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　The big question that Jin, who is following the question and answer on Horai Island, had.

"...... I don't think that Markitas wanted to prolong his life like that."

　When he had confronted Malquitas before, he had clearly said that he had refused the support golem's proposal to <>.

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<>



* * * * * *

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"<>, but I would like to confirm one thing.

"What?"

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"......Marchitas,......"

　The old man added <> to his name, as if calling him by his first name would offend <>.

"Well, let me ask you something.

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　 naturally becomes a little more polite.

"I have heard that you have refused to your consciousness, Mister Malchitas?"

　This question seems to have upset somewhat.

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"Why do you say that?

　His voice sounded a little hoarse as he asked this question.

"Because I heard it from Mr. Markitas himself.

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"You're ......?

Ah, no, it was Jin-sama who told me directly.

　< instead of .

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"What!　I see,<> no, you were able to witness the last days of Master Markitas. ...... I envy you."

　These words showed that <> respected and admired Markitas.

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"What do you think, <>?"

　Lao Tzu asked, and <>, who had been silent for a while, slowly opened his heavy mouth.

"If you know so much, I have to give you a limited explanation.

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"Yes, I would like to hear it."

"...... I was created by Master Markitas when he called himself ."

"Oh."

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　That was a valuable piece of information. The old man silently urged him on.

"I think it was probably the third or fourth model of the prototype ....... I remember you said that you were satisfied with the workmanship when you saw me.

"Is that so?"

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"And for about two years I was an assistant to Mr. Markitas. During that time, I helped him develop a golem for combat and various other magical tools. I have fond memories of that time."

"Master Larva, ......"

　The old man could understand the feelings of .

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"And then Master Markitas left me and disappeared."

"Do you know the ...... age?"

"...... I don't know. I had no contact with the outside world."

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"How do you know he was with you for two years?"

"Days... 24 hours a day for 730 days or so, so I figure two years."

"Is that what you mean?"

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　If we knew the year of the continental calendar, it would be easier to guess, but since <> did not seem to really know, Lao Tzu gave up trying to find out.



"So you are saying that you were stopped and left alone?"

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"That's what it means."

Why did you reboot it?

I don't know. I don't know. When I came to, it was up and running again. I found it up and running again. ...... but Mr. Markitas was not ......."

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　Apparently, Lao Tzu guessed that was reactivated after the death of Malchitas.



"Do you know what happened between the time it stopped and the time it restarted?"

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"...... barely, I guess. I also know that Master Markitas is no longer here."

"So you have free access to the facilities used by Lord Markitas?"

　This was more of a confirmation than a guess or a question.

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"Of course. I have been assisting Master Markitas for ......2 years."



* * *

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　The exchange so far has revealed quite a few things.

　First, <> seems to be trying to revive Markitas even against his will before his death.

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　 was an assistant of Malkitas and had free access to the facilities he maintained.

　<> can use some engineering magic, which he probably learned from Malkitas. He probably learned it from Malkitas.

　Other than that,

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　 does not know the age of his creation.

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　 admires Markitas.

　We can say that adores Markitas.

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　While Lao Tzu was asking and answering questions, Lao Kun was talking with Jin on the island of Horai.

"You have learned a lot of things, haven't you?

is up to.

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"But will it be fulfilled ......?"



　Then Reinhard and Saki returned.

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"I'm back. I knew Lao Tzu wouldn't be able to do it, so I came back."

　Reinhardt said with a sullen look on his face.

　It was inevitable. Even though he had the to make automata and golems, getting information out of them would require a different .

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"Kuhu, I'll be honest and let Lao Tzu show us what he has done here."

　Jin nodded at Saki's words.

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"Oh, yes. I wonder about those 5 and how to turn Markitas into an ."

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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



"...... So, you made those 5 into for practice?"

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"Well, that's what I think."

"What are the true identities of those 5?"

　Then , unusually, pondered for a moment,

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"They are the five who were running the League of Magic together with Mr. Markitas for a while.

"I see, so you are all from the past."

"Is that so?　I don't know.

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　Then the old man tried to ask a decisive question.

"You said that Mister Markitas must have refused to have his consciousness transferred, didn't you?　When in the world did you copy the contents of his consciousness?　I have not heard the answer to that question yet."

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".................."

"......I'm guessing that when he was working with you on some things, he created a <> <> on a trial basis, is that right?"

"How did you know that?

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"Oh, you guessed correctly. ......Then, the content of the article is about your younger days, isn't it?

"............Well, that's the way it is. But that's all right."

"Because he was in your service, Mister Markitas?"

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Yes, that's right.



...... I understand a little how you feel.

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"You do?　You know, Lao Tzu, right?　You're a strange one, aren't you? You're not even human."



　Here Lao Tzu decides to make one last attempt.

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"Yes, because I am an automaton.