Chapter 543 - Deception (1)
When Verden left the outside world after asking a few questions about the First Demon King, Alpha and Beta, who had seen him off, were left standing alone in the golem research facility, facing each other.
Brothers.
Both had the same creator… and both knew they had carried out their respective duties, waiting for their creator for hundreds of years.
These artificial golems felt a strong sense of kinship by nature. It was not biological, not the bond of blood.
Perhaps it was empathy manifested from existential recognition.
At any rate.
[Requesting an overall assessment of the level of the golem research facility.]
[To summarize in a single sentence. Excellent.]
Alpha and Beta walked around the facility, speaking with each other as though it were nothing. No pretenses, no needless embellishments.
Truly efficient, and rational discourse.
With mechanical voices, it was difficult to discern emotions from mere intonation, yet there was undoubtedly trust contained within.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Alpha, riding atop the massive-framed Beta, continued to lead the conversation. For Beta, whose core had been damaged and memories impaired, most of the data he retained had already been heard.
Information sharing took priority.
Alpha ceaselessly spoke of the past—mostly concerning Verden. All of it drawn from direct experience.
Moreover, it was not limited to verbal testimony.
[Special disclosure.]
Alpha brought forth the cores that stored the records of the memory golems, and activated them one by one.
The light of magic, projected onto the empty wall, replayed the stored memories. Though silent, visually it was dazzling.
And for good reason—there were even moments recorded of Verden unleashing powerful magic.
Among them was the scene in the great forest, when Beta's core was separated as he was dying, and more recently, the Black Hour succession ceremony.
[…]
Beta sat there, observing everything Alpha displayed. His lone eye gazing ahead, with understanding deepening within it.
He now had a clearer sense of what kind of existence His Majesty Verden, successor to the Demon King, truly was.
How Alpha regarded him and followed him, what meaning he held for Beta as well… and also, what he ought to do going forward.
At last, as the memory viewing ended, Beta asked.
[May I see the schematics for the communication device and the memory golem?]
Alpha, as general overseer of the golem research facility, possessed pioneering golem-manufacturing technology.
Beta, on the other hand, had never studied golems, but had aided the creator in designing and constructing semi-permanent power sources.
Thus, their fields differed.
Yet both had inherited the thought processes of the First Demon King.
The genius golems began to synchronize.
As Beta lowered his body to scan the schematics, Alpha explained.
[The progress rate of the communication device and memory golem research has halted at 95%. To overcome its shortcomings and achieve 100%, spatial technology must be a prerequisite.]
[It has been confirmed that spatial technology cannot be implemented with the current capabilities of this facility. However, I see an improvement that can partially compensate.]
[Listening.]
[Through the 'central relay beacon'.]
By inserting a separate beacon at the midpoint of the structure connecting two communication devices, the effective communication range could be extended.
Alpha's lone eye flickered.
[Installing additional beacons has already been considered. The problem is clear. Beyond the distance limitations of the beacons, when kept permanently active, their magic power depletes exactly after three days. If multiple beacons are installed, maintenance becomes nearly impossible, rendering their existence meaningless.]
[The issue is already recognized. Therefore, I propose a new power design.]
Beta's suggested solution was the invention of a larger-capacity, more efficient power source.
Of course, even with new beacons, linking the continents would remain difficult. The uncharted zones were an immense obstacle.
But theoretically, within each continent, it would suffice.
For instance, by installing only a few beacons at intervals, the southern and northern ends of the western continent could be connected.
[…]!
Alpha's eye gleamed.
This was what it meant to be brothers.
A companion with whom he could research golems together, compensate for each other's weaknesses, and maximize strengths—this was what Alpha had secretly longed for.
No longer would he need to remain alone in the research facility.
There was no reason to hesitate.
They immediately began their work.
While outside, much effort was being spent observing the movements of the Bohemirn Magic Tower, within the golem research facility they too were busy, devoted to new research and development.
So it was, after dozens of days had passed.
Just before the plan was put into action, a structure about the size of Beta loomed before Verden, who had come to the golem research facility.
"This is that new beacon you mentioned last time?"
[That is correct.]
[This is the prototype model, Your Majesty Verden.]
Alpha, holding the hem of Verden's robe, explained softly. As though a child boasting to a parent.
