Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint
Chapter 339: What Is Theoretically Possible Is Practically Impossible

Peru’s Juggernaut, the Golden Ark, sailed smoothly across the vast sea of sand of the Fallen Dominion.

Even the fierce winds that whipped through the desert outside could not be heard from inside.

The Golden Ark crushed rocks effortlessly and ascended steep hills with ease.

Its name was not at all unfitting.

Unlike an actual ocean where waves would surge, nothing on land could hinder the advance of the Golden Ark.

As we laid back in the cabin below deck, we experienced one of the most comfortable journeys we’ve ever had.

Tyr sat in a chair, reviewing the Golden Ark experience.

“The ride is so smooth and quiet, it is hard to tell if I’m riding in a vehicle or sitting in a grand castle. This is the most impressive thing I have seen in recent times.”

Though her expression didn’t reveal much, Peru seemed pleased as she responded.

“…It’s transmutation travel.”

“Transmutation travel? Hu, what is that?”

Realizing Peru wasn’t great at explanations, Tyr naturally turned to me for answers.

Why me? Am I a vending machine for information?

It’s not like I know everything, you know?

Well… having read Peru’s thoughts, I suppose I did know.

“It’s the most theoretically ideal mode of transportation currently known by alchemy. Usually, when you want to move quickly, things in front of you become obstacles, right Tyr? Like opposing winds or rocks in the way…”

“Or sunlight.”

Well, sunlight isn’t usually included in that category.

Anyway…

“If a vehicle could disintegrate those obstacles with alchemy as soon as it touched them, nothing would block your path. You could move forward without any hindrance.”

“Hmm. That is true.”

“Not only that, if you transmuted those disintegrated obstacles back to their original form, you would essentially gain the effect of being pushed forward by any obstacle you faced. Plus, you’d recover the mana used for the disintegration.”

This is an alchemy-based technique envisioned by a genius: transmutation travel.

After thinking it over, Tyr clapped her hands as she grasped the concept.

“So, it would be like having a tailwind on bare ground!”

“In theory. With it, you could stroll underground as if it were a walk in the park, but it’s only in theory.”

As in many places in the world, “theoretically possible” often means “practically impossible.”

If it were as easy as it sounds, it wouldn’t have become a legend.

“In reality, it takes time to disintegrate objects with alchemy and if not done properly, the mana residue itself will clog up the machine. No matter how well you reconstruct it, you can’t recover all the mana spent at 100% efficiency so it’s nearly impossible.”

“Nearly impossible means it is not entirely impossible, right?”

“Rumor has it that there are Dholes who roam underground using transmutation travel. They are called Moles instead of Dholes, but the process is so slow compared to the theory that it’s only used to ambush stationary targets. It’s hard enough to do it with a human body, let alone with a machine. It’s just not feasible.”

When I confidently asserted this, Tyr tilted her head questioningly.

“But she can do it.”

“Huh?”

Wait, now that I think about it, how does she do it?

Even though she has a Unique Magic that breaks down matter, it’s not just some ordinary technique like alchemy—it’s a very limited ability unique to Peru.

Applying that ability to such a massive structure like this Juggernaut…?

There’s no clear explanation.

The Golden Lord… is he even human?

I, the King of Humans, can’t even fathom it.

What kind of monster is he?

“It must be the majesty of the Golden Lord.”

“…Hmm.”

Hearing my comment, Peru let out a small, satisfied snort.

I didn’t even mean it as a compliment to her—why is she acting proud?

Are you one with the Golden Lord?

Do you take any praise directed at the Golden Lord as a compliment for yourself?

“Ugh! This is unfair!”

Once again, there was someone who took any praise of the Fallen Dominion as an insult to the Military State—and to herself.

Hilde stomped her feet in frustration.

“She doesn’t even know how the Juggernaut was made. She doesn’t know how it works! She’s just using it because the Golden Lord gave it to her! Unlike the Catafract of the Military State, the Juggernaut wasn’t born from blood, sweat, and tears!”

“…This too, is the majesty of the Golden Lord.”

You liked that phrase, huh? Using it right away.

An exasperated Hilde grumbled.

“Great, just great!”

- Thud.

Hilde stomped her foot with a bit of Qi mixed in.

It was a kick full of destructive intent, but the Juggernaut didn’t even break or dent in the slightest.

This too, must be the majesty of the Golden Lord.

“Tch! ‘I’ can’t let this slide. ‘I’ need to show the dignity of the Military State!”

“Does the Military State have anything to show? You’re not going to demonstrate the Standard Qi Arts, are you? Just a heads-up, they’re not impressive. The more you show, the lower the national reputation will be.”

“Hmph, do you think I’m just some old veteran? That would never happen! Father, be quiet!”

Ah, she’s in her rebellious phase… I must be getting old.

Huffing, Hilde suddenly pointed upward.

“Oh, right. Peru, Azzy was chasing after your horse on the deck earlier.”

“…Ah.”

Peru’s horse, Aurea, grazed on a small pasture set up on the deck.

Until now, Aurea had been living comfortably on the moving ground, but with Azzy around, she was being constantly harassed.

Azzy would herd her back and forth, barking and trying to guide her.

