Bennett isn't stupid, and neither is Gray.
Realizing he had a new way to manipulate the other party, Gray changed his attitude almost without hesitation.
The temporary respect that preceded Antasia's identification vanished instantly, replaced by scrutiny, a scrutiny that seemed to see right through a person.
Gray was scrutinizing Bennett with that gaze, and the Blood Corpse was momentarily dazed.
He quickly realized that this was the same gaze he often saw in the eyes of those wealthy merchants when he was a human.
That's a merchant's assessment of the value of goods.
Scarcity increases value. When only one can control the Blood Corpse within the engine assembly, even Gray can only force himself to do so through electric shocks; there is no other way.
But now, a more loyal and reliable entity has emerged, and before the Antasia machine reveals its danger, it is Bennett's absolute superior replacement.
In other words, Bennett became a stand-in.
Gurgle.
He swallowed non-existent saliva and asked, his voice dry:
"You, you won't abandon your loyal servant, will you?"
"Certainly."
Gray smiled and gave his answer.
Do you really think so?
"Certainly."
"You mean, of course, or...?"
"Certainly."
Gray's smile seemed somewhat stiff at this moment, but that was precisely what made Bennett feel even more terrified.
" Old Bei, you've been quite busy lately."
Gray walked over to the back of the wheelchair:
"I know the Blood Corpse doesn't like sunbathing, and it must have been hard on me to keep you on the deck all this time."
His hands gripped the handles of the wheelchair.
"You don't seem to be in very good spirits."
Gray pushed the wheelchair toward the stairwell, Nora, seemingly understanding her husband's meaning, went down the stairs first.
"Since that's the case, why don't you take this opportunity to rest and calm down?"
He placed the wheelchair on the ramps on either side of the stairs, tilting it slightly forward.
"No, sir, I can still work, I can still serve you!"
"..."
Gray did not respond to the pitiful Blood Corpse, but simply loosened his grip on the wheelchair.
Meanwhile, Nora, who had arrived downstairs earlier, had already opened a large door facing the stairwell.
This is an empty, small storage room, completely empty except for some unwanted junk.
The wheelchair rolled over the edge of the stairs, bringing with it a series of groans as the wooden steps were crushed.
The howl mingled with Bennett's pleas and roars, carrying the old man into the empty storeroom.
"Bang!"
The wheelchair crashed into a wall, and the screams stopped abruptly.
"Bang!"
Nora slammed the door shut behind her, clapped her hands, and went back up the stairs.
The two high-fived on the top deck, celebrating their silent understanding.
"Wouldn't doing this be too hurtful to him?"
Nora didn't know much about the Blood Corpse after all. After spending some time with them, although she was wary of Bennett, she only regarded him as a bad guy.
Gray shook his head upon hearing this:
" Nora, my master once taught me that if someone truly believes in the Blood Corpse, he will soon become one of them."
He sighed and said:
"The merchants' internal archives record many similar incidents, including capturing the Blood Corpse Count alive and then turning him into... a situation similar to Bennett's."
"But the merchant at the time couldn't control lightning like the lich, and eventually the Blood Corpse Earl broke free and destroyed half of the satellite city."
"Okay, I was just saying."
Nora was horrified by this terrible ending. She shook her head, went downstairs, and locked the storage room again.
"So, during this time..."
"Let's trust Antasia."
Gray's tone softened slightly:
"I believe it, because it's a mobile fortress left to me by my master."
This wasn't entirely the truth, of course. In Gray's eyes, neither the temporarily bound Blood Corpse nor the machines that had gained will were absolutely trustworthy.
But if he had to choose between the two, he would still choose the mechanical creation that had been passed down for three generations.
Although he had only been in charge of this guy for less than ten years, Gray had never mistreated Antasia.
Even when using consumables for maintenance, he chooses the best he can afford; if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.
Moreover, although the road to the Graycast Corridor is now blocked, the road to the Second Holy See remains open.
Even though he and Nora had been ambushed by this living machine, given the current situation, Antasia would definitely fall into the hands of the Blood Corpse or the Second Holy See sooner or later.
Needless to say, the Blood Corpse were a given; it was clear that this machine didn't like those brainless bastards.
As for the Second Holy See...
Gray had no doubt that those lunatics—no, those quick-witted and eccentric fellows—would do him, a dead man, a small favor once they learned the truth.
Because he had long been aware of a notable characteristic of that group of people: they liked to emphasize names and titles in everything they did.
Although he didn't know why, Gray noticed that when the Soul Returner did things that violated basic public order and good morals, they always found some " Crown " excuses for themselves.
For example, when they force those Stained Ones to work overtime to produce parts, they would say:
"They were a group of villains who oppressed civilians and harmed children, so they deserved it."
For example, when they were processing the Blood Corpse in a harmless manner, they would say:
"You've become monsters. This is necessary to prevent you from harming others."
Most of them always like to find one excuse or another to so-called "justify" their behavior, as if they are following some bottom line hidden deep in their genes.
In Gray's view, these guys, who possessed immense power and, given time, could overturn the entire world, were completely unaware of one thing—
In this crumbling world, fists are the power to convince everyone.
Although Gray couldn't understand it, he didn't dislike these Soul Returner.
In his view, in a world where everyone is naked, it's good if even someone is wearing underwear.
Even if their excuses are clumsy, at least they would at least make up an excuse, unlike the many forces currently standing side by side in the world who make no attempt to conceal their actions.
He unconsciously tapped on the control panel, which no longer needed his operation, and softly said as he watched the night gradually spread:
" Antasia, if it's convenient, please tell me some stories about your master that I don't know."