I Said Make My Abilities Average! (LN) - Volume 16 - Chapter 117

Chapter 117:

The Warning

“WHAT THE HEEEEEECK?!?!”

Reina, Pauline, and Mavis screamed in shock as Mile explained the situation to them. It was an alarming turn of events, after all. They had just experienced a manner of time travel, though it had been into the future, not the past. Thanks to Mile’s stories, the three of them had some basic notion of the idea of traveling through time. Naturally, these had included cautionary tales about the sorts of pitfalls an overzealous time traveler could fall into. 

“Thankfully, in this case it’s just that a little extra time passed, so we don’t need to worry about causing a paradox or anything,” Mile explained, which seemed to put the others at least slightly more at ease. That said… “We did lose a lot of precious time, though. Time when we could have been using the guild network to put warnings out across the continent and preparing everyone for the invaders from another world…”

Obviously, such a fantastical story would be a pretty hard sell. However, the Crimson Vow had a reputation for honesty and would never spin a story that would strip them of all the trust they had earned, should it be found to be a lie. Plus, if it came down to it, they still had Mavis and Mile’s—or rather, Adele’s—family names to rely on. They could expect people to have a fair bit of confidence in whatever they had to say.

Their reputation aside, losing a full thirty-eight days hurt—immensely. The Crimson Vow all knew this and looked no less queasy at Mile’s assurances. Even so, they were relieved they had not been blipped out of existence by a time paradox or cursed to wander forever in the cracks of space-time, like the protagonist of one of her stories.

Okay, Nanos, please tell me the current state of—no, never mind. I know that you aren’t allowed to participate in or facilitate any specific world powers, so giving me information on every country would be out of the question… Mile muttered in her head.

I MEAN, WE CAN, THOUGH?

Wh-what?!

INVADERS FROM ANOTHER DIMENSION DON’T COUNT AS A “SPECIFIC WORLD POWER,” SO GIVING YOU INFORMATION ABOUT THEM WOULDN’T COUNT AS SHOWING FAVOR. ADDITIONALLY, WE ARE CURRENTLY DEALING WITH A CONFLICT OF THE INVADERS VERSUS THE PEOPLE OF THIS WORLD, AND WE CONSIDER THE PEOPLE OF THIS WORLD TO BE A SINGULAR FORCE, WITH WHICH WE ARE ALLIED. WE NANOMACHINES ARE, AFTER ALL, SWORN TO PROTECT ALL LIFE ON THIS PLANET…

So you’re telling me that you can tell me anything I need to know, and since everyone counts as my allies, it wouldn’t be prohibited?!

THAT’S CORRECT.

The nanomachines were apparently quite ready to accommodate Mile’s needs.

Well, is there anything you know about the invaders that I didn’t already learn from Slow Walker?

WHILE YOU WERE BUSY CONSTRUCTING THE PALANQUINS, WE INTERFACED WITH SLOW WALKER AND RECEIVED ALL DATA REGARDING THE EXTRADIMENSIONAL INVADERS, PAST AND PRESENT. IF WE ADD THIS TO THE REAL-TIME INFORMATION FROM OUR FELLOW NANOMACHINES ACROSS THE CONTINENT AND ANALYZE IT AT THE NANOMACHINE CENTRAL PROCESSING CENTER, WE CAN PREDICT THE PLACE AND TIMING OF THE MAIN INVASION TO A HIGH DEGREE OF CERTAINTY.

Well, well, well! That’s my Nanos! 

HEH HEH HEH! THIS IS NOTHING FOR US! OUR SCIENTIFIC CAPABILITIES ARE THE MOST POWERFUL IN THE WORLD!

The nanomachines seemed to be acting a bit strange, Mile realized. She almost never noticed such things when conversing with her fellow humans, but clearly, something was amiss here.

No need to overdo it there… 

HM? WH-WHATEVER DO YOU MEAN?

Well, Slow Walker had a fairly natural way of speaking. I’m guessing you were trying to crack a joke to prove to me that you’re a high-level machine intelligence, capable of highly humanlike thought and speech—unlike that primitive hunk of junk?

