Volume 10 Chapter 11 (1/2)

We were able to gain more of the metal that exceeded orichalcum, and gave it the name of Avalon Jewel.

It had impressive lightness, receptiveness to magic power, durability, magic resistance, and more.

It was so light in fact that its specific gravity was 1.5, which was less than a quarter of iron's.

Moreover, it had other special characteristics according to Rorono.

While it was a mineral, it offered a similar function to that of an ultra-high grade information integrated circuit and data processing system that converted emotions to a proportional amount of magic power. When Rorono said that it was like a or a , it suddenly became easier to understand.

Additionally, by pouring in magic power of a specific wavelength, its mass could be increased. If we were to apply this, we could make a usually light and easy to wield weapon that would turn heavy the moment it hit its target.

…and then, Rorono whispered Or we can also make a Black Hole canon.

I didn't react, but making such a terrifyingly dangerous thing could be interesting.

At any rate, we came to the [Mine] room today as well to redo what we did yesterday.

That said, even though it was fine yesterday to just wait for the reset time and do nothing else, a second round of that was quite wasteful of our time.

And so, I brought the necessary paperwork and worked on them in the simple tent that was set up. When it was time for my appointment with some merchants, I intended to return to Avalon. If the reset happened while I was away, there was nothing else to it than to try again the day after.

Meanwhile, Rorono had various tools and machinery, and did her research here.

”Master, I have a proposal.”

”I'm listening.”

”If you're going to use [Awakening] anyway, rather than this troublesome method, why not use [Create] on lumps of orichalcum as well as Avalon-Ritters to obtain a large amount of Avalon Jewel?”

”Oh, I haven't thought of that.”

If the three knights, which were golems made of orichalcum, turned into golems made of Avalon Jewel when I used [Create] on them, it was reasonable to think that even regular Avalon-Ritters would become made of it too.

Moreover, it might also be possible to turn orichalcum itself into Avalon Jewel.

Compared to the method of timing my [Awakening] with the [Mine]'s reset point, where we could only gain 2 kilograms of Avalon Jewel in a day, this method might be able to give us much more.

”Let's try it. However, since we don't know yet if it'll succeed, and since I really don't want to use [Awakening] twice in a day due to the exhaustion it brings, let's try it during the reset method.”

”Mhm, I agree. In the meantime, I'll bring in the necessary Avalon-Ritter and orichalcum.”

”Ok. But I just had another idea. Why not use [Create] again on an evolved knight? Maybe it'll evolve again, be made of a metal that exceeds even Avalon Jewel.”

”That's a great idea. Let's do it. I'll summon the black knight as well.”

Rorono then called out to an apprentice, a Dwarf Smith, and made the latter prepare what we needed.

I just hope this plan goes smoothly…

◇

The day progressed uneventfully. It was now almost dark.

The time of the reset within the day was random, and it seemed that it was going to be quite late today.

I had already settled all of my work today. Meanwhile, Rorono was still busy with her work.

She had already entrusted a great deal of work to the capable Dwarf Smiths, but a lot still remained on her plate.

Development for Fallen Angel Raphael's weapon; examining the Avalon Jewel as well as exploring its applications especially for her [Mechanical Warmaiden]; analyzing the data from the evolved three knights and developing a method to mass produce them; and a whole lot more.

According to her though, it's all to support Avalon, so I don't mind.

When I thought of suggesting a coffee break to her, the instrument to sense for signs of the reset gave out an alarm.

”Master, it's time”

Alright, time to use [Awakening].

This was the first time I was going to use it two days in a row.

Like always, my magic power swelled, dark power and dark thoughts raged within me, and dark wings sprouted from my back.

When I assumed the form that unleashed my potential…

”Ugh!”

My heart creaked.

I felt my whole existence being eroded away. Every part of me that could still feel felt such an unbelievably agonizing sensation.

Soon after, my vision became blurred.

What? What is this? What's going on? AM I DYING!? I'm… I'm scared.

Such were my thoughts as I fell to my knees.

”Father! Are you ok, father!?”

Rorono rushed toward me and embraced me.

But then, I coughed out some blood.

Haaa. Haaaaa. Haaaaaaa. Deep breaths, deep breaths.

”I-I'm alright… I just, I just underestimated [Awakening]”

Marcho had warned me that if I use it too much, my lifespan would shorten.

I thought that if I used it several times a day but kept the activation time short, there would be no problems. Similarly, I thought that if I limited its use to once a day, there would be no problems in using it every day.

Now that I had tried it though, using it every day was out of the question. There needed to be more time in between.

”I'm so sorry, father. If, if only I didn't make such a selfish request-”

”There's nothing you have to apologize for. This is my own fault. After we've finished here, if I just go back home and eat one of Aura's golden apples, I'll be well in no time.”

During that time, Rorono's sensor indicated that the reset had happened.

That's our first goal down. Now, I just need to push myself a little bit more.

I was already in [Awakening], so I didn't see how using [Create] would make things worse.

And so, I stood up and walked unsteadily toward the Avalon-Ritters and the lump of orichalcum.

”Father, stop. Please, that's enough.”

”We mustn't waste the chance. I know I can still do this much. [Create]”

Thus, I used [Create] on three things.

The black knight which had already evolved once through [Create].

One of the regular Avalon-Ritters.

And a lump of orichalcum.

To my shock, the black knight refused to accept the magic power I was pouring into it. Thankfully, the other two accepted it just fine.

I wanted to see the results as soon as possible. When I tried to focus, my mind went blank and I fell forward.

”Father! Father!”

Off in the distance, I could faintly hear Rorono's voice.

◇

I opened my eyes.

I looked at my surroundings and realized that I was in my room.

”Oh, thank goodness, you're finally awake, father.”

Upon seeing me wake up, Rorono's eyes quickly overflowed with tears.

I passed out, huh.

I had little doubt that this was caused by using [Create] after being weakened by the use of [Awakening] two days in a row.