A black-gray breastplate with prominent feminine curves. The cloud iron breastplate we obtained this time played the most crucial role among the Armor of the Eternal Maiden.
Not only its basic performance as armor, but even the magic formulas engraved on it were difficult to use properly without the breastplate.
No, to be precise, it’s not the breastplate but the inverted triangular metal plate attached to the breastplate that’s the core.
The rune engraving integrated circuit.
That metal plate was literally a power source that emitted magic power on its own to supply magic to the entire armor.
The magic applied to the breastplate itself was only a protective spell that covered the whole body with a magic barrier and a formula that absorbed the magic power emitted by the rune engraving integrated circuit and spread it throughout the body.
In other words, armor without the rune circuit was no different from a car without an engine.
And this dungeon doesn’t drop rune circuits.
Sometimes ‘fragments of damaged rune circuits’ would drop like earlier, but it was established that intact metal plates never dropped.
It was like that in the game, and in the novel based on it, so I probably wouldn’t be an exception either.
Indeed, the breastplate I picked up also had its rune circuit cleanly removed, exposing the lining completely.
Perhaps to increase magic absorption rate, unlike other linings, that part alone was noticeably translucent.
Well, if it had been intact, this armor set’s name would probably have been something like ‘Worn Armor of the Eternal Maiden’ instead of ‘Damaged Armor of the Eternal Maiden’.
In short, this armor set we worked hard to collect was close to an empty shell that had lost its power source.
Of course, the Armor of the Eternal Maiden does have a contingency plan in case the rune engraving circuit is damaged… but that was just a temporary measure.
It could absorb and accumulate magic from the atmosphere to activate the magic engraved on the armor, but at best, it could barely use one out of the eight magics, that was the limit.
Well, my goal from the start was just one magic and the inherent defense of the cloud iron armor, so I had no reason to complain.
“…”
“…”
Yes, there’s certainly no reason to complain, but…
“Um… this is a bit…”
When I actually wore it, there was a very serious problem. A very, very serious problem.
* * *
“Wow… my goodness… it’s very goo- no, I mean, bold. It’s very bold…!”
Apparently finding my appearance in the new armor quite impressive, Friede covered her mouth with both hands and expressed her raw impression.
Her gaze wouldn’t leave my breastplate. Her oddly restless gestures. Her cute face had turned red like an apple.
“…Indeed.”
I answered in a small voice, slightly lowering my head.
I was trying to forcibly convince myself that it was no big deal, but with Friede showing such a reaction, I felt like even my cheeks were about to heat up.
No, calm down. Think about it, it’s really not a big deal, right?
It’s just, you know… the part where the rune engraving should be has been replaced with translucent black cloth. Yeah, that’s all it is, right?
I looked down at the empty space where the rune engraving circuit should have been, making these long self-excuses.
The inverted triangle-shaped empty space extending from below the collarbone to the middle of the chest.
Through the vinyl-like translucent elven silk, the flesh and valley inside were clearly visible.
“…”
A level of exposure you’d only see at a film festival opening ceremony. For me, who had been covering my entire upper body with iron plates, it felt almost like being half-naked.
…No, really, what is this?
I knew it would be like this, but experiencing it in reality, it was really more daring than I had imagined.
“Haah….”
I sighed deeply, pulling down the tattered cape that had been shortened to scarf-length during battle as much as possible, trying to cover the clearly exposed cleavage.
Even so, only half could be covered. I could barely cover the upper part of the cleavage, but the lower part wasn’t properly covered.
…Originally, it didn’t matter if I covered it right now, but I couldn’t go around covering it like this in the future.
“Um, Miss Hilde. Uh, so… you’re not thinking of going around like that… are you?”
Unfortunately, I have to. Really unfortunately.
“…This translucent cloth here. This is elven silk.”
I looked up at the empty air and explained why I had to go around like this.
Elven silk.
An isekai-style knife-proof fiber that doesn’t tear even when pierced by a sword, and a magic-gathering fiber that absorbs magic from the atmosphere on its own.
In other words, this translucent cloth clearly exposing my cleavage was the core part needed to activate the magic formulas remaining on the armor.
“Oh, is that so…? But, why?”
What do you mean?
“This armor has weak remnants of the magic those spirits used… if I cover this part, it can’t absorb magic. It won’t work.”
The moment I cover my cleavage with other cloth or iron plates, this armor would be cut off even from its backup power source and become just a sturdy tin can.
“I told you earlier, right? That I planned to get the spirits’ helmet to move around freely without worry of being discovered. For that… this part always has to be exposed.”
