Chapter 559 – Handling the Dolls

The large building the Guardian Rock Golem was protecting ultimately appeared to be some kind of mausoleum. However, the level of technology present there—no, it would be more accurate to call it magical technology—was astonishing.

Especially the technology that had powered the Guardian Rock Golem; it was easy to imagine that it far surpassed anything that existed today.

“—Still, what a shame. With something like that Guardian Rock Golem standing guard, I really thought there’d be some unimaginable treasure inside.”

Jack, the leader of Blue Thunder Beast, grumbled without touching on the subject of the technology behind the Guardian Rock golem.

“It’s incredible that this Guardian Rock Golem was animated through magical technology, but it’s not something we can carry back, and it’d be dangerous to just leave it here… This is a problem.”

Fores, the priest who served as the healer and brains of Blue Thunder Beast, finally addressed the issue.

we still don’t know why the group of Olog-Hai had targeted this place.

Had it merely been a chance encounter? Or had they been after the Guardian Rock Golem’s technology? Since they were monsters, I would prefer to think they didn’t possess that level of intelligence—but as Fores suggested, the possibility couldn’t be entirely dismissed.

“Um… In that case, would it be alright if I took the broken Guardian Rock Golems?”

Seizing the moment, Tauro stepped forward to negotiate for the two collapsed units lying in the plaza and near the entrance.

The first one had been discovered by Blue Thunder Beast, who were leading the expedition, so it belonged to them.

It was Tauro who dealt the final blow, but that applied to monsters; in the case of an “object” like this, the person who discovers them has priority over ownership. 

As for the second one, since everyone had seen it together, it was unclear who owned it.

“I’ve heard you have Magic Storage, Tauro-kun, but can you really fit two four-meter-class masses of rock in there? Do you have the capacity?”

Jack asked in surprise.

“Yes, it seems I still have plenty of room. If you’re willing to let me have them, I’d like to take them.”

After all, Tauro already had sixteen Guardian Rock Golems stored in his Magic Storage, so it was a bit late to say anything.

“In that case, I’d like to say we’ll trade the two in the plaza and by the entrance for one of the undamaged unit you recovered inside… but our own Magic Storage can’t transport them anyway, so we’d have to give up either way. —How about this? If you can also collect the Olog-Hai corpses and transport them to the guild, we’ll hand over all rights to the Guardian Rock Golems to you.”

Jack made the proposal as a sort of trade-off.

The Olog-Hai corpses referred to were the dozens that had been slain by the Guardian Rock Golem.

Since this new type of monster was still under research, even their remains would fetch high purchase prices. And as their employer, Jack wanted to secure the credit for the Silver Twin Magi. Hence the offer.

“If that’s all it is; I’ll collect as many as you like. As for the Guardian Rock Golems, if you’re fine with ones that don’t move, I can carry one for each team and hand them over once we return to the guild.”

Tauro replied generously.

“Personally, I’m happy about that because it looks like it could bring in some money… but to be honest, I’m not sure whether this Guardian Rock Golem technology is something that should be made public…”

By “public,” Jack meant that after selling them to the guild, they would typically be put up for auction.

They didn’t know who might buy them, but after witnessing their overwhelming power firsthand, the most dangerous outcome would be for that technology to fall into the hands of someone who would misuse it.

With that in mind, Jack made another proposal to Tauro.

“You can have our share of the Guardian Rock Golems. In exchange, promise that you won’t pass this technology on to anyone. If misused, it would be dangerous. That’s something we must avoid.”

“…I understand. —To be honest, I also thought it would be dangerous to hand it over to others. That’s why I was planning to remove part of the mechanism before giving any to you.”

Tauro gave a wry smile and spoke without any reservations about what he had been secretly planning to do.

“Hahaha! So we were thinking the same thing. We’ll be entrusting everything to you, Tauro-kun… but are you really sure your Magic Storage can handle it?”

Even a single Guardian Rock Golem must weigh a tremendous amount. Jack couldn’t help but worry that storing multiple units would strain Tauro’s capacity.

“So far, it seems fine. —Then we have a deal.”

Tauro smiled brightly and shook Jack’s hand.

Fores, the priest, also accepted the terms and joined in the handshake.

　

“What about everyone from Silver Twin Mages?”

Tauro noticed the twin sisters, leader Gemma and Gemis, watching from a short distance away.

“They said they’d leave the decision to me as their employer, so it’s fine.”

Jack grinned.

“And besides, most of this ancient ruin is still untouched for us. We’ll spend the next few days exploring and making all sorts of discoveries.”

Just as Jack had said, their original objective after defeating the Guardian Rock Golem was to explore the entire ruin.

The results of that exploration would belong to Blue Thunder Beast, and part of the profits would be distributed as rewards to Black Golden Wings and Silver Twin Magi. It was certain that everyone would benefit.

“Hahaha! That’s right. Well then, I’ll go collect the Olog-Hai remains. After that, let’s have dinner. It seems the lights on this ruin’s ceiling move in sync with the sun above ground.”

Tauro replied, pointing at the ceiling.

Sure enough, as he noted, the ceiling lights were growing dimmer compared to when they had first arrived.

Perhaps it would grow dark at night.

“So that’s how it works… —Alright then! Hey, everyone! Let’s get dinner ready before it gets dark!”

Jack called out to the group and then returned to his friends who were resting in a corner of the plaza.

“Alright, let’s start preparing dinner too!”

Tauro spoke to Aeris, and the two of them returned to Ragune and the others, who were waiting nearby.