Book 19: Chapter 3 (1)

Now then, shall we?

Having rested well and in tip-top condition, s.h.i.+n and his party set off.

With Owl serving as their guide. The other dolls were tasked with keeping the monsters away in case a fight broke out.

The Choraltus were nowhere to be seen, perhaps antic.i.p.ating what was about to happen.

Its just beyond those mountains.

s.h.i.+n peered at the mountain Owl indicated.

The destination seemed to be a place about four hours away from Miraltrea.

He had thought it would be some distance away from the mountain where Maganna was, but it turned out to be much closer than he had expected. It was as if the two mountains, Iira and Venna were looking down on them.

Its here, alright.

A marker appeared on the map, perhaps because it was quite close.

In a color indicating a neutral party.

Normally, the default color for guild members support characters would be blue to indicate an ally, but as it would appear, it didnt seem to apply to dolls that had awakened in the current world.

Lets grab a quick bite while we can.

It was just past noon. They had a light meal in case things go south.

As soon as they got back on their way and crossed the mountain, s.h.i.+n activated Far Sight.

Looks like it hasnt fully recovered yet.

He saw the target within a crack that looked like giant claw marks.

Dressed like a knight in full-body armor and a full-face helmet, was Reeds masterpiece, the EX series number 08.

Its entire body was a little over 4-mel. Although it would pale in comparison in size to most divine beasts, its entire body was made almost entirely of rare metals, so it wouldnt falter even if it charged at them head-on.

Its weapon of choice would be its fists.

They considered arming it with a sword or a spear, but those would have been too large and difficult to maintain. The amount of materials for repairs would also be enormous, since they would need to be acquired separately from the ones for the dolls.

After much discussion, they decided to go with a Get em before they get you setting, and reinforced both of its arms abundantly. Weapons could easily come off, but the chance of that happening with just its arms would be near impossible.

As such, 08s arms, especially the fists, were about three times the size of a typical gauntlet gear.

Its st.u.r.diness and durability were outstanding compared to the other EX series. If it had been the fist that had been hit by Magannas attack, it would have recovered by now.

s.h.i.+n could see across the distance that 08 was still on its knees.

He could also make out the wound it had sustained from Maganna. The wound had not yet closed and was only about 70% fixed.

It wont do to sneak around, so well go in directly.

He wasnt hiding his presence to begin with. And even dared to circle around to the front, facing 08 so that it could see them approaching at a glance.

The cracks in its helmet lit up. Signaling that it had switched from standby mode to battle mode.

08 slowly rose up from its initial position reminiscent of a knight kneeling before the king. Even without eyes, s.h.i.+n could tell that it was watching them.

It looks very intimidating.

Tiera said in a nervous tone.

Even though 08 might sometimes appear small before divine beasts, its huge body could only be gazed upon from below in the presence of humans. Not to mention possessing arms and legs double the size of a typical knight armor design.

The sense of intimidation of being looked down upon was no less than that of a divine beast.

Its quite huge alright, but its magic power is nothing to scoff at as well. I wonder if it has anything to do with it recovering in a place with dense magic power.

Maybe. Since Chimeradite has high mana affinity.

Sety and the rest, who were accustomed to fighting divine beasts, were calmly a.n.a.lyzing it.

Its high mana affinity was also related to its recovery speed when on standby. As places with high concentrations of magic power were p.r.o.ne to increase its speed of recovery.

Ive never seen it like this before, though.

s.h.i.+n, who examined 08 using his Magic Vision, which allowed him to see the flow of magic power, was alarmed by the magic power that seemed to be emanating from its entire body.

Weapons clad in magic power werent anything new. Owl and his crew were also more or less clothed in magic power. This was especially true for the EX series, which were made of rare metals.

Although a fixed amount was normally maintained on the surface of the body in a pa.s.sive state.

It would change as they channeled magic power, but with some exceptions, it would enshroud their bodies like armor.

