WeTried Translations

Translator: Hydrogen B

Editor: Hydrogen B

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 294: The World Made of Gears - 1

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Energy arts and standardized magic were techniques. The defining trait of a technique was universality. Results might differ depending on the user, but if people learned and mastered the same thing, they produced similar effects.

Innate arcane, by contrast, was unique, just as its name suggested. The circumstances of one's birth, the environment one grew up in, the knowledge one learned, the experiences one endured. Innate arcane bloomed from all that, along with the determination to impose one's own ideas upon the world.

Just as no two people under heaven were alike, no two innate arcanes were alike either.

Communications officers were a prime example. Even communications officers who had spent years growing up in the same place and sharing the same experiences each possessed different innate arcane. Their innate arcanes had the nature of "synchronization," allowing them to exchange thoughts, but their specific effects varied wildly.

In short, innate arcane was unique.

"Is that so...! If you are the King of Humanity, can you use humanity's innate arcane as though it were your own...?!"

If only that were true.

I was the King of Humanity. I could learn techniques: energy arts, standardized magic, alchemy, and so on. I could master every skill granted to humanity and accomplish anything within my capabilities.

Innate arcane was unique, though. I could not learn it.

I could only steal it.

I was not manifesting Maximilien's innate arcane right now. I had only created a detour to steal its use.

It might seem similar, but the difference was greater than one would think. The person actually using the innate arcane was still the other party.

If they became wary of being robbed and withdrew their innate arcane, I could not use it either. I could only steal innate arcane that was already active, so if they took any countermeasures, I became powerless.

That was not all. Some innate arcanes caused phenomena that benefited their owner. The War Mage Prelvior's mana amplification was a perfect example. Even if I stole that innate arcane, Prelvior's mana would increase. I would only be doing someone else a favor.

It would be troublesome if anyone discovered that I could steal innate arcane, yet it came with so many conditions. The initiative was even in the other person's hands. It was a rather disappointing hidden trump card for the King of Humanity.

But...

"I answered your goodwill with goodwill of my own. How about it? We're even now, right?"

"Of course! Of course we are! Hahaha, thank you...! There is no reason to doubt you now!"

'Even if he were not the King of Humanity, the mere fact that he can use another person's innate arcane holds terrifying value! Though no one who distorts the premise of innate arcane itself could possibly be anything but the King of Humanity!'

Maximilien was pleased, and I was satisfied. A warm atmosphere lingered for a moment. Historia, who had suffered pain close to torture only moments ago, did not lower her guard.

"...Hui. We still don't know why the Director needs you. You should be careful."

"You should be the careful one. Last time, you were tied up with rope. This time, you got trapped inside gears. Why do you keep getting bound? Is being restrained your preference?"

Historia suddenly smacked the back of my head. I read her thoughts, but she was so fast and fierce that I could not dodge. It did not hurt because of the medicine, but the sensation of my head snapping to the side was strange.

Historia looked down at the hand she had used to hit me and muttered, "So I can hit even the King of Humanity."

"You hit the back of a king's head just to confirm that? You bastard. One day, I'll have you arrested for disrespect."

"If I can hit you, the Director can hurt you too. Strange rumors follow him, so don't let your guard down just because he seems friendly now."

"You're right. Someone I trusted just stabbed me in the back."

Setting aside the fact that she had wanted to hit me, I could sense that she was concerned for me, so I let it slide. To put Historia at ease, I said, "And I've been saying this all along. He isn't my enemy."

"Of course not! Why would I ever oppose the King of Humanity? The opposite is true! Everyone in the Lords of All Creation needs the King of Humanity! I am the same! I only wish to seek the King of Humanity's permission. I have no intention of harming you!"

"Well, I don't like that you tortured her."

"That was the Major General's fault. Was she not terribly presumptuous in that situation? Still, circumstances have changed, so I will answer the Major General's question now!"

He seemed worried that I might dislike him. Though I had not even asked, Maximilien readily explained his purpose.

"I wish to grant every human a more convenient body. With gears!"

Give people more convenient bodies with gears? Only one thing came to mind.

"You want to modify human bodies?"

"Modification has an unpleasant ring to it. This is advancement! Once my discoveries are added, the human body will advance another step!"

Now that it was certain I was the King of Humanity, he had no reason to hide it anymore. It would have to come out someday anyway. Having reached his decision, Maximilien told me everything.

