NOVEL WEB Chapter 20 : [Telepath]
[Telepath]
"Hmm? Alice-sama? What is it, Alice-sama, contacting me now?"
"Aether, are you already at the location of the goblins?"
"Yes! I am near the goblin location, Alice-sama, along with Veris and Saphielle."
"Saphielle?"
Aether was quite surprised when he realized his mistake. He hadn't introduced Saphielle to Alice, and automatically, he bowed his head even though they were communicating telepathically.
"Oh, forgive me, I forgot that Alice-sama hadn't met her yet. Saphielle is a Karma Elf that I summoned from the precious red scroll that Alice-sama gave me."
"Ohhh!! She's a Karma Elf?"
Alice's voice sounded excited, and it got Aether excited too.
"That's right, Alice-sama."
"So, what about the goblins you found?"
Hearing Alice's question made Aether pause for a moment. What should Aether report? Alice was a creature with unpredictable knowledge, and Aether assumed that Alice should already know everything.
But Aether had to report all the information he knew to Alice.
"They are a disgusting race, equivalent to maggots. Their lives seem fairly normal; they have about a two-week supply of food, in my estimate, as I haven't fully investigated yet."
"They also have some human female slaves, and a few untouched human females, probably for some ritual or tradition."
"The goblin males are mostly engaged in combat training, digging for a water source, and other tasks. Meanwhile, the females are queueing to fetch water from the prepared water supply."
"Based on my observations, they seem to be led by six individuals."
"Interesting information, continue, Aether."
"Well, most of them are low-level goblins, but some are of a middle rank."
"I see... They seem to be similar to the goblins I know, very fond of kidnapping human females. In that case, I'm changing my orders: subdue them by any means necessary. I don't care what you do, just don't destroy them."
"I don't know why, but I feel like these humans might be useful for gathering information."
On the other hand, Alice felt that her humanity was significantly diminishing because she had no compassion at all. However, she still needed humans to gather information about the outside world, even if it was limited, and she might find conversation companions.
Instantly, Aether's expression lit up with a wide smile, looking like someone who had achieved their goal. Aether wasn't a great strategist like Exypno, so thinking of a conquest strategy without bloodshed would be challenging for him, although he could contact Exypno for advice.
"May I ask something, Alice-sama?"
"Hmmm? Go ahead."
"So, do I need to rescue all the humans at the goblin location? And will these humans be used for experiments? Or will they become your slaves after you interrogate them?"
The atmosphere suddenly fell silent for a moment.
(HAHHHHH!!!???? WHAT DOES HE MEAN???)
On the other hand, Alice wanted to scream after hearing Aether's extremely strange question. Alice had only thought of using the humans in the goblin territory to gather information, and she hadn't thought of any further plans for them.
Alice decided to ask for Aether's opinion while stalling for time to come up with a suitable answer.
"What do you think these humans would be better suited for in my service?"
Aether was very curious about Alice's answer, hoping that the humans would become something like foot rugs for Alice instead of slaves.
Making lowly humans into slaves for the supreme leader was a mistake. Aether once again felt guilty because he should have suggested that they be turned into rugs rather than slaves.
"If they can't be used for experiments, I would suggest they be turned into rugs. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that; I mean they would be better suited as rugs for shoes, not for feet."
"I'm sure, the thoughts of Arina, Exypno, and the other servants are the same as mine."
Silence fell again for a few seconds.
"This is how it is, Aether. Firstly, I will interrogate these human females to gather information. Secondly, if there is vital information, I may be able to manipulate their minds and turn them into spies in human settlements. Thirdly, if these humans prove useful, they may become subjects for experimentation."
Alice's voice instantly turned very cold.
"Fourthly, if there's a human with potential, I won't hesitate to make them swear loyalty to me."
Aether's facial expression instantly became admiring of Alice's thoughts. Instead of turning humans into rugs, Alice was thinking much further ahead. Aether couldn't help but admire his creator, Alice Vasilissa.
"So that's how it is! Please forgive my ignorance and shallow thinking."
"It's okay, Aether. So, what are your plans for conquering the goblins?"
"My plans? I apologize; I haven't made a plan yet, but I will create one as soon as possible and complete the task to your satisfaction, so as not to disappoint you, Alice-sama."
"I see. That's fine; it's only been a few hours since I gave the order. Think about your plan carefully because one small mistake could be fatal, and if you have any difficulties, don't hesitate to contact me or Arina through [Telepath]."
"Very well, Alice-sama. I will make sure the goblins know who you are and make them worship you."
"Do as you please, Aether. Just don't destroy them, and if necessary, kill no more than 10% of their total population. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand!"
Aether responded firmly, like a military soldier being questioned by a superior officer in a formal setting.
"Good, then I have business to attend to in conquering the orcs."
"Yes, I'm sure Alice-sama will conquer the orcs much better than I can conquer the goblins."
"Hahaha, is that so? Well then, goodbye."
