"Illya!"
Although she didn't know what had happened during her absence, Irisviel quickly stepped forward to reprimand Illya for her arrogant behavior.
"Ah? What's wrong with me, Mother?"
Illya looked confused, wondering why Irisviel was angry.
"You can't do this..."
Irisviel was about to educate Illya, but she was interrupted by Takumi.
Takumi waved his hand: "Okay Irisviel, there's no need to blame Illya. There is nothing wrong with it. You don't have to be so formal here. I prefer things to be more natural."
"Otherwise, I wouldn't have arranged for you to be here. You don't have to be so rigid; just relax and let things happen naturally."
"All right."
Seeing that Takumi had spoken, Irisviel no longer pursued the issue of Illya's behavior.
"Well, how are the tasks assigned to you coming along?"
"The people are ready and the items are packed."
"Then let them bring their belongings and gather in the yard. You will come along later. Illya and I will go ahead first."
"Yes."
Irisviel left again, and Takumi took Illya outside to the yard, where he played with her for a while.
When Irisviel arrived with the maids, Takumi opened the dimensional gate and returned to Dimensional City with them and some special products.
"Where did you get these people?"
Riveria, who arrived after hearing the news, couldn't help but be a little surprised as she looked at the dozens of almost identical-looking homunculus maids, as well as their leaders, Irisviel and Illya.
Good grief, he had only been out for less than half a day and had already brought back so many beauties. He was certainly efficient.
"They are actually..."
Takumi then explained the identities of Irisviel and the others to Riveria.
"Homunculi? What kind of forbidden alchemy is this?!" Riveria expressed her shock after hearing the explanation.
After all, in her worldview, any transformation or creation of life was a taboo act, let alone creating such distinct human existences.
Takumi shrugged: "There is no other way; their world has that kind of morality, and those magi basically have no morality at all."
In other words, those magi have their own way of doing things, but their views are very different from those of ordinary people.
It was much like the wizards and Muggles in the Harry Potter world. This was a common problem in worlds where mysteries need to remain hidden; it led to a serious polarization of values.
"So, how are you going to arrange them?"
After hearing this, Riveria did not dwell on the point any longer and asked a practical question instead.
Suddenly adding more than forty people was a significant matter for Dimensional City, which originally had no more than three hundred residents.
Just how to relocate them was a major issue.
Although many residential area projects in the inner city had been completed and many girls had moved into new houses, leaving a lot of low-rent housing vacant, it was enough to house these forty-plus people.
But aside from that, what about their jobs? How would their wages be calculated? What about the increased food consumption?
If they all continued to serve as maids, there wouldn't be enough people in Dimensional City who actually needed their care.
In short, one change affects everything, and there were many logistical problems to deal with, which would lead to a heavy workload.
Takumi expressed his thoughts: "I am going to have some of them stay here first, and send the rest back to Fuyuki, as that side also needs their help with certain tasks."
"Their abilities are not limited to being maids; they possess many other talents and are qualified for various jobs."
"And they can be allowed to continue creating more homunculi. These will be new populations and labor forces, which can accelerate the construction of Dimensional City."
"But this can be done slowly and after proper planning."
Riveria nodded: "Okay, then we will take it one step at a time."
After that, Takumi and Irisviel signed a contract and she was granted access to the Divine Path System.
After all, they were his and his women's maids, meant to stay by their side, so they were considered part of the inner circle. Even though they were homunculi whose loyalty was guaranteed, they still had to go through the necessary procedures.
Then Riveria selected ten maids to stay, making them responsible for the daily management of the City Lord's palace.
After storing the special products, Takumi was about to return to the Type-Moon World to continue dealing with his business.
But at that moment, he was approached by Luluxi.
"What happened to those maids? Do you still need more? You should have told me earlier. I have quite a few of them myself back at my parents' home. Do you need me to go back and bring them over?"
Luluxi asked excitedly. She felt that she could finally be of help to Takumi.
"This..."
Takumi thought of Luluxi's ghost-human maids. Looking at Luluxi's eager expression, he didn't tell her that he already had enough maids. Instead, he nodded and said:
"Okay, then go ahead and bring them over."
"Okay, I'll go get ready!"
Seeing that Takumi agreed, Luluxi happily set off immediately.
"Wait, how are you going to get there?"
Recalling that in the original setting, it would take them at least ten days to travel, Takumi quickly stopped Luluxi.
