The special equipment manufacturing using the greed-anger-ignorance magic cores I ordered a few days ago was completed.
As I headed towards the blacksmith's workshop, there was something large covered with cloth in the open space outside, and people were gathered in front, murmuring.
Among them, I saw the four production guild leaders gathered together for the first time in a while. I approached them.
"Ah, Your Highness!"
The guild leaders who recognized me bowed their heads in unison. I returned their greeting and pointed to the large shape covered in cloth, asking:
"I heard it was completed, is this it?"
"Yes! Would you like to see it right away?"
"Let's do that. I'm very curious."
The four guild leaders raised their hands towards it with beaming faces.
Then Kellibey, who was standing right next to the cloth-covered object, nodded and vigorously pulled off the cloth.
Flap-
As the cloth was removed.
The identity of the large shape hidden underneath was revealed.
"Ohhh!"
"This, this is!"
All the production guild people present, and the onlookers who had gathered, let out exclamations of admiration in unison.
What was revealed from under the white cloth was… three enormous golems.
Special defense equipment made with three magic cores extracted from the greed-anger-ignorance monsters — artifacts called 'Autonomous Defense Dolls'.
'The final stage of the defense artifact tech tree that can only be made when all four production guilds — carpentry, masonry, blacksmithing, and alchemy — have maxed out their technology research and skill levels!'
Creating a frame with wood and stone, covering it with steel armor, and connecting magic circuits with alchemy to allow this massive body to move.
Not only does it require technical skill, but it's also a special artifact that can only be produced and operated with magic cores of the right aptitude. Even in the game, it could only be made with the right luck.
'I hadn't even thought about it, but fortunately we were able to defeat the greed-anger-ignorance monsters.'
Since the greed-anger-ignorance monsters were golem-type monsters made of statues, their magic cores were well-suited for golem production.
The timing was good, and thanks to that, we succeeded in hastily creating these golems with their magic cores.
"Start the activation test!"
As Kellibey shouted, Lilly, sitting in front of a control panel over there, manipulated something.
Right after that,
Whirr!
Flash! Flash!
Blue light flashed simultaneously in the single eye on the head of each of the three golems.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Then the three golems slowly moved their bodies and spread out around the area.
Watching the three golems walk heavily and steadily, the four guild leaders all shed tears.
"Golems… are the dream…"
"Sniff! I'm glad I recorded all the data from the old golem corps without missing anything. Well done, past me…"
"I thought golem technology was lost in ancient times, but to think we could make them with our own hands like this."
"Now it seems there's no artifact we can't make. Hehehe…"
After three years of me constantly pushing, training, and working them to the bone, the technical skills of the Crossroad production guilds had truly reached the level of masters.
Above all, I made various production workers always cooperate and think together, maximizing the synergy between them.
The giant golems moving freely and striking poses were themselves proof of these production guilds' technical skills.
'We've made moving and transforming walls, repaired and built airships, and now even bipedal robots… ah, no, we've even made golems.'
Suddenly, I was reminded of three years ago, when we first prepared for defense with the production guild people.
Making wooden fences for the kill zone, repairing the dilapidated walls, hastily producing equipment, repairing dusty artifacts piled up in warehouses… our clumsy selves back then.
Three years have passed since then.
Just like the warriors standing directly on the front lines, those who help and support the front have also been trained and grown.
"Thank you all."
Watching the golems strike the same pose simultaneously with precise movements, I quietly muttered.
"You've done amazing things until now."
Perhaps feeling the sincerity in my words.
The guild leaders, members, and others who had worked together for a long time all smiled shyly.
Then the boy watching the golems with sparkling eyes beside me — Kellibey's assistant, Hannibal, asked urgently.
"Then, these golems! Like those greed-anger-ignorance monsters!"
At his following words, all the onlookers turned to me in surprise.
"Can they combine too?!"
"…!"
Everyone present, regardless of age or gender, looked at me with intensely sparkling eyes.
"Combine?"
"Combine…"
"Combine!"
"Is that true, Your Highness?!"
Faced with their fervent gazes, I waved my hand while breaking out in a cold sweat.
"No, that's impossible."
Immediately, the deflated people all pouted or let out sighs of disappointment.
Hannibal looked up at the golems, biting his hand as if regretful.
"Ugh, combination is the pinnacle of golem dreams…"
"…"
I broke out in a cold sweat. Hmm.
Actually, since we have transforming mobile walls on the front, and even the original greed-anger-ignorance monsters combined in their second phase, it wouldn't be technically impossible to give these golems a combination function, but…
In the end, everything is a matter of budget, manpower, and time.
This time, we're in a situation where we're short on manpower and time. If we tried to add a combination function, it would have taken a few more months. It's also questionable whether it would be practical.
"Let's be satisfied with the three bipedal golem brothers. Honestly, isn't this enough to be cool?"
While I was consoling Hannibal, Kellibey came bouncing over, his face full of excitement as he snorted.
"So, Ash! What should we name these friends?"
"Names? Hmm…"
The owners of the original magic cores were Greed, Anger, and Foolishness.