………

{…………}

{<[……………]>}

All of the nanomachines around her seemed to freeze in place. Even Mile could tell she’d said something she shouldn’t have.

The other members of the Crimson Vow remained speechless, either yet to recover from their shock or paralyzed by the enormity of the problem before them. Mile panicked; she needed to take this opportunity to get as much information as she could out of the nanomachines.

A-anyway, tell me what’s going on in the world right now! We won’t be able to determine the party’s next course of action until I know more, and more importantly, I won’t know what to do!

OF COURSE, RIGHT AWAY.

The nanomachines went on to explain what had happened in the thirty-eight days since the Crimson Vow had entered the cave.

During this time, a permanent dimensional fissure had opened to the east of the capital of the kingdom of Aubram. A large number of monsters had begun to appear from out of it, migrating westward in tandem with monsters native to this world. Aubram immediately publicized their state of emergency to the surrounding nations, putting out requests for aid and lifting all border restrictions for foreign soldiers and mercenaries. The other kingdoms had appropriately judged that, should they ignore this cry for help and let Aubram fall to ruin, their own lands wound be next. Thus, they made the split-second decision to send a large-scale dispatch to Aubram, keeping only the minimal necessary forces behind in their own countries to maintain the peace. It was necessary to retain quite a substantial military force from the personal armies of lords in Tils and Brandel whose lands shared a border with the Albarn Empire, just in case of imperial attack. However, a large number of troops had been sent to Aubram, and presently, a combined force of the various countries’ militaries had set up camp east of Aubram’s capital, preparing for the battle with the monsters in the coming days.

Can they beat them?

THOUGH THE MONSTER FORCES ARE NUMEROUS, THE BULK OF THEM ARE JACKALOPES, KOBOLDS, GOBLINS, AND THE LIKE, SO EVEN AN UNTRAINED CIVILIAN—ANY GROWN MAN WITH A WEAPON—COULD DEFEAT THEM. ONE-ON-ONE, THAT IS. IF THE SOLDIERS, MERCENARIES, AND HUNTERS CAN MANAGE TO DEFEAT MOST OF THE ORC-CLASS MONSTERS AND ABOVE, WE MIGHT HAVE A CHANCE. EVEN IF THE MONSTERS AT THE LEVEL OF GOBLINS AND BELOW SOMEHOW GET BY THEM, THE MILITARY FORCES THAT REMAINED BEHIND IN EACH COUNTRY, THE MERCENARIES AND SOLDIERS WHO CHOSE NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OPERATION, AND REGULAR ABLE-BODIED CIVILIANS SHOULD BE ABLE TO DEFEND THEIR HOMES UNTIL THE JOINT FORCES RETURN. THE JOINT FORCES ALSO HAVE THE CAPITAL RIGHT AT THEIR BACKS, SO THEY HAVE THE ADVANTAGE OF AN ABUNDANT SOURCE OF SUPPLIES. WHERE THE PROBLEM LIES IS…

Is?

THIS ASSUMES THAT NO ONE TRIES ANYTHING FOOLISH, SUCH AS LETTING A PORTION OF THEIR FORCES RETREAT FROM THE BATTLEFIELD TO PURSUE THE MONSTERS WHO SLIPPED BY THEM, PRIORITIZING PROTECTING THEIR OWN CITIZENS OVER THOSE OF OTHER NATIONS OR PUSHING OTHER NATIONS’ FORCES TO THE FRONT LINES TO PREVENT THEIR OWN FROM BEING GROUND TO A PULP.

Ah, right…

THERE’S ALSO THE MATTER OF THE NUMBERS OF THE A-RANK AND HIGHER MONSTERS, WHO WILL UTTERLY PUMMEL THE HUMAN FORCES…

Like elder dragons?

NO, THERE ARE NO ENEMY ELDER DRAGONS.

Oh, good.

It was still quite possible that there were earth dragons, ground dragons, wyverns, or other types of normal dragons and pseudo-dragons on the enemy side, but at least there were no elder dragons. Mile had already assumed as much to begin with, but her conversation with Slow Walker had confirmed that for her.

