Alaric was well aware of the true nature of the Artificial Death, but knowing its essence wasn't enough. Whether it was reducing the difficulty of Azik merging with his other soul half by influencing the Artificial Death or safely separating Azik's other soul half from the Death's Uniqueness, gathering more intelligence was undeniably crucial.
Even setting aside the former, for the latter alone, forcibly separating Azik's soul half from the Death's Uniqueness through brute force could have unforeseen consequences. The Evernight Goddess might not care about such risks for Azik, but as his friend, Alaric had to proceed with caution.
Haiter froze for a moment, clearly caught off guard by the response. Almost instinctively, he glanced at Azik, his voice tinged with confusion. "But…"
But hasn't His Majesty Azik already accommodated the Death's Uniqueness?
The doubt flashed through Haiter's mind, but then he recalled certain details... the bizarre, almost split-personality behavior of the "God of Death" when he had prayed to him earlier.
Haiter didn't jump to the conclusion that Azik had split apart. Instead, he grew increasingly certain of another possibility: Azik was likely facing issues due to accommodating the Death's Uniqueness.
Considering the Artificial Death project's impact on the Uniqueness, it was entirely possible that this project was the root of the problem.
At this thought, Haiter broke out in a cold sweat.
"It seems you know exactly what your project entails." Alaric said with a smile.
"Your Majesty, I am guilty…" Haiter immediately dropped to his knees before Azik.
"Get up. I don't like people kneeling to me." Azik said, glancing at him coolly. "If you know you've done wrong, then make amends."
"Yes, I'll fetch the documents at once." Haiter hurriedly stood and left to retrieve the materials on the Artificial Death.
Lady Sia, witnessing this exchange, seemed to piece something together, her eyes flickering with realization.
Alaric caught her look and, with a sudden smile, asked, "What's on your mind, Sia?"
Lady Sia jolted, hesitating briefly before glancing at Azik. Choosing not to hide her thoughts, she said, "I was thinking that Lord Azik hasn't fully accommodated the Death's Uniqueness. He may be able to wield its power, but he's far from truly integrating it."
"You think this is your chance?" Alaric asked, his smile teasing.
Lady Sia fell silent, her gaze lingering on Azik before pulling back. Lowering her eyes, she sighed softly and looked at Alaric. "I wish it were my chance, but I know it isn't."
"You won't let me claim the Death's Uniqueness."
Alaric met her gaze, not denying her words. He merely smiled. "Of course. I don't trust you."
Though she had anticipated this, Lady Sia couldn't help feeling a pang of frustration... not because Lucifer didn't trust her; she wasn't so vain as to think she'd earned that. Her frustration stemmed from the Death's Uniqueness itself.
Despite her earlier words, she had clung to a sliver of hope.
"You want to become a Sequence 0 that badly?" Alaric asked, seemingly intrigued by the question.
Lady Sia looked at him, puzzled. "Is there anyone who knows of that position and doesn't want to reach it?"
To her, the pursuit of power was only natural. She had been raised on the principle of survival of the fittest, her life's creed centered on growing stronger.
"Oh, plenty." Alaric said, shaking his head with a smile, though he offered no further explanation. He simply looked at her and said, "Unfortunately, you probably won't get that chance."
Lady Sia's frustration deepened, a flash of unwillingness in her eyes.
Alaric took a sip of his tea before speaking calmly. "I know you live by the law of the jungle, Sia. You can resent me, you can feel unwilling, you can even hate me. But unless you're certain you can strike me down in one blow, keep your claws sheathed... at least don't flash them recklessly."
Alaric had no obligation to offer her anything. She wasn't his friend or an ally won through promises; she was a defeated foe.
Sparing her life was already an act of mercy toward a useful tool. If Lady Sia didn't comply, Alaric wouldn't hesitate to reduce her to her characteristics. The Pale-White Empress's sins were more than enough to justify a death sentence.
He was never gentle with those who weren't good.
Lady Sia felt a chill run through her. Looking at the man before her, she realized he truly didn't care about her life or death. If she didn't obey, he'd have no qualms about turning her into characteristics.
He wasn't a kind soul. His eyes held a coldness rivaling the God of Death's. She was spared only because she was useful... nothing more.
"…I understand. Since I've pledged my loyalty to you, I will serve diligently." Lady Sia said, lowering her head. In that moment, she buried all her resentment and frustration, adopting the role of a dutiful tool.
Alaric smiled, unconcerned whether her submission was genuine or feigned. He took another sip of tea and said, "Then get to work. You know the Royal Family Faction better than Haiter." He then gave her a few specific tasks.
"…Yes." Lady Sia responded quietly, bowing her head before leaving the room.
Medici glanced at Alaric after she left, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "No playing your win-win game this time?"
"No need. She's not a friend, not even an ally... just a useful tool." Alaric said, shaking his head, his expression calm. "I can't satisfy her deepest desires, so there's no point in pretending otherwise. For a cold-blooded viper like her, ruthless suppression works better than soft words."
Lady Sia wasn't Azik. She was steeped in the law of the jungle, and excessive kindness would only make her see you as weak.
Strength and ruthlessness, on the other hand, would keep her schemes in check.
Medici didn't seem surprised, but something else occurred to him. "No wonder you brought up the Artificial Death out of nowhere. You were testing them."
Alaric chuckled, not denying it.
He had indeed mentioned the Artificial Death deliberately to gauge Haiter and Sia's reactions.
The results were telling. Haiter had clearly submitted to Azik, body and soul, with no designs on the Death's Uniqueness.
Lady Sia, however, still harbored rebellious ambitions, her desire for the Uniqueness barely concealed.
That was to be expected, and Alaric wasn't surprised. So, he chose to reassure Haiter while putting Sia in her place.
"Let's hope she behaves." Alaric said, shaking his head. "Sequence 1 tools aren't easy to come by." Inwardly, he considered whether to give Sia another "eye-opening" lesson down the line.
Without sufficient deterrence, her rebellious nature might stay quiet for a while out of fear of Tolzna, but given time, she was bound to entertain dangerous thoughts again.
***
Hi everyone, I hope you're all doing well. I just wanted to let you know that right now I'm working on a really good and promising fate fanfic. If you're interested in reading it, feel free to give it a try:
[Fate/Max Level Returner]
Synopsis:
What if you took your max-level account and replayed the entire story from the beginning?
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