Kays Translations

Chapter 90: Challenging a Golem from the Heroes’ World

“According to the Mail-Order Catalog, the Heroes’ world has golems that work inside people’s rooms.”

“Golems? Inside rooms?”

“Is such a thing truly possible in the Heroes’ world…?”

Princess Sophia and Agnis stared at me in astonishment.

Their reaction was understandable.

I had been equally shocked when I first saw this page in the Mail-Order Catalog.

But the catalog clearly showed an image of a golem.

Moreover, the golem was crawling across the floor of a room.

It was neither humanoid nor beast-shaped, but something altogether unnatural.

Apparently, such things were commonplace in the Heroes’ world.

“Its purpose is probably to guard its owner while they sleep and to clean the room,” I explained.

“Guarding and… cleaning?”

“Look here. I copied the description from the Mail-Order Catalog.”

I handed Princess Sophia and Agnis a sheet of parchment.

The following text was written on it:

────────────

The latest Robot Vacuum Cleaner will keep your room spotlessly clean!

Are you too busy to find time for cleaning?

Does your room quickly become untidy when unexpected visitors arrive?

Do these problems trouble you?

Our latest Robot Vacuum Cleaner will solve them all!

This Robot Vacuum Cleaner is equipped with advanced sensing functions. It won’t overlook even the smallest speck of dust.

It’ll discover the tiniest particle and pursue it wherever it goes!

Nothing can escape the Robot Vacuum Cleaner’s sensors! (Individual user experience may vary.)

While you sleep, it’ll quietly remove every trace of dirt!

Its sensors detect people and animals, so unexpected visitors pose no problem.

There’s no need to switch it off. Simply leave it running!

It’ll never collide with anything! (Individual user experience may vary.)

Visitors will be astonished by the Robot Vacuum Cleaner’s cleaning power!

Its specific capabilities include—

────────────

“The catalog listed the Robot Vacuum Cleaner’s abilities after that.”

“What sort of abilities?”

“It can locate and collect small animal hairs buried deep within a thick carpet.”

“Such an extraordinary ability!?”

“It can track down and collect particles smaller than a grain of rice after they fall to the floor.”

“The golem can do that!?”

“And it can smoothly evade people’s feet while continuing its work without interruption.”

“…Thor Canaan-sama.”

“…H-how powerful is that golem?”

“The catalog even showed it moving between people’s feet.”

I recalled the illustration as I explained.

“It was probably demonstrating its ability to evade low-level attacks while crushing an opponent’s feet.”

“…………”

Princess Sophia and Agnis were both rendered speechless.

I understood how they felt.

Even among the incredible items in the Mail-Order Catalog, this one was exceptional.

It could evade any attack and prevent unexpected intruders from making a mess of the room.

And the page repeatedly noted that these were individual users’ experiences.

That probably meant the golem chose its user.

No ordinary person could relax with such a dangerous golem roaming their room.

Its user had to possess both the courage and combat ability to live beside it—and so many enemies that a room-guarding golem was necessary.

That must have been the Hero’s “individual experience.”

“I understand that this Robot Vacuum Cleaner is an extraordinary golem,” Princess Sophia murmured while studying the parchment.

“I also know the legend of the summoned Hero who saw a golem guarding the Emperor and shouted, ‘Wow, it’s just like a robot!’ The phrase was preserved in the historical record.”

“That appears in The Hero’s Descent, Chapter Fourteen, Section Eight: The Hero Attempts an All-Directional Attack, correct?”

“As expected of Thor Canaan-sama. You know it well.”

“It records the Hero’s attempt to control several small golems and attack in every direction at once. As an alchemist, I couldn’t possibly overlook it.”

“The simultaneous golem attack ultimately failed, and the Hero adopted the method of making Dancing Swords fly around instead.”

“Agnis knows that legend too! My ancestor, the Flame Giant Ifrit, melted the Hero’s Dancing Swords.”

“That’s right. Agnis-sama’s ancestor stopped that Hero.”

“I always wondered why the Hero conceived such a strange strategy…”

I traced the diagram of the Robot Vacuum Cleaner with one finger.