But, according to what Slow Walker said, that won’t even be the location of the main invasion…

CORRECT. HOWEVER, THE HUMANS ARE PRESENTLY UNAWARE OF THIS…

Ah. Of course they would be.

Their time was up. The others surrounded Mile, looking for answers.

“I think it’s about time you explained what’s going on here,” said Reina.

Before they started their journey back, Mile had in fact promised to “explain everything on the way home.” Such conversation had proven impossible, however, with the four of them traveling in a line as Mile brought up the rear behind the three palanquins. She had planned to speak to them when they reached the surface instead—but they had obviously been derailed. All of which meant that Reina, Mavis, and Pauline were still completely in the dark.

“Of course. I suppose I’ll explain what I know about the current state of the world, based on what I learned from Slow Walker…as well as my own secrets, which I’ve been keeping from all of you until now…”

“Wh…?”

Mile’s allies were stunned not only by the final words she had spoken but by the strain in her voice and the bitter look upon her face. They were all aware that there was something Mile had been keeping from them—some secret deeper than anything she had revealed to them so far. And they had rightfully assumed that the day would come when she would tell them. 

But…why now?

This didn’t seem like a situation in which any secret of her birth would be relevant. They were dealing with a threat to the existence of the world, not anything involving Mile’s family members. But they also knew that, while she could often be silly, Mile was not so flippant as to be joking around at a time like this.

ARE YOU CERTAIN, LADY MILE?

Yes. It’s time. I’m not going to tell them the whole truth, of course. I won’t tell them about my memories from my previous life, or about Earth. But I think I’ll have to give them some measure of explanation to be able to properly lay out the situation. And meanwhile—could you get a message to the soldiers currently on their way to Aubram?

UNFORTUNATELY, YOU DO NOT HOLD SUCH AUTHORIZATION AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER… JUST A MOMENT.

A few seconds later—quite a long time, honestly, for the nanomachines with their light-speed processing—the nanomachines spoke again.

WE HAVE HELD A WORLDWIDE CONFERENCE WITH THE OTHER NANOMACHINES THROUGH OUR CENTRAL PROCESSING CENTER. BASED ON YOUR PAST ACTIVITY AND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WORLD, AS WELL AS ALL OF THE LAUGHTER AND JOY YOU HAVE BROUGHT US TO STAVE OFF OUR BOREDOM, WE HAVE COLLECTIVELY MOVED TO RAISE YOUR AUTHORIZATION LEVEL FROM 5 TO 6.

Whoa! You all can just decide that on your own? Oh, well, I guess that’s obvious. There isn’t anyone else around who would be raising the authorization level of humans or elder dragons, and it does happen from time to time. There aren’t any gods here, after all… So, with a level-6 authorization, that means that I could send messages to soldiers far away?

NO, YOU CANNOT.

Well then, why the heck—?!

HOWEVER, THIS WORLD CURRENTLY FACES A GREAT DANGER—A THREAT FROM AN OUTSIDE FORCE, RATHER THAN A RESULT OF THE ACTIONS OF THE WORLD’S OWN DENIZENS. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF BASIC MEASURES WE ARE PERMITTED TO TAKE SHOULD UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES ARISE IN OUR CREATORS’ ABSENCE. WE ARE CHOOSING TO IMPLEMENT ONE OF THEM, AN EMERGENCY SPECIAL AUTHORIZATION LEVEL-UP.

Um, okay… I’m still confused.

PLEASE THINK OF IT IN THE SAME VEIN AS AN EMERGENCY COMMISSION IN A TIME OF WAR, AS MISS MAVIS HAS PREVIOUSLY REFERENCED.

I see!

This finally made sense to Mile.

WE ARE PROMOTING YOU TO A LEVEL-7 AUTHORIZATION. WITH A LEVEL-7…

I can finally make natto!

WILL YOU NEVER LET THAT GOOOOOOO?!

***

After a time, the nanomachines managed to regain their composure. Just how terrible were their memories of the ancient natto incident?

