Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Scott Fellman.
Mother.
Okay, that was weird. I looked back at 2B who seemed to be waiting for a response from me. I grimaced as I undid the cobwebs holding her body. Once 2B was free, she simply stood there staring at me, waiting for me to speak or give her an order.
"Hey 2B, how are you feeling?" I asked curiously, 2B blinked and tilted her head in confusion.
"Hello... mother." 2B repeated again, I stopped momentarily.
"2B, can you say something else?" I asked, afraid of the answer.
"… hello, mother." I moaned loudly at 2B's response. There was no need to despair; everything had worked correctly, maybe it was just that 2B's head was empty.
I began to inspect 2B thoroughly; it was challenging to try to visualize 2B's soul. Even more so because the Philosopher's Stone had granted it, making it not normal or natural. But from what I could tell, it was, or at least emulated, a completely normal soul; the Hemalurgic spikes were doing their job, in fact, they had served much longer than I expected.
Hemalurgic spikes work by utilizing junction points, where the spiritual and physical realms intersect, and where the human body and the physical body are most connected. The Hemalurgic spike takes advantage of these junction points to modify the spiritual realm and bring the changes to the physical world. This meant that each junction point yielded different results in both realms, even for the same spike.
These deformations create inherent flaws in the soul, creating holes that leave them vulnerable to certain types of attacks or more susceptible to specific manipulations. But for 2B, it had actually been beneficial. The soul of the Philosopher's Stone rejected 2B's body for the sake of denying it. Even after treating the soul with copper, without memory, mental strength, or intelligence, the soul was still a renegade.
The spikes now serve as an anchor between 2B's physical body and the Philosopher's Stone's soul, making it stable. As long as the spikes remained in place, 2B could easily pass as any other living being. However, it would be easy to notice the deformities in her soul if you knew what to look for.
So, her soul wasn't the problem in any way; after using legilimency on 2B, I found the problem. The copper had removed all memories of the previous soul, so it was empty. The copper spikes I had placed on her only reinforced her mental stability, willpower, memory, and other mental benefits, but thanks to where I had put them, no stolen memories within the spikes had reached 2 B.
I thought carefully before extracting the duralumin-treated philosopher's stone. Without hesitation, I brought the stone in front of 2B's chest. A small arc of red lightning shot out from the stone as 2B's skin broke and absorbed the second stone.
2B visibly shuddered, and I began to cast several diagnostic spells on 2B's soul and body. The Philosopher's Stones within 2B's body had lodged themselves into her heart and merged into one. 2B's soul seemed different than the two souls within the new Philosopher's Stone; it seemed more… malleable, adaptable, but it was slowly stabilizing in accordance with 2B's body.
That was a relief. I really didn't want her to have any discomfort or dysphoria regarding her body; it was something I had already experienced, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, much less my own creations. 2B's body tremors finally ended.
"Hello, 2B, do you understand me?" I asked once more, and 2B blinked several times, frowning slightly.
"Hello... mother-" I made a face. "Yes, I understand you," she said, my eyes opening wide before I smiled widely. It worked. The soul in the Philosopher's Stone retained all the memories of the soul, but without any connection to them; they were more akin to seeing and reliving other people's memories than one's own. However, they should still serve to help 2B form memories that teach her the basics.
"Perfect, good, good." I nodded a few times, feeling like I wanted to start dancing with happiness. "Are you feeling any discomfort, any pain? Do you need anything?" I asked quickly. 2B moved slowly before looking at her hands, then looked at me and shook her head.
"I don't feel anything out of the ordinary, mother." 2B said simply. My smile grew huge.
"Perfect! We have a lot of catching up to do!" I said simply before grabbing 2B and dragging her away.
-----------------------
February 10, 2008 - Serena PoV.
Creating 2B was a complete success. She learned faster than I had expected, so it took me very little time to teach her everything she needed before introducing her to the rest of the family.
