NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3
Chapter 3: To the City ①
The information supposedly input by the goddess is what you’d call a god’s-eye view. Despite that, there are many information gaps. The map is just like an aerial photograph. While the lack of fantasy feel is fine, I can’t determine my current location or even which country the hero target is in.
When I zoom in on the mental map, there’s a lot of natural scenery and almost no man-made structures like on Earth. Zooming all the way out, I can see this planet only has two continents. There’s a narrow connecting part, but it’s essentially two continents. My current location is on one of these two, but matching it with the surrounding terrain could take who knows how many days. Until I get a map of this world and compare it with my mental map, this map seems unusable for now.
By the way, regarding the heroes’ information, I only know their faces, names, and the names of the countries they were summoned to.
I wonder if they’re really motivated?
The knowledge about magic seems close to the truth… I think. People in this world use magic by chanting, but honestly, it feels unnecessary. If I take this at face value and use magic without chanting, it might cause a commotion. However, the knowledge doesn’t include the actual words needed for chanting spells.
I absolutely want to avoid unknowingly acting in socially unacceptable ways. For the time being, I’ll refrain from using magic in front of people.
Apparently, everyone is born with magical power, but the amount varies from person to person. During the body’s growth period, using magic and recovering consumed magical power increases the total amount. It’s like muscle training, but is this common knowledge for everyone here? I don’t know this body’s age, but it’s probably mid-teens. If the body is still growing, it might be good to train to increase the total amount of magical power.
Anyway, first is the current location… well, since that’s unknown, I’ll search for a town for now.
And clothes! Before going to town, I need clothes.
“I wonder if I’ll come across a carriage being attacked by bandits…”
Walking aimlessly, I blurted out something thoughtless. The typical event from light novels I read before dying comes to mind.
But this is reality. There’s no sign of anyone being attacked. Moreover, even if such a cliché event were to occur, being stark naked means I can only foresee a future where I’m treated as a pervert.
(Come to think of it, there might be illusion or concealment magic…)
While exploring the magical knowledge in my head, I walk through the forest at random.
“I can create water and fire with magic, so food is the next concern.”
Looking closely at the trees and plants in the forest, they’re naturally different from Earth’s plants. Despite having traveled the world as a mercenary, I don’t recognize any familiar plants. The ecosystem must be different from Earth’s. Could it be due to the influence of this world’s magical elements?
I look at the “Appraisal Magic” from my knowledge.
— “Magic that can appraise people and objects” —
“…”
Elemental magic was still easier to understand. It was simple to imagine converting magical power into fire or water. But how should I imagine this “appraisal”?
As a test, I concentrate magical power in my eyes and look at the flower in front of me, but I can’t understand anything.
I have no choice but to investigate this world’s information. The goddess’s knowledge includes something like a list of plant and animal names with images, but remarkably lacks any details. Really useless.
In this world, besides animals and insects, there are “monsters” and “magical beasts” influenced by magical elements. Their size and strength seem to vary widely, but apparently, deep in “magical forests” with high concentrations of magical elements, powerful monsters and magical beasts thrive, which seems to be a factor limiting human habitation areas.
So far, I haven’t encountered any animals, but being unarmed, I’d rather not meet any. Well, if push comes to shove, I’ll have to enhance my body and run away.
I found “Detection Magic” in my memories, but looking at it, it’s also remarkably abstract.
— “Magic that detects moving objects in the surroundings” —
…Oh, really.
Completely unhelpful.
With no other choice, I imagine Earth’s radar or sonar, thinly spreading magical power around me and trying to feel the feedback.
“It’s a bit different… More like spreading out than emitting?”
Spreading magical power uses quite a lot of magic. I try to spread it even thinner, extremely thin.
My head gets confused with the enormous information, but by repeating it intermittently like radar, I’m able to capture only moving objects.
I detected multiple moving objects with the detection, but judging from their size, they’re probably small animals. Since they’re not attacking and I’m not sure if they’re edible, I’ll ignore them for now.
“The detection range is still limited to about 30 meters. This also seems to have room for improvement with training. I’ll try to train to make the magical power even thinner in the future.”
…
While trying various magic, the forest cleared, and a road came into view.
I felt relieved. Following the road should lead me to a settlement somehow. Though the clothing problem remains unsolved…
I walk through the forest along the road. Being completely naked, I can’t call out even if I see people. I want to get clothes before going to the city, but at this rate, I might have to steal or attack someone at worst. Theft or robbery right after reincarnation… Well, it’s all the goddess’s fault.
Without encountering anyone, the city came into view, mercilessly, while I’m still naked.
It’s a city surrounded by walls. I can see guards standing at the city gate. Judging from the guards’ height, the wall seems about three meters tall. Adult height shouldn’t be too different from Earth. I imagined medieval Europe when hearing about a world of swords and magic, and the guards’ appearance is exactly like that. They wear simple armor, with swords at their waists and spears in hand. Guards on watch atop the walls are vigilant with bows. No guns or cannons in sight.
(The fact that the city is surrounded by walls means there are external threats. Is there an opposing country, or is it prepared against monsters?)
Hiding in the shade of trees, I consider what to do next. The sun is still high, with plenty of time until sunset. From what I can see of the wall’s height and surface, it wouldn’t be difficult to climb over. But I’m naked. No matter what world this is, wandering around a city naked would surely lead to arrest.
Among the knowledge I’ve gained so far, there were some potentially useful magic like “Perception Obstruction,” “Illusion,” and “Concealment,” but the goddess’s knowledge only includes their effects without explanations on how to use them or any details. Really useless.
I practice one of the things I want to try from my previous life’s knowledge.
It’s the so-called “optical camouflage.” While familiar as imaginary technology in anime and manga, it has actually been realized to some extent. Although it’s not yet suitable for practical combat use, it has been successful as a concept. Various approaches are being pursued for practical application, but to achieve it using magic, I think I’ll try the method of diffracting light to create transparency.
Human vision recognizes color and shape from light that hits objects and reflects. Using light or dark attribute magic, I’ll either absorb light or make it pass through to the opposite side of my body without reflection, making my body unrecognizable.
I tried to absorb light with dark attribute magic, but then realized it would just make me pitch black, so I decided against it. Instead, I’ll try to diffract light. I cover my entire body with a membrane generated by magical power, imbuing it with the image of refracting light to pass through to the back.
Looking at my hand, I can see the scenery behind it through a distorted space. Is this success?
For “illusion” or “concealment” magic, I can’t judge if it’s successful without someone else’s confirmation. Eventually, I want to find a collaborator and master skills like “perception obstruction” early on, but that’s still in the future.
Since it consumes a fair amount of magical power, I think I’ll wait until night to proceed. It’s better to encounter fewer people.
If I’m discovered, I’ll run away.