Palermo |
"Per favore scusami." |
Palermo, the new alchemist who joined the Special Steel Squad, showed up on time. Just like her appearance, she is a serious honours-student. |
Palermo |
"What? Why are you staring at like that, Conductor?" |
Palermo |
"Vergogna... I'm very sure I'm not late." |
I asked Palermo, who's checking her watch minutely, if she is okay with this. |
Palermo |
"What do you mean? I'm here because I thought this was a good idea. I'm ready to go." |
Palermo |
"Now, as a rite of passage to join the SSS - give me an Iron Injection." |
Conductor |
That was the reason I called you today. |
Palermo |
"Yes. I hear that under normal circumstances, everyone gets an Iron Injection before enlisting, alongside with tests and inspections and so on." |
Palermo |
"It's a prerequisite to accept it in order to face the Phantom Mist as a member of the SSS." |
Palermo |
"If one hasn't been Iron Injected, one won't be able to resist the Phantom Mist and Mist Monsters." |
Palermo |
"It is only with you, a Divine Child's blessing, that we can save the world." |
Conductor |
But Palermo, you were enlisted without any such tests or inspections. It was Messina, our excellent medic, who recruited you directly to the SSS. |
Palermo |
"But. Such special treatment - ignoring the rules, is unacceptable. I hate exceptions and injustices like these the most." |
Palermo |
"If I don't get the Iron Injection, I'm much weaker than the rest of the squad. That makes me useless to you, I'll be a worthless burden, and I might be expelled from the SSS sooner or later." |
Palermo |
"That's not what I want. I will be useful and show my worth. I will grow strong and one day I will take back my home - Ancient Kingdom Sitiria." |
Palermo |
"So it's okay. I'll do it, and take the Iron Injection." |
Palermo walked gingerly while talking to herself - and she suddenly tripped. |
Palermo |
"......" |
Conductor |
Are you alright, Palermo? |
Palermo |
"Of, of course. Who do you think I am?" |
Conductor |
If you don't feel up to it, we can change the date or cancel this after all. |
Palermo |
"I SAID I'M FINE?! What, I'm fine, this is just an Iron Injection! It's a blessing from the Divine Child, it's like performing an inoculation!" |
Conductor |
Are you sure you're okay...? You seem to be overtly uncomfortable with it. You're extremely uncomfortable with intimate matters, Palermo, probably due to your upbringing. |
Palermo |
"I'm not uncomfortable with it. I just feel like it's dirty and vile and I don't want to experience it if I can help it. I just don't want to see it, hear it or even know it." |
Conductor |
That's called 'uncomfortable' with it. |
Palermo |
"Shut up, shut up! I am a perfect and ideal life form created by the deepest secrets of alchemy!" |
Palermo |
"I'm not bad at anything! No, even if I have one, I can conquer it! I will conquer it! Because I am me!" |
Conductor |
I'm not sure what you mean by that ideal life form. Are you talking about people who were genetically engineered before they were born, like the people created by the Messiah Project? |
Palermo |
"About that. I don't know much about this Messiah Project. I guess it's what we call a convergent evolution, and there were people on earth who came to the same conclusion as my kind." |
Palermo |
"One of the secrets of alchemy is the creation of homunculi." |
Palermo |
"In short, a technique for creating artificial hominids. I am the latest alchemically adjusted and transmuted being based on that technology." |
Palermo |
"I'm proud of who I am. That's why I want to reward my ancestors for the technology and history that led them to produce me as myself." |
Palermo |
"I am a masterpiece. It is the culmination of my kind's technology." |
Palermo |
"For that reason. I am going to do what my kind has always wanted, to take back the Ancient Kingdom Sitiria. I cannot stand still here." |
Conductor |
I see. I'm convinced and impressed. I will never disparage your resolve. |
Palermo |
"Hmhm. As long as you understand, that's fine." |
Conductor |
Then we'll start the Iron Injection right away. |
Palermo |
"Thank you very much." |
Conductor |
Let's start light, I'll Iron Inject via patting your head. |
Palermo |
"Go ahead." |
Conductor |
Sit upright as I place my hand gently on your head, Palermo. Now, to inject -- if you don't feel well or anything, just tell me. |
Palermo |
"......" |
Conductor |
...Palermo? |
Palermo |
"......" |
Conductor |
S-She fainted. |
Continued in Episode 2. |