Ch.82Chapter 82. Totem Golem (2)

# Chapter 82. Totem Golem (2)

“Great One!”

The masked elderly priest, Bojak, welcomes me.

– It’s been a while.

I asked him how far along the production of Totem #4 (new) was.

Since they started working on it from the first time I met the Golden Sun tribe, it should be almost complete.

I hope this Totem #4 lasts a long time.

“Three days, it will be completed in just three days.”

Three days. That’s soon.

Ah, I should ask about this too.

– Do you know about Priestess Lulu?

Priestess Lulu, whom Beatrice called her friend, is from the Golden Sun tribe.

I’m not doubting her after she bought us time, but I think these things should be clarified.

Since I’m dealing with residual thoughts rather than the actual person, there might be distortions in the memories.

“Ah, of course I know her. She was a priestess of our tribe.”

– How much do you know about her?

“She was the 26th priestess, 200 years ago. I’m the 39th. She was an open-minded person who had many exchanges not only with other tribes but also with civilized people…”

– I see. That’s enough.

Having finished my verification, I cut him off.

This old man seems to be quite the chatterbox too.

Beatrice indicated that she had hidden a magic stone in Volbano, where the Golden Sun tribe is located.

She said she received help from Lulu back then. I’ll find it later.

It’s not for nothing that I came to the Golden Sun tribe first.

I’ll get the magic stone, retrieve Totem #2, and grow the tribe.

I explained to Bojak about the new blessing I received.

– Place the small totem on the altar.

Although Totem #4 isn’t completed yet, the altar has been there for a long time.

“Then I’ll call the tribe members and prepare the ceremony…”

– That won’t be necessary.

Gathering everyone just to receive Totem #2 feels a bit much.

Let’s keep it simple.

– Just call the chief.

Since it’s a tribal matter, the chief should know.

That’s as far as I’ll allow.

“Understood. Then I’ll proceed with a simplified ceremony.”

– Good.

Bojak went outside the altar and brought back the chief’S’.

“Malak has come to visit! Today must be a good day!”

Tur approaches with a hearty laugh.

“It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

Nix, the chief and priest of the Sky Tree tribe, also welcomed me.

It’s good to see their faces after so long.

They both looked fine. They didn’t seem to have any concerns.

I asked if there were any threats to the tribe.

Like zombies, living corpses, or Charon.

“Apart from the occasional infected horde lurking around, we’re fine. Demons rarely come down here. And zombies… we haven’t seen any.”

Perhaps Charon didn’t come because he thought this was just an empty field.

Still, we shouldn’t let our guard down. Being cunning, he might catch the scent and find his way here.

I should visit and check on them from time to time.

Let’s take care of business first.

I said I would retrieve Totem #2.

“That’s fine!”

As expected, it was a free pass.

“O One who gave up heavenly power to descend to earth, I shall…”

Bojak chanted a short spell and placed Totem #2 in front of the altar.

[Would you like to move the offering?]

Click.

[Would you like to send it to the altar of Symphonia territory?]

Click.

[The offering has been moved.]

Good. After the sacred ceremony, I got Totem #2 back.

– I’ll return again.

“We’ll be waiting.”

Leaving Tur, Bojak, and Nix behind, I moved my consciousness to Totem #1.

It feels a bit empty without Lakye, who was always leaning against Totem #1.

“You’ve arrived.”

Harry, who was waiting in front of the altar, greeted me.

I can see a metal golem that was obtained from Polaris’s underground laboratory.

“Shall we connect it now?”

Harry lifted a transparent slime.

That’s not the popular liquid monster toy for elementary school kids… it’s one of Beatrice’s treasures, the “Remote Signal Device.”

Made from the flesh of an extinct amorphous life form, it moves according to magical signals sent to it.

In simple terms, it’s a fantasy version of a brainwave controller.

– Connect it.

Harry placed the remote signal device over Totem #2 and the golem controller.

It kind of looks like a totem and joystick being devoured by a slime.

I hope those don’t dissolve away.

“I’ve already adjusted the details earlier. It should be able to move right away.”

I moved my consciousness to Golem #2.

Perhaps because it’s a transparent slime, I can see the outside clearly.

“Try thinking about controlling the golem.”

