201-Episode 187: Sages Face Past Self




 The true identity of the one who controls the "Numbered Children" is a duplicate of me from 500 years ago when I was a "Blacksmith".

 I froze in place at the shocking fact - not that I was in any way shocked.
 In retrospect, I was able to calmly accept that there was such a possibility.

'You're not a duplicate derived from the original now, are you?

Of course. Even replicas have a life span. That's why, since I left you, I've been able to survive by making more duplicates. When the duplicate ages, I'll transfer the memories back to a new one.

"Implanted memories...? I see. Is that why this spirit water is here?

 I thought the spirit water was to prevent physical aging, but apparently that's not all.

 Although the story changes slightly, there is a magic called [Re-voice] in the [Blacksmith (Blacksmith)]. This is a granting spell that when you touch an object, you can hear the voice that the sorcerer had planted in advance.
 Its information capacity depends on the magic power contained in the object.
 If you could use a magic that could embed information like [Re-voice] in the spirit water, imprinting the memories of a single human would be a no-brainer.

''What happened to that body?''

 I ask.
 My gender is male.
 That hasn't changed since my reincarnation.
 However, I was a little curious about the fact that I'm a girl.

''It doesn't seem like you're using magic like 【Denaturation】 or 【Transformation】. That body wouldn't even be a duplicate in the first place. It's definitely a human body.

'We've been using replicas all along to preserve that soul. But [duplicates] inevitably have their limits.

Yeah......... The bodily functions you've trained for would be cut in half, you know.

'Yes. Moreover, the more we repeat [replication], the more our lifespan will be shortened. Sooner or later, death will come to us. Hence the change of policy.

You're not going to... You guys--

"The male duplicate was recreated as a woman. And by having intercourse with another duplicate, unmixed, a wise man's child was born.

 Ugh.....

 It's interesting, but honestly, it's a tough story.
 Me and me as a woman and we had intercourse?
 Even though my top priority was to survive, my head is indeed spinning.

"It's me and me..... How could that bloodline give birth to a decent human being?

'In the beginning, there were frailties and physical deficiencies, but magic could take care of them. They soon became stronger. And if we had intercourse with each other in the same body, we knew that the children born were absolutely parental in nature.

 I see.

 So it's me, then.

And here you are.

That's what I'm talking about.

Then I'll change the question. Why do you lead The Numbered Children (Numbers). I don't know about now, but they were originally my duplicates. I thought you didn't like crowds?

Can you say that about yourself now?

 The №0 scoffs.

 Well, sure.
 But at least five hundred years ago, I didn't have to communicate with people.
 I would have been stoically pursuing only strength.

It's simple. It's simple. It's just that simple.

Then you can refine the magic stone into a pure one and sell it.

'It's not bad, but if it's going to be in large quantities, it's only going to cause a price collapse eventually. As long as it's not stable, it's not appropriate. And we want the magic stone as well.

But that doesn't mean that organizing terrorists is wrong.

I didn't create this army of terrorists. It's an army.

Army?

Comical, isn't it, wise man? Even though the demon race is gone, a strong army is still very valuable.

I'm not denying it. But I don't agree with it either.

 I turned my keen eyes on the Zero again.

"Don't you agree with me? But this is an army for you.

You think you'd do that for me?

 I arched my eyebrows.

'You were reincarnated as a [villager]. The idea of that was astounding, but you must have learned of all sorts of discrimination there. Even now, even as you are doing this, you are being oppressed just for being a [villager] and parents are abandoning their children.

Yeah, I know. I know. But I made a vow to Luxor - your father. I will become the strongest in the world and prove my usefulness as a [villager].

'It's just you, not the majority of [villagers]. Just because you're strong doesn't mean you're no longer discriminated against.

'I am aware of that. But my existence is the hope of [villagers] and their families. Just because I discriminated against people in the first place, that shouldn't trigger violence or murder.

Hmm.... You've gotten soft, wise man, after 500 years it's only natural.

 Mom sniffs.
 I gave a small shake of my head.

'It's not that you've gotten round. You've gone to extremes. Are you really a duplicate of me to begin with?

What did you say?

If I were really a wise man, I wouldn't rely on others. If you're really wise, you'll be able to grab it for yourself. .........well......500 years is too long even for me! Even I can't help but be rotten.

What do you mean...

Don't you get it? Then let's get this straight.


 I think you're getting weak, me.


You!

 At that moment, the glass case cracked.
 It didn't last a moment and the case popped.
 A large amount of spirit water overflowed and spread to the floor of the room, wetting my feet.

 Pitter-patter........

 I can hear the sound of popping water.
 Finally, my mom stood in front of me as the glass case came out and stood in front of me.

 I scratched my wet silvery white hair roughly.
 Then I activated the [storage].
 I take out a cheap cloak from inside and throw it at Mama.

 Mom received the cloak and tilted her head slightly.

''What is it?'' You think you're sending salt to the enemy.

Put it on. There's something uncomfortable about that outfit.

 Even if it's rotten, it's still me.
 Even though it's a child's body, it's kind of annoying.
 I can't let my nudity get in the way of the battle.

 Mom chuckles.
 I equip the cloak to be wrapped around my neck.

'You are a gentleman, wise man. But I will not tolerate any violence. You shook off my hand when I extended it to you.

 Mama will release her magic.
 I see. It's still a tremendous amount of magic.
 Even though she's just standing there, there are no gaps at all.
 Probably, in terms of magic technology, she has the power of my later years as a 【Blacksmith】.

 In other words, that person over there is me, who became the world's strongest as a 【Blacksmith】.

 A scary feeling crawled up my spine.
 The air feels thin.
 My vision narrowed and my skin chattered and tingled.
 Naturally, I was grossly hairy.

 ...Oh, how long has it been since I've been here?

 When he came face to face with Iolada?
 Or was it the first time you confronted the witch Volfot?
 Is that when we went back and defeated the Demon King?

 No--.

 Probably not any of them.
 I'd say it's a first.

 Maybe I'm afraid.
 I'm afraid to see the end of the duplicate in front of me.

 Fear has been in control of me, there is no doubt about it.

 But I will not back down.
 Because.....

"Hm, you...

 Mom looked at me and smiled wryly.


 Why are you smiling?


'I see. Am I laughing?

 It's a strange feeling.
 But it's also terribly normal.
 Because this is the first time for me.

 I didn't even know if I was going to win, and I was fighting against a guy who was at the height of his powers.

 And it's me at the height of my career.

 I don't think I'll ever be out of luck like this again.

 And I'm imagining.

 Beyond the obstacles in front of me - a new strength....

 I have a hunch.
 I have a hunch that I am about to be skinned now.

 I will be strong.
 I can become stronger.

 When I felt that, I said.

Oh..... I'm excited.

 My mouth naturally opened and I smiled, showing my teeth.