Ch. 442Brain in a Vat

Roy used the Mage Mansion and Gem Life to give Sailen a secure home and began upgrading her into a more powerful Spiritual Entity. After transferring her brain into a large tank, he installed a receiving device in Maiden's Skull and fitted a crude signal receiver into the Humanoid Angel.

  • Roy learned that Sailen had catalogued 1,839,254 books and ordered her to send the useful materials to his study.
  • Roy told Sailen he planned to move her brain into a larger tank so she could grow and gain computing power.
  • On December 30, Roy transferred Sailen's brain into a nutrient-filled tank and installed a Puppet Core in Maiden's Skull as a receiver.
  • Roy carved a Magic Spirit Jade into a crude Signal Receiver and installed it on the Humanoid Angel.

Ch. 443Automatic Alchemy

Roy assigned a signal-controlled Humanoid Angel to guard his mansion and received new orders from Frosv, who revealed his all-or-nothing plan to defeat Gem and capture the Mage Tower. After more than three months, Roy successfully tested a machine that used a Rune Array to sort Gem Dust, confirming the potential of Automatic Alchemy.

  • Roy installed a signal-receiving device in the Humanoid Angel and ordered it to guard his mansion or join the battle formation if necessary.
  • Frosv ordered Tinas to defend the Magic Crystal Ore near Besian, sent Doni to eliminate the Orc vanguard, and tasked Roy with producing at least ten Level 1 Magic Cannons.
  • Frosv told Roy that the purchased Golem Legion was halfway to them and explained his plan to use his forces to capture the Mage Tower and force Gem into a decisive battle.
  • Roy synthesized the required gems and built a machine that used a witch-array and magic-array magnetic field to sort Gem Dust from sand and soil.
  • Wynn praised the machine's efficiency, while Roy noted its high magic-stone cost and recognized that it demonstrated the possibility of Automatic Alchemy.

Ch. 444Aesthetic Jewelry

Roy investigated how Alchemy Talent could combine with other systems and discovered that Aesthetic Value could turn flawed gems into powerful jewelry and equipment. After selling his creations to Tinas, he learned that the mages' army was marching north and the southern border cities had all fallen.

  • Roy spent months studying alchemy, including whether minimal involvement from his Alchemy Talent could trigger its effects.
  • Roy created a Level 1 lightning gem and crafted jewelry from Cracked Gemstones, using Aesthetic Value to give the flawed gems powerful properties.
  • Roy made matching daggers for Planje and offered her a veil and revealing magical armor, but she refused to wear them.
  • Roy sold his creations to Tinas for materials worth nearly fifty thousand, while Planje regretted refusing the equipment.
  • In September, urgent news arrived that the mages' army was marching north toward the royal city and the southern border cities had fallen across the front.

Ch. 445The Enemy Was at the Gates

Roy defended the southern district of the royal city as mage forces began bombarding it, and he shot down three enemy warships with his Death Ray Demon Eye and enchanted javelins. At the enemy camp, Chenos learned that the Viken Family wanted Roy captured or killed and ordered the southern district targeted.

  • Frosv assigned his seven remaining wizards their duties and gave Roy command of the Hornfang Blade golem legion and the southern district's defenses.
  • Mage warships bombarded the royal city, and Roy's side countered with Magic Cannons while centaurs built defensive towers from Flesh Fossils.
  • Roy enchanted javelins with Mental Anchor and shot down three Sky Patrol Warships using his Death Ray Demon Eye.
  • Doria and Costa discussed the limits of their resources and decided to rely on bombardment until the Archmage arrived.
  • Chenos told the gathered commanders that the Viken Family wanted Roy captured or killed, then urged them to concentrate their bombardment on the southern district.

Ch. 446Apprentices Reunited

Roy continued trying to combine Rune Arrays and biology to create inexpensive, reproducible magical products while the Viken Family renewed its hunt for him. Three months later, his former apprentices returned to the royal city, and he learned that Winter and Olinda had died.

  • Roy's Formation Array synthesis failed, but Recycle Materials let him recover some materials as he considered using Rune Arrays to industrialize production.
  • Athedia reported that the Viken Family had renewed its bounty for information about Roy, while Roy inspected his struggling Sunshine 16 plants and decided to make Chimera Potion himself.
  • After three months, Roy injected Chimera Potion into a new plant, hoping its seeds would pass down an improved Rune Array to future generations.
  • Athedia told Roy that his former apprentices had returned, and he reunited with Andov, Stowson, Damo, and Peri.
  • Andov told Roy that Winter had died after being gravely wounded and Olinda had died after drinking her own concoction, leaving Roy with a hollow sense of loss.