"Human bones and muscles move very mechanically from fixed positions. Like gears! If we replaced them with gears that performed the same functions, yet were far sturdier and more powerful, would the human body not become vastly improved?"

I had heard it earlier, but dismissed it because it sounded insane. It still sounded insane.

"From the look of it, you've already succeeded."

"I possess the power to control gears. The gears I put inside my body therefore move with great strength and organic coordination. Yet that makes it something special that applies only to me. To grant this technology to every human... I need the King of Humanity, restored to power."

I had known he was insane from reading his thoughts, but he was far madder than I had expected. He sincerely believed human modification was better from a utilitarian perspective.

Historia's face twisted. She looked sickened by the madness before her. Maximilien's claim was radical and extreme enough for me to fully understand how she felt.

So I heartily agreed with him.

"I see. Humans are creatures that use tools. There is no need to limit those tools to things outside our bodies. Tools that function within the body could be tremendously efficient."

"I knew you would understand!"

"Is it possible, though? Everyone's body is built differently."

"What do you think I did in the military state? Over the past twenty years, I repeated countless trials and errors, obtaining meaningful data. Unless someone is an extremely unusual case, any human can be advanced!"

For now, let us not ask whom he had experimented on or how he had repeated those trials and errors.

Still, Maximilien's argument had some merit. His limbs were filled with gears instead of bones and muscles. By controlling those gears with innate arcane, Maximilien had gained unnatural movements and durability.

He intended to generously give that to other humans.

"Now that I hear it, it doesn't sound bad. How did others react?"

As if he had been waiting for the question, Maximilien grumbled.

"That is the problem. Most reject my proposal out of vague revulsion. Even wounded veterans living with permanent disabilities! They would clearly become better, yet finding people who readily accept is like plucking stars from the sky! How foolish, to reject advancement out of baseless fear!"

He wanted to give it to every human, but had no confidence in persuading them. Nor could he use force easily, because controlling a body with gears required active cooperation.

"That's unfortunate."

"That is why I need the King of Humanity! If you awaken as the true King of Humanity, you can resolve this!"

I empathized with him and drew a positive response. Since he already bore tremendous goodwill toward me, it was even easier. I spoke warmly with Maximilien as though we were old friends.

In the middle of our pleasant conversation, my other real longtime friend gripped my shoulder tightly.

"Hui. I don't think you should go..."

"Ah, come on!"

Why did she keep touching me from behind? Don't stand behind me. It triggered an instinctive fear.

I irritably shook off her hand. Historia staggered. She had not expected me to react so violently.

"Ahk..."

Well, that was part of it, but if Historia had been in normal condition, she would not have budged even if I kicked her with all my strength. Her limbs, which had just been tested for their elastic limits, were still not right. They hurt badly enough from my simple struggle.

I lowered my head toward Historia, whose limbs were trembling, and said irritably, "I keep telling you. He isn't my enemy. Even if he were, what could you do? You can't even control your limbs."

"..."

"How about you try 'advancing' while we're at it?"

I put a hand on her shoulder and whispered in a mocking tone. Something dug deep into Historia's heart, making her flinch.

Unable to find anything to say, Historia clenched her teeth and lowered her head. I snorted once, then approached Maximilien.

"I'll accept. Let's shake hands and leave this place quickly. If we keep wasting time, Shei might arrive."

"Since you mention it, may I ask who that boy is? He displayed blind hatred toward the Lords of All Creation, but I cannot think of any reason why."

"How should I know? I met him in prison too."

I held out my hand and walked toward Maximilien. He extended his hand in return. Once the distance between us closed, we would shake hands.

Ah, right. I might not get an answer after the handshake, so I should ask one thing first.

"Ah, Mr. Maximilien. There is something I would like to ask."

"What is it?"

I kept walking naturally and asked as though it were nothing important, so he would not harbor even a minor suspicion.

"Shei told me about it. Do you know what the King of Sin is?"

Maximilien answered without much suspicion.

"The King of Sin? What do you mean? Sin is an illusion created by humans, not a beast. How can something that does not exist have a king?"

"Right? That's what I think too."

I asked just in case.

From what I had read in his mind, there was no mention of the King of Sin in his memories. Still, Maximilien the Halberdier was a high-ranking executive of the Lords of All Creation. Perhaps he could form a new connection around a term he had never heard before, so I probed him.

