It didn’t seem like a lie…

-Then what the fuck that was?! - I pointed to two bodies lying on the ground, unmoving and bleeding slowly into the dirt.

-Fuck if I know! - he sounded genuinely startled. - I’ve converted many people like this, but this is a first!

-”First” what?!

-First time someone has resisted this much!

I rolled my eyes.

First time?

-Come on, we both know that’s bullshit. I know a certain subject that was definitely a lot more resistant and have…

-But that was different!

-Different how?!

I was not going to believe him any more. He was delusional.

I had to keep my eye on the rest of those guys better. Who knows who was controlled and who was not? Was it possible that they all were just acting?

Nah. I think that’s a bit of an overreaction.

But even then, being a bit more paranoid would probably do me some good…

-Different people! Don’t tell me you want me to compare us to some random soldiers that appeared out of…

-Those soldiers were hired by the MIRE.

-And you know how they treat their personnel! It’s a win-win for them! It’s either they come with us or get killed and don’t need to pay.

-Not so win-win if you convert them to your case.

-I guess…

-They knew about you, remember? Meaning they had to undertake some kind of steps to counteract your tactics.

-But how?! You can’t just… train something like that… Can you?

-Well, remember our dear friend Steve?

-Who?

-The janitor or whatever. Oh, come on, the slime.

-Oh.

-He did manage to resist. Multiple times even.

-...

He had no answer to that.

-I am just saying, we should be a bit more careful. Especially you with that reckless approach.

-Oh please, and you’re better? It’s not like you are so careful.

-I am aware. But I am a bit more resistant to everything, so…

-Pff. Right. And…

He didn’t finish, because from behind, another one of his, seemingly, mind-controlled people had approached him and swiped down his legs right from under it.

-Ouch! What in the…

Just like the ones before, the man in question attempted to put him in a headlock and started choking him.

In his case, though, it was a bit more effective.

Well, if he was playing me, he was doing a damn good job at it.

He genuinely seemed to struggle for breath.

-Help… - he managed to squeeze out.

-What, can’t cast a spell?

-E…h… you…

For a second there, I considered if I should.

But my stupidity won almost immediately after.

-Right, okay, okay…

I sighed and kicked the one choking him right in the face.

Worked immediately. Not only did I break his nose, he got tossed a few meters back, joining the rest of the group. The group that has recently shrunk, thanks to my recent… activities.

-There. You again want to say that your body is better?

He wanted to say something, but instead just started massaging his neck.

-Could’ve been faster… - he finally squeezed out. - But thanks…

-You’re welcome… Still, do you think that I am the aggressor here?

-No…

He turned to the remaining group, a lot more vigilant this time.

-Move.

He was trying to again command them.

I honestly was doubting that it was going to work, but despite my skepticism, they still seemed to follow his orders.

They started walking away from us and lined up on our right hand side, standing in a line.

Hell, even the ones that were knocked out before followed the order, although a bit slower, joining the line last, struggling to stand.

-Sit.

Just like a bunch of dogs, they again followed his command.

-I don’t get it…

-What, the fact that I wasn’t lying was so out there?

-Don't be stupid - he puffed. - It’s about the way they behave! It, straight up, makes no sense to me.

-Like so many things do nowadays… - I said, rolling my eyes. - But I agree, this is more than strange.

I slowly approached the line of people waiting for judgment.

-I don’t know if that's a good idea.

-Since when do you care about my well-being?

-...

-What?

-I do need you for later.

-Of course…

I didn’t even think twice about that ominous sentence.

Besides, I was a lot more resilient, so even if all of those idiots were to attack me at once I should be able to survive.

If I didn’t feel like being merciful, that is.

Speaking of mercy, the three that I had knocked out before had stopped bleeding already. Seemed a bit strange, since I wasn’t really trying to moderate my strength when I was attacking, and yet…

I looked closer at the trio that was at the edge of the row.

Sure enough, they all were healed. At least it seemed like it: the wounds were already closed out, blood dried out and bruises almost disappeared.

