Chapter 228
qCFnIt was to be expected.XVnJf2
3o1eoq6A golem that moved with its own will was an object anyone would consider magnificent.CyzOrT
zHDBut if there was someone who would be more affected than anyone else upon seeing it, nine out of ten people would have pointed to the professor of 『Golem Magotechnics』, Harcon Pallas.k8NC
LlbksfDThe ego golem far surpassed the auto-golems he had designed while dreaming of the rebirth of that discipline.FRKUN
BhpIf, as a mage, he didn’t lose his mind upon seeing it, that would be the strange thing.pul0d9J
bI8qhJyFernan, dragged by the crowd, brought Professor Harcon to the reception hall of the Ravidus Hall.A0ON
jlWFS“It’s been a while, Professor. How are you feeling?”G3lK
PoAAe5Hyde brought tea and some snacks.7tXecPB
ZX6e6Normally, that job would be done by the maids or servants of Ravidus Hall, but after the catastrophe of the demon invasion, there were so many injured that there was no other option.aj3l
Hy3“Then, I’ll leave you two to talk in peace.”UyW
JUWNHh2As Hyde discreetly withdrew, Professor Harcon, who had been silently staring at Fernan, finally opened his mouth.SrpLK
Em6K“Why did you deceive me?”KJ6PR
ZMe“Me, Professor?”ncA8vQ
cw9KgFernan shook his head as if it were the first time he had heard such a thing.Sdl
8hXyTC“I’ve never deceived you.”nfotfN
km27“That golem.”574
OroAoUnfortunately, Professor Harcon hadn’t seen with his own eyes the more-than-ten-meter-tall golem fighting the demon.gkq
IDBFuZnHe had fallen into Dantalion’s trap and fainted along with other professors on the top floor of Ravidus Hall.r4si
0VdVI“That golem undoubtedly has its own consciousness.”eb06z
DxGBut its performance had been recorded in countless recording orbs, as many mages, fascinated by its majesty, had instinctively captured it.ePi
mNPAh“Yes, it does.”P7KF
wec2lag“How did you do it?”miH
U19R“I placed a spirit inside it.”PhKG
AkaY9“A spirit? Did you say spirit?”yN6S5g
02AdzProfessor Harcon froze.wT70q
i62oIn his logic, to confine a spirit—a being that loves freedom—inside a golem was almost impossible.7s37
jJIp“Is that even possible?”DIoljm
wgN“Among merchants, we have a saying: if you failed to convince them, maybe what was lacking was money.”PJu
C1PU5“Huh?”uoTVlv
yt38P“The reason no one has been able to bind a spirit until now is that no one offered them a temptation sweet enough for them to give up their freedom. And tell me, wouldn’t you have accepted it yourself if you could have such a body?”EjL
n0Knt8“…Of course I would.”rqcif
dPdLUnconsciously, Professor Harcon nodded.3QCDEtX
s1sSpirit or not, he would never refuse the ability to switch from 3 cm to 10 m at will, withstand direct combat against demons without breaking, and even deal them fatal wounds.5RZZqZR
xL1MxIt was, literally, the ideal he had dreamed of his entire life.2fW
ZFSdWj“No, wait, that’s not what matters!”3HAC
vTfHe shook his head.HPgCC
OdO“What matters is that you managed to create such a golem and still kept it secret. That golem—what do you call it?”KB1Z
dIpEjG7“Ego golem.”dU7wHC3
MNg9b“Ego golem, a very fitting name.”VLq
KnqNW6Professor Harcon’s gaze went to Fernan’s neck.q8KEuwi
YW9U“Then, is that golem there right now?”9RgvaC
GlIz5“Yes.”OkaUH
rbf0‘Come out, Wooden.’bya
4NyAt Fernan’s whisper, Wooden came out from within his clothes.kNsXPL
xHBvW— Kyuu!H4FG
ex4He raised his hand toward Professor Harcon.6Dmc7Bt
OHE“…Good heavens, how natural and how beautiful.”nhdaVXn
nBCLThe man clutched his chest and collapsed.BIN7
9ZBtiMh“…Are you okay, Professor?”L2PM8o
RHuqbq“I’m fine. It’s just that… I’m so happy. I never thought I’d get to see a golem like this in my lifetime. I feel like crying.”CT3
