EP.295 A World Made of Gears - 2
Qigong and formulaic magic are techniques. The characteristic of techniques is universality. Though there may be differences in degree depending on the wielder, if you learn and practice the same thing, you can produce similar effects.
In contrast, Innate Demonic Arts are unique, just as the name suggests. Background of birth, environment of growth, knowledge learned, experiences endured. All of those combined with the obsession to spread one's own ideology upon the world—what blooms from that is the Innate Demonic Art.
Just as there are no identical people under heaven, Innate Demonic Arts are also different.
A representative example is the Signal Soldiers. Even the Signal Soldiers who grew up sharing the same experiences in the same space for years have different Innate Demonic Arts. It's only because they have the nature of 'resonance' that they can transmit thoughts to each other; the detailed effects are vastly different.
In a word, Innate Demonic Arts are unique.
"Is that so...! If you're the King of Humans, can you also use the Innate Demonic Art of humans as if it were your own...!"
How nice would that be.
I am the King of Humans. Techniques can be learned. Qigong, formulaic magic, alchemy, etc. I can master all kinds of techniques given to humans and accomplish them within the possible range.
However, Innate Demonic Arts are unique, so I cannot learn them.
I can only steal and use them.
Right now, I haven't manifested Maximilien's Innate Demonic Art; I've merely created a detour route and am stealing it.
It might seem similar, but this is a bigger difference than you'd think. Because the subject using the Innate Demonic Art is, ultimately, the opponent.
What if the opponent, wary of being stolen from, withdraws their Innate Demonic Art? Then I can't use it either. Because I can only steal an Innate Demonic Art that is "currently activated," if the opponent takes countermeasures, I become useless.
That's not all. There are types of Innate Demonic Arts that cause phenomena favorable to oneself. The magic amplification of Magic Master Prelevior is a representative example. At that time, even if I steal the Innate Demonic Art, Prelevior's magic power increases. I'd only be doing someone else a favor.
Stealing an Innate Demonic Art—though being discovered would put me in a difficult position, the conditions are heavily burdened with limitations. Even the initiative lies with the opponent. For a hidden ultimate move of the King of Humans, the performance is quite lacking.
But....
"I answered your goodwill with my own goodwill. How about it, now it's fair, right?"
"Of course! Of course! Haha, thank you...! Now there's no need to doubt!"
'Even if you weren't the King of Humans, using another person's Innate Demonic Art itself holds terrifying value! A being that distorts the premise of Innate Demonic Arts must be the King of Humans!'
Maximilien rejoiced, and I was satisfied. A warm atmosphere lingered for a while. However, Historia, who had suffered pain close to torture until just a moment ago, did not let down her guard.
"...Hui. I still don't know why the Director needs you. You should be careful."
"You're the one who should be careful. Last time you were tied up with rope, and this time you were trapped in gears. Why do you keep getting bound? Is being restrained your kink?"
Then Historia suddenly smacked the back of my head. I read her thoughts, but it was so fast and fierce that I couldn't dodge. It didn't hurt because of the medicine's effect, but the feeling of my head snapping to the side was strange.
Historia looked down at the hand that hit me and muttered.
"Even if you're the King of Humans, I can hit you."
"Did you hit the back of the King's head just to confirm that? You bastard. Someday I'll arrest you for lese-majeste."
"If I can hit you, then the Director could also harm you. Strange rumors follow the Director, so don't let your guard down even if they seem friendly right now."
"You're right. I just got hit on the back of the head by a friend I trusted."
Separate from wanting to hit me, I could feel her concern for me, so I let it slide. To dispel Historia's worries, I said.
"And I've been saying this since earlier, he's not my enemy."
"Of course! Why would anyone be hostile to the King of Humans. Quite the opposite! Among the Lords of All Creation, there are only those who need the King of Humans! The same goes for me! I merely wish to seek permission from the King of Humans, I have no intention to harm!"
"Well, I don't like that he tortured you, though."
"That's the Warden's fault. Wasn't that too presumptuous given the situation at the time! However, the situation has changed, so I'll answer the Warden's questions even now!"
He must have been anxious about being hated by me. Maximilien spilled his purpose without even being asked.
"I wish to gift all humans with a more convenient body. Using gears, that is!"
Using gears to gift a more convenient body? No matter how I think about it, only one thing comes to mind.
"Are you saying you want to remodel the human body?"
"Remodeling sounds strange. It's progress! With my discovery added, the human body will advance a step further!"
