I Became the Servant of the Blind Wicked Woman

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Divius called Orthes to his workshop. It was a necessary step to precisely measure Orthes' body in order to fit the artificial skin that would cover him.

However, Divius didn't call Orthes just to perform his assigned task.

He was curious about Orthes.

From birth to death, there are beings created to serve a single person—the Attendants. Divius believed Orthes was an Attendant created for Carisia.

What kind of thoughts do such beings have? What kind of manipulation is done to their brains to make such loyalty possible?

Is it surgery? Long-term brainwashing? Or perhaps genetic interference?

Is it something that can be solved with a 'click' using magic that manipulates the mind?

How do they perceive the master they must serve for their entire lives?

"The president wants you to simply create fake skin that can pass Blasphemia's skin verification procedure, right? Not a modification at the muscle fiber level?"

"Of course. I'm also scared of being cut open."

It was a joke not worth laughing at. Even in the middle of a battlefield where blood and swords clashed, his smile had never faltered.

But since he had made the joke himself, Divius decided to play along.

"Really? Then which is scarier, an angry president or a blind sword?"

"The president, of course. That's obvious."

Hmm, does he control him through fear?

Divius scrutinized Orthes' face through his helmet. However, Orthes' expression remained as calm as ever despite saying the president was scary.

***

That doctor. I knew he wasn't normal since he likes avant-garde fashion—wearing only a white coat over his underwear with a helmet.

He's really insane.

Between someone wielding a sword and someone shooting beams from their hands, of course the one shooting beams is scarier.

I answered calmly.

"It's the same for you, isn't it, Director? The president is scary."

After all, who pays the directors? From an employee's perspective, the employer is naturally a fearsome existence.

***

The counter-question, 'Aren't you also afraid of Carisia?' was true.

It wasn't just Carisia's formidable magical skills, but the possibility that her true identity might be connected to the upper echelons of the Ten Magical Commandments.

'Come to think of it, Carisia and Orthes knew that I used to handle the modification surgeries for Blasphemia….'

If that's the case, this isn't just a warning but a message.

'You should fear Carisia.' A hint that whatever you think Carisia's identity is, she's even more fearsome.

"I've been outdone. Did they teach you that at the tower?"

Using an analogy from ancient times, it was a 'noble' use of language. A delicate warning using metaphorical language. It seemed the direct descendants of the Ten Magical Commandments were highly educated.

"Tower? No, I just learned it through experience."

'What is he talking about?'

The fear of not getting paid by the employer is a universal struggle for all employees. Orthes shrugged.

***

Orthes' body measurements were ordinary. The only notable thing was his ability to control magic so well that not a single trace of a magic field could be detected.

It must be the technique of magic compression, essential for high-level combat mages to conceal their presence. Satisfied with this explanation, Divius fetched the amount of biotic fiber needed to cover Orthes' entire body.

"If you can hide your magic field that well, it's unlikely that you'll be detected due to the artificial skin's magic. Just to be sure, could you release some magic?"

Orthes shook his head.

'As expected.'

The analysis of a mage's magical attributes is something they rarely share, even with close colleagues. It gives clues about what kind of magic they use and how to defeat them.

Divius abandoned his attempts to dig deeper into Orthes and began his work. He carefully cut and assembled the biotic fiber to fit Orthes' measurements, almost like sewing.

Precision work at the microscopic level. He created pathways for Carisia's magic to flow through the emblem she would inscribe, weaving the unique muscle fiber patterns that serve as a kind of fingerprint for Blasphemia during verification.

As he worked, Divius asked Orthes questions. They seemed like casual inquiries, but they were actually meant to understand the mental structure of an Attendant.

Just in case Orthes wasn't an Attendant.

"Isn't it hard working under the president? It seems like you're handling more work than most directors."

"I consider it a sign of trust."

An instant response, less than a second. Divius revised his thoughts.

'There's no way this person isn't an Attendant.'