Luluxi saw Takumi's concern and smiled:
"Don't worry, I have mastered teleportation magic. Although my magic power is not quite enough, I can just teleport a few more times. With the recovery potions, I will be back within a day."
"Well, take Hestia with you. I'll have someone looking after you on the way."
"OK, if there's no problem, I'm off!"
"Go ahead and be safe."
"OK!"
Then, Luluxi went to find Hestia, who was fishing in the library, explained the situation, and teleported away with her.
Takumi was not too worried about this. After all, with a goddess like Hestia there, no one in that world could threaten them.
Then, Takumi continued with his business.
He let the remaining thirty or so homunculus maids bring a batch of magic power crystals through the dimensional gate to the castle on the outskirts of Fuyuki City.
"Ten people will clean the castle first, and the rest will continue to transport the magic crystals."
"Yes." The homunculus girls began their busy work. While maintaining the dimensional gate, Takumi took Irisviel and Illya to sit aside.
Enjoying Irisviel's somewhat unfamiliar massage, he watched Illya running around curiously and closed his eyes in pleasure.
Suddenly, he felt a slight warmth on the back of his left hand.
"Hm? What is this?"
Takumi raised his left hand in confusion and saw a Command Spell, similar to Ritsuka Fujimaru's, appearing on it.
Was he chosen by the Greater Grail?
But it didn't make sense. With his current relaxed attitude, he didn't exactly have a burning wish.
Since he lacked a strong desire, how could he be chosen by the Greater Grail?
Therefore, there must be some trickery involved!
"Is it the Counter Force?"
When it comes to interference in the Type-Moon World, apart from the two Counter Forces, there are no other suspects.
"Are these two trying to mess with me?"
Takumi's expression instantly turned sour.
This was not impossible. Although he possessed an aura of world favor, it only affected the world's broad consciousness.
As for Gaia and Alaya, they are specific manifestations of world consciousness. One is the planetary consciousness, and the other is the collective consciousness of humanity.
Together, the two can only influence the Earth and the space above the solar system; they do not represent the entire universe.
For an existence that might truly represent the world consciousness of the Type-Moon universe, only the Root is barely qualified.
In the context of the entire universe, what is the Counter Force? Just a minor player.
But precisely because they do not represent the entire world, the Counter Force could actually take action against him.
Although Takumi's strength was such that he did not fear the Heroic Spirits serving Gaia and Alaya.
But the issue was the hassle!
The problem with the Counter Forces is that they do not confront you head-on. They are more likely to play tricks on you.
Especially Alaya, whose skills in deceiving people are much better than Gaia, a naive sweetheart who easily trusts outsiders like those in Tsukihime. Alaya is famous among the Heroic Spirits for being heartless.
If this Command Spell was created by Alaya, then there was a high probability that it was a trap, one that might be impossible to avoid.
Thinking of this, Takumi suddenly stood up under Irisviel's confused gaze. He took out the universal instrument, transformed it into a magic gun, and pointed the tip at the ground.
"Wait! Boss! Keep the weapon in hand!"
Before Takumi could do anything, two little loli girls, one dressed in black and one in white, jumped out.
The one wearing black flew over unceremoniously and hugged Takumi's thigh, pitifully begging for mercy:
"Boss, you misunderstood! Please withdraw your power quickly. You see, Gaia-chan is about to turn pale with fright."
The emotionless loli in a white dress also hurriedly came up and launched a cute offensive toward Takumi. She looked at him pitifully and said: "Don't do it."
Takumi remained unmoved. He had one hand on his hip and the other holding the magic gun. He watched their performance quietly with a stern face.
In fact, he was a little surprised. He had only wanted to test them, but in the end, it actually worked. The inhibitory power of these two was a facade.
You ask how?
You have to remember that the weapon in his hand could easily penetrate the planet.
As long as he thrust it down slightly, the Earth would become fireworks. With this posture, it would be strange if these two Counter Forces didn't panic.
The muzzle was practically pressed against their foreheads! This was it! Who wouldn't panic?
"So, what's going on?"
Takumi looked at these two transformed lolis and shook his left hand, completely unmoved.
"Well, it's just that seeing you come here, and having nothing to entertain you with, we were going to let you experience the local special projects." Alaya smiled awkwardly and said, "If you don't like it, just tell us. There's no need for knives or guns. Can we put the gun down first?"
As she spoke, she reached out to pull the magic gun away, but after Takumi moved it down slightly, she withdrew her hand quickly and gave him an awkward yet polite smile.