“If the Heroes’ world contains devices like this, then Dancing Swords may have seemed perfectly ordinary. Numerous golems probably maintained each room, surrounded intruders, and attacked them. Such scenes may have been commonplace.”

“I understand.”

“It makes perfect sense now.”

“Otherwise, why would it need a human-detection sensor?”

“True…”

“A Hero could easily avoid attacks from their own golems.”

Princess Sophia and Agnis sighed together.

Once again, we were reminded of how terrifying the Heroes’ world must be.

Even Heroes were vulnerable while asleep.

That was probably why they kept golems called Robot Vacuum Cleaners in their bedrooms for protection.

“Thor Canaan-sama, you believe this Robot Vacuum Cleaner can detect magical beasts?”

“Yes. Its functions should make that possible.”

“I see. According to the description, the Robot Vacuum Cleaner can follow biscuit crumbs until it finds the biscuit itself.”

“Exactly. It should be able to do the same with magical beasts.”

I nodded.

“Magical beasts leave faint traces as they move—residual magical power, fragments of skin, and similar evidence. If the Robot Vacuum Cleaner can follow biscuit crumbs, it shouldn’t overlook those traces.”

“But… the description says nothing about magical beasts,”

Agnis said while examining the parchment.

“It may be a weapon intended for humans and merely a cleaning item otherwise. It’s difficult to imagine that it could track magical beasts…”

“Think back to the legends of the Heroes, Agnis-sama.”

I continued.

“When facing weak magical beasts, otherworldly Heroes often shouted things like, ‘You weak magical beasts think you can defeat us? Trash!’ Correct?”

“They did!”

“They even said it to mid-level magical beasts: ‘Magical beasts are nothing before us Heroes! They’re trash!’”

“Now that you mention it, they also used powerful magic while shouting, ‘Disappear like dust!’”

“In other words, Heroes classify magical beasts as trash.”

High-level magical beasts might be a different matter, of course.

Some Heroes had shown respect toward sufficiently powerful foes.

Nevertheless, the word “trash” in the catalog probably included ordinary magical beasts.

Otherwise, the golem would be unsuitable for guarding a Hero’s room.

And the Robot Vacuum Cleaner possessed a detection function precisely for that purpose.

“If we add a magical-power detector, it should be able to sense and follow a magical beast’s residual magic.”

“…That’s remarkable, Thor Canaan-sama. With such an item, we should be able to locate the new species of magical beasts.”

“…It’ll solve the problem in no time.”

“There’s, however, one difficulty.”

“A difficulty? What do you mean?”

“The Robot Vacuum Cleaner in the catalog is flat. It’s neither humanoid nor beast-shaped, but an extremely unusual form. A body like that couldn’t travel through forests, across grasslands, or over uneven terrain.”

The Robot Vacuum Cleaner was probably an indoor golem.

Outdoor golems must also exist, but I hadn’t yet found one in the catalog.

Therefore, we would have to modify this design for outdoor use.

“What form would an outdoor Robot Vacuum Cleaner take?”

“I suspect it would float.”

“Float…?”

“It would probably hover a few centimeters above the ground and follow its Hero. While cleaning the terrain, it would also act as a bodyguard.”

“Obstacles on the ground could interfere with a Hero’s techniques.”

“Exactly. It would remove stones, magical-beast remains, and other debris so the Hero could move freely and use sword techniques or magic without obstruction.”

“But if it flew too high, it would interfere with sword swings and block the Hero’s vision.”

“I agree with Agnis-sama. Indoors, it probably stays close to the floor to avoid obstructing the Hero’s view. An outdoor version would maintain the same controlled environment around its user.”

“That reasoning is convincing.”

“In the Heroes’ world, Robot Vacuum Cleaners may guard their owners at all times.”

“The name ‘vacuum cleaner’ may even serve a psychological purpose. If something called a combat golem followed a Hero constantly, the Hero would remain conscious of battle and never be able to relax.”

“Indeed…”

“Unfortunately, my current techniques can’t create a golem that remains airborne indefinitely.”

I wanted to achieve it someday.

For now, however, it was beyond me.

Continuous flight would consume far too much magical power.

Winged pixies remained airborne naturally, but that was an innate ability of their species.

