Ch.84Chapter 84. Totem Golem (4)

Chapter 84. Totem Golem (4)

“Lord Malak has subjugated a demon!”

“How is that even possible?”

“You’re a civilized person, so you wouldn’t understand. It’s necromancy, an evil magic that has been forbidden since ancient times—gack!”

“Is Malak your friend?”

“You stupid bastard! When Lord Malak uses it, it’s not evil magic! It’s good magic—no, holy magic to save the world!”

“Besides, it’s only been forbidden to us mortals. There’s no law saying a Roa can’t use it.”

I drove my newly acquired mount, Solid-and-Heavy, listening to the cheers of the Golden Sun tribe warriors.

It couldn’t run as fast as a horse, but I liked how it maintained a decent speed like an armored vehicle, giving off an intimidating presence.

Drive My Car… so this is what it feels like.

Actually, I didn’t have much experience driving cars on Earth. Naturally, I never owned a car either.

I was just an ordinary office worker derogatorily called a “walking bug,” commuting by transferring between buses.

I did have a driver’s license tucked away in my closet, but never had a chance to use it.

And now here I am in another world, riding a giant mountain goat.

This Lord Malak has obtained a body and a ride. Huh?

Ha. I want to brag about this on the community. I’d take a picture of this exact scene and post it with a title like:

[UltraSansMadWithMoonlightMassacreMode: Actually, I was a golem all along?

(Photo of Totem Golem riding Solid-and-Heavy)

Behold, ignorant masses.

I am the Golem Rider.]

I wouldn’t be exposed as a Roa, but people would suspect I was some bizarre entity—a golem who learned necromancy.

Oh. Should I just go with that concept?

I was the only golem in this other world, which is why I couldn’t easily reveal my identity.

The reason I couldn’t send verification shots or selfies was because I’m a golem.

A golem who woke up, was taken in by a barbarian tribe, and fought demons alongside them… that sounds pretty cool too.

Maybe even Hannah would understand if I explained it that way?

Of course, it’s all nonsense. I won’t actually do it.

Just thinking about it is fine, right?

I’m too excited right now, so I should calm down a bit.

Thud!

– …!

By the way, maintaining posture is harder than I expected. My body shakes with each step Solid-and-Heavy takes.

Regardless of my lack of pain sensation, the ride comfort is quite poor.

Tur, who had been watching me, carefully approached and whispered:

“Lord Malak, when riding a mount…”

He briefly explained how to sit properly on an animal, how to balance your entire body, how to position your legs, and how to coordinate arm movements with the mount’s motion.

He even made a simple bridle from rope as a bonus.

He’s such a considerate man. Thanks to him, I could travel in a much more comfortable position than before.

Naturally, riding Solid-and-Heavy is easier than riding a horse.

That’s because a zombie moves according to my commands without free will, so I don’t need to establish rapport or send movement signals like I would with a living creature.

It was just my poor posture; otherwise, it was easier than driving an autonomous vehicle.

We passed through fields and climbed up a mountain. Since the path wasn’t developed, everyone had to dismount from their horses.

Ah, I was an exception since I was using a mountain goat as my mount. Being native to mountains, it climbed well.

We left several warriors at the mountain entrance to protect and manage the horses.

– The destination is right ahead.

I rode Solid-and-Heavy gallantly at the front, arriving at the cave where the magic stone was supposed to be.

I think we annihilated about eight groups of infected on the way.

There seemed to be many infected in this area, probably because human hands hadn’t reached here for a long time.

It’s also evidence that Charon’s evil influence hadn’t extended this far.

The cave entrance was too narrow for everyone to enter. We decided to select only an elite few.

The barbarian representatives—Tur, Bojak, and Nix—and the civilized representatives—William and Grace—were selected.

– I shall bestow my blessing upon you.

I entered the cave with five disciples who had received enhancement tattoos.

– Hmm.

I could faintly sense an alien yet familiar energy.

– Priest Bojak. Are there any traces of magic or sorcery here?

“Hmm… it’s faint, but I do sense something mystical.”

I thought it might have been my imagination, so I asked, but it seems there was definitely something.

This energy… I think I felt it in the cave where I found Noah.

No magic circle activated when we entered.

Perhaps this place was used for a paladin’s possession a long time ago.

– Have you ever seen a paladin in Volbano?

“Never.”

