"Erefseria's disciple?"
Caesar looked at the man calmly.
"You've lived a long time."
"You're still alive."
"Have you heard Erefseria mention me?"
Duke chuckled as he looked at Caesar.
"I am an alchemist."
"I can create humans."
"I specialize in human transmutation."
Pfft.
Caesar burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?"
Duke frowned in displeasure.
"I just thought of something amusing."
Caesar tried to hold back his laughter.
Human transmutation.
An expert.
Mechanical dolls.
Caesar had resurrected the dead.
He had even competed with Ankhseram over human lives.
Yet someone like this dared to call himself an expert.
It was already impressive that Caesar did not laugh louder.
"I once studied magic under Erefseria."
Duke continued.
"But I lacked talent as a mage."
"So I turned to alchemy."
"After I became famous, Erefseria asked me to create a weapon."
"A weapon capable of killing the Five Dragon Gods."
"That creation was Athena."
"My first human transmutation."
"My greatest masterpiece."
Athena remained silent.
The two beside Duke spoke unhappily.
"Are we not masterpieces too?"
"I apologize."
Duke waved his hand.
"You are also my pride."
"You are closer to humans."
"Sorry."
Caesar suddenly held his stomach.
"I really cannot hold it anymore."
He laughed until tears appeared.
"Human transmutation?"
"You think mechanical dolls count?"
"That's hilarious."
"You made machines."
"When you can resurrect the dead and create true living bodies."
"Then you may speak to me."
"You do not understand my greatness."
Duke snorted.
He lost interest in talking.
"You came to cause trouble."
"Source."
"Steel."
"Athena."
"Defeat them."
"Yes."
The three answered together.
They rushed toward Caesar and Selene.
"Lord Caesar?"
Selene stepped forward.
Caesar raised his arm.
"I will handle this."
"I am interested in their structure."
"I will dismantle them."
"When my child is born."
"I will make toys for him."
Caesar moved.
They attacked first.
In the next instant, Caesar appeared above Source and Steel.
"Alchemy?"
"I know it as well."
"Let me see what secrets you hide."
He grabbed one arm from each.
They tried to resist.
Alchemical disintegration activated.
Their arms shattered into components.
"Oh."
"Very precise."
Caesar dodged Athena's beam.
He memorized the internal structure.
With one arm gone, their strength dropped.
Caesar seized their remaining arms.
Panic appeared.
It was useless.
Their arms disintegrated as well.
"Mostly the same."
"But the energy circuits are excellent."
"Very efficient."
Caesar continued dismantling them.
Athena attacked relentlessly.
It did nothing.
Source and Steel were taken apart piece by piece.
"I learned a lot."
Caesar looked at Duke.
"You are a genius at making puppets."
"But true human transmutation has a price."
"Athena."
"Kill him."
Duke shouted in desperation.
Athena charged.
Caesar smiled faintly.
He leaned close.
He whispered.
"You felt anger."
"You felt anxiety."
"That means emotion."
"Puppets do not feel that."
"You are already human in spirit."
"You only lack a true body."
Athena froze.
Her body disintegrated instantly.
"This…"
Selene stared.
A dragon killing weapon.
Defeated effortlessly.
Relief followed.
Choosing Caesar was correct.
Only admiration remained.
"You."
"You monster."
Duke collapsed backward.
Caesar ignored him.
He crouched beside Athena's parts.
He thought briefly.
He clapped his hands.
An alchemical array spread.
The parts floated.
They reassembled.
Athena stood once more.
Her eyes opened.
Power surged within her.
She looked confused.
"As expected."
Caesar nodded.
"My theory was correct."
"Your output and absorption improved."
"How do you feel?"
Athena lowered her arms.
"I am still a weapon."
"I want to be human."
"When you have will and emotion."
"You are no longer a tool."
Caesar stood.
"You are already a person."
He smiled lightly.
"Many would envy you."
He extended his hand.
"Join Fairy Tail."
"I will need help when my child is born."
"You are suitable."
"A nanny…"
Athena touched her body.
"I do not know if I qualify."
"But you recreated me."
"So I will follow you."