It was an overly confident response, but Hekto laughed it off generously.
"Hahaha! How refreshing! Of course, this city isn't without its traps, but I won't use them on you! Come, let's go! I'll lead the way!"
Things seemed to be going better than expected. Even when the regressor stubbornly pushes forward, conversation flows smoothly with a normal person like him. Or maybe because he's someone at that level, he adjusted to match the regressor.
'He was fierce but not hostile. I should remember this.'
The regressor, who had prepared for battle just in case, put away Cheon-ang. Watching Hekto walk with a limp on his piston leg, he fell into thought.
'Explosive Heat Lord, Residual Rust Lord, and Suppression Lord. No matter how fast the generational change in the Furnace Nation is, I've never heard of these Lords' names. The only one I know is Claudia's Thunder Lord.'
Hekto's appearance was extremely distinctive. Walking with a piston for a leg, the sound of escaping air and creaking echoed rhythmically. Both visually and audibly, once seen, it's hard to forget.
It wasn't limited to just Hekto either. Explosive Heat Lord Lowket was the same. Since they could decompose steel, Peru, who couldn't ride a horse unless in a Juggernaut, was relatively normal by comparison.
However, the regressor couldn't recognize any of them. I can't read memories from past iterations so I don't know, but it's probably because he had never seen them in previous iterations.
'Did they all die because of the war? Or... before the war?'
It was still midday. Tir disliked sunlight, and Azi only babbled nonsense when hearing complex stories. It's not because I'm a beast—the fact is just that. There was no reason to stay in the city when we had good Juggernauts, so we decided to just go for a short walk with Hilde and the regressor.
Actually, with two practical people present, there was no need for me to go, but reading thoughts is nice, isn't it?
A few subordinates rushed over, but when Hekto gave a brief command, they scattered in an instant. They were quite disciplined. Less so than the Military Nation, but everything is relative. Being able to command hyenas itself demonstrated his leadership.
Walking along the main road, Hekto led us to the center of the square. In the white stone-paved square, several backless benches were placed around the statue in the center. Hekto sat down as if exhausted and adjusted the length of his piston.
The regressor looked around and spoke.
"This doesn't look like a good place to share political opinions either."
"Of course, this won't be the end. Just wait and see."
Hekto raised his finger and pointed at the statue.
It was a statue of a middle-aged man with a stern face. The depiction was highly realistic, but the round steel cover for food worn on his head instead of a hat robbed it of realism. Seeing that it was made of a different material alone, it seemed like something placed there after the statue was created.
Hekto activated his Intrinsic Magic Way toward that cover.
To create steel, a process of hammering and flattening is necessary. Even after alchemy was born, the process of hammering iron to shape it has commonly appeared.
The Suppression Lord's Intrinsic Magic Way manifested with the image of hammering steel.
The Suppression Lord's Intrinsic Magic Way applies pressure to steel. Shape or appearance doesn't matter. If it's steel, he can unconditionally apply pressure. If the direction of pressure is twisted, it would be difficult to move, but if made into a piston form, the enormous force derived from the Intrinsic Magic Way can be controlled in one direction.
Therefore, his piston operates regardless of heat or wind. Lifting the Juggernaut was also thanks to that.
Hekto applied that ability to the steel cover. From inside to outside.
The cover gradually grew. The alchemical steel with excellent ductility and malleability swelled like a balloon under Hekto's ability. Normally, when it grows to a certain extent, even metal would tear, but the opponent was a Lord of the Furnace Nation where alchemy and Intrinsic Magic Way were unified. The exquisitely adjusted alchemical steel grew in size without being able to tear or break.
At some point, the cover touched the ground. It was because it had grown larger than the statue. Still not satisfied, the even larger steel cover enveloped the entire square.
Alchemy can also transform matter, but creating precise forms is difficult. In particular, spreading steel thinly and evenly depends more on the caster's sense than alchemy. However, the Suppression Lord, who can perform rolling processes with his Intrinsic Magic Way, can create iron plates thinner than paper with his bare hands.
