Sigh.
"Just as I thoughtโฆ this is basic," I muttered aloud as I glanced at the screen. The scan for the Sword Birth had finished.
While the Boosted Gear resembled a primitive computer, the Sword Birth was more akin to a TV remoteโsimple, with only a few basic functions.
No wonder it's such a common gear. I could create far better energy-type gears. For example, a Dragon-energy-type Sword Birth, or even a Greek Divine-energy-type Sword Birth.
๐ ๐ค๐๐ฃ ๐ข๐ฎ ๐ฅ๐๐ฉ๐ง๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ผ๐๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ ๐พ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐จ-10 ๐ผ๐๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐พ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฉ๐๐ง
๐๐๐ฉ๐ง๐๐ค๐ฃ.(๐๐ค๐ข)/๐ฝ๐ก๐๐ข๐1
It's so basicโฆ I wonder why Big G never thought of this.
But I digress. Now that the scan is complete and the data is stored, I no longer need the gear...
I left the Sacred Gear orb on the table, my attention shifting to a nearby book on genetics.
Time to dive back into this fascinating subject. Genes are like intricate, closed systemsโextremely complex. If you remove even a single atom, the whole thing can fall apart. It's the same with tempering: altering even the smallest detail, like hair color, can cause a chain reaction, potentially destroying the entire structure.
Absolutely fascinating... and a truly vast field of study.
"Rightโฆ I need to find some technology used in genetic research," I mused, thinking for a moment. I turned back to my PC and booked a tour for a local genetics lab. While it wouldn't give me everything I need, it would provide a solid overview.
After all, I already understand that it's all about the microscopic world within our bloodโฆ
But I can't create anything from that knowledge alone. I could perhaps build a microscope, but that's about it.
Around the Same Time
Serafall pulled Grayfia aside, the black-haired Satan looking troubled as she paced in front of her.
"Grayfia, listen. This is bad."
"What's bad?"
"Marcus only went hunting once, and he ran into Artemis's Hunt! He wiped the floor with her! The problem is that he even earned the right to marry the Amazon Queen!" Serafall said, her expression darkening.
"Andโฆ you think he'll just marry her? Our Master doesn't care about this kind of thing," Grayfia replied, her tone matter-of-fact.
"The issue isn't whether he will marry her or not," Serafall countered, her voice rising with frustration. "The problem is that every step Marcus takes sends shockwaves through the world! The hunt is only the beginning. Artemis has no idea about the capabilities of the Freedom Mark II. She can't sense Marcus, so even if she lost, she'll likely believe it was only because the armor negates magic. My bet is that she's already on the hunt to find him."
Serafall resumed pacing, her thoughts racing.
"There will most likely be more encounters, and our Master will humiliate her again. In return, they'll try to make a move on him in his own hometown.
And as you know... that's suicidal." Leviathan reasoned, crossing her arms under her ample chest.
"And what? He'll capture her and enslave her? I'm not sure how Ars Goetia works, but it can't enslave Gods," Grayfia replied, raising an eyebrow, trying to grasp the point of this conversation.
Serafall shook her head, dismissing the idea.
"No, it's not about enslavement. Artemis is one of the Twelve Olympians. Her capture would eventually be revealed, and as you can imagine, that would shake the entire supernatural world. Master would be under a magnifying glass. While that may not be bad, since very few can actually harm him, what I'm concerned about is how many females will want his attention."
Serafall paused, her voice taking on a more serious tone.
"Hippolyta is just the beginning. There are still Aphrodite, Athena, and other minor Goddesses. And that's just from the Greek pantheon. Don't forget about the Diamond Core Heart installed in Kuohโ the Shinto pantheon could easily discover it and come after him. Then there are the Fallen Angelsโฆ they could send their females to seduce him. And, of courseโฆ that Bitch from the Heaven faction."
Grayfia listened intently, taking in Serafall's concerns.
"I see," she said after a pause. "So, you're worried that Master will forget about youโฆ about us. It's possible, with so many different Goddesses around the world. But, none of them are Devils like us. We are beings of sin. While they may refrain from certain actions, we can do whatever we want without hesitation. There's a reason Solomon wanted to enslave us rather than thoseโฆ crude beings."
Serafall looked at Grayfia with a newfound appreciation, clearly impressed by her reasoning.
"Yesโฆ Yes, exactly. For this, I will need your help," Serafall said, a smug smile spreading across her face. She recalled that a certain special day in February was approaching.
"I will help you, as long as it'sโ"
๐ ๐ค๐๐ฃ ๐ข๐ฎ ๐ฅ๐๐ฉ๐ง๐๐ค๐ฃ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ผ๐๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ ๐พ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐จ
-10 ๐ผ๐๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐พ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฉ๐๐ง
๐๐๐ฉ๐ง๐๐ค๐ฃ.(๐๐ค๐ข)/๐ฝ๐ก๐๐ข๐1
"I know, I know! We're going to seduce our Master together for Valentine's Day! What do you think?" Serafall's grin widened, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
Grayfia paused, considering the proposition carefully.
"Very well. Since I was the one who mentioned thisโฆ" Grayfia sighed, clearly resigned. She had brought up the topic of sin, after allโthe one area where the Gods had no superiority.
Serafall clapped her hands together in triumph. "Good! We'll be victorious!" she declared, her tone brimming with confidence as if she had just discovered the winning strategy to capture Marcus's heart.