"Is that really all there is to it?"
Takumi expressed total disbelief in Alaya's words.
After all, this character is notoriously untrustworthy, and he didn't know how much of what she said was true.
"It is true."
Gaia, standing to the side, also quickly helped testify. But when Alaya looked at her gratefully, Gaia threw her under the bus.
"And no matter what she intended to do, it is her problem alone and has nothing to do with me. Please do not involve me."
Even if something was going to happen, it was just Alaya's doing. It had nothing to do with her. Boss, you can't put a gun to my head because of this.
Gaia was also speechless. She hadn't said anything the whole time. What was this? Had she done anything wrong? She was just a harmless entity who only wanted to live and eliminate human pests—just a small, fragile world.
"There's nothing you can do about it. This method is simply the most efficient. Just be patient for now."
Takumi said it was none of her business and told her to step aside first. Then he looked at Alaya again.
"So, what exactly are you thinking? Please tell me clearly."
"What else can I explain? I have already said everything."
Alaya was on the verge of crying. If she had known Takumi would misunderstand, she wouldn't have intervened. Now her attempt at flattery had failed, and her life was in danger.
As for plotting against Takumi? Look at what he is holding! Would she dare? She didn't dare to move a muscle!
Seeing this, Takumi thought about it and looked at Gaia again. Alaya's words weren't quite believable to him, so he preferred to see what Gaia had to say.
"Come on, tell me what happened in detail."
"The situation is like this..."
Gaia told everything truthfully.
It turned out they had noticed something strange when Sakura first went to Dimensional City and had been paying attention ever since.
So when Takumi showed up again yesterday with Sakura, they knew immediately. Originally, they were quite resistant to Takumi, a visitor from another world.
But after observing him, they immediately became numb.
Because Takumi had casually taken out a great treasure at that time—the magic gun from his King's Treasure.
Sensing a power that could kill them in minutes, they didn't dare to show any resistance. They were only afraid they might accidentally offend this big boss.
Originally, they planned to pretend nothing happened and wait for Takumi to finish his business and leave.
But they didn't expect that Takumi would return the next day and announce he wanted to deal with the evil in the world and stay for a long time.
After some discussion, Alaya decided to help Takumi and show goodwill.
The result was...
"You knew about our existence and Alaya's nature, so you misunderstood."
Gaia said helplessly: "If I had known this would happen, I would have stopped Alaya then."
"Is that so?..."
Takumi nodded; Gaia's words were much more credible to him.
He put away his magic gun and sat down with his golden sword: "Okay, the misunderstanding is resolved."
Gaia and Alaya were relieved.
But then Alaya couldn't help complaining: "Is our credibility really that bad? I had a blade to my neck; how could I tell lies?"
Gaia's words worked, but hers didn't? Why the double standard?
Takumi and Gaia didn't speak; they just gave her a look that told her to figure it out herself, which made Alaya very angry.
"You said you wanted to help me, but didn't you just give me a Command Spell? I don't lack those."
Takumi waved the Command Spell on his left hand again, implying it wasn't much of a show of goodwill. It was just a Command Spell. Now that he had taken over all three families, he had plenty.
"Boss, this is not an ordinary Holy Grail War Command Spell; it is the Chaldean version."
Seeing this, Alaya quickly introduced it to Takumi.
For example, this Command Spell can restore one charge every day, provided that Takumi supplies the magic power.
Moreover, it does not count toward the seven slots in the Holy Grail War; it is independent. As long as magic power is supplied, the summoned Heroic Spirit can be maintained.
Furthermore, there is no limit to the number of times it can be summoned, provided there is enough magic power. Takumi can contract as many Heroic Spirits as he wants.
"Well, it sounds like it is quite good and powerful." Takumi nodded.
"Right, right?"
"But no matter how many you can summon, they aren't the original bodies."
Takumi looked at Alaya pointedly, preparing to strike a harder bargain.
This Command Spell was good, but he could just go to Chaldea and get one directly, or study it and use magic to create his own.
But no matter how many Heroic Spirits he summoned, their true bodies remained in the Throne of Heroes. If the true bodies couldn't descend, they would still be bound by Alaya. If he developed feelings for these Heroic Spirits, wouldn't he be manipulated by Alaya?
Even if he wouldn't be manipulated, he wouldn't allow those around him to be mere clones while their true bodies were held by others. Especially not by such an exploitative boss.
"So, you might as well just give me the actual bodies of the Heroic Spirits."