When he opened his eyes, he saw a boy locked in a small cage. He was sleeping quietly, as if he was tired.
“The writing is finished. So here you go.”
“I understand. Give my regards to Billion when you get back, Omegis.”
“Yes”
The person who brought Yakou was a never-seen-before member of Billion’s entourage, who was always covered from head to foot with a cloak.
His eerie appearance was also familiar. Johan’s consciousness was no longer with him.
Johan had only heard of it through rumors. A forbidden legacy from a previous age, a biological weapon created from the seeds of the experimental subjects of the HC project.
He has instantaneous power, reflexes, and the physical abilities of a beast rather than a human being. The ability to recover is beyond the range of living beings.
He has the temperament of a wild animal. The only way to control him is to write down exactly what he desires using the antenna embedded in his head.
If it can be done, there is no doubt about its ability. A number of lives have already been lost at its hands without anyone knowing.
“I never thought it would be a kid like this.”
One’s power is not determined by appearances. All you need to do is fulfill your wishes.
Johan has only one wish. To defeat the city of iron and stone.
(We’ve already lost two cities. We can’t afford to let them down any further.)
Therefore, I wished to assassinate the Lord of that city.
If the top management collapses, the organization will be in chaos.
The writing was arranged by Billion. They’ve done it before. I’m sure he’ll do well.)
Johan knows what the power that people call magic is.
It’s science.
Science has no will.
(The magic that protects that city should be shut down once the head is gone.
After that, I will attack that city with the full power of the knights of my domain.)
He meditates and reminisces about that day.
“I’ll take care of it. I’m not like Lindia…”
“I certainly hope so……”
Billion’s eyes looked somewhat sad.
Because it reminded him of Lindia? Or is it because ……
He clenched his fists tightly as he looked over at Omegis, who bowed and turned around on his heels, saying that his business was done.
“What the hell are I worried about? I’ll deal with it right away. That’s fine.”
(We have a purpose to fulfill.
Just keep moving forward.
You are not allowed to stop.
This is not the time to be stumbling over this degree of harm.)
◇◆◇◆◇
“Slow!”
Johann is an android. He knows the previous era.
This is why I bite my teeth at this time when the only means of communication is through human feet.
It’s been about two months since we sent Yakou away.
January passed, and the word “failed” crossed my mind.
(That’s not possible……)
We knew from our preliminary survey that the residents would leave the city of iron and stone.
There are many ways to do this, such as taking a hostage or using your natural agility to break through the gate.
Billion said that he made sure not to teach him language in case he was caught, but he is not lacking in intelligence and his skills have been taught.
And yet……
I sent a few knights to the city of iron and stone to investigate the facts.
It would take about a month for him to come back. I knew that, but that didn’t stop me from feeling frustrated.
I cluck my tongue and pour the liquor down my throat. The outer skin burns slightly.
What usually seems like a pleasant experience, now makes me irritable. I resent the fact that my body can’t get drunk to the brain.
If we are to bring down the city of iron and stone, it is imperative that we neutralize the defense mechanisms.
The only way is for the AI that controls the defense mechanisms to follow. We have no choice but to eliminate the head of that city.
If even Yakou fails, what can we do after this?
What kind of vengeance will I suffer if Yakou is apprehended and it is discovered that it was I who did it?
“Damn it! !”
I kicked the table in a fit of emotion, and the bottle of wine fell, making a dry sound.
I couldn’t care less about the shards of glass and the red liquid spreading on the floor.
The head of state, Johann the Seven Saints.
The glory days are unthinkable for the former Kamase Kizuna, who was once looked down upon, abused, and hated the world when he was a human.
I was finally accepted. Everyone worshipped me. I’ve found my place in the world.
I can’t lose it.
“I’ll have to think of another way. Should I contact Billion again?”
Although I told him to leave it to me, my job is to take control of the city of iron and stone after the assassination.
If Yakou had failed in his assassination attempt, Billion would have spared no effort to help.
I had to make the next move before retaliation came. While I was lost in my own thoughts, I heard a knock at the door.
“Who are you! ?”
“May I have your attention?”
“That voice, Omegis!”
That was a good thing, because I was just about to call Billion. I quickly opened the door to my room.
“If you’ll excuse me.”
“I don’t care. Come on in.”
“Hmm? Are you alone?”
“Yeah, I needed to do some thinking. Perfect timing, though. Have you contacted Billio—! ?”
“That’s convenient.”
“……Damn……You……”
Immediately after my back was turned, Omegis pushed a dagger up from the back of my head.
