Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint - Ch. 294
Standard Magic and Qi Arts are techniques.
And the hallmark of a technique is its universality.
While the effectiveness may vary depending on who wielded it, learning and mastering the same technique would yield similar results from person to person.
In contrast, Unique Magic is, as its name suggests, unique.
It is cultivated through a person’s background, the environment they were raised in, the knowledge they acquired, and the experiences they’ve had.
On top of all that, it was fueled by a determination to manifest their own ideology in the world.
Just as no two people were exactly the same, Unique Magic was different for each individual.
A prime example of this was the Signallers.
Even those who grew up experiencing the same things in the same space for years had different Unique Magic.
Although all of them had the “synchronization” property and allowed them to communicate thoughts, the specific effects varied widely.
In short, Unique Magic is unique to each individual.
“So that’s it! The Human King can use the Unique Magic of others as if it were his own…!”
If only it were that easy.
I am the Human King. I can learn techniques—Qi arts, Standard Magic, alchemy, and all kinds of skills that are available to humans.
I can master them within the possible limits.
But Unique Magic is unique, so I can’t learn it.
I can only steal it and use it.
Right now, I’m not manifesting Maximilien’s Unique Magic. I’m merely creating a detour to steal and use it.
It might seem similar, but there was a significant difference.
The one who used Unique Magic would always be the original wielder.
If the original user became wary and withdrew their Unique Magic, then I couldn’t use it either.
In short, I could only steal Unique Magic that was “already activated,” so if they responded to my theft, I would be rendered powerless.
That’s not all.
Some Unique Magic created advantageous phenomena for the user, like the Mage Marshal Prelvior’s mana amplification. In such cases, even if I stole the Unique Magic, it would only boost Prelvior’s mana.
In that case, I would only unnecessarily help my enemy.
Stealing Unique Magic might sound like a powerful trump card, but there were many conditions attached and the initiative still lay with the original user.
As a hidden ace for the Human King, it was rather underwhelming.
However…
“In response to your goodwill, I’ve shown you goodwill as well. How about now? Is it fair?”
“Of course! Of course, it is! Ha ha, thank you…! Now there’s no need to doubt!”
｢Even if he’s not the Human King, just being able to use someone else’s Unique Magic is an incredible value! Though I can’t imagine that someone who can distort the basic principle of Unique Magic isn’t the Human King!｣
Maximilien was delighted, and I was satisfied.
A warm atmosphere briefly lingered between us.
However, Historia, who had been subjected to near-torture just moments before, remained on guard.
“…Huey. I still don’t know why the Director needs you. Be careful.”
“You should be the one being careful. Last time, you were tied up with ropes, and now you’re trapped in gears. Why do you keep getting bound? Is being restrained your thing?”
Historia immediately smacked me on the back of my head.
I saw it coming, but it was so fast and sharp that I couldn’t avoid it.
Thanks to the drugs, it didn’t hurt, but my head felt like it was spinning.
Historia looked down at the hand she used to hit me and muttered.
“Even the Human King can be hit.”
“So you hit the King’s head just to test that? You little… Someday, I’ll arrest you for treason.”
“If I can hit you, the Director can harm you too. There’s something off about him, so even if he seems friendly now, don’t let your guard down.”
“You’re right, no one can be trusted. Just a moment ago, a friend I trusted hit me in the back of the head.”
Despite her desire to hit me, I could sense that she was genuinely concerned for me, so I let it slide.
I spoke to alleviate Historia’s worries.
“And as I’ve been saying, he’s not my enemy.”
“Of course not! Why would I oppose the Human King? On the contrary, the Human Regime needs the Human King! And that includes me! I just want the King’s permission, not to harm him!”
“Well, I don’t appreciate the fact that you tortured her though.”
“That was the Major General’s fault. Wasn’t she too overbearing earlier? But now that things have changed, I’ll even answer her questions!”
It seemed he was anxious about potentially being disliked by me.
Maximilien, without even being asked, started to explain his intentions.
“I want to give all humans a more convenient body by using gears!”
Give all humans a more convenient body by using gears?
There’s really only one thing that comes to mind.
“Are you saying you want to modify human bodies?”
“Modification sounds a bit odd… Yes… let’s call it progress! With my discoveries, the human body will evolve to the next level!”
Now that it was clear that I was indeed the Human King, there was no longer a need to hide anything.
After all, this was something that would need to be revealed eventually.
Having made up his mind, Maximilien explained everything.
