Amidst the lingering silence, Edison's golem, Doom, knelt on one knee and extended its arms wide after thoroughly defeating the completely incapacitated Shabel Tiger.
Typically, most golems were equipped with the most basic form of artificial intelligence, utilizing a magical algorithm. This meant they could simply recognize a target and respond with formidable defense and attack capabilities when given a charge command.
The idea that it could evade an opponent's attacks, land precise blows, dismantle an enemy, and act autonomously was truly beyond common understanding.
"This can't be..." It was Duran who finally broke the silence as he walked forward, his expression one of incredulity. "This is impossible!"
"What's so implausible about it? Heh heh heh, that thing sure is resilient." Edison, seemingly proud of his creation, tapped Doom's leg. Then, he shouted, "After all this effort, it better not malfunction! Declare the result now!"
"Ah... ah... The winner of the competition is Technical Advisor Edison!" One of the stunned judges quickly rose to his feet and announced, appearing as if he wanted to approach Edison immediately.
A similar sentiment was visible in a few others. Their faces displayed doubts, not so much about the actual outcome of the golem contest but more about the unbelievable high-tech capabilities Edison had showcased.
"Indeed... The technology of the Heins territory is world-class."
"This is preposterous! I demand a reevaluation!" Duran, unable to grasp the situation and causing a commotion, confidently strode into the center of the arena, yelling as if he were certain of himself. "Do you expect us to believe that Technical Advisor Edison, who couldn't even properly create a skeleton, constructed such a golem in such a short time? Impossible! There must be some foul play involved!"
The audience fell silent at his outburst, and he continued, "Technical Advisor Edison, tell the truth! The operation of that golem defies logic! Doesn't it?"
Some in the crowd concurred with Duran's outcry. Under ordinary circumstances, they would have been hushed, but Edison's golem technology was so inscrutable that even neutral observers were reluctant to speak up.
"Then how else could that golem move?"
Davey observed Edison, his patience wearing thin.
Duran pounded his staff on the ground. "Who knows! Perhaps someone's secretly concealed inside, controlling it!"
Elder Francis furrowed his brow and remarked, "Magic isn't all-encompassing, Prince. Even if someone were controlling it, a combat golem with such agility, durability, and destructive capabilities shouldn't be underestimated..."
"It's a problem! A major one! This is a competition for autonomous golems operating solely on commands! By these rules, Technical Advisor Edison has cheated! Judges, how will you rule on this matter?"
A hesitant judge responded, "If this is true... it would warrant disqualification, Your Highness."
"You see! Now, tell me, where did he construct this golem, especially when the parts were shattered and its completion seemed impossible? Did you allocate funds to the Mage Tower, Technical Advisor Edison, to obtain something they were developing?"
"What?!" Edison tried to refute, but Duran cut him off.
"Exactly! Even the Mage Tower wouldn't dare to refuse when the kingdom's prince is involved. The prince of the Heins territory holds a significant sway over the Mage Tower!"
Edison remained silent, facing Duran's accusations. However, his granddaughter, Tiara, couldn't contain her emotions. "Wait a minute! How can you make such claims without knowing?! Doom is undoubtedly a golem my grandfather created! Don't speak with such certainty without any evidence!"
"Who would believe that? Do you have any evidence? There's a limit to tolerating such deceit, Lady Tiara!"
"Don't belittle me! This is tyranny!" Tiara, her eyes welling with tears, expressed her frustration.
"There's a possibility of that. It's truly impressive, but no one has witnessed its creation. However, there's also no evidence supporting the prince's allegations. Thus, we should halt the contest and arrange for a rematch..."
"Why isn't there a witness?"
The crowd fell into a hushed silence at Davey's words.
"So, because no one saw Doom being constructed, he acquired a golem from elsewhere and claimed it as his own creation, correct?"
Duran responded with irritation to Davey's question. "Leave, outsider!"
"Outsider? I've been actively involved in the production. How am I an outsider?" Davey smirked at the man who clenched his teeth in frustration. "I have evidence."
In response, the man scowled. "What evidence do you..."
Ignoring Prince Duran, Davey produced a small mana stone and tossed it into the center of the arena.
At that very moment, a recorded video began to play from within the stone. This was an artifact that had captured the scene exactly as it unfolded. The first image that appeared showed Rinne and Edison, deeply engrossed in the process of creating a golem. Scenes of them diligently assembling and hammering parts rapidly flashed before the eyes of everyone present.
"That... That's not conclusive proof that it's the same golem..."
"If you have doubts, examine the evidence closely for yourself."
It was common practice for the production processes of golems to be shrouded in secrecy among technicians. Recording it in a video stone was almost unheard of. However, the evidence was undeniable, making it impossible to deny that they hadn't created it themselves.
As Duran gritted his teeth and groaned, Davey spoke coldly with a smile. "I actually hoped you would cause a scene."
"Because then I can officially kill you."
As Davey spoke, a cold aura emanated from him.
Duran's face turned pale, and the technicians around him looked fearful. He cried out, "Guards! What are the guards doing? Protect me! This lunatic wants to harm me!"
Before the guards could approach Davey in response to Duran's outcry, Rinne kicked them away. Simultaneously, wings as thick as a human's arm sprouted from Rinne’s back, fluttering into view for everyone to see.
