It wasn’t really that important whether the entire gnome population loved explosions or not. Right now, the only gnome in front of me was Roni, and she was the only one affecting my real life. It didn’t matter if the gnomes built incredibly inconveniently sized buildings for humans to live in their area or if few of them ventured outside. My gnome-related issues all stemmed from Roni anyway.
You might wonder what problems a kid sitting next to me and happily sharing her favorite stories could possibly have. Well, sure. Roni wasn’t sitting next to me blaspheming, and it wasn’t like her stories were boring enough to push me away.
No, that wasn’t my problem.
My issue was that I was increasingly captivated by what Roni was saying.
Even if I put aside the talk about nuclear bombs, her discussion about huge bombs using holy power sounded more and more plausible. Shoving as many of that beast’s teeth or claws as possible into a grenade, or stories about various explosives.
No, isn’t it true?
It doesn’t involve radioactive materials; aside from holy power, it’s just water and metal. That bomb that creates an explosion by reacting two holy powers not only has destructive power but also the ability to strike the demons with the holy power generated in the process.
Even if it might not be as powerful as I first thought, it was still worth a try.
…Yes. This was my issue.
Roni trailed after me like a professor chasing the president for budget approval, sharing her ideas. Sometimes her topics would veer sharply in another direction, but it actually helped us to confirm the main subject once again.
If this kid’s stories were all intentional, she’s a genius. She has a knack for politics.
But looking at the topic being entirely focused on explosions, explosions, and more explosions, that didn’t seem to be the case.
“Hey, I’m really curious, so I want to ask.”
“Yes!”
During lunchtime, while she was explaining her new bomb to me, I couldn’t hold back my curiosity any longer.
“Just asking out of genuine curiosity, so please don’t take it the wrong way?”
“Yes!”
She looked up at me with the anticipation of a puppy. After a brief thought about how to make my question sound the least like racism, I sighed heavily and asked.
“Uh, do most gnomes, like Roni, have a strong interest in explosives?”
With my question, Roni put her finger to her lips and thought for a moment before nodding vigorously.
“Yes! From firecrackers to bombs, they’re all very popular. It’s not just about the size of the explosion; many are also interested in the shape and purpose. Vehicles with engines are particularly popular too.”
“Engines?”
“Yes, because there are constant explosions happening inside the cylinders. The cars produced at the gnome region’s factory are famous for their fantastic engine sounds. They ensure the operational stability and durability to keep that marvelous noise going for a long time.”
“Oh, is that so…?”
Is this what you call the positive effects of explosions?
So… it seems like the whole race is indeed obsessed with explosions.
Hearing all this makes me understand why there are so few gnomes in the church. If they don’t do explosion studies themselves, there’s no reason for them to join.
Roni came to find me after discovering new material and realizing the explosive potential of the things I made.
They’re a race that would probably make lithium batteries and end up using them as bombs instead.
…Let’s avoid buying electronic products made in the gnome region.
“So, Saintess, do you really not want to cooperate with me? I’ll show you the best holy power bomb! It’ll definitely help in fighting against the demon armies!”
Did she just make it sound like a bonus to fight against the demon armies? That’s just my feeling, right?
Hearing Roni say this, I let out a small sigh and responded.
“…Fine.”
“Really?”
Did she mishear my small answer, or did she not consider whether it’d be accepted after stating it? Roni’s big eyes widened even more.
“I said I’d allow it. But you must have protective gear properly set up. Also, I need to participate in all experiments, and you need my permission to use the results. I plan to document this, not just verbally, is that okay?”
“Yes, yes! Thank you for allowing it!”
“And you need to get permission from your parents as well.”
“My parents would gladly grant it, so that’s fine!”
“……Most importantly, please investigate whether it’s legal for minors to manufacture explosives within the region and ensure that research and experimentation are permitted under the law.”
“Yes!”
“If you need anyone else’s permission for the experiments, make sure to get that sorted, okay?”
“Got it!”
“……First, I’ll let the church know in advance. I’ll let you know when the details come through, so don’t worry too much.”
Looking at Roni, who looked like she’d perk up like a puppy if she were one, I felt a bit pressured. What if the experiment turns out to have minimal explosive power? Wouldn’t it just end in disappointment?
“Are you sure about this?”
We may have been seated quite a distance apart, but at some point, during lunchtime, Rina asked me that.
“If I don’t permit it, she’ll probably keep bringing it up until the end of the year, you know?”
When I replied like that, Rina made a thoughtful expression for a moment, then nodded, seeming to understand. Rina absolutely detested annoying situations even more than I did. Of course, she would catch on to that much.
And well, it is worth researching nonetheless.
Noticing Roni’s slightly dazed expression as she seemed to be thinking about what preparations to make, a wave of unease washed over me, but having talked this much, she should get it together, right?
…Right?
*
In the end, Roni prepared everything properly.