'Is he trying to assassinate me? Does he think I'd complain about working for Carisia and risk facing the consequences?'

Orthes seriously wondered if Divius disliked him. Did that man have a strong desire for power? Did he see Orthes as an obstacle to his career?

'If he wants to be the closest aide, I can hand it over…'

Imagining someone else being Carisia's closest aide instead of himself made Orthes unexpectedly uncomfortable.

His goal was always to eventually leave and live well. Leaving meant inevitably parting ways with Carisia. So, what was the problem?

'Ah.'

It was still too early to quit.

'It's 2076 now. I can't just leave until I'm sure the protagonist who will revive in 2077 won't team up with Carisia and destroy the world.'

Nodding, Orthes added.

"I don't enjoy working either."

Divius added a note in his notebook.

***

There was an unexpected departure from the Vicada Traveling Troupe. It was Niobe, who had met with Orthes.

"Why are you leaving so suddenly?"

Having heard directly from Orthes that Niobe had 'talent in magic,' Vicada had planned to sell her at a high price someday.

She had joined the troupe as an orphan who didn't want to starve and was attracted to the troupe's glamorous appearance. Selling her secretly wouldn't cause any backlash. He even justified it by thinking she'd have a better life researching in a magic tower than living as a wanderer.

But if she declared her departure in front of the other members, it would be hard to hold her back.

"I'm scared of him."

She referred to Orthes, who had visited last night. Had she been frightened by seeing a high-ranking mage for the first time? Vicada frowned.

"The matter is already settled. Rather than leaving now, let's move to the next city—"

"He will be watching! You saw him too! That creepy…"

"Shh, shh!"

The Hydra Corporation is strong. Since they were perceived as allies of Geryon, they might still be under surveillance. He couldn't let reckless talk cause trouble.

"I'm leaving here. I'm getting out of here."

Her resolute will left Vicada with no more excuses to stop her. Regretting the money he could have made from selling Niobe, he let her go.

Of course, Niobe wasn't leaving because she feared Orthes.

Rather than leaving Etna City, Niobe headed to the Hydra Corporation building.

She intended to meet the senior Blasphemia agent, Orthes.

***

"She's really coming."

That was my impression as I saw the kid looking around the company lobby on CCTV. She looked so innocent, like a child waiting for their dad at work.

The Blasphemia mages I've dealt with were never so defenseless.

"Hmm. She looks very young. Is it a disguise?"

"No, she genuinely seems to be around that age. It looks like she's a newly recruited novice after our clashes with them."

"Then please take good care of our guest. Or rather, you're the one going to be entertained, right?"

I nodded. Since I'd be following her to the Blasphemia branch, technically, I was the guest.

"Make sure to provide ample travel expenses."

Carisia laughed and waved her hand.

"If things go south, feel free to overturn the place. Just come back unharmed."

***

"Director Arabella, are you ready?"

"Oh, come on…"

Arabella held back her curse. She was already modifying a small drone to make it more discreet.

It had to infiltrate a secret organization without being detected.

Preferably within a night.

'What an unreasonable demand…'

With a sigh, Arabella handed over a small box.

"This is the smallest one I have. Once you open the box, it will activate on its own. From then on, I'll control it directly, so just release it near the database."

***

Niobe, who had been looking around the Hydra Corporation's lobby, heard clear footsteps approaching. Click, click.

The steady steps and unbroken breath were characteristic of someone with professional training.

"Have you been waiting long?"

Seeing her senior who seemed decades out of touch, Niobe nodded with a proud expression.

"No, not at all. Let's quickly go and report your return!"

Niobe had heard several times that the implicit knowledge of the organization was lost as most senior Blasphemia members disappeared. Even if he was a bumbling senior who had been left behind for decades, he was still a senior.

If she could bring this senior, who held the old Blasphemia's know-how, back into the organization, she would receive a great reward. Excited by this hope, Niobe quickened her pace.

To read over 200 fully translated episodes, patreon.com/Denji02