"Rinne, a culmination of ancient technology. A high-performance golem of ancient design. I will resort to force if any further threats are made," she stated calmly, causing everyone to hold their breath.
"Prince Davey... No matter how justified you are, threatening the royalty of a nation within its own borders is unacceptable," the king of Pogos declared angrily.
"I have my reasons," Davey replied with a nod. "If I can show you why I'm so furious, will you accept it?"
Although the king remained silent, Davey continued. Ignoring the trembling Duran, he activated the mana stone, which fast-forwarded the recorded video. It depicted a weary Edison being carefully assisted to a bed by Tiara, and then both leaving the workshop. After some minor conversations, they arrived at a storage room, and a new scene emerged. Six silhouettes stealthily entered the dimly lit storage: five hooded figures and one man, not in a robe, but with a sinister grin. Everyone recognized the man.
Everyone watched the video in shock. The video revealed Duran, aided by individuals associated with vampires, leading unidentified thugs into Edison's warehouse. Duran destroyed parts that Edison had created and plundered the stored blueprints.
"The parts were mere decoys, so their destruction is inconsequential. The blueprints were nothing more than scribbles by children, so take them if you want," Davey said icily, glaring at Duran's pale face.
"We examined one of the captured thugs and found traces of vampire powers in them. Since when did human royalty ally with the notorious vampires of the continent?"
The king looked on in disbelief.
"This is manipulation! It's all fabricated! Your Majesty! This is all a lie!"
The king of Pogos sternly declared, "Silence! Prince, is this indeed the truth?"
"If you wish to verify the truth, shall I provide the body of the captured thug for investigation in front of representatives from the Mage Tower, the Holy Kingdom, and the Empire?"
Pogos, a renowned city-state known for its alchemical faction, had suffered significant losses in the war against vampires. Many war orphans from Pogos had been enrolled in Heins Academy at the king's request. The king detested the radical vampires who had invaded because, as Davey had heard from Illyna, the nation had lost a beloved princess who had participated in the war as a priestess. Allying with the very beings responsible for the death of the king's cherished daughter? The game was over. They said "like father, like son," but that old saying seemed irrelevant now.
"Your Majesty! This is all a conspiracy! That man is..."
"I asked if it’s true!"
Duran flinched at the angry shout, appearing consumed by fear.
“Speak, Duran! Did you join forces with those who killed your sister?”
The atmosphere grew tense, and even those who had once defended Duran seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation, choosing not to intervene.
“No, no, Your Highness! I, I had no idea! I simply hired guards for my protection…”
“Another falsehood.” Davey's words made Duran visibly jump.
There was a special treatment for liars. Davey began to channel holy mana. Duran looked terrified when he saw the pure white power emanating from Davey.
“Typically, holy magic is meant for protection, but someone of my caliber can employ it differently.”
As Duran took a fearful step back, Davey reached out, enveloping him in the sacred power.
“In the name of Goddess Freyja, let this be a confession.”
Duran struggled to break free from divine power.
“From now on, if you lie, the holy magic will transform into divine flames and consume you. Agonizingly.”
A few nobles who had still been on Duran’s side attempted to intervene, but the King of Pogos halted them.
“Now, Prince Duran! Speak. If you lie, it means your death. Did you knowingly join forces with vampires?”
He trembled in response, not uttering a word. But that was enough. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel⸺fire.net
“Guards!” The king stood up furiously, his face contorted with anger, ready to strike Duran. “Are you even human?”
“Please, spare me! I just…”
“Lock him up! Don't even provide a drop of water! We'll extract from him the whereabouts of those vampire scoundrels!”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“Please, save me!! Save me!!”
As Duran was forcibly taken away, Davey watched him with an icy expression. Radical vampires, unlike moderates, could be ruthless. If Duran were captured, they might have implemented a kill switch, leading to either self-destruction or mutation. This time, it appeared to be the latter. Suddenly, a scream reverberated.
Alongside the scream, the guards escorting Duran collapsed, wounded but not fatally.
“I told you… I wasn’t!”
Duran’s eyes turned blood-red, his hands grotesquely mutated. Everyone stared in horror. Saliva dripped from his twisted mouth, and he seemed poised to attack.
The King of Pogos was on the verge of fainting, but a servant caught him. “Your Majesty!”
“Hehe… Yes! I sought power! Power to ascend the throne!”
In a fit of rage, Duran’s eyes turned even redder. He then glared at Davey and Tiara. “You! You're the root of all evil! Come here, Tiara! You're mine!”
Tiara, visibly frightened, sought refuge behind Edison, trembling.
“If he's mutated, he should be executed immediately.” Davey spoke calmly as something white moved swiftly beside him.
A cloud of dust billowed up. When it cleared, there stood Rinne, her bandaged foot crushing Duran. She began to gather particles in her hand.
“Rinne, awaiting orders. Please rate the hammer highly,” said Rinne.
Upon Davey’s nod, Rinne shaped the particles into a massive sledgehammer. At first glance, it was clearly a ridiculously heavy weapon, possibly weighing more than 100kg, and certainly more destructive than the crowbar she used to wield.
Rinne, holding the hammer above, emotionlessly stared down at Duran. “Rinne rates the target's extermination capability highly. Selecting the hammer. This…”
“Rinne deems it acceptable!”
Another deafening explosion, dust scattering in all directions.