No, it wasn’t just Roni; everyone involved under the conditions I mentioned got ‘actively’ ready. Roni’s parents quickly drafted the consent form the next day, and the church provided a public area in the 21st District. While referred to as a ‘public area,’ the entire 21st District was so large that they were offering a place the size of a playground. Perhaps thinking of possible complaints from the surroundings, it was on the outskirts, far from the city center.
I expected the church would be proactive. These folks would help out without any opposition whenever I undertook something.
Even the local government seemed to be quickly finishing up legal reviews, possibly keeping an eye on me, and it seemed they had contacted the gnome region properly.
Yes. They reached out to the gnome region.
To explosion-loving beings who had seemingly staked their entire lives on explosions, the news of a new method for explosives had been shared.
Did I mention that the location provided by the church was originally an empty lot?
……Once preparations for the experiment were completed, that area looked like it could host a mini sports festival.
Step-like seats made of wood and metal encircled the empty area, and a stage seemed to have been set up in a spot where the test subject was bound to explode, as if visibility mattered. There were even lights installed above shining down on that stage (??).
But wait, doesn’t having the lights that close mean they might fly away during an explosion?
Since this was merely an explosive experiment, not many people from the human side showed up. However, there were a couple of public officials for precaution, along with Mr. Paul and a few members of the Saint Knights, and several duty medics sent by the local government. Also, a fire truck and several fire personnel were present.
Those folks sure looked tired, but I couldn’t help but think that was merely my imagination.
Meanwhile, the number of gnomes who showed up was enormous.
Um, let’s say enough to fill the installed seats.
Considering they were already small, it sure made sense that there would be a lot of them.
“What’s this…?”
Rina, who had been dragged here for cooperating in making the experimental bomb, asked in a very bewildered voice.
Indeed, what is this?
I was just as speechless, and so were Linea and Aurora, who had followed me.
“Ah, Saintess!”
Roni called out as she rushed towards me. Next to her were an older-looking man and woman, definitely small in stature, but they clearly seemed like gnomes. Their body proportions were subtly similar to regular humans but still small enough to create cognitive dissonance, and with so many of them around, I needed to adapt quickly, or I’d be stuck like this all day.
Roni came rushing over looking like a university student heading to a presentation. She was dressed in a proper suit.
And the two people I presumed to be Roni’s parents were also in smartly tailored suits.
No, seriously, what is going on here?
“Hello!”
“Uh, yes, hello.”
I managed to respond without fumbling to Roni, who greeted me with a bright smile as if it was the best day of her life, and right away turned to introduce the two standing behind her with kind expressions.
“These are my parents! This is my father, and this is my mother.”
“Greetings, Saintess. I’m Bram, Roni’s father. I’ve heard that my daughter is indebted to you quite a bit. Thank you for always looking after her.”
His overly polite greeting left me somewhat startled. I thought about why this was so surprising, and it was because I had never received such courtesy from other races since starting out. The folks who treated me with respect since the first meeting were mostly humans.
Could it be that they are being this friendly because they know I could potentially create explosions?
“Hello, I’m Erri, Roni’s mother. I heard that this gathering is all thanks to the Saintess. Thank you for helping my daughter.”
“Uh, no, I haven’t done anything that significant…”
I wasn’t quite sure if I hadn’t done much or if it was more accurate to say I did quite a bit, but I wasn’t lacking in enough awareness to say something like that.
“If my daughter had taken a more secure path, I wouldn’t have worried this much, but she’s finally set my mind at ease after meeting you, Saintess.”
“Oh, is that so…?”
Fortunately, it seemed Roni’s parents weren’t the type to monopolize conversations with such remarks. Quite oddly focusing on explosions, their demeanor was still that of regular parents worrying for their daughter, so I found it hard to feel any aversion.
Though, I felt that the whole ‘focusing on explosions’ was, well, unusual.
The gnomes seemed to be gathering in groups, chatting enthusiastically.
“I’m sorry. I know you’ve helped so much but couldn’t stay next to us.”
“No, don’t worry. Feel free to talk and come back.”
Right, it’d be better to head that way. Continuing to greet all these newcomers was mentally draining.
“Thank you, Hicks!”
“Uh, yeah…?”
Rina responded awkwardly, clearly more awkward than I was, but Roni seemed completely unfazed by it.
Honestly, most people meeting a gnome for the first time would probably react that way. Even if it was clear that Rina wasn’t meeting gnomes for the first time.
“……Looking back, wouldn’t it have been better not to grant permission back then?”
Seeing Roni bounce around with a bright smile, chatting with multiple people, Rina quietly asked me that question.
“……”
To be honest, I was feeling that way myself, so I chose to remain silent.
*
The event’s content barely registered in my ears.
In reality, the gnomes were rambling about various things, and from my position, worrying about my grades from classes I hardly understood, I could barely catch anything. They were talking about TNT and things like that, which I assumed was about explosive power, but that was about it.
