Ch.233New Model

The idea I came up with was to use this Basilisk Pendant as a power source, since it’s been used less frequently lately and rarely sees any action.

More specifically, the idea is to utilize the special entity called “Basilisk’s Shadow” that can be summoned through this pendant’s ability.

The shadow entity summoned by the Basilisk Pendant doesn’t really serve much purpose beyond being a meat shield, and its priority has dropped even further now that we’re talking about advancing to higher ranks.

Especially since the Heresy Inquisition’s gift—the Corruption Resistance Amulet—is also worn around the neck, and for some reason in this world, if you equip two items of the same type on the same body part, their magical powers don’t activate properly.

To put it in simple terms, the body accessory slot can only hold one body accessory, so when two accessories exist in the same position, one must necessarily be discarded.

And in this world where fighting cultists is unexpectedly common, wearing something that provides resistance against corruption and cultist powers seems more useful.

However, the ability to summon a mid-tier entity was too valuable to simply give up, and fortunately, this situation has opened up a way to not abandon it while putting it to better use….

“What do you think of my idea?”

“…I think it’s excellent, my lord. With that pendant’s function, it’s certainly not impossible.”

Lord Malachi Falten looked at me with great interest after hearing my explanation, while simultaneously indicating that I could achieve what I wanted with this approach, so at this point, the goal was essentially set.

Anyway, now that the basic framework and power source issues were roughly resolved, I proceeded to explain the basic structure of the machine I had envisioned.

With Gretel’s help, we would modify the pendant to serve as both power source and pilot substitute, and control it remotely using “Mind Metal” with the same principle used in the blade shield.

No matter how much of a lost technology the Golem Armor might be, judging by what they’ve been doing, they should have sufficient technical capability to carry out this level of modification, and the “Mage-Exclusive Unit” they sent me provides a basis for estimating the Metal School’s technological prowess.

The Mind Metal, which has been in their possession for quite some time—even if understanding its principles might be difficult—should at least be usable for practical applications.

So with the minimal framework in place, what’s needed now is to establish the concept for this modified machine, which has already been determined in my mind for quite some time.

“Let’s make the primary objective a transport unit.”

“Transport… for supplies and troops?”

“That’s right. If we equip the unit with external transport containers and add a few fire support weapon options, there shouldn’t be any issues.”

A rectangular container resembling a backpack attached to the back portion for transporting troops or supplies, and if necessary, firepower support modules or full combat options could be added through the installation of weapons containers.

If needed, we could even attach a cockpit for direct piloting, and there might even be a possibility of reviving some of the Basilisk’s abilities if done properly….

However, contrary to the opinion I offered after careful consideration, Malachi Falten looked at me with somewhat pessimistic prospects.

“But… would the golem’s center of gravity hold up with such modifications?”

“…Hmm.”

Indeed, this is an issue that requires considerable thought even from my perspective.

If we load a container for troops or supplies on its back, the machine’s center of gravity would shift backward overall—could a golem armor, which is essentially just a bipedal walker, handle this stably while moving?

Especially with golem armor—or more precisely, bipedal war machines—the center of gravity and load issues have clear limitations, even if you employ higher output or add a second power source.

That’s why they’re called “golem” armor, maintained through mystical support by taking a complete humanoid form. Even if the humanoid body itself has no issues, adding weight comparable to the main body would be difficult to manage.

So while I was deeply pondering this problem, Falten spoke softly with an expression that genuinely conveyed his disappointment.

“It’s a shame. The idea itself was good, but our technology is still insufficient….”

“…No, there is a way.”

“What…?”

He looked at me quizzically when I suddenly claimed to have thought of a solution that even he couldn’t come up with, but I was completely serious.

From what he was saying, there were no problems with the power supply or their technology, but the real issue was the mechanical load distribution problem, wasn’t it?

If so, this problem could actually be solved with a really simple method.

“Let’s add two more legs for load distribution. Make the lower body quadrupedal like a centaur, while maintaining the humanoid upper body.”

The idea of adding more legs to improve stability when bipedal walking couldn’t handle the load was certainly an innovative approach, but several critical flaws still remained.

“…Lord Alzar. Your suggestion sounds good, but wouldn’t a non-humanoid machine be less stable?”

The first major issue is that by becoming something other than a complete humanoid form, many of the mystical properties that exist precisely because it’s a “golem” would be lost, and the impact would be enormous.

If it had been designed as a half-human, half-beast form from the beginning, that would be different, but the basic premise was built as a humanoid form, and they don’t have the technology to change these characteristics.

So he expressed considerable concern while looking straight at me, but in fact, I had already considered all this before bringing up the theory.

“If not humanoid—what if we ‘create’ such a form artificially as a humanoid?”

“What? Create?”

“I mean, add variable transformation capability and combine it with another golem armor to transform into a half-human, half-beast form. There happens to be a unit in the village whose form doesn’t particularly matter, right?”

“Ah…! The mage-exclusive unit!”

Modifications to add variable transformation and combination functions to each unit. Skeletal structure modifications like replacing legs with reverse joints are certainly possible, and especially the transformation function has likely already been mostly decoded from that golem armor.

“The transformation function… hasn’t it already been completed?”

“…Yes, that’s correct. The technology utilizing spatial expansion was completed long ago.”

“Then I’d like to request this. An opportunity to freely examine and modify golem armor to our heart’s content—”

“—doesn’t come often. Yes, I understand.”

At first glance, it might seem like I’m just unilaterally demanding they “do it for me” like some scoundrel trying to extract their technology, but in reality, this provides substantial benefits to both parties.

The remaining golem armor could be dismantled and modified to understand its structure and conduct research, but the problem is that most golem armor—especially intact ones—are so rare that they can’t be casually taken apart.

Ownership is often fragmented with shares divided among dozens of powerful individuals, and in such situations, who would allow it to be dismantled when it’s uncertain whether the unit could be restored?

In this context, my proposal offers a good opportunity for technological accumulation, while also allowing them to gather data by operating multiple units in actual combat.

Combat operation data and technological accumulation—both are undeniably valuable opportunities considering they pertain to the high-cost golem armor.

They’re well aware of this fact, which is why they entrusted us with the mage-exclusive unit on the condition of trial operation, and simultaneously actively incorporated my requested modifications at what amounts to a bargain price.

…If I had to guess carefully, they’ve probably already secured the technology and established mass production capabilities.

Anyway, after our opinions aligned to some extent and we selected the completion of a variable-transforming-combining golem armor as the next goal.

“Ah, let me add one more thing about the weapons container… how about a mobile fortress design?”

“…A mobile fortress?”

“Yes. We equip the container with weapons and add extra personnel to operate them. If we can replace the automatic loading function with manpower, we could use the remaining output to expand the space further.”

And so we excitedly exchanged ideas, enthusiastically sharing and communicating our opinions, wildly dreaming up additions to the planned modifications…

“But with this, the budget would….”

“…Oh.”

The fact that the original plan had to be somewhat scaled down due to all-too-realistic reasons was just the cherry on top.