"What about the second point? Can these people still be saved?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka voiced the second concern Archer had just raised.
"No."
Lawrence shook his head.
"With a structure like this, they can't be saved."
"Once someone has been made into a puppet, they can only be a puppet."
"The moment they were made into puppets, their selves collapsed and vanished. They aren't [still alive]; they are [being kept alive]."
Lawrence let out a long sigh.
"After becoming like this, what meaning is there in calling it 'living'?"
Everyone in the room fell silent.
"Master, I need to tell you something."
Archer looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka.
"...Go ahead."
Fujimaru Ritsuka was clearly in a poor mood, but he still responded to Archer.
"I intend to use the puppet before us for an immoral purpose. What do you think, Master?"
Archer's expression was serious.
"An immoral purpose?"
Fujimaru Ritsuka frowned.
"What are you planning to do?" Lawrence narrowed his eyes.
"I plan to install a bomb inside this puppet," Archer said gravely.
"These Coloratura Songstresses return to Kabukicho at regular intervals. Once this Coloratura Songstress carrying the bomb returns to the group, all we need to do is detonate it to create massive chaos. Then, we can use that opportunity to assassinate Empress Christine."
"...Are you serious?" Anno raised his head and glanced at him.
"It's the least labor-intensive method for us, isn't it?" Archer met Anno's gaze.
Both of their eyes were filled with seriousness.
Lawrence looked as though he wanted to say something.
Anno stared directly at Archer, gesturing for Lawrence and the others to remain silent. Then he stood and walked up to Archer.
"You... I don't know what your purpose is, but that kind of [choice] isn't one the Master should have to make."
Anno grabbed the