Ch.159Rebellion (3)

Rebellion Ringleader – Right after the moment when intermediate adventurer Francis was beheaded due to Hannah’s surprise attack.

‘I-It’s over…!!’

Having been extremely tense, worried that things might not go according to plan, I rejoiced inside the golem armor I was currently wearing, as everything had been successfully executed from start to finish.

I’m referring to my personal unit—the riot suppression golem armor—which had been completely transformed from its original state through the efforts of two intermediate magic users and a dwarf.

This golem armor, impressive with its pure white plating, was one of the two existing units that had been developed specifically for my use through the collaboration of those three: Magni, Gretel, and Lord Falten. It’s a unit specialized for non-lethal combat.

Its most notable feature is undoubtedly the knockout gas dispersal system that forms the basis of its non-lethal armaments. Equipped in place of the full-body thrusters, this system not only sprays knockout gas but also retains the propulsion capabilities of the original thrusters.

Furthermore, the knockout gas dispersed from this system is basically produced when magical energy is injected through the internal mechanisms, and thanks to this, the thruster efficiency has actually improved compared to the original.

Meanwhile, the three weapons of two different types and the shield are also the result of careful consideration.

The shield compensates for the relatively lacking durability and serves to store the “blade shield” and auxiliary gas. It also has the function of charging the grenade-type gas capsules used as ammunition in this unit.

The armaments using these grenade-type gas capsules are particularly noteworthy: the long-range grenade launcher on the right hand and the mortars on both shoulders. The mortars are fixed and non-detachable to accommodate the auto-loading function, while the right-hand grenade launcher, though lacking auto-loading capability, can also be used as a beam emitter in emergencies.

And the knockout gas, which is the core element of this unit. This dark gray smoke is created through a witch’s secret arts, easily synthesized artificially, highly volatile with a relatively low knockout effect, but versatile in its applications.

Its primary effect is visual obstruction. While I can operate without issue even when my vision is blocked, thanks to the sensory link with the blade shield and my enhanced senses, others don’t have such abnormally developed sixth senses as I do.

Additionally, this gas has a magical darkness effect that numbs the visual perception of those both inside and outside regarding what’s within the gas… Of course, this is practically meaningless to me.

Moreover, to compensate for the lack of lethal force, I actively utilize the blade shield, and amazingly, this golem armor is equipped with a function that enhances control over mind metal.

Thanks to this, the blade shield not only adds to the lacking lethal force of this golem armor but can also demonstrate performance that surpasses the original.

Well, there are other features too, like the mono-eye on the head that amplifies my petrification mystic eye, or the auxiliary knife attached for emergencies…

But that’s not what’s important right now, so let’s move on.

Anyway, just as I was momentarily slumped in relief…

“Disengagement, release.”

-Pshhhhh…

As I opened the hatch of the golem armor with the activation command and was extracting myself, what caught my eye was the golem armor in the distance… the “siege” golem armor that Magni had been piloting.

“Magni Bruns, well done!”

“…No, you’re the one who truly deserves praise.”

Rather than being designed for a specific individual, this was the remaining golem armor that had been modularly modified after mine was converted. It could take on forms suited to various purposes by swapping out parts according to the situation.

Right now, before my eyes, it had taken the form of a heavily armored siege unit.

While my personal unit is also considerably heavily armored, this orange unit with overwhelming armor that even my specialized unit couldn’t match… was essentially created solely for its purpose: “siege.”

To describe its size and armor, it’s almost like a golem armor with another layer of golem armor added on top.

Additional spine, extra arms that move in sync with the original arms. The two legs were welded into one, doubling the knee joints to bear the load, and even that wasn’t enough, so a large number of thrusters were added to the skirt armor section.

Even this wasn’t sufficient, as “thruster-mounted armor” in the form of skirts was attached in various places, and the increased energy consumption due to the added armor was compensated for by attaching an auxiliary power source separated from my personal unit.

Of course, perhaps due to the increased load and the bizarrely distorted structure from these extreme modifications, this siege golem armor became a flawed unit that was slow, clumsy, and placed too much strain on its joints…

But in exchange, its performance specialized solely for “siege” is truly overwhelming, even though it was designed with a lower-class pilot in mind.

Overwhelming durability that can withstand hits from large-caliber direct-fire cannons used against medium to large magical beasts. A pair of small shields augmented on both arms, further enhancing its already formidable defense.

It was designed to sacrifice the already limited mobility of a heavily armored unit in favor of toughness that allows it to advance while taking enemy attacks.

Additionally, all of its equipped weapons could be described as excessive firepower for anti-personnel attacks.

The enormous siege cannon that couldn’t be fired without the wing-shaped additional thrusters on the back due to recoil. The siege hammer-pickaxe weapon that generates shockwaves at the point of contact—certainly excessive firepower against human opponents.

It was originally designed with the assumption of overwhelming city walls or large enemy creatures, so anti-personnel attacks weren’t even considered.

Well, there is an anti-personnel gas shell mortar similar to the one mounted on my personal unit attached between the wing-shaped thrusters on both sides, so it can at least somewhat subdue soldiers on city walls.

Anyway, as Magni Bruns descended from the crimson siege unit, sweating profusely and moving his short, stubby legs…

-Whirr, thud. Whirr, thud. Whirr, thud.

“Is it… over?”

“That’s right, Gretel. You’ve worked hard, come down now.”

“…Yes.”

Gretel’s personal unit… or rather, the special purpose golem armor “permanently loaned” by the Metal School as a condition for keeping quiet about the previous incident. Gretel, who had been riding the magic user’s golem armor, struggled down to the ground and took a sip of her drink.

She was wearing leather clothing similar to leggings that fit tightly to avoid interfering with piloting, but naturally, after moving and operating in that for a while, anyone would feel hot even in autumn.

Especially that golem armor, the magic user’s specialized unit, seems to be based on an older wearable type, so the interior space is cramped, and its performance might honestly be far from impressive…

But in fact, this prototype unit ignores all those disadvantages. According to Lord Falten, it’s a golem armor created in collaboration with Soul School mages, equipped with mind metal to assist the caster’s magic.

Standing 3 meters tall. Its size might not be much different from the pre-modified unit, but even at this size, it can exert physical abilities comparable to a mid-level magical beast.

Especially for mages who inevitably have poor physical abilities, such enhancement equipment compensates for weaknesses and also raises their chronically low durability to a sufficient level…

“That thing is really amazing.”

“…Yes. I realized how incredible the magic assistance is.”

In reality, rather than these aspects, the function of assisting magic use feels more impressive and remarkable in the current situation.

According to proper magic users, magic is a hardship of forcibly cramming and analyzing what the human brain fundamentally cannot understand. From this perspective, magic assistance essentially supports this arduous process.

To use an analogy, it’s like the difference between solving a difficult math problem mentally versus using a calculator. Using a calculator naturally increases the possibility of resolving potential mistakes and related errors…

In fact, this is likely the true purpose for which this unit was developed.

It has sufficient activity using the high magical power of intermediate magic users or mages as fuel, and from the perspective of magic assistance functionality, Gretel says it’s a unit that lacks nothing.

Whatever the case, perhaps because the first test operation had concluded quite successfully, I watched as Falten, who had been staying in the rear, gradually approached, and now moved the chimera that had been on standby toward that village.

Ah, of course, I’m not intending to offer the villagers as food to the chimera.

I’m just… trying to wake up the people who would be unconscious in that village.

…Really?