Chapter 191: Infinite Puppets, Pineapples, and Bees

Half an hour later, Milk had prepared all of Dorothy’s luggage and filled her bottle completely, ensuring she wouldn’t die of thirst on the journey.

Sizar had been busy for the same half hour, then ran over holding a clump of mud: “Dorothy, here, put this on your face.”

“Gross! What is this? Slimy, sticky, yellowish… it looks like… something!” Dorothy backed away in disgust, glaring at Sizar. Putting this stuff on a girl’s face? She’d rather die!

“Stop being difficult. It’s not ‘that’. It’s ‘Face-Changing Mud’ I bought at the school store. Spread it on your face, and you can copy someone’s appearance for a short time. When I did missions, I often used Sark’s ‘face’ to escape trouble,” Sizar explained.

“You want to copy my face?” Dorothy’s eyes narrowed.

“Yes, copy your face onto Milk’s. Make him your Replica. Then he and I will escape together, creating an opportunity for you.”

“You should’ve said so earlier! No need for all this trouble! Throw that thing away!” Dorothy sighed in relief. “Know why Lilith hasn’t come out for over a week?”

“No,” Sizar shook his head.

“I’ll tell you. My Sin Mark has evolved to its final form. Well, not completely finished yet, still changing. Cough… explaining is complicated. Just… watch.”

She snapped her fingers. Demonic Vines sprouted from the mouth on her nape, weaving together in the air to form a human shape, solidifying into Lilith.

“Hmm? Dreaming again? Big Brother! Hug, Lilith wants to sleep with you.” Half-asleep Lilith drooped her head, waving weakly at Sizar.

“What’s wrong with her? Still sleepy?” Sizar asked.

“She’s fusing with the Sin Mark. Lilith, make me a body. No special requirements, just a temporary one.”

Hearing Dorothy’s instruction, Lilith grew a vine from her palm. It lengthened and lengthened. Then, the tip suddenly developed a fruit. The fruit grew larger and larger. Within the translucent green flesh, a faint humanoid form could be seen.

“Remember that sacred artifact Puppet? It was too high-level. Its aura attracted the Sin Mark… and it got eaten. My Sin Mark used that Puppet’s power as a blueprint and entered its ultimate form.” Dorothy shrugged. “Once this evolution finishes, I’ll never have to worry about bodies again. I can make as many bodies as I want. Want a new bloodline? Make one with it and use it. If a body goes berserk or gets wrecked? Don’t bother fixing it; just swap in a new one.”

“Any cost?” Hearing his sister’s ability, Sizar’s eyelid twitched. One Puppet was excessive enough, and this girl had evolved an infinite Puppet ability. He was deeply envious but not jealous of Dorothy’s luck; he was genuinely happy for her. His little sister being stronger was always better. Still, flaws would be bad.

“None. Just provide the raw materials. I can make them non-stop and store them for emergencies. Only one bad thing: it wastes too much energy. More perfect bodies need more time. Like me now – not even at Entering Huan – making a copy like this? Takes at least half a year. In half a year, I’ll definitely be much stronger. What use is this body then? By that time, making a new Replica would take even longer. Sigh! Only good as a life-saving trump card. Such a letdown!” Dorothy grumbled.

As she spoke, the fruit cracked open. Wet and naked, a Dorothy stepped out, drooling, looking totally dazed.

“Look away!!” Dorothy yelled, then pounced onto her Replica to put clothes on it.

“Hmph, making a fuss. Not like I haven’t seen it.” Sizar turned around unhappily but kept glancing sideways. Lilith, yawning, dissolved and returned to the Sin Mark.

Ten minutes later, two identical Dorothys stood before Sizar. The one on the left brimmed with life, smiling knowingly at him. The one on the right had blank eyes, drool constantly escaping its mouth. It stood crookedly, staring at Sizar, mumbling, “Candy… candies…”

“How long can this Replica last?” Sizar asked, eyes hopeful.

“Hmph! Knew you were up to no good!” Dorothy snorted.

“Cough, nonsense! I’m planning tactics! Only by knowing how long it exists can I finalize the battle plan.”

“One day! Temporary goods, poor quality. It’ll automatically decompose by evening, turning into a pile of fruit pulp,” Dorothy replied.

“Is it edible?” Sizar asked curiously.

“…” Dorothy wordlessly stared for a moment. “…Yes. Tastes like apple.”

…

One hour later, Sizar’s Demon Flies brought new information: the army’s movements were spotted, and the Forest terrain clearly mapped.

