She Was Both Called God, as Well as Satan - CH 74

Chapter 74 – Everyday Life with Homunculi

The young officer’s idea was simple.

He proposed to senior management that the homunculus soldiers should be sold to the private sector.

Originally, senior military personnel were reluctant to accept the proposal. They were worried about the act of putting a large number of combat homunculus soldiers on the market, albeit old-fashioned and recycled soldiers.

Additionally, if something went wrong, they would be the ones to hold liability for approving the proposal.

However, it was also true that the economy was stagnating.

The meeting was long and difficult, but it was finally decided that the homunculus soldiers were to be commercialized.

First, the homunculi would be employed in a place easy for the military to supervise—for example, a military factory—and monitor the situation.

Provided no problems arise, they would gradually expand the scope of their private sector operations. *(E/N: Originally, it was “And if it didn’t seem to cause any problems, he gradually settled down to the private sector.” As shown, it’s quite awkward.)

The young officer was pleased with the decision, and he gathered a large number of surplus homunculus soldiers to learn the skills needed to work in a military factory.

Once they finished learning the skills, the homunculi were sent to test factory one after another, and they were able to complete their jobs without any complications.

The young soldier proudly reported this achievement to his senior management and was eventually granted permission to sell the homunculus soldiers to the private sector.

The new homunculus surplus system freed the civilians who had been mobilized to work in military factories to do as they please.

In addition, a large number of homunculus soldiers worked in the town to support people’s lives.

Thanks to that, the prewar vibrancy was gradually restored, and the people were finally looking forward.

Domestic supply chains were revived, and the production of consumer goods had begun. *(E/N: “Domestic supply chains” originally “logistics,” and “consumer goods” originally “daily necessities.”)

However, nowadays, many scenes have occurred that would have been unthinkable before the war.

That is to say, the existence of former homunculus soldiers:

A former homunculus soldier in a pretty uniform working in a coffee shop.

A former homunculus soldier wearing rugged work clothes making hardware at a blacksmith.

In the fields, a former homunculus soldier wearing a straw hat working in the farm fields, utilizing magic for agriculture.

Now, no day passes when I don’t see a former homunculus soldier helping in the city.

This was an unthinkable sight before the war.

In the first place, the homunculi produced in the Republic of Sages before the war were extremely expensive, and only the rich or large organizations had the ability to purchase them.

Resultingly, the general public had almost no exposure to the homunculi, resulting in a lack of understanding towards them.

However, the young officer’s efforts brought the homunculi into people’s daily lives, allowing ordinary people to interact with them on a daily basis.

Decades have passed since the youth officer started the homunculus surplus system.

By now, his rank had been promoted from officer to general, and he belonged to the upper ranks of the army.

Despite his promotion, he remained in a department specialized in repurposing the homunculi and has obtained many human subordinates.

Additionally, his work has expanded out of the country, and he sometimes travels to the Republic of Sages.

The man who became a general is looking at a certain document while under the rumble of a mana car. *(E/N: I really wanna call it the manamobile, but I’ll just keep it mana car.)

The documents were dense and technical, likely completely incomprehensible to an illiterate person.

Of course, this is natural.

The document’s contents were details about the new homunculus being developed by the Republic of Sages.

The reason why such an important secret is in his possession is simple.

He is currently co-developing the new Homunculus alongside the Sage’s Country.

His homunculus surplus system had revealed that there is demand for homunculus in the market, resulting in the Sage’s Country inviting him to start co-developing a new simple homunculus for general use.

Looking at the documents in his hand, mutters could be heard from the general:

“Hmm … Homunculus technology is the culmination of extremely advanced magic technology …”

In response to such a mutter, Katamimi offered him some tea.

“Your Excellency. If you work too much, you will be exhausted before you reach the Republic of Sages.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s just… a long-standing dream of mine is finally coming together. I’ll rest.” *(E/N: Rather than work/rest, it originally talked about squeezing and stuffing roots?)

He laughed with a smirk while drinking the tea offered.

Crossing many borders, the mana car steadily transported him, heading towards the Republic of Sages.

Of course, mana cars sometimes passed through hostile nations.

