'Darn it, my vision is darkening. What should I do? Walker can't be moved at all. I can't even open it. Am I going to die like this? Die on the third day? For saving the goblins who might not do the same?' If only he could, Ailord would have clenched his fists tightly, knowing this always happens. Every time his heart weakens and hurts not only his body but also his mind.
"Ailord is much stronger because he can do it even when injured..."
Once again, that sentence appeared in his mind, making him feel both warm and cold, realizing the one who said it has truly gone.
'If only... If only... I... I truly miss you, mother,' he whispered softly in his heart as tears flowed down. He still hadn't fully accepted his mother's departure, especially when he could have prevented it.
'But now, maybe now I can meet you. I can finally apologize in person.'
Glok, still in shock, quickly regained consciousness and destroyed the medbay. He knew the person inside the Construct would be angry, but saving his own life was the most important thing, and Glok was sure he felt grateful for being saved. Because he could see, the light of life slowly vanished from those red eyes.
The Commander called out to him, startled by the sound of breaking glass from behind. He shouted, asking Glok where he was going with such a worried expression. The Commander was confused because there was no friend or anyone he knew other than them towards the silent iron Construct...
He looked over there, equally surprised to find someone inside. The Commander tried to stand up, even though his body was trembling after being thrown quite hard earlier. He used his sword as a support and loudly commanded, "Help the young master save the iron Construct!"
The soldiers were stunned, not understanding. Why should they 'save' instead of 'repair'? Constructs are indeed alive, but they are still Automatons, creatures created from magic. So saving didn't sound appropriate for them.
However, the Commander had given the order. They just assumed the Commander misspoke because they were still in shock from the battle that had taken place. But, that thought quickly changed when they saw blood flowing from the cracks of the Construct, something impossible to happen. Especially when the young master shouted for anyone inside to stay conscious and not give up.
"WE WILL SAVE YOU! KEEP HOLDING ON!!"
Glok hurriedly searched for something to open the Construct but found no buttons, levers, magical seals, or anything resembling them. Moreover, this Construct looked smoother, with a form never seen before. A form that was more like a bipedal creature rather than the strange, inexplicable beings. What he knew was that the strange-shaped Construct was designed to enhance a specific status and could focus on that status because trying to create a balanced status Construct was impractical and would consume a lot of mana.
Mana Cores themselves were not cheap. It took a considerable effort to bring them out of the cave after mining. Too many powerful monsters guarded the surroundings. Although not as strong as the lizards in this forest, ordinary troops couldn't do much against them.
"AHH! I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!" he exclaimed irritably. 'I shouldn't have skipped Construct lessons.'
"What's wrong, young master?" asked the Commander with a worried expression.
Glok looked at him, panic clearly visible on his usually confident face. "I don't know how to open this Construct. I tried to find buttons, levers, or maybe magical seals. But there's nothing. He will definitely die if we leave him like this. And how can he still stand still?"
Glok was ready to lift his heavy body if it fell. However, that didn't happen at all. He should have collapsed powerless from the start. Somehow, he could still stand strong as if he was perfectly fine.
He misunderstood, thinking that the will to live of the person inside was so strong that his legs refused to give up even though he was unconscious. He was increasingly impressed and admired the figure, considering him a great knight who knew no fear, even in the face of death. He was also willing to intervene to save people he doesn't knew, something rare. Especially in the current world atmosphere, when war could break out anytime.
"We should take him to the village while continuously providing healing magic. Maybe that can keep him alive until the village researchers find a way to get him out of the Construct," said the Commander, feeling strange as he said it. He had never heard of someone living inside a Construct and possibly moving it from within. If true, how could that happen? Where was the Mana Core located?
A dark thought suddenly appeared in his mind, making the Commander's eyes widen in shock. 'There's no way. It's not impossible, but no one would willingly do that. What kind of madman would do such a thing?'
The Commander looked back at the figure now unconscious, wondering what had happened in his life that made him willing to do this. One thing was certain; he couldn't imagine the kind of life he led, and it made his hands tremble with concern.
"LIFT THIS CONSTRUCT ONTO THE CART IMMEDIATELY! WE MUST TAKE HIM BACK TO THE VILLAGE!" commanded the Commander, this time much louder and firmer. He didn't want someone who had gone through such a life, even willing to save them, to die. Not under his watch.
Glok, believing in his strength, tried to lift Walker, but the Construct was much heavier than expected, causing his body to tremble. Some soldiers rushed to help, equally surprised when they felt the weight of the Construct. They wondered if the cart would not break under its weight? The cart they brought was just an ordinary wooden cart.
The Commander also realized this, seeing how the young master had to be assisted by several soldiers, and they were all still trembling. He ordered the wizards to cast strengthening magic on the cart and not to deactivate it until they reached the village, or the wooden cart might break.
Meanwhile, the remaining troops prepared the two lizards to be taken back to the village. Although their forms were in disarray, they could at least examine the remaining parts and be better prepared when they met again. Not to forget the Cores from each lizard that they had decided to give to the Construct. They believed that the person inside needed these Cores far more. Besides he was the one who finished them off. And the goblins didn't want to be on the wrong side of that person or be the next ones without form.
The journey to the village took a little longer due to carrying three heavy creatures. They also had to be cautious as there was a possibility that other monsters might smell the blood and come to attack. But it seemed that the scent of lizard blood was enough to scare them off, as no monsters approached within a ten-meter radius. This indicated that these lizards were Apex Predators. It was no wonder only they roamed the inner forest.
Along the way, they also wondered, how could someone be inside a Construct? And why could he be that strong while controlling the Construct at the same time? It required a considerable amount of mana just to move the Construct, let alone using it as what happened earlier with such power. How terrifying must the figure controlling it be?
They couldn't stop looking at the figure who was still unconscious despite continuous healing magic being applied that the wizards had to take turns casting it. From the small damaged parts, they began to speculate about what he was like. Could he be a terrifying person capable of silencing an entire troop with just his gaze? Considering the terrifying stare that left Glok speechless for a moment.
His hands still trembled every time he recalled that incident. Unexpectedly, there's someone other than the heroes who could make him tremble.
'Could he be one of them!?' Glok quickly glanced at him, then shook his head. 'Impossible. The heroes only have ten people, and everyone knows them. He is truly someone new. A mysterious figure. Even his Construct cannot be compared to other Constructs.'
Glok was so deep in thought that he didn't notice someone had sprinted and jumped towards him from the direction of the village gate, where quite a lot people were gathered. Impatiently waiting for the return of the troops, the Commander, and the young master.
"Glok! You're back!!"
The last thing Glok realized before he fell to the ground was a tight embrace from a short-haired female goblin whose scent he had come to know so well. Automatically, a smile formed on Glok's face. Warmth was not only felt from the hug that made him feel at home but also deep within his heart. Realizing, that he had returned to someone he deeply loved.