Ch. 447Reunion with an Old Acquaintance

Roy reunited with his former apprentices and learned how their lives and advancement had progressed. After helping Andov seek a remedy for his infertility, Roy received a goblin mining construct core that triggered the acquisition of a new alchemy talent.

  • Roy gathered Damo, Peri, Andov, and Stowson to discuss their progress and learned that Damo planned to bind his spirit to a Puppet Core for mechanical immortality.
  • Peri said she had met the requirements for advancement but had not established her Wizard’s Maxim, while Andov and Stowson described their obstacles to becoming wizards.
  • Andov told Roy that Witchcraft Energy radiation had left him unable to father another heir, and Roy offered to ask Tinas for help.
  • Tinas offered a Reproduction Potion in exchange for Andov spending seven days and nights in a Harpy nest, and Andov reluctantly accepted.
  • Andov gave Roy a goblin Earth Ripper core as thanks, and it triggered Roy’s acquisition of the Black-Iron grade Lumberjack alchemy talent.

Ch. 448Old Matters Brought Up Again

Roy appraised Andov’s old possessions and exchanged several golems for a Level 2 Phantom Beast Ring. Andov refused to explain what had happened with Renion in the Chalk Country, leaving Roy to suspect that Renion had the Legendary Treasure.

  • Roy recognized the machine component Andov showed him as a possible resource-gathering construct and invited him to bring other uncertain possessions for appraisal.
  • Andov returned alone with several old objects, and Roy identified a damaged Level 2 Phantom Beast Ring that could still house a Ghost-type creature.
  • Andov offered the ring in exchange for golems, and Roy traded him several golems, including Kailon, Kaiser, Marcel, and the Temple Guard.
  • As Andov prepared to leave, Roy asked whether the story about Renion in the Chalk Country was true and guessed that Renion had the Legendary Treasure.
  • Andov fled without answering, and Roy concluded that his guess was correct.

Ch. 449Archimedes

As war preparations intensified, Roy assessed his forces and devised the Archimedes System, combining Rune Arrays, witchcraft alchemy, and Magitech to coordinate small Magic Cannons. The system was ready for testing as more than a hundred Demon Eye Apostles gathered around it.

  • Athedia told Roy that Andov was preparing wartime defenses and seemed to be avoiding him after their conversation about Renion.
  • Roy inventoried his combat forces and materials, concluded that he had enough strength for now, and decided to consolidate his jewelry and Magic Cannons.
  • Wynn reported that Roy's small Magic Cannons had been installed and the Demon Eye Apostles had been moved beneath the arena.
  • Roy unveiled the Archimedes System, which used metal plates as program media to combine Rune Arrays, witchcraft alchemy, and Magitech.
  • Wynn suggested naming the invention the Roy System, but Roy kept the name Archimedes, and over a hundred Demon Eye Apostles emerged as preparations finished.

Ch. 450Mage Tower Arrives

Roy successfully tested and expanded a system that coordinated hundreds of Demon Eye Apostles into attacks with the force of Level 2 Witchcraft. After half a year of development, Wynn alerted him to a Mage Tower approaching the city.

  • Roy ordered 538 Demon Eye Apostles to test the Archimedes System, which focused their attacks to melt and shatter a stone wall.
  • Roy verified that the coordinated attacks matched the destructive power of a Level 2 Spell and began redesigning the system around a Death Ray Demon Eye commander.
  • Over the next half year, Roy expanded the system to more than a thousand additional Apostles and developed a Rune Array for coordinated attacks.
  • Wynn reported that a Mage Tower had flown into view, and Roy saw it approaching with a large escort of battle shuttles, Arcane Guards, and other Magitech creations.

Ch. 451The Final Assault Begins

Roy and the defenders watched Gem’s forces assemble for a final assault on the royal city, including eight Level 3 Arcane Golems and the immense Mage Tower. The enemy prepared to advance, while Roy recognized the Mage Tower itself as a colossal Level 4 golem capable of amplifying spells from the 0th to the 9th Circle.

  • Roy reported to Frosv, who ordered the defenders to hold their posts and said he would deal with the Mage Tower himself.
  • The Mage Tower descended onto a mountain south of the city as Gem’s Mage Legion regrouped for the coming battle.
  • Roy observed the enemy army’s assembled troops, artillery, aerial forces, and elemental allies, while Wynn was alarmed by their numbers.
  • Roy spotted eight Level 3 Arcane Golems donated by several factions and warned Wynn that the greater threat was behind them.
  • Roy identified the Mage Tower as a colossal Giant Soldier golem with a Level 4 power source that amplified spells from the 0th to the 9th Circle.