“The bones and muscles of humans move in a very mechanical way as if they were gears! So what if we replace them with something much sturdier and stronger, like gears? Wouldn’t the human body improve?”
I heard this earlier and dismissed it as madness and after hearing it again, it still sounds crazy.
“Looks like you’ve already succeeded, then.”
“I have the power to manipulate gears. The gears inside my body move with great strength and in perfect harmony. But that’s just a special case for me. To give this technology to all humans, I need the Human King to regain his power.”
I knew he was insane from reading his mind, but he was even crazier than I expected.
He seriously believed that human modification was the utilitarian way forward.
Historia’s face twisted in horror.
She was appalled by the madness she was witnessing.
Maximilien’s argument was radical and extreme, and it was understandable that she was deeply disturbed.
So I strongly agreed with him.
“Indeed. Humans use tools. There’s no need to limit those tools to the outside of the body. If tools operate inside the body, it could result in tremendous efficiency.”
“Exactly! I knew you would understand!”
“Is that really possible? Everyone has different body structures.”
“What do you think I’ve been doing in the Military State for the past 20 years? Through countless trials and errors, I’ve obtained meaningful data. Except in very peculiar cases, any human can be advanced!”
Whatever those trials and errors involved, let’s not ask right now.
Nevertheless, there’s some merit to Maximilien’s argument.
His limbs had gears instead of bones and muscles.
By controlling the gears with his Unique Magic, Maximilien has gained unnatural movements and durability.
And he wanted to generously share this with other humans.
“It actually sounds pretty good when you put it that way. How have others reacted?”
Maximilien grumbled as if he’d been waiting for this question.
“That’s the problem. Most reject my offer with vague discomfort. Even veterans living with permanent disabilities! They would certainly improve, yet finding someone willing to accept it is as difficult as plucking stars from the sky! How foolish, to reject progress out of unfounded fear!”
He wants to give this to all humans, but he’s not confident in persuading them.
And since controlling the gears within the body requires active cooperation, using more forceful methods is challenging.
“That’s unfortunate.”
“That’s why I need the Human King! If you truly awaken as the King, you could solve this issue of mine!”
By empathizing with his perspective, I managed to draw a favorable reaction from him.
It was easy, especially since he already held me in high regard.
I conversed with Maximilien as if we were old friends.
As the conversation flowed smoothly, my actual old friend grabbed my shoulder tightly.
“Huey. It looks like it might be better not to go…”
“Oh, come on!”
Why do you keep messing with me from behind?
Don’t stand behind me! It triggers some primal fear.
I shook my shoulder irritably, and Historia staggered back.
She hadn’t expected me to react so forcefully.
“Ouch…”
If Historia were in her normal condition, she wouldn’t have flinched even if I kicked her with all my might.
However, her limbs, which had just been pushed to their elastic limits, were still not in good shape.
She was in enough pain from my simple gesture that her limbs trembled.
Looking down at the trembling Historia, I spoke irritably.
“As I keep saying, he’s not my enemy, and even if he is, what can you do? You can’t even move your limbs properly, so what could you possibly do?”
“…”
“Why don’t you consider ‘progress’ for yourself?”
I placed my hand on her shoulder and whispered in a teasing tone.
Something deep inside Historia flinched.
Unable to find the right words, she gritted her teeth and lowered her head.
After a slight chuckle, I turned back to Maximilien and approached him.
“I’ll accept your offer. Let’s shake hands and get out of here quickly. If we keep stalling, Mr. Shei might show up.”
“Now that you mention it, who is that boy exactly? He seems to harbor a blind hatred for the Human Regime, but I can’t find any records of him.”
“How should I know? We only met in prison.”
I reached out my hand and walked toward Maximilien.
He extended his hand as well.
Once we close the distance, we will shake hands.
Ah, right. Before the handshake ends and I lose the chance to ask, I should ask him this.
“Oh, Maximilien, there’s something I’d like to ask.”
“What is it?”
I continued walking naturally, asking casually to avoid raising any suspicion.
“Mr. Shei mentioned something odd. Do you know what the King of Sin is?”
Maximilien answered without any particular suspicion.
“The King of Sin? What’s that? Sin is a human-made illusion, not something inherent to beasts. How could there be a king of something that doesn’t exist?”
“Right? That’s what I thought too.”
I had to ask, just in case.
When I read his mind, I found no reference to the King of Sin in his memories.
However, Maximilien was a key figure in the Human Regime.
