The Runesmith

Chapter 678: Designing A Big Golem.

“Ugh…”

A groan echoed through the large chamber, and soon another voice followed.

“B-boss, are you okay? Your eyes are bleeding!”

“I’m fine. I just forgot how this feels.”

“Perhaps we should stop and take a break. That doesn’t look healthy.”

“Maybe you’re right.”

Roland nodded while ingesting a high-quality healing potion. His eyes twitched and his head throbbed as if he had a massive hangover. It did not take long for his body to recover, but the problem he was facing remained.

‘It was much easier to copy divine and necrotic magic, but this soul energy was far more difficult…’

He straightened and looked away from Bernir, whom he had been studying. His assistant was performing soulsmithing, and Roland had been trying to observe it with True Runic Sight, the upgraded version of his Runic Eye of Truth skill.

This was the same ability that had allowed him to master divine magic for healing and fighting undead. It was similar to the debugging skill that had started it all, but this time it was failing him. He could perceive something within the soulsmithing process, yet the moment he focused, a violent migraine struck, and his vision blurred before he could grasp anything substantial.

The soul seemed to be connected to the system itself, perhaps even to the ascension trial and the truth behind this strange world. It was no wonder it was so difficult to decipher. He might not be able to see through it until the skill evolved further.

The ability to increase skill levels through runes would be game-changing, not only for him but for the entire world. If he mastered it, he might even allow people without battle classes to gain skills they normally could not. Still, such a feat would likely require more than soulsmithing alone.

Available skills were dictated by class. Even if he could increase skill levels through soulsmithing emulation, it did not mean he could grant someone a skill without meeting its requirements.

To achieve something like that, he would need to completely disassemble the human soul. His current theory was that the soul, or what he thought of as a databank, contained all the answers.

In theory, the soul was a network of nodes, most of them locked and only accessible through specific achievements. Leveling was the most obvious method, but there were others, such as completing hidden tasks like slaying a certain number of monsters or crafting a set number of items. He himself had gained titles through crafting, or simply by raising his stats to certain thresholds. If he could unlock the soul, he might be able to force those nodes open and grant people stronger skills, or even new classes. But would it really be that simple?’

Roland had a theory, but he had no idea if it was even possible. Experimenting with something as abstract as the soul could lead to serious side effects or even death. He did not know whether all souls were the same or if there were safeguards that prevented nodes from being unlocked. It was entirely possible that the moment he tried, the soul would simply disintegrate. This was the kind of subject that demanded careful study, and he doubted he could truly approach it before reaching tier four.

‘I would probably be branded a heretic if anyone found out I was trying to interfere with the world system…’

There were organizations in this world that, in a way, already tampered with the soul. They were the cults he had encountered. Through various forms of occult magic, they sought to twist and reshape the natural order, often at a terrible cost.

The results were usually corruption. Twisted flesh, shattered bodies, and broken minds. Power was sometimes gained, but never in a form that could be called a true success. If he ever chose to pursue this kind of research, there was a real risk he would end up as some kind of eldritch horror.

“Boss?”

Bernir’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

“You were staring into space again.”

Roland exhaled and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“I was thinking.”

He set the empty potion vial aside and pressed two fingers to his temple. The dull ache was already fading, and he felt fine.

“You always do that. Maybe, like the missus said, you should take a break?”

“A break? I wish I could.”

For a moment, he wondered if that would ever be an option. He had set out on this journey to escape everything and gain his freedom, yet now he was once again working under constant pressure. Perhaps he could slow down and stop pushing himself so hard, but the thought of losing everything kept him awake at night. He had worked too hard to reach this point, and he was not about to give it up.

“Aye, that is what I expected to hear from you. How is the lassy doing?”

“Millie is doing fine, but she needs to train the new skills she gained before we can move on.”

Bernir nodded, a smile spreading across his face. Millie had been in Albrook for about a week now. Her level had risen quickly, and she was already close to the limit of twenty-five. Her progress was impressive, but as always, her skill levels lagged behind.

“You should focus more on your own research.”

“I know, boss, but it is hard without ever using something like Basic Rune Mastery.”

“I understand. Sebastian will help you catalogue your research, and perhaps when you level up further, you will gain some kind of skill copying ability.”

“I sure hope so, boss.”

Bernir seemed a bit disappointed that he could not help, but Roland knew he was trying. Ever since he had gained his new class, he had been working relentlessly to raise his levels and improve his skills.