Giving a golem both magical perception and graceful independent movement would be almost equivalent to creating a new life-form.

Artificial life was the ultimate objective of alchemy, and I hadn’t yet reached that level.

It was frustrating.

Perhaps I could discover a clue by visiting the Heroes’ world—but that was impossible.

Someone like me, with no combat ability, wouldn’t survive there for ten minutes.

For now, I could only work with the abilities I possessed.

I would have to use my ingenuity to create something close to the Heroes’ Robot Vacuum Cleaner.

“That’s why I need the wisdom of Princess Sophia and Agnis-sama.”

I explained.

I had already sent the same request to Rukie and Chancellor Kelve through a winged pixie.

I had asked them to propose designs as well.

“Please devise a form that can move through forests and grasslands, cross uneven terrain, and travel as quickly as possible.”

“A-Agnis must devise one?”

“I see. You’ve thought this through, Thor Canaan-sama.”

Agnis looked startled.

Princess Sophia, by contrast, nodded in understanding.

Then she turned to Agnis.

“This is a competition, Agnis-sama.”

“A competition?”

“Yes. Thor Canaan-sama intends to consider all our suggestions and select the finest design.”

“I see!”

“This approach should indeed produce an excellent golem. It’ll be a challenge for me, but an enjoyable one.”

“Enjoyable?”

“Yes. We’re being tested on whether we can devise an idea worthy of Thor Canaan-sama’s approval.”

“Agnis understands now!”

“If we produce a design that satisfies Thor Canaan-sama’s intellect and sensibilities, it’ll prove that we’re worthy to stand beside him. In a sense, this is also a test of our abilities as his assistants.”

“S-so that’s why it’s a competition…”

“Exactly. We’ll test our creativity, and the best idea will become the Robot Vacuum Cleaner that protects the border. That’s the competition Thor Canaan-sama has asked us to enter… correct?”

“No. I intend to make every design everyone submits.”

I corrected her.

Princess Sophia and Agnis stared at me.

“Her Majesty the Demon Lord and Chancellor Kelve will form one team, Princess Sophia and Agnis-sama another, and Mabel and I a third. I intend to build all three designs.”

“…All of them?”

“…I see. So that’s your plan.”

“Princess Liana and the Archduke will probably begin their investigation soon. I want to identify a likely suspect before they find the summoner, so we don’t have time to hold a competition.”

I already had a rough plan for the Robot Vacuum Cleaner itself.

The only unresolved issue was an efficient method of movement.

The ideal mechanism had to be fast, capable of crossing obstacles, and economical in its use of magical power.

Once I had that, I could begin construction immediately.

Building every promising idea would be faster than judging a competition first.

Besides, involving Rukie and Chancellor Kelve would make official production approval easier to obtain.

In fact, the moment they sent me a design, they would effectively have granted permission to create the Robot Vacuum Cleaner. Perfect.

“May I ask for your help, then? I would prefer to receive your idea within a day or two.”

“Within a day or two?”

“A rough concept is enough. I’ll turn it into a finished design.”

“Understood, Thor Canaan-sama.”

Princess Sophia pinched the hem of her gown and bowed.

“For the security of the border—and to be of use to Thor Canaan-sama—I, Sophia, will devise a method of movement for the Robot Vacuum Cleaner.”

“Agnis will try too!”

Princess Sophia and Agnis clasped hands firmly.

They promised to combine their ideas.

“Then please stay here tonight, Agnis-sama. Let us pool our wisdom.”

“Huh? B-but Agnis planned to return home today…”

“You’ve come all this way. Please stay and rest for the night.”

“…Agnis doesn’t mind, but what about Thor Canaan-sama?”

“I can’t stay in Her Highness’s private residence. I’ll take a room at an inn in town.”

I would rest at the inn that night and think about the Robot Vacuum Cleaner.

The next day, I would return to the workshop, consult Mabel, and hopefully construct a prototype.

“Soleil, Lune, I leave their protection to you. Inform me immediately if anything happens.”

“…If that’s your wish, Thor-sama…”

“I, Sophia Dorgalia, will take full responsibility for Agnis-sama’s safety. I also guarantee your safety, Thor-sama.”

