7
The next day.
“Please, no! Please, no! Please have mercy!!”
“It’s all right… You’ll be much stronger once you eat this.”
Today is supposed to be a day off, so I’m wandering aimlessly around the barracks when I hear shouting…
“I can’t, I can’t, I can’t! Bugs are absolutely out of the question!”
“Insects are rich in nutrients and a good source of protein. Eating insects is a basic part of survival training. Stop being such a baby and eat it already!”
I follow the familiar voices to a half-open door and peer into the room. There I find Alice trying to feed Rose a grasshopper. Meanwhile, a teary-eyed Rose is shying away and shaking her head.
“What are you two doing?”
Rose jumps up and takes cover behind me.
“Boss, help! Alice is bullying me!”
And with that, Rose cowers from Alice, peering at her from behind me.
“Perfect timing, Six. Hold her down for a moment, will you?”
“You wouldn’t do that, would you, Boss? You’re a nice person, aren’t you? Right? Right?!”
Caught between these two, I sigh and slump my shoulders.
“Why exactly are you doing this, Alice? It’s not gonna earn you any Evil Points. You should leave this sort of thing to me.”
“How could you, Boss?! I can’t trust anyone! Grandpa was right! Humans are inferior and deserve to be wiped off the face of the planet!”
I ignore Rose as she whimpers and smacks my back, and I focus my attention on Alice.
“I’m trying to figure out how her copying ability works. It looks like she absorbs the genetic material of whatever she eats. I figured I could gather more data through experiments.”
Rose calls herself an artificial Chimera. According to Snow and Grimm, there’s nothing to back it up other than Rose’s own claim. The truth about just who and what she is remains shrouded in mystery. All we know is that she was found hibernating in an artifact inside some ruins…
“So what exactly is the deal with the ruins she was discovered in? Did there used to be a super-advanced civilization on this planet or something?”
“That’s definitely a possibility. Which is why I want to try feeding various things to her. I’m starting with a grasshopper. If she absorbs the genes of a grasshopper, I’m pretty sure she’ll become the most powerful creature on this planet.”
Ah, I think I see what’s going on here.
“I don’t understand why that means I have to eat the grasshopper! Aren’t there stronger things I could eat instead?”
I’m hit with a wave of genuine culture shock as Rose’s words reveal just how little this world knows about genetics.
“Don’t underestimate the grasshopper’s genes, Rose. In our corporation, making mutants from grasshoppers was considered taboo.”
“Exactly. Now suck it up and eat the grasshopper. If you finish it, I’ll give you a special treat.”
“What are you even talking about?! You two aren’t making any sense!” Rose backs away from us, crouching into the corner. “B-but…what do you mean by special treat? Is it something delicious? Depending on what it is, I might consider it…”
Alice takes out a wrapped package of some sort.
“It’s called silicone. If you eat it, I’m sure it’ll increase your bust size.”
“How wonderful! Alice! Let’s order a ton of silicone. Then we can feed Rose until she becomes super-busty!”
“I don’t need something like that! I’m perfectly fine with my current size!”
Hey, that reminds me.
“Say, Rose, I meant to ask you before. Why are you putting up with how they treat you here? Given your power, I’m sure you could find better employment elsewhere.”
“…To learn more about myself. The kingdom’s scholars are studying the ruins they found me in. The higher-ups promised that if I kept fighting for the kingdom, they would tell me whatever the scholars learned…”
Rose then recounts her memories to us. According to Rose, the old man who created her died after delving into dark, forbidden arts. Before falling victim to those twisted energies, the old man left a series of instructions for Rose. In order to carry out those instructions, Rose is currently on the hunt for a certain item.
It’s a stone of some sort, as well as the very object the old man dipped into the forbidden arts to obtain. It’s said to cure all illnesses if made into medicine, to grant immortality as an elixir, or to craft the ultimate, indestructible weapon if forged. If used as a spell component, it can change the very shape of the world. And if used as an offering to the gods, the gods themselves would appear before you to grant your wishes. This ultimate stone was what Rose’s creator was after.
…But listening to stories about Rose, I can’t shake the feeling that Rose is a powerful artifact in her own right. I have to admit I’m impressed by how casually this kingdom’s leaders use her. I mean, hell, they pay her peanuts and send her on suicide missions. Honestly, this kingdom is run by some pretty heartless bastards.
“<Hey, Alice, once we establish a two-way link with Earth, we should send some Kisaragi researchers into the ruins. Also, make sure we officially add Rose to our ranks.>”
“<I agree. She’s already looks like one of our mutants. All we need to do is get her into the right mind-set and she’ll make a powerful Combat Agent.”
“…Um, why are you two suddenly speaking in that strange language again?”
Our sudden switch to Japanese is clearly making Rose’s anxiety worse. Alice and I reassuringly put our hands on Rose’s shoulders.
“Rose, from here on out, the two of us will cure you of your ignorance. Starting today, you’re officially one of us.”
“You’re still a child, so you’ll need proper indoctrination. You should feel free to think of me as your mother.”
“Alice, you’re younger than I am! I’m going to have to pass on the lesson. I bet you’re planning on teaching me some strange things… And what is this badge?! I don’t want this!”
Alice attaches an official Kisaragi badge to Rose’s chest.
“Congratulations, you’re now a Combat Agent in training,” I tell her.
“Congrats! From here on out, not only is Six your boss but he’s also your mentor. Listen to him carefully.”
“Wh-what? No! You two look like you’re planning something… Wait, why are you clapping? Stop it! I’m fine with the way things are right now! B-boss? What’s that in your hand?! Whatever it is, I’m not eating it! You can’t make me eat grasshoppers or silicone or anything weird!”
[Status Report]
Safely arrived at target destination despite being teleported to an altitude of several thousand meters.
Alice reports some substantial differences in fauna between target destination and Earth, but aside from lower CO2 concentrations, atmosphere composition is similar to Earth.
Discovered extensive undeveloped land and civilized settlements.
Resource studies yet to be conducted, but local foodstuffs are edible and provide sufficient nutrients.
Undeveloped lands show potential to alleviate food shortages on Earth from population growth.
After a demonstration of our abilities, recruited to lead a squadron for a local political entity.
Local political entity is currently in conflict with a competitor calling itself the Demon Lord’s Army.
Engaged in combat with said competitor. Confirmed presence of mutant-level opponents.
Sustained a near loss due to insufficient equipment. Requesting substantial material reinforcements. Could really, really use the latest and greatest equipment. Kindly stop being a bunch of cheapskates.
Reporting Operative:
Combat Agent 6, Who Almost Died from Lilith’s Mistakes
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