Sigh, no clues after all. It couldn't be helped. The regressor had seen it in a previous cycle, and I had not even known it existed until I read her mind. To be honest, I still half doubted it. Still, she had seen it herself, so I could not simply disbelieve her.

How was I supposed to find out? Stick desperately to the regressor's side and dig for clues? That was dangerous too. If I wanted to live a long life, I needed to stay away from the regressor.

'The King of Sin. A curious term. It cannot be meaningless nonsense. But why would the King of Humanity ask me about it? If the King of Sin truly exists, would it not be the King of Humanity himself? He should know himself better than anyone.'

Had I revealed information that was too interesting? Maximilien's thoughts grew complicated. We should shake hands quickly before he got any strange ideas. Just as I hurried my steps...

At that moment, Azzy entered Maximilien's field of vision. Having hidden to avoid the commotion, Azzy was slowly reappearing now that the fight seemed to be ending. The King of Dogs came clearly into Maximilien's sight.

'Dog. Wolf. Two Beast Kings that are alike, yet have become different. Therefore, only the King of Dogs can... find the King of Humanity, [they] said.'

Click. A gear turned once. His train of thought changed. Having realized something, he instantly suppressed his excitement and looked at me warily.

'Why did he insist on a handshake?'

Because I needed to hold your hand.

'My body is filled with gears, and it moves through innate arcane.'

That meant you could not withdraw your innate arcane. Your body moved through innate arcane, so without it, your body would stop.

'He can use my innate arcane.'

If I made your innate arcane run wild through the gears in your body... Your body might explode.

'Danger...!'

Right before our hands met, I heard gears twisting.

Creak. Maximilien's arm spun one hundred and eighty degrees. The sight of not just his outstretched hand, but his entire arm flipping and folding backward was so grotesque that he looked like a machine wearing human skin.

Wow, as expected. Was he quick to judge because he was a gear craftsman? The moment he made his decision, his arm moved immediately too. He had not earned his place as one of the Six Generals through card games.

Maximilien, director of the military state branch of the Lords of All Creation.

I had gained a clue, but I had also given the other side a clue in return.

I lightly waved my empty hand and said, "...Can I take this to mean you don't want to join me?"

Maximilien glared at me and answered stiffly.

"No. It is only..."

"Only what? A handshake is an age-old sign of friendship. It means that instead of holding a weapon in your hand, you will hold the other person's hand. Do you have a reason for refusing?"

"...There are circumstances. Let us only talk."

"Circumstances? Did you suddenly stop trusting me? It makes no sense otherwise."

Maximilien closed his mouth. He had a reason, but could not bring himself to say it.

Because he was afraid. Like any other ordinary person.

"You were anxious, weren't you? Afraid I might harm you."

I pressed into that opening, and my sharp remark struck at Maximilien's contradiction.

"You were frightened because I could damage your body, so you rejected me out of vague revulsion, right?"

Maximilien wanted every human to become as "advanced" as himself. He wanted them to implant gears in their bodies and handle their flesh far more efficiently.

As the King of Humanity, I could not ignore humanity's desires. Just as the Beast King represented the collective will of a species, I respected the wish held by the person before me.

As long as there was no problem with that wish.

"Advancement? How can you advance when you're exactly the same! You, and the people who rejected you! You're all nothing but frightened beasts!"

Even Maximilien, one of the Six Generals of the military state, a mage with innate arcane, and a brilliant alchemist.

Before me, he was still an ordinary person in the end.

Maximilien's body trembled. The gears embedded within him spun furiously in place. Surging power looked ready to burst forth at any moment.

I revealed the truth before him as he shook with humiliation and rage.

"I, the King of Humanity, guarantee it! You are not special in the slightest! You only put a few gears inside your body. As a person, you are an ordinary man! How could someone as ordinary as you change the species called 'humanity'?"

Maximilien stretched out his right hand and swept aside his cloak. A body that looked as though it had been clothed in gears was revealed.

The gears hanging from his body spun furiously. Metal heated from friction. His thoughts accelerated through overclocking, and a hot wind like the massive exhale of his flesh poured out.

"Do you think the Demon God is a pushover? Hahaha! Not a chance!"

My mockery was drowned out by the clattering sound of machinery. When I turned my head, the Steel Beetle, which had approached without my noticing, brought down its enormous saw blade upon me.

Footnotes:

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