Volume 11 Chapter 6 West Building
The West Wing that Al was shown was a large structure, measuring 80 meters (262ft) wide and 80 meters (262ft) deep. The ceiling was about 5 meters (16ft) high, and Al couldn't help but look up at it.
"Wow, this building is huge!"
"We have large golems here, so it needs to be this big."
Malachi, the golem, spoke politely, which felt a bit strange to Al. But if it was what he wanted, he would have to get used to it.
The guardian golems were nearly 3 meters (10 ft) tall, so the ceiling had to be high. Thanks to his registration, when Al touched the door, the large entrance opened smoothly. Inside, various golems hung from thick metal ladders. They were well-maintained and free of dust, but most were missing arms, legs, or other parts.
"I didn't expect them to be this damaged... Has time passed, or have they been attacked by someone?"
Malachi checked the condition of the maintenance equipment and tilted his head. Since he had no face, it was hard to tell his expression, but Al felt he looked somewhat confused. After a moment of examining the boxes lined up against the wall, he suddenly exclaimed.
"We're running low on replacement parts for many golems. The materials needed for repairs are also in short supply. It seems they've dealt with quite a number of intruders over the years."
Even though maintenance could be done automatically to some extent, there were limits. Al looked at Malachi, unsure of what to do.
"Exchange parts can be made on the first floor of the research tower. There are blueprints left behind, so even I can make them. Also, the materials needed for repairing the equipment are rocks and soil. The golems are controlled to not leave this facility, so they must be running low."
Rocks and soil are fine. I should gather them before it gets completely dark. But if I'm making exchange parts, won't I need more materials? When Al asked, Malachi the golem nodded.
"We also lack materials to create the golem's body. The research tower is not a facility for mass production, so we don't have a lot of metals like iron, copper, and tin, or clay, which are needed to make these parts."
"I get iron and copper, but where do I find tin and clay?" Al tilted his head.
"Tin is a metal often used to make dishes, but if that's hard to find, you can melt down bronze weapons to get copper as well. Clay is a fine, sticky soil needed to make pottery. The strength varies by material, but as long as it's somewhat fine, it can be used. I believe large merchants would have both."
I see, Al thought food would be scarce, but it seems they need those materials too. If they can manage with just the materials, then they have no choice but to buy them together.
"Thank you very much."
Malachi bowed politely at Al.
"So, if we gather those, will the tower be okay even if it doesn't fly, Malachi?"
At Al's question, Malachi nodded lightly.
"Although they are not in perfect condition, there are ten guardian golems. Just in case, while you are out buying materials, I will prioritize making replacement parts for the guardian golems using the materials in the research tower."
Al had never fought before, but the guardian golems seemed strong. He wondered if they could hold out with their current strength while he went shopping.
"I'll go shopping as quickly as I can. Next is the East Wing. What's in the East Wing?"
"In the East Wing, there are various facilities for wine brewing, a wine cellar for shipping, and tools for farming that were used when there were stables and gardens, as well as storage for harvested goods and equipment for dismantling."
Al nodded lightly after hearing this. They could put off the wine for now.
"Is there anything else we might need?"
"If you aim for self-sufficiency, you will need seedlings or seeds for crops to grow in the garden. If you can't float, the temperature and other conditions will change, so the crops you initially grew may not thrive. It will likely require some trial and error."
I see. It was quite cold when they were flying at 2000 meters (6,562ft), but it was warm here. Wheat probably wouldn't grow. He needs to find out what crops would be suitable. Barley and rye might be okay, but maybe root vegetables would be better.
"Got it. I understand. The sun will set soon, but I'll go gather soil and rocks first. I'll organize anything else we might need and we'll set out tomorrow morning. I'm really glad we have the magic bag. What should we do with Sir Tempest's body? In the master bedroom?"
"No, that's a bit much... May I create a proper grave in a section of the area?"
Al nodded. That seemed like a good idea. It might also be nice to create a flower field nearby.
"Should we just let Lord Al go tomorrow?" Joanna asked.
Al lightly nodded in response. He wanted to check what happened after Patricia and the others ran away, and it seemed best to talk to Guildmaster Levy about getting some metal. Thinking about that, it would be better for Patricia and Joanna to stay here.
"I heard that Lady Patricia and Sir Al can use 'Telepathy' even when they are apart with the Ring of Pact. Also, if you could bring the magic tool for teleportation that we talked about before, Lord Al could return here if anything unusual happens."
Malachi the golem said. Al and Patricia nodded strongly. Yes, the teleportation magic tool. Where could it be?
"I have one of the prototypes of the golem with me. Let's go back to the tower."
After checking the West Wing, Al and the others decided to return to the tower.