And that led me to create the rest of the automata I had planned.
A2, Devola and Popola. All four were immediately sealed.
2B(T4){ Devotee} from High School DxD
A2(T4){ Devotee} from High School DxD
Devola (T4){ Devotee} from High School DxD
Popola (T4){ Devotee} from High School DxD
Devola was in charge of the entire island, specifically the flora. She would be in charge of all the magical plants and flowers we had planted. I had wanted to give her some nature-related templates featuring plants and flowers, but I didn't have enough credits to spend. Even with the extra 40 credits, I still didn't have enough to spend frivolously. I would have to do something quickly so I could get more credits.
Still, with a biologically enhanced body powered by the Philosopher's Stone, Devola was able to move around the island with ease. I had also given her the medallion rings so she could use metal arts, and coupled with the unlimited alchemy the Philosopher's Stone granted her, she was doing quite well in the forest after I had taught her everything I could about our plants.
Popola was put in charge of the Vivarium; she would be responsible for caring for and feeding the animals. Luckily, despite not having a template, the defenses, especially Creature Defense, were very effective with the animals, so she was adapting well to her new role.
Now, 2B and A2. First, their outfits were discarded thanks to Narcissa, who dressed them as proper maids. Apparently, she had the outfits ready since I had created the dolls; she was just waiting for me to finish creating them. I didn't know whether to feel flattered that Cissy trusted me to do it or offended by the change of clothes without asking me.
The maid's outfit was a fairly generic black one that covered most of the body, and the skirt reached down to the ankles. Still, I have to say… I didn't really know if it was a bad thing or a good thing; they both looked good in maid outfits, but from the look Bella was giving me, I shut my mouth tightly. Now, without their signature outfits, 2B and A2 were undoubtedly alike and could pass for twins; the only thing that changed was the length of their hair. 2B's was really short while A2's was waist-length.
Their jobs were assigned to be maids, helpers, and bodyguards. 2B was assigned to me, Bella, and Enid. In contrast, A2 was in service to Lucius and Narcissa. The cleaning and maintenance of the house was left to Dobby. As was most of the cooking. But the rest was the work of the automata.
Although neither of them had any combat experience yet, they were both able to use the inventory, where I had placed projections of the Noble Phantasm for them to use as they pleased.
What I had not yet decided was whether to use the Evil Pieces to reincarnate them as demons. And I probably wouldn't do that anyway. As intelligent as they were now and as fast as they learned, my Schiavo ability had still animated them, so their general disposition was basically the same as my other slaves, but with more awareness, i.e., comparable to Dobby's.
They lived to serve and do my bidding instinctively and did so with great pleasure. So I was not yet convinced to use the pawns on them. Maybe in the future.
But speaking of Evil Pieces, I now found myself once again flying over Lucifaad. Specifically, the same building where I took the promotion test. I entered without hesitation, and my gaze immediately fell on a very bored Pandemonica.
"Welcome, what may I- oh, Lady Prince, to what do I owe the pleasure? " Pandemonica asked, sounding as bored as ever. "Would you like us to contact the construction managers for your new territory? Still no additional cost." She offered, and I shook my head.
"No, that's already solved," I said simply. Pandemonica stared at me for a few seconds before nodding.
"So, how can I help you?" Pandemonica asked.
"I want to sign up for the Rating Games." I said plainly, and Pandemonica stopped and looked at me as if a second head had suddenly grown out of my neck.
"Excuse me, could you repeat that?" Pandemonica asked slowly.
"I want to sign up for the Rating Games." I said again without hesitation. Pandemonica waited a few seconds before nodding.
"Yeah, that's what I thought I heard." Pandemonica said before sighing. "You need a peerage to sign up for the Rating Games." She said straightforwardly.
"I already have four members." I said simply, and Pandemonica's eyes widened. Then, her expression changed into a combination of sadness and disappointment as she looked at me before returning to her usual bored expression. She sighed.
