Chapter 97

Chapter 96

The creature's entire body was very similar to a human's, but the basic framework and most of the materials that made up its body were unknown stones and metals.

Clank! Hiss!

As the golem transformed, emitting steam, it began to rise smoothly.

Its size seemed to have expanded significantly, as if it had been compressed before.

Moreover, it wasn't a specialized form for both attack and defense, but rather a form that moved like a real person.

Honestly, if there hadn't been a basic golem as a base, I would have found it difficult to create.

With the technology known to the world, it would have been impossible to achieve such smooth and agile movements.

Even for me, that part was extremely challenging, but the golems that guarded ancient ruins moved with incredible agility, strength, and smoothness, despite their unknown structure.

The prototype Megatron was a cheat model that overcame most of the drawbacks of golems known to exist in the world.

Of course, the fact that there was only one unit so far wasn't particularly surprising.

I quietly muttered to the creature, which stood silently with a blue glow in its eyes.

"Attention."

Clank!

Though there was no response, the creature with the blue glow in its eyes took a neat and smooth stance.

"At ease."

Clank!

"Turn around."

Thud!

"Fire a roar forward for 5 seconds."

Clank! Roar!!!

With each of my commands, it moved perfectly, and my satisfaction began to rise.

"This is a voice recording mana stone given by my mentor, perfect for boosting morale or instilling fear.

"Is the thing I asked for also ready?"

"Yes, that one? It's not fully completed yet, but there should be no problem deploying it."

I nodded at his words.

"Intercept mode."

Clank! Clank!!

As I spoke, the creature placed its large hands on the ground and slightly bent its waist.

At the same time, the back part opened, and strange objects began to align as they popped out.

"That... That is..."

"I simply asked for an interception system, but you've created a final weapon for me?"

"Hahaha! We just follow the design and attach and hammer. As you requested, there are two single-shot mana stone cannons. The four continuous energy cannons have less power but are more sustainable."

He proudly proclaimed.

"How is it? I've equipped everything you asked for and made it deployable."

"Even a decent flying monster would turn to ashes before it could approach."

I could hear people around me gasping.

"In the world... A golem that can perform complex commands beyond the initial designated ones, and with such smooth movements and rechargeable magic cannons... Sir David, what exactly have you created?!"

"Is it that you're planning to start a war?!"

Faced with their incredulous questions, I quietly nodded.

Indeed, if this were to become known, countless mages and alchemists would be eager to get their hands on it.

There are still many shortcomings, but considering its basic specifications and its ability to faithfully execute commands, it's definitely a significant achievement.

Looking at the two people who were staring at me in disbelief, I smiled.

"In such a peaceful era, what war? It's simply a guardian for the estate."

Of course, a bit aggressive.

I have no intention of sparing money or technology to protect my home.

At my casual words, the three of them seemed to have given up, only letting out hollow laughs.

* * *

Isn't it proper to test something once it's completed?

"If you spar with me once, I'll grant you one request. Anything but teaching you the Sword Saint's sword techniques."

"I... I'll do it. But it might break?"

Irina, holding her greatsword, muttered confidently.

"If it breaks, that's the limit. Feel free to swing it as much as you want."

It wasn't a lie.

If it couldn't even withstand her and broke, it would be a failed prototype.

Why would I say such a thing?

Considering the destructive power of the magic golems that formed the basic framework, it was a natural result.

The prototype Megatron was an initial model with no less than seven mana stones embedded, responsible for the output of those magic golems.

In reality, I was more hopeful than I let on.

-Even so, it would be hard for a Sword Master to win.

'You can't get full with the first spoon, but if there's room for improvement...'

A Master, a transcendent level, isn't just anyone's pet name.

Clank!!

As the golem, Megatron, transformed into a battle form and took its stance, Irina drew her greatsword.

Kaldras seemed to be cursing, saying he was being used, but with the assistance of the divine sword, it was hard to make a proper judgment.

"Hmm... It looks expensive..."

"It won't be easy."

At my cool response, her eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Don't regret it."

Bang!!

As soon as she finished speaking, the battle-obsessed Irina launched her first attack.

Her sword, which shattered the ground instantly, began to glow with blue mana.

At the same time, the prototype Megatron's eyes glowed blue, and a long sword extended from its wrist to the ground.

* * *

Ultimately, Irina suffered a crushing defeat.

