"The agreed time has long passed, Amazuka...... When do you want me to wait? ”

The answer was made by a bald, middle-aged man known as the executive director. Although he is less than 160 centimeters tall, he can't help but feel a dull sense of intimidation due to his bulging muscles and fat. At first glance, there is an impression of a rough and capable business person.

"Ahaha, I'm sorry. But the minions of the SAR garrison don't matter for the time being, there is still an enchantment opened by Hase Kensheng here. It's not okay if you don't be careful about the spell, right?"

Amazuka said in an unashamed tone. I don't know if it was because he was used to that overly arrogant attitude, but the man who was called the executive director just snorted irritably.

Turning his gaze to the relief on the wall, the man, known as the "Managing Director," smiled rudely.

"Forget it. In short, this is the real 'spiritual blood of the sage'."

"Do you think I'll be wrong about the legacy left by my master?"

With an expression as if to say that it was really surprising, Amazuka shook his head and said.

Ignoring his words, the managing director approached the relief.

"But...... No matter how you look at it, it looks like an ordinary carving......"

"Because I'm still sleeping. In this state, it's nothing more than an ordinary piece of metal. Hase Kense's judgment was correct. Compared with hiding it crappily, hanging it out like this is more inconspicuous. But—"

Amazuka's tone became serious again. What he pulled out from under his coat was a crystal clear crimson orb. A gem taken from Kense's laboratory.

Amazuka approached the gem to the relief and gently touched the lower surface.

"Look, awakened"

At that moment, the relief changed dramatically.

The surface shook like a wave, and it shook like tentacles, trying to swallow the gem into its own interior. The shape is reminiscent of an amoeba that has awakened from suspended animation. It is a metal amoeba that emits a bright red luster like blood.

"I see...... That's 'refining nuclear'."

The executive director's eyes flashed with **, staring directly at the gem in Amazuka's hand.

"Yes. This is a fusion liquid metal lifeform with powerful self-proliferating powers, a magical catalyst that exists to harness the "spiritual blood of the sage."

Before being completely swallowed inside, Amazuka removed the gem from the relief. After snaking reluctantly, the bright red amoeba returned to its original metal carving.

However, the fact that it was not an ordinary carving must be clear to everyone by now.

The shape of its relief is mostly a camouflage applied by Hase Kensheng. The true face of this carving is a crimson liquid metal lifeform with an independent will.

Of course, it is not a creature that exists in nature. It has no fixed shape and will never be destroyed. The only thing that can give birth to such a life, which is contrary to the truth of the world, is the alchemy of freely manipulating the composition of matter.

If you can transplant your soul into this immortal metal lifeform, you can become a true immortal. This miracle was made possible by the bright red gemstones, the control unit known as the "alchemy".

"By transferring their consciousness to the 'refining core', the fused person will be able to maintain their consciousness even though they are fused with the 'spiritual blood'. By transforming your ** into an immortal metal lifeform, you can obtain a 'life' that is close to eternity. This is the ultimate alchemy that my master has achieved. ”

"Immortality...... And do you have the magic that can rival the true ancestor of the vampire—"

The managing director has a salivating expression on his face, touching the surface of the relief. His eyes flashed with endless revenge and a thirst for power.

"With that power, I guess the guys who kicked me out of the board and transferred me to headquarters in the middle of nowhere. Not only that, but it can also uproot the boss's family—"

"It seems like it's going to be fun. If you do that. ”

After saying it as if it didn't matter to himself, Amazuka put the 'refining core' in front of the executive director.

Catching the orb, which was heavier than expected, the managing director looked at Amazuka with a puzzled gaze. It seems strange that Amazuka handed over the 'refining core' to him easily.

After all, the 'spiritual blood of a sage' is one of the ideals pursued by alchemists. So far, the only one who has succeeded in creating it is the great alchemist Nina Adillard.

To give up this kind of thing, which can even be called the ultimate alchemy treasure, to give it to others for no reason, Tenzuka is not such a generous character.

"This 'refining core'...... It's a relic left by your master. Do you really not care if I take it? ”

"Of course. Covenants are to be kept"

But Amazuka replied with a smug smile. Then he opened the collar of his coat, revealing his chest that had been hidden all along. What appears there is, terrible and strange**.

The right half of the scrawny Amazuka no longer has the appearance of a human. The lustrous metal was eating away at his body. The heavenly mound was eroded by half of the metal lifeform that was the same as the relief on the wall, the 'spiritual blood of the sage'.

In the center of his chest, instead of the heart, a strange stone was buried.

Although it is similar to 'core refining', the stone is cloudy black. The shape is distorted, too. The reason why Tenzuka can barely maintain the shape of a human seems to be because of the black stone.