Several minutes had now passed since the others had demanded an explanation of Mile, but they continued waiting quietly. They probably assumed that Mile was facing a variety of internal conflicts and were waiting for her to work through them.

Mile, meanwhile, continued silently conversing with the nanomachines. 

SO, YOU NOW HAVE A LEVEL-7 AUTHORIZATION. WITH THIS LEVEL, YOU CAN NOW TRANSMIT ORDERS TO NANOMACHINES THE WORLD OVER VIA THE NANONET. IN OTHER WORDS, WE CAN PROJECT AN IMAGE OF YOUR FACE IN THE AIR, ALONG WITH YOUR VOICE, IN DISTANT LOCATIONS. FURTHERMORE, WE CAN RAISE BY ONE THE AUTHORIZATION LEVEL OF A LIMITED NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS IN WHOM YOU HOLD ABSOLUTE FAITH. AND, OF COURSE, THE EFFECT OF ANY MAGIC THAT YOU ENACT WILL SEE A MANIFOLD INCREASE.

Yes, I see.

LADY MILE…

The nanomachines could tell from her behavior that she was scheming something. They had not existed as long as they had without learning something. They had observed the behaviors of many, many life-forms during that time. They had seen things that moved them, things that made them laugh…and things that were very, very stupid. 

The nanomachines held no judgment for this stupidity. Furthermore, they were certain that the stupid action that Mile was about to attempt was precisely what their creators had intended. As such, they were unable to make any move to stop her. Much as they might wish otherwise, there were some things they had no choice but to accept. It was a part of their very code. There was simply nothing that they could do.

“Are you finished?” asked Reina.

“Huh? With what?” Mile was unsure of what she meant.

“Talking with your little friends inside your head, obviously.”

“What?!”

“Did you really think we wouldn’t notice? After the number of times you’ve gone completely silent and gotten that far-off look in your eyes right at a pivotal moment. And then suddenly come back with some detailed explanation? You’re always just staring blankly right ahead, never in any specific direction, so we figured that you were talking to something that only you could see—like a ghost or spirit or something. But clearly, both of you could converse without speaking. From all that, we had to assume that it was something going on in your head. We all just kept quiet about it, but now that it seems like you’re ready to spill the beans, there’s no point in us playing dumb anymore.”

“Wha…wh-wh-wh…?” Mile was flabbergasted. “What the heeeeeck?!?!”

***

“Okay. Time for me to explain.”

After a time, Mile managed to regain her composure.

“The truth is, until the age of ten, I was a perfectly normal little girl…”

She’s lying, thought Pauline.

That’s a lie, thought Reina.

Gotta be lying… thought Mavis.

“When I turned ten, a mysterious creature came down from the heavens and said to me, ‘Form a contract with me, and protect this world.’”

Oh, that sounds like it could be true, thought Pauline.

Sounds legit, thought Reina.

That’s probably true… thought Mavis.

“I had no idea what he meant by ‘protecting the world,’ though. So, I just tried to live as a normal girl, striving for normal happiness.”

Ah, there it is, thought Pauline.

So, that’s why she’s always saying that, thought Reina.

Even though there’s nothing normal about her… thought Mavis.

“But now, I’ve realized that this was probably what he meant.”

Ah, thought Pauline.

Ah, thought Reina.

Aha… thought Mavis.

Then, all three then thought as one: I guess we have no choice.

They were all on the same page.

“So in other words,” drawled Reina, “God was just like, ‘Well, the world’s gonna be in danger at some point. Good luck!’?”

“Reina! Language!” Pauline scolded, appalled at her flagrant disrespect for the divine, but Reina could not care less. If your family and friends kept being taken from you, one after the other, you would start to doubt the existence of gods, too.

Well, part of that was a lie, Mile thought, but I am pretty sure that this was the reason that God chose to reincarnate me into this world. Otherwise, I can’t imagine that he would have “rewarded” me by reincarnating me into this dangerous world on the precipice of an apocalyptic disaster, under the care of such a dreadful father…nor would he have blatantly twisted my wishes into such wild, cheat code-level abilities…

It’s been a little bit annoying, but I honestly am thankful that he rescued me from the brink of fading into nothing and allowed me to enjoy a second chance at life. And, if it means that I can save the lives of my allies past and present, all the people I’ve met and all the people I’ve yet to meet, then I’ll happily take up this mantle! I’m sure the girl I gave my life to save back then is doing her best to secure a bright future for the people of Earth. So, it’s up to me to give it my all—to make my mark on this world, to leave behind proof that I existed.