What Roland needed from Bernir was a way to enchant the new golem he planned to build. This creation would be piloted by a human, namely his brother. In a sense, it would be a second version of the power armor he had used during the trial.

Robert already possessed several rune-related skills that reduced the mana required to use them. Through soul smithing, Roland hoped to enhance those abilities even further and perhaps grant him new ones he did not yet possess. This would make the new golem frame easier to manage, as the number of batteries it could carry was limited.

He did have a few advantages over his competitors in this regard. The batteries could be concealed deeper within the structure and occupied less space than other options. In some cases, canisters filled with mana-infused liquid were used. In others, crystallized mana or materials with highly condensed magical properties, even relics, served as power sources.

Some dwarven craftsmen were aware of these limitations and relied on stalling tactics. Their golems were bulky and heavily armored, designed to withstand punishment until their opponents ran out of energy. The more their enemies moved and unleashed powerful attacks, the faster their reserves were depleted. These were not simple work golems that only needed to move. They were massive magical machines with precise operating systems that resembled the instincts of monsters.

Roland’s design would be different. It would not require a complex artificial thinking system, as a human pilot would control it directly. This would allow more energy to be devoted to movement and offense. His goal was to create something faster, stronger, and more efficient than anything the arena had seen.

“Faster, stronger, and more efficient. It is not going to be easy.”

Bernir scratched his beard.

“That sounds expensive.”

“It is expensive.”

Roland replied while studying a large schematic on the blackboard. He had already outlined the outer shell and overall appearance. The frame was not as bulky as it could have been, since the machine needed to fit its user, his brother Robert. It had to match his fighting style, while also allowing for several improvements over the previous power armor.

One of the biggest changes would be the section that housed the pilot. In the smaller version, Robert had worn something closer to a reinforced suit. It was not much larger than the person inside. This time, however, the design called for a ten meter tall, humanoid golem, something that in Roland’s original world was quite popular in fiction, though typically achieved through science rather than magic.

When he arrived in this world, he never expected his life to take this kind of turn. He used to craft suits of armor etched with runes that granted magical power, but now he was building machines that could think and move.

“So, boss, what’s with that ball there?”

“That’s going to be the cockpit.”

“Cockpit?”

“Indeed. Do not ask why.”

“I won’t.”

Roland drew inspiration from a concept he had seen used for massive constructs in works of fiction. The people who operated them were called pilots, and they sat inside cockpits to control the towering machines. The one he was building, however, had no seat. Instead, it featured a rotating chamber designed to mirror the movements outside.

It needed to respond to the golem’s motion. If it leaned, he wanted Robert to feel it. Removing all tremors and compensating for every shift would make the experience feel stiff and unnatural. Robert needed to feel as though he was the golem itself, as that would help him orient himself more effectively.

Roland planned to place the cockpit in the largest available space, the chest cavity. There would also be room not only for the main visual feed from the head but for two additional side displays. While mimicking human balance and vision was important, this was still a machine controlled by a person. Giving Robert awareness of his blind spots was essential, and with some training he would likely adapt quickly, given his experience as a seasoned warrior.

‘Maybe after I finish this one, I could make a model for myself…’

Through this process, he would gather valuable data and likely refine the design to suit his own combat style. With his ability to manipulate runes and manage multiple streams of thought, he could probably control it in a more advanced way, even operating additional weapons and casting spells at the same time. His brother, on the other hand, was far more limited in his use of runes.

“Master Wayland, it is time.”

Just as he was about to continue working on his latest invention, Sebastian’s disembodied voice echoed through the room.

“Is it time already?”

“What is it, boss?”

“I have to go greet someone. Being a knight can be quite troublesome.”

Bernir chuckled as Roland sighed in disappointment. He had already picked up his hammer and was preparing to imbue the cockpit prototype with runes, but now he had to stop.

“You are free to stay here or return to your own workshop.”

“Aye, boss. See you later.”

The room that housed the golem prototype had once been empty, but now it was filled with smithing equipment. It functioned as a complete workshop, designed to save Roland the trouble of constantly returning to the upper levels.

He set his hammer down on one of the workbenches. Immediately, one of the assistant spider golems scuttled over, picked it up, and returned it to its proper place among the other tools. Roland, meanwhile, headed toward his armory to change into more fitting attire for a knight.