If he had heard the term before, he might have been able to make some new connections, so I took a shot.
Sigh, no leads after all.
Oh well, there’s nothing I can do about it. The Regressor saw it in a previous timeline, and I didn’t know about it until I read her thoughts.
I’m still skeptical, but if she says she saw it herself, I can’t completely dismiss it.
How do I find out more information?
Should I stick close to the Regressor and extract clues?
That sounds dangerous.
If I want to live long, I need to distance myself from her.
｢The King of Sin… It’s a strange term. If it’s not simply nonsense… But why would the Human King ask me about that? If there is a King of Sin, shouldn’t he know better than anyone?｣
Perhaps I revealed too much intriguing information. Maximilien’s thoughts became complicated.
Before he overthought it, I hurried to close the distance for the handshake.
Just then, Maximilien caught sight of Azzy.
Having hidden away to avoid the chaos, Azzy began to emerge as the battle seemed to be winding down.
The King of Dogs clearly came into Maximilien’s view.
｢A dog. A wolf. Two beasts that were once the same but have become different. Therefore, only the King of Dogs can… find the Human King, as [they] said.｣
A gear clicked into place.
His thought process shifted.
Having realized something, he quickly calmed his excitement and looked at me with a renewed sense of caution.
｢Why did he insist on a handshake?｣
Because I have to hold your hand.
｢My body is filled with gears, moved by my Unique Magic.｣
So you won’t withdraw your Unique Magic. Your body moves because of your Unique Magic, so if you retract it, your body will stop.
｢He can use my Unique Magic.｣
If I were to forcefully flood your gears with your Unique Magic… your body might explode.
｢Danger…!｣
Just before we could clasp hands, I heard the sound of gears turning.
Suddenly, Maximilien’s arm twisted 180 degrees.
His entire arm folded backward.
The sight was so grotesque that it looked less like a human arm and more like a machine covered in human skin.
Wow, as expected from a guy who specializes in gearwork. His judgment is quick. He assessed the situation and moved his arm instantly.
The Six Star Generals didn’t earn their titles through simple card games.
More so for Maximilien, who was also the Head of the Human Regime of the Military State branch.
I may have gained some insight, but in turn, I also gave away some clues.
Feeling the emptiness of my unshaken hand, I waved it slightly and spoke.
“What’s wrong? Don’t you want to work with me?”
Maximilien answered stiffly while glaring at me.
“No. It’s just…”
“Just what? A handshake is a time-honored gesture of goodwill. Instead of holding a weapon, you choose to clasp the other person’s hand. Is there a reason for your refusal?”
“…There are circumstances. Let’s just talk.”
“Is it that you’ve suddenly lost trust in me? Because otherwise, your actions don’t make sense.”
Maximilien remained silent.
He had his reasons but couldn’t bring himself to speak.
Because he was afraid.
Just like any other ordinary person.
“You were anxious, weren’t you? Afraid that I might harm you.”
Seizing the opportunity, my words struck at the heart of Maximilien’s contradiction.
“You were vaguely uneasy and shook me off because you were worried I could destroy your body, right?”
Maximilien wanted all humans to become “better,” just like himself.
He wished to embed gears in their bodies to manage their flesh more efficiently.
As the Human King, I couldn’t ignore the desires of humans.
Just as the King of Beasts spoke for the collective will of their species, I respect the aspirations of the human before me.
As long as there was no problem with that desire, of course.
“Progress? How can you talk about progress when you’re just the same? You’re no different from those who rejected you! You’re all just scared little animals!”
Maximilien, a Star General of the Military State, a mage with Unique Magic, and an accomplished alchemist.
In front of me, he was nothing more than an ordinary person.
Maximilien’s body trembled.
The gears inside him spun furiously.
The overwhelming force seemed ready to explode at any moment.
In front of his trembling figure, I exposed the truth.
“As the Human King, I can assure you! You are not special at all! You’ve just added a few gears to your body, but you, as a person, are nothing more than an ordinary man! Someone as ordinary as you can’t possibly change the entire human species!”
Maximilien extended his right hand and swept aside his cloak, revealing a body clad in gears.
The gears attached to his body spun wildly.
The metal heated up from the friction.
His thoughts accelerated into overdrive, and his body emitted a massive exhalation of heat.
“Do you think achieving the Divine is that easy? Ha! How laughable!”
My mocking laughter was drowned out by the clanking of machinery.
When I turned my head, the Steel Beetle, which had somehow drawn close, swung a massive saw blade down at me.