Volume 6 Chapter 14 Before The Walls Of The Royal Capital
The 'mobile base' Horace created needed no stops if the destination was clear and known.
Gold coins filled every chest and pouch, and since Horace himself held vast magical power, there was never a worry about fuel. Food and living conditions inside the base were far better than those of the finest inns.
If monsters crossed their path, the powerful members aboard handled them with ease. Regular monsters? The rifles fixed to the ceiling would turn them into nothing more than shredded Swiss cheese.
No detours were necessary. The course was set — straight to the capital.
This iron box, a massive golem running swiftly over the land, left carriages in the dust with its speed. It moved forward unerringly, its approach to the capital flawless and steady.
No reports of rampaging Adventurers disturbed the journey.
Yet, this golem's speed depended entirely on the skill of its operator. And since it was Horace at the controls — a man with bitter memories of the capital — the speed seemed to slow bit by bit as they neared their destination.
"...It's been a while. We're entering the capital."
Horace spoke softly, eyes narrowing.
"Yes. Though the speed dropped before we arrived..."
Rangella replied, watching the horizon.
"The golem's performance depends on Horace's skill. But at this level, it should be controlled by muscle memory alone."
Ivan added with a knowing look.
"So, your bad memories slow it down, Master?"
Rangella tilted her head, curious.
"That seems to be the case. I'd hate to be anywhere where hundreds of complaints flood in every day."
Horace muttered, voice low and bitter.
"I apologize on behalf of the citizens of the capital. As Knight Order Commander, I offer my sincerest apologies."
Cain said firmly, his tone carrying the weight of his title.
The iron box carried six people — Horace, Rangella, Ivan, Rivela, Sumeragi, and Cain — as it neared the tall, fortified walls of the capital.
They exchanged murmurs, responding to Horace's quiet complaints with thoughtful remarks.
"Ah, well. It's fine. I received what I deserved from Valzeil."
Horace's voice was calm, almost nostalgic.
The time when he worked in the capital had been madness itself.
Not only did he work without pay, but he also funded the political machine with his own money.
He even grew grain on uninhabited islands, preparing for waves of evacuees.
Truly, it was remarkable that Valzeil kept the capital standing even after Horace left.
"What do you mean by what you deserved... money?" Cain asked, brow furrowed.
Rangella smiled faintly.
"No, Master is like a 'Deus Ex Machina.' He could even take down a dungeon's final boss."
Ivan's voice was calm, measured.
"The deeper you go in a dungeon, the more its dangers and rewards ignore human society's rules. Horace reaches those depths. You can't satisfy him with mere gold."
In other words, the rewards he found deep in dungeons — far beyond what normal society balanced — allowed him to hold the capital almost alone.
On top of that, he was not just strong — he was a Golem Master, a technical expert.
With overwhelming money and skill combined, Horace was the true backbone of the capital's survival.
It made one wonder: how exactly did Valzeil keep the capital standing?
"Well... I got an ingot for my research and an antenna."
Horace's voice was casual but held weight.
"An antenna?" Sumeragi's curiosity was piqued.
"It only reacts to iron magic tools, but it creates a wide magical link between many magic tools. That's the kind of antenna I got. You saw one at the hero's mansion, right?"
Horace explained clearly.
Sumeragi laughed softly.
"Hmm... maybe. I was too busy eating sweets to notice."
His love for sweets was obvious, a small smile breaking his serious tone.
"Still, an antenna..."
Rivela had joined the conversation, her eyes on the device.
"You seem like a born swordsman, but are you interested in that antenna?"
Rivela's question hung in the air, puzzled by Sumeragi's fascination.
At first glance, it was just a big metal thing. For Muspelheim, it wasn't important, so Rivela didn't care much.
But Sumeragi's interest was different, and Rivela didn't understand why.
"Hm? Oh... I had some tough times with antennas like that long ago."
Sumeragi smiled, though it was a smile born of satisfaction, not pain.
He had overcome great trials connected to that antenna.
"Well, I don't fully understand Mr. Sumeragi, but since you got that ingot and antenna, Mr. Horace, you seem satisfied."
Rivela summarized carefully.
Horace nodded.
"My skill controlling golems is high, but the range is quite narrow. I sacrificed range for better control. That's why antennas like these are very useful."
He explained plainly.
Horace's real power would show in battle using the armored golem called 'Deus Ex Machina.'
Because the golem would be almost like a second body, close and linked, range was less important.
Still, with antennas, he could control multiple golems over a wide area, which was very convenient.
"The ingot? Pure luck. Honestly, my research jumped ahead ten years."
Horace's voice was quiet but proud.
"Ten years? You mean... that?"
Ivan's eyes widened with recognition.
"Yes. That."
Ivan seemed to know more than he said.
But Horace and Ivan only worked together until ten years ago.
Back then, Horace told Ivan, "If we find it, there's an ingot that could push research ahead by twenty years."
"What's your true goal? To build such a golem?"
Rivela asked, curiosity shining through.
"There's no use asking. He'll just dodge the answer."
Ivan cut in, shaking his head.
"...Like experience, respect, many reasons, people become Adventurers."
Horace shrugged lightly.
"That's how it is. It might be far from Knight Order Commander Cain's view, but there are unique ways of seeing things in that role. You're only fourteen, Cain. Keep watching, keep learning."
"Understood, Mr. Horace!"
Cain said, nodding with a fresh smile.
Sumeragi's cheerful tone lifted the mood.
The iron box rolled steadily forward, now reaching the massive gate of the capital's defensive wall.
Character Notes:
• Ran - A silver-haired, busty, and beautiful young girl with a dominating spirit. She is one of the 'Four Source Maidens' and is deeply affected by her mother's disappearance.
• Cain - A 14-year-old beautiful boy with short, light purple hair. Newly appointed Commander of the Diamante Kingdom Knight Order. Highly talented and efficient, tasked with managing the 'Forest of Souls' dungeon and participating in the Blood Duel Cup. Twin brother of Abel.
• Sumeragi - One of the Five Divine Gods, known as the 'God of Iron-Slicing.' He introduces himself with a pleasant smile and seems to have a purpose in meeting Horace.
• Rivela - Leader of 'Muspelheim' and wielder of the 'Great Flame Sword Surt.' She is 18 years old, energetic, and a participant in the Blood Duel Cup. She earned the nickname 'Unscalable' for creating a huge wall of flames during a monster rampage.
• Deus - A mischievous, childlike entity who transformed from Horace's battle equipment into a five-year-old boy with bright red hair. Energetic, curious, and chaotic, he calls everyone 'mommy,' survives lethal blows from Horace’s golem, and casually discusses alchemy and magic. Horace's exasperated yet intrigued companion.
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