"An epidemic struck the Leonard Kingdom. It was called 'magical consumption fever,' and..."
"The disease spread across the entire land and could no longer be stopped. Everyone in this place as well..."
"I was created to, at the very least, leave behind the knowledge and several technologies cultivated in this land for future generations..."
Laojun also monitored the golem's historical account, though it contained little in the way of new information.
It was largely consistent with the records recovered from the ruins of Diaa, the former capital.
Rather, the information the golem provided outside of history seemed far more useful.
"The air purification device is..."
"The tool for measuring time..."
"The metal I am made of is..."
These three things were new even to Hourai Island.
"Hmm, that’s an interesting way of thinking."
The first was the air purifier.
It had likely been developed at the last minute as a countermeasure against magical consumption fever.
"It sucks in air, sterilizes it by heating it to a high temperature, then cools it down before breathing it back out, huh?"
The temperature used was approximately 600 degrees Celsius. Dust and other particles would likely be burnt to ash.
However, Jin felt it would be ineffective against metal or stone powders with higher melting points, and its energy efficiency was far too poor.
The second was the tool for measuring time.
To put it simply, it was a water clock.
Colored water would flow out of a transparent container, and the time could be read by how much the level had decreased.
The container was divided into two parts; when one side became empty, the other would be full, so one only needed to flip it over.
This tool was intended for tracking elapsed time rather than the current time of day.
"I wonder if they used it for experiments or cooking?"
"Father, it looks like it could also be used for measuring training times."
Jin thought they might have used it like a kitchen timer or a stopwatch.
Then there was the third item.
"The 'metal the golem is made of,' huh... This composition is magi-duralumin."
It was an alloy of aluminum with small amounts of copper and magnesium, very close to the alloy known as A2017 in modern Japan.
However, because its corrosion resistance was somewhat inferior, the surface of the golem appeared to have lost its luster.
"That's because it hasn't been given an alumite treatment."
Jin muttered a comment that was slightly off-target.
Alumite treatment is a process that creates a film of aluminum oxide (alumina) on the surface. It is highly hard and protects the component from scratches and corrosion.
"Even so, no technology regarding Warp Gates was left behind, was it...?"
Laojun answered Jin's murmur.
"My Lord, regarding Warp Gates, they were established for military use shortly before the Great Magic War. It appears they were lost to history because civilian ownership was prohibited."
"I see... Certainly, Warp Gate technology is ideal for deploying an army."
The same could be said for food and materials.
In that sense, it might be something to be happy about that the Warp Gates recently redeveloped by the Celuroa Kingdom had poor energy efficiency and were still one step away from practical use.
"Once the World Conference and the World Security Guard are established, we should be able to avoid repeating mistakes like the Great Magic War."
Even if it were called wishful thinking, Jin couldn't help but hope it would be so.
"Also, judging by those riddles, I thought it might have information on the Magus, Shuuki Tsetse."
"My Lord, there is a possibility that such information is sealed behind a further password."
"I see. Then that will be a task for the future."
"Yes."
"We have obtained some quite useful information, haven't we?"
"That’s right, Elena."
Elena and Donald looked quite satisfied, having been able to increase their knowledge.
"Do you have any more questions?" the golem asked.
"Let's see... if I say I have no more, what will you do?"
"I shall go into dormancy."
"I see... What is the state of maintenance for this basement?"
"There should be a dedicated golem in the hall where you entered."
"Eh?"
Donald stated that they hadn't seen such a thing.
"This room was dustier than the one over there, you know? Wouldn't that make it unsuitable for preserving books?" Elena added.
"Is that so...? It must be due to the passage of time. That is providence. If time tells me to 'decay,' I have no choice but to obey."
The golem spoke with a strange sense of resignation.
"Wait, wait. That would be a terrible waste. It seems you could make a great contribution to the current world..."
"If that is what you desire, please set the control device accordingly."
"The control device? This thing?"
The magi-device that had presented the riddles. It seemed Donald’s judgment that it was a control device had been correct.
"That is it."
"Can you teach me how to use it?"
"Yes. First, the bottom right of the screen..."
"I see."
Following the golem's instructions, Donald proceeded to change the settings of the control device.
"That is all."
"I see."
Donald breathed a sigh of relief.
"If possible, please give me a name."
"Let's see... since it's something like Elena's sister figure... Elena, would you mind naming it?"
"Is it all right if I do it?"
"Please."
Asked by Donald, Elena thought for a moment.
"In that case... how about Nia?"
"Understood. From now on, you are Nia."
"Yes, thank you. I am Nia. Master, I look forward to working with you."
Thus, through an unexpected turn of events, Donald was able to obtain an information golem.
"The sun will be setting soon. Donald, let us leave this place."
"Right. Nia, what should we take with us?"
"I have memorized all the records here. Therefore, please only take the control device."
"Understood."
The guard shouldered the control device.
The group, including Nia, then used the rope ladder the guard had reset to return to the surface.
"The passage of months and years changes the scenery like this, doesn't it?"
After confirming the state of the surface, Nia said so in a detached tone.
"Indeed. Nia, is there anywhere else we can obtain information?"
"Yes. If my information remains correct, there should have been a laboratory about fifty meters ahead."
However, what they saw there were ruins covered in vines.
"Hmm, I can't tell if the contents are safe. In any case, it's getting dark today. Let's save it for tomorrow."
Donald declared this firmly, and the group decided to set up camp.
Since Nia was a golem made after the Great Magic War, it had adapted to the current concentration of free ether, and there seemed to be no problems with its operation.
"Is there any part of you that isn't working well?"
When Donald asked, Nia shook its head. The gesture was curiously human-like.
"No, there are no problems at present."
"I see. That's good then... I'd like to analyze your structure later, if that's all right?"
"Of course, Master."
"Excellent. I'm looking forward to that."
In the shadow of that exchange, only the guard noticed that Elena was pouting a little.