The regressor observed his ability and thought.
'It's precise. If he can inflate it, he can compress it too. Is he thinking of warning us that he'll attack if things go wrong...?'
"Hahaha! How is it! Isn't this a bit more secretive now?"
No, it just seems like he wanted to show off.
Chuckling while adjusting his leg length, Hekto wiped the smile from his face and got down to business.
"Now. First. Let me say this. I don't particularly want war either."
The regressor nodded with satisfaction, but not for the same reason the regressor was thinking.
"I harvest and sell the Furnace Nation's food. If many die in war, it's the same as my potential customers decreasing, isn't it."
"Was that the reason?"
Cold-hearted profit calculation. This is the Furnace Nation. Even if different, the roots don't change.
"I intend to help you. As you'd know if you know Residual Rust, the Golden Mirror is not far from here. I know His exact location."
"Then guide us right away, why did you call us here?"
"One, it's impossible right now. I want you to wait for a day."
There was still time. However, there was nothing good about dragging it out, so the regressor reluctantly asked back.
"Why?"
"I don't particularly have to tell you the circumstances, but as a reward for you speaking honestly, I'll answer. He is currently cultivating a field not far from here."
"A field? If it's a field, there's one right here."
"More. This isn't enough either."
The cornfield we had just seen was of incredible scale. But to make even more than this. Did they intend to feed the entire Furnace Nation and still have leftovers?
The regressor's thoughts were similar to mine.
"Homunculus fields aren't that important anyway, are they? What's important to you is Claudia's real food, isn't it? If it's this corn, it should already be sufficient, so why?"
...The expression was a bit too sharp.
When the Furnace Nation's secret of Homunculus came out, Hekto's body heaved. He was appalled and glared at Peru.
"Residual Rust! Did you tell them!"
"...I knew."
"What? You already knew?"
"...I wouldn't have told them..."
'That's true. Even the Residual Rust Lord wouldn't reveal it to outsiders without any reason, especially to a figure of the Military Nation. The Military Nation's information network... shouldn't be ignored.'
Calming his excitement, Hekto let out a deep sigh and spoke.
"Still, this food isn't meaningless. It's better to eat something than to starve to death. Originally, humans also process that food in their bodies to some extent, so eating Homunculus food doesn't immediately resonate with Him. There's a grace period of a few weeks. If fermented and made into alcohol, or made into feed to fatten livestock before eating them, the end comes dozens of times slower."
Hekto continued speaking, tapping the ground with his cane.
"That's the role of my Drum Trading Company. Processing Homunculus food. The more I work, the more food is released to the Furnace Nation. Food that's fine to eat! Doing that is my job, my mission, and my pride!"
Speaking overflowing with a sense of mission, he added a small remark.
"Of course, I take a slight financial profit in the process, but that can't be helped."
"In the end, isn't it because of money?"
"Money is money, but it's also for the Furnace Nation. Even with Homunculus food, there are few days when it bears fruit. If we miss this peak, the Furnace Nation's food will become insufficient. That's why I asked for just a one-day grace period. If you say you'll go to the Golden Mirror without my help, I won't stop you. But, if you wait just one day, I'll guide you to Him myself."
It was an understandable circumstance, and a not bad proposal. The regressor fell into thought.
'I need time to find the Golden Mirror anyway. Let's accept the proposal in case we can't find it. If things go wrong, I can just ignore it and go to the Golden Palace, right?'
This is the so-called apostle of justice? Justice would cry. It was time for the regressor to accept the proposal, hiding his dark inner thoughts.
"Wait a moment. I'm curious about something."
We've each had our conversations, so you should satisfy my curiosity too. I can read thoughts to get the general idea, but to grasp it more accurately, it's better for you to bring it up directly.
Hekto said.
"Go ahead and ask."
