Chapter 65

Chapter 64: The End of the Royal Life

Since the collapse measures by the spirits were successful, the children could finally breathe a sigh of relief and decided to return to school.

Saying goodbye to Lamiris, I was about to leave when...

"Wait! Just, wait a moment!"

She grabbed my collar.

This is a serious situation. Since I don’t need to breathe, it’s not a big deal for me.

"What’s wrong? What’s the catch this time?"

"It’s not a catch! Since you helped me, it’s only natural to give a thank you, right?

Of course, I’d be fine just with the feeling, but still, as a human, right?"

"Ah, sorry. I’m not human. Well, goodbye!"

I tried to leave as if nothing had happened.

"Whoa, wait, wait!

Actually, it’s dangerous!

You destroyed the golem that was protecting me!

I’m just a kid, you know? I’m vulnerable!

So, it’s troublesome! Do you understand?"

"..."

Hmm.

This is troublesome. It’s your own fault! I could just leave, but the fact is that I did break it.

Why did it completely evaporate...? I didn’t think it would have that much power.

Certainly, "Demon Steel" has excellent magical properties, but as a metal, it has a melting point.

It’s not strange that it couldn’t withstand it.

Actually, Mr. "Great Sage" seemed to think it would be fine, but the result is as you see.

I should have reduced the power a bit more.

Now, about the golem...

I have quite a bit of "Demon Steel," but it would be a waste to use it here. Besides, I don’t want to consume such a large size.

Hmm...

Should I make a human-sized doll and have a spirit possess it?

【Answer. Creation: I have searched for the golem. It is possible to execute.

The additional abilities vary depending on the spirit or demon you give.

The appearance can be changed according to your imagination.

Decide the target to summon and think of it as an execution.】

Indeed, "Great Sage."

From the vast magic book, he found the magic in an instant.

It’s a relatively simple magic. I saw the summoning magic during the adventurer test, and the interpretation was already complete.

The next step is to decide whether to give it a spirit or a demon.

If it’s a spirit, based on the summoning situation of the children just now, it’s likely to lack will.

Then, should I use a demon? Frankly, it has a traitorous vibe, but in reality, that’s not the case.

Summoning is a contract, so betraying the summoner is not possible. As long as it’s appropriate, that is.

If you ask for more than the contract, it ends there. If both parties can’t agree, it’s rejected.

Demons are not evil.

So, I’ll make the material out of "Demon Steel," have a demon possess it, and create a golem.

Frankly, it will be more powerful than an A-rank monster nearby.

"Alright, alright. Stop talking, Lamis.

Do you understand? I’ll make a guardian for you, so don’t complain.

In return, next time, teach me about spirit engineering!

There’s an uncle named Kajin in our village who might be interested.

Let’s make a spirit-engineered golem together there!"

"Sure, that’s an easy request! What kind of thing will you make?"

"Hmm? Ah, something stronger than the one I defeated..."

"Really!? You’re actually a really good guy!"

"Well, yeah. So, I’ll make it, but don’t use it for evil, okay?

I’ll put a Master Lock on it so it can only be used for your protection!"

"Okay, okay! No problem! Can I play with it here?"

"Hmm? Ah, inside. Don’t cause trouble for others?

And, according to the prediction (by "Great Sage"), it’s incredibly strong!

Be careful, or you might get hurt?"

Saying that, I started the preparations.

I took out "Demon Steel" from my inventory and laid it out.

It had already absorbed a large amount of my mana and was in a state where magic could easily be cast.

The children watched with interest.

"Wait, where did you get that...? Now it’s done..."

Lamiris started to say something but stopped halfway.

She had a look of resignation.

Since she understood, I quickly started.

I spread my hands and pretended to chant a spell.

Most importantly, this place is where the altar was just now. It might be dangerous, so the children were evacuated.

The only one who followed was Lamiris.

Hopefully, it will succeed, but I hope it doesn’t go out of control.

I used a lot of my strength and mana to change the spirit.

As I chanted, a magic circle appeared on the ground. In reality, chanting isn’t necessary, but it helps set the mood.

A Greater Demon appeared from the magic circle.

Kneeling, it bowed politely,

"Did you call me, my master?"

Greater Demon.

It’s hard to tell if there are individual differences, but compared to a Lesser Demon, it has a larger and more robust build.

It has dark skin and wears fine clothing. Its gender is unknown. The horns on either side of its head are impressive.

But, do demons have muscles? Whatever.

"Um. I called you for a reason.

I want you to possess the golem I’m about to create.

The material is my mana. The contract period is, well..."

Looking at Lamiris,

"100 years are needed! In about 100 years, I’ll have grown!"

That’s what she said.

"The contract period is 100 years.

After that, you can use the doll as your body. How about it?"

If I told you to defeat the enemy in front of you, the contract would end immediately, but a time limit is troublesome.

If I keep it around, I can regularly provide mana, but I need to train it.

If I keep one under control, I can’t summon other monsters. There’s a way to get around it, though.

This time, I need to make a spirit guardian here.

I need to include the surrounding area in the contract.

"It’s easy, my master! The target is already received."

Huh? Is the mana used for summoning enough?

Well, a large amount definitely left. I have a lot of mana, but it’s a significant amount.

Compared to instant summoning, giving a large amount of mana seems to be better. I thought the attitude was polite.

A proper contract is fine, but if you use a small amount of mana, you might be killed immediately.

A safe and secure contract is only possible with proper summoning. Be careful.

Since the contract fee seems fine, the next step is the doll.

I processed the "Demon Steel" by parts.

When it comes to dolls, ball joints are a must. I’m making it exactly as I imagine.

I used to envy a friend who made figures. Unfortunately, I lacked the skills and could only manage plastic models.