He covered my mouth so I couldn’t speak, but I still resisted a little, and my hand shook Omegis’ cloak.
When I saw a glimpse of it, I realized.
(Billion…… Why)
That was the end of Johan.
◇◆◇◆◇
“Hello, Omegis. Sorry to hear about your troubles.”
Billion, the Lord who welcomes Omegis back to the Holy City. He has his usual expression with a somewhat frivolous smile on his face, but he has a tone of voice that understands what happened.
“So, what’s the reason we’re here?”
“You’re impatient, Wicia. Billion has called you here for a reason. I don’t mind staying here for a while longer.”
“The more time I can spend with Billion, the better. If I’m going to stay here anyway, I want to finish my requirements as soon as possible and enjoy myself without worrying about anything else!”
“Luna, Wicia. One of us has passed on. Wouldn’t it be nice to mourn a little?”
“Eh~ I don’t mind. I hate her.”
“I don’t think I’m interested either, to be honest. The only person I’m interested in is Billion, you know? No, of course I’m hoping for more than that.”
“Oh, that’s not fair. I’m in……”
As he listened to the two female androids making a racket, he shook his head. But he could not remain silent.
Once Billion spoke up, the two people called Wicia and Luna became quiet as if they were faking it.
“Of course, you two are the only two people I can trust. Johan was wrong in the first place. Lindia didn’t make any mistakes. She’s done her job.”
“Oh, so she’s alive after all?”
“Wicia!”
She opened her mouth immediately, though. Billion, as usual, did not mind and continued to talk.
“I’m glad you guys seem to understand.”
“Of course.”
“It’s natural.”
“It’s sad in comparison. Johan was more human than any of us. He misunderstood our purpose and tried to bring that city down. But that’s not it. We need that city. And he who rules that city.”
“Have you seen him?”
“Yeah, it was more than I expected. He’s the perfect enemy and the perfect ally.”
“Muu……”
“This is not the place to be jealous, okay? Wicia.”
“That’s right. We’re going to have to harass him a lot. And he’s got to take the blame for Johann’s murder.”
“That’s good. He lived a good life alone.”
“I agree. We need to get him out in the open as soon as possible.”
“……So, What are your requirements for us?”
“From now on, people in the Holy Land will call him the Demon King. I want you to spread the word among the people. The king of sorcery who has laid hands on two saints. The City of Iron and Stone is far from here. Let the people call it the Demon Kingdom.”
“Okay, but…… what do you mean?”
“The Holy Land has enemies. There is a war to make people progress. An absolute evil that everyone seems to take for granted to fight.”
“That’s why it has that kitchen-smelling name. Well, it’s certainly better to have a name that says “enemy”.
“He doesn’t seem to be very interested in his surroundings. We need to make him aware that he’s being viewed as the enemy.”
“I like the way you call it, That’s all we got?”
“No, we don’t need to expand our cities; we need to secure more knights and improve the efficiency of our industries. A sense of crisis is the only thing that can agitate people. And while we’re at it, let’s use the Demon King’s name. No one should be satisfied with the status quo.”
“That’s good, but if you do that, the people’s anger will be directed at the Demon King. Can we control the situation?”
“I’d say, by all means, keep it under control, but I’ll take care of it myself.”
“Like what?”
“Heh. Since ancient times, it has been the heroes who defeat the Demon King.”
“That’s…”
“Well, all you need is a distraction. It doesn’t have to be a hero, though. But since we’re going to call him the Demon King, let’s create a support organization. There’s no need for us to be the window for the people’s anger.”
“Fu~n. Well, okay.”
“So we’re going to plant a backdoor in the meantime. Maybe I’m going to let the Demon King do that too.”
“No. We’ll sow the seeds ourselves. Of course, I’ll leave the harvesting to you, though.”
“Alright.”
“I understand.”
“Thank you. That’s the only requirement for today. And Yakuo….Omegis, Thank you.”
“Yes.”
“You can take that cloak off in front of us if you want. It’s hot, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“But having several names is kind of complicated. I feel like I might be mistaken about who you are now. I congratulate you for having given up one name. I don’t know if I’m supposed to say this. You can step back, Omegis.”
“Yes.”
Following Bilion’s words, Omegis took off his cloak and left the room with his head bowed. A horn-like antenna was attached to his head.
“What would you think if you didn’t have MINDWEDGE? Like a child clone of itself, right?”
“What do I think? I don’t know.”
“Hey, by the way, why did Billion decide to call him Demon King?”