Princess Sophia knelt and took my hand.

“Tomorrow, we’ll present the results of our joint deliberation.”

“We’ll definitely show you something good!”

“I look forward to it.”

I bowed to Princess Sophia and Agnis.

After waking Soleil and Lune, who had returned to their pixie forms and fallen asleep in Princess Sophia’s bedroom, I left with them for an inn in town.

I asked another winged pixie to tell Mabel that I would remain in Noza Town overnight.

Her reply arrived quickly.

It included a drawing of the “ultimate Robot Vacuum Cleaner” she had devised.

As expected of Mabel. Her design would be an excellent reference.

“Soleil, Lune, you may go to sleep. I’ll do a little more work before bed.”

“Request denied.”

“That won’t do at all!”

What?

Soleil and Lune crossed their arms into an X. Why?

“Mabel told us that when Thor-sama says he’ll ‘do a little more work before resting,’ it means he intends to stay up late.”

“She also said that when you’re designing a new magic item, there’s a high probability that you’ll work through the entire night.”

…As expected of Mabel.

“This is human territory.”

“You must preserve your health in case anything happens.”

“This Soleil won’t permit overwork.”

“Nor will this Lune.”

“Please go to bed at a proper hour. Otherwise, we’ll report you to Her Majesty the Demon Lord.”

Soleil and Lune stared sternly at me.

I raised both hands.

I surrendered.

It couldn’t be helped. I would rest obediently tonight.

After doing only a small amount of light work,

I filled the portable footbath from my Miniature Simple Storage for Soleil and Lune.

Once they were warm and cozy, I used the two of them as hot-water bottles and fell asleep.

—The Same Day, at the Demon Lord’s Castle—

“I have a request, Your Majesty.”

The scene was the throne room of the Demon Lord’s castle.

After completing the day’s official duties, Chancellor Kelve addressed Demon Lord Rukie.

“Would Your Majesty permit me, Kelve, to handle Thor Canaan’s request?”

“You mean the Robot Vacuum Cleaner?”

“Yes. I would like to devise its movement mechanism myself.”

“What brought about this change of heart?”

Demon Lord Rukie tilted her head curiously from her throne.

“You’ve always been wary of Thor’s creations.”

“That’s entirely correct. And he has surpassed my expectations every time.”

Chancellor Kelve’s expression was grave.

“Thor-sama’s inventions have always astonished me. But as the chancellor who serves Your Majesty, I can’t continue losing to him.”

“I doubt Thor thinks of this in terms of victory or defeat.”

“I understand. Nevertheless, just once, I wish to surprise him.”

“I see. In that case, I’ll leave it to you.”

Still wearing her perception-obscuring mask, Demon Lord Rukie nodded.

“I understand the feeling. It may be interesting to show Thor the creativity of a senior official of the Demon Lord’s court. Give it your best effort, Kelve.”

“With pleasure!”

“Though… it’s rather unfortunate.”

“…What is?”

“For crossing uneven, obstacle-filled terrain, I intended to propose a spider-shaped Robot Vacuum Cleaner inspired by the magical beast Gargarossa.”

“……”

“But this is a good opportunity, so I’ll leave the matter to you.”

“…Your Majesty.”

“Yes?”

“Now that Your Majesty has said it aloud, I can no longer use that design. It wouldn’t be my idea—it would be yours…”

“…Ah.”

Realizing what she had done, Rukie covered her mouth.

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had conceived the same design. I simply blurted it out.”

“…I see.”

“But it’s no great problem. You’ll surely think of something else. Don’t be too discouraged… What? You’re returning to your room to think? Yes, that’s probably best. Once you calm down, another idea will certainly come to you. Perhaps a four-legged model like a horse, or a sleek beast-shaped design—”

Thus, preparations advanced for the joint investigation by the Demon Lord’s Domain and Princess Sophia’s unit.

At the same time, the unofficial Robot Vacuum Cleaner Design Contest began.

Thor drew inspiration from Mabel’s design, Sophia and Agnis happily exchanged ideas, and Chancellor Kelve clutched his head in frustration.

And from their efforts, a new magic-item design was born.

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