“This is surprising.”
On the hill, The Guide raised a voice of admiration.
“What is that thing? It’s at least a Special Grade, maybe even higher.”
The lens of the long-range magic tool showed a man with black hair wearing a black cloak.
Recalling the appearance described by the client, that man was most likely the target, Zenos.
The injured people lined up in front of the man were recovering rapidly.
He had heard that he was a skilled healer, but he hadn’t expected this.
“Nice, Zenos. I love people who exceed expectations.”
Will he be tormented by feelings of helplessness and loss, and fall to his knees in despair?
Or will he look forward, trying to resist even a little?
He was watching with interest to see which he would choose, and that man was seriously intent on helping all the injured. And he was doing it with a calm face, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
He hadn’t expected to find such a person in the slums.
“I’ll admit that you won the first act. I wonder how the second act will go.”
Even if he could heal the injured, it wouldn’t be a fundamental solution unless he did something about the golem itself. While he was idly watching, the destruction of the town was steadily progressing.
“What will you do next, Zenos? I’m looking forward to seeing your skills.”
“Sensei, there are no more injured people to be found.”
“There are no reports of injured people from Ringa’s subordinates either.”
“Same for the orcs, Zenos.”
“Ah, I’m tired…”
In an empty lot in the slums. Zenos, having finished the first round of treatment, sat down on the spot.
Since he had instructed the healed to stay as far away from the golem as possible, the only ones remaining were Zofia, Ringa, Reve, a few of their subordinates, Zenos, and Camilla.
“It seems like no one has died thanks to Sensei.”
“Yeah. That’s good, but that thing is still there…”
Zenos said in a tired voice.
The golem occasionally roared like an earthquake, randomly destroying houses. From behind the rising smoke, its giant body was gradually approaching.
“Camilla, what the hell is that thing?”
“As I said before, it’s an artificial life form with a special magic stone as its core.”
“If we leave it alone, will it eventually get bored and go home?”
“That won’t happen. A golem will never stop until it has completed the order given to it.”
“What the hell, get bored already…”
In this case, the order given was probably something like “destroy the slums completely.”
Beside Zenos, who was slumping, Camilla continued, looking unconvinced.
“But I don’t understand… High-purity magic stones that can become the core of a golem can only be obtained in the southern continent where the Demon King’s castle was. And most of them should have been taken during the Great Human-Demon War 300 years ago. The system of dark magic has also been lost for a long time, and the materials for alchemy are not easily obtained. Who on earth would do such a thing…”
Camilla asserted that a complete golem couldn’t be made with current technology.
“Even if you say that, it’s right in front of us.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
Zenos sighed and slowly stood up.
“It can’t be helped. It’s a pain in the ass, but I guess it’s time to stop resting and go.”
“…Go? Where to?”
“Where else? To defeat that monster, of course.”
“――!”
Camilla’s eyes widened, and Zofia interjected from the side.
“Sensei, we’re going too.”
“Is that okay? I might not be able to pay much hazard pay.”
The three demi-humans looked at each other and nodded strongly.
“Of course it’s okay. We can’t just stay silent when our home is being destroyed.”
“This is Ringa’s and our town. We won’t allow it to be trampled on.”
“Yes, we must show them our fear.”
“…I understand. That’s helpful in its own way. I’m basically a support type from the rear.”
Zenos asked the wraith floating behind him.
“Camilla, how do you defeat a golem?”
“You destroy the magic stone somewhere in its body. Otherwise, it will regenerate no matter how many times you damage.”
“Destroy the magic stone, huh…”
Zenos rolled his shoulders. It was his first opportunity for battle since being banished from the 【Iron Phoenix】.
The black-cloaked man cracked his neck and said in a completely unmotivated tone:
“I can’t sell that magic stone, can I…?”
Once, a feather plucked from the immortal bird and discarded.
The fallen jet-black phoenix now takes flight in the dark night.