Since it was certain that I was the King of Humans, there was no need to hide anything anymore. They'd have to reveal it at some point anyway. Maximilien, having finished his judgment, told everything.
"The bones and muscles humans possess move very mechanically in fixed positions. Just like gears! If so, what if we replaced them with gears that perform the same function but are much sturdier and more powerful! Wouldn't the human body improve significantly!"
I heard it earlier too but ignored it because it sounded crazy, and even hearing it now, it still sounds crazy.
"From the looks of it, it seems you've already succeeded."
"I have the power to control gears. Therefore, the gears inserted into my body move very powerfully and organically. However, that is merely something that applies only to me. To gift this technique to all humans... I need the King of Humans who has regained his power."
I knew he was a crazy person from when I read his thoughts, but he was much crazier than I expected. He seriously believed that human modification was better from a utilitarian perspective.
Historia's face twisted. It was a face drained from confronting madness. Maximilien's argument was radical and extreme enough that I could fully understand her feelings.
So I enthusiastically agreed.
"Indeed. Humans are creatures that use tools. There's no need to limit those tools strictly to outside the body. If it's a tool working inside the body, it could produce tremendous efficiency."
"As expected! I knew you would understand!"
"Is it possible, though? People have different body structures."
"What do you think I did in the Military Nation! Over the past 20 years, I've repeated numerous trials and errors and obtained meaningful data. Unless it's a very special case, I can progress any human!"
Let's not ask who he practiced those trials and errors on for now.
In any case, Maximilien's argument has merit. His limbs are filled with gears instead of bones and muscles. By controlling gears with his Innate Demonic Art, Maximilien gained irrational movement and durability.
He's offering to give that to other humans out of goodwill.
"Listening to it, it sounds quite good. How did other people react?"
Maximilien grumbled as if he'd been waiting for this.
"That's the problem. Most refuse my proposal out of vague repulsion. Even disabled soldiers living with permanent disabilities! They'd clearly be better off, but finding those who readily accept is like catching stars in the sky! How foolish to reject progress out of baseless fear!"
He wants to gift it to all humans, but he lacks confidence to persuade humans. And it's difficult to use somewhat forceful methods because active cooperation is needed to adjust the body with gears.
"Oh dear. That's a shame."
"That's why I need the King of Humans! If you awaken as the true King of Humans, you'll be able to solve this!"
By empathizing with the other party, I drew out a favorable reaction. It was even easier because he originally had tremendous goodwill toward me. I conversed with Maximilien affectionately like old friends.
While the conversation was flowing smoothly, another old friend—this time a real one—grabbed my shoulder tightly.
"Hui. It looks like you shouldn't go..."
"Ah, come on!"
Why do you keep poking me from behind? Don't stand behind me. It triggers instinctive fear.
I irritably shook off my shoulder. Historia staggered. She hadn't expected me to react so violently.
"Ow..."
No, that too, but if Historia were in normal condition, she wouldn't have budged even if I kicked with all my might. The limbs that had just been tested to their elastic limits were still not normal. To the point where she was in pain from my mere flailing.
Bowing my head toward Historia, whose limbs were trembling, I said irritably.
"I keep telling you. He's not my enemy. Even if he were, so what? What can you do when you can't even control your own limbs?"
"..."
"How about you also 'progress' while you're at it?"
I tapped her shoulder and whispered in a teasing tone. Historia flinched at something that dug deep into her heart.
Unable to find the right words, Historia clenched her teeth and lowered her head. After scoffing once, I walked toward Maximilien.
"I'll accept it. Let's just shake hands and get out of here quickly. If we keep dragging this out, Shei will arrive."
"Now that you mention it, what is the identity of that boy? He was expressing blind hatred toward the Lords of All Creation, but I couldn't figure out any connection, which was troubling."
"Why would I know? We just met in prison."
I extended my hand and walked toward Maximilien. Maximilien also reached out his hand in return. Once the distance closed, he and I would shake hands.
Oh, right. After the handshake, I might not be able to get an answer, so I should ask one thing before that.
"Ah, Mr. Maximilien. There's one thing I'd like to ask."
"What is it?"
I asked casually while walking naturally. So that he wouldn't harbor any minor doubts.
"I heard from Shei—do you know what the King of Sin is?"
Maximilien answered without any particular suspicion.
"King of Sin? What kind of nonsense is that? Sin is an illusion created by humans, not a beast. How can a king exist for something that doesn't exist?"
"Right? I think so too."
I asked just in case.
From reading his mind with telepathy, there was no keyword 'King of Sin' in his memories. But Major Maximilien was at the level of a key executive even among the Lords of All Creation. Since he might recall new connections centered around a word he hadn't heard before, I probed.
