51 - 39 Negotiations broke down

Where have you been?　Dinner is about to start."

I left the homunculus girl and came back to my room to find Xana, who had just come to call me.

I was sorry, I'm sorry. I just had to go to the bathroom.

I'm glad you made it anyway," she said. I'm glad I made it anyway. The others have gone ahead and are waiting for us, so let's hurry up.

"Yeah, okay."

I nodded and Xana led me to the royal dining room.

The girls were already there, and Ophir looked like he was about to start cooking.

I was treated as a chaperone, so I was seated in the order most distant from the King of Zestgard.

It looks like we are all here at last. Let's start eating.

At King Zestgard's words, everyone except Ophir quietly put the food in their mouths.

It is indeed a king's dinner.

On the dining table, there was a wide array of meat, fish, fruit, and other sumptuous dishes.

But of course, there was no place for the homunculus, and they were standing by a pillar as if watching us.

So I asked King Zestgarde.

"Well, shouldn't they be eating with us?"

"Well, that's an interesting question. As I recall, you are the attendants of the saints, aren't you?

Yes, my name is Iguza.

When I said my name, King Zestgard nodded and said, "Yes, my name is Iguza.

Then, Iguza, do you give your seat to arms?

What?

They are nothing more than weapons in human form. They are just weapons in the shape of human beings, so to speak. If that is the case, they should not be treated like people. Am I right?

But they have a will, don't they?　Then..."

And.

"-- hahahahahahaha!"

Suddenly King Zestgarde burst out laughing, and all hands except Ophir's stopped.

We were stunned, but King Zestgard smiled wryly and said, "So I told you, didn't I?

I told you so, didn't I?　They are weapons. Weapons have no will. Therefore, they do not fear death, nor are they tormented by remorse. They are the ideal soldiers. --But they are definitely not people.

......

Then why did he look so delicious?

No will?

--No.

No, it just doesn't exist.

"Hmm, you have something to say to me, don't you?"

Well, yes. But don't you have something to say to us, too?

"Oh, yes, I do. I was going to bring it up here anyway. The order is a little bit out of order, but that's understandable. Let me be frank with you, then. --Cooperate with us, saints.

「「「「!」」」」

The girls seemed to be calmly accepting King Zestgard's words, as they had probably expected that to be the case.

'Does that mean you want us to become experimental subjects of homunculus or something like that?

Yes," he said, "but of course we must not be too rough. But of course, we will not do anything rough. You are a "saint," after all. The people will not remain silent. Therefore, I would like to ask you to donate a little of your blood.

I see. That will be the source of the homunculus?

That's right. A homunculus is created by giving human blood to an elemental body created by a special process. Naturally, the blood is like a mass of information, including skills, and eventually grows into an existence equal to the original.

King Zestgard glanced at Xana's homunculus, who were standing there with blank expressions on their faces.

They were still in the form of little girls, but they would eventually grow up to be just like Xana.

So, what the hell are you going to do with our homunculus?　You're not using them for comfort, are you?"

What a nonsense. What's the fun in holding an inorganic doll?　You'd rather catch some unknown pathogen.

Oh, oh, well, ....... Then it's all right. ......

Anyway, the King of Zestgard reiterated.

Our goal is nothing less than the prosperity of our homeland, Berkoua. However, the great southern power of Rastor is trying to invade our country with the power of the Titans. If that is the case, we have no choice but to counter with a force superior to theirs."

The Power of the Giants......

I had never heard of this before, but I wondered if it was the result of some kind of magical engineering.

I was alone in my thoughts, but I was able to make this one thing clear.

So you want to use the homunculus of deathless saints as an instrument of warfare, is that it?

Yes, that's right. If we combine the homunculus of the saints, which can be said to have the power of ten ...... or even a hundred people alone, with a sacrament that is as close to the original as possible, there is nothing for our Bergua to fear any longer. Unlike a mortal man, a homunculus can be replaced by any number of people.

I see. I understand what you are saying. Then I have a few words to say to you as well.

I broke off there and raised my voice with all the indignation I could muster.

Enough, old man!　Those girls are not just 'things'!　And I'm not going to hand over my precious girls to you for that nonsense!

Iguza......, Iguza-sama......, you......

I'm sure the negotiations have broken down. Then I'll have you cooperate with me by any means necessary."

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

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