NOVEL NEXT Chapter 168
Kasia Juel
The head of the Juel School, grandfather of Julia, and an expert in gem magic dealing with ores and minerals, is known among wizards as “Master Juel” or “Juel-sama.”
He and our Irene master have been friends since childhood, with their bond starting when the master saved him during the war era.
Since then, they have lived together like family, helping each other for a long time.
I went to visit Juel-sama with Julia after a long time.
Thanks to the success of our game magic, the Juel School building has been grandly expanded.
True to a school that primarily handles ores, a huge amethyst was embedded in the center of the building.
We entered the school building and walked toward Juel-sama’s office.
Julia, using her granddaughter privilege, casually entered the office, where Juel-sama was working.
Juel-sama, a stylish grandfather with bronze skin and white hair, proudly boasted a vitality that made him look far younger than his 80s.
In the past, he had many struggles, but with money, it seems people can stay young.
I greeted Juel-sama immediately.
“Grandfather! We’re here!!”
“Hello. It’s been a while, Juel-sama.”
“Oh dear, who is this? My granddaughter’s son-in-law, right?”
“Really♡ Grandfather! Yuren is not my son-in-law yet!”
Juel-sama has called me a son-in-law since old times.
In the past, I corrected him that my name was Yuren, but now I just let it slide.
“So, what brings you both here so suddenly? Is it news about grandchildren, perhaps?”
“Grandfather!!!”
“Oh dear, you startled me. I can still hear!”
Julia was shouting next to Juel-sama, embarrassed.
Seeing Juel-sama tease Julia is always amusing.
I showed Juel-sama the blueprint for Alterion No. 14 and asked for help with our problem.
“A golem as big as a magic tower? My granddaughter’s son-in-law is up to some fun again.”
“Yes, and I need suitable ores and minerals for the golem. I hope you can help, Juel-sama.”
Juel-sama calmly replied while sipping tea.
“Just your word?”
“Of course, I’ll pay you for it.”
I pulled out a contract I had prepared in advance.
However, Juel-sama pushed the contract back, saying,
“Oh, just keep the money. Thanks to my granddaughter’s son-in-law, I already have plenty.”
“Then what do you want…”
Juel-sama suddenly feigned weakness and, looking at Julia, said,
“It’s not that, but I would like to see my granddaughter’s wedding sooner rather than later.”
“G-Grandfather!!?”
Juel-sama’s words shocked both me and Julia.
Is he launching a wedding surprise attack!?
In my flustered state, Juel-sama quietly handed me a written agreement.
“Well, if you really get married, it will take time for preparations, so today I just want a promise from my grandson-in-law. Then I can lend my strength as much as you need.”
The written agreement stated that I vow to marry Julia.
I held it up.
Then I quietly handed it to Juel-sama, saying,
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Y-Yuren…”
Julia gave me a look as if the sky were falling.
To make sure Julia wouldn’t cry, I quickly added,
“Because even without this, I was planning to get married to her.”
“………W-What!?”
Yeah, I had already decided before.
I wanted to officially marry everyone.
Due to social status, my legal wife would be Sylvia, but I wanted to live alongside Julia, Sora, and my mentor. I loved all of them.
“I’ve thought about this before. I want to take responsibility for Julia and everyone.”
“Yuren…”
“Julia… will you marry me? I’ll make you happy just like now.”
I pulled out the ring I had prepared in my pocket.
Then I placed it on Julia’s finger.
The ring, made to match Julia’s image, was adorned with a yellow gemstone resembling a sunflower.
Julia, seemingly dazed, stared at the ring for a while before tears rolled down her cheeks as she said,
“I-I may be lacking, but please take care of me from now on. Yuren, no… darling♡”
My friend, Julia, who had clung to me since childhood.
Though she was greedy for money and had a straightforward personality, she was thoughtful and always by my side.
She was truly an extraordinary woman for me, and I decided to keep her by my side.
No matter how people pointed fingers at us.
While I was lost in thought, Julia suddenly threw herself into my arms.
I felt her soft warmth against my chest and inhaled her sunflower-like fragrance after a long time.
At that moment, I made eye contact with Juel-sama, who was watching us with a smile, and we communicated via magical telepathy.
“(Well done, grandson-in-law. Just keep doing that.)”
“(Thank you for your help, Juel-sama.)”
In fact, all of this was a script concocted by me and Juel-sama.
I was unsure how to propose for the first time, and Juel-sama suggested this plan.
That day, I secured Julia’s marriage promise and solved the issue of ores and minerals needed for the Alterion project.
It was another step closer to achieving the dream of a giant robot.
*
“The body will be an alloy made from a mixture of [5 Iron Ore, 1 Dragon Claw, 2 Lava Grasshopper Shells].”
“Can we really combine them in those proportions?”
“If you blend them this way, you will create a lightweight metal with high flexibility and a high magical absorption rate suitable for a golem.”
“Wow! To think there’s such good information! I’ll remember this, Juel-sama!”
Later, Juel-sama came to our laboratory and started helping with the creation of the giant robot.
Honestly, the assistance we expected was just him sharing the alloy manufacturing recipe.
However, after hearing about my robot production plan in another world, Juel-sama packed his bags and headed straight to the warehouse where the giant robot was being constructed.
We tried to dissuade him, thinking he might be overdoing it at his age, but Juel-sama was unyielding.
“Grandfather! It seems like too much!”
“Julia, when will this old man ever get a chance to create something like this again? Let me do what I want.”
“What’s so special about making a giant golem!?”
Juel-sama spoke with the same serious expression he had when we mentioned our marriage.
“Doesn’t it make you feel cool?”
Indeed, my father-in-law knows a thing or two!
Thus, with Juel-sama joining us, the “Metal Core” project took off.
We quickly created a new chassis and outer body.
The piloted golem was named “Metal Core,” based on the game title.
The outer design of “Metal Core” was done by Lauren and resembled a paladin armor suitable for a fantasy world while maintaining a semblance to a conventional mecha.
Of course, though experts gathered, success couldn’t be achieved all at once.
We faced various issues such as poor connectivity and ore ratio errors, leading us to several trial and error phases.
After four attempts, we finally completed “Alterion No. 17,” with both the internal framework and outer shell done.
Not only the exterior but we also upgraded the control room inside.
We made explosive improvements such as a full 360-degree display and a complete neural interface allowing the pilot to control the robot with