"What happens to humans who resonate with the Golden Mirror?"
"I've already said enough. There's no need to tell you more..."
"Do they perhaps become like that statue?"
A highly realistic statue of a man placed on a pedestal with a uniform pattern.
Pointing at that work of art that a human without talent couldn't carve, I asked.
The Golden Mirror has no artistic sensibility. This is what Hilde personally confirmed. Coming closer to see, this city was indeed recycling a few patterns.
In contrast, that statue was very elaborate. From the wrinkles around the mouth, to the minutely carved beard and hair. Plus, an expression full of vitality. It was definitely not a human work that recycles patterns.
As if, a living person had been frozen just like that.
Hilde's eyes sparkled as she nodded vigorously.
'As expected, Father! You do have an eye for art! Well, art belongs to humans. The king of humans should know!'
Actually, I know a little from reading your thoughts too.
Anyway, it's scary. While everyone else is thinking about negotiations, he was dissecting the statue from every angle. What kind of person is he?
"...You lot. I can't tolerate this any longer. Even though I treated you with sufficient goodwill..."
Hekto's body trembled with anger. Hot air violently spewed from the piston. Pressure turned into heat, heating the air.
No, the regressor brought up all the important points, and I only finished it. Why is he glaring at me like he's going to kill me? Is it jenga? Does the last person to drop it take all the responsibility?
Literally heated up, Hekto spread his hand. Over a dozen pistons shot up from inside his body and all aimed at me simultaneously. If he sets his mind to it, the pistons would shoot out in an instant and batter my entire body.
"Are you trying to threaten me?! Me!"
A taboo is a taboo.
No matter how the people of the Furnace Nation live like mayflies, they don't really wish to die tomorrow. But what if, on top of the fact that the Furnace Nation's food causes deformities, the fact that they themselves could die spreads widely?
They wouldn't try to eat the Suppression Lord's food. And they would struggle to survive in Claudia.
One or two is fine. Special beings like the Lord can handle that demand. However.
If everyone tries to live in Claudia, society collapses.
If everyone wants this food of theirs, the economy is ruined.
For the Furnace Nation to at least maintain its form, this taboo must be hidden. But an outsider, and an enemy nation at war, discovers even that secret.
'If push comes to shove, a fight to the death...! If my power isn't enough. Even using the power of the Golden Palace!'
Hekto spoke with desperate resolve. He really is a loyal subject.
"No. I'm just asking in case. We shouldn't make mistakes if we're just guessing. If we wanted to threaten you with this, would we have said what we guessed right in front of your faces?"
"..."
However, he's too good-natured. A suspicious and ill-tempered person wouldn't have listened to my words because of displeasure. But he listened carefully to my words and understood that it was a question born of pure curiosity.
'Is he afraid of becoming a statue when facing the Golden Mirror...? Keuk. If they've guessed that far, I can understand being afraid. I can't gloss over it.'
Hekto, who had been glaring at me without a word, let out a deep breath and withdrew his pistons.
"...Resonating doesn't turn you into gold or change you into steel. He didn't turn a living human into a statue. You can rest assured."
"Right?"
"Don't ask any more. I absolutely cannot teach you. However, I guarantee you outsiders are safe."
That's enough. If it's just the extent of bringing that answer more clearly to mind, I can read it perfectly with my telepathy.
Hekto doesn't know the exact details either. What process 'resonance' proceeds through, only the Golden Mirror would know. Instead, having served the Golden Mirror for a long time, he didn't know the principle but knew what happens.
Humans who resonate with the Golden Mirror... are 'collected'. So that they can be 'summoned' at any time.
Alright. I got one more clue. My curiosity is fully satisfied, so there's no more lingering attachment, I nodded as if convinced.
"If you don't want to say it, you don't have to. I just needed to confirm that I'm safe."
"...Thank you for understanding."
It's not a very thankful expression. Well, that's also a political remark.