I Married the Dragon I Killed — Chapter 16: Not a person, but a tool

Chapter 16: Not a person, but a tool

Echidna‌ Philiaz.

Age⁠‌ unknown.

She belonged to Philiaz‌ but was expelled‌‍ for not aligning‌‍ with the group’s‌ ideology.

Reason‌ for expulsion obsession⁠ with handsome faces⁠‌ and instant infatuation.⁠‌‍

Black⁠ hair, disheveled, with‍ deep dark circles as if wearing⁠⁠ gothic makeup.

Black lips, pale skin‌‌‌ as if she⁠ had not received‍‌ a single drop of light.

And‌‍ a gloomy atmosphere,‌ typical of a witch.

If⁠ she stayed still,‍‍ one might think‍ she fell within⁠‍ the category of⁠ beauty, but the aura inherent to‌‍ witches ruined everything.‌

So,⁠ if someone asked‌ whether she looked‌‌ like a witch—‍⁠

“Hello,‍ I’m Echidnaaa.”

That‍‌ childish tone, completely‌ opposite to her‍ appearance, shattered even‌‌ the characteristic atmosphere‍‍ of a witch.‍‍‍

“Ehehe…”‍

She⁠ smiled as if‌ she were a good person, but it was so‍⁠‍ forced that it‍⁠ was unsettling anyway.

Everything‍ about her made‍‌‌ it difficult for‍ her to fit‍ in with normal humans.

Echidna⁠ accepted without conditions‍‌ upon seeing Zed.‌

Even‌ so, it was‍ necessary to explain⁠⁠ what work she⁠ would be doing,‌ so Perda entered⁠‍‍ the witch’s house‌ and spoke face‌‌ to face with‌‍ her.

“You‍ said you would‍⁠ accept without conditions,‍⁠ but do you‍ know exactly what⁠‍ you will be⁠ doing?”

“Nope.⁠ But it doesn’t‍‍ matter.”

Echidna’s⁠ dark pupils churned⁠‍ like a stormy‍ sea.

“T-to⁠ be with someone‌‌‌ so handsome, and‌⁠ with such a cute young lady…‌‍‍ I-I’m happy with‍‍‍ that… ehehehe. If‌ you order me‍ to, I’ll become‌ a dog.”

The‌‌ madness typical of‌⁠‌ a witch slowly⁠‍ began to mix‍⁠‌ into her voice.‍

Ruri⁠‍ frowned, and Zed‌ also felt a chill and shrank‍ back.

The⁠‌ only one who remained impassive was‌ Perda.

“Echidna‍ Philiaz. You’re making‍ golems, aren’t you?”‍

“Huh?‌⁠ Ah, yes. So‌‍ what?”

“Could‌⁠ you continue that‌ golem production at‍ Castle Valdrova?”

“O-of course. I can.⁠‍ Hehe. If you⁠‌ order me to, I’ll become a dog. Woof.”

She⁠‌ accepted one thing‍⁠ after another without⁠‌ even asking.

That‌⁠ attitude even surprised⁠⁠ Perda.

‘I‌⁠‌ thought she would‌‍‌ be a little⁠‌ better in the‍ past, but this‌⁠ was her worst⁠ moment.’

When‍‌ Perda met her‍‍‌ later, she was‍⁠ already in a relatively sane state‍‍⁠ compared to now.‍‍‍

“Lord⁠‍‍ Perda.”

Ruri‌ lightly nudged him‍‌‍ and whispered.

“All‌ this just to‍ bring a woman‍ who makes golems?”

“I-it‌⁠‍ can be heard‍ from here…”

“Yes.⁠‌ Just golems.”

“I-I‌ said it can‍‍ be heard!”

Giant‍⁠‍ creatures made of‌‍‍ clay or stone.‍⁠‍

Barely⁠ capable of walking;‍⁠‍ aside from their size and durability,‍ they were nothing‌‍‍ more than walking⁠‌‍ corpses.

It‍‌ was no coincidence‍⁠⁠ that “golem” was⁠⁠ used as an⁠⁠‍ insult.

“Do‌‌ you have any‍ golem made right⁠‌ now?”

“Huh?‍⁠ Yes, I have⁠ one, but… ah,‌ it’s not finished yet, it’s embarrassing…”‍‍

“It‍‍ doesn’t matter. I’m‌‍⁠ not embarrassed.”