That morning, finding the road blocked, Sizar and his sister had ditched their vehicle and fled. By then, they’d already been driving for two hours, deep into this Forest.

The Central Territory was indeed the most prosperous part of the continent, but it wasn’t all major cities. Beyond the cities were fields, mountains, Forests, and Swamps. Within half an hour’s ride from White Hall, the Forest was thinner. Beside the roads were stations selling specialized coal dust fuel and special water (“refueling”), along with some small shops. Further out was the Forest zone, preserved wilderness teeming with all kinds of wild beasts and plenty of Werewolves…

Sizar was now deep inside the vast, directionless Forest. Using Demon Flies, he mapped the surrounding terrain and tracked the army’s movements.

“Dorothy, keep this map well. Go this way,” Sizar drew a simple map, pointing towards a direction behind him. “Get here, then head south. Straight ahead leads back to the road. Then get out.”

“What will you do?” Dorothy looked at Sizar.

“Mess with them. Alright, we part ways here. Until next time! Remember,” Sizar placed both hands on his sister’s shoulders, serious. “Next time I see you, you must be even more beautiful!”

“Hmm!” Dorothy nodded, hoisted her backpack, and vanished into the deep Forest.

Watching his sister go, Sizar exhaled. “Milk, keep an eye on the Replica. Let’s go. Camilla, come out. The Demon Flies are yours to control. Navigate properly; don’t get us lost.”

“Hmph! You’re the one who’ll get lost! Empress, come here, don’t be shy, wiggle wiggle~!” Camilla appeared perched on Sizar’s head, scooping up the Empress in her hands, relentlessly kneading and petting it, bullying the poor silver maggot until it squealed. Humiliated, the worm frantically signaled Sizar for help, but her master paid it no mind.

Twenty minutes later, Sizar, racing at high speed through the woods, reached a spot not far from two walking machines.

Standing on a treetop, looking down: Two metal machines stood there, headless. Their torsos alone, not counting arms and legs, were three meters tall and two meters wide each. Outer casings were studded with metal plates of various shapes, and cracks glowed a deep blue. Set into their wide oval backs were two enormous metal boxes: ammo stores. Wedged between the boxes was a giant power axe. The machine also carried a cannon barrel on one shoulder. Combined with short, thick legs and arms thick with attachments, they looked like giant metal crabs.

A smaller model was storming through the woods. Thick trees over a meter wide blocked its path. The crab raised one arm. The three-fingered claw rotated and shifted, swapping out for a large chainsaw from its attachments. With a single light sweep, it easily severed the massive tree and continued forward.

“Cough… can I handle this thing?” Staring down at the Royal Pineapple, Sizar felt his scalp crawl.

Forget the difference in size and strength. Forget their military-grade heavy firepower. Even just that layer of defense – Sizar had no confidence breaching it. That ridiculously thick alloy plating? He was supposed to rip it barehanded? Using Evil Fist, perhaps he could punch through the outer layer… but then what? The “core” of the steam “Pineapple” was buried deep inside! His whole arm plunged in wouldn’t reach! Besides, would such a weapon rely on just a single layer of alloy for defense? Impossible! Those glowing blue circuits clearly held some weird energy… could probably project a shield!

Seeing the machine up close shattered Sizar’s confidence. He felt like someone diligently practicing martial arts, reaching a decent level where they could bully mortals, challenge the local constabulary, dodge bullets, be a minor superhero… only to pick a fight with Officer Uncle and suddenly face off against a tank. Tragedy ensued.

“Hmph! Who says this is an ‘external force’? Mortal stuff? Only Ability Users are truly strong?” Camilla sneered.

“Head-on fight? Of course I lose! But don’t forget – my power isn’t melee brawling!” Sizar flicked his fingers. Countless Demon Flies materialized within the Forest.

The machines below noticed the flies but paid them no mind. This was the Forest; running into insects was normal. No need to fear bugs like an army. Even though there were a lot of these “bees”… probably just a hive nearby? Anyway, they were safely inside the machines. Didn’t matter.

The two machines marched on. Oblivious that behind them, right between the two ammo boxes, over a hundred Demon Flies had gathered into a clump, firmly stuck onto the metal.

By now, Sizar was already on the ground, hiding far away. He spoke to his beloved pet, “Camilla, wanna bet? Do you think they’ll go ‘BOOM’ and fly into the sky?”

“Those are AMMO BOXES! How shameless! I love it!” Camilla squinted her eyes and meowed in amusement.