"Goodbye, Alice-sama. I hope you have a pleasant day."
[Telepath end]
"Hahhhhh......."
Aether exhaled deeply after taking a deep breath. Aether was currently in a barren land much like a desert.
"How is it, Aether-sama?"
Saphielle asked with great curiosity because she had been waiting for Aether to finish the [Telepath] with Alice. Of course, Saphielle was very curious about what Aether had discussed, but as she was under Aether's status, she didn't have the right to inquire about the content of the conversation.
"Well, we can conquer the goblins in any way we want, but if there is bloodshed, it should be limited to a maximum of 10% of their population."
"I see..."
Aether was still with Saphielle and Veris, just like before.
[Telepath]
"Veris."
A voice echoed inside Alice's mind. Veris recognized the voice very well as she had heard it before.
"A-Alice-sama!? Wh-why are you contacting a lowly servant like me?"
Veris responded to Alice's voice filled with surprise, trembling, and fear. Veris also thought hard about whether she had made a mistake that prompted Alice to contact her directly through [Telepath].
Veris looked like a student, anxious and waiting for a teacher who might scold them for forgetting to do an assignment.
Veris's mind continued to work hard in a short amount of time, to the point where she started feeling a headache from constant thinking.
"No, you are still my servant. I will give you a new task."
Instantly, Veris breathed a sigh of relief and became calmer upon hearing Alice's words. She also became more excited and curious about the task Alice would assign to her as a mere dryad.
"W-what task, Alice-sama?"
"You will be tasked with monitoring Aether and his subordinates in the process of conquering the goblin race. You must not support Aether and should remain neutral. You can be considered my eyes to watch over Aether, and always report anything with [Telepath]. I hope you will do as I command."
Veris was very surprised and didn't expect to be given such an important task. She was frozen in shock at being entrusted with such a significant responsibility.
For all permanent summon creatures and servants belonging to Alice, receiving a task was an honor and the greatest happiness. However, receiving a very important task meant that they were important servants to Alice.
That's what all of Alice's subordinates thought.
"Veris?"
Alice called Veris, who was stunned, to bring her back to attention.
"I-I apologize, Alice-sama. I'm very happy to receive such an important task. I will do my best to carry out this task."
"Is that so? Very well. If Aether asks you, tell him that I have given you a more important task."
"Understood, Alice-sama! Thank you for entrusting me with this very important task. I swear to work even harder in the future."
"Hmmmm! Alright, Veris."
[Telepath end]
[Telepath] disconnected before Veris could offer a farewell response.
"Really? Aether-sama mentioned my name when talking to Alice-sama?"
Saphielle asked with enthusiasm upon learning that Aether had mentioned her when speaking to Alice.
"Yes, perhaps Alice-sama wants to meet you later."
"Thank you very much, Aether-sama. I won't forget this."
Aether then turned his attention to Veris, who seemed to have finished the [Telepath].
"Veris, did someone contact you?"
"Yes, Alice-sama contacted me and gave me a new task. I'm assigned to continually monitor your performance in conquering the goblin race. I apologize, but this is Alice-sama's order."
Aether was somewhat surprised by Veris's response.
"Well, if that's the case, there's nothing we can do. Just do as Alice-sama instructed, Veris."
"Very well! I will do my best not to disappoint Alice-sama."
"Veris, Saphielle, I will contact the other Servants now. Please look after my body for now."
"Understood!"
Veris and Saphielle replied in unison.
Aether then walked to a stone and sat cross-legged on it.
"Alright, my original body should be sitting in this position as well."
Aether closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, he was instantly in a room that consisted of a table, a chair, and a giant mirror at the end of the room.
"You're back, Aether?"
"Welcome back home, Aether!"
"Hello!"
"Zzzzzzz."
"Oh, Aether, huh?"
"I didn't expect you to come back here."
"Ara ~ your body looks like an astral being and lacks density."
Aether was now in the room with the Servants, but with a body that lacked density and weight because his original body had been summoned by Alice.
More precisely, Aether was now in the dimension of Alice's Servants.
Hearing the words of the other Servants, Aether slightly lowered his head and wore a proud smile. Of course, this was to show off to the other Servants that Alice had summoned him and entrusted him with an important task.
"Thank you all for welcoming me."
Aether walked slowly and then sat in his chair.
"I don't want to chat here because I'm currently carrying out orders from Alice-sama. Exypno, I want to ask for your advice on how to conquer the goblin race."
"Well, I never thought someone as peculiar as Aether would seek my advice, but that's not a problem."
The eyes of all the Servants, except for Aether, then focused on the giant mirror, which showed that Alice and Arina were overseeing the orcs and preparing to conquer them.
"In any case, Exypno is a Servant with high intelligence, so I must ask for your advice."
"Very well, I will give you some advice."
Exypno's red eyes gleamed, and she smiled broadly as if her mouth were torn open.