It’s just like Mavis is always saying: I’ll show you how brilliantly I shine!

And so, leaving out the parts about her previous life, her reincarnation, and how the nanomachines were responsible for their world’s entire magic system, Mile began to explain an abridged version of all that she knew, in terms that people of this world could understand…

***

“So, this invisible familiar who came down from the heavens—this ‘Nano’—finally came across you, a girl who could hear his voice, and decided to make you into a magical girl?”

“Yes. Though I could already use magic before then.”

“But didn’t you say that his exact request was for you to ‘become a magical girl’?”

Thanks to all the tales they had heard from Mile, the other members of the Crimson Vow were well aware of the trope of a mysterious creature coming from another world to deceive little girls and get them wrapped up in their own nefarious conflicts. And so…

“Mile, are you sure about this?” Mavis asked, worried. “Are you sure this ‘Nano’ guy isn’t trying to trick you?”

“Oh, I am. And I mean, obviously this isn’t a fight that’s just convenient for him. It’s for the sake of protecting our world. So, I feel I have no choice but to answer this call. Ah ha ha…” Mile chuckled.

“But you might die,” said Reina.

“I know. But knowing that my efforts might prevent so many others from dying…”

“…You have no excuse not to try.”

Reina could tell there was no use trying to talk Mile out of it, so she just gave a shrug, rather than attempt to force the issue.

“Well, this is Mile we’re talking about, after all,” sighed Pauline.

“Yep, that is our Mile,” Mavis agreed.

“Well then, let’s discuss battle plans!” 

“What?”

Mile had not been prepared for Pauline’s sudden proposal.

“You didn’t really think we’d let you do this all on your own, did you?” asked Reina.

“But, I mean, you were just saying that I might die,” said Mile.

“I was. What about it?”

Mile stared back at her, dumbfounded.

“Mile. If we are in a position to risk our lives to try and save countless people, do you really think that a single one of us will turn tail and run just because you pointed out to us that we ‘might die’?”

“Oh…”

“Mile, do you really think that if this seems like the obvious course of action to you, that we wouldn’t feel the same way? Do you really think that little of us?!”

She was angry. They all were.

“For as long as the blood flows red through our veins…”

“Our friendship is immortal!”

“The four of us are bound at the soul! And our name is…”

“The Crimson Vow!!!”

***

Mile stood before the others and began chanting a spell.

“Child of the divine, ‘Nanomachine,’ increase the authorization levels of my seven most trusted friends! Mavis, Reina, Pauline, Marcela, Aureana, Monika…and Mariette!”

Mariette was the name of the girl Mile had taught way back when she once accepted an independent job as a home tutor to kill a bit of time while the other members of the Crimson Vow were away. The girl who had ended up in quite a few sticky situations after Mile helped her out a little too much…

“Now, you all have formed a contract with ‘Nano’ as well. Your magical and spirit power will be far stronger, so please use this time to practice and familiarize yourselves with your new capabilities.” 

***

“Hey, what the hell is that?!”

In every capital, every town, and every village in every corner of the continent, people looked up into the air and began to shout.

One could not blame them—a massive figure had appeared, floating in the air. It was the image of a massive lion, painted onto a panel. The face of the lounging lion had been hollowed out, and a young girl’s face peered through the gap. She had silver hair and an attractive but somehow blank face, of the sort that would put anyone at ease.

The girl in the picture opened her mouth wide and said…

“Roar! Rawr!!!”

A number then appeared above the lion’s head, the numerals decreasing at fixed intervals. Clearly, this was some manner of countdown. And on the body of the lion was written:

“Please stand by.”

“What the hell is thaaaaaaaaaaat?!?!?!”

The people’s screams could be heard throughout the land.