Paracelsus

"This will serve as my base for now. Once the proper base is finished, we'll move there, so please make do for the time being."

After bringing the two Servants and the Holy Grail personalities into Lute Village, Ye Uchiha explained the situation to them.

Many of the villagers cast curious or awed looks at the four unfamiliar figures beside Ye Uchiha. To them, their newly appointed lord was an eccentric man. He had entrusted all of Lute Village's affairs to the former lord and showed no intention of getting involved. He also lacked any of the airs of a noble, making him completely unlike the noble lords they knew.

"This world looks rather like medieval Europe. It hasn't undergone an industrial revolution," Paracelsus commented as he observed the surrounding buildings and the villagers' clothing.

Gin Ichimaru smiled. "This isn't our world. It's an entirely different one."

As Holy Grail personalities, Irisviel and Justeaze possessed the memories of "their" lives, so the medieval European buildings around them came as no surprise.

Hassan of the Hundred Faces followed silently behind Ye Uchiha, quietly serving as his bodyguard.

The group arrived at the village inn where they were staying. Princess Kaguya remained shut away in her room, engrossed in studying this world's magic. Apart from mealtimes, she was scarcely ever seen.

The remaining two Servants and two Holy Grail personalities were brought into Ye Uchiha's room to discuss what came next. Gin Ichimaru, finding it all too much trouble, excused himself to rest and returned to his own room.

"I can create artificial lifeforms, such as artificial spirits, homunculi, and artificial puppets... This is my only specialty. If you have any use for artificial lifeforms, I will devote every effort to producing them for you."

After learning about Ye Uchiha's current circumstances, Paracelsus spoke up.

Hassan of the Hundred Faces replied, "We are a Heroic Spirit who is both an individual and a multitude. If there is anything we can do to help, please give us your orders."

Ye Uchiha was pleased that both were willing to help. "What materials do you need to create artificial lifeforms?" he asked.

Paracelsus considered the question before answering. "That depends on what specifications you want, Master. Artificial lifeforms designed specifically for combat require magecraft marrow and artificial lifeform prototypes as materials. Although their combat strength can rival that of some low-tier Servants, cultivating those materials takes too long. Producing a batch would take about half a month."

"What if we removed their combat functions and made artificial puppets that could follow their owner's simple instructions and handle cleaning?"

Though he did not understand why Ye Uchiha was asking, Paracelsus frowned and said, "If you only mean artificial puppets designed for serving and cleaning, those are quite easy to make. I would only need to gather a few simple materials."

Cleaning puppets had no combat power whatsoever. At most, they could tidy rooms and clear away rubbish. Although they were essential household puppet servants and butlers, they were easily damaged by external impacts and were essentially disposable. In Paracelsus's eyes, creating such crippled versions of artificial lifeforms was tantamount to an insult to his abilities.

"If we put them into production, roughly how many could you mass-produce each day?"

"I see. You intend to sell these puppet butlers, Master." Paracelsus quickly understood Ye Uchiha's intent. Somewhat more interested now, he thought it over and said, "With assistants, mass-producing several hundred to a thousand a day would be no problem. Working alone, I could make fewer than a hundred a day at most."

Although Paracelsus was known as the "forefather of alchemy" and had ascended to become a Heroic Spirit and Servant, he still had only one mind, two hands, and two feet, just like an ordinary person. He could not manage the sleepless mechanized production of a modern factory. He needed rest, too.

"As for manpower, I'll leave that to you, Hassan of the Hundred Faces. Go to the surrounding towns and bring back skilled craftsmen, apothecaries, and the like. Remember to keep some distance from Lute Village. Just make sure nobody realizes we're behind it."

Ye Uchiha had considerable confidence in Hassan of the Hundred Faces' endless tricks and bizarre array of personality manifestations. She was ideally suited to kidnapping and assassination, so he gave the assignment to her.

Ye Uchiha had long intended to recruit talented people, and he handed the kidnapping mission to Hassan of the Hundred Faces, who excelled at stealth. With Gudako, a "manifestation of the Evils of Humanity," as the final boss, he felt it would be better to lie low for now: Build high walls, stockpile provisions, and take your time claiming the throne.

Having already made his preparations, Ye Uchiha intended to develop the base first, then expand his influence into other worlds and channel their resources into strengthening his own side. Having an organization behind him to offer support and advice was better than having to handle every last thing himself in the future.

Hassan of the Hundred Faces nodded slightly to show she understood, then transformed her entire body into spirit particles and vanished from the room.

Turning his gaze to the two Holy Grail personalities, Ye Uchiha asked, "Justeaze, Irisviel, do you have any particular talents?"

Her ruby-red eyes fixed on Ye Uchiha, Irisviel complained, "Honestly, we're only administrators of the Throne of Heroes, yet you're making us work. You really know how to exploit people, Master."

Justeaze said calmly, "As the personality of the Greater Grail, I can strengthen a region's underground veins into spiritual ley lines."

"That would work. With spiritual ley lines supporting us, I could use alchemy to transform the new base into a sturdy magecraft fortress with both offensive and defensive capabilities. Even Servants would struggle to capture it." Paracelsus's eyes lit up. He looked at Justeaze as though she were a priceless treasure, then spoke to Ye Uchiha while forcibly suppressing his excitement.

"And what about you, Irisviel?"

"If a Servant falls in battle, they will be absorbed into 'my' body. The Lesser Grail holds the souls of fallen Servants. If there is enough magical energy in reserve, I can resurrect them." A smile appeared on Irisviel's delicate face, making even Ye Uchiha's chastely guarded heart tremble.

If Justeaze could be likened to a lofty saint, then Irisviel was a sprite left behind in the mortal world, someone who could warm even a cold heart. In another sense, Irisviel was more human than Justeaze.

Of course, they were merely Holy Grail personalities named "Justeaze" and "Irisviel." The Holy Grail was using their personas and memories, imitating their manner of speech to communicate with him. They were not Justeaze and Irisviel themselves. Ye Uchiha understood that perfectly well.

Please remember this book's original publication domain: . The mobile reading address for Biquge is .