Chapter 536 - Beta (2)
If compared to the human body, for a golem, the core is both heart and brain.
Inside it lies the natural force that moves the golem's body───magic power, along with the conceptual domain that protects the core.
Yet the very first Demon King, Oldarc Ruin Arkenad, created golems that surpassed such innate limits of self-preservation.
An intelligent golem.
The creation birthed by the greatest transcendent of the magical world in history lost the regenerative ability unique to natural golems, but in exchange, it broke free from reflexive instinct, and began to think for itself.
Based on its own form of rational judgment, it started to make decisions, developed curiosity that grew into imagination, and even began to show emotions.
This meant that by remembering and learning from experiences gained through its unique sensory organs, it could achieve mental growth.
But the more elaborate and complex something is, the further it strays from simplicity.
If so, just how complicated must the structure of the core, the foundation of a rational golem, be?
Naturally, its level is worlds apart from that of an ordinary golem's core.
Unless one were a saint, the miracles of the Luas Church might mend wounds of the heart, but never restore injuries to the brain.
Repairing the core of an intelligent golem is no different from restoring an entire personality, rather than merely fixing damage.
As with Alpha, so it is with Beta.
...Structure analysis complete.
Less than two days after full-fledged research began, the complete investigation of the earth golem directly captured by Verden was finished.
The result was as expected.
Confirmed. Beta's frame is a natural mana flow generated in the environment of the Great Forest, largely identical to a natural golem.
With such a detailed specimen, the research that had stagnated for months, the plan to design Beta's exclusive frame, could now progress greatly.
There were various possible methods... but knowing which was the best choice, Alpha decided without a moment of hesitation.
Based on the method for crafting mini−golems. I will reconstruct the entire natural rock golem, adjusting it to Beta's core, and rebuild it into Beta's frame.
The steps were as follows.
First, change the power within the natural golem's core from natural mana to the energy source of the golem research facility.
Second, process the natural golem's core so that it functions as a vessel and foundation, then implant into it the main components previously separated from Beta's core to fill its interior.
In other words, set Beta's personality at the center.
Third, modify the natural golem's body───struck by
Mobilizing the entire capacity of the golem research facility.
Fourth, receive Verden's highest praise and welcome the rebirth of his younger sibling, Beta.
Flash!
The single eye gleamed.
Commanding material transport.
At Alpha's resolute voice, the many golems lined up in the rear began to move busily.
From the warehouse, only the finest materials to be used for golem construction were carefully selected.
Preparations for reconstruction complete.
Alpha inclined his body and stared at the natural golem bound by chains of mana. From its occasional convulsions, only mechanical hostility could be seen.
After all, natural golems classified as abnormal species can hardly be called living beings in the common sense.
They feel no pain, possess no memory, and lack any process of thought... nothing more than defensive structures that pulverize and kill anything approaching within range, simply to protect their core.
Alpha intended to breathe into it a most precious life.
The unique intellect known as Beta.
The younger sibling he first met.
...Demon King, Your Majesty.
Alpha's desire and will to restore Beta as intact as possible burned as strongly as Verden's, perhaps even more.
Not only because Beta was his younger brother, but also because he wished to know what the Demon King had been doing all that time he had suddenly disappeared.
Creator and creation.
Did the parent abandon the child by choice, or was it unavoidable?
***
Even if, during research, the magic circle binding the natural golem were to be undone, Alpha would not be endangered.
With the facility's power, an earth golem could be subdued with ease.
While Alpha devoted himself to Beta's restoration, Verden spent his time in the deep layers of the Great Hall───the laboratory where the ancient frozen mage once resided.
But that ancient mage exists no longer.
Dahit Wethroel had eliminated him before the Hall of Usurpation was opened. After the research was done, leaving him alive would only have been troublesome.
Of course, his research records all remain in the world, preserved as fragments of memory.
"..."
Verden closed his eyes, actively unleashing his imagination, manipulating infinite mana, and focusing on his own independent magical research.
For the plan to annihilate the Bohemirn Magic Tower.
There were two matters of utmost priority.
'First, a full-scale war against the Western Continent's magic tower alliance must absolutely be avoided.'
The Bohemirn Magic Tower.
The Diamoon Magic Tower.
The Helion Magic Tower.
The Ostea Magic Tower.
'Of the four towers belonging to the alliance, Diamoon Tower had half its leadership slaughtered by Dahit, and the Ostea tower master is my ally, so they pose no threat to consider....'
With only the forces of the Society and Black Hour, confronting the combined strength of two magic towers at once would be sheer folly.
There was no need to calculate, for the casualties on both sides would be unimaginable.
Above all, Verden's goal was vengeance, not war. He had no intention of causing needless sacrifices to outsiders.
Thus, his aim was to pick off the leadership of the Bohemirn Tower one by one.
'Therefore, utmost caution is required.'
Even though Verden had been a servant of the towers since the age of eight, he did not know everything about the Bohemirn Magic Tower.
Even with all of Dahit Wethroel's memories, the same held true.
The Bohemirn tower master, Balrog Bessias, was a supremacist who worshiped mages above all, a born elitist who placed utmost importance on hierarchy.
A proud, cunning, and cruel transcendent of the 7th tier, renowned as an omnipotent being who could wield a dazzling array of magic circles.
'That unpredictability is dangerous.'
He was selfish to the extreme, disregarding efficiency or anything else, willing to use any means if it benefited him alone.
