Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Tracking the Darkness (5)
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The tracker I'd made was simple.
It was a portable device that looked like a walkie-talkie or detector, powered by a leaf as its core.
In other words, it was a leaf CPU running on mana crystals as the power source.
When it absorbed external mana, the leaf reacted accordingly.
Through the analysis and replication magic engraved inside, it became possible to track it.
Changes in the leaf when it absorbed mana.
Distortions in space-time and so on from that.
By analyzing these, it could track the corresponding mana.
The replication magic converted those results into something easy for people to read.
"A primitive display, I suppose you could call it."
Of course, if made properly, it could be something entirely different.
I wouldn't sell it, but if I did, it would fetch at least three billion.
The tracker was complete.
Now I just needed to prove it worked.
I quickly approached the golem nearby.
It was one left unpurified due to the tracking mission.
I held the tracker out in front of it.
"One problem: whether the black mage's mana is still lingering here. That's the issue."
If the mana was mixed, I could spend some time separating it.
But if there was no mana from the original caster of the black magic, this tracker would be utterly useless.
Still, I had to give it a try.
The tracker began absorbing the corrupted golem's mana.
As the leaf fed on the mana, the device gradually activated.
Soon, results appeared on the tracker.
"...Oh! Success!"
It worked!
An arrow indicating direction pointed west.
The distance was displayed too, but it didn't show properly since it was quite far.
Still, with the golem to the south, it was definitely tracking different mana.
"But why did it work?"
Honestly, I thought it would take several experiments to succeed.
Or fail outright.
I hadn't expected it to work on the first try.
"Well, good is good."
With the tracking device made, now I just needed to talk to Lieutenant Colonel Return.
I turned off the device's power and prepared to head out.
I roughly fixed my hair and threw on some clothes when someone opened the door and came in.
Who was it?
"Ah, Lieutenant Colonel."
"Edn, it's time to give me answers."
Speak of the devil.
I was just about to go out, so I could show him right here.
I led him inside from the doorway.
Standing in front of the golem, I turned on the device I'd just shut off.
"It's complete."
The tracking device absorbed the mana and soon displayed results.
Lieutenant Colonel Return, watching from the side, had his eyes widen slightly.
"Well, I'll be. Interesting. Edn, you always come up with the strangest things."
"Haha, so are we tracking now?"
"No, first report to His Majesty."
He told me to prepare for tracking and gave me the tracking team's garrison location.
After reporting to the emperor, he'd follow, he said, sending me ahead.
I arrived at the tracking team's base and chatted with familiar faces: Reting and Fiona.
About how the tracking would proceed, the current situation, and so on.
A day later, the lieutenant colonel arrived at the garrison.
"Alright, unstick those heavy asses. We're moving."
Reting, who had been talking with me, looked puzzled at the lieutenant colonel's words.
"We're heading out right now?"
"Yes. Edn, take the lead. You're the only one who knows how to handle that thing."
"Understood."
The tracking team, organized around me, finally set out.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The tracking team had to cover a surprisingly long distance.
We rode hard in cars equipped with mana engines, but it still took days.
All the while, the tracker diligently showed direction and distance.
Occasionally it veered oddly, forcing us to stop.
But after a few hours, it returned to the original path.
At first, we'd even followed those detours.
Anyway, we were nearing the suspected location of the black mage's hideout.
"About 5 km left."
"Is that right? Then from here, we go on foot. We can't risk being spotted."
We hid the carriage we'd ridden this far and proceeded.
The tracking team even split into three groups.
The reason was the team's considerable size.
To avoid detection, Lieutenant Colonel Return, me, and a few soldiers went together.
The rest waited at the 1 km mark.
If combat broke out, they'd join and fight together.
The lieutenant colonel packed his gear and told me to stay behind the mass-produced golem.
"It'll probably come down to one-on-one with the black mage. I trust my men, but since we don't know the enemy, better safe."
So what should I do?
I pondered deeply while following behind the lieutenant colonel.
First, supporting in combat with a mass-produced golem was out of the question.
I'd just get in the way, and it'd be smashed instantly.
Magic support?
That was pointless too.
As I thought it over, I glanced down at the World Tree leaf.
A leaf unharmed even after absorbing black magic mana.
"Maybe it could work?"
Weakening or nullifying black magic via the World Tree leaf.