SxwyzRAnd indeed, a tear rolled down and fell onto the table.oYo
KsbMFor a creator, having someone recognize the value of his work was an immense pleasure.i07S80a
sYZaNVQ“Fine. Auto-golems are now obsolete.”dcEn
UDPawlcBut that conclusion made him frown.3SnA
Ntt“…What do you mean, Professor?”e8LyIoL
foy2y“What do I mean? If something superior already exists, there’s no reason to cling to the inferior!”NvLqa
UBnD“Of course there is. This one can never be recreated.”0MKj5UD
NT82DU“It can’t be recreated?”FeDv1
V9lvThe professor tilted his head, not understanding.t8JKXL
VNs“If it had never been made, I would understand. But once achieved, how can you say it can’t be done again?”Nfj
Vnfe“Building a golem that a spirit willingly agrees to enter is not easy at all. Just gathering the materials is almost impossible.”tB7
ODr79“What materials did you use?”VkfdCul
aoiBzrThe professor swallowed hard, nervous, as he asked.fROZ
RTQtJk8“Mithril was used.”srAj8
jt89L“One of the three great metals? How much?”UyB0
o0VG“Over 50 kilos.”Jz8HD09
TWeh“…That much mithril?”XeUa
Ree“And also adamantite.”qSuoVm2
N2L9“…Adamantite too?”cLULIVy
YvCXH“Over 100 kilos.”x4Y
TN0E7“Ugh…!”PRfkz
xNEjmQThe professor collapsed again, overwhelmed.XKn0JoH
Q4JOyf“So even if you knew the method, Professor, you could never do it alone.”5ErG
8AIVXakEven if he had the skill, he’d never have the resources.b1x
cxG“But, who knows. If you were to make about a hundred auto-golems that satisfied me, I might guarantee you full support myself.”S0RUWIg
2pJHb“…A hundred auto-golems?”KvU6
tw2cDSq“Yes. And of course, the funding for those resources would be secured.”zNSs4I
46ZJE“……”TzV
ZBP3hiNProfessor Harcon swallowed hard again.dmQ9kE
FTgKQPerhaps, in his mind, the phrase was already repeating: “If I make a hundred, I’ll use the profits to gather the three great metals for my own ego golem…”5nEi2
VcjuNQl“…But making a hundred isn’t easy…”iCd
HT8p“For that, go to Ahgrot. There’s a village of dwarves under House Pellenberg’s protection.”ZaPrvpo
JHI5rp2“An entire village…? Then maybe it’s possible…”49gW7Iz
Gtnw‘He took the bait.’2PITvqL
Rp0gCIGThe start was with a hundred, but no plan ever went without deviations.2fJB
V4y9wThe three great metals weren’t easy to gather, and in the meantime, he couldn’t just sit idly by.BvuQyCq
F0u7‘With a thousand golems, monsters wouldn’t be a problem anymore.’4qc3P3y
s2HDFernan smiled with satisfaction, though Professor Harcon, lost in thought, didn’t notice.fn3
G2VUtGL***HVWoF
RQ98lX9“I heard it’s yours.”THBX
0HjxMHe had barely gotten rid of Professor Harcon when a new visitor arrived. It was Ludger.C7Bu0lS
pUVehd“What are you talking about?”yZIP
et4lzIJ“The golem.”2Dpx
wGfgFernan nodded.VM04dPs
YnF“You created it to prepare for the demon invasion, didn’t you?”iOa28
GYwAh7It wasn’t true. The ego golem had been Fernan’s ideal since childhood. That it coincided with the arrival of the demons was mere coincidence.Ql8
9nABut Ludger didn’t wait for a response and continued speaking.CQp1So
6MDUP“You already knew the demons would descend, didn’t you?”7EUhYyg
IDCLudger bit his lip. Fernan had been wearing that pendant for quite some time. Even before the appearance of Kimaris, the first demon to manifest.CIXM39
Znx7EFHThat meant Fernan had foreseen the descent of the demons from the very beginning.nb0q
rBw“That’s why you changed your attitude, isn’t it?”6RXj3
ZmuybJOriginally, Fernan and the Pellenbergs had maintained a cordial relationship with Schwaben.MzuHJP
TbzTBut all of a sudden, Fernan began openly supporting Aint Armian.rZlO
kErENaturally, the distance with Schwaben widened.f0xO4
zFlAt the time, Ludger didn’t understand why Fernan and the Pellenbergs had made such a reckless decision. But now he did.WQz