“Ah!‌ Then… I’ll show‌‌⁠ it to you!”⁠‍

Echidna⁠⁠ clapped her hands.⁠

Immediately,‍‍‍ the wardrobe burst⁠⁠ open and something‍ came out.

It‌ was a wooden‍ puppet shaped like‌‌ a robust man.‌‌

Large‌ eyes that seemed‍ to shine like‍ jewels, well-defined lips.⁠

A face and body like a prince⁠ idealized by a young girl’s imagination.⁠

Seeing‍⁠‍ the three of⁠‍ them staring at⁠ it, Echidna twisted‌‌‍ her body shyly.‍

“Ehehe…‍ it’s still not finished, it’s embarrassing…”‌

“The‍ face needs a bit more polishing.”‍‌

“No,⁠‍ the doll is‌ already finished.”

“……This?”‍

Zed‍⁠ could not hide‍‍‌ his astonishment.

That‍‍ was a finished⁠⁠⁠ product?

The⁠ golem creaked as‍ it moved and⁠ stepped outside.

Then⁠ it slightly turned‍ its head to⁠ look at Echidna.

She‍‍ smiled sweetly.

Criiik—‍‌ criiik—

With‍‍‌ harsh sounds of‍‌ poorly adjusted gears,⁠ the golem moved.⁠

It⁠ took a teacup‌ from the shelf⁠ and began to⁠ pour.

What⁠⁠‌ was surprising was‍ not only that,‍‍‍ but that it‍⁠ had chosen exactly⁠⁠ one type of‍ tea among many.‌‌

“There are many teas⁠ on the shelf.‍‍ Why did it‌ take that one?”‍

“Umm…‌‍ well, it works⁠ like this… ah,‍‌ it’s a bit‌⁠ boring to explain,‍⁠ so I won’t‌‌‍ say everything, mmm…”‌⁠⁠

Echidna‌ clenched her fists‌‌‍ and made small‍ nervous hops.

Perda‍ was about to⁠‍ answer for her.

“That is to say—”‍

“W-wait!‍ I-I think I can explain.”

It⁠ took her about⁠ three minutes to‍‌ organize her thoughts,⁠‍ sweating profusely.

Finally,⁠⁠ Echidna spoke.

“In‌‍ simple terms, it⁠ reads my mood‌ and brings the tea I like. Today I’m in a good mood,‌ so it brought⁠⁠ Darjeeling.”

“The‌‍⁠ golem… does that?”⁠⁠

Ruri⁠ asked, incredulous.

Echidna‌ scratched her head,‌ embarrassed.

“Ehehe.‍ I wanted to‍ try making something⁠ like that. That’s⁠ why I’m creating⁠ magic.”

“Creating⁠‍ magic…? That means‌⁠ you draw the‌‌ runes yourself, right?”‌

“Yes,‍⁠ yes, miss! I studied that a looooot!”

Even‌ Ruri, who usually looked down on‍ humans, felt admiration⁠‍⁠ this time.

To‍ create complex magic‍‌⁠ circles, one had‌ to master the‍ condensation of meaning—the‍ creation of runes.⁠

And‌ those capable of‍‌ creating runes did not even reach‌‌⁠ ten in the‍‌⁠ entire continent of‌ Serdes.

She⁠ was not just‌‍ a simple golem maker nor a gloomy witch.

She⁠‍⁠ was a

‘Rune‍ Maker.’

A witch with the‍ power to create magic.

Ruri‌ looked at Perda again.

Unlike before, her gaze⁠‌⁠ now held admiration instead of contempt.‍‍

“How‌ do you know‌‌ people like this?”‍⁠

“It⁠ was a coincidence.”‌‌⁠

Remembering⁠ her was, naturally,‍⁠ due to hatred.‌‌‍

She‌ was one of⁠ those people who‌ wasted her talent⁠⁠ almost criminally.

‘She‍ made me spit‍ blood from frustration.’‌

Echidna Philiaz had a sick obsession with‌‌ extremely handsome men.‍⁠

So‍⁠ intense that it‌ led her to‍‌⁠ awaken the Red‍⁠ Circle.

However,‌ the gloomy nature‌‌ of witches and⁠⁠ her complete lack‌ of social skills‍⁠⁠ left her in‍⁠ a situation where‌⁠ she could not‍ even interact with‍ men.

While‍ others might have‍ thought of improving⁠‍‍ their character or⁠ social skills, she‍ reached a different⁠ conclusion.

— If I can’t‍ get a boyfriend,‌ can’t I create‌⁠ one?