But! Now it’s different.

Thanks to the "Great Sage" bonus, I can process it exactly as I imagine.

Lamiris, who was watching with the same gaze, started to get excited halfway through.

"Wait! Wait! This is amazing! What’s going on!?

You, this is incredible! You can move it so freely?"

She was very excited. I didn’t expect it to be this detailed myself.

Pure "Demon Steel" can apparently change shape to some extent, which helps.

The Greater Demon, who was watching, also seemed surprised and happy that it would become its body.

Maybe... It’s hard to read a demon’s expression.

"Excellent, as expected of the summoner.

Honestly, I thought the golem would move by using magic to change the joints.

This is much simpler. It suits my body!"

It seems to be happy.

From there, I completed the doll based on Lamiris and the Greater Demon’s opinions.

I gave it a face that looks like my mask, and a human-sized body based on the amount of "Demon Steel."

It’s a slender build, about 180 cm tall.

It might be small for a Greater Demon, but it seems to be fine.

After completing it, the Greater Demon possessed the doll. It seemed to fit perfectly.

Additionally, the melting point of rare metals is around 5,000 degrees, but "Demon Steel" can withstand up to 9,900 degrees.

It’s an excellent metal with regenerative properties.

Physically destroying this doll would be extremely difficult.

"How does it feel?"

"Yes, excellent... My physical strength has increased slightly.

Compared to when I possessed a nearby monster or human, the strength is incomparable, and the physical defense is on a different level.

Excellent!!! This is an incredible body!!!"

It moved its body to check the status and reported.

For a demon to interfere in this world, it needs to possess something, usually an animal or monster.

This time, it was a doll made from mana, but there seems to be no problem. It might be recognized as a single monster.

After confirming, it knelt before me,

"I swear to this body, I will be of assistance!

I will protect the fairy for 100 years, and when the contract ends, please let me serve under you!"

That’s what it said.

100 years from now... I don’t even know if I’ll still be alive.

"If I’m still alive, that would be great."

"Hahaha, joking! In 100 years, the master won’t die.

With that contract, no additional payment is needed!"

What’s my lifespan, anyway?

I haven’t really thought about it... Oh well.

But, it seems to be following me.

I might have a constitution that attracts monsters. If so... the name...

My remaining mana is limited. Based on my experience, Greater Monsters tend to take a large amount.

A Greater Demon is about that level.

No matter what, it’s "A-" rank, but depending on what it possesses, it can be comparable to "A." Therefore, with a pure "Demon Steel" body, it’s clearly over "A" rank.

Well, it’s fine. I still have about 40% left, so it should be okay.

"Great! Then, your name is Beretta!

From now on, swear loyalty to me! Your first task is to protect Lamiris for 100 years.

Please do your best!"

I named it on a whim.

The beautiful form reminded me of a beautiful pistol.

So, the inevitable sense of futility. This time, I barely managed. It was almost gone.

This guy took more than 30% of my mana... Damn.

As I named it, the Greater Demon’s evolution began.

The time it took to change was also shorter.

It formed a spherical core, then connected to the chest, head, waist, arms, and legs, covered by skin.

It looked almost human.

A nameless human. The face was hidden by a mask, and long black hair flowed down its back.

The skin was white and didn’t show any signs of blood flow. It’s a doll, after all.

When the transformation was complete, it was covered by clothes.

The eyes of the mask glowed red. The evolution was complete.

Now, what abilities did it receive from me? It looks like the doll has transformed into a human.

Apparently, it fully integrated during the evolution.

It’s a beautiful doll.

But, the face is hidden by a mask, a doll of destruction.

It gives death equally to those who see its face. Only to those who are not its master.

Beretta stood up and bowed deeply to me.

"My master, I am Beretta of the "Demon Steel Doll."

I am the one who will carry out the given orders!"

Then, it bowed again and turned to Lamiris.

"Following my master’s orders, I will protect you!"

It said.

Lamiris, looking overwhelmed, nodded and said,

"Oh, oh! I’ll leave it to you! You seem reliable!"

That’s it. It should be a good replacement for the golem.

It’s more than twice as strong.

This should solve Lamiris’s request.

I used more "Demon Steel" than I thought, but the atmosphere got me carried away.

When making a doll, I was constantly interrupted with "This isn’t right" and "That isn’t right." I must have been too focused without realizing it.

I put a lot of effort into making it. I hope it helps.

The children fell asleep while I was making the doll.

A continuous cycle of tension and fear, followed by a sense of relief.

They must have been relieved that the problem was solved.

They were breathing steadily, using the rug as a pillow. Thinking about it, I don’t need sleep, but the children do.

They’re resting and recovering.

I’ll wait until the children wake up. I’ll take a rest until then.

After making a guardian for Lamiris, I left the "Spirit’s Abode."

The children were safely possessed by spirits, and the risk of collapse was gone. All problems were solved.

Or so I thought...

Three months had passed since my promise with Yuki.

I discussed the children’s future with Yuki several times.

I considered having them join Tempest, but I thought their learning environment was important.

Fortunately, this place is a school with many excellent teachers. They can learn the basics and magic.

The children decided they wanted to learn here. They thought I would stay, so they cried when I said I was leaving.

I’ll visit after graduation! They all firmly said.

Of course, I’ll welcome them.

While in the church’s territory, it would be restrictive, but now there’s a way to hide.

The mana flow is stable, and it won’t be detected even by those with emotional abilities.

I discussed this with Yuki as well.

"At least, after three years, they will be considered dead, so it should be safe."

After three years, I can walk outside confidently.

Even now, I can go out with a mask on without any problems.

Yuki asked several times how I solved it, but it’s a secret.

He thinks the children are now ordinary people