Endless Debt

Bologue Lazarus, a debtor who has lived for nearly a century.

In his extraordinary life, Bologue has experienced many thrilling and strange things, from wars to games with the Devil, he has wandered between life and death, witnessing the various sins and cruelties of the world with indifference.

It can be said that Bologue has experienced far more than most people ever have, but in careful comparison, while gaining this legendary life, Bologue has also lost some of his ordinariness.

He still remembers his initial thoughts when he joined the army; he simply wanted to earn some tuition fees for himself.

Since then, Bologue's life took a path difficult for ordinary people to comprehend. He ultimately failed to get into a university and did not live an ordinary life like most people, let alone any so-called youth or love stories.

Calculated by age, Bologue's youth was dedicated to war and the Black Prison.

Aimou pressed her hand against Bologue's chest in a contemplative manner, the two were very close, and Bologue could clearly feel the ether flowing inside Aimou and the faint mechanical humming.

She now resembled Teda, with a similar curiosity, while he was the unlucky test subject.

Aimou's entire understanding of humanity almost entirely came from books, and he was the first human she could touch and understand up close.

It seemed as if she wanted to satisfy all her curiosity and thirst for knowledge through him—a peculiar lifeform exploring and understanding another lifeform.

Suddenly, Bologue realized that in Aimou's eyes, perhaps humans were also strange, just as she once said, she didn't understand why humans needed to eat periodically or spent their precious time sleeping.

In the eyes of this Alchemy Puppet, perhaps humans, who created her, were the pitiful ones, whereas Aimou had escaped the constraints of fragile flesh, transforming into a powerful Steel Body.

"Hmm, your heart rate is normal, and so is your blood oxygen..." Aimou suddenly spoke.

Bologue was taken aback and only after a while did he slowly say, "Are you giving me a check-up?"

"Just checking the human data, what's wrong?"

"..."

The novel did not include those beautiful scenes that inspire fantasy, but only showed Aimou judging whether the upright naked ape before her was healthy.

Bologue suddenly thought of something interesting, hesitated for a moment, and then asked.

"Aimou, what type of... human do you like?"

If he were to say this to Belli, she would probably beam, with a mischievous grin, patting his shoulder while saying those awful words.

"Although Bologue, you look quite good, you're not my type, but if you really want, I can barely make an exception, but you understand the cost, right?"

Saying it with Belli's characteristic laugh, like a mad scientist achieving a conspiracy.

But it was entirely different with Aimou; she moved her hand away from Bologue's chest, crossed her arms, and thought carefully.

"Hmm... hmm?"

The halo stretched out again, Aimou thought.

"Body weight, height, hemoglobin, white blood cells, platelets, transaminase, albumin, serum creatinine, serum potassium, and other human metrics should all be within normal ranges."

Aimou explained earnestly.

If these words came from someone else's mouth, Bologue would think the person was a parasite, preparing to find a suitable host, but from Aimou's lips, Bologue understood she was serious, because that's what the books say—such humans are healthy and good.

Bologue rubbed his forehead slightly, indeed, as he expected, this peculiar lifeform views the world differently from humans, at least for now.

"What's wrong, you seem troubled."

Forcing Aimou to think like humans is still difficult at the moment, she is completely unaware of Bologue's worries.

"Sick? Speaking of which, I am quite similar to humans in this regard," Aimou said while twisting her wrist, "my wrist joint always makes a friction sound, no matter how it's maintained."

"Could you do me a favor?"

Suddenly, Aimou said again, and she and Bologue were very close, almost head-to-head.

"What are you going to do?"

Bologue remained calm; not living a normal life indeed brings some regret, but after experiencing many storms, Bologue's mentality is such that few can shake him.

"I want to understand humans, your thoughts, everything about you." Aimou whispered, as if it were some unspeakable secret.

"Why do you suddenly want to understand humans?" Bologue asked.

"Hmm? Does it need a reason?"

After pausing for a moment, Aimou continued speaking, giving Bologue an unexpected answer.

"I've read similar stories in books; some humans believe in the existence of God, thinking God created humans, thus God is the creator of humanity."

