Chapter 86

Tempest's tomb had remained unchanged since Al left a few months ago, and it was still quiet. Al gave a slight bow to the altar and quietly approached the stone coffin in the middle of the room, slowly opening the lid. Inside, Tempest's body still looked as if it were merely sleeping. Chanting the name of the goddess of fate, Luud, Al touched the assistant device on the chest of the body.

"Have you returned, Al?"

"Yeah, Malaki. I came because there's something I want to ask."

Al told Malaki about the goblin mage he had encountered. This goblin had displayed an intelligence far beyond what was typical and had been wearing a collar with an assistant device that looked very similar to Malaki's.

"This is it."

Al took out the collar the goblin mage had been wearing and placed it on the altar beside him. To be safe, it was still wrapped in leather cloth.

"Hmm, I see. This is indeed an assistant device. Did you try talking to Ingred?"

"Yeah, but it doesn't understand the language."

"I see. Al, could you gently touch it? Of course, only if it's not too much trouble."

Al hesitantly touched the goblin's assistant device.

"Kya kya kya"

Immediately, a language that sounded like a barbarian's was heard, and Al quickly pulled his hand away.

"Relax... if possible, could you keep touching it until I say it's okay? Of course, only within your limits."

Following Malaki's words, Al took a deep breath and touched the goblin's assistant device again. The barbarian language sounded louder in his ear, but he endured it.

"Hmm, we can't communicate, but commands seem to work. Please wait a little longer. This isn't something that can be done easily."

In addition to the barbarian language, Malaki's voice could also be heard. Al closed his eyes and nodded slightly. How much time had passed... Suddenly, the barbarian's cries stopped.

"Poor thing, I've temporarily stopped its activity. This assistant device is likely from the same creator as mine. However, the original magic circuit is damaged, and many functions have been modified. Especially the function for communication with humans is completely destroyed and seems to have been replaced with something entirely different."

"Does this mean the barbarians created something like Grii?"

Al tilted his head.

"If Ingred's assistant device was created after me, it's possible, but I don't think this assistant device can create an assistant by receiving thoughts... I think."

The last part of Malaki's words was a bit weak. It seemed he couldn't say it with complete certainty.

"Anyway, I'll try to add a function for communication. Not by overwriting, but by adding it. If this function can integrate with the current personality, there's a possibility of communication."

Al nodded at Malaki's explanation. If they could communicate, they could learn a lot. According to Malaki, this process would take some time. With Malaki's permission, Al placed the goblin mage's assistant device on top of Malaki's, overlapping them. The slow, rhythmic flashing of light from both assistant devices was in sync.

"Have there been many assistants?"

Al asked, watching the flashing lights intently.

"That's a difficult question. Assistants have various abilities. If we define them simply as magical tools that give advice, my master could create them. If we include those, there are countless. But if we're talking about assistants with personalities like mine, it's much more difficult. There are probably only a few people who have the skills to create them. I think the number created is less than a hundred. Of course, it's possible that the technology advanced significantly after I was buried with Lord Tempest."

There were now three, or four if Patricia's was included, of these ancient magical devices, which were supposed to be so rare. Was this the fate that Patricia spoke of? Al's heart raced.

"This approach to the goblin mage's assistant device will take some time. Holding it for so long will tire your hand. I'll let you know by flashing the light when I've made some progress. You can let go for now."

Al nodded but didn't let go. He still had more questions for Malaki.

"If there's time, there's something else I want to ask you, Malaki."

Al skillfully lowered his backpack to the floor with his free hand. He had two problems: a spellbook he couldn't learn from due to damage and a small, button-shaped magical device whose magic circuit he couldn't read. He had brought them, hoping to get some advice.

"Hmm, regarding the spellbook, I can't offer much advice. I didn't learn any new spells after becoming my master's assistant. If you need to, you can go to the research tower we talked about last time. Ingred's assistant device can have a function added to help with that. The same goes for the button. There should be a machine to create the magic circuits used in such small magical devices. You won't be able to see the circuits without it."

"I see..."

Al wanted to learn the spells in this spellbook to go to the research tower, but the means to do so was in the research tower itself... Al looked disappointed.

"Whether they are still usable or not, you won't know until you go."

Malaki added. Of course, it was an ancient ruin, and it might not be usable after hundreds, or even thousands, of years. Speaking of ancient ruins...

"I understand... Hey, while I'm waiting, can I see this ancient ruin... I mean, Lord Tempest's tomb?"

"This tomb? Yes, you can. My master created this tomb with great care during his lifetime. It might be a bit overdone, but if a mage wants to see it, my master would have found it interesting. Please share your thoughts with me."

Grii is a nickname for Ingred.

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