Tur affirmed. Even if there had been one, they might have moved to another region or died.

I hope it’s the former.

We continued deeper inside. It got darker as we went.

“I’ll light the way.”

Grace extended her hand.

– I’ll do it.

I stopped her and activated the Healing Totem blessing.

We need to conserve Grace’s mana for any contingencies.

A blue light spread from me. It was sufficient to cover everyone who came along.

Grace glanced curiously at her feet, which were glowing blue.

– Is there a problem?

She’s not going to say something about refusing an unholy power now, is she?

“Ah, no. I was just thinking how different it is from the healing power bestowed by the goddess.”

Yes, it would be very different. That bitch Ishtania’s power is just an active skill that disappears after one use.

Mine is a sustained area-of-effect skill. Of course my power is wider in range and more beautiful.

With a satisfied heart, I drove Solid-and-Heavy forward… when strange sounds reached us.

“It doesn’t sound human.”

William drew his sword with knightly precision.

Tur, Bojak, Nix, and Grace also gripped their weapons.

“It could be infected, or demons.”

I agreed with Bojak’s opinion. It didn’t sound like bats or insects.

– Stay alert.

The cave that had seemed ordinary before entering now felt like a dungeon where anything could jump out.

It’s deeper than I expected. The ceiling suddenly became much higher too.

What if there’s no magic stone we’re looking for, just infected or demons?

It’s been 200 years. Someone might have taken it.

I heard there was supposed to be over 200kg, but what if we arrive and find less than 1kg left… I just hope that’s not the outcome.

– We’re almost there.

I moved slowly, one step at a time, recalling the location of the magic stone from the map Beatrice gave me.

Ssssssk-

A chilling sound. It was very faint, but I definitely heard it.

The sound of a many-legged creature crawling at high speed.

…Could it be?

– Grace, can you send light into the air?

Grace nodded and created light, shooting it upward.

Bang!

Thanks to the light that burst like fireworks, I could see the horrific sight.

Giant centipedes hanging from the ceiling, surrounding us from front and back, slowly closing in.

Damn it. An ambush?

If Lakye with his hypersensitivity were here, we wouldn’t have fallen for this.

“Centipede infected.”

“They crawled down stealthily from above. Disgusting creatures.”

“We’re surrounded…!”

“We need to stay together here.”

“That’s right. It’s dangerous if we scatter.”

Bojak, Tur, William, Grace, and Nix spoke in that order.

They formed a circular formation with me at the center.

They seem skilled at taking positions, as if they’ve practiced together many times.

Many things must have happened while I was away. It’s good to see they’ve come to trust each other.

But honestly, it’s unnecessary.

– I’ll break through the front. All of you guard the rear.

I’m currently a totem golem impervious to most attacks, riding a zombie demon mountain goat—essentially a medieval armored vehicle.

They want to protect me? Unless they’re Lakye?

Our disciples seem to be underestimating me, still thinking of my totem days.

“U-understood.”

I observed the centipede infected writhing their hundreds of legs as they descended.

They hesitated momentarily when the light exploded in the air, but as the light dimmed, they swarmed toward us.

‘Charge!’

Solid-and-Heavy shot forward like a bullet.

The creatures blocked our path, but we pushed through all of them and advanced.

It was like the parting of the Red Sea.

Crunch!

Centipedes crushed under Solid-and-Heavy’s feet burst, spraying green blood across the cave.

I grabbed and tore apart any centipedes that tried to climb onto my mount.

Their shells might be difficult to damage with ordinary cold weapons, but in the hands of a totem golem, they’re just scraps of paper.

While grinding the centipedes like a blender, I checked behind me.

Tur and William, their armor enhanced by Grace’s buff skill, stood at the front blocking the creatures, while Nix wielded his scythe in the middle line, taking them down one by one.

“Taiyai~!”

Bojak, positioned in the back line with Grace, made a strange battle cry before spitting fire from his mouth, knocking down creatures clinging to the ceiling.

The magically created flames didn’t spread. If Paya specializes in birds and Muri in totems, then Bojak must specialize in fire.

Anyway, two tanks, one melee DPS, a sorcerer, and a healer—a very orthodox composition.

Good. Despite a small mistake, the disciples are handling themselves well.

I should act more cautiously to avoid accidents.

I must remember that neither Lakye, Paya, nor Kanto are here. If the totem golem breaks, everyone will be in danger.