h1jYC3Fernan and the Pellenberg family had foreseen the future—not just the threat of the corrupt, but a great war sparked by the descent of demons.pMps8vk
0o1BAnd they had concluded that in that war, Armian would inevitably rise.jf2
g28HKR‘Damn it… What a terrifying man…’gWGHvlG
pZFLudger watched him, trying hard to stay calm.r8Yz
x0eWegThose who could foresee war and create a golem capable of fighting demons—if they were also determined to push Armian forward, that meant they had the confidence to raise him to the imperial throne.XNNd7
Zw3hThat’s why Ludger doubted that simply stealing a sword technique could allow him to surpass Aint.jiJQPR
GJ0UXF2No matter how hard he looked, his brother didn’t seem superior to the current Aint.nuBx
an48h“Either way, what does that have to do with you?”yW6rS
6wgi3Fernan spoke slowly.rXXUTe
7opL“A lot. The demons already attacked the Academy. They won’t stop there.”hny
1hx9FCThat was obvious. Even a child could say that now.2TqVA4P
sWFl2G“And if, in a moment when all humanity should unite, the Empire becomes divided, wouldn’t that be the same as marching toward self-destruction?”Zj8L9
kBhg“So what you’re saying is…”BnyZGsR
ERP“That you should stop right now.”MYEs
jHi4BX“Stop what?”NrFpfHK
KLFb6s“Stop supporting Aint and Armian.”Hgaw
mpIrfYpLudger stroked the now-cold teacup and continued.KakJTr
A5g5Fg“I heard Armian’s been recruiting troops for a while. And that he’s spending money like crazy. No need to ask where the money comes from. Without Pellenberg, it’d be impossible.”HAx
AlYA“Giving money to a small shop in town versus giving it to a major merchant guild—you know better than anyone who uses it better, don’t you?”vcGes
nVN“If you had invested in Schwaben, it would’ve been far more efficient.”sOP5H6c
bdvljt“That’s right.”rIzTl
aEYxcL“Then think about this.”UxQc5
MRi849Fernan gently tapped the table with his fingers.Rkx1
ArGCXl“Wouldn’t it be even more efficient if Pellenberg spent the money directly instead of Schwaben?”PRTNK2
HLjr“…You…”1hD
947Xh“If you’re only going to spout nonsense that convinces no one, you’d better leave.”SIP2TaA
p7wvuW“Do you really believe Aint Armian is the only hope?”IPxv
Ae1OO8Ludger bit his lip. He wanted to reveal it, but held back.btjAZY
xYXjRIt was ultra-classified information that couldn’t come to light yet—that Schwaben possessed part of Armian’s power.Y2w
KPxr“Yes. I do. What, do you think differently?”lvnm6K
HqeJqz5“The imperial family is Schwaben. In the end, unity will form around Schwaben.”EGhw
rAjB8“You may be right.”APE
BenFernan nodded without hesitation.mB8a
MGyAlthough Aint was beginning to gain renown and Armian to expand its power, the gap between the two was still wide.UOtsN
hSTMGDf“And even so, you’ll lend your hand to Armian?”xYwTfx
srl“Yes. Even so, I will lend my hand to Armian.”tjts5L
yQBYeqk“Do you want the Empire to split?”aILPQ
wsnyl“No. I don’t wish for the Empire’s division.”y0UpQ6K
vDYplKThat’s why I make this proposal.sfy
feN“What if Schwaben stopped opposing Armian and joined us?”vmoQ5
AHtE“…You think that’s something you can just say like that?”5iTzcwv
wLYLl2Y“It’s a joke. Schwaben would never do it.”fxp
D9AHBut even so.AakC
MBWGG“What if you came alone? If you want, I can invest in you too.”eSVyB
9b1IGsp“…If you weren’t my friend, I’d have cut your head off by now.”ytyZV
SVnfW“And I was being serious. How unfair.”tW1W
QzX6Ludger stood up abruptly.ZSH
i9p4E3“It’s clear now that we can’t talk. Don’t regret it later. This is the decision you made yourself.”KTQwt
2h4hi“After all that’s happened, I already regret plenty. I can’t regret any more.”uZP7K