When passing through the checkpoints of a certain country, the soldiers guarding it inspected the car and were astonished with what they saw through the window of the mana car.

“Th-this is… an enemy hero! Oi! Hurry up and contact the headquarters! Ask for instructions!!!”

A soldier who recognized the enemy hero hurriedly casted communication magic, but the driver of the magic car calmly called out to the soldier.

“We are in a hurry. Let me through quickly.”

“It’ll be useless to try!”

“…I have a pass issued by your country. Please open the gate quickly.”

“Yeah right! Isn’t the general of the enemy country riding in this mana car! Did you think I’d miss it?”

“…Can’t you see the coat of arms on this car…?”

In response to the soldier, the driver gestures to the emblem of the Republic of Sages engraved on the mana car.

“This mana car isn’t normal. Do you understand? This car is special. It is carrying a very important person who was invited by the Republic of the Sages. It isn’t a car that you can stop.”

The driver’s words sparked fury in the soldier, only making him more adamant.

“What!?”

“What I’m asking won’t change. Please open the gate. Now.”

“You…!!”

Spitting anger, the red-faced soldier reaches for the wand hanging on his waist.

At that time, a well-dressed officer jumped into the gate, bowed deeply on the spot, and shouted:

“I am so sorry!!! Please!!! Please pass!

…What are you doing!!! Guys!!! Open the gate quickly!!!”

The soldiers, yelled at by the angry officer, open the gate unwillingly.

Meanwhile, the officer hands the driver a paper bag full of something and desperately made an excuse.

“I’m really sorry! It seems that the contact with the site was delayed!

Please!!! This is confidential!”

Then, the driver checks the contents of the handed paper bag and grins.

“Well, it’s not uncommon for soldiers on the ground to run out of control.

Don’t worry, I won’t report this.”

“Thank you! Thank you so much!!!”

The officer continued bowing to the driver as the mana car slowly slipped through the gate, leaving checkpoint.

Then, the soldier spoke to the prostrating officer.

“…Captain, that mana car was carrying an enemy general, wasn’t it?

You couldn’t miss it…”

The officer is angry at the words.

“Are you stupid!? That car is special!!! It’s from the Republic of Sages!!! The man in the car is a special person!!! To stop such a car!? Who do you think you’re messing with!? If the Republic of Sages becomes reluctant to export weapons, our country will collapse!!!”

The officer yells at his subordinate, becoming red faced and short of breath.

Soon reality set in as the soldiers who heard the explanation realized the graveness of the matter.

Dread hung over everyone and their faces turned blue as they watched mana car disappear into the distance.

Aside from that incident, the mana car arrived in the Republic of Sages without complications.

Researchers immediately greeted the general when the mana car stopped in front of the Homunculus Institute.

However, the moment the door of the magic car opened, and the general came out, the researchers became surprised, and their eyes nearly popped out.

They were astonished at the appearance of Katamimi standing next to the man.

“Hey, that homunculus soldier…”

“Oh… there are still individuals in operation.”

“How many generations ago is that homunculus?”

“…Even with an underestimate…, the 10th generation is the previous homunculus…”

“…I… I’ve seen that on display in the museum…”

“Yeah… that homunculus was one my dad worked on when he was younger…”

The general, who heard the concurring stories of such researchers, laughed and laughed.

“Well, it’s no wonder you guys are surprised. This kid is incomparably weaker than the latest homunculus. However, for office work, this child’s performance is not so different from the latest model. No, rather, she’s a long-time partner, so she understands all my habits, and she can work with my pace.” *(E/N: Originally “Aun’s breath,” changed to “my pace.”)

With that said, he gently stroked Katamimi’s head.

Katamimi, stroked on her head, squints her eyes happily, putting her head in his hands.

Seeing such a scene, the researchers became ecstatic.

The scene was just like the relationship between a female scholar and a homunculus girl in a certain old picture book.

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E/N:

Sorry, kinda late. I wanted to upload this daily–it isn’t too much work since I’m just reading and editing; the machine is doing most of the work–but I just kinda slogged. Maybe I’ll upload two tomorrow.

Anyways, I hope y’all enjoyed the chapter!