Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

Side Story 3: Genia and Merulas Lets Test it!

Its time for Genia...

...a-and Merulas...

...Lets Test It!

The two who shouted this and pumped their fists into the air were overscientist Genia, who had just gotten engaged to Ludwin Arcs, the Captain of the Royal Guard, the other day; and Merula Merlin, from the Spirit Kingdom of Garlan, the high elf whose too-strong curiosity had gotten her accused as a witch, and put her on the run from the Orthodox Papal State of Lunaria.

The two of them were now in the ruined dungeon workshop owned by the House of Maxwell.

...Um, was there some meaning behind that call? Merula asked Genia, her pale face having turned red.

Huh? It was obviously just a spur-of-the-moment thing.

Spur-of-the-moment...? Now, listen, Genia...

Cmon, Merumeru. Times finite. Lets get to testing!

Please, dont call me Merumeru!

Ignoring Merulas protests, Genia pulled something out from behind her. It was a squalid bag, about the size of a sandbag used in boxing practice.

This here is the item up for testing today, Genia declared. Dun-du-du-duuun: the Heros Sack.

The Heros Sack?

This sack was said to be used by the first King of Elfrieden, who, just like our king (Souma), was summoned from another world as a hero. It may not look like much, but it can hold a lot, and recently Sir Ponchos been using it to store the ingredients he gathers all over the continent and brings them back.

The first king... Wait, isnt this a real treasure? Merula asked, poking at the sack.

If this was the first King of Elfrieden they were talking about, he was a great hero who united the many races to form this kingdom. His story was told of in legend, and he was still loved and respected by the people. If the first king had used this, it was probably an incredibly prized possession.

Its technically a national treasure, yeah, Genia said like it was no big deal.

N-National treasure?! Merula jumped back in surprise. Wait, is it okay to treat a national treasure so poorly?!

When I told the king I want to study it, he said, Dont break it, and let me borrow it.

So easily?! Like you were asking to borrow a new pocket watch that he just bought?!

It sounds like the king wants to research overscience relics, Genia shrugged. You think something happened?

I-I wouldnt know...

Having learned there was a connection between his former world and this one after the incident in the Star Dragon Mountain Range, Souma directed his research organizations to do more specific research into the overscience relics that were no doubt key to learning what the connection was. He hadnt gone so far as to explain that situation to them, though.

Anyway, today I think well run tests on the Heros Sack. Genia picked up the relic. Now first, lets see about its weight and volume. As you can see, at present, even a delicate basement-dweller with thin arms like me can easily lift it up.

Was the self-deprecation necessary? But yes, it certainly does look light.

But, get this, theres already a whole lot of stuff inside. Okay, my golems, bring it on out.

With that, Genia had the dirt golems she made with her own ability bring over a large, rectangular water tank. It had to be as large as a sizable shed. The base was about four by five meters, and it was more than four meters tall. Genia had to put up a ladder just to stand on the edge of it.

Merula, who was left looking up at her, asked, Um, Genia? What is this for?

The thing about this sack is, its already been left immersed in a river for half a day.

What are you doing to a national treasure?! Wont you be punished?!

Merula was confused, but Genia didnt care.

We cant let little things get in the way of academic progress.

I... I always thought I was too obsessed with research, but... its a big world out there.

Haha! Please, dont compliment me like that, Merumeru.

Slightly before Genia called Souji over

I suspect the reason why food thats put in the sack doesnt rot easily is because the time it takes the food to rot is being extended, Genia said.

By which you mean? Merula asked.

I think the flow of time inside the sack is different from the flow of time outside the sack. Perhaps the reason the fish that had been inside for half a day were still so energetic also stems from the flow of time being different. So, heres the idea.

Genia pulled out an hourglass. When turned upside down, the sand that was filling the top part began falling to the bottom. Genia put the hourglass into the sack in that state.

This hourglass is designed so that it takes five minutes for all the sand to reach the bottom. Well wait five minutes with it like this.

...I see. So thats how it is.

Five minutes later

When Genia pulled out the hourglass, the sand still hadnt fully fallen. More than that, there was little change in the amount of sand at the top at all.

Genia brought her hand to her chin and groaned. Hrm... I expected the sand not to have fully fallen, but if the amount in the top hasnt noticeably changed, does that mean time is practically stopped?

Times stopped inside this bag?! Is that possible?!

Our common sense doesnt apply when it comes to the way overscience relics work, my dear Merumeru.

Dont call me that... But how can we tell if time is stopped inside or not?

Hm... It seems were forced to use our last resort.

L-Last resort?

Merula gulped as Genia flashed her an indomitable smile.

Going inside to see.

And that was why Souji was called over.

Merula turned a cold look on Genia. So youre not going to go inside.

I am an observer, Genia said. I have a duty to leave records of the experiment.

Honestly... This is really going to be okay, right?

Youre worried about the old man? Genia smirked, and Merula turned to look away.

Even if it was him, Id have trouble sleeping at night if anything were to happen.

Itll be fine, said Genia. You saw how energetically the fish were swimming around, didnt you?

They may have looked that way on the surface, but theres no way to tell if the fish are really fine when they dont speak.

Then Souji came over. You called, Young Miss Genia?

Hee hee! I know this is sudden, but were going to have you help us out a little.

Help? ...Wait, whuh?!

Without waiting for his response, Genia pulled the Heros Sack over the top of Souji.