Chapter 470: Marionette speaks with the Family Head? [1]
Marionette stood in front of her father’s desk, staring down at the robotic man that continued to look through countless paperwork; all that could be linked to the new mysterious group that appeared within their territory—and was seemingly growing bigger by the day.
With a pleading look in her eyes that could only be hidden by her emotionless facade and mask, she opened her mouth and spoke:
"Family head, please reconsider your decision... Do you truly believe anyone in the upcoming event would be worth more in terms of potential than Lillian?"
The Crown of Roses paused his scribbling with the mechanical quill held tightly in between his fingers. He placed it aside and rested his metal chin on top of his interlocked fingers.
"So that’s the reason why you intruded into my office."
"... With your permission."
"An intrusion is still an intrusion, even with consent; you knew I was busy dealing with matters..."
Marionette unconsciously clutched her hands into fists, tightening her grip with an apologetic look on her face as she muttered out:
"And for that reason, I’m sorry, but please—"
"I’m joking." The Crown of Roses interrupted, leaning his back into his seat as he watched his daughter respond with a silent and surprised look; something he managed to identify due to body movements.
The eyes of the mechanical body seemingly frowned when it saw this reaction out of the girl. The Crown of Roses then sighed, "It seems we must have you re-touch on your past lessons..."
After saying that, he tapped his finger against the armrest of his chair before asking:
"You come to ask about the daughter of the Arius family. I’m sure I’ve already made my expression of dislike clear. So, why is it you still come to bother me about such matters?"
"Please, don’t avoid the subject, Family head! Compared to all those who will come to the Legacy Table, Lillian has a much higher rate of learning than they do! At this moment in time, she gradually nearing the small percentage of Tier 2 Mages that could be considered the peak of this stage—without enhancements!"
The Crown of Roses listened to his daughter’s rant about her lover while eerily tapping his finger against his desk, which seemed to unnerve Marionette a little.
She then heard him speak:
"You speak of her strengths as though I have seen them for myself. From what I’ve gathered, using my extensive resources, that girl has made little achievements to be considered connected to our family in any way, especially as someone who has a relationship with one of ours."
The Crown of Roses then paused for a moment before continuing:
"And our family does not gain much if we were to interact with the Arius family, for their research and expertise are something we already have some grounds on."
Marionette watched as he father sat up and picked up the mechanical quill once again, intending to return to work as he made a shooing gesture towards her.
The sight of her father disregarding her feelings and even thinking of her as a pawn for more resources for their family made her ill. Was that all she really was...?
Marek, the Crown of Roses, seeing as his daughter was still standing inside his office, sighed again. He then asked:
"Have you taken those supplements the Gardener supplied to you, daughter?"
Marionette, breaking out of her stupor, gave a reluctant nod with a frustrated expression. Since taking the medicine supplied to her, she felt a sense of unease inside her chest—and also a sort of weakness.
Upon taking them, she felt her mana within her core tighten uncomfortably; she had even felt as though her darkness had weakened in strength.
As Marionette thought about the pills she had been taking, an idea suddenly appeared inside her mind like a lightbulb flicking on with a switch.
What if...
"Family head. I wish to speak about that surgery with you."
"The one that the Gardener will be putting you through on... the 2nd of May? Yes. What about it?"
Marionette drew in a deep breath before offering a solution to her issue and also a proposal to the man she called her father.
"I wish to have it today."
The mechanical eyes of the robot stirred for a moment, not widening nor narrowing at his daughter’s request. However, despite that, a complex emotion could be seen in the eyes of the robot.
"For what purpose? From what I’ve gathered from the Gardener from your daily check-ups, your body isn’t stabilised enough for the surgery yet—"
"That’s fine." Marionette placed a hand above where her mana core would be within her chest and said, "If I managed to adapt to the changes that and exceed your expectations... Would you allow Lillian into our family?"
"Have you forgotten what this surgery is about?"
The eyes of the machine turned cold as they narrowed their gaze onto the girl. "This surgery is not some simple surgery for biological enhancements, daughter... You will be taking part in a surgery that would undoubtedly bring negative impacts to the surroundings if all goes wrong."
Marionette nodded slowly and muttered:
"Integration with True Darkness..."
There has been a theory lurking within the scientific world. Since the existence of monsters that had evolved and integrated themselves with a portion of the True Corruption, they ultimately become a corrupted entity... Why couldn’t humans?
Had there ever been a corrupted human?
There hasn’t.
While this surgery was built upon theoretical science and information, Marionette was ultimately the best test subject.
Her body had a high amount of endurance and tolerance to pain, while also being stronger than just the average person or mage.
She also had the Element of Darkness, which was the final proof that made her the perfect vessel of the True Darkness.
All other patients who had undergone this surgery had ultimately perished on the same day or days after the surgery.
Marionette still remembered her first time encountering True Darkness in her Second Trial with Lillian. And although such a substance was extremely dangerous... So was everything else that could be found within the Trial.
The only thing that gave her the sense of ease and comfort was ultimately because of...