I returned to the Golem Workshop and knocked on the door to Zerof’s room. There was no answer.
"Zero-nii, are you in there?" I called out, but again, total silence.
I exchanged a glance with Ren of the Poison Moth, who had followed me back.
"Do you think he’s out?" she asked.
"He’s probably just passed out... I’m coming in!"
I pushed the door open. The room was a disaster zone; papers covered in scrawled data and dirty dishes were piled up in precarious heaps. Ren grimaced at the sheer mess of it all.
Deep in the room, I found Zerof on his bed, snoring away while halfway sliding off the mattress.
"Wow... I’m impressed he can sleep in that position. He must be completely wiped out."
"I heard he’s been staying up late every night," I replied. "He must be having the time of his life."
I understood the feeling. Whenever I get deep into my research, I always end up pulling all-nighters. There’s a certain thrill in pursuing something new, and the joy of a fresh discovery is truly something else.
"Zero-nii, wake up."
I shook his shoulder. Zerof’s eyes fluttered open as he sat up.
"Nngh... Oh, it’s just you, Lloyd. Yaaaaawn..."
He gave a massive stretch, put on his glasses, and squinted. He seemed rather cranky, likely still half-entangled in sleep.
"What is it this time?"
"I was wondering if this alloy could be used for the golem’s nucleus."
"What? You mean that thing you mentioned the other day? But what could have changed between yesterday and—"
The moment Zerof took the metal plate I offered, his expression shifted instantly.
"Give me that!"
Zerof snatched the plate from my hand. He gripped it with both hands, exerting all his strength, then began banging it against the corner of the bed frame. After thoroughly testing its feel, he stared at me with intense focus.
"Wait here."
Leaving only those words, Zerof dashed out of the room. It seemed he was more than satisfied with the result.
After a short wait, Zerof returned with Albert and Dian in tow.
"Sorry to keep you. I just finished a quick hardness test on the alloy Lloyd brought. It’s 6.7 times harder than Katakont Alloy. Honestly, I’m stunned. I’ve never seen anything like it."
It seemed Zerof had run into the other two while performing his tests and dragged them along.
"I’m truly impressed," Albert said. "You mentioned you were looking for a new alloy, but I didn't think you’d actually find one. Well done. I suppose I should expect nothing less from my little brother."
"Hey now, Albert-nii, Lloyd is my pride and joy of a little brother too! Anyway, you won't have any complaints with this, right, Zero-nii?"
"No... none at all. This is certainly worth a trial."
"Alright! Let's use this to forge the nucleus immediately! ...Wait, come to think of it, Little Roddy, where exactly did you get this stuff?"
"Ah..."
I hesitated as Dian pressed for an answer. That was a blunder. If I admitted that I had made it myself, I’d end up standing out far more than I wanted to.
My true goal is magical research. If they find out I can perform high-level material synthesis, they might drag me away to help with that instead. I try to stay under the radar as much as possible, but I’d let my guard down.
What to do... oh, right.
"Well, actually... Ren of the Poison Moth made this alloy."
"Huh!? M-Me!? Mmph!"
I clamped my hand over Ren’s mouth just as she started to protest.
"Yeah, we tried using Ren’s ability, and this came out. I was shocked too! Ha ha, ha ha ha..."
I had already shared some details about Ren’s abilities with Albert. Vague details, obviously. I’d told him she had the power to generate various substances specifically so I could use her as an excuse later. It wasn't technically a lie.
"Ho, is that so?" Dian remarked. "She’s quite the little achiever for her size."
"Ah, ha ha... isn't she? She’s my pride and joy of a maid."
"Llooooyd...?" Ren was glaring at me with a look that could kill.
Sorry, I feel bad about it, but please just go along with it. I’ll buy you some delicious sweets later.
When I whispered that into her ear, Ren gave a very reluctant nod.
"Anyway, Dian-niisan, shouldn't we get started on the work?"
"Yeah! You did a hell of a job, kid. Leave the rest to me!"
Dian thumped his chest with confidence. Whew, it looked like I’d successfully diverted their attention.
"I’ll help too."
"Right! Follow me, Little Roddy!"
I tried to follow Dian out under the guise of helping, but a voice stopped me.
"Wait a moment, Lloyd."
It was Albert. Of course. He wasn't going to let me slip away that easily.
"...Is something wrong, Albert-niisan?"
"Heh heh. That was a pretty weak excuse. You can't fool me, you know."
"Um, whatever do you mean?"
As I offered a deceptive smile, Albert leaned in and whispered.
"Don't play dumb. You’re the one who coached Ren-chan, weren't you? Even with an ability like hers, I doubt she could generate a specific metal like that without any prior knowledge. You probably researched the best combinations and then had her create them, right?"
"Ah ha ha... you caught me."
"Well, I am your brother. I can figure out that much."
Albert gave me a playful wink. Whew, he still didn't suspect the truth. That was a close call. He thought I’d just given her advice, when in reality, I’d done everything right up to the synthesis.
"Are you done yet, Albert-nii?" Dian shouted. "Come on, Lloyd! I want to get this moving!"
"I am coming as well," Zerof added. "I won't have you making another mess of things. This time, I’m supervising from the design phase onward!"
"What was that!?"
"You heard me!"
Dian and Zerof were back to bickering again. Come to think of it, I’d been watching a very similar exchange recently.
"They're talking about you, you shitty Angel."
"He must mean you, you stupid Majin."
Ah, that was the one. Well, they say those who fight are close, so I suppose it’s nothing to worry about.
"Heh heh... to think he'd produce a metal that surpasses Katakont Alloy. You’re quite something, Lloyd," Albert muttered to himself. "Hmm, but a new alloy needs a proper name. Let’s see... taking a bit from Lloyd and Ren... how about 'Rodylent Alloy'? Yes, that sounds right. I’ll have to register it with the Alchemy Association later."
Albert continued to mumble while I headed off with Dian to begin creating the nucleus.