Chimera Storage (2): The White Crow's Outcry
Here, of all places, was the last person Eisen expected to run into. The fellow had always been rather fun to tease. The white crow perched atop a cage and glared down at them before shrieking.
“Savages! Savages! These barbarians would devour every errand-runner that crosses their path!”
“Eisen, what is that thing saying?”
“Logically speaking, Professor, when a bird of that size walks right up to you, most people would consider catching it.”
Reina tilted her head for a moment, then muttered under her breath.
“Well… I suppose someone unfamiliar with them might think that. Eisen, crow meat isn’t worth eating. Not all of them, mind you, but they tend to be stringy and reek of gaminess.”
“How would you know that, Professor?”
“You savages!” the white crow squawked again, but honestly, Reina’s commentary was far more intriguing. Since she didn’t seem inclined to elaborate, Eisen gave up and turned back to the bird.
“By the way, the stench here is awful. Is the place where they’re keeping the chimeras nearby?”
“Humans stink just as badly, so don’t act so high and mighty!”
“How insolent. I ought to catch it after all.”
Reina’s eyes narrowed slightly. As long as the crow didn’t cross the line, it would probably survive this encounter. It should be grateful it was dealing with Reina and not Mina; Mina would have snatched it up and eaten it on the spot.
While the crow kept Reina’s attention, Eisen slipped deeper into the facility. Rows of cages came into view. Since he had the chance to observe the chimeras safely, he intended to make the most of it.
“…They certainly have distinct personalities.”
One by one, he examined them through the foul odor. Some were enormous, large enough to wrestle a Cyclops. Yet they sat quietly inside their massive cages. They watched him with interest, even licking their lips, but made no move to attack.
“I wonder what they feed something this size.”
Even a housecat required careful feeding; these giants must consume staggering amounts. Then he noticed the IV lines running into them and understood immediately.
“Poor things.”
The fluid was a type of mana solution. Like golems, the chimeras were being sustained by mana rather than ordinary food. It didn’t look efficient, though. The way they kept licking their lips suggested the solution never truly satisfied their hunger. In one corner he spotted a bucket filled with bones still bearing scraps of meat; clearly mana alone wasn’t enough.
“Terrible cost-performance.”
“And this… looks like a complete mess if you look closely.”
Some of the chimeras appeared sturdy, but others were clearly botched. Having once studied bipedal locomotion using animal skeletons, Eisen was confident in his ability to judge skeletal structure. Just as with golems, living creatures had no truly superfluous parts. Because biology was far more delicate than machinery, every modification had to be handled with extreme precision.
“You can’t just slap random pieces together and expect it to work.”
He studied one chimera in particular and spoke quietly.
It seemed modeled after a griffon: an eagle’s head, a lion’s body, and a scorpion’s tail and pincers attached. The pincers were probably useless. With wings already present, the extra limbs might move in every direction, but they would never be able to grasp anything properly—only stab. Even if life magic had been used to create it, the result was obvious.
“The people who claim to wield the magic of life are the ones who desecrate it the most.”
It was a disaster. That was his honest opinion.
Having seen enough, he turned away. Outside, he found the crow still trapped in Reina’s grip.
“P-please save me! This barbarian professor is—!”
“What did you say to it?”
“It started provoking me about my skin and hair, saying I’d never find a husband.”
Come to think of it, Reina was publicly searching for a marriage partner. She had even bought her Cyclops with money saved for a dowry. Given her physical capabilities, though, Eisen doubted anyone would dare approach her. Still, he wished her a bright future.
“You have my sympathies, Professor.”
“…You. I think I need to hear exactly what you’re thinking.”
If she caught him, he would be clubbed. He ran immediately, creating obstacles as he fled. Then—
“Kieeeaaak! The human is running along the wall!”
The crow’s scream echoed off the walls. Glancing back, Eisen saw Reina sprinting straight up the vertical surface.
“Ah. I’m doomed.”
Watching her close the distance in an instant, he resigned himself to his fate.
****
Mina, now dressed in the saintess’s vestments, let out a quiet sigh.
“I don’t want to go.”
By now the Golem Department dorms had probably launched at least six students into the sky, and Erika’s group was likely busy retrieving them. She would have enjoyed watching the spectacle from a safe distance, but unfortunately she had duties of her own.
After donning the pure-white robes and veil, she left the city under the escort of the Saras Order’s paladins. A standard-bearer raised the banner symbolizing the Fifth Saintess, and people stepped aside as she walked with measured grace. Mina exhaled softly.
‘This is uncomfortable.’
She could walk freely when he was beside her, but he wasn’t here now. She couldn’t bring him anyway. In her absence, the Nexia Duchy and the Phoenix County would surely extend their “black hands” toward Eisen. She couldn’t allow that. Not because of duty—simply because she didn’t want to.
Complaining inwardly, she continued walking through the faint sandstorm until white marble appeared before her. Stepping across the stones that refused to crumble even in the wind, Mina entered the Saras Order’s main cathedral.
“The Fifth Saintess has arrived!”
“Clear the path! Welcome the member of the Twelve Saintesses who serve the Goddess Saras!”