Sigh, so there's no clue after all. It can't be helped. The regressor saw it in a previous loop and reported it, and even I didn't know of its existence until I read minds. Honestly, I'm still half-doubting it. But since the regressor said they saw it directly, I can't not believe it either.
Haah, how do I find out? Desperately stick by the regressor's side and dig up clues? That's dangerous too. For me to live long, I need to stay away from the regressor.
'King of Sin, what a strange term. It probably isn't nonsense. But why does the King of Humans ask me about that? If the King of Sin actually exists, wouldn't that only be the King of Humans? They should know themselves better than anyone.'
Did I expose too much fascinating information? Maximilien's thoughts became complicated. Let's just shake hands quickly before he thinks of something wrong. It was when I hurried my steps.
At that moment, Aji passed through Maximilien's field of vision. Aji, who had been hiding after causing a commotion, slowly appeared when it seemed the fight was over. The King of Dogs clearly entered Maximilien's sight.
'Dog. Wolf. Similar but different, the two beast kings. Therefore, only the King of Dogs can... find the King of Humans, [He] said.'
Click, a gear turns. The flow of thought changes. Having realized something, he instantly calmed his excited mind and looked at me with wariness.
'Why did he specifically ask for a handshake?'
Because I need to hold your hand.
'My body is filled with gears, and they move with my Innate Demonic Art.'
So you can't withdraw your Innate Demonic Art. Since your body moves with the Innate Demonic Art, without it, your body would stop.
'He can use my Innate Demonic Art.'
What if I make the Innate Demonic Art go out of control toward the gears in your body...? Your body could explode, you see.
'Danger...!'
Just before our hands met, the sound of gears twisting was heard.
Click, Maximilien's arm rotated 180 degrees. It wasn't just his extended hand, but his entire arm flipping and folding—a sight so bizarre that he looked like a machine wearing a human shell.
Wow, as expected. Maybe because he works with gear craftsmanship, his judgment is fast. The moment he judged, his arm also moved immediately. The Six Generals didn't earn their rank through card games.
Maximilien, the Military Nation Branch Chief of the Lords of All Creation.
I obtained a clue, but conversely, I ended up giving the other party a clue too.
With nothing to grab, I slightly waved my now empty hand and said.
"...Can I take this to mean you don't want to join me?"
Maximilien glared at me and answered stiffly.
"No. It's just..."
"Just what? A handshake is a historic symbol of friendship. It means you'll hold the other person's hand instead of holding a weapon. Is there a reason you refuse?"
"...I have my circumstances. Let's just talk."
"Circumstances? Have you suddenly come to distrust me? If not, that doesn't make sense."
Maximilien kept his mouth shut. He had a reason, but couldn't bring himself to say it.
Because he was afraid. Just like other ordinary people.
"You were anxious, weren't you? Afraid that I might harm you."
Slipping through that gap, my pointed remark pierced Maximilien's contradiction.
"You were anxious because I could destroy your body, so you shook it off with vague repulsion, right?"
Maximilien wanted all other humans to 'progress' like him. He wanted them to implant gears in their bodies and handle their flesh much more efficiently.
As the King of Humans, I cannot ignore human desires. Just as the King of Beasts represents the consensus of a species, I also respect the desires held by the person before me.
Only if there's no problem with those desires, that is.
"Progress? You're exactly the same, so how can you progress! Whether it's you or the people who refused you! You're all just beasts stuffed with fear!"
Whether it's the Six Generals of the Military Nation, a magician possessing an Innate Demonic Art, or an outstanding alchemist like Maximilien.
Before me, he is ultimately an ordinary person.
Maximilien's body trembled. The gears embedded in his body repeated fierce idle spinning. The overflowing power seemed ready to burst at any moment.
Before him, trembling with shame and anger, I revealed the truth.
"I, the King of Humans, will assure you! You are absolutely not special! With just a few gears put in your body, you as a person are a common ordinary person! A person as ordinary as you could never change the species called 'human'!"
Maximilien reached out his right hand and pulled back his cloak. A body that looked like it was wearing clothes made of gears was revealed.
The gears attached to his body spun fiercely. The metal heated up from friction. With overclocking accelerating his thoughts, a heat blast like a massive exhalation burst from his body.
"You think the Demon God is easy? Hahaha! Not a chance!"
My mockery was drowned out by the clanking mechanical sounds. When I turned my head, a steel beetle that had somehow approached was striking down at me with a giant saw blade.