Ch. 452Castle Stands Up

Roy led the defense of Knight Royal City’s underground entrance as Bendon’s forces attacked, but the enemy’s Mage Tower arrived and threatened to overwhelm them. The castle suddenly awakened and rose to its feet, leaving the battle’s outcome uncertain.

  • Roy descended into the underground city and prepared to defend its entrance and protect the civilians, workshops, and storage rooms.
  • Enemy artillery bombarded Knight Royal City, and ground troops advanced on the underground entrance.
  • Roy’s Centaur Legion fought off the attackers until they blasted through the barricade, and Roy used burning iron chains to ensnare the first warriors entering the passage.
  • Bendon urged Roy to surrender, but Roy rejected his offer and continued defending the passage while holding back his strongest weapon.
  • A Mage Tower appeared over the city, shaking the defenders’ morale, and then the castle began to move and stood up.

Ch. 453Giant Battle

Roy witnessed the Mage Tower’s battle against the Castle Giant, which survived the tower’s attacks and forced it to withdraw. Roy then received orders to reach two fallen Arcane Golems, but both sides’ spellcasters were locked in a cautious stalemate over them.

  • Roy and Bendon recognized that the confrontation between the Mage Tower and the castle was central to the war, and both held back.
  • The Castle Giant fought the Mage Tower and its Arcane Golems, destroying one golem before enduring powerful spells and missiles.
  • The Castle Giant survived the assault, while the Mage Tower retreated to the mountain to recover.
  • Roy’s teacher ordered him to reach the fallen Arcane Golems and seize or destroy them.
  • Roy found Besian and Doni hiding near an underground cavern, and they discussed how to claim the golems amid the stalemate.

Ch. 454Dadaru'er

Roy and the other wizards hesitated to attack a damaged Arcane Golem until Frosv promised them half the profits and the wreckage from their capture. Roy then built a tunneling machine called Dadaru'er to approach the enemy from underground, leaving it ready for its first test.

  • Tinas and Besian sent Harpies and Mantis Bugmen toward the damaged Arcane Golem, but the enemy's attacks killed them before they could reach it.
  • Nearly half a month later, Frosv confronted Roy, Besian, and Doni about hiding from the enemy's Level 2 Puppets and promised them half the profits or the remaining wreckage if they captured the Arcane Golem.
  • Roy decided the promised reward was worth the risk, but chose to modify a damaged War Machine rather than expose himself and his puppets.
  • Roy installed a Miner Type 10 core in the wrecked machine and used alchemy to transform it into the underground tunneler Dadaru'er.

Ch. 455Entering the Interior

Roy burrowed into the Arcane Golem with his excavator, broke through the mages’ defenses, and entered the giant puppet. Inside, he took control of its Mechanical Guards and ordered them to lead him to the central control room.

  • Roy piloted Dadaru'er through the ground while Besian and the kingdom’s troops attacked above to cover him.
  • The Pengyu Angel’s Eye detected Roy, so he pushed the excavator to reach the Arcane Golem before the artillery could stop him.
  • Roy burst out beneath the Arcane Golem, and Athedia used the Archimedes System to intercept shells while the Pegasus Golem held off Level 2 enemies.
  • Dorlia and the others learned that guards inside the Arcane Golem were moving to eliminate Roy, and they planned to trap him from within and without.
  • Roy entered the puppet through a wound in its neck, fought off its Mechanical Guards, and used the Kirik Magic Ring to control them.
  • Roy ordered the Mechanical Guards to take him to the central control room.

Ch. 456Level 3 Treasure

Roy infiltrated the Arcane Golem, took control of its guards and damaged Sub-brain with the Kirik Magic Ring, then ordered it to report on the machine. The report led him to the power chamber, where he found the Level 3 Eternal Blazing Sun nuclear furnace.

  • Roy rode through the Arcane Golem to the main chamber and took control of its two Mechanical Guards, removing their energy cores.
  • Roy suppressed the damaged Sub-brain with the Kirik Magic Ring and ordered it to check the Arcane Golem's condition.
  • Roy examined the Level 3 Intelligent Brain and began dismantling usable components while the Sub-brain prepared its report.
  • Roy learned that the Arcane Golem was powered by an Eternal Blazing Sun and went to its central power chamber.
  • Roy found a Level 3 Magitech nuclear power furnace with a maximum output of 91,000 Frequency Degrees.

