CH 203.1

Chapter 203.1. Small But Strong

Standing before me was a Frost Giant.

In the game, Frost Giants appeared as a late-game enemy.

It was during the final story, Capital Invasion. I remember that Surtt, one of Nidhogg’s executives, led a large army of Frost Giants and caused great chaos. After defeating them, the leader of Nidhogg took advantage of the chaos to infiltrate the academy and revive the Demon God, leading to the climax.

Why am I talking about the game?

Well, I don’t know the original storyline. Although it was featured in the anime, the game had a bigger impact, so my memories got overwritten in that direction.

After all, Frost Giant, the advanced Nidhogg soldiers, and even some Royal Guards were enemies.

There was no time limit, so I remember hunting them endlessly. The drops were quite rewarding.

Anyway, back to Frost Giant.

Frost Giant standing before me now is simplified compared to the game version.

It seems to use the body of a Hill Giant as its base. The body is thick, with metal skin and diamond-shaped crystals embedded in various places. Its face gets covered by a visor-like full helmet, an additional translucent ice armor placed on the skin.

In the game, it had missile pods on its shoulders, a large machine gun in one hand, and a slender and streamlined body. It looked like a mass-produced robot.

“That’s a Frost Giant! It’s a model I’ve never seen before, so don’t get too close. It freezes everything with its powerful cold air!”

Sena warns me with a determined expression. Indeed, it is extremely dangerous to approach a Frost Giant.

But I wonder how she knows about it? I can make a vague guess, but let’s leave that for later.

“Munin.”

I hear a crow’s cry echoes from somewhere, and the enemy’s analysis begins.

-Surtr piloted Prototype Frost Giant: Level 65, Weakness: Thunder, Immunity: Water-

-Frost Giant: Level 45, Weakness: Fire and Thunder, Immunity: Water-

-Frost Giant: Level 41, Weakness: Fire and Thunder, Immunity: Water-

A prototype. I’ve never encountered this enemy in the game, but it must be an experimental model.

Frost Giants are unique even among magic weapons. By using a monster as the base, they can suppress mana consumption and synchronize with the pilot’s mana, granting them combat capabilities equal to the pilot’s. It’s a revolutionary weapon that doesn’t require much money.

With its enormous size, incredible strength capable of crushing mountains, immense durability, and fearsome cold-based techniques, combined with the agility and speed of the pilot, it lacks the sluggishness typical of giants.

I could say it’s an ideal magical weapon.

The problem is where they got the giant from, but if Solomon is involved, it should be easy.

“Ahahaha! It’s me, Surtr-chan the Flame of Wisdom! How is it? How does it feel to taste despair?”

I heard a mischievous, innocent girl’s high-pitched voice coming from a Frost Giant.

“I think Prometheus would suit you as a nickname.”

Everyone readies their weapons with a stern expression, but I accidentally let slip what I had in mind since the game.

“What did you say, shrimp?”

Surtr, piloting the Frost Giant, leans the body and juts out its face, glaring at me.

It looks like I struck a nerve.

Surtr is one of the genius creators of magic tools. I remember she ended up with Nidhogg because she could conduct research on various magic weapons without worrying about the budget and engaging in research prohibited by international treaties involving using monsters as the base. As a result, she became an internationally wanted criminal. Although she didn’t use humans for experiments, she sold the magic weapons she created to terrorists to raise funds, which led to her getting classified as a wanted criminal.

Why do I know so much about this? In my past life memories, she was a beloved character, even though she took pranks too far.

I thought that side of her was interesting.

Well, it’s a shame she didn’t become a comrade.

In the game, when I defeat her Frost Giant, it escapes. In the original story, it briefly appears in the epilogue, just like Loki, so it’s an opponent who doesn’t die.

After all, Surtr has a unique magic called [Faraway Nearby], which allows her to remotely control magic weapons. Even though she’s not piloting the Frost Giant, she can synchronize her power with it as if she were. I believe it’s the same as in the game. She’s the type who won’t do anything dangerous.

But people don’t know about her unique magic, and by having her Frost Giant defeated, it appears as if Surtr has died, allowing her to escape the wanted status.

“Say that again, you bastard!”

With an intimidating presence, a hologram appears in front of Mii-chan. The hologram shows a rough-looking and unhealthy woman of mature age with messy long hair and dark circles under her eyes.

Yes, the wanted Surtr is none other than the beautiful woman. She always disguises herself and occasionally appears to others as a beautiful woman, so no one suspects she’s a young girl.

Even in the original story, she subtly appears from the beginning but doesn’t reveal her true form to anyone.

If you wonder why I know about her. Well, she reveals her true form when she’s alone. From the reader’s perspective, I can witness those scenes.

In reality, she’s a young girl and the same age as Shin in the original story, but she wasn’t in the role of the heroine.

Salvaging memories, she had a genius talent for making magic tools from a young age, and her parents used her to make money. Her parents were the ones selling magic tools to terrorists. I remember it being a tragic story.

Well, it’s a strange story that a scientist who creates weapons becomes a criminal, even when looking back at history.

However, if she stands in my way after defeating Count Outomo, I have no other choice. I’ll have to defeat her.

“To think the Flame of Wisdom would be frozen! Is it some self-deprecating joke?”

“You’re so stupid! Stop making fun of me. Even if I’m frozen, I’m still the Flame of Wisdom!”

Surtr tilts her head and spits out some saliva while panicking. She must have thought she had a clever response. Give me a cushion, please.