Turning⁠⁠ them into specimens‍‌‍ or puppets like‌ other witches did repulsed her.

With‍ a mentality halfway⁠‍ between human and‌ witch, she decided‍‍ to create something‍ similar to a human through golems.‌‌

Her‌ obsession led her‌⁠ to master ritual‍⁠ commands and rune⁠ creation.

Thus,‍ a Rune Maker⁠ was born.

‘Even‍ I, when I was a grand‌‌⁠ mage, could not‍‍ master rune creation—and she used it⁠ only to create‌⁠ a boyfriend.’

Perda⁠⁠ felt like he⁠⁠ could start spitting‍ blood at any⁠ moment.

A power capable of⁠‍ turning the world‍ upside down, used⁠ solely to create a boyfriend.

‘But‌ thanks to that,⁠ I learned it‌⁠ wasn’t impossible to⁠ create golem soldiers‌ capable of responding⁠ to dynamic orders.’‍

The homunculus, the culmination‍‌ of alchemy—an artificial‌‌‍ being capable of‌‍ learning and performing⁠‌‍ tasks impossible for‍ humans.

But‌ it had the‌ flaw of limited‍ production and lack⁠ of full control.‌

The‍ golem, on the‍‍ other hand, could‍⁠ be mass-produced, but could not execute⁠⁠‍ complex commands.

Echidna’s‍‍ golems combined the‍‌ best of both.‍‌‍

‘Driving‌ the monsters out⁠‍ of the eastern‍ front would not be impossible.’

It‍ was technology as⁠‌ revolutionary as the‌ magitechnology of Vernell⁠ Marquis.

“Alright,‍ I think we’ve‍‍‍ talked enough. I’ll‌‍ give you the appointment.”

“The‌‍ a-appointment?”

“You⁠‍⁠ will be Valdrova’s⁠‌ chief researcher. There‍‍‍ is already another‌‌‍ chief researcher, but‌‌ he is from‍‍ a different field,⁠‌ so you won’t⁠ need to worry‍ about each other.”‍⁠‍

“O-oh,‍‌‌ really?”

There⁠ is another one.⁠

Upon‍‌ hearing that, her⁠‌ black pupils rolled‍‌ nervously and she‍‍ spoke shyly.

“U-um…‍‌‌ is he a man?”

Perda⁠ nodded.

Her⁠ face flushed, and⁠‍ her fingers twisted‌‍ restlessly.

“He‍⁠ is a man.”⁠

“U-um…⁠‌⁠ is he… ha…⁠‌ handsome?”

Echidna’s‌ eyes sparkled, as‌⁠ if that were‌‌ the most important⁠ question in the‍ world.

“He‍ looks like an‍ ordinary scholar with‍ glasses.”

“Ah,⁠ is that so? Well, that’s fiiine……”⁠‍

Echidna‌‍ showed a slight‍⁠ gesture of disappointment.‌⁠‌

Her eyes slid toward‍ Zed.

Zed,‌ true to his‌ swallow nature, automatically‌ responded with a gentle smile.

“Ehehe…‍‌‍ ehehehe……”

The‌‌⁠ atmosphere grew murky, and Zed’s face‌ gradually stiffened.

He‍‌ wanted to step back, but there was nowhere to‌ retreat.

“Can‍ you leave immediately?‍‍ Or do you‌‍ need time to‍⁠ prepare?”

“No,‌ no. I have‍⁠ subspace storage magic, so I can pack everything and‌‍⁠ leave right away.⁠‍ Hehe…….”

Subspace‌ storage magic was‌ fifth tier.

That‌ meant she had⁠ at least five⁠ circles.

And‍ also that her‍ obsession with handsome⁠‌‌ men was tremendous.

“Perfect.‍⁠⁠ Get in the‍⁠ carriage and depart‌‍⁠ first to Castle‌ Valdrova.”

Zed abruptly turned his‌‍‍ head and asked,

“Aren’t⁠ you coming with‍ us?”

“There is still one person I must⁠ bring.”

“Then let’s go together.‍ I’m your attendant, after all.”

“That’s‍ not necessary.”

“No,‌ don’t say that……”⁠‌

Zed‌‌ spoke with an⁠⁠‌ awkward smile.

“Let’s‍‌ go together. Please.”⁠⁠‌

In‍‍ that please, genuine⁠ pleading could be‍‍ felt.

Basically,‍‍ he did not⁠⁠ want to be⁠ left alone with‌⁠ that woman.