"This is a cheat!!"

I couldn't help but smile in satisfaction at Irina, who was pinned to the ground, unable to move, and screaming.

Although one of Megatron's arms was broken and lying on the ground, and more than half of its body was shattered, the prototype Megatron had shattered Irina's defenses with a berserker's wild charge and pinned her down.

"What kind of golem is this strong!?"

I smiled at her screeching, and she gnashed her teeth.

With her talent as a next-generation high-ranking swordsman who uses the Sword Saint's sword techniques, she was powerful enough to be defeated if she made even a slight mistake.

"Haa... Haa... If I keep my distance, it attacks... If I get close, it counters... Ugh..."

-But considering it has seven mana stones, its efficiency is low.

At the sharp observation of Berserker, I silently nodded.

"Just because you embed more doesn't mean it's better. Ancient humans didn't just embed one mana stone."

A larger fuel tank doesn't make a car faster. What matters is the engine's power.

I knew well that a larger fuel tank only adds more burden.

"There are many parts that need improvement."

I slowly walked over, watching the dwarves run to load parts onto a cart.

Then I squatted down and looked at Irina, who was panting on the ground.

Truly, how self-centered to be a canvas even in such a situation.

"Thank you for your hard work."

"Haa... Haa, automatic barrier? What kind of golem..."

"Isn't a Hard Shield, a 3rd Circle spell, basic?"

I asked casually, and she pounded her chest as if her clothes would tear.

"So it's a cheat! What kind of golem can use 3rd Circle spells and above?! Are you planning to create a continent-destroying weapon?!"

"Well, since I embedded the mana stones, it should be able to do that much."

"I should have kept my mouth shut..."

Yulius, who cast a Wind spell on her, looked excited.

"Sir David."

"No."

"...What a pity."

Where's the greed for mana stones?

The looks she had been giving the mana stones that formed the core of Megatron were far from ordinary.

I was worried she might run off with them, given how she was licking her lips in disappointment.

"Who would have thought I'd lose to a pile of scrap metal..."

If she had used her divine sword, the outcome would have been completely different, but this was a conditional match.

Good data.

I wanted to do it myself, but that wouldn't yield proper data collection.

What I needed was combat data from various methods and skill levels.

Finding someone of her caliber to hire would be troublesome.

Thus, the match between her and Megatron was highly beneficial.

"Huff... This feels unfair. So, as promised, will you grant my request?"

She asked cautiously, as if speaking to a cheat.

"Anything but teaching me sword techniques."

"Then I'll think about it."

She sighed briefly.

"And... Will you make more of those?"

"I plan to make about five once the prototype is complete."

She pointed at the combat magic golem, Megatron, which was now shut down and frozen.

"Then can you give me one later?"

"Do you know how much it costs?"

The labor, mana stones, and ancient magic arrays used in its creation are priceless.

"I didn't ask for it for free."

"So you want to buy it... What kind of nonsense is that?"

I asked incredulously, and she tilted her head.

Her cold gaze turned innocent and focused on me.

"I have a lot of money."

It's a subtle answer because it's true.

And, in response to her request, I smiled brightly and gave a clear answer.

"Even with the princess's funds, you can't afford it, and I'm not selling."

You're so greedy.

40. The Lord's Way of Giving Favors

A golem army to become the guardians of the estate.

The creation of Megatron, the prototype of the Decepticon fleet, was the result of my efforts to develop the estate while finding time to work on it.

Filled with greed upon greed, it turned out to be a bottomless creation.

Its basic output is similar to a magic golem, but its sustainability, versatility, and the ability to freely use magic are definite advantages.

I was analyzing a sophisticated magic array, believed to be created by an ancient mage, using the Refix Curs I had used to track the curse on the estate.

'The problem isn't the other parts. The combat data is too lacking.'

-But releasing this monstrous thing into the world would be even crazier.

'This is a dilemma...'

"Here you are."

"Did you climb over the wall again?"

"We agreed to be friends. The butler said you'd be here."

"That's a very transparent friend request. Should I accept it?"

"Can't I be your friend?"

"There's no problem with that."

She wasn't a problematic person as a friend, given how I had seen enough of her character recently.

"Kaldras... also seems to want to meet friends..."

She showed me Kaldras, wrapped in cloth, trailing off. Turning my head, I saw Perseus, lying on a worktable, rubbing his eyes sleepily.