However, that of 08 was distinctly different from what s.h.i.+n had seen. The magic power flickering like flames was closer to one emitted by a person, not an armament.

As s.h.i.+n also noticed using Magic Vision in this world, the magic power of a person was unstable and would flicker in response to their will, even though it covered their body like armor.

The magic power that would be seen enveloping a tool was quite different from one that would be observed on a person. However, the magic power currently on 08 was similar to one of a person, or an exception in armaments, a cursed armament.

While s.h.i.+n and the others approached, 08 did not move even slightly from its upright position. It was staring at s.h.i.+n and the others.

Im s.h.i.+n. Remember me?

s.h.i.+n asked, standing in front of 08.

Although they didnt carry out a start-up test, they actually activated it for a short time once, while still in development to confirm its character settings.

Since s.h.i.+n was deeply involved, he was also present.

The question was meant to set a baseline that could help with the negotiation if it remembered.

I do. A friend and collaborator of my lord. One who stands alongside my lord.

Fluent words sounded from where a person would have a mouth.

Mouthless doll types had built-in devices that function like a speaker, from which their voices were emitted. Since 08 was humanoid, its was built into the mouth position.

So, you do remember me. How about Berett?

Im Master Reeds Support Character No. 1. Berett. Its my first time speaking to you like this.

Berett was also present at the start-up along with s.h.i.+n.

Berett Kilmar. My lords first and only human retainer.

Yeah. Master Reed didnt create any other retainer than me, because he thought that with dolls, there would be no need for more support characters.

Listening to the conversation between 08 and Berett, s.h.i.+n thought the story sounded familiar.

Even dolls could be used as storekeepers, and when there were still few doll masters and exorcists, the store was once famous for one where non-humans were storekeepers.

Do you know why we are here?

Berett cut to the chase. They were still in the negotiation stage, but the atmosphere was that of a battlefield.

I presume its to return to Miraltrea and go into suspension mode.

I would like you to return, but going into suspension isnt really necessary in my opinion. We may be in different positions, but we both serve the same master. I believe we can work together.

Hearing Beretts words, 08s magic power wavered a little.

Why not think about it. Im sure that If Master Reed saw you now, he would also stop you.

Its magic power wavered strongly and clearly this time.

The phenomenon seemed to express 08s state of mind.

s.h.i.+n was able to move because he could see it.

08 raised its fist. And slammed it into the ground in front of it.

The earth cracked and shattered. The fallout reached s.h.i.+n and Berett.

Thick ice as hard as bedrock and the frozen and hardened earth rose up, and debris of mixed sizes came flying at them. s.h.i.+n kept his Scorching Blade in its sheath and repelled the flying debris.

If he saw me?

A voice echoed from within the swirling torrent of earth and ice that appeared as if they had just exploded.

It was nothing like the monotonous, machine-like voice until now. But more raw, and filled with emotion.

What do you reckon hell say exactly?

Its magic power was swaying vigorously. 08 looked at Berett as it pulled back the fist that it had struck down.

To the creation that he abandoned and never used or even activated since it was completed!

An outburst of emotion that belied the lack of inflection up to this point. The magic power, which had been slowly wavering, transformed drastically and was now raging like a flame.

Please listen to me! Master Reed didnt abandon you!

Then why wont he use me! Why wont he show himself to me? Because hes given up on me and deemed me unworthy of use!

The cries echoed through the mountains. They were filled with such raw emotions that it was hard to believe they were from a doll. The content, however, was sad.

I remember vividly. The voice of my lord that I heard when I first awoke. He spoke pa.s.sionately about my perfection, and I have never forgotten a single one of those words.

Suddenly, the tone of its voice dampened. As if to match it, the fury of its magic power lessened in intensity.

I am his masterpiece. I have the perfect gear. Excellent performance. I was made to be of use to

Him

.

It was a fact. Both s.h.i.+n and Reed had no doubt that 08, completed using the best of the technology available today, was the best.