* * *
On the first floor of the tower, Malachi the Golem touched a black panel on the wall and did something. When asked what he did, he explained he chose one of the prototypes from the second to seventh floors and instructed it to bring it down to the workspace. After a while, a large metal box, about 2 meters (7ft) on each side, moved silently from the back.
The box opened in front of Al and the others, revealing a single barrel inside. Looking closely, they saw a toy-like hand sticking out of the barrel, holding a round, white object.
"What is this?"
Malachi pointed to a wooden board stuck inside the box. It said, "Golem-compatible type voice and button for checking teleportation safety." Each prototype probably had a description like this.
"Teleportation spells are very useful, but they are hard to learn, and not everyone can use them. Some people can't use magic due to their physical condition. Because of this, during Sir Tempest's time, there were many types of magic tools that could use teleportation spells. However, there are also dangers."
Al tilted his head. Was there danger with teleportation spells?
"Could there be magic beasts or barbarians at the teleportation destination?"
Joanna answered uncertainly. Ah, it was true that they didn't know the situation at the teleportation destination. Such risks could always be there.
"Of course, that's a possibility. Dangerous enemies can include not just magic beasts and barbarians, but also bandits. However, we can reduce that danger by registering a safe indoor location as the teleport destination."
Everyone nodded at Malachi's explanation about the golem. Then, they tilted their heads, wondering if there were any other problems. Suddenly, Patricia raised her hand as if she had thought of something.
"I got it! If we try to teleport to a tower that was floating in the sky like this, the tower might be gone!"
Ah, over many years, buildings might have changed. Ancient ruins could be buried in the ground or even submerged in water.
"Yes, that's correct. When using a teleport spell with a magic tool, the destination is based on coordinates. If a building has been built there and blocks the teleport destination, the teleport will simply fail, so that's not a problem. However, due to construction or other reasons, the destination might have changed to a dangerous place. Also, if someone else owned the magic tool, we might not know where the teleport destination is registered."
I see, even if they find a teleport magic tool in ancient ruins, trying it out suddenly would be too scary. Even in the time of Tempest, if a bandit had it, it would be a similar situation. That's why they have the golem to check if the teleport destination is safe.
"This golem has a magic tool for teleportation. It's the simplest kind, and you can only register one teleport destination. When you teleport, you can choose to keep the old destination or register a new one. You can also register your current location as the teleport destination without moving."
Register the old location as the new destination? Oh, so if he registers where he started, he can come back later. Al thought.
"However, there are some important points. It seems that in places like underground or underwater, you often can't get the current coordinates. In those cases, you will fail to register the teleport destination."
Al and the others nodded. It would be a big problem if they couldn't return. Right now, the registered location was just outside the entrance of the tower, but now they were 2,000m (6,562ft) up in the sky.
"Was the teleportation magic tool common in Sir Tempest's time? And is this the only one left here?"
Yes, that was something he wanted to know too. Al looked at Malachi the golem in response to Patricia's question.
"This is the only one left here. After Sir Tempest showcased the prototype golem, he just left it with this. I don't know if it was common back then, but I've heard that even magicians who use teleportation complain that they can't get one made quickly."
There might be some interesting things among the prototype golems.
"Is there no spellbook or anything left?"
Al asked nervously. From Malachi the Golem's explanation, it seemed like Tempest had stopped using the research tower and moved out. He felt there was little hope for finding a spellbook, but he wanted to check just in case.
"Unfortunately, that's correct. Sir Tempest was very eager to create new golems when he was young, and it seems he built this research tower during that time. However, by the time I was acquired, his enthusiasm had faded, and he only made golems based on requests from others. The wine production was automated, so he rarely came here. Because of that, treasures like spellbooks and gold or jewels were not left behind."
After Tempest's death, did his family not come here at all?
"The wine was a personal hobby of Sir Tempest. As far as I know, there was never any talk about this place in family conversations. After his death, I don't know what happened. I was always with Sir Tempest..."
I see. It's a shame such a great facility was wasted, but that's why it remained a forgotten tower.
"Is there anywhere else we should check out?"
Malachi the Golem tilted his head. Should they put off the fields for now?
"More importantly, I'm sorry. Lady Patricia, could you help us decide where to make Sir Tempest's grave?"
Malachi the Golem bowed. Patricia looked at Al's face.
"That's right, Patricia and Ms. Joanna, please take care of Malachi and that side. I can handle collecting rocks and soil by myself. I'm curious if there's a way up from the island, so I'll check that while I'm at it. Also, is it okay to leave Sir Tempest's body in the tower? Is there a place to put the wyvern's corpse too? I've cooled it with the 'Thermos' spell, so I don't think it will rot right away..."
Al and the others decided to split up and get to work.
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