"You were created by humans. Do you consider humans your creator, your God?" Bologue retorted.

"I'm not sure. Maybe the teacher is my creator, but in terms of human relationships, he could be seen as... my father?"

At this point, Aimou hesitated for a while, carefully observing Bologue's reaction.

"Who knows?"

Bologue's voice was somewhat pale, though he wanted to use a firmer tone to tell Aimou that Teda is not your father, but your creator.

He was very aware that once such ethical relationships occur, it inevitably involves emotional investment, which is fatal to anyone among them, and this is what Belli has always worried about, entrusting Bologue to be vigilant against.

But when he truly voiced such words, the usually cold Bologue unexpectedly showed a trace of mercy.

Aimou possesses self-awareness, perhaps influenced by Alice's echo, carrying the shadow of another person. Yet when she truly appears before you and interacts, it's hard to view her as a cold Alchemy Puppet.

Aside from this metallic shell, sometimes Bologue feels Aimou is a real human, a peculiar and naive life.

Bologue couldn't bear to tell Aimou, you're merely a cold tool, a means to fulfill Teda's desires. This was too cruel for Aimou, even if she couldn't comprehend the complex emotions of humans.

The chaotic thoughts flashed through his mind, and Bologue suddenly became alert, looking at the harmless Aimou before him with a gaze that somehow carried some hostility.

Humans sometimes have a destructive urge towards cute things to keep themselves calm and safe, avoiding falling into them; Bologue felt he was in such a state now.

Bologue made a mistake. When he felt this was cruel to Aimou, he unconsciously projected his emotions, and everything happened like this, silently.

The most rational judgment should tell Aimou this is absolutely impossible.

Aimou keenly sensed the change in Bologue's emotions; she is always like this, dull in some aspects, yet very perceptive in others.

"Did I... do something wrong?"

Aimou appeared somewhat helpless, cautiously trying to please Bologue, "Would you like some more fruit?"

She doesn't have the ability to eat and digest, but from books, humans feel satisfied and happy when eating. As long as she follows what the books say, there can't be a mistake, just like the breakfast she made herself, even though she can't smell the food's scent, she still manages to make delicious food.

Bologue shook his head, feeling a bit helpless at her clumsy way of trying to please, then he told Aimou.

"Nothing, just thinking about some work issues."

Bologue didn't want to vent any anger on Aimou, making him feel like he was bullying a child, and this child still had very simple thoughts, merely wanting to understand herself more.

If facing a thug, Bologue could throw a heavy punch; but facing a child, Bologue really didn't know what to do... he hasn't taken care of a child before.

"Oh... okay, then I'll leave first."

Aimou became much more reserved, putting away the plates, turning around to flee and closing the door.

In the small cabin of the base, Bologue was again left alone. Enjoying space didn't bring much relief to Bologue; instead, he became even more troubled.

The troubled appearance of Teda flashed before him, and Bologue suddenly felt a bit understanding of Teda.

Controlling emotional release, this sounds good, but who can execute it perfectly? Even spending a long time with a dog inevitably results in emotional development, let alone Aimou, who is so human-like.

The more he understands these things, the harder it is for Bologue to fathom Teda's thoughts.

When he sees Aimou, who incredibly resembles his daughter, even carrying the shadow of her personality, what kind of feelings does he hold?

Does he view Aimou as a replacement for Alice, satisfying his pitiful inner self, or coldly see her as a tool completely ignoring human nature?

Bologue finds it hard to comprehend; even experts have areas they aren't good at. This problem that can't be solved through violence is exactly what Bologue finds difficult to handle.

He forcefully leaned back, trying hard to relax his nerves, comforting himself by saying it's just messy entanglements of emotions, identity, and ethics.

As long as it doesn't involve life and death, such matters are not considered problems.

Yes, as long as it doesn't involve life and death.

Bologue squinted his eyes, appearing to thoroughly relax, but suddenly a turbulent Ether flow surged indoors, followed by the black box under the table unfolding, emitting a glow of Ether.

Bologue was stunned for two seconds, then Ether violently stabbed into his body, and the whistle by his ear was activated by another force, with Lebius's voice echoing in his mind.

"Bologue, urgent situation."