Rina, who was sitting a little way off, and Linea and Aurora, who were sitting at my sides, seemed to be in the same boat. At least Linea and Aurora were managing to maintain a curious facade while Rina was openly yawning.
I felt like a clueless civilian attending an overly specialized academic meeting. I suppose that’s the right way to look at it. After all, all the gnomes here seemed to have a semi-expert knowledge about explosions. Some might even be making explosives for a living, after all.
“Now then, we will begin to experiment with the materials we’ve created… ah, but before that.”
Roni, who was presenting at the front, suddenly said this and then swiftly turned her head to me.
“I would like to thank the two who have helped the most in conducting this experiment. First and foremost, everyone knows the Saintess. If it weren’t for the quality holy water made by the Saintess, this experiment wouldn’t even have been possible. Of course, it was also the Saintess who proposed the basic structure of this bomb.”
……I didn’t know it would be used this way.
I mean, I understood the potential for explosion, sure.
But that’s all I knew.
“And lastly, Mr. Hicks. Without the help of this future leader of the Demon God sect, we wouldn’t have been able to obtain such a definitive trigger. Thank you.”
Rina, as always, looked uncomfortable with attention focused on her.
Short applause broke out in the surrounding area.
Honestly, this is quite embarrassing.
I’d say the embarrassment I felt here ranks among the top experiences since I started living as a saintess.
“Now, I’ll start the experiment. Just in case it’s dangerous, we’ve installed bulletproof glass in front of the audience seats, so don’t worry! It’s only theoretical proof, so debris will just be glass shards!”
Saying that, Roni raised something resembling a remote control above her head.
No, isn’t there some light source placed over there too? Is she not worried that it might get caught up in the explosion? Can all that debris be blocked by the bulletproof glass?
…Well, Roni probably knows a ton more about explosions than I do, so I shouldn’t say anything. It looks like there’s enough distance anyway.
The crowd fell into silence. It wasn’t out of tension but rather similar to the atmosphere when the lights dim just before a movie starts in a theater.
“Then, lets start!”
Roni proclaimed and pressed a large red button on the remote.
Immediately afterward, for about 1 second, nothing happened.
Then, right after that brief moment, a small sound of bang could be heard echoing from the glass bottle placed on the stage shining brightly under the lights in the distance. The explosive force didn’t seem overwhelming. Some lights shattered, plunging some areas into darkness, but it wasn’t like a shockwave rushed over here or anything.
And then—
A brilliant light illuminated the surroundings.
Not just bright light. White, radiant gold light, and light that seemed to carve through the darkness all mingled and spread in every direction. The sky, which had been slowly darkening, paled in comparison, and the place where we stood was now illuminated like midday.
And in an instant, all that light vanished.
Perhaps because I had just been exposed to an intense burst of light, the scenery that started dimming became hard to see.
I blinked a few times, and my vision slowly began adjusting to the darkness surrounding me.
“The explosive power of this prototype has been intentionally limited, so it doesn’t display an extreme level of holy power. While the surroundings were illuminated by holy power, it didn’t reach as far as the audience seats. If it had ‘worked,’ the individuals sitting in the lowest seats would likely have been injured, considering the Demon God’s holy power can melt glass.”
Well, if it’s glass debris, I don’t think that’s gonna be an issue!
Regardless of my thoughts, Roni continued her explanation.
“However, please observe.”
Roni pointed to where the explosive had been located.
There was nothing there.
Except for what seemed to be the remnants of the stand that had melted away. The lights were completely gone without a trace.
“First, the metal sanctified with holy power, embedded in the center of the explosive, reacts upon contact with the holy water. The explosion generated from the center pushes everything in the outer shell outwards. Thus, the holy water in the outermost double wall explodes outward as soon as the container breaks. And,”
Roni clenched her fist and then opened her hand, showing it off dramatically.
“The residual holy power inside will react with the holy water. The holy water will instantly boil, vaporize, and that ‘sanctified liquid’ turns into ‘sanctified gas.’ However, the reaction of the holy water still doesn’t end there.”
“The gas rapidly expands, taking up a large volume and acts as a medium to transfer the holy power of the Demon God. Every time the internal components get exposed, they constantly react. In this manner, a space flooded with holy power fills up rapidly, and as a result, the center of the explosion is completely melted away from the pure holy power of the Demon God.”
After taking a brief breath, Roni spoke.
“It’s not just a physical explosion; since the explosion is caused by the emitted holy power, I expect it could serve as a solid countermeasure against magic points, which can’t be handled by usual physical laws.”
Once Roni wrapped up her explanation, a dense silence settled around us.
But soon, someone’s enthusiastic applause broke that silence—
And when I regained my senses, I realized nearly every gnome was now up and clapping. Whistles and cheers could be heard from somewhere in the crowd.
I was contemplating how to respond when Roni looked at me.
And upon making eye contact, she beamed at me.
……Hmm, how should I put it?
I felt like I had just pressed a big red button, and thus I couldn’t bring myself to return her smile.
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