If the leaf didn't get corrupted, it could produce something useful.
"But how to modify it here?"
Hmm, let's see once we get there.
I wouldn't know if help was needed until then.
The march continued.
We walked a normal dirt path that gradually led into the forest.
Moving slowly through the dense woods, careful not to step on twigs underfoot.
The lieutenant colonel, now taking point, soon raised a fist.
At the signal, everyone stopped, and he spoke.
"It's just ahead. Everyone, take positions. Edn, get back with the mass-produced golem. Or scout if there are any allies around."
"Understood."
After issuing orders, the lieutenant colonel crouched and advanced.
I watched him go, then looked at the tracking device and golem.
"Maybe it'll work."
Using the golem somehow might do the trick.
As I mulled over ideas in my head, a loud explosion rang out.
Boom!
"Whoa, already fighting?"
Looking toward the sound, ominous mana clashed with sharp, pure mana.
It looked like a contest of strength; I couldn't tell who had the edge.
They fought between trees—no, smashing through them.
They'd clear a clearing soon enough.
"Guess I don't need to fight?"
Honestly, no need for me to step in, right?
I was about to watch when the atmosphere around us turned dire.
"W-What's that?!"
"Damn it! Block it! Block it now!"
Thud!
Bang!
The ground shook like an earthquake, and something approached!
I whipped my head around. What the hell was that?
"Grroooaaarrr!"
A golem body topped with a human head, powered by a pitiful spirit as its core, covered in bizarre tools.
It was like it was born to mock life itself.
No, but that face looked familiar?
"Oh, Goddess! Please banish this monstrosity!"
Prayers erupted everywhere, as if they'd seen something they shouldn't.
Some attacked to draw its attention, but no hits landed effectively.
"No choice, then."
I took the golem and fell back a bit.
Opened the device—no, it's wedged in too tight.
I ended up smashing it to retrieve the leaf.
I pressed it against the spot where the golem's core was.
Already complete, so no modifications possible.
But if I infused mana and twisted it just right...
"There."
As the golem nearly collapsed, the leaf bonded with the core, making it stand again.
It had fused with the leaf.
Hoping it worked as intended.
The leaf had no issues absorbing black magic mana.
Priests would freak out and charge if they knew, but it stayed fine even after consuming it.
Attaching such a leaf to the golem.
If my hunch was right, every hit from my golem would weaken the enemy.
"Alright, go! Debuff Golem!"
Thud! Thud!
The golem charged at the horrific one on my command.
The enemy golem rushed mine on sight.
"Kroooar! Edn...!"
"No way that's him?"
Phillips Hyta.
The guy who turned to morning dew at the execution grounds—why was he there?
I thought he was dead for sure.
Or maybe his corpse was being used?
"Either way, this is getting tiresome, Phillips."
One of the nobles who dragged me to the council.
Then we met again in the rebellion.
And now as a golem.
Crash!
The two golems' fists collided, shockwaves rippling outward.
Phillips's golem pushed mine back.
But that was fine.
Mine wasn't the type to overwhelm early on.
The two golems exchanged blows twice, three times, and more.
At first, mine seemed to be losing ground, but gradually it started pushing back.
Noticing, some tracking team members joined in.
Firing magic, supporting my golem, they pressed Phillips's golem.
Vines sprouted from the earth, binding Phillips's golem.
Frost magic crept along the ground, freezing its legs.
My golem seized the moment, smashing a fist into its face.
Absorbing mana simultaneously, half of Phillips's face caved in.
"Oof."
Fortunately, it didn't get even uglier.
Phillips's golem knelt from that final blow.
Its head drooped, motionless.
As my golem stepped back, I saw its core lose its glow.
We won.
"And it beat that thing?"
The World Tree leaf might be even more incredible than I'd thought.
Used right, it could do much more.
As I retrieved the leaf from the golem, Lieutenant Colonel Return seemed to have finished his fight too.
He approached, shaking blood from his hands.
Glancing at my golem and Phillips's, he smiled faintly.
"It's over. And good work, Edn."
"Haha, that's me."
"Don't let a little praise go to your head."
"Ah, yes sir."
I'd heard that line before, but no dice this time.
His face suggested battle-worn nerves.
What the hell happened?
Curious, but cleanup first.
Phillips, huh. Looks like his house's seven generations are doomed.