Chapter 34

In the cemetery next to the government building, I finished burying the last of the remains.

The slimes also helped, so the work was completed in less than an hour.

At the spot where the remains were buried, there is a wooden grave marker. I plan to have the blue-haired people make a more proper one later.

I call out to Selena, who is praying in front of the grave marker.

"Selena, are you okay?"

"Yes. It has been a long time... but, why did this happen?"

Among the remains were those of children. The woman in black must have ordered the Guardians to kill the people indiscriminately. It might seem excessive to an outsider.

"She must have had a deep grudge against the empire..."

Selena's face shows surprise at my words, but she soon nods.

"This Tialus was not originally part of the empire... I've heard that during the occupation, very harsh actions were taken as a show of force. It's not strange that they were hated."

As she says, the empire has destroyed many countries and tribes. Public executions of enemy leaders were also carried out. It's not strange that they were hated.

This Tialus province was also originally ruled by another nation, but the empire occupied it.

"The woman in black didn't say anything. She just silently killed us. But her face was full of anger. She must have had a grudge."

"That might be... anyway, there's a possibility that the woman in black is still alive. Since she uses dark magic, she's probably not human. We should be on guard."

Well, considering the revenge, it might have already been achieved.

Selena nods deeply.

"There's no point in regretting what's already happened... My role now is to serve Lord Alec and protect the island's residents. Let's go to the mine with the magic ore."

Selena looks as if she has come to terms with it.

"Yeah, let's go... oh, right."

I notice that the Guardians, who are fully armored, are standing a little distance away, looking down.

"They've been looking apologetic all this time..."

Well, even though they were controlled, they did kill the people they were supposed to protect, so they must feel apologetic.

But that's a human or animal emotion.

They are supposed to be created beings.

Alicia murmurs.

"They are quite expressive... Earlier, I saw one of them picking flowers by the roadside."

Indeed, some of the Guardians were holding flowers in their hands.

Perhaps they were planning to offer them at the graves.

Selena, recalling this, looks at the Guardians closely.

"These Guardians seem very human-like?"

"Is that unusual?"

"Yes. More like, such behavior is impossible... When I first saw them, they looked like mere dolls."

"Could human souls have been used?"

"No way. The magic cores of the Guardians are modified versions of golem cores. It's hard to imagine golems having emotions."

Golems are monsters that appear in mountains and hills.

They gather rocks around their magic cores and attack anyone who enters their territory. They have no companions or family.

"True... so, what about these?"

Over a long period, some kind of heart-like thing must have sprouted in them?

"Anyway, they seem to be feeling down."

As Alicia says, Selena approaches the Guardians.

"Hey, you! It's already in the past! There's no point in regretting it! I couldn't protect the people on this island either! From now on, let's serve Lord Alec and the new residents of this island."

At Selena's words, the Guardians clench their fists in regret.

But eventually, they nod.

They seem so human now... It must be thanks to Selena's crest.

"Well, we should have them keep working... but, there's a possibility they could be controlled by the woman in black again..."

I think for a moment.

Should I wrap my dark magic around their magic cores in advance?

But, more simply... could I make these Guardians my familiars?

I can release familiars, so I'll try it once.

"Since I can release them... okay, Guardians. I'm going to make you my familiars. Any objections?"

When I ask, all the Guardians kneel on one knee.

At that moment, the Guardians' bodies are enveloped in light.

What appears... is still the same armor.

However, a voice resonates from one of the armors.

"We... are sorry... for killing."

This... they have started to stammer. Just like the ratmen.

They might have wanted to express their feelings in words.

"Don't worry... but, if you feel guilty, pray in front of the grave markers."

"Yes... thank you."

At my words, the armors go to the grave markers and apologize. Some even offer flowers.

Selena watches this with a look of disbelief. It's not a typical action for Guardians.

Eventually, the Guardians kneel before me.

"Lord Alec. Thank you... we will serve you with all our hearts."

Though in broken words, the message is clear.

If anything happens, the Guardians can report it to me in words. This will be very helpful.

"Y-Yeah. Nice to meet you, Guardians... no, it's better to give you proper names."

I give each Guardian an imperial name.

As a temporary name, I call them the Armor Clan.

I will entrust the island's defense and security to them.

Then, we descend back into the underground passage, heading for the magic ore mine.