"This is your goal? To use these Homunculi as material for Magecraft research? Doesn't your conscience ache?"
Chiron's voice carried quiet reproach as he gazed at the rows of green culture tanks, each one containing a floating Homunculus—born only to serve as a source of magical energy.
"Their lives are already so short. Why not let them pass away in peace?"
"My conscience is alive and kicking." Rhodes curled his lip, mocking Chiron's self-righteous tone. "Relax. I came here precisely because I intend to extend their fleeting lives—grant them true value."
"Value…" Chiron faltered at the sneer, then sighed as if something had occurred to him. "I'd forgotten your nature—to pluck every feather from the passing goose. Stingy exploitation, yes. But in its own way, perhaps a kind of salvation for them as well."
"Tch. I'll take that as a compliment." Rhodes smirked. "If their lives mean nothing as batteries, then I'll make them into weapons. Compared to Gordes's pathetic methods, I have every reason to be proud."
"Of course. As a 'magus,' I've never seen anyone surpass you—not even in the Age of Gods." Chiron nodded with warm sincerity. "Then please, save them. Even as disposable soldiers, they'll have more worth than dying as fuel."
"Hmph! Master doesn't need you preaching his greatness!"
Tamamo-no-Mae darted between them, baring her teeth with fierce hostility. "Stay away from my Master! If you corrupt him with your boy-loving habits, I'll be heartbroken!"
"Tamamo, you're begging for discipline…"
"If it's Master's hands, I wouldn't resist at all—no, I'd absolutely accept it with joy!"
And just like that, the shameless Master and Servant veered into another indecent tangent. The serious discussion collapsed, and Chiron could only shake his head and slip away, choosing not to follow them deeper into the Homunculus workshop.
BANG!
The heavy door slammed shut. Rhodes's playful grin vanished, replaced by a solemn expression.
"He didn't follow, right? Darnic's up to something."
"Exactly. Please avoid being alone with Chiron. He's not nearly as simple as he appears." Tamamo held up a talisman, her demeanor dead serious now.
"I know. Besides, do you really think Chiron doesn't realize we suspect him? He left just now because he doesn't like being forced into the role of spying on me." Rhodes's tone was cautious, his gaze sharp.
"I agree. Still, we'd best move quickly."
From between her ample curves, Tamamo pulled out a set of talismans scented faintly of perfume. With a flick, she scattered them across the room. Each white slip shot through the glass walls of the culture tanks without leaving so much as a crack, attaching themselves to the Homunculi within.
In the next instant, the talismans sank into their bodies, weaving complex curses that linked directly to their Magic Circuits.
With just a gesture, Tamamo could sever those circuits remotely—triggering the Homunculi's self-destruction and cutting off the Servants' mana supply.
Except for the rare Servants with the "Independent Action" skill, the rest would be completely helpless without magical energy.
And Gordes's system of splitting the Command Spells from mana supply carried a fatal flaw: once separated, the Master couldn't instantly provide energy to their Servant. Which meant if Tamamo destroyed these Homunculi, every Yggdmillennia Servant would be at their mercy.
"Good. You're sure there aren't any other workshops like this?" Rhodes exhaled, brushing aside Tamamo's pink hair to breathe in her sweet scent.
"Confirmed. This is the only facility providing mana to the Servants." Tamamo strolled through the rows of tanks, smiling in satisfaction.
None of the Homunculus girls within were anywhere near her perfection—their figures frail, their beauty plain.
"Tamamo wins again!" With a mischievous grin, she flashed a peace sign. Rhodes caught on instantly.
"What's wrong? Still haven't found any materials fit for making Golems?"
"No! That's not it! Tamamo's been looking really hard!" She pouted while carefully inspecting the circuits of the Homunculus girls—ignoring the boys entirely, of course.
"Tch…" As her Master, Rhodes could retrace all her thoughts and actions through Magecraft. Catching that little moment of showing off, he could only sigh in amusement.
"Find me suitable candidates to convert into Golems. I need close-combat models with weak spellcasting ability—perfect for the battles ahead in this Holy Grail War."
"Tamamo understands!"
◇◇◇
What… are they doing?
Suspended in the culture tank, a young Homunculus boy felt his strength ebb as mana drained from him unceasingly. His life was so short that he couldn't even lift his arms anymore. He floated there like a discarded product.
That's… His gaze caught on the sight of Homunculus girls being dragged out of their tanks, and realization struck.
To be consumed was to be killed. To be killed was to be worthless.
This was the fate all Homunculi shared. His fate too.
"Master! Are all these Homunculi going to be turned into Automatons? That means we're saving them, right?" Tamamo's cheerful voice echoed—shaking the boy's mind to its core.
Saving? Do they… have value?
The thought stirred something deep inside him. His will to live surged, breaking through the magical shackles, forcing his eyes wide open.
At that moment, the two intruders were hauling away Homunculus girls. The man in the white suit—Rhodes—turned and glanced at him. There was a mocking curve to his lips, as though mouthing words silently.
What's he saying? Jeanne's tits are huge? I won't let you have her?
Confused, the boy's consciousness plummeted back into darkness. His eyes slid shut again.
Meanwhile, Rhodes hauled away a dozen "spoils of war." His gaze lingered briefly on the Homunculus boy—without the faintest trace of pity.