Verden listened without missing a word, and nodded.
"So if this beacon is placed at the center, the communication range extends threefold, and the sustained duration reaches nearly a month."
[Being incomplete, it holds several shortcomings. Data must be gathered through actual use. Even so, we judge it will be useful.]
Recalling the map of the western continent, Verden considered the scale and calculated the actual distances.
"Yes, certainly useful. Enough to employ in our immediate plans. To achieve such results in so short a time. Well done, Alpha, and Beta."
[Brother effect.]
With a gentle hand, he stroked Alpha's head. As ever, it was praise. The large Beta gazed at him silently.
Whoom.
Stowing the new beacon into subspace, Verden said.
"The time approaches, prepare yourselves."
[Confirmed.]
[Understood.]
Alpha shifted his consciousness into a mini golem, and climbed onto Verden's shoulder. Beta increased the density of his frame, compressing his body to the extreme.
It was compression, utilizing the natural golem's trait of free form.
Reduced to a size just slightly larger than the palm-sized mini golem.
Though outwardly cute, his weight remained the same, so even a careless charge with his body would shatter buildings.
[Are we not heavy for you?]
"This much is fine."
Like Alpha, Beta quietly climbed onto Verden's shoulder.
His body tensed, and balance tilted, but unless he were to enter battle immediately, it posed no issue.
"Then let us depart."
The reason Verden brought not only Alpha, but also Beta, was singular.
Beta's ability too, was part of the plan.
***
At last, word arrived that Balrog Bessias and his closest retainers had departed Bohemirn Magic Tower for the Magic Kingdom.
And already, the main forces of Verden's strike were split, each advancing—toward the magic city of the western continent, the magic tower alliance front in the west, and near the eastern side of the central continent.
The first unit, bound directly for the magic city, and the second unit, assigned to the tower alliance front, coordinated timing through long-distance communication enabled by Verden's new beacon.
The third unit, set to act in the central continent, remained outside the reach of the communication devices' magic power, and by the nature of its mission, operated independently.
The first to arrive at their destination was the third unit.
Thud.
Clad in a neat robe, someone set foot within a branch of Bohemirn Magic Tower.
The security magic circle deactivated.
He slipped easily into the branch, entered the darkened branch master's office, and sat upon the plush chair, waiting leisurely.
Soon, footsteps echoed in the hall. A single person. The magical lock released, and the branch master entered.
"Since the start of the year, what is with this cursed rain…"
Thanks to a custom-made robe, he was not soaked through, but the fringe of his bangs, protruding from under the hood, dripped slightly.
It was not worth drying with magic.
Running a hand through his hair, he flicked a switch, and the ceiling's mana-stone lamps lit.
"Later than expected. How vexing."
"…!!!"
The voice burrowed into his ears, and his mind snapped alert. Only then did he sense the stranger sitting in the chair, feet upon the desk.
Hoo.
The branch master drew his staff from his sleeve, gathering mana.
"To keep me waiting was insolence enough, and now you mean to cast magic? Go on. I too am curious what Master will say, when I report this."
"M… Master…?"
His mana circuits faltered.
The branch master tilted his head, then widened his eyes. He recalled the classified directive sent months ago, directly from the tower.
Should the superior on secret mission in the central continent arrive, render assistance.
"Y… you are Sir Rayshen Tailroad?"
"Yes, I am."
Rayshen Tailroad, second disciple of the master of Bohemirn Magic Tower, bearer of [Ainber]'s
Blinking his left eye first, even adding a small, exaggerated gesture.
"Deliver word to Bohemirn Magic Tower at once. Tell them the task is done, and they should come fetch me."
***
[Judged to be flawless acting. Regretful only that I cannot compare, never having seen Rayshen Tailroad directly, Your Majesty Verden.]
Though unwilling, Verden had been forced to see Rayshen Tailroad countless times. His appearance, his tone, the rise and fall of his voice, his habits—all committed to memory.
Such as how he would at times blink his left eyelid first, and how his gestures were always exaggerated.
So long as
"..."
Yet, unlike the success of the preliminary act, Verden's mood was sour. If possible, he would never do such a thing again.
Isabella quietly approached.
"That act, won't you show it to me too?"
"No."
Flatly refusing, Verden shifted the subject.