Ch. 457Three Murder Weapons

Roy dismantled the first Arcane Golem, salvaging its Level 3 Intelligent Brain, weapons, and Blazing Sun missiles before signaling his success. The wizards withdrew, and Frosv ordered the two disabled Golems turned into fixed artillery platforms as Roy entered the other ruined Golem.

  • Roy decided the first Arcane Golem’s Power Furnace was too dangerous to collect and dismantled other components instead.
  • Roy salvaged the Level 3 Intelligent Brain, electric staffs, a large weapons stockpile, and three Level 3 Blazing Sun missiles.
  • Roy emerged from the Golem and sent the agreed signal, prompting Chenos, Doria, and the other wizards to withdraw.
  • Archmage Gem learned that his forces had failed, while Frosv praised Roy’s success and ordered the Arcane Golems converted into royal-city defenses.
  • Roy entered the second Arcane Golem and found its interior melted and ruined.

Ch. 458Fate's Decision

Roy claimed the Eternal Blazing Sun from the destroyed War Machine while Gem halted his assault and began building up industrial strength. As the Mage Tower established factories and defenses, Roy prepared to install the furnace in Dadaru'er, while Frosv relied on reinforcements to help hold the city.

  • Roy and the others inspected the wreckage, and Roy claimed the Eternal Blazing Sun while agreeing to pay for its dismantling.
  • Gem rejected Chenos's proposal for another direct assault and decided to build a nearby base and production facilities instead.
  • Roy saw the Mage Tower descend into a valley and realized Gem had not accounted for outside assistance or Frosv's determination.
  • Frosv ordered Roy and the others to hold their positions until reinforcements arrived.
  • Roy transported the Eternal Blazing Sun underground and began modifying Dadaru'er to house the furnace.

Ch. 459Steel Behemoth

Roy used Alchemy Witchcraft and newly acquired Mechanical Refinement to build a powerful new body for Dadaru'er, turning it into a Steel Behemoth powered by the Eternal Blazing Sun. After revealing its immense strength and energy aura to those gathered, he had it burrow underground to muffle its energy fluctuations.

  • Roy assembled the Nuclear Power Furnace and began constructing a compartment around it while learning basic mechanical and energy knowledge.
  • At the end of the year, Roy unlocked Mechanical Refinement and used it to forge and engrave precise mechanical components.
  • Over Half a Year, Roy built Dadaru'er a metal pangolin body armored with Demonic Steel and a powerful Special Alloy.
  • Roy activated the Steel Behemoth's Power Furnace and Energy Cloak, bringing the machine to Level 2.
  • Athedia, Winsbell, Wynn, and others came to see the Steel Behemoth, and Roy sent it underground to hide its conspicuous energy aura.

Ch. 460New Dilemma

Roy completed and tested a modified Level 2 Steel Behemoth built from the earth excavator and parts salvaged from the Arcane Golem. He still had no reliable way to store or transport it, and decided to focus on capturing the Mage Tower and winning the war.

  • Besian, Doni, and Blaid congratulated Roy on finishing the War Behemoth and praised his skill.
  • Roy demonstrated that the Steel Behemoth could burrow and explained its powerful flame and electric attacks to Athedia.
  • Athedia worried that Roy could not use the Shrinking Technique or Shatranz Chess Piece spell to transport the machine, but Roy reassured her.
  • After Athedia left, Roy admitted to himself that he had no solution for carrying or storing the Steel Behemoth and did not want to risk asking his teacher for help.
  • Roy considered using a storage device or his Mage Mansion, but neither seemed practical, so he resolved to focus on capturing the Mage Tower and winning the war.

Ch. 461Orcs at the Border

Roy inspected the Arcane System’s Intelligent Brain and checked the improved Gem Lens production while patrolling the border. When Frosv reported that the Orc army had reached the Southern Border Icefield and needed to be delayed until after June, Roy volunteered for the mission.

  • Roy examined the Level 3 Intelligent Brain, had its backdoors removed, and reviewed the Maiden's Skull’s inventory.
  • Roy inspected Wynn and the others’ improved Gem Lenses, then took two high-grade lenses.
  • Frosv summoned the wizards and announced that an Orc army had appeared in the Southern Border Icefield.
  • Frosv said someone had to delay the Orc army from joining forces until after June, and identified Masur, Luker, and Durul among its commanders.
  • Roy recognized the significance of the June deadline and volunteered to carry out the mission.
Show
Page 23 of 44