Several days had passed since the Chrome Beetle extermination request.
While some of the insects had managed to escape, the mission was deemed a success without any major lingering issues. Investigations into the cause of the abnormality were currently in the research stage.
Some speculated that the Hercules variant might have been coordinating the swarm, but other possibilities were still being explored. While the Hercules was a powerful variant, it wasn't a High-Rank Species like a Goblin King; standard knowledge held that they lacked the ability to lead their own kind.
Another possibility was that the swarm had been fleeing from something even more dangerous.
"We found no abnormalities at the Eastern Rocks where the Chrome Beetles usually live," explained the man who had led our operation. He was currently overseeing the investigation, but he seemed to have hit a wall. "There might be something further east, but... that area is off-limits."
As it turned out, that region was a sacred site for the Giderde Clan, the local power in this territory. Entry was strictly prohibited under normal circumstances. Of course, the rules might be bent if there were clear signs of a crisis, but since nothing suspicious was visible from a distance, it was difficult to justify a forced entry.
Still, it weighed on my mind. It could very well be related to whatever Garnalava was worried about.
When you run into red tape, it's best to turn to those with the power to cut it. Fortunately, I already had an appointment to meet with Guster-san. It might be worth asking for his help then.
With that in mind, I had spent the last few days toiling away at my golem crafting. Finally, the Multi-legged Golem for my delivery was complete.
I knew where Guster-san was staying—a guest house reserved for the Clan Council. Not wanting to cause a scene by showing up with my entire party, I decided to head there alone, though I felt a bit vulnerable. Perhaps I should have asked Lowell to tag along after all.
I had expected a grand estate, but the destination was surprisingly modest. It was a fine manor, certainly, but not the sprawling palace I had imagined. Considering how many guards these influential figures traveled with, the place would never fit everyone if they all gathered at once.
That suggested this particular villa was specifically assigned to the Reinos Clan rather than being a general meeting hall. Finding no other clan representatives around made me feel a bit more at ease.
The man standing guard at the gate was someone I’d met before, so he let me through as soon as I stated my business. I was led into the garden, where I found Guster-san talking to a stranger.
The man looked to be around Guster-san’s age. He had the lean, disciplined build of a warrior, but he didn't have the air of a subordinate. Given how they spoke as equals, I assumed they were relatives, even if they didn't look much alike.
"Ah, Tort! Good to see you. I take it that 'certain item' is ready?"
"Yes. I've brought it for delivery, but..."
I hesitated. Was it really okay to unveil it right here?
At a glance, the Multi-legged Golem bore a striking resemblance to a spider-type monster. Guster-san and his guards had seen the prototype before, so they would be fine, but I wasn't sure about the stranger. I’d learned the hard way that people were often far more startled by my "grotesque" golems than I anticipated.
"Don't worry about this man. Come, show me!"
Guster-san noticed my hesitation and urged me on. Since he insisted and the stranger gave a dismissive nod, I pulled Guster-san’s custom Multi-legged Golem out of my Storage Ring.
A golem can't be stored while it's active, so it was currently nothing more than a hollow shell. With Guster-san's permission, I cast Create Golem, and the dormant machine hummed to life.
"Oh! This is even more magnificent than the one I saw before!" Guster-san cheered, clapping his hands with a wide grin. I'd put a lot of work into it, so I was relieved he was pleased.
Initially, I’d planned to just give it a mana replenishment function and call it a day. However, when I’d mentioned the project to Luranna-san while picking up materials, she’d given me a stern look.
"If you're accepting a reward as high as a Platinum Coin, you must ensure the performance is commensurate with the price!"
She had a point. Taking a Platinum Coin and just handing over a basic golem felt a bit ungrateful. Guster-san was a fellow golem enthusiast, after all; I wanted him to be genuinely happy with it. Luranna-san even offered to supervise the design.
First, I’d installed a proper seat for comfort. Though it narrowed the rider's field of vision, I’d enclosed the sides and rear with walls to create a protective cockpit. To improve the "travel experience," I’d even added a cooling system. By pressing a switch, the golem would trigger an attached enchanted magic tool to spray cold air. The mechanism was simple: it combined Ice Bullet to generate icy fragments with Breeze to circulate the air. I’d actually gone out of my way to learn Ice Bullet just for this one feature.
To ensure it wouldn't be mistaken for a wild monster, I engraved a Tamed Monster Mark in a highly visible spot. I also added a mounting bracket for a crest, assuming a man of his status might want to display his family heraldry. I didn't want to overstep by making a crest myself without permission, so I left it for him to customize after the handover.
The result was a machine that exuded an undeniable air of luxury. I felt confident that Guster-san could ride it without looking out of place... hopefully. Unfortunately, even with all these upgrades, Halfa and the others still refused to agree with my aesthetic taste.