't been altered in any way. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. The effect may be a little less effective because the purity is lowered.

　That means you can make it for other people. That means it's good for business. Cold medicine, headache medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, they are all necessities. I'm not a local peddler in Toyama, but it could be a great source of income if I succeed. I may need to grow some herbs and stuff to use as raw materials, though.
　I decided to tell Flora about it and teach Tsubaki and the others how to refine the medicine. As a ninja, I'm used to handling drugs, and I'm sure many of the people under my command were good at that sort of thing. Hopefully this will help me get into the pharmaceutical sales business.
　When I returned to the castle with Sheska and the others, I decided to talk to Lean about what I heard from Ende for now.
　Lean is an ambassador for Miss Mid, to be exact, but I think it's a trans-national issue when it comes to Frayes.

''The 'king' of Frase, the invasion from another world, the wards of the world, hey.......''

　Leanne sighed loudly and leaned back in her chair. Well, you'd be surprised. Paula next to her also crossed her arms in a troubled pose.

'I've never heard a story like this in all my years of living. Normally I would think it's a joke, but there are too many things in place to confirm it, and I'm sure it's true.
'It's possible, though, that Ende is lying. Maybe it's true.
'Even if that were true, the others probably wouldn't believe it. Unless the invasion of the Frazeez and his men begins.

　Indeed. Even if we acknowledge the existence of the flames, they will only be recognized as a new species of demonic beasts. We've only met three of them. The cricket type in the ancient ruins, the manta ray type in the Rabi Desert, and the spider type in the Great Tree Sea. These, plus the snake forms that Leen and the other Mismid soldiers killed, are all of the flames that we recognize.
　Maybe some more of them have already appeared, but it's possible that they have already been hunted by Ende.
　It's too late to take countermeasures after the Freys' invasion begins. We have to do what we can now.
　However, for now, it's just a matter of finding Babylon or gathering materials for Frame Gear.

I'm trying to gather information. I've been trying to gather information on suspicious ruins and deserted temples. But when I investigate, I find that there are no such things and they are just ruins, so it's a waste of time.

　Hmmm, I don't know if I can just let all of Lean's men search for them. Alright, I'll send out some scouts on my end as well. I leave Leen and go to Amber and the others and ask if there are any summoned beasts that are suitable for gathering information.

I'm sure you'll want someone who can fly. It's fast and can go to many places.

　Black Day makes such a suggestion. I mean, is it a bird summoner? It's true that you could go anywhere and it would be perfect for exploring.

It would take a long time to summon and sign a contract with each one of them, Lord. "Do not contract with those who unite your forces.
"Mm. Coral. Do you want me to summon him, my lord?

　Amber interrupted Coral's words. The one who unites the household? The bird?

The Flame Emperor. He is our equal, the Winged King who controls the fire. If we summon him and make a pact with him, we will be able to summon thousands of birds at once.

　I see. As I recall, amber is a beast and coral and obsidian are reptilian rulers. Apparently, summoned beasts can be ruled without question, and even ordinary creatures can be used to some extent. As for demonic beasts, I've heard that they can't be used by ordinary creatures to some extent.
　So it's the bird version of that.

What kind of person is this Flame Emperor?
'A gentle man in spite of his abilities. He's the best of our people.

　At Amber's words, Kuroshio grins and teases her with a grin.

''Is that so? I'm much more of a personality than you are, don't you think?
"Shut up. Instant boiling pot.
"Jesus Christ!

　The pot came to a boil in an instant. Strange to say the least.
　For now, I decided to pacify the two of them and summon that Flame Emperor or something like that.
　I drew a summoning formation in the courtyard of the castle and concentrated the magic power of the dark attribute to increase it. Soon, a black fog began to drift in, and I further mixed the spiritual power of Amber and the others into it. As the fog became thicker and thicker, he added more magic power to it.

O ruler of summer and fire, of the south and the lakeshore, answer my voice. Answer my voice. Respond to my call and reveal yourself here.

　An explosive magic power was born out of the fog, and a pillar of red lotus fire rose up within the summoning formation. A whirlpool of flames blew away the fog, and when the pillar of fire disappeared, there was a single bright red bird standing there.
　It was about the size of a horse. Its appearance was very similar to the legendary bird called the Phoenix. This is the "Flame Emperor"?

''It was you guys after all. This is also nostalgic.''
Long time no see, Flame Emperor.
"Hi, flame, hi!
Your appearance as usual is flamboyant, Flame-Emperor.

　The 《Flame Emperor》's voice sounded like the voice of a calm woman. Indeed, she seems to be calm enough to say that Amber is a personality.

''It was you who called me out, right?''
Yes,
"My Lord, Fuyao Mochizuki-sama.

　The Flame Emperor seemed surprised by Amber's words, but eventually he stared at us and slowly closed his eyes.

''I see. To someone who can lead the White Emperor and the Xuan Emperor, no matter what I do, the result will be the same. Let's make a master-slave contract. Fuyuyo Mochizuki, give me the name of the contract.

　Huh? It's a pretty easy contract to sign, isn't it? They don't impose conditions or anything. Well, that's very helpful. Apparently, she seems to have a calm personality, just like Amber said.
　That said, the name. It's a good idea to use a name that's similar to yours, since they're called Amber, Kuroshio and Coral. Hmmm.....

Okay, then. What do you think of the red gemstone name?
"Kougyoku.... I accept. Please call me Kohgyoku.''

　With a pomp, the Flame Emperor, or rather Red Ball, changed his figure into a small figure about the size of a parrot. It perched on my shoulder as it was. If this is the case, there won't be any noise.
　Now then, let's get to the original objective.
　With the help of the red ball, I summoned about a thousand bird summons from the summoning team at once. The birds of various types and colors flew straight up into the sky and flew off in all directions.
　I send a telepathic message to the birds as they fly away, telling them to report to me when they find a suspicious ruin, building, strange equipment, or stone monument. I hope they find something useful.
　I can't help but pray as I look up at the sky where the birds have flown away.