r6wyyhyWith that, Fernan was left alone in the reception room. He lit a small flame in his palm and reheated the cold tea.H7nmabm
r8Xu“If he hesitated for even a moment, that means not all is lost…”xXh
g2t9sSteam rose once again from the cup.HhG
x6f96J***YUg
eplJB5FThe most luxurious room in the Academy’s infirmary.E1ELi1l
HvcAria was half-sitting up, receiving a visitor.ZlrEcn
soRfzz“The head of the family sent me in his place. How are you feeling?”Dn75V
U7hqjcIt was Adolf Fridian, the elf, peeling an apple.txh
uFYV“Fine—except for the pain in my arms, legs, shoulder, chest, and nose.”Bl8
ONgDs7p“Then you’re not fine.”ivsip0
16JIuNUCrunch. The apple Adolf brought was delicious. The difference between elven fruit and human fruit was insurmountable.hwCgiN
3aHL“I heard Andrealphus descended. That must’ve been rough.”4Uq
TNMrB“It wasn’t Andrealphus that hurt me.”pxpHLI7
GxhIAria narrowed her eyes and stared intently at Adolf.Az69xXB
DBTYiANormally, she would’ve pretended not to know anything, just as she had agreed with Fernan.MXpn4
erxsYlShe would’ve let it pass to see how involved Adolf really was and how much he knew.Ok1
iuJ9“Anyway, since the Academy will be closed for a while, why not go home and rest? Elves should be near the forest… Why are you looking at me like that?”niEReU
xxuul“Do you know how I got hurt?”bWfx
sjD9“Wasn’t it from the battle with Andrealphus?”GmD
zB3“You’re wrong. I didn’t even get close to Andrealphus. In fact, I couldn’t.”17bP
W1n“What are you saying?”DSpy0
zq3H6z5Adolf was another ticking time bomb. At any moment, what happened at the Academy could repeat itself in Fridian.Jm3
1XULAnd in that case, they wouldn’t endure it as well as now. The demons and corrupt ones who failed this time would return with more rage and effort.jpfi
QRF“All my injuries were caused by Aint.”E7N
kZ7K6b“Aint Armian? Are you saying he attacked you?”TIN9
8Abp44“I attacked Aint. I was controlled by a demon.”rQd0gLs
MudcCx“……!”aVoFrtU
diwCAdolf’s expression hardened.wX1
XBb9Zh“Both the professor Nania and I were manipulated by a demon to attack Aint. He had no choice but to subdue us. These are the wounds I received in that process.”MCHS
VhywUAnd do you know who manipulated me?sfz
4dNwyP9“Professor Dominique. A professor I trusted quite a bit. He also had a connection with Professor Nania. He had even helped me several times before. This time too, it seemed like he wanted to help me, and that’s when I fell into the trap.”nBCcDpD
6xD6omABecause that man was a demon.lYfpmmf
smmte67“…Are you serious?”mn0R
8y2“Yes. If it hadn’t been for Aint and Senior Fernan, who managed to contain him, the disaster would’ve been much worse.”Jjeb
aquHv1It wasn’t just that they had been manipulated. When the demon descended, she had tried to kill Aint. If that truth came to light, she’d be buried instantly.KL6dVTi
zR2BT6Even as a member of the Fridian family, now that the Academy lay in ruins, people were consumed by fear and anger.Q2fQJHp
85zUjb“I almost ruined the family.”NcFhygw
rdhPH9VAria forced a cheerful smile.mBjom
ntK“So you be careful too, brother. You never know where the corrupt or the demons might be hiding.”V68
sfvF“…Understood.”zHI
dZruOaAdolf exchanged a few more words and left. His expression, still hard, never softened.9UJ4
H1H‘Please…’mCI
yTNgtGAria could only hope that Adolf would realize it on his own.Tf1ETH
XuyeThat there could be no “mutually beneficial alliance” with demons or the corrupt.fgrbnb1
LeC4zBVThat it was the same as boarding a runaway cart heading straight for a cliff.binuMI
4ytAnd that the only sensible decision for Fridian was to sever all ties with them completely.pu01mm
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