Monks and knights moved hurriedly. Mina paid them no attention and strode forward. She had no intention of staying long or receiving any special treatment. She would show her face briefly and leave.
“Being a saintess is such a bother.”
While the title brought many privileges and was far better than being known merely as the daughter of a baron, it also came with countless restrictions. Still, the benefits outweighed the inconvenience, so she only grumbled and kept walking.
Soon she reached the center of the cathedral, where a large round table stood surrounded by twelve chairs. Eight women were already seated. Mina found her own seat, clasped her hands, and formed a quiet hand seal.
“The Fifth Handmaiden who serves the Goddess has just arrived.”
“The First Handmaiden welcomes you. The Goddess is merciful; please make yourself comfortable.”
Whether the Goddess was truly merciful was something only she herself would know. Without showing any reaction to the silver-haired woman’s smile, Mina straightened her posture.
With three chairs still empty, the woman who had called herself the First Handmaiden clapped her hands.
“The Third, Ninth, and Twelfth Handmaidens are unable to attend due to matters in their respective countries. We shall begin without them.”
“The Second Handmaiden has no objection.”
“The Fourth Handmaiden has no objection.”
Though they referred to themselves as Handmaidens, that was only in relation to the Goddess. The women known to others as Saintesses formed hand seals and voiced their agreement.
The First Saintess smiled and spoke.
“Let us speak freely now. As you are all aware, it has been several years since pilgrims from Vespia Royal Academy last visited the Saras Order’s headquarters. Please ensure that the academy’s students receive the Goddess’s blessing and return safely.”
“As the Second Saintess, I too will watch over the students so they do not commit any rudeness before the Goddess, and I will guide them accordingly.”
Mina nodded at the Second Saintess’s words. A Saintess held a position equivalent to a high-ranking executive of the order. Handling such administrative matters was simply part of the role.
“Regarding another matter,” the First Saintess continued, “a large-scale monster migration is expected in the Gandharva Kingdom. We are monitoring the situation closely, as their path may lead toward the holy land.”
“According to the information, that monster appears once every two hundred years…”
“At present it remains unconfirmed. Seventh Saintess, please be careful with your statements.”
Though the First Saintess spoke calmly, her face was filled with concern. Mina’s thoughts began to race.
‘Two hundred years… that monster?’
Had a monster once attacked this country long ago? Tales of nations nearly destroyed by monsters and barely recovering were common enough. But…
‘…That prince isn’t just holding a tournament for show. He’s planning to use the golems and chimeras prepared for the competition as part of the defensive line.’
Various agreements would be necessary, but there was a vast difference between having forces ready nearby for immediate deployment and having them absent until negotiations concluded. Mina couldn’t help but admire how thoroughly the prince intended to make use of them.
She reacted a beat late when someone called her name.
“Fifth Saintess. I hear that you personally manage the distribution of the Cyclops.”
“…That is correct. Baron Eisen Arclight, the developer, is an old acquaintance of mine, and I handle the distribution.”
Mina felt a slight tension. After the talk of monsters, the conversation had turned to golems. Predicting what would come next wasn’t difficult.
“I understand the Cyclops is an extremely powerful weapon. Why have you not donated it to the Order?”
“Sixth Saintess, I did not grant you permission to speak. Please wait until I have finished.”
The First Saintess moved to intervene, but Mina almost wished she wouldn’t. The question was little different from demanding goods for free—an affront any merchant would find infuriating. Still, the First Saintess wore a faintly imposing smile, so Mina decided to endure and answer diplomatically.
“I believed an order that spreads peace and love had no need for such overwhelming military power.”
It wasn’t a lie. The reason the Saras Order could spread across the continent was precisely because it did not possess excessive military strength.
The Sixth Saintess immediately countered.
“Even so, the golem is far too powerful to dismiss so lightly.”
“I would quietly suggest that its power is exactly what gives it meaning.”
Mina could see the Sixth Saintess openly looking down on her. She might have snapped back at being treated so dismissively by a senior, but the First Saintess was watching. She had to endure once more.
The First Saintess intervened again.
“That is enough. We did not gather here to beg for golems. Distribution is entirely within the Fifth Saintess’s domain, and we must not interfere excessively or make demands.”
“I understand.”
“However, I also have doubts regarding the Fifth Saintess. As a Saintess, you should have at least considered naming the golems in a manner connected to the Order. You should also have discussed prioritizing sales to our Order.”
The First Saintess clearly had her own agenda. Since there was no longer any need to hold back, Mina decided to push back firmly.
“Countless people poured their efforts into creating those golems. The Goddess would never claim their labor should go unrewarded. I must inform you that far more power from people who do not follow the Order’s will went into their creation than any influence from the Order itself. Please speak plainly about what you truly want.”
Beating around the bush was a Saintess’s privilege. It was time for direct demands.
The First Saintess smiled gently.
“Very well. I shall speak plainly.”
After a brief pause, she continued with a quiet smile.
“I wish to hire Baron Eisen Arclight and his golems under my own name.”
“Hah.”
Mina’s fingers brushed the heavy pouch of gold coins at her waist as she steadied herself. A Saintess Blackjack was clearly required here.