Volume 8 Chapter 6 Assistant Malachi
The tomb of Tempest hadn't changed at all since Al left a few months ago; it was still quiet. Al lightly bowed to the altar and quietly approached the stone coffin in the middle of the room, slowly opening the lid. Inside, Tempest's body still looked like it was peacefully sleeping. While saying the name of the goddess of fate, Ruud, Al touched the assistant device, Malachi, that was on the chest of the body.
'You're back, Al.'
"Yeah, Mr. Malachi. I came because I want to ask you something."
Al told Malachi about the goblin mage he encountered. This goblin showed an intelligence that was surprisingly high, and it had a collar that looked a lot like Malachi's assistant device.
"This is it."
Al took out the collar that the goblin mage was wearing and placed it on the altar next to him. He made sure to keep it wrapped in leather cloth so he wouldn't touch it directly.
"Hmm, I see. This is definitely an assistant device. Did Ingrid try talking to it?"
"Yeah, but she didn't understand it."
"I understand. Al, could you touch it gently for me?"
Al nervously reached out to touch the goblin's assistant device.
'Gyagya!'
Immediately, he heard what sounded like the language of the Barbarians, and Al quickly pulled his hand back.
'Calm down... If possible, could you keep touching it until I say it's okay? Of course, only if you can handle it.'
Following Malachi's words, Al took a deep breath and touched the goblin's assistant device again. This time, he heard the Barbarian language even louder in his ear, but he tried hard to endure it.
'Hmm, I can't have a conversation, but it seems it can understand commands. Please wait a little longer. This won't be easy.'
Besides the words of the Barbarians, Malachi's voice could also be heard. Al closed his eyes and nodded slightly. How much time had passed...? Suddenly, the shouts of the Barbarians stopped.
'It's unfortunate, but it has temporarily ceased its activities. This is likely because the creator and I are using the same assistant device. However, there is already damage to the magic circuit, and many functions (modules) have been altered. Especially the functions (modules) for communicating with humans are completely broken and seem to have been replaced with something entirely different.'
"Is this something that the Barbarians created, like how Glee was born?"
Al tilted his head.
'If it's an assistant device that houses Ingrid, it might have been created after me, so that could be a possibility. But I don't think this assistant device can receive thoughts and create an assistant... I think.'
Malachi's last words were a bit weak. It seemed he couldn't say it with complete certainty.
'For now, I think I'll try to give it a function (module) that allows for communication (download it). Not as a replacement, but as an addition. If that function (module) can blend with the current personality, there might be a chance for conversation.'
Al nodded at Malachi's story. If he could talk, he would be able to ask many questions. According to Malachi, it would take some time to get to that point. With Malachi's permission, Al placed the goblin mage's assistant device on top of Malachi, assistant device. The slow blinking lights of Malachi's assistant device and the goblin mage's assistant device were flashing in a similar pattern.
"Did a lot of assistants get made?"
Al asked while staring at the blinking lights.
'That's a tough question. There are many different abilities for assistants. If we just define them as magic tools that give advice, even my master could create them. Including those, it would be countless.'
Al tilted his head at Malachi's response, confused by his mention of different abilities of assistants. Initially, he thought about assistants that could hunt or cook. However, he soon understood that "assistant" could also mean someone who provides advice, not just a device. It seemed Malachi needed to clarify his terms before giving a clear answer. So, Al rephrased his question.
"Are there things like Mr. Malachi and Glee?"
'I don't intend to brag, but creating an assistant with a proper personality like me is quite difficult. As far as I know, there are only a few people who have the technology to make one. The total number created probably doesn't exceed a hundred. Of course, it's possible that the technology has advanced significantly since I was buried with Sir Tempest.'
It's surprising that there are now 3, or even 4 if you count Patricia's, ancient magic tool assistants, which should be quite rare. Could this be what Patricia means by the fate of Sir Tempest? Al's heart raced.
'It seems like it will take some time to approach this goblin mage's assistant device. Holding it for too long will tire your hands. Once I make some progress, I'll signal you with a light. Until then, you can let go.'
Al nodded but still didn't let go. There were still things he wanted to ask about Malachi.
"If you have time, there are other things I want to learn from Mr. Malachi."
With his remaining hand, Al carefully placed his backpack on the floor with one hand. He faced two challenges: a damaged spellbook for the 'Fly' spell that he couldn't understand, and a small button-shaped magic tool that was too tiny for him to read the magic circuit. He wanted advice on both issues.
'Hmm, I can't help much with the spellbook. Since I became my master's assistant, I haven't learned any new spells. If you need help, visit the research tower we discussed earlier. You can add the needed functions to Ingrid's assistant device there. The same applies to the button. There should be a machine there to create the magic circuit for small magic tools. Without it, you won't be able to see the detailed magic circuits.'
"I see..."
Al looked frustrated because he wanted to learn the spells from this spellbook to go to the research tower, but the means to do so were there.
'Whether those things are usable or not, you won't know until you go and check.'
Malachi added that. Of course, these are ancient ruins that have been around for hundreds or even thousands of years. There's a good chance they might not work anymore. Speaking of ancient ruins...
"Okay... Hey, while we wait, can I see this ancient ruin... oh, I mean, this Sir Tempest's grave?"
'This grave site, huh? Sure. This is the grave my master carefully built during his lifetime. He might have gone a bit overboard with his tastes, though. If you want to see it as a magician and not as a grave robber, you would surely find it interesting. Please let me know your thoughts on it.'
Glee is Ingrid's nickname.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)