Chapter 212: As the creator intended
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Translator: Denryuu; Editor: Ryunakama
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They walked through the streets that had been long since reduced to rubble. Though the Human-Demon war had reached its conclusion months ago, there was still a stench that permeated through what remained of the kingdom.
「Thoughts?」, asked the man.
A female demon was walking alongside him.
「None」, she replied with indifference.
「So this is the Kingdom… or I should say, the old Kingdom of Jorvenssen.」
She had been in a bad mood for a long time now, or, at the very least, since they set foot into Ajahidalia, the royal capital of the old Kingdom of Jorvenssen. It had been invaded by the Demon King’s Army during the war, which converted the castle into their stronghold after mercilessly laying waste to the streets.
They were the same streets in which the man had resided before the society around him collapsed.
「I take it that this kingdom is now free real estate?」
The lady sighed exasperatedly.
「Your name is Van, you said?」
「Mhm.」
「What exactly are you planning to do?」
Van gazed at the Demon King’s Castle — a castle situated atop a small hill.
「Diakitep… you were their ruler because you were strong enough, correct? I, too, am strong enough and I know it. I’d like to have a taste of that power. That’s all.」
「And that’s why tried to create fake copies of Roland and myself?」
「I was testing my abilities. To determine the relationships between species, and if there are any limits. Isn’t it natural to wish to know how strong oneself is?」
A skill appraiser had told him that his skill was ‘Smithery’. He had been taken aback, but comforted himself with the fact that he would never be out of a job. A blacksmith with little upwards potential, he had been expelled from his homeland by the invasion and forced to seek refuge in the Heavenly Kingdom of Reubens.
And then, the fighting had started.
Van was not self-employed, but rather part of a smithery guild that produced weapons in bulk. His skill allowed him to forge weapons faster than the others. Yet, he was not satisfied. Every day was uneventful for him, and there was a period of time during which he had considered taking up a life of adventuring. He wanted to test the special sword that he had designed in secret by switching careers upon its completion.
He believed.
And soon enough, the composer completed his magnum opus — not with notes, but with forgefire. He hid away the sword that he had forged during his time at work. But from that day onward, he also began questioning the nature of his skill — he knew that ‘Smithery’ was a misnomer, and that he had the ability to create much more than just weapons. To put it simply, if he had the materials, then he could forge anything out of them, be they organic, inorganic, or otherwise.
Van set his mind on the legendary ‘Killer Phantom’ — the assassin that had defeated the Demon King. If this assassin was still alive, then he would be his first ‘creation’. He learnt from the underground network that the assassin was indeed still alive, and though having lost an arm, resided in a city somewhere. He was also told that the severed arm had been preserved for a reason unbeknownst to anyone he had spoken to.
Everyone who had supplied him information agreed on one thing, and that was not to wake the sleeping dragon. It was not a problem for Van, however, who was able to pilfer the severed arm with ease. The assassin probably never expected it to be stolen, he thought.
And that was how the other ‘Roland’ came to be. The rest of his body had sprouted from the preserved appendage, complete with the memories of the original.
『Assassination? I don’t do that anymore. But if Master wills it, then I guess I have no choice.』
Van had been expecting him to turn down his request. But when the doppelganger was willing to do his every bidding, he realised that they had somehow established a master-and-disciple relationship with each other.
『King Reubens is an evil despot hated by all. Listen, Roland. I want you to show me your strength.
『Elvi’s probably in charge of his protection, but that won’t be a problem at all.』
『Like, the Elvi? From the Heroes’ Party?』
『Yeah.』
Roland had left shortly after nightfall, returning in the dead of night. He told Van that he had completed his assignment as casually as if he had simply taken a stroll around the neighbourhood. The public was informed that the king had passed due to an untimely illness, but Van knew from the suspicious circumstances of his death that it had been Roland’s handiwork.
This Roland listens to me, he thought. I have no use for the original, then.
『To kill myself? Wow, Master. You’re really giving me some novel experiences.』
He gave his creation the freedom to decide how he would carry it out, but was confident of the outcome. After all, the original had one arm less.
「At least, that’s what I thought」, he finished. 「But I guess he failed. He never came back.」
「Of course. They say he was executed in secret for the murder.」
「Ah. That’s a pity, it really is. He wasn’t a match for the one-armed original?」
「You created a good fake of me, but she still can’t hold a candle to him. She can’t even beat me」, replied Diakitep gleefully.
The duo gradually climbed the hill, stopping at the gate that was covered in several layers of ivy. They could see what remained of the streets below them. There was a flash of movement, which they confirmed to be just that of a stray dog.
「Can I consult you if necessary?」
「You may not have royal blood running through your veins, but seeing that you’re trying to establish a new kingdom out of this wilderness, I’ll assist you in doing so. Even if only a little.」
Though she had felt conflicted at first, the fact that Van had been born and raised in this kingdom swayed her decision — she would help him.
「Here’s to a fruitful partnership」, said Van, extending his hand.
His handshake was not returned.
He had realised that the lady next to him was a righteous individual who felt tremendously guilty for having destroyed the lives of so many. Elvi, too, had been like that.
Regardless of how they’re actually like, he thought, my copies will listen to me. I’ve also finished my magic sword. This Diakitep person… I’ll no longer need the original soon enough.
「I’ll refer to my skill as ‘Arsenal’ from now on.」
「Do as you like.」
The lady sounded as disinterested as ever.
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