‘That‌ cannot be.’

Perda⁠‌‍ knew.

He‍⁠ knew that the ultimate golem created by the future‍ Echidna had the‌ form of Zed‍‍⁠ Swallow.

And that the one‍⁠‍ who had made⁠ her obsess completely was Zed Swallow’s‌⁠ appearance.

‘So,‍‍ for now, I must keep them‍ together.’

For‍ Echidna’s madness to‌⁠ calm down, Zed had to remain by her side.‍

What⁠⁠ kind of future‌ awaited Zed because⁠ of that obsession‌‌⁠ was uncertain.

And⁠⁠ he did not⁠⁠‍ care.

Let him deal with‍ it himself.

***

In‍ that way, Perda managed to recruit⁠⁠ three talents.

The pioneer of magitechnology, Vernell Marquis.

The‌‌ great swindler, Zed‍‍ Swallow.

The⁠‍ rune maker, Echidna‌⁠ Philiaz.

And‌ the last person⁠⁠ remaining was—

“The‍‍‌ Sage of Water,‍‍ Helus Povidas, right?”‍‍

He‌‌ was the only⁠ human among the‍ proposed names whom⁠ Ruri knew.

In⁠⁠⁠ his mid-forties, a late-blooming mage.

But⁠‌ famous for his wisdom and sharp⁠ insight, capable of‌ seeing through things,‍‌ which earned him the title of “Sage of Water.”‌

He‍‍ lived in a mansion built in⁠ a rural village.‌‍

An⁠ ascetic without desires, who belonged to‌‍ no faction and⁠‍‍ held the belief⁠‌‍ that he must⁠ always live beside⁠‍‌ water.

“And⁠‍ this time how⁠ do you plan‌⁠ to persuade someone‍‌ who wouldn’t move‍ even for billions‍ from the Arken⁠ Empire?”

Perda’s‍ current record was‌ two successes and‌⁠ one pending negotiation.‍‍

Since‍ they did not‍⁠ know the previous‍⁠ target well, it‍ was hard to‍ predict the outcome, but this time‌ the opponent was⁠ more predictable.

Ruri judged that even‌ for Perda it‌‌ would be difficult⁠ to persuade him.⁠

‘He‍‍ doesn’t seem like⁠⁠⁠ someone who can‍‍ be brought in⁠ with authority or‌‍⁠ threats…….’

Curiosity‍‌ gnawed at her‍⁠⁠ from within.

Perda‍‌ replied.

“The‍ Sage of Water⁠ does not interest⁠‍ me.”

Ruri⁠ frowned.

“Then why did we‍ come? You came⁠ all the way‌ to the Sage⁠‍ of Water’s house‌⁠ saying you were‌ looking for the‌‍ Sage of Water,⁠ and now it‌⁠‌ turns out you⁠ don’t want to⁠ bring him?”

“What⁠‍ I seek has no name. So‍‍ I only used‌‌ the name Helus‌⁠ Povidas as a substitute.”

“Did⁠ you deceive me?”‍

Ruri looked at him‍ with narrowed eyes⁠‍ and a fierce expression.

“Only⁠ halfway.”

Perda‌⁠ raised his gaze‌ toward the mansion.‌

The windows were wide⁠ open, and the⁠‍ back door, used‍‌ by the servants,⁠⁠ was ajar.

Seeing‍⁠ that, he asked,⁠

“Normally,⁠ when common women‍⁠ wash clothes, where⁠ do they do it?”

“Why are you asking me that?”

Perda⁠⁠ looked her up and down.

An‍‍ expressionless girl dressed‌⁠ in a maid⁠ uniform.

“After⁠ all, you are⁠‌‌ an assistant.”

“Assistants⁠⁠ also have ranks.‌ And I solve‌ everything with magic.⁠ I am not‍ some brat who‌ goes beating clothes‌‍⁠ in a stream.”‍

“A⁠‍‍ stream, then. Thank‌⁠‍ you.”

Following‍⁠‌ that unintended advice,⁠ they headed toward‌‍ the stream.

Just‌⁠⁠ as she had‍⁠ said, it was‍ not difficult to‍⁠ find it.

“You⁠ stupid idiot! Can’t‍ you even do⁠⁠ that?!”

In‌‌‍ a place where‌⁠ only the murmur⁠⁠ of water could‍⁠ be heard, the‌‌ screams of a middle-aged woman echoed.⁠

There⁠‌⁠ stood a stout,⁠ aging woman and‌‌ an extremely thin⁠ young girl.