"That will do," she said as she began searching for the necessary papers.
"Do all the members have to participate? I was thinking of just me and my queen going." I asked once again, and Pandemonica's hands stopped once more.
"You used the queen piece?" She muttered almost incredulously, tilting my head in confusion as I nodded.
"Yes, I did, why?" I asked, confused, and Pandemonica closed her eyes in frustration before sighing once again.
"It is not in my power to doubt your decisions, Lady Prince, but… I can't help but think that you were hasty in making that decision. It's only been 4 days since your promotion." Pandemonica tried to say something, but I waved my hand and dismissed her concerns.
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." I said dismissively. Pandemonica's eye twitched slightly. "Now, the papers? And you still haven't answered the question I asked." I said inquisitively, Pandemonica wrinkled her nose before wiping all expression from her face.
"No, it is not necessary to use all of your peerage; you can register any number of them you want to use in the Rating Game. You can keep changing the decision at any time except once the Rating Game starts, whatever formation you have chosen to start the match with, that is the number of participants left."
"You only need at minimum one member of your peerage to participate in the Rating Games. So yes, you, and your Queen, can participate in the Rating Games without using the rest of your peerage." Pandemonica said simply, although she seemed somewhat annoyed, and I nodded.
That sounded good. Bella was getting restless with nothing to deal with. Soul hunting could only entertain her so much when they didn't put up any resistance. Bella had stuck firmly to mundane souls, avoiding any contact with the supernatural to prevent drawing attention to herself.
Once we started going public in the Rating Games, she would take the liberty of facing other supernatural beings.
And I didn't really care. Sooner or later, I would have to start raising my rank in the Rating Games, just as expected for the side quests of the mission I had accepted. It would be difficult for the Satans to choose me for the Rating Games tournament for young demons; it was only a few months away, so if I started to stand out, it was possible that I would be chosen even though the tournament was for the young heirs of the pillars. I just had to stand out.
I wouldn't have to stand out too much if I wanted my name to be included, despite being a lower-ranking demon like a succubus. I hope to draw enough attention to one of the Satans to include my name.
"Perfect, how do I sign up?" I said anxiously, and Pandemonica sighed tiredly but handed me a couple of papers to fill out. They were pretty generic, really. I just had to put my name and some other information. I didn't even have to mention Bella or the rest of them. I quickly filled it out and handed it to Pandemonica, who took the papers resignedly.
"Everything is in order, Lady Prince. Your name will be placed in the Rating Game draw, and you will be notified when your peerage is selected."
"Brilliant, thanks Pandemonica!" I smiled widely.
Now it was just a matter of waiting.
------------------
Author's notes: I'm alive!!!!!!! And I'm back! From now on, updates should happen as usual!
First of all, thank you for your patience and support. I really enjoyed my family vacation.
I could start writing a lot about my vacation. But first!
About the chapters.
https://imgur.com/a/CiOQ9wk
It's been a while since I posted any images in this story! Inside, there should be images of the automata, 2B and A2 in maid outfits, and Devola and Popola. Additionally, an addition has been made to Fubuki, specifically for her dress, which is Aria's default form at the moment. (For those who aren't aware of who Fubuki is. Unthinkable!! )
The glossary page has also been updated.
Now, regarding the automata, it was actually a whim of mine to create them. However, I still don't know what roles they will play in the story, other than being servants and making occasional appearances. At first, the automata were going to be practically attached to Sera, especially 2B and A2, and they would be the ones to use most of the Noble Phantasms that Sera designed with UBW.
(The idea was that 2B would use bows and throw NPs like arrows, like EMIYA, plus shields, while A2 is more physical, and for some reason A2 always comes to mind with Heracles' axe-sword using Nine Lives )
I may follow that idea, or part of it, or not at all. It depends on how the story continues to develop. But despite my doubts, I ended up creating the automata anyway, so I would have the option of using them or not; I'll see in the future. Sooner rather than later.