Episode 150: Human Experimentation, Its Full Picture

　Several days had passed since the start of the human experiments. And then, on a day when the departure toward Kirchherion was finally drawing near—.

　In a room within the command headquarters of Dagrom Fortress City.

“…Here I go.”

　When Leon said that, the tip of the spear gripped in his hand—had already pierced through Siegfried’s chest.

　He infused magic into the spear. Then, that magic flowed into Siegfried’s body.

　Eventually—a small explosion occurred centered on Siegfried’s chest. That part was gouged out, and blood spurted forth.

　Leon gently pulled back the spear, sweat beading on his forehead.

“Hmm…”

　Siegfried said in an emotionless voice while gazing at the wound on his chest.

“It seems your technique is finally approaching completion.”

　Within Siegfried’s body, two systems of magic flowed.

　One was the inherent magic he was born with. The other was the magic that had newly taken residence in him after becoming a vampire.

　At first glance, the two appeared to be fused—but in reality, they weren’t completely mixed.

　The vampire’s magic was merely being controlled by Siegfried’s original magic.

　In other words, if some trigger occurred, that power could easily lose control and held the risk of running rampant.

“It’s a good technique, turning the enemy’s power against them. The power of the ‘Seven Great Calamities’ taken into one’s body destroys oneself—in other words, the cycle of evil’s karma comes full circle. Quite pleasing indeed.”

“…Is that so?”

　To Siegfried, who didn’t even twitch an eyebrow despite having a hole blasted in his chest, Leon inwardly felt a bit unnerved as he replied.

　This technique was something Leon had created at the end of human experiments using Siegfried.

　Its essence was to infuse a specific type of magic into the opponent’s body through the spear.

　What was infused was magic with the property of activating the power of the ‘Seven Great Calamities.’

　Both vampires and necromancers increased their power by taking in others’ magic.

　If that was the case, what would happen if one were to give them magic instead—that was the origin of this technique’s concept.

　To put it simply, if magic was suddenly poured in, the power of the ‘Seven Great Calamities’ would run wild and lose control.

　It was like having food forcibly shoved into one’s mouth all at once. No matter how delicious the food, if it’s crammed in roughly, one has no choice but to spit it out.

　As a result, the rampaging power of the ‘Seven Great Calamities’ broke free from control, over-activating, and finally exploding from the inside.

“However, it’s still not a technique usable in actual combat.”

“…Even so, I’ve put in quite a bit of effort here.”

　Infusing magic that activates the ‘Seven Great Calamities’’ magic into the opponent—the logic was simple, but executing it wasn’t easy.

　After all, it was like shaving away one’s own life force to give to the enemy.

“At this level, you can’t completely erase the power of the ‘Seven Great Calamities.’ Hone it further to increase its power. At the very least, make it capable of blowing my body away entirely.”

“—Why the hell do you look like you’re enjoying this so much? …Are you a masochist or something?”

　Even Siegfried felt pain when pierced by a spear.

　Moreover, if even one miscalculation occurred, there was a possibility he could truly die.

　Despite that, he showed no sign of pain or fear whatsoever.

“Of course it’s enjoyable. —I’m conducting human experiments on the best possible test subject imaginable. As one aiming to be the king of evil, there aren’t many things more fun than this.”

“…That test subject is yourself, you know.”

“Seeing you make that disgusted face like that is also quite enjoyable.”

“…So not a masochist, but a sadist, huh.”

　Leon let out a sigh, looking exasperated.

“—Well, whatever. We’ve come this far… I have no intention of turning back. …By the time the real thing comes, I’ll have it properly finished.”

“That’s fine.”

　When Siegfried snapped his fingers, the hole in his chest closed instantly, and his torn clothes were restored to normal.

“I can accept the body regenerating as a vampire’s ability… but how does the logic work for the clothes returning to normal too?”

“I compress the fabric of the clothes with magic and keep it stored at all times. I’m simply reweaving it.”

　The reason he could change clothes freely was based on the same principle.

“…You really are a dexterous guy.”

　As Leon muttered that, Siegfried quietly shifted his gaze beside him.

　What his eyes were directed at—was the person standing by in the corner of the room.

“Next is your turn, Beatrice.”

“…Understood.”

　The red-haired knight drew the sword at her waist in response to her master’s request.

“Your technique has already reached the realm of completion in terms of skill. Now—it’s about whether you can actually unleash it.”

　Beatrice had built up a technique to confront those harboring the power of the ‘Seven Great Calamities’ from a different perspective than Leon.

　Namely, it was to sever the ‘junction’ between the magic of the ‘Seven Great Calamities’ and the magic of the host themselves.

　By cutting the connection, it became possible to separate and neutralize both powers.

　That said, this technique was even more difficult than Leon’s method.

　The junction of magic—namely, it was nothing less than the feat of severing a conceptual structure that couldn’t be visualized.

　Despite that, Beatrice was already on the verge of mastering this seemingly unrealistic technique.

　However, she had one concern.

(To be able to unleash this technique in actual combat… I must complete it here and now. But if that succeeds, Lord Siegfried… might lose his life.)

　The person who had acknowledged her power. The existence she had determined to be her true master to serve.

　The fear of potentially losing that person by her own hand gnawed at her heart.

　Seeing through Beatrice’s hesitation, her master quietly spoke the words.

“Beatrice Nightray. You are my sword. Cut down—those who must be cut.”

“—Yes.”

　Beatrice quietly regulated her breathing and focused all her nerves.

　Viewing herself as a single sword, simply cutting what her master ordered her to cut—that was what she believed to be her mission.

　Even if that was her master himself.

　Even if it was her most precious existence.

　And then, her technique finally reached completion.

　Now, no matter what enemy she faced, she held no fear.

　Compared to the resolve of laying hands on her beloved master, no matter how powerful the foe or even her own death—none of it was worth fearing anymore.