"Don't look at me like this, I'm actually grateful to you. Five years ago, you rescued me from an accident that should have died in an accident, Managing Director. Thanks to you, I was able to create this 'pseudo-refining core'—"

"Hmph. Not a bad mentality, Amazuka. ”

The Managing Director nodded in satisfaction and stroked the bright red gemstone with great care.

He is a member of a well-known machinery factory in China. However, the real title is not that of Managing Director. Because of the scandal caused within the company, he was deprived of the position of executive chairman, and he was placed in an idle position because of layoffs. Later, he meets Amazuka and decides to use the 'Sage's Spiritual Blood' for his revenge.

"Rest assured, that loyalty will be rewarded. Just when I took full power over the headquarters! ”

"I'll look forward to it, Managing Director. We both made good judgments. ”

Amatsuka finished speaking and left the wall. Wordlessly, he waved his cane and motioned for the two guards brought by the managing director to step back as well. Before the relief, only the managing director remained.

"Hmm...... Gradually, I understood. Is it this recess?"

In the center of the crack in the center of the relief, the managing director pressed the 'refining core' up.

The changes are dramatically unfolded.

The relief, which was the color of a gray copper plate, turned bright red in an instant, and the liquid spilled down.

The narrow altar of the chapel seemed to be enveloped in a sea of liquid metal in an instant.

The scattered liquid metal, which turned into huge bright red droplets under the action of surface tension, wriggled like primitive animals, and swarmed towards the executive director, who was the owner of the "refining core". Slowly climb up from under his feet, wanting to cover his **.

"Oooh...... Nicely started to suck around. Look, this one is as bright as blood. It's like a fine wine. Isn't it, Amazuka! ”

Despite being shrouded in the creepy 'spiritual blood', the Managing Director smiled heartily. Now, his ** until his chest is completely submerged in bright red droplets.

"Managing Director!"

"Danger, please stand back!"

Screaming with a look of fear on their faces, it was the two guards who shouted. But the managing director glared at them and shouted impatiently.

"What a stupid thing. The show has just begun! ”

"--Managing Director!"

"Hoohaha...... I felt it...... I can feel it. My ** gradually melting--! ”

The managing director exclaimed with an intoxicated expression.

Abandon the incomplete life of a human being and obtain an indestructible metal**. The huge magic that flowed into it gave him an overwhelming sense of happiness and omnipotence.

However, the erosion of the 'sage's spiritual blood' was interrupted in an unexpected form.

Because a part of the liquid metal expands, a new figure emerges in the water droplets.

"Huh?"

It was made of bright red liquid metal, the silhouette of a young woman. Outwardly, the age is eighteen or nineteen years old. It is a beautiful woman with a clear outline and an exotic face.

"Oops—"

The corners of Amazuka's mouth lifted pleasantly. It was an expression as if he was impatient with her appearance.

"Oh, is this the Great Alchemist Nina Adillard!"

A rough smile appeared and the managing director exclaimed. For the sudden obstruction, there is no wavering.

"'The Spiritual Blood of the Sage', and the 'Alchemy' - it was the ancient great alchemist Nina Adillard who created these. Therefore, it is natural to expect that the 'spiritual blood of the sage' will be resurrected at the same time as the owner.

"What awakens is her consciousness that is preserved in the 'refining core'. If this continues, Nina Adillard will be regained** and resurrected completely. In other words, as long as she is not destroyed, the "spiritual blood of the sage" cannot be appropriated for himself"

Looking coldly at the anxious guards, Amazuka explained.

The beautiful woman who appeared in the liquid metal has now almost completely regained her human form. Shiny black hair falls from the shoulders and flicks bright red droplets, revealing delicate brown skin.

"Woohoo......!?"

In contrast, it was the managing director who showed a painful expression.

The ** of the man who had almost dominated the 'spiritual blood of the sage' began to lose his original form and disintegrate. With the awakening of the rightful owner, Nina Adillard, he began to be excluded as a foreign object.

"To be devoured...... My body ...... Amazuka! Think of a way, Amazuka! ”

The managing director, who began to lose his prototype, asked Amatsuka for help with a desperate look. However, Amazuka sneered and waved his left cane. Squeak, the sound of gears meshing from somewhere.

"Don't worry, Managing Director. It's going to be over soon—"

Before Amazuka's words were finished, the screams of the executive director were heard.

The suit that barely maintained its original shape was shattered, and his **, which had been eroded by liquid metal, was revealed. Its entire body is covered in black gemstones. That was the 'pseudo-refining core' created by Amazuka.

On the grounds that it was necessary to harness the 'spiritual blood of the sage', it was Amatsuka who was persuaded in advance and embedded in the body of the executive director. But the real purpose of the Tenzuka is not to harness the 'spiritual blood of the sage'.