Whatever pretext he might use, he would never accept a head-on confrontation as Dahit had.
The key was confinement.
An execution ground, a prison that could trap both Verden himself and Balrog Bessias together, from which no one could escape, was indispensable.
And second.
'Secure Rovellin's safety from the Bohemirn Tower.'
The time was drawing near to face his childhood friend, the one he had grown up with in the same orphanage.
Of course, explaining everything that had transpired until now and making her understand would be anything but easy, but he already had a solution in mind.
That was precisely the new unique magic Verden was gradually creating.
The promised five-month deadline declared in the Great Hall was gradually dwindling, now only about four months and a half remained.
Within that span, preparations surpassing even the usurpation of Black Hour had to be completed. It seemed urgent, yet there was no problem.
Though it had not revealed itself to the world, the organization Verden reigned over as its pinnacle was indeed the power of a transcendent.
Unlike before, Verden was no longer alone.
"...?"
At that moment, sensing a presence approaching from outside, Verden gathered his power back in.
The magic
Thud.
Through the Great Hall's primary control authority, he remotely opened the door. A familiar dark-green head of hair entered his sight.
"Oh, did I interrupt you?"
Isabella peeked her head around from behind the wall and asked.
Verden shook his head.
"I was about to rest anyway, so it's nothing to worry about. By the way, have you found a direction for the research on Lysandro's fruit?"
"Not that anything's clearly visible yet, and it hasn't been long since we started collaborating, but I think it's going smoothly enough on my end. Illite, no, Professor Alderneys has more knowledge of alchemy than I do. Of course, I'll surpass him later."
Isabella shrugged her shoulders as she walked in slowly.
It seemed she was greatly enjoying her joint research with the academy professor who had once taught her alchemy.
At any rate.
"So, what is it you came for?"
"Well, I have a favor to ask."
Isabella clasped her hands together and turned slightly to the side.
A hesitant gesture.
She stole sidelong glances at Verden several times before finally continuing.
"Would you, perhaps, come with me to the place where my family's house used to be?"
"Your house?"
"If I went alone it would take long, but with your ability as clan head, we could go and return quickly without being bound by time... Ah, of course, if you're busy, it's fine just to open a
Isabella rattled off reasons endlessly to justify her persuasion.
Her voice grew faster and faster.
There was no need for insight, it was simple to grasp her intention.
Vengeance.
The moment was nearing at last, to cut down Crodon Olentia, the first disciple of the Bohemirn tower master, who had slaughtered Isabella's family.
She sought to sharpen her will one last time.
'No reason to hesitate.'
Verden answered.
"Very well, let's go together."
"...Really?"
"Whatever request you make, I can give you as much time as you wish. Only, there are two urgent matters left for me to handle first, so we'll depart after that. Wait for me, I'll come find you shortly."
It was a ready and willing assent.
Isabella, unable to hide her joy, nodded with a flushed face.
"I'll go and wait!"
Triumphant in her persuasion, she waved her hand and quickly left.
...Home.
Verden suddenly thought of the orphanage, but had no intention of visiting.
At least, not now.
Perhaps one day, if his heart grew spacious enough, he would consider it.
Soon, after the 210 hours Alpha had mentioned for the research elapsed, Verden shifted space to the golem research facility.
Welcome, Your Majesty Verden. This way.
Alpha, already waiting, promptly pulled Verden's sleeve and led the way.
***
Inside Alpha's laboratory, Verden's blue eyes reflected a massive golem.
"…Is this Beta?"
Its height was about 2.5 meters.
A body thick and angular, a head the size of a human torso, two long arms reaching the floor, and two small legs attached.
Most strikingly, on either side of the shoulders, the scapulae had developed into rectangular forms like massive shields, evoking the image of a statue symbolizing protection.
Beta. Younger brother.
Alpha explained that he had poured the full capacity of the facility's technology into Beta, crafting him to endure even intense battles.
Still asleep. I waited to awaken him together with Your Majesty Verden.
"There was no need to wait. How do we awaken him?"
Beta's frame also has the traits of a mini golem. It can be powered either by Your Majesty's mana, or by continuously absorbing natural mana.
"So, I just need to breathe mana into the core inside his body."
Correct.
There was no reason to delay.
Immediately, Verden approached Beta and laid a hand upon the cold body. Activating the mana circuits, he slowly focused mana into it.
The entire frame shuddered minutely, and the core responded. At the same time, in Beta's head, an eye of mana identical to Alpha's lit up brightly.
───Thud!
Beta, embodied in quadrupedal motion, raised one arm and pressed it against the ground. The heavy weight made the laboratory tremble with vibration.
Clap clap clap.
Beta. Resurrection successful.
"Impressive."
Alpha clapped, congratulating himself on the flawless research achievement, and of course Verden spared no praise.
It was then that a voice was heard.
Absorption...Conversion...Fusion...
Beta moved his head, lowering his gaze.
This is not the Great Forest. I detect two unknown presences. Attempting immediate scan.
From his eye, a light of mana burst forth, scanning Verden. It was reminiscent of when they had first encountered Alpha.
Race, unidentifiable.
Mana quantity, immeasurable.
Mana nature, indeterminable.
Limit rank, unmeasurable.
Appearance differs, but identical attributes to the registrant confirmed. No error.
Identification successful.
Beta bowed respectfully.
Welcome back ─── the sole 'Resister', Demon King, Your Majesty.