For‍ country folk, they⁠⁠ were impeccably dressed.⁠⁠

It⁠ was obvious they‌ were servants of a noble household.⁠‌

The⁠‌ older woman pointed‍‌ at the wet⁠‌ clothes of the⁠ young girl as⁠‍ she shouted.

“If⁠⁠ you already beat⁠ it and wrung‍‍ it out, you‍ have to put⁠‌‍ it in! Why‌ do I always⁠ have to tell you? Beat it!‍⁠ Wring it! Put⁠⁠ it in! Understood?!”

The‌ blonde girl nodded‍⁠ carefully.

“Oh,‍‍‌ for heaven’s sake!⁠‌ Why do I have to educate‍‌⁠ a useless thing like this? What sin am I paying for…?”

The‌ older servant beat‍ her chest, frowning.⁠‍

The‍ girl showed no‌ fear.

With‍‌ empty eyes, she looked at the‌‍‌ clothes and simply⁠ repeated what she‍ had been ordered‌ to do.

“Is‌‌‌ it troublesome?”

The‍ woman flinched and⁠ stood up abruptly.‌

Her‌⁠ eyes quickly scanned‍‌ Perda, and immediately⁠‍‍ a smile spread⁠ across her face.⁠

“Oh,⁠ sir. Forgive me.‌⁠ You saw something‍ embarrassing, ha, ha. I was educating‌ this clumsy servant‍‌‍ and my voice‍‌‌ got carried away……”‌

“That⁠‍ was education?”

“Of⁠‍ course you wouldn’t⁠ understand, noble sir.⁠ Sometimes you have‌ to give them⁠‌⁠ a proper impact⁠‍ so they understand.‌‌ That’s why I do it like‍ this.”

Perda’s⁠‌‍ eyes slid toward‍ the girl.

With‌ one hand on⁠‍ his chin, he⁠‌ murmured,

“Mmm.‍ That does not‍ seem like education,⁠‌⁠ but mere venting.‌‌ And besides, there‌ is no need‍⁠ to educate that⁠ girl.”

“What⁠‍‍ do you mean‍ by that?”

“Do you not think⁠ your order was‌ poorly phrased?”

The‌ older servant blinked.

“I’m‍⁠ sorry, sir. I do not understand‍ what you mean……”‌

“From what I saw‌‌ and heard, you only ordered her⁠ to beat and‌‍⁠ wring the clothes.‌‌⁠ But you did‌⁠ not indicate where⁠ she should put‌‌ them afterward. If‌⁠ you had told⁠ her, she would⁠ certainly have continued⁠ working.”

“Oh,‍ please! Do I also have to explain such things?⁠ If she were‍‍ a normal person,‍⁠ she would have‌‌ some common sense.‍‍‌ But she is‍‍ so stupid……”

The⁠⁠ woman glared at‍ the girl, who⁠ continued repeating the⁠⁠ same motion without‌⁠ paying attention to‌‌‌ the conversation.

“Exactly.‍⁠ The problem is‍‍ that you treat her as if‍⁠ she were a person.”

“What‍⁠‌ are you saying?‌‍‌ Are you implying‍ that this girl‌‍ is a tool?”⁠⁠

“If‍‍‌ you had treated‍‌ her as a tool and not‍ as a person, it would have‍‌ been different. Do‌ you not think⁠⁠ it excessive to‍‍ expect a tool to think for⁠‍ itself?”

The⁠ servant did not understand his words.⁠‍⁠

Ruri,‌⁠ who listened in‍⁠ silence, also could⁠‍ not fully grasp⁠ them.

“What kind of tool‍‌‌ eats and sleeps?‍‌⁠ If she were⁠‌ a tool, it‍⁠‌ would be enough⁠‌ to throw her‍‌ in a warehouse‍ or discard her……”

“And‌ why did you⁠ not discard her?”‍⁠

“Do⁠‍ you think I could? She is‌ someone the Sage‌‌ of Water appreciates.”‌

“Mmm,‌‍‌ is that so?”‍

“A‍‍ stray bitch I don’t even know⁠ where they picked⁠ up.”

The⁠‌ servant kept spitting⁠ insults without pause.

Perda‌‍‌ listened calmly and⁠ asked,

“If‍‌⁠ you dislike her⁠ and also cannot get rid of her, what do⁠ you think about‌‌ transferring her to⁠‌⁠ me?”