“Will they want me to reveal my face?”

He asked himself as he placed the half mask over his face and then set the helmet on top. An important guest was arriving in thirty minutes, and he was not sure who they might bring along.

“Better safe than sorry.”

Wearing his knightly armor, he headed to the elevator, his next stop Agni’s stable.

“Agni, behave yourself and try acting like a noble creature for once.”

“Worf!?”

The wolf clearly did not appreciate Roland’s words. Still, today’s visitor had come for several reasons, and one of them was this sunlight wolf.

“Stop teasing him. He looks majestic, just look at those flames.”

Elodia was there as well and had spent the last half-hour brushing Agni’s fur. Since he was the size of a horse, it was no easy task, but she seemed to enjoy it. Even though his body was wrapped in flames, he still had ordinary fur underneath, and it shed quite a bit. That was one of the reasons the solarian priests were so eager to collect it. The fur could be used in elixirs and other divine concoctions, giving Roland another source of income, though not a very profitable one. It took a large amount of shed fur to produce even a single proper elixir.

“Woof!”

“You should stop spoiling him so much. Now that Millie is around, he is starting to get a big head.”

His apprentice loved tamed animals, and if they were fluffy, she could not keep her hands off them. Today was Sunday, which meant she was not here. Instead, she was helping her parents at their new inn while working on her assignments.

“But look at him. How can you not spoil him?”

Elodia smiled as she scratched behind Agni’s ear. The moment she did, his leg began thumping against the stable floor in quick, involuntary beats. The wolf let out a pleased whine, sounding more like a common dog than the dignified beast he was supposed to be.

“There, you see? Isn’t he cute?”

“Yeah, sure. Agni, let’s go before your mistress spoils you even more.”

“Woof.”

Elodia chuckled and wished him good luck. Roland headed through the main exit, where a carriage was waiting for him along with another prepared for Agni.

“It’s the sacred beast, praise Solaria!”

“Praise Solaria!”

The moment Agni appeared, the priests waiting outside began to shout. Roland disliked having to deal with them, but it was necessary. Agni seemed just as annoyed, but after a single look from Roland, he stepped into the large cart pulled by noble-looking steeds.

It featured a large podium draped in golden cloth, more like an altar than a carriage, with sun sigils embroidered into every fold. Agni stepped onto it with exaggerated reluctance, making it clear he was cooperating under protest. The priests mistook the gesture for regal composure and nearly trembled in reverence.

“What great honor! Praise be to Solaria and her gifts!”

“Praise Solaria.”

By this point, Roland had already climbed into his own carriage and drawn the small drapes closed. This was not something he wanted to be involved in, but advancing their agenda required them to welcome this new guest with open arms. For that, Agni was important, and so was the entire Church of Solaria.

“I was never a fan of churches, even in my previous life… just bear with it.”

He told himself this as the carriages finally began to move. His led the procession, with Agni’s following behind. A large crowd gathered along the route. Some were regular city guards, while others were Solarian paladins escorting their sacred beast into the city.

The journey took longer than necessary, as they moved at a measured pace. After about twenty minutes, they finally reached the gates. In the past, he would have been asked to show credentials, but this time, everyone bowed as the carriage passed, some even calling out words of praise. Their destination was the teleportation gate, the same one through which his apprentice had arrived.

“Have you secured the perimeter?”

“Yes, High Knight Commander!”

“Good. Let us wait for our guest of honor. Stay vigilant. Even though the runic eyes have detected nothing, assassins could still be nearby.”

The man he addressed was the current guard captain, and the knights with prosthetic limbs were also present. They spread out, securing the area around the teleportation gate. The arriving guest could not be harmed under any circumstances.

In the distance, more figures approached. Two knights on horseback led the way, followed by another carriage belonging to the city’s lord, Arthur Valerian. As people caught sight of him, cheers rose, growing louder still when he stepped out.

‘He certainly knows how to play to a crowd.’

His smile was well practiced, his mannerisms polished and regal. It was clear Arthur had devoted considerable time to perfecting his public image. The cheering around the gate swelled as he raised a hand in calm acknowledgment. His presence alone seemed to steady the crowd.

“How is it?”

“He should be arriving soon.”

“Good. Let’s make a strong impression, my knight.”

Roland gave a small nod and a slight bow before turning his gaze to the gate. The runes carved into its surface were beginning to glow. Soon, the meeting would begin.