Looking at the controller that was consumed by the slime along with me, I thought ‘move the feet.’

The golem Harry brought slowly moved.

It was the smallest one among those we took from the underground lab, about the size of an adult male.

When I asked Harry about it, he said it was designed for more detailed work compared to other golems.

In other words, it’s a golem that can perform more complex tasks.

This time, I looked at the golem without looking at the controller.

Since it moves with brainwaves, or rather magical signals, there’s no need to look at the controller.

I was just curious to see if it worked well.

The golem approaches the altar one step at a time.

– Success.

The totem golem that I can control with my will is complete.

After half a year of being bound to this terrible game, I finally have something resembling a body.

…Ah. At last.

I’ve waited too long for this moment.

“Since the golem’s head is empty, it would be good to put these inside.”

I examined the totem golem’s head. It has large eye holes.

No need to worry about vision.

I controlled the golem to put the remote signal device (containing Totem #2 and the golem controller) inside its head.

The eye level is exactly that of a human, so it feels familiar.

The golem’s response time seems faster than before.

I may not be able to move it exactly like my own body, but this is more than enough to be grateful for.

The exciting scientific experiment between Harry and me doesn’t end here.

Now, shall I try climbing onto the altar?

The altar is made of sturdy rock, so it should be able to support the weight of a small golem.

I moved carefully.

Oh… it’s holding up!

– Call Priestess Paya.

Since I can place it on the altar, I should be able to offer it as a sacrifice.

This is incredible news.

I, Roa Malak, who has become a totem golem, might be able to go to other tribes using the “Transfer Totem” blessing.

A sort of visiting Roa service.

“You’ve succeeded!”

Paya approaches with a bright smile. She has some feathers stuck in her hair, probably from being in the House of Feathers.

No wonder Lakye always teases her.

– In three days, this golem will be transferred to Volbano, where the Golden Sun tribe is. I’ll need your help then, Paya.

“I’ll come right away when you call!”

Paya said cheerfully.

Good. Let’s stop here for today.

Tomorrow… I should check on the tribes that want to join the Tribal Survival Headquarters but are hesitating because of the distance.

They must all be working hard to make my totems. They’ll be very happy if I visit them.

***

Three days have passed.

During that time, I visited other tribes and practiced controlling the totem golem skillfully.

‘Great Malak! We have completed the totem!’

I hear someone calling me from afar. It must be Bojak.

I sent divine inspiration to Bojak.

I can see a massive dragon totem, about 3 meters tall.

It’s holding something like a cintamani jewel in its mouth.

This is Totem #4 (genuine).

“This old man’s masterpiece. What do you think?”

– Excellent.

It’s really well-made. My heart swells with pride.

I used the Bond Totem to transfer my consciousness to Totem #4.

Wow! A new totem!

I feel overflowing with power. It must be because it contains a lot of magical power.

I should be able to manifest my blessings to their fullest.

– Wait a moment.

The altar also looks large and sturdy. Let’s summon the totem golem.

– Paya. Offer the totem golem as a sacrifice.

I went back to Totem #1 to give the order and returned.

I didn’t forget to place the totem golem on the altar.

Shortly after, the totem golem appeared on the altar of the Golden Sun tribe.

I transferred my consciousness to Totem #2. Going back and forth in such a short time makes me a bit dizzy.

Let me try waving my hand.

– My followers, I am pleased to see you directly.

“Ohhh!”

“Malak has come to help us!”

“He has descended by borrowing the body of a metal giant!”

The barbarians watching showed an enthusiastic response.

And it wasn’t just the barbarians.

“All hail Malak, god of gods!”

Knight William shouted loudly.

“Praise His name!”

“Malak! Malak! Malak!”

The civilized people who had joined him cheered.

Though their skin colors and attire were different, they were all my followers.

Sister Grace also chanted my name with a gentle smile.

Did they get brainwashed by the barbarians while staying here?

“We’re ready to depart!”

Tur, fully armed, approached the totem golem with his warriors.

– Honorable warriors, follow me.

“Subjugation! It’s time for subjugation!”

“Let’s go retrieve the magic stone arranged by Malak!”

It was actually prepared by Beatrice, but whatever.

Let’s just say I arranged it.

I left the tribe with the warriors.