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Impressive resilience. Considering the fact that they were supposed to be some kind of military, I guess it shouldn’t be that surprising that they managed to be faster at recuperation…

What about the more… invasive damage, though?

I am pretty sure that I did break some bones in at least one of them… Yeah, the one that had trouble standing…

-Stand up - I said to the guy that I was standing in front of.

-They only listen to me - immediately said Mike. - I made sure that…

But, despite his assurances, the guy stood up, looking directly at me.

-The fuck?!

Yeah, when I commanded him, I didn’t exactly expect it to work.

-This is getting even more weird - I commented, looking at the leg.

It was clearly healed. That, or they guy suddenly was able to act so well even though he was in pain, but I doubt it. He’d at least have trouble standing up, but nope.

Damn. If that was me, I probably would’ve just replaced the missing material with crystal. Mike probably would be able to heal himself normally after a while, but that was the problem. Time.

-Those guys are good - I finally said, stepping back. - That’s some quality healing right here.

-Healing?! Who cares about that?! - almost yelled Mike. - How the hell did you control them?!

-Ah…

Right. That was the main issue here.

I sort of got distracted while inspecting the wounds.

-You’re the master at mind-control here, right? - I just said. - Tell me about it.

-Don’t act dumb! I know you have plenty of knowledge about this!

-Plenty is still not enough to explain all this - I gestured broadly towards the bunch. - But I can try and guess. But I bet that it’s going to be the same thing you figured out.

-I figured out nothing! Talk!

I rolled my eyes at him. Was he really going to pretend like he can’t think of this much?

-Fine. It’s not like it’s a secret or something. I think that they just mistook me for you.

-MISTOOK?! Magic can make a “mistake”?! What the fuck are you talking about?!

He was pretty livid.

-I didn’t say that. I mean, come on, think for yourself. We all are similar, right?

-In what regard?!

-Oh for… Mana, you moron! Weren’t you the one that was aiming to do that yourself?! To absorb me and everyone else?

-But you didn’t…

-Yes, I didn’t stay connected, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t get merged. You know that.

-...

He looked shocked.

Why?

Wait…

-You… you didn’t realize that? That you succeeded?

-I didn’t succeed. You got away. I didn’t convert you…

-You didn’t turn me into your battery, sure. But so what?

-It’s more than just a battery… I intended to…

He cut himself off.

He hesitated? I wonder what for?

It’s not like I didn’t know. Or at least assume the worst.

-Yes, yes. You wanted to connect all of us to hopefully remake Il, or at least attempt to get the most complete version - I finished for him.

-I… yes. But I didn’t want to destroy your own consciousness in the process!

I looked at him with a lot of doubt.

Was he really that optimistic?

-I don’t think that’s possible.

-You don’t know that! It’s not like she’s…

-No, no. Not that - I said, shaking my head. - It probably is possible to get some kind of version of her back. I mean, I had one in my head a while ago. And so did you.

-So? What’s…

-But I don’t believe there’s a viable way to do it without doing some damage to others in the process.

-You did survive! - he kept stubbornly talking. - I survived! Hell, even that stupid janitor did, when you extracted him!

-Yeah. And how did that go for everyone? He lost his memories.

-But regained them!

-Pf… yeah, about that… I am not so sure.

-What? He did attack us.

-So? Doesn’t mean he remembered everything.

-...

-What?

-And I am the one assuming things? - he sighed. - Okay. And us?

-Well, I am pretty sure you already noticed that both of us are unstable - I simply said.

-Unstable…

-Unstable. Our decisions are chaotic. We don’t really have a stable mind.

-Speak for yourself. I feel absolutely fine.

-Feel? So do I - I replied. - But that doesn’t mean we act like that to outsiders.

-My subjects never complained.

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

-What?

-Do you really believe that, of all people, your subjects would tell you the truth?

-They had to. I…

-Yeah, yeah, you had your methods and shit. I am aware - I said. - Doesn’t mean they could just… be a bit sneaky. There are ways to avoid lying directly, you know.

He went silent, pondering that for a moment.

-Okay. We are unstable. So what does that mean to us? - he finally asked. - It’s not like that is going to affect us that much. We are more than fine, right? I mean, we are. We function pretty normally right now.

-Hm. Well, whatever. I am not going to debate that, it’s besides the point. Let’s get back on topic: those people aren’t ONLY under your control.

-I can see that now… although I don’t want to believe it… - he finally said. - But… How do we combat that?

-We? I don’t know. I mean, I will be fine.

-...

-Right, right. Can’t you just absorb them and be done with it?

-It would be a waste… I did want to send them out…

-About that… How exactly? It’s not like they can teleport… I mean, we can, but that doesn’t mean we have a target.

-Why not? I can just take anything from them and would be a good start?

-And you think anything on their person would be remotely useful? I mean, anything charged enough? It’s not like you can get a pair of socks and use that.

-I probably could… - he admitted. - Although the accuracy would be ass.

-”Ass”? More like you’d be shooting at random.

-Well…

-I know that you know. There are issues with those teleports! Don’t tell me you have no plan?

-I never intended to do this in the first place! - he immediately started assuring me. - I thought I had a bit more time, that’s all.

-Well… That’s a bit tricky… We sort of do, since they seem to be behaving fine recently…

-Who knows how long that’s going to last…

-True… Okay then, if you had time, what would you do?

-It’s not what I would do, it’s what they would do - he corrected me. - I would’ve just send them walking back to the city.

-Walking?

I had to be sure I heard him right.

Was he insane?

-Yeah.

-And how the fuck would that help!? They would be dead long before they arrived! They aren’t some weird mana creatures like us! I must remind you, we have had a long journey to get here!

-You worried about them?

-No!

-So what’s the problem? They start walking, hoverer long it’s going to take, I don’t care. If they die, they die. That works for me. If they live, they are going to be perfect puppets to spread my influence in the city. And maybe further.

-”Spread your influence”, right, of course. That’s if someone won’t snap out again.

-Yeah… That is the main issue now.

-I wonder… Can we do something to prevent that? - I asked, tossing the question into the aether.

-Too much effort, too little gain.

-So you do have an idea - I pointed out. - Care to share?

-It’s nothing that's certain. Nor is it really anything pleasant.

-Uh-uh. Of course… Not pleasant for you, or not pleasant to them?

-Please… - he said, giving me a sideways look. - I do not care about them. It’s me I am worried about. And to answer the question: both.

-Mhm. Elaborate.

-It’s simple: I just increase the amount of crystal they have. Manually that is.

-I can see how that would be unpleasant. And I feel like “unpleasant” is a bit of an understatement when it comes to them.

-Pff. Whatever.

His reaction confirmed my suspicions.

He most likely just intended to stab them with pieces of the crystal that were formed from his body. And since his distaste for crystallizing his own body has not disappeared, hence it being “unpleasant”.

-I get it, but how would that help? - I asked. - It’s not like the amount of the crystal would change much…

-Change much? Look at yourself. Your body's a lot more resistant to anything!

-Well, yes. But are we trying to make them more pain in the ass to deal with? Do I need to remind you that you almost got choked out by one of those guys? Imagine how that would go if he had the capability of my own body.

-Yeah, right. But you forget something. Doesn’t our crystal also house a certain presence inside it?

-Weren’t all of it supposed to be inside yours…?

-No! I mean, yes, but it’s not what I mean. I meant our own mind, not Il.

-Ah. So you’re hoping that pieces of your mind would overpower the other one, if they were enhanced like that?

-Yep.

-I see… That might work, but that’s it. Might only.

-That’s why I said it’s little gain for a lot of risk.

-Hmm…

He was right.

And in the worst case, we would’ve just handed our enemies a perfect way to combat our own bodies.

By giving them a copy.

And maybe even more? Who knows how advanced they were?

If they still had some researchers, it’s not far-fetched that they would be able to repeat the same process he was talking about and create their own band of controlled soldiers.

That is if they weren’t doing that already.