Volume 10 Chapter 10 (1/2)

In the [War] against the [Pig] Demon Lord, the three new models of the Avalon-Ritters—the three knights as we called them—were seriously damaged.

After receiving Rorono's permission, I used [Create]—an ability I could only use while in the [Awakening] state—and made the three knights evolve.

These evolved knights were made stronger by their advanced materials as well as by several new technologies.

By advanced materials, I was primarily referring to the unknown magic metal they were made of. Even Rorono, the world's best blacksmith, was unable to identify it. Whatever it was though, it exceeded even orichalcum in terms of lightness, receptiveness to magic power, durability, magical resistance, and more.

When the [War] ended, Rorono began analyzing the evolved three knights. At the same time, she was also trying to figure out how to reproduce them.

At the very least, she was thinking of how to obtain more of that mysterious metal.

And so, she considered the [Mine] dungeon room which produced metals in accordance to the Demon Lord's strength.

Alas, we had already done a thorough survey after the [War], and the new metal was nowhere to be seen. All of the recent levels that I gained as well as the strength I had gained from my [Monsters of the Covenant] did increase the amount of orichalcum present, but there was nothing more than that.

Today, we were going to do a new experiment.

Considering that a Demon Lord's strength increased vastly when in the [Awakening] state, it follows that the metals that we could mine would improve if I assumed such a state. Perhaps then we could find that new metal.

However, just because I was in the [Awakening] state didn't mean that the [Mine] room's deposits would change instantly. [Mine] rooms updated their deposits at only one uncertain point in time each day. In other words, I needed to time when I would be in the [Awakening] state to that reset point.

Under those assumptions, Rorono asked for my cooperation.

…and then, I carelessly forgot and postponed it.

My carelessness aside, there was a reason we were only doing this today. The short of it was that [Awakening] was extremely exhausting.

At the moment, I could only stay in that state for a few minutes.

That meant that we needed to pinpoint the exact time the reset occurs or risk doing it for nothing. For that reason, Rorono had to develop equipment to detect the signs for the reset first before we could proceed.

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”Master, here's your tea.”

”Thanks, Rorono”

At the moment, we were in the [Mine] Room. While waiting for the sensor nearby to pick up some signs for the reset, we sat down, enjoyed some tea and snacks, and watched the golems continuously dig.

When I looked up, I saw some Darkness Dragons flying as fast as they could. Most likely, they were training for the races. The prize being the privilege of eating as much as they could in the [Forest] room, each one of them was deadly serious.

Looking at the dragons, I was then reminded of the B rank monsters that I unlocked when I made Fallen Angel Raphael.

I should examine them more closely.

I only just glanced at my Demon Lord book so I wasn't really sure why, but apparently, I could make [Maelstroms] for them. My theory was that because I didn't use [Person], they were classified as holy bird monsters rather than humanoid monsters.

Whatever the case, they were probably going to be another key component of my war potential.

”Rorono, is your analysis of the evolved 3 knights going well?”

”Mhm. I have completed all the necessary tests. I could say with confidence that I have learned most the techniques and technologies used. Knowing what I know now, it really is too bleeding edge. I'm a bit jealous, to be honest… but then again, it seems I can improve their designs further, so that gives me some measure of satisfaction. It also seems likely that I can mass-produce them.”

Amazing as always. She did all that while preparing our new home and developing the sensors? Just wow.

”And if this experiment succeeds and we can mine the new magic metal, what do you plan to do with it?”

”First on my list is improving my [Mechanized Warmaiden]. The battle against the [Pig] Demon Lord has shown me that its current form is utterly insufficient. Both Kuina and Aura have grown and are continuing to grow stronger. If I stay as I am, I will definitely get left behind. Thus, I must also grow stronger. That being said, once I have improved my [Mechanized Warmaiden], I want to make better weapons for the two of them and all the others.”

”I look forward to that. Once you've done it, show to me, alright?”

”Of course. Actually, on the assumption that we would succeed today, I have already begun making designs. In the case that the experiment today is a failure, however, I'm considering of dismantling one of the three evolved knights.”

Rorono said so with a serious look on her face.

It seemed like, as the world's best alchemist, she wanted to experiment with the new material no matter what.

The two of us continued to chat idly.

The time of the reset wasn't fixed. In fact, it was randomized. All that was certain was that it would happen once a day. And since the sensors haven't detected anything today, we should be able to catch it as long as we waited long enough.

It might take a while, but I didn't dislike these moments. After all, Rorono who was doing her best to hold a conversation with me was very adorable.

And so, we waited.

After some time, it arrived.

The nearby sensor made loud and incessant sounds.

”Master, the reset will happen begin in one minute. Please prepare to use [Awakening]!”

”Got it.”

Filled with excitement, Rorono said so with a raised voice.

And now, time to test our theory.

”[Awakening]!”

Like always, magic power within me rose. Alongside it were these dark urges.

I allowed these dark urges to take hold, but denied them of one last shred of my consciousness.

Without looking away, I faced my dark self who was full of ugly desires and controlled it.

My back swelled, and then eventually revealed black wings.

At the same time, my eyes glowed as though it was set ablaze.

Throughout the process, my power rose and rose.

After a while, my transformation was complete. I have Awakened.

”Rorono, has the reset happened yet?”

”Not yet. 30 more seconds… 20… 10… 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, now!”

Appearance-wise, nothing changed, but I myself felt the [Mine] shifting within.

”Golems, begin the survey!”

As per Rorono's instruction, golems carrying special equipment deployed.

This special equipment was for detecting the presence of the new magic metal. According to Rorono, this unknown metal gave off a different enough signature from orichalcum and other metals that she needed to develop a new tool to detect it.

”Master, please stay in that state for as long as possible. It's possible that there are already some of the new metal under the ground, but let's make sure first.”

”I can't hold on for long, but yeah, I'll give you what I can.”

At this point, I was drenched in my sweat.

Like always, [Awakening] was exhausting.

But if for the sake of gaining a new and better metal, it was totally worth it.

The one who has truly worked hard was Rorono. I could only imagine the amount of effort she had put in to prepare for today.

Even now, she was doing her best. She was quickly analyzing the vast amount of data being sent to her tablet computer as well as to the computer terminals being carried by golems.

”How is it?”

”…the [Mine]'s deposits certainly have changed. There are now nearly twice as much orichalcum than usual. Our theory that the [Mine] will adjust its deposits to reflect the Demon Lord's power levels during the time of the reset is spot on.”