"A message has already been sent to Bohemirn Magic Tower that you, Isabella, have been secured. It will not be long before they send an escort. Most likely, Elder Omar Boldrak himself will lead his mages to retrieve you."
For the sake of securing Isabella Argyle as an undying specimen, Bohemirn Magic Tower, the moment the short staff that could track the coercive magic circle was created, even dispatched Rayshen Tailroad to begin pursuit.
That important a target, their means of return would surely employ spatial teleportation.
Bohemirn Magic Tower's Elder Council, Itium.
Among them, Omar Boldrak, who could construct teleportation arrays together with his direct mages, was the most suitable candidate.
Above all, he belonged to Rayshen's faction.
Verden lowered his gaze.
"Needless to say, he is no easy opponent. Therefore───"
"No need to worry. No matter what, we will not fail. Not a single one will escape from here, we will tear them all apart."
Isabella stroked the Judgement of Domination, [Elderron], worn on her left hand, affirming firmly.
"Just trust us."
Behind her, the third unit—comprising Unia, Cain, Alderneys, and others—gave their assent. No further words of caution were necessary.
"Very well, I leave it to you."
Verden jerked his chin. At once, Beta leapt and landed on Isabella's shoulder.
Though the weight cracked the ground slightly, Isabella, with her monstrous strength, showed not the slightest sign of strain.
"See you later, senior!"
Unia waved her hand broadly.
Verden answered only with a nod, then opened a
He and Alpha headed for the western continent front, where the second unit awaited.
The mission Verden, as Transcendent, had assigned himself was to search for Bohemirn Magic Tower's hidden, unofficial external laboratories.
And to annihilate Gluttony, who collaborated with them in human experimentation.
***
The magic city, Virente, was as vast as several great and small cities overlaid together, and boasted magical development.
In scale, it ranked just below the great city Gargant… yet the contrasts of the magic city were all the more extreme.
Here, where mages were densely concentrated, life concluded only in one of two ways—success or failure.
The dark district, "Lower Virente", was filled with failures who had lost hope, and failures who could not let go of success.
It was a familiar place to Grave Rudworth, former Black Hour high officer, who had long worked as a mercenary in the magic city.
Adrian, following behind Grave, narrowed his eyes.
"This filthy place suits not at all the name of magic city."
"Mages, once they fall, there is no end. Mages who fail on the surface and collapse, most meet such an end… and it is because such places exist, that we could enter without inspection."
The sewers, rife with filth, mold, and vermin, had people lying scattered here and there, and corpses were not uncommon.
Of all the slums he had seen, Adrian could confidently say, this was the worst environment yet.
Grave activated the communication device, and spoke an addendum to Adrian and the rest of the first unit, each advancing along separate sewers.
"Once we pass this sewer, we will reach the Underground, a district occupying over half of Lower Virente. There are many madmen there, so be cautious in your conduct."
"Madmen?"
"Even if they failed to rise upward, they are not without magic. You've heard the saying, never consort with mad mages. Nowhere does that saying fit more aptly than here."
Grave once more advised, that moving quietly was best.
Before executing their plan, causing friction with mage groups in the Underground could prove troublesome.
At last, they reached the end of the sewer.
But someone was blocking the exit.
Thud… Thud… Thud…
A mage, endlessly banging his head against the wall, muttering without pause. Surely unhinged. The passage was too narrow to pass by.
As Grave was considering what to do, Adrian moved.
"Move."
The mad mage reacted to his voice.
Blood streamed from his forehead as he turned his head. In unfocused eyes, madness gleamed.
"I did not fail."
"Move."
"I said, I did not fail…! If only I am given one more chance…!!!"
Crack!
Adrian swung his arm sideways, smashing his fist into the mad mage's jaw. The man's head struck the wall, and he collapsed unconscious.
"Tch."
Adrian kicked the unconscious mad mage aside, and opened the exit. He had had enough of the stench of sewers.
"Where do we go from here?"
"Ah, yes. I shall guide you."
Grave once more took the lead.
One might feel pity, seeing a mage who had lost his dream and sunk in despair… yet in Adrian's blow, there had been no trace of mercy.
Former fourth of the Central Continent's Four Greats, Thousand Sword.
Now, stronger than ever before, the mad beast entered the magic city.
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