CH 39

[Breakdown of Negotiation]

“Where have you been? The dinner’s ready.”

After parting ways with the homunculus girl, I made my way back to my room and happened to run into Zana who seemed to have come to call me for dinner.

“My bad. I just had to go to the bathroom.”

“Oh, really? Anyway, it’s good you’re in time. The others have gone ahead and are waiting, so let’s hurry up.”

“Yeah, okay,” nodding, I followed Zana to the royal dining room.

The girls were already there; Ophir even looked ready to devour the food on the table at any moment.

Speaking of which, I was treated as their attendant, so I was seated the farthest from King Zestgard.

“Alright, everyone is finally here. Now, let’s dig in.”

At King Zestgard’s words, everyone except Ophir quietly ate the food.

Should I say as expected of the dinner for the king?

On the table, there were many luxurious foods such as meat, fish, and fruits.

Yet, despite the fact that the homunculi were also present, there were no seat for them. They were standing by the pillar as if to monitor us.

So I asked King Zestgard, “Umm, why don’t you let them have dinner together with us?”

“Hmm, that is quite an interesting thing to say. If I’m not mistaken, you’re the saintesses’ attendant, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I’m called Exa.” I introduced myself.

King Zestgard nodded, “Umu,” and said, “so Exa. Do you give a seat to your weapon?”

“Eh?”

“They are just weapons in the shape of humans. In other words, they are ‘objects’. Hence, there is no need to treat them the same way as humans. Am I wrong?”

“B-but they also have a will, don’t they? Then—”

“—Hahahahahaha!” King Zestgard burst into laughter all of a sudden, and the hands of everyone, except Ophir, stopped moving.

King Zestgard laughed boldly and said to us who were stunned, “I’ve told you, didn’t I? That they are weapons. And weapons don’t have wills. Hence, they neither have fear of death nor will they be tormented by pangs of conscience. You can say that they are the ideal soldiers. —Except, they are not ‘humans’.”

“……”

Then how could that girl make such a delightful expression as she ate the sugar candy?

They didn’t have wills?

—Bullshit.

More like, they were kept from having wills.

“Hm, you seem to have something to say to me.”

“Well, that’s right. But you also have something to say to us, don’t you?”

“Indeed. I was planning to bring up this proposal after dinner, but now that it has come to this, it can’t be helped. Now, I won’t beat around the bush: —Cooperate with us, Saintesses.”

““““!””””

The girls calmly received King Zestgard’s proposal; they probably had expected it.

“By that, do you mean you want us to be subjects of your homunculus experiment?” Arca asked.

King Zestgard replied with a nod, “Correct. But of course, we won’t treat you roughly. You are all ‘saintesses’, after all. The people wouldn’t stay silent if something were to happen to you. As such, we just like you to provide us a little bit of your ‘blood’.”

“I see. So blood is the source of the homunculi, yes?” Magmell asked.

“Indeed. The homunculi are born by adding human blood to bodies created by a special manufacturing method. As you might’ve known, blood is like a mass that contain a person’s information. Hence, the resulting homunculi will grow to be like the person from whom the blood came. That includes having the same skill as them.”

King Zestgard took a glance at the homunculi of Zana who were standing expressionlessly.

Although they still looked like little girls now, they would probably grow up to be like Zana one day.

“So, what’re ya gonna use the homunculi that are made from our blood for? Yer not gonna use ‘em as your playthings, ain’t cha?” Ophir asked.

King Zestgard denied with contempt, “Rubbish. What is so fun about embracing inorganic dolls? Rather, you might even contract an unknown disease by doing so.”

“O-ohh, really… Then, well… umm…” Ophir became tiny at the denial which was firmer than she had expected; a rare sight.

She must be planning to make fun of him as a perverted old man had the result turned out positive.

Anyways, King Zestgard spoke again, “My goal is nothing but the prosperity of my homeland, Berqua. However, the large country of the south—‘Lastall’ is attempting to invade my country with the power of the ‘Giants’. We have no choice but to retaliate with an even greater power.”

“The power of the Giants…”

It’s my first time hearing it, but is it also a product of Magical Engineering?

I thought to myself, but I had to make something clear, “In other words, you want to use the homunculi of the saintesses who aren’t afraid of death as tools of conflict?”

“Correct. With the combination of the homunculi of the saintesses, each of whom is as strong as 10… no, 100 people, and Pseudo Holy Armaments, of which power is extremely close to the original, my Berqua shall fear none. Unlike humans who have lives, the homunculi can be replaced at anytime, after all.”

“I see. I got your point. Then, here’s an advice from—”

I paused, and then yelled with a voice filled with anger, “—Cut it out, old man! Those girls aren’t just ‘objects’! Besides, there’s no way I’ll hand over my beloved women for such a stupid reason!”

“Exa…” “Exa-sama…” “You…”

“…Good grief, the negotiation broke down, huh. In that case, I’ll have you cooperate by force.”

At that moment, the homunculus girls began to ready their bows all at once.