A magnificent class change.
I managed to distinguish Geraldin-san from the others. After investigating the Fake-rin and the others, I found that they operated by consuming magic power. They were more akin to spirits, and as long as they had a source to replenish their magic, they could function semi-permanently.
"What will you do, Pochi?"
"… Huh?"
"If left alone, they'll eventually disappear. Since you're their creator, the decision is yours."
"...… Eh."
"Ky~uun…"
“"Stare~”"
"Rosarin…"
The fakes stared intently at Pochi. Among them, the Fake-rin moved, gesturing desperately to convey something to Pochi.
"Rosarin! Rosarin! Rosarin!!"
But please, stop repeatedly calling my name.
"Um…"
And I had no idea what they were saying.
"The failure says it doesn’t mind being erased, but it asks not to erase the others, as they are its master’s masterpieces.”
Valkyrie translated for me. What a devoted Fake-rin! It seemed accurate since the Fake-rin nodded in agreement.
"... I, too, humbly ask. They were created to serve you. I can understand their wish to stay by your side.”
Valkyrie bowed as well.
"My Lord…"
"”Oniichan…””
"… A-Alright. Rosarin Oneechan, what should I do?"
"Hmm? Just use some suitable magic stones as their core."
"... Beastkin child, give me one of your drawings."
"Huh? Okay."
Pochi obediently handed over a drawing, which the Dungeon Master examined with delight. I wanted one too—for decoration in my room. Would they give me one?
"This is a fine drawing. Worthy of my collection. Humans trade with money, but I have none. Would this suffice as compensation? It should be suitable as their core."
The Dungeon Master handed Pochi four magic stones—or rather, magic crystal stones. They resembled small crystals, about the size of a thumbnail, but their magic power was equivalent to SSS-rank magic stones.
The Sage looked envious, indicating they were quite rare.
"… Are you sure?"
"I like this drawing. It’s fine."
"… May I visit again?"
"Yes, come play again."
Pochi and the Dungeon Master seemed to have become fast friends.
"Everyone, come here."
"Umu."
"”Okay~”"
The fake Geraldin-san, fake Lucius, and fake Lucille were absorbed into the magic crystal stones and vanished. The stones gained colors once they entered.
However, the Fake-rin hesitated. After some thought, it shook its head.
"Rosarin, Rosarin…"
"It says, 'Since I’m a failure, I will disappear like this.'"
"Fake-rin…"
Is that name fixed? I wanted to ask but refrained.
"You're not a failure. True, the result was unexpected, but you are who you are. You're just different from the original. You're not a failure. I'm sorry for making you feel sad. Will you stay with me?"
The Fake-rin smiled softly and entered the magic crystal stone. I inscribed a technique to absorb Pochi’s surplus magic power into the stone and set it into Tsuyoshi to prevent it from being lost.
Mary, intrigued by the magic crystal stone, asked:
"Hey, hey, can Pochi summon the Fake-rin and others with this?"
"Yes."
"Like calling Jend’s Papa when needed? That’s amazing~"
"… Yeah, it is."
It's certainly amazing... Their fighting power is on par with the originals... And unlike the originals, they're usually inside the magic crystal, so they probably won't do anything strange. That's super convenient, isn’t it!?
“Lucius, Lucille, Fake-rin, Jend’s Papa… Pochi, you are the strongest!”
(............)
Everyone except Mary froze.
"Y-You're right! You've changed class from a villager (artist) to the world's strongest summoner!"
“... Eh? What’s that?”
Pochi’s expression visibly twitched.
"It's true... You've conquered the most difficult Cold Ruins... I don't think there are many people who can beat your paintings..."
When you think about it, it's a pretty impressive force. Even the fake Geraldin-san is super strong. On top of that, there's the twins who specialize in magic, and the Fake-rin. The combat power of the Fake-rin is unknown, but it's impressive that it was able to move through the Cold Ruins while protecting Pochi.
"...... Uh?"
Pochi was in tears. The key to life is to give up, Potch.
"Welcome to the Absurd Individuals Club!"
With a smooth pose, Rinka showed off her foolishness.
"Wait! What’s this club?"
"Eh~ it’s our club, of course. The members being Geraldin-san, Rosarin, Dirk… everyone’s a comrade!"
"Stop! Don’t include me! Exclude me!"
"What’s the leader of the extraordinary talking about?"
The Sage, apparently exasperated, made a rude comment. Who's the leader? I strongly object! I’ll file a complaint and win!
"You perverse old man! How dare you! I'll send scandalous underwear to your wife! Regret this, haha!"
"Don’t make such precise threats!"
"You’re enjoying this, aren’t you? The other day, your wife vividly described your bed—"
"Stop, stop, stop! I apologize! Rosarin isn’t the leader!"
The perverted Sage desperately covered my mouth. There’s no way you can out-talk me!
"That’s right~ Oneechan isn’t the leader; she’s in a category of her own. She’s beyond the top, outside any framework."
Mary proudly declared, completely oblivious to the chaos she caused.
"Pffft!"
"Pff!"
"Guh!"
"Argh!"
The group collectively spasmed. What an unintentional bomb! I collapsed as well.
"Mary!?"
"What? Everyone says Oneechan is in the 'Category Rosarin.'"
(…………………)
Everyone averted their eyes simultaneously. That was their answer. Though I sulked greatly, Dirk pampered me a bit, and I quickly recovered. After all, I’m weak to Dirk's attention.
What do you think about this chapter?
