CH 161

It seemed to have a humanoid shape.

From a distance it looked like nothing more than a mountain, but the closer you got, the clearer its silhouette became, and by the time you got close enough to look up, you could just barely make out what it was.

It was a giant golem.

However, the design was different from the golems I knew of.

I wonder if there was ever a golem as big as this one. 　 It makes me wonder what the ancient species were thinking when they created this thing.

"The Kingdom of Ainowa has remained peaceful for many, many years thanks to Ros-cchi. He is capable of defeating anyone with a dangerous aura who approaches these lands. That is why he has been nicknamed the Demon King."

Naomin, who showed me around, pats a part of Roswell.

The ancient demon king has a very laid back attitude.

I mean, he's still alive, right?

You're not going to suddenly move and crush us, are you?

"I sense a very powerful and unfathomable magic. It's faint, but I can also hear a sound like a heartbeat."

After hearing Kaede's words, I decided to touch a part of Roswell.

I removed the moss attached to it and found its surface, which was metallic and slightly warm.

"Roz~ Someone wants to see you~ Say something."

"Hi. I'm Roswell."

"Oh, so you feel like talking today."

"Naomin, it's been a long time~ How have you been?

The voice came from somewhere.

Can this massive golem speak so fluently?

However, we've already seen life support golems that look like people. It would be quite strange if it couldn't speak.

"My name is Toru. I have come to this place because I have heard that you possess information about my mother."

"[Initiating Scan] Status impersonation transmission, Gene information confirmation, SS evaluation, Administrator authority granted. Son of administrator Kuon, hello Toru."

His attention turns to me.

"Allow me to answer your question. This machine remembers that Kuon came to visit this land. Also, I have been ordered to teach her son, who would someday come here, how to get to the ancient city."

"Why does my mother want me to go to the ancient city?"

"The reason was not explained. But she insisted that if you head to said city, you will find the answers to your questions."

So he doesn't know anything about my mother either.

Instead of knowing my roots and where my mother comes from, the mysteries keep piling up.

"How do I get to the ancient city?"

"Head to the Exit Ruins in the center of the continent. I will then send instructions to your memory.."

"Huh?"

I felt dizzy and knelt on the ground.

Suddenly, countless numbers and symbols were being imprinted into my mind.

It was a strange experience, as if I was recalling a memory I had forgotten.

"Are you all right, Master?"

"Yes, I'm just a little dizzy."

"What have you done to my master!?"

"I cannot detect anything unusual about him. The dizziness must have been a temporary side effect."

I returned to normal, stood up, and then took a deep breath.

"The order is complete."

"I guess that means you're done with me."

"I seek a new directive. This machine has long since been abandoned, its reason for existing lost. It guards this land and its little race by its own command, but what it desires most is to be commanded by its master."

"You want me to give you orders?"

"Yes, anything."

Orders, huh?

Orders…

This is a bit sudden.

"May I ask a question?"

"Any questions that are within the range of this machine's knowledge will be answered."

"Do you know why the ancient race disappeared from the face of the earth?"

"I remember that we were in a major war, but this machine cannot determine if that was the direct cause. Many areas of memory in connection with the war have been erased."

"And who was the enemy?"

"Unknown. The data has been erased."

So he doesn't remember anything. All he has in his memory is that there was a war, but the enemy is unknown.

Could something too terrible to speak of have happened and someone took it upon themselves to erase his memories so the information wouldn't come to light?

"Why are you here?"

"I was abandoned after the war. This machine has been wandering aimlessly and purposelessly. I eventually found a small tribe of fairies. They were cute and funny. Instead of being their protector, they asked me to be their friend. As a result, I stayed in this place."

Naomin throws up her hands and says, "Righto~, Ros-cchi is the guardian of this country.

"This machine and the little tribe are besties."

"That's right, besties."

They seem close.

"Oh, right! Hey Roswell, aren't I cuter than that cutting board?" Said Naomin, referring to Frau.

"You're just as flat as she is."

Naomin and Frau get angry and kick Roswell's body.

What little respect these girls have.

They casually punch the body of an important golem.

"[Defense function activated, magic bullet fired.]"

"Hueeh!?"

Without warning, Roswell unleashes a series of pink flashes from his back.

For a moment, I thought Frau and Naomin made the golem angry.

But the flashes were flying far away.

I wonder who it was trying to attack with those things.

After a minute, it stopped its attack.

"I detected an evil presence. I tried to eliminate it, deeming it a threat, but it's gone out of my range."

"Is it an enemy?"

"Unclear. But it met all the criteria in my system, so I proceeded to attack."

"Was it part of Rudra's minions?"

"I know the Demon King Rudra is active in the Great Forest, but I don't know if the threat was a part of his forces."

He doesn't identify threats based on their race, so anyone can be evil to him so long as they meet the criteria.

His defense power surpasses all my expectations.

And that flashing light attack is probably the same as the one emitted by Sharkboy, so it's safe to assume that it was very powerful.

I know great physical power when I see it.

So this is the one they call the ancient Demon King.

I can't believe something like this still exists on this continent.

"Maybe other Demon Kings are also golems."

"At least three other ancient Demon Kings that are still alive are real demons. You should be very careful when heading to the center of the continent."

So those three are in the center. I definitely won't go to that place.

"Enter new order."

"I want you to continue protecting the fairy race as you have been doing so far."

"Yes, Master."

Roswell's voice sounded cheerful.

"Wow, I find it hard to believe that Toru is part of the ancient Dragon race! But it'd be boring to end our visit this way. I'm the kind of fairy who likes to end her conversations with some chit-chat, hehe~."

"You are a very annoying fly."

"Those words don't hurt me."

"I guess with all that makeup, you have too thick a skin for my words to hurt you."

"Yes, unlike you who is very sensitive. And for the record, I'd still be prettier than you even without makeup."

"Are you saying Frau is uglier than you!?"

Frau and Naomin start fighting again.

Kaede and I look away from that ugly battle.

"What do you say we go back to the city?"

"I'll go wherever you go, Master."