Then, with meanings opposite to those…
"How about Temperance, Mercy, and Wisdom for each?"
"Huh? What's that? That's not cool at all."
Kellibey snorted this time. Oh, damn it!
"Then… taking names from the weapons they're holding. Crescent, Four-pronged, Twin-pole?"
To my second suggestion, this time Evangeline, who had come to watch with the close combat unit, tackled me.
"That's really boring. How about something easier and more intuitive?"
"Give me an example."
"Like, Roast, Steam, Fry. Something like that?"
"Why are you suddenly changing the golems into food…?"
Then the people gathered in the open space started pouring out their opinions about the golems' names.
"Cheese, Choco, Barley."
What are these, dog names?
"Faith, Hope, Love…"
Priests, those are good words, but for golems, it's a bit…
"Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner!"
If you're hungry, go eat something quickly, Evangeline.
"Prince! Your Highness! Hurrah-!"
Lucas? Hey, is that you, Lucas?
And other bizarre names that they just made up as they pleased kept coming out.
After intense discussion, the names I finally decided on, ignoring all suggestions, were as follows:
"Iron Fist 1, 2, and 3. That's final!"
Booooo-!
Intense jeers immediately erupted from the crowd, but shut up, you guys! From the old days, we've never had proper results when we held a public contest on this front!
"Oh, maple fist almighty, Iron Fist 1, 2, and 3! How can there be such cool names in this world!"
Only Kuilan, the martial artist, shed tears of emotion.
"Iron Fist… hmm, Iron Fist. Not bad."
Fortunately, Kellibey, who was in charge of golem production, accepted it. Phew.
This unexpected naming contest was thus concluded.
With the three golems showing off their weapons in cool swings as a finale, the demonstration of the Iron Fist trio came to an end.
The gathered crowd cheered in unison as they saw the Iron Fist trio's cool poses.
"Wooooah!"
"Golem! Golem! Golem!"
"Next time, please make them combine!"
Anyway, I'm glad everyone likes them.
As expected, robots are the dream…
Preparations for the defense were progressing smoothly ahead of the final battle.
Barricades and obstacles were installed at every point along the long road from the Black Lake to Crossroad. Various mines and traps were laid thickly.
Incorporating the know-how from the past 3 years, appropriate defense tools were distributed at strategic points and locations to efficiently take down monsters.
Above all, the defense preparations for Crossroad's main castle were carried out meticulously.
Checking cannons and firing lines, optimizing troop deployments, conducting training to keep artifacts operating non-stop…
Also, in Stage 50, all kinds of monsters pour out from the Black Lake.
In other words, monsters emerge as both ground forces and air forces.
Naturally, our defense line also had to be divided into ground defense forces and air defense forces.
The black dragon wall [Knight Bringer] installed on the outskirts, and Crossroad's original southern wall standing firm after emergency repairs inside it.
Troops, supplies, defense equipment, and artifacts were densely packed on top of the double-layered walls.
"Infinite monsters…"
Lucas, the field commander for this final battle who was watching the installation process, looked at me.
"If it's Your Lordship's order, I will defend until the end of this world."
I smiled bitterly at this sturdy bravado.
But was it perhaps not just empty words to give me courage?
As Lucas spoke, the other heroes and soldiers standing on the wall checking the deployment all smiled and looked at me.
Everyone was sincerely prepared to fight and overcome the endless monsters that would pour out in the final battle.
"…"
Looking around at these wonderful people, the best warriors, I unconsciously clenched my fist tightly.
Then I simply said:
"I'm counting on you. I trust you with this."
The next moment.
As if they had promised, everyone present raised their hands and struck their chests.
Thud-!
Their hands hitting their armor resonated together, making a deep echoing sound.
I too slowly raised my hand and tapped my chest with my clenched fist.
The final stage.
While everyone on the front here at Crossroad holds off the endless monsters.
I will depart alone.
For the one and only strategy towards the true ending.
One week before the start of Stage 50 at the end of February.
At this time when non-combatants should start being evacuated to the north.
A meeting was held before the final battle.
All the kings participating in the World Guardian Front gathered in the banquet hall of Hotel Crossroad.
"I believe everyone gathered here already knows this, but."
After a brief greeting, I looked around at the kings seated and opened my mouth.
"In one week from now, the final battle that will determine the fate of the world will begin."
Everyone is focused on me.
I raised my voice.
"This is truly the last time. If we win this battle, humanity will survive. If we lose this battle, the world will be completely destroyed."
Suddenly, I was reminded of the ruined world I saw in the nightmare.
The frozen earth, the raging firestorms, the blackened sky, the rain of falling ash…
People living in that hell, unable to die.
"…"
I closed my eyes for a moment, then opened them.
I promised.
Not to regret.
To advance without hesitation on the difficult path I chose.
So.
"I want to ask for your understanding in advance."
At this moment.
I become a tyrant.
"As the commander of the World Guardian Front, as the racial deity of humanity, representing the will of all people in the mortal world…"
Looking around at the audience, I declared without wavering.
For the one and only path I have chosen.
"I intend to completely destroy our world."