Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou

Volume 3, Prologue

That girl was as beautiful as a doll. Her green hair and green eyes caught the eye. Her well-featured face was beautiful, but no expression could be seen there.

She was a L'Isle-Adam.

That was a thinking artificial object that stood at the pinnacle of magical society. She was not just as beautiful as a doll; she was a doll. That was why the odd name of Korone suited her so well and why the odd situation she was currently in was so appropriate for her.

Korone stood tall in a field during the evening while surrounded by a screen displaying video footage. This screen was created by gathering the tiny particles in the atmosphere known as mana. It wrapped around her like a tube of translucent plastic, so from a distance, she looked like a doll inside in a tube-shaped package.

The screen displayed ten men in suits whose faces were hidden by a video effect. They were all sitting in chairs, but the chairs and walls behind them were all different. It seemed they were all being filmed in different places and displayed on the same screen.

“I believe I sent in the data for my report,” spoke Korone comfortably.

However, her voice always sounded the same, so no actual emotion could be taken from it.

Whether that was a simple observation or a complaint was hard to tell, but then one of the men on the screen opened his mouth to speak. His voice was altered to hide his identity.

“Part of being human is being unable to relax unless we actually see the person’s face and hear their voice from time to time.”

Another man replied without waiting for Korone to say anything.

“We are of course not talking about your face, Korone-kun. We mean us. Speaking via you is a good way of coming to a consensus.”

“But you are all hiding your faces and voices,” pointed out Korone.

None of the men could tell if she was trying to make a joke or not, so several clicks of the tongue and bitter laughs could be heard simultaneously.

“Is an artificial human dissatisfied with the system? It only matters that we can see each other.”

“Do not get so upset with her. An artificial human is a system as well. Do not forget that they have been made so they will not be completely controlled by humans. Humans have a tendency of doing atrocious things to the slaves they have complete control over. That is why artificial humans have been made to talk back and make jokes.”

“I know that. And making objections is fine. Artificial humans have feelings too. And the sense of self that does not initially exist begins to appear as time passes from their creation. The principle behind this is still unknown, though.”

“If I was rude, I apologize. I was only speaking the truth.” said Korone indifferently. She continued to say, “However, I doubt the members of the Cabinet Secretariat gathered to discuss artificial human intellect.”

“You are correct. This is about Sai Akuto.”

“He has caused quite a problem by awakening Codename Black Dragon.”

“Some are insisting this means he has already become the demon king.”

“Those are the hardliners.”

“As you know, the cabinet supervises the churches of each religion, but the control of the individual believers is not perfect due to the Gods being too systemized.”

“There are some idiots in the Diet who truly believe in these Gods that are nothing but a system. They are intent on nothing more than improving the lives of their fellow believers.”

“This is a bit off topic, but we are explaining it because an artificial human like you may find this hard to understand. What we mean is, humans will start a great commotion without bothering to check what exactly a demon king is.”

“And what is a demon king?” asked Korone.

“That is a secret. We cannot tell you.”

“Even though I am an artificial human?”

“Exactly. Technically, we do not even know. For us, not being able to publicly announce something is the same as not knowing it. However, we do know that Sai Akuto is not currently a demon king.”

“Isn’t that a contradiction? You know he is not a demon king yet you cannot announce it.”

“This sort of exception exists everywhere.”

“So I should just ignore it.”

“Now then, on to the real issue at hand. From what I have learned, the hardliners’ claims have basis. Ever since he awakened Codename Black Dragon, demonic beasts have had a great increase in activity in various places.”

“It is only natural for even those who are not ignorant to wish for Sai Akuto’s death.”

“Even our opinions are split. A few of us have even suggested assassination.”

“However, the high priest of your God Markt insists Sai Akuto deserves protection under the law as a citizen.”

“It seems this confrontation will never be resolved just by talking it out.”

“That is why we wish to suggest another means of resolving the situation.”

“We just need to take away Sai Akuto’s freedom.”

“I believe arresting someone with no clear charges against them would have the same problems as assassination,” commented Korone.

The members of the Cabinet Office laughed at that.

“We are men too. We know that it is possible to lose one’s freedom of one’s own free will.”

“Please speak more clearly.”

“Ha ha ha. What we mean is…”

“Sai Akuto is interested in women, is he not?”

“In the general meaning, yes,” agreed Korone.

The men on the screen smiled.

“Do you still not get it? We will take away his freedom with a woman. He simply needs to become involved with one. It is not uncommon for a woman to turn a man’s entire world upside down. We will control him with a woman.”

“That is obscene,” said Korone indifferently.

The men cleared their throats.

“We know it is.”

“But we will not be leading him to commit a crime.”

“The records of us doing so would remain with the God Markt, after all. We are not priests, so we do not have the authority to erase those records.”

“However, this will be nothing more than romance. He will be acting of his own free will. Even if he learns we are behind it all, he will not be able to betray her. At least not once he has become involved with her.”

“Yes. That is the type of personality he has.”

“And so we will be taking measures to carry this out. This is only natural. It will avoid a war.”

“I understand,” said Korone flatly.

“Do not act like this has nothing to do with you. This is a covert mission. The order is being given to you, Korone.”

“I belong to the church of Markt. I cannot obey that order.”

When Korone refused, one of the men on the screen raised his hand. The hand held a single paper.

“We have approval from the church of Markt. The electronic certificate will be sent to your head.”

“I take it that means I am to help with the Cabinet Office’s mission as a member of the church of Markt.”

“That is exactly what it means.”

“Then I cannot refuse.” A dull light could be seen deep in Korone’s eyes. “I have received the certificate. I have also received the mission details.”

Once Korone finished speaking, the men all spoke with relief in their voices.

“It seems the issue has been resolved.”

“No one tried to solve the problem ahead of time with the previous war.”

“This was the suggestion with the most common ground.”

“He seems to be quite straight-laced, but he is still a teenage boy. This should work.”

“Korone needs to make sure it does. We are leaving this up to you, Korone.”

Korone nodded with no change of expression.

“I will do my very best to ensure Sai Akuto falls for the seduction.”

“Excellent. Unfortunately, you will be forced to take responsibility if you fail in this mission. Do not forget that.”

“Take responsibility? Will I be dismissed?”

“We need not answer now.”

The screen disappeared before Korone could reply.

This left Korone standing alone in the evening field.

If anyone had seen her, they would likely have thought her expression was one of sorrow.

“Humans say we have emotions yet they do not properly understand what that means. How very strange,” muttered Korone in the blowing wind.

Anyone who knew her would have been surprised if they had heard that. Her words remained indifferent, yet they were filled with powerful emotion. And as if to prove it, Korone began complaining despite there being no one to hear her.

“Seducing someone is difficult for me. And I doubt it will go well…”

Korone began trudging along in resignation.

“Even I can fall in love. Not that he would ever realize it.”

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