061-080 · 071-ch64

Chapter 64: Needlessly Advanced, Needlessly Refined, Useless Technology

Alright then, let's get to experimenting.

"Right, I'm gonna go grab some tools real quick."

"Tools, you say? What will you be using?"

Selene tilts her head in curiosity, but she'll understand once she sees them.

The tools I'm using this time aren't anything complicated.

"Well, just wait a bit. I'll bring them right over."

"Yes, understood."

Leaving Selene there for the moment, I head toward the cabin, careful not to kick Robo, who's sprawled out right beside my chair.

When I first returned here and started organizing supplies on day one, Robo suddenly started acting all affectionate toward me. Ever since then, even though he used to lounge around farther away, he's taken to staying right by my side all the time.

On top of that, whenever Selene and I finish working together in the basement and come out, he waits at the cabin entrance and rubs against me even more intensely.

I wondered what was going on, but after thinking about it, what Selene said before might actually be right on the mark.

In other words, he doesn't like that I'm being taken away by Selene—this foreign entity to him.

Before, he could leave me alone and I'd still be his, but now if he leaves me alone, there's a real chance Selene might take me away.

That's probably why he stays close by me now, and why he rubs against me like he's trying to overwrite something—some kind of scent or marking—after Selene and I have been alone together.

That said, I still have to wonder... since when did Robo like me that much?

"If only you could transform like O-Fukuro-san, Robo. Then we could actually talk."

Muttering that to myself, I retrieve what I need and head back outside.

Apparently sensing this would be a short trip, Robo stayed sprawled out in a circle around my seat without following me.

Wait, was my chair surrounded like that just now?

Weren't you just lying beside it normally?

"Right, here we go."

Thinking about that as I circle around without stepping on Robo, I sit down and arrange the tools on the table.

"This is..."

Selene looks at what I brought with a remarkably intrigued expression.

"May I pick it up?"

"Go ahead."

Selene takes the tool in her hands.

It's a device consisting of one fist-sized magic stone as the core, with fingernail-sized magic stone fragments arranged around it to serve as switches, all connected by a belt and cords made of leather.

"A phonograph, is it?"

"Yeah, so you have those in your world too, huh? These kinds of magic tools."

Yes, just as Selene says, what I brought is a magic tool that functions as a phonograph.

Still, Selene's expression—a mix of surprise and exasperation, with who knows what else swirling together—catches my attention.

"What's wrong? If there's something different from the phonographs you know, feel free to say so."

When I say that, Selene opens her mouth while still gazing intently at the magic tool with fascination.

"The precision of these needlessly advanced, needlessly refined, useless magic circles... It's incredible."

John Doe takes 10 damage.

John Doe is exhausted.

John Doe cannot seem to get up.

"Did you really have to criticize me that bluntly?"

Barely managing to stay conscious, I manage to complain to Selene.

At that, Selene turns to me with a surprised expression and tries to explain.

"Eh, n-no, I'm not criticizing you at all! It's just that we used to combine them with other tools, you see. I've never seen a magic tool that entrusts all the functions entirely to the magic circle like this."

"Ah, I see."

The translation ability working between us probably expressed something Selene didn't intend in some form.

Language translation involves cultural background and all that, so these things can happen.

I mean, even when Americans say 'Oh my God,' Japanese people don't really get why God has to come into it.

Still though, using the word 'useless' three times... my method must have been pretty wasteful after all.

Wasteful expenditure of effort and skill, you might say.

Instead of combining various tools to make a phonograph like usual, I completed everything with magic circles.

To Selene's eyes, it must have looked like placing a modern voice recorder next to a primitive phonograph.

"Well, I'll take it as a compliment that my magic circle precision is that high."

"Really... I've never seen magic circles this intricate before."

Selene says with genuine admiration.

So my handmade phonograph is that impressive, huh?

"Well, in my world, a technology called 'science' developed like crazy, so miniaturization of objects kept advancing. Because of that, I might just be used to that kind of thing. Those drones too—they have parts smaller than 1 millimeter."

"1 millimeter!?"

Selene turns her gaze to the drone in surprise.

That's right.

1 millimeter.

I also think science and technology have progressed way too much—it's crazy.

>>That's why it's called precision machinery

>>Modern manufacturing precision really would look insane from another world's perspective

>>Microchips and stuff, I have no idea how small the parts are that go into those

>>I wonder how they actually make these things. I'm genuinely curious now

>>Our world's scientific and technological prowess is number one in the world!

"So, can we get back to the experiment?"

"Ah, right. I got distracted because the magic circles were so precise."

"At least you thought it was amazing."

Well, if that's the case, I'm glad I managed to impress her.

"Alright then, we'll be using this for the experiment."

Holding the magic tool up on the table where both Selene and the stream viewers can see it clearly, I explain.

"This is a phonograph. In modern terms, it's a magic tool I made that serves a similar function to a voice recorder."

When thinking about magic tools, considering reproductions of modern devices is natural for a former light novel otaku like me.

Though in my case, since I was born on Earth where science and technology advanced, I can't say there's any point to it.

>>Wait, so that thing has magic circles written on a single magic stone that can perform all the functions of a voice recorder?

>>That really is insane. Magic tools using magic circles are sold, but they're properly made with various components

>>Just what kind of precision do you need to carve magic circles to pull that off? I can't even imagine

>>Modern magic tools that ordinary people use are mostly just magic stone versions of electric appliances in name only

>>So what are you using it for?

You guys are loud in the comments.

"First, Selene. What do you think gets translated between us, and what doesn't?"

"I assumed spoken words are translated, while written text and such are not—is that not the case?"

Yeah, well, looking at the current situation alone, that seems like the most likely possibility.

But wait.

Selene, you...

"Then how exactly are you reading the comments in the comment section?"

At those words, Selene freezes completely.

Then, after a moment, understanding spreads across her expression.

"Indeed, you're right. If only spoken words are translated, then it is strange that I can read the comments..."

"Right? That's where this phonograph comes in."

Using this, I can verify my hypothesis.

Alright, let me explain my reasoning.