Chapter 90

"Al, can you use the magic control spell to replenish the magic power of the puppet golem and this upper-level work golem to the extent that it doesn't strain them? They haven't been active for a long time, but it seems that a considerable amount of time has passed, and their magic power is about to run out."

Malachi Golem said this while placing his hand on the torso of the small golem standing nearby. Why was this golem, which was only about 140 centimeters tall, considered superior to the giant golems? Despite the other ten giant golems appearing more powerful, Al replenished the magic power of the two golems in turn.

After the replenishment, the upper-level work golem took a step forward, trying to move. However, it lost its balance and fell over immediately.

"Performing self-check."

While lying on the ground, the upper-level work golem spoke. It seemed this golem could also talk.

"Abnormality detected in the right leg. The third segment of the right leg is not functioning."

"Upper-level work golem, try to stand on your left leg alone."

The upper-level work golem took its time, lifting its right leg and using both arms to stand on its left leg. It managed to stand, though it was wobbling to maintain balance.

"Jumping to move is possible. However, it is quite unstable, and the possibility of falling is high."

Each time it moved, the raised right leg swung, causing it to wobble significantly.

"Should I fix the right leg so it doesn't get in the way?"

Al asked, but the upper-level work golem did not respond.

"Al, as with the other golems, they are programmed to only respond to commands from those authorized by Lord Tempest, except for the emergency stop command I previously mentioned. Also, golems can only accept one command at a time and cannot understand suggestions like whether the right leg will get in the way. Therefore, this is the only way. ... Upper-level work golem, maintain this posture."

Malachi Golem gave the command, and the upper-level work golem stood on one leg, chest puffed out. After confirming this, Malachi Golem approached the upper-level work golem and secured the dangling right leg to the torso with a rope from Al.

"Upper-level work golem, move a little and report the status."

The upper-level work golem hopped on one leg to move.

"Balance has significantly improved. If the ground is flat, it is likely possible to move without falling."

"Controlling golems is like this. Al, thank you for the suggestion. This way, we can manage to move. For now, I and this upper-level work golem won't be too conspicuous. Depending on the situation, we might need to use a transportation spell, but it should be possible to carry us. What do you think?"

Al nodded at Malachi's words. They also needed to transport the Arnite ore, but considering how they had carried Orson before, it should be fine. Malachi continued after observing Al's reaction.

"Neither I nor the upper-level work golem have much combat ability. However, if we carry the magic wand with the enchanted arrows that the guardian golem holds, we should be able to defend ourselves to some extent. The upper-level work golem also has a wand for processing stone and metal, which was used to create this tomb. I hope this gives you a better understanding of the golems."

Al nodded. He was curious if there were other magical tools, but decided to ask later. For now, they needed to decide what to do next and whether the move would be temporary or permanent.

"Ultimately, I think we should head to the research tower, but Al hasn't reached it yet, right? Is there a good place to hide until then?"

A place to lay the body where it would be safe. Even with the protection of storage and preservation spells, it couldn't be left outdoors. However, it was impossible to rent a room at the "Red-Faced Sheep" inn to lay the body. The best option would be an unknown cave somewhere... Al thought for a while.

"What can the wand for processing stone and metal do? Can it dig caves?"

"This is a magical tool in the form of a wand that can cast two spells: Stone Softening and Metal Softening. These spells can soften one cubic meter of stone or metal to the consistency of clay in a single use."

Al was impressed. How many spells were there in total? Could Stone Softening be used to create large gems? If metal could be softened, what about an opponent's weapon? Al started thinking about various possibilities but quickly switched his thoughts. Those tests could wait until they found a safe place. Could they create a new tomb? When Al asked, Malachi shook his head.

"Since you can use the magic control spell, you can create a cave without worrying about the number of uses, but it will take time. The processed stone will look obviously artificial and be weaker than before processing. You also need to consider where to dispose of the excavated stone. It's not easy to create a new tomb. If we spend that much time, it would be better to use it to head for the research tower."

Malachi was right. A place where no one would come... Al remembered the abandoned village where the bandits who attacked Nareesh had their base. It was a bit far, but they had recently carried the unconscious Orson over a similar distance. The church where Al had last hidden was still in good condition.

"The abandoned village... that might be good. A church could reasonably have a coffin. Or we could use scrap materials from other buildings to create a hidden room in the church's bell tower."

Malachi nodded at Al's suggestion.

"But, are we really going to move? We have so many golems. We could use the magic wand to seal off the passages, right?"

Al asked, thinking it was the final check. This tomb must have taken years to build. Was it really okay to move so easily?

"The existence of this tomb has been revealed. If it were just tomb raiders sneaking in, it would be manageable, but what Al saw was likely some kind of unit. That means a large number of people will come, far more than before. Even if we hold them off temporarily with the guardian golems, it will only be a matter of time. The processed rocks will leave traces and be fragile. They will eventually dig everything up in search of treasure. And since it's a unit from the country founded by Lord Tempest's descendants, even if we temporarily destroy them with the guardian golems, it will leave a bad taste."

Al agreed with Malachi.

"Then, let's hurry and prepare to move. Whether or not the Tempest Kingdom intended to raid the tomb, with such a large unit already halfway there, we won't be able to return here. We need to make sure we don't leave anything behind."

"Right."

And so, Al and the others began to move.

-----

By a little past noon, Al and the others had wrapped the preserved body of Tempest in a blanket and moved it, along with the two golems, from the tomb to a cave next to the hot spring. Malachi Golem stayed in the back of the cave to start the work of erasing the traces of the earthquake, while Al went to check the entrance, squeezing through the gap in the collapsed debris. Outside, Duran and Heath were folding their tents.

"Are you back?"

"Yes, unfortunately, we have to return."

When Al spoke, Duran stopped his hands and answered, stretching his back, which seemed to hurt.

"Is it a war?"

"No, it's not decided yet. It seems the lookout found more tents on the other side of the mountain. They're going to have a meeting to decide what to do. I think it's probably nothing."

Ethel from the Clarence Village vigilante group had mentioned that a few days ago, there was a commotion because tents that looked like those of the knightly order were found on the other side of the mountain. It seemed to be happening again. Could it be related to the unit Al found in the tomb?

"By the way, can you use a flying spell, Al?"

Shaking his head at Duran's question, Al thought, "Another flying spell."

"I see. If there were a mage who could fly, it would be easy to check the tents. It's natural for a young mage like you not to have it yet. I'm sorry for asking. Even in the knightly order, only a few mages can use the flying spell. They've been trying to train more, but it's been difficult due to budget and staffing issues. If a war breaks out, it will be a big problem."

So, that's why the books on flying spells are sold out. Using the Levitation Eye spell to see over the mountain would be impossible. Al could transform into a crow or a sparrow, but the area seemed to be home to eagles or hawks, which was scary. It would be better to suggest transforming into a raptor after learning the spell.

For a moment, Al thought Duran, as a former knight, might know about the flag he saw in the tomb, but decided not to ask where he had seen it.

"I wanted to hear more of my grandfather's stories, but it's a shame. Be careful."

Al said this as he watched the two men, carrying their belongings, head down the hill.

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