Chapter 99

"Lloyd, can you get the reaction stone?"

"Yes, Brother Zerof. It's the number seven, right?"

"Yeah, and while you're at it, get the catalyst solution too."

"I thought you might say that, so I already prepared it. Here you go."

Dian had already made the outer casing and left, so Zerof and I were working on the core's internal creation.

The alchemical creation process requires a high level of complexity and precision, so it's hard to relax.

Moreover, this one is much larger than the ones I made before, making it even more difficult to maintain the internal components.

Zerof, with a serious expression, stirred the flask and mixed the contents into a single bottle.

The boiling liquid emitted a blue smoke.

As the smoke dissolved, a silvery liquid formed in the bottle.

"Phew, it's complete."

The liquid shimmering in the alchemically created flask is not actually a liquid but a flowing metal.

This metal, known as the Philosopher's Stone, has the property of moving freely according to human will.

By issuing commands through magic, it provides the power for the golem.

"Good work, Brother Zerof."

"Thanks to you, Lloyd. The Philosopher's Stone is difficult to refine, especially for this special golem. We need a high-quality one."

The Philosopher's Stone in the flask is much purer than the usual one.

Since it requires precise movements, it is used not only in the arms and legs but also in the fingertips and other drive parts, so a large amount is needed.

We had to remake it every time we failed.

Dian, who was remaking the outer casing, also had a hard time, just like Zerof.

"But, Lloyd, I've been thinking. You seem to know a lot about alchemy."

"Huh? R-really? I just read some alchemy books when I had free time in the library."

"To be able to do this just from book knowledge. Indeed, alchemy and magic are closely related. As a magician, Lloyd, you should have some knowledge, but your level of knowledge is exceptional. You could even surpass many alchemists. If we work together, we might even be able to achieve the alchemical taboo and ultimate technique, human transmutation. Hmm, I would like to make you my assistant, but since you seem to be Albert's favorite, I can't force it. But someday, definitely..."

Zerof is muttering to me with a scary look in his eyes.

I wonder what he's thinking.

--- The work progressed smoothly, and ten days passed.

The golem core was finally completed.

When magic power was infused, the Philosopher's Stone activated, and the sound of the core's internal mechanisms could be heard.

The sound was stable, so there seemed to be no risk of explosion.

"Hmm, it took time, but we finally got here. Thanks to the Roderent alloy."

"The hardness and durability are excellent, and it's easy to process. All thanks to the Roderent alloy."

... I'm a bit bothered by the name, but that's beside the point.

The golem core, which ran smoothly during the test, was attached to the main body.

Finally, the golem was completed.

"Wow, it's finally done!"

"This is a prototype. We plan to make adjustments and minor upgrades, but it can be considered complete for now."

Under the bright sun, the deep red golem shone brilliantly.

Everyone looked up at it, mesmerized.

"Hehe, great job, everyone! Isn't it amazing? With this, we can take down any big monster that attacks!"

"Yes, it's a magnificent creation. As a guardian of the country, there are few golems that can match this. It will showcase our country's technological prowess and give us an advantage in negotiations with other countries."

"This is the pinnacle of technology... the ultimate alchemical creation. But it's truly a work of art."

It seems each of them had their own agenda.

No wonder they cooperated so willingly with the golem's creation.

... I can't say that they were thinking of using it for my magic training.

"Hey, Al, let's give it a name!"

"Hmm, that's a good idea... Lloyd, what do you think?"

"Wh-What? Me?"

Albert suddenly turned to me.

"You were the one who suggested it, and I think you're the one who contributed the most."

"I have no objections. Besides, the name doesn't really matter."

"Hey, Zerof, the name is important! ...Well, I have no objections to Lloyd naming it. If you can't think of anything, I can come up with some names. How about King Lloyd or Super Lloyd?"

No, that's not right, brother.

I'm taken aback by Dian's sense of naming.

Rin, who was standing next to me, is trying hard not to burst out laughing.

Since I can't bear it, I think hard.

"Since that's the case, how about adding 'Guardian' to our family name 'Di' to make 'DiGuardia'?"

"Hmm, that sounds good."

"Yeah, while King Lloyd is a tough one to give up, that's a good name too!"

"The name doesn't really matter... but it's not bad."

Phew, that's good. It seems everyone agrees.

"That's good, Lloyd... not King Lloyd... hehe."

"Yeah, that's a creepy name."

Rin is trying hard not to laugh.

I don't really care about the name, but that's a bit too much.

"Alright, now that we've named it, let's start the test run of 'DiGuardia'!"

"Great! I've been waiting for this!"

"Hmm, I can't wait to see the magnificent form of my 'DiGuardia'."

"Sure! I'm looking forward to it too!"

Finally, the time has come for that golem to move.

Let's see if it can be used as my combat partner.