That was the reason why, despite blushing from some unknown emotion, I couldn’t give up on this armor.
“…Does that make sense?”
Friede asked back as if in disbelief.
“I know. It doesn’t make sense. Usually.”
Yeah, I know too. It’s so absurd I really don’t know what to say.
Having to expose your chest if you don’t want to show your face. What kind of equivalent exchange is this? It’s really ridiculous.
As I’ve been saying, this armor has plenty of reasons and explanations attached to it for why the breastplate has become like this…
Honestly, I felt like those explanations might be excuses tacked on later.
It’s just my personal speculation, but I thought that probably because this world is from inside a game, even the armor ended up with this kind of design.
The game set as the background for the original novel, NTRPG, was an NTR adult game disguised as an orthodox RPG.
Naturally, female characters appearing in such a game would be given outfits befitting an adult game, right?
For extras, it wouldn’t matter if they were wrapped head to toe in iron plates or wore tacky baggy clothes, but this is the exclusive armor for a main character.
I thought this armor might be the result of pursuing commerciality and sensationalism while not completely destroying the identity of a female knight and the game’s atmosphere.
“B-but… this is too… um, this, without the helmet, everyone else can see it too, right? Right?”
“…That’s right.”
In fact, it would be visible even with the helmet on. It’s just that people wouldn’t pay much attention even if they saw it.
The perception interference effect of the helmet rapidly weakens when performing noticeable actions, but unlike actions, appearance doesn’t greatly affect the effect.
It would be fine to walk around wearing only the helmet while naked, but if you dance with a sword on the street even in full armor, the interference would immediately be lifted.
“That, that’s, um, so… it’s troublesome, yes, troublesome!”
Friede shook her head vigorously.
“Y-your chest, Miss Hilde, that’s something only I should be able to see…!”
Claiming exclusive viewing rights to my chest.
“Even if you say that…”
It was such a dizzying declaration that I really had no idea how to respond. It wasn’t wrong, though.
“Besides…! Yes, danger! It’s dangerous, isn’t it! It’s the most vulnerable vital point, what if you get stabbed there!”
Hmm… well, it certainly looks that way.
Unlike other parts protected by cloud iron plates, the exposed chest area has nothing but a single layer of silk.
Although elven silk is said to have a knife-proof effect, that doesn’t mean it blocks swords and spears without injury like an iron plate.
The cloth won’t tear, but it will still sink in if stabbed.
Since it’s stretched taut due to the pressure from the chest, it probably won’t penetrate too deeply if stabbed, but the fact that it can penetrate at all means it’s a failing grade as armor.
For a normal armor.
“Well… there’s a self-protective spell cast on this part, so it shouldn’t be a problem. The magic barrier you saw earlier.”
However, because the Eternal Maiden’s breastplate has a magic barrier spell cast on it, even though part of the chest is exposed, it’s not as defenseless as it looks.
No, rather, the chest area is the most sturdy. That area has the strength of the magic barrier maximized to protect the original rune engraving circuit.
“The protective spell that was immediately pierced by my sword?”
“…That’s because the sword you’re holding is Nibelung.”
Nibelung is a holy sword specialized in magic disruption and against undead. It would be strange if it couldn’t pierce through a protective barrier made of magic by a spirit.
“No, but still…”
“Besides, if the target area is obvious, it becomes easier to respond.”
As Friede kept staring at my cleavage with a very doubtful face, I added one more plausible excuse.
If by any chance the perception interference is lifted and a battle breaks out, they would prioritize targeting the obviously exposed area rather than the plate armor that looks solid. I would do the same.
So, assuming the first attack will come to the chest, if I counterattack accordingly, I might be able to decide the match in one blow against an enemy of the same level.
If they put all their strength into a thrust only to be blocked by the magic barrier with a thud, their neck would inevitably fly off from the following counterattack.
* * *
After hearing all my explanations, Friede nodded in agreement, saying she understood for now, with an expression that showed she wasn’t convinced at all.
She did burn with strange motivation, saying she would somehow find a rune engraving circuit and cover the exposed area.
Of course, it’s not like an item that doesn’t drop in the first place would suddenly appear, moved by her sincerity.
Two more Valkyrias subjugated additionally.
The only equipment that came out after killing them were fragments of the inverted triangular metal plate shattered into pieces.
“If we melt the edges and join them well together…”
“Do you think that would work?”
Just as a soul that has left won’t return even if you stitch up a dismembered person well.
The same was true for the rune engraving circuit. Unfortunately.