However, that was only in theory, and its performance were going to become clear after actually fighting a divine beast.

Nevertheless, based on their experience up to number 07, they knew that it would almost certainly demonstrate strength in accordance with the specifications.

And this was proven by 08 itself.

s.h.i.+n also became convinced that they were indeed not mistaken after learning it had already defeated several divine beasts without any supplies.

However, 08s mumbling sounded more like he was reminding himself of the fact rather than stating the fact.

But my master never came back without so much as booting me up even once. Even after a long pa.s.sage of time enough to have recorded the rise and fall of a nation, I never caught even a glimspe of his shadow. So why did he say those words? Or devote that much time He did? What about those precious materials he invested in me? What exactly am I supposed to be, abandoned halfway?

It placed its palms on its head. Clearly looking like someone in agony.

The answer is obvious.

Holding his head, 08 stopped moving.

Its trash. Like a piece of sc.r.a.p iron left in the corner of a warehouse, no longer needed.

What are you talking about?

Otherwise, why would he leave me to collect dust for five hundred years? Nowhere to be seen.

Unused tools may as well be garbage. No point existing.

That was what being unused meant to 08.

Master Reed isnt the only one who hasnt been seen. Master Cook, Master Cain, Master Hecate, Master Cashmere. None of them have returned. So far, only Master s.h.i.+n has returned. And it hasnt even been a year. Until then, we were all suffering the same as you.

Why hasnt he come back? Schnee and the others wondered the same thing about s.h.i.+n, too.

He will come back someday. They all lived day after day believing that.

Master s.h.i.+n.

He mumbled and looked up ploddingly, as if it just noticed him.

Its not Reeds fault, but

Where is he?

08 asked, interrupting s.h.i.+n. No need to ask whom he was referring to, obviously.

In the real world, but you probably have no idea what I mean.

How do I get there?

The reply came without a moments pause.

If he wouldnt come, it might as well go to him. It figured.

No idea. Im in the process of figuring that out myself. Though this may sound harsh, you should probably give up any hope of going there.

He wasnt going to string it along on a false hope.

Whether or not hed succeed aside, the possibility of s.h.i.+n, whose physical body still remained in the physical world, making it back, couldnt be written off. Even former players would stand a fair chance.

But it wasnt the same with 08. Far from worrying about the condition of the vessel to return to, it didnt exist in the real world to begin with.

Even s.h.i.+n would like to let them see each other if it were possible. But it wasnt.

I defeated Divine Beasts.

Yeah.

Ive achieved the desired parameters. Ive also acquired real battle experience. I can now display performance well beyond your expectations.

Thats true.

Even that, is not enough?

Desperate appeal apparent in its voice. Still, s.h.i.+n shook his head.

Maybe there was a way to make 08s wish come true.

But that only meant that the probability wasnt entirely nil, theoretically. Though not entirely nil because it had yet to be determined, may as well be at this point.

It wouldnt be half as cruel as giving it a reason to cling onto a pipe dream.

Seeing s.h.i.+ns response, 08 stopped moving as if in a daze. It hung its head and its hands were placed helplessly on the ground.

No one could say a thing.

Listen, Reed actually

Light up my hands.

How long it went on was anyones guess.

And just as s.h.i.+n was about to tell it the name it was going to be given, at least for closure if nothing else, 08 suddenly spoke up.

The glow behind its helmet turned red. In addition, its hands, which were on the ground, lit up.

Seeing this, s.h.i.+n immediately activated his skill and deployed a barrier.

With both of 08s hands held up wide. Radiating in gold, with some pretty menacing magic power coming off of them.

OooOOOOOOORRGGGHHh!!

It slammed both hands into the ground as it roared.

The ground exploded with a force incomparable to the previous blow.

Cracks running in all directions shattered the ground for more than 100-mels, and the impact of the blast blew away even the rocks that were all over the place, causing the ground to rise in some areas.

This aint good.