The timid Aurea would whine pitifully and Peru would have to go up to pull Azzy away each time.

Despite everything, Azzy was surprisingly obedient to humans.

“…I’ll be back.”

Hearing Hilde’s report, Peru promptly opened the door and headed to the deck.

Hilde flashed an impish grin and stealthily followed her.

Moments later, ‘Peru’ came trudging back.

With a perplexed look, ‘Peru’ glanced around and asked,

“…Liar. Where?”

Tyr, puzzled by the sudden question, replied,

“A liar? Who do you mean?”

“…Aurea. Grazing.”

“If you mean Hilde, she just followed you up. Did you not see her?”

“…No.”

“Looks like she’s plotting something. She’s as mischievous as Hughes.”

“Why are you looking at me? I had no part in shaping Hilde’s personality. There’s a limit to responsibility without indulgence.”

And she’s not my real daughter.

While I was making excuses that weren’t really excuses, the door leading to the deck opened again.

Everyone’s eyes turned to it, where Peru walked in with a sullen face.

“…Liar. Whe–”

Peru and ‘Peru’ came face to face.

Peru’s face turned pale.

Similarly, ‘Peru’ hesitated, trembling as if frightened.

They glared at each other like cats with their fur raised.

“…What’s this?”

“…Who?”

Two of the same person—a bizarre situation.

However, having encountered Hilde’s transformation trick before, Tyr quickly understood what was going on.

“It is a prank, is it not? That again? Transformation Art?”

“…Transformation Art?”

“…She transformed into me?”

Finally understanding, Peru relaxed a bit and started scrutinizing her double.

The face, attire, and even height and body shape were completely identical.

It was as if she was staring at herself in a mirror.

While not theoretically perfect, the skill had almost reached the Axiom.

It wasn’t strange to be impressed… but Peru showed more discomfort than admiration.

｢…Impossible. A Primarch’s homunculus can’t exist. I know that, but still…｣

Homunculus?

Ha, what nonsense.

A homunculus is an even more impossible concept than transmutation travel.

The reason Hilde, despite her expertise, can’t achieve true “Li” is that her transformations can’t read a person’s mind.

Cloning a human?

No way.

That only happens in old tales—why even entertain such an idea seriously?

Wait, could it be? Is that also the majesty of the Golden Lord?

Ahem. This isn’t the time for that.

Hilde’s prank is clearly upsetting Peru.

If I were Hilde, I’d read Peru’s mind and navigate the situation carefully, but that’s beyond her.

“Come on, Hilde. Enough with the prank and reveal yourself. You shouldn’t pull tricks like this on someone you’re not close with.”

‘Peru’ widened her eyes and asked back.

“…You knew?”

“Don’t pretend. You just spoke as Hilde.”

“…How?”

Is she going to play innocent until proven otherwise?

I figured it out through mind-reading, but if needed, I could provide a plausible explanation.

“I’ll tell you why. First, Hilde just went out after Peru. They didn’t meet face-to-face after she disguised herself. Simple logic implies that Hilde is between the real Peru and this room.”

“…She could have hidden midway.”

“Second, Hilde’s goal was to surprise Peru, right? It’s more shocking if ‘she’ is already inside the room when she comes in, rather than the other way around.”

“That’s just speculation.”

“I don’t need to prove it as long as the explanation makes sense. Besides, you’re not even stalling your words now.”

The expression on ‘Peru’s’ face changed subtly.

She puffed her cheeks in mock annoyance, then stamped her foot with a pout.

Soon, she transformed back into Hilde.

“Really! That’s why I told you to keep quiet, Father!”

“I heard you. I just didn’t listen.”

“You’re the worst! Stealing one of my few joys!”

That’s not true.

Transforming is one of Hilde’s few joys, but she doesn’t do it to avoid being found out.

It’s because she wants someone to recognize her.

She wishes for someone to see through her disguise immediately.

Why grumble when it turns out as you want?

Just admit you like it… or maybe you’re enjoying it now, just in your way.

“It’s time to admit it, don’t you think? I can easily see through Hilde’s disguises. For a magician who deals with psychology, a mere mimicry of appearance is as clear as day.”

Tyr clapped softly in response to my bragging.

“As expected of you, Hu. I have not known Peru long enough to guess, but you figured it out right away.”

“Oh, my? Tyrkanzyaka? You’re saying that as if knowing someone long enough means you could figure it out too, right?”

Unable to let it go, Hilde protested.

Tyr replied calmly, meeting her challenge with a smile.

“Of course. I have seen enough to know that.”

“But you didn’t know when I disguised myself as Father last time, did you? Now you’re acting confident?”

“I had my doubts back then, but I did not know of your abilities so I held back my judgment. Now that I know your power, it is as clear as day.”

“Huh, is that so? But what about now? It’s not just you who’s gotten to know your opponent better.”

A spark seemed to fly between the two women.

Hilde raised her chin and shouted.

“Let’s have a contest! Let’s see if you can tell my transformations apart!”

“If it is a little game, play to your heart’s content. It seems this journey will not be as dull as I thought.”

As sparks flared between the two women, Peru watched their argument unfold with an exasperated expression.

｢…What are they doing in someone else’s home?｣