Chapter 165: Easy to Fool
At the same time, as Artorius stood up and prepared to leave, X also stood up, following behind him and tugging on his clothes sleeve.
"Don't you believe me? They really exist. I came to find you because of this... "
X walked alongside him and spoke with a pitiful tone. She appeared pitiable, but her words made one want to knock her head a couple more times.
But then, seeing her pitiable and teary-eyed appearance with that Artoria Face, he found it incredibly adorable. He just couldn't bring himself to be harsh.
"Hahh... alright, alright, I believe you..." Artorius sighed with a hint of exasperation. "They really exist, they really exist, okay?"
It was like pacifying a child.
"Don't cry, okay? Be a good girl."
"Artorius?!"
X might seem unreliable, like someone with mental illness, but she wasn't actually stupid.
Artorius was just humoring her, and she could easily pick up on that. Naturally, it made her even more frustrated.
"I'm telling the truth! There are really many Evil Artoria Species that exist to take on this world!"
"..."
Artorius fell silent for a few seconds.
Continuing to argue with X would be endless, so, unsurprisingly, going along with her was the better option.
Just like dealing with a patient in a mental hospital.
As a doctor, if you wanted to treat someone, you had to go along with their words, understand their delusion, cooperate, and act like you believed them. You needed to fully invest yourself, comprehend them from all angles, and accept them.
"I believe you."
Artorius looked at her seriously, placing his hand on her shoulder.
"The Evil Artoria Species are indeed too dangerous for our fledgling empire. These dangerous matters, if known by the masses, would surely shake the foundations of the nation. So, unless absolutely necessary, we should operate in secrecy. Do you understand what I mean, X?"
"Oh?! So that's why you're saying this?"
"Yes."
Artorius replied seriously and glanced earnestly at X, then continued:
"I've always believed in you, X. I've also always known that the Artoria Species are powerful. It's because I understand their strength that I pretend not to care. It makes them lower their guard. The Artoria Species have become persistent cockroaches. They've infiltrated the body of the empire. In the military, the cabinet, local governments, the central authority, and the harem—Artoria Species are everywhere. If we're not careful, they'll catch our weakness. Do you get what I'm saying?"
As they walked and talked, they traversed a corridor and descended stairs, heading toward the underground magic factory.
Artorius maintained a grave expression, making X instantly believe in what he was saying.
"I get it! I get it!"
X's smile returned as she looked at several women in Gothic maid uniforms on either side that saluted Artorius.
"We do need to be cautious. If any Artoria Species catch wind of us plotting against them, it won't end well. It's a matter of minutes before your empire falls to the clutches of these evil beings. Even you, Artorius, could be taken away by them and become their plaything. This isn't a joke!" X said solemnly.
"Umu, you're right." Artorius continued from where X left off. "That's why we need to rely on you."
"R-Rely on me?"
"Yes, rely on you—given this situation, I trust no one but you. To counter the Artoria Species, we need you."
"..."
"Yes! Yes!"
Upon hearing Artorius's words, X's cheeks flushed with excitement.
Ignoring the hushed conversations of the mages around, she excitedly responded to Artorius, "Don't worry! I know what to do! First, act as if nothing's wrong to lower their guard. Then, secretly investigate the whereabouts of the Artoria Species. Once we gather all the information, we'll strategize and eliminate them in one fell swoop, right?"
"Yes, exactly. My, my, you're truly clever, as expected of Mother."
As Artorius spoke, he playfully ruffled X's hair, prompting her to giggle in delight. When she'd had her fill of laughter, he finally smiled contentedly.
"Now, let's proceed according to the plan."
During their conversation, they had reached the heart of the magic factory. Seeing Scathach, Morgan, and Vivian again close at hand, Artorius stopped, intending to wrap up matters with X.
"Let's make a promise, X."
"Sure, sure."
"From now on, don't discuss matters about the Artoria Species in public."
"Sure, sure."
"Also, no more reckless actions, like searching for the Artoria Species openly."
"Covert operations, I got it!"
X was an Assassin, but she had always believed she was a Saber. Despite that, her 'Presence Concealment' skills were still intact.
"That settles it."
"Yes, yes, it's settled."
X happily agreed with Artorius. Her previous tearful demeanor was nowhere to be found; she was once again brimming with confidence.
'This girl is surprisingly easy to fool.'
Seeing this, Artorius couldn't help but inwardly remark.
===
Next, X transformed from a flashy and dramatic 'chuunibyou' to a quiet and reserved character.
She obediently followed behind Artorius, observing her son and others interact with joyous foolishness. She daydreamed about defeating all Artoria Species, standing atop thousands of fallen Artoria Species, holding Artorius, and asserting her sovereignty over her progeny.
"..."
"?"
Witnessing this scene, Morgan and Scathach exchanged a glance.
Though they didn't say a word, in their prior understanding, the two shared a silent understanding.
In essence, they both thought:
'This kid has been completely tricked by him.'
'Fooled easily, huh....'
"Has the research begun?"
Pretending not to notice their gaze, Artorius walked over with a smile, greeted his aunt and teacher, and then looked ahead.
Up ahead, the Dun Stallion II had already been dismantled. Mages were directing magic puppets to move various pieces around.
"They're quite efficient..." Artorius said his opinion.
The researchers were even faster than Artorius had anticipated.
While Artorius was still in the meeting, they had constructed an entirely new research facility underground and then moved the spaceship into it. After that, they began their research with great enthusiasm.
Firstly, they disassembled it, analyzing unimportant metal components, and researching alloy materials.
For the more intricate electronic parts and mechanical devices, they conducted separate studies.
Anything that yielded results was immediately pursued. If something was too advanced, bizarre, or incompatible with their world's systems, it was put on hold for future consideration.
A group of mages worked enthusiastically, their faces flushed with excitement.
After all, this was a spaceship.
Since the decline of the Age of Gods, they hadn't seen anything this novel in years. It was worth researching thoroughly; examining every nook and cranny, inside and out, would be a golden opportunity.
But, it seemed like the self-proclaimed mother had erupted.
"Wait?!"
"Hey hey hey! What are you guys doing?! My spaceship?! Noo!!!"
X paused for a moment and then yelled in frustration, wanting to rush over and beat those mages.
"Even though Dun Stallion II was a cheap buy from Amazoness, you can't just mess around with it—I don't even have a proper job, I bought it with the money I earned from odd jobs! Ahhh!!! Artorius, let go of me!"
Before she could charge out to attack, Artorius grabbed X's collar, turning her run into a futile gesture, and the swings of her sword into mere gestures.
"X, calm down."
"How can I calm down—munya..."
The next second, her body was hugged by Artorius, and she started emitting a soft and bubbly sound. She struggled for a couple of moments and then became completely immobilized, her body turning limp.
"Artorius~"
Although there was still a hint of resentment in her eyes, X had already chosen to forgive.
'W-Well, it was already broken when it fell anyway...' She was making excuses inwardly to cope.
As X sent a resentful gaze, Artorius held her gently in his embrace, completely ignoring the murderous look Morgan was giving him from behind.
"This spaceship is quite useful for me."
Artorius said gently to X, explaining the reason.
"I actually intended to discuss the disassembly with you before doing anything. I just didn't expect these guys to act so quickly. I admit I handled this poorly. How can I make it up to you?"
"Well..."
Hearing Artorius say that, X's face turned even redder. The way things were going, if she requested Artorius to do those activities he did with the Einzbern maids, it wasn't entirely impossible.
This caused Morgan, who was watching X's behavior, to swiftly dismiss a plan from her mind.
That plan was about cloning a bunch of Artoria to enhance the empire's combat power.
Two Artorias (Mordred and Artoria) were already more than enough trouble. Adding more into the mix and sharing Artorius's 'cream' with another one would be counterproductive.
As she thought about this, a horrifying scenario flashed through her mind.
It was an array of Artorias in various styles—times ten, times a hundred, times a hundred thousand.
They surged from all directions, each holding a different kind of holy sword, divine sword, magic sword, or plastic sword. They all looked excited and joyful, charging towards Artorius.
In the face of this Artoria army, the empire's troops were like paper, easily defeated. The long spear formations, the mage units, the magic artillery, and the knight orders—all crumbled before the Artoria army.
""Artorius~""
These Artorias, one by one, called Artorius's name with joyful expressions and clear objectives.
After wiping out the entire empire's troops, they kidnapped the Dragon Emperor and fled.
"What are you all doing?! Let me go!"
Although he said that, Artorius's expression didn't seem sorrowful; it was even somewhat playful.
As Morgan imagined that scenario, she couldn't help but shiver.
'Artoria Species are evil? Indeed, it's a terrifying matter. Fortunately, all of those are just a delusion of this kid and not real.'
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