Chapter 72

I don't know what the "Arrow of God" is, but I can't just let Eberheid run loose.

I placed Oatem on the spot and ran after Eberheid.

Mia and Maisen followed me.

I stopped and turned around.

"...Mia, stay here. It's probably dangerous."

Maisen is trained and can move around, but I can't expect the same from Mia.

I don't know what lies ahead.

I've already seen the inside of the ruins, and it's unlikely that another monster will appear.

It's safer to stay here.

"But... I'm worried... If Abel goes, Mia will..."

Mia hung her head.

"It's okay, I'll be back soon."

"R-Really? Mia will count to 500 and then chase after you, okay?"

"...No, it will probably take twice as long."

Eberheid is like a cup of ramen or something.

I thought about riding the golem, but... the place where the golems are lined up is followed by a narrow passage.

I might be able to get through by bending down, but I can't make the golem do such fine movements.

If I lean forward, it will be difficult to maintain balance. If I'm careful not to fall, it will take unnecessary time.

I only know how to handle the golem to a certain extent.

I decided to give up on using the golem.

The entrance to the passage has images of fire, elves, and chimeras, creating a mysterious atmosphere.

The strange designs add a unique flavor.

Eberheid is ahead.

If we take too much time, Eberheid might get the "Arrow of God."

We need to hurry.

I ran ahead with Maisen.

"Really, we've gotten ourselves into something terrible. Even if I tell you to back off, there's nothing I can do. I'm the leader now. Helping and cleaning up after subordinates is part of the job. As a leader, I will provide the maximum assistance... Hey, Abel? Don't you think we should run faster?"

I stopped after running a little into the passage.

Maisen also stopped.

"...Sorry, I'm out of stamina."

I panted, placing my hands on my knees.

"Huh?"

The start was good.

I'm already tired from analyzing the ruins, and my special potion is gone.

I knew this would happen if I pushed myself too hard.

"...I really feel bad, but... I'll wait here. Can you stop Eberheid somehow?"

I can't just leave Eberheid.

If his words are true, Eberheid will start a war on the surface using the "Arrow of God."

We must stop him here.

"Wait a minute!? Isn't this putting the cart before the horse!? There's no way I can stop something like that!?"

"But I can't just ignore it. Look, a leader has to clean up after subordinates and all..."

"True, I just said that, but I'll apologize and take it back! Is this a joke? You can't be serious after coming this far, right?"

Maisen grabbed my shoulders and shook me.

Even if you say that, there's nothing I can do if it's impossible.

I gently turned my eyes away.

"Abel!?"

"N-No, look at my legs. They're really swollen. If you want, you can touch them. Rather, I want you to praise me for running this far."

I touched my legs while saying this.

"Up to here... Look back. You can see Mia watching you worriedly."

I glanced back.

It's about fifty meters or so.

Thinking about it, I've never run such a long distance at full speed in my life.

However, Maisen is well-trained.

He ran such a long distance without even panting.

"Shouldn't we just go back? This is too much for us..."

"That's it! Maisen, carry me and chase after Eberheid!"

"Wh-What... Ah, okay, I understand... It might work..."

I climbed onto Maisen's back.

While running through the passage, Maisen's face was serious.

I'm honestly embarrassed, but there's no choice.

Eberheid probably won't expect to be chased in a piggyback style.

After passing through the passage, we entered a large space.

There were huge pillars with complex magical symbols at each corner.

They probably had some role when the fortress was moving.

At the back was a door with elaborate decorations.

The "Arrow of God" is likely just beyond it.

In the center of the room was a golem with a height of nearly four meters, resembling a beast.

It looked like a dog or wolf.

The ears and tail seemed somewhat similar to a hound.

"GOOOOO!"

The golem got up and turned its head.

It had magic stones embedded all over its body, giving it a rugged appearance.

It clearly had more magic stones than other golems.

It must be a higher rank.

"...It seems Eberheid activated it."

It was probably set up to guard the inner part of the fortress.

This is the final obstacle.

Eberheid himself should be easy to neutralize.

"Ah! What do we do, Abel! We can't bring the golem this way! Can we turn back!?"

Maisen shouted while looking back at me.

"Probably not. It might follow us even if we turn back."

The golem is taller than the others but was in a crouching position, so it might be able to get through the passage.

"Then, can't we reprogram it or something!?"

"It's unlikely. Most golems of this type create a barrier to prevent such interference while active. Any delicate interference will be repelled."

"...Is this a dead end? What do you think, Abel?"

Maisen asked anxiously.

"Don't worry. This place is wide, so we can use a strong magic spell without problems."

"No, that's impossible! It's a completely different level! It's a full-fledged weapon! I think you're underestimating the danger!"

"But... it's basically the same as before. If we can reduce its mobility, we can handle it..."

"GOOOOO!"

The beast golem barked and charged towards us.

"Damn it!"

Maisen threw me off.

I hit the ground hard.

What's going on? What happened?

Did he give up on me?

No, but now isn't the time to think about that. The golem is the priority.

Where's my staff? I need to find it quickly or I'll be the golem's meal.

I crawled on the ground, searching for my dropped staff.

There it is, I touched it. I hugged my staff and turned to the golem.

"What are you doing! Run for your life! I'll distract it! I can buy you about thirty seconds!"

Maisen ran around the golem towards the back of the ruins.

The golem probably has orders to guard the inner part of the fortress.

It seems to have prioritized Maisen, as its eyes were locked on him.

"Wait! You don't have to risk your life! Maisen! Come back here!"

"Don't say stupid things! Run! I'm the leader!"

If he gets that far, the options to take him down in one hit are limited.

I don't know the golem's strength that well.

I can probably handle it, but if my estimate is off and I can't take it down, the golem will crush Maisen first.

"Come back here! If you get closer, I can do something!"

"I can die to protect people! When I was saved by adventurers as a child, I decided to use my life to save others! I'm already prepared!"

Maisen ran from the golem with tears in his eyes.

However, the gap was closing. It was like a cheetah chasing a rabbit.

"Your voice is shaking! Really, please come back!"

"Hehe, I'm not shaking! Listen, you must tell the story of me as a hero. For that, you must return safely! Hurry up, do you want to make my death meaningless!"

It's no use, he's saying something that sounds good.

It's impossible to persuade Maisen at this critical moment.

...This place is wide, so even if I use a lot of power, it shouldn't collapse.

The ruins aren't that fragile. It's a fortress that has existed for two thousand years.

It won't break easily, probably.

If I take my time, Maisen's life will be in danger.

"Turpun"

I pointed my staff at the air.

By combining the components of the air, spirits, and magic, I can create a metal called Hidim Magimetal.

This metal is strongly influenced by the creator's magic.

However, it has the characteristic of decomposing and dispersing quickly, so it can't be used as a material...

A silvery metal floated in the air. More metal attached to it, forming a metal ball the size of the golem's head.

A ball of this size and density should cause some damage.

"Here it goes!"

I swung my staff, and the Hidim Magimetal ball was launched straight.

"GOOOOO"

The golem stopped and turned around.

The metal ball hit its left shoulder.

A crackling sound came from the golem, and it flew like a puppy and stuck to the wall.

"...Kun"

I couldn't tell if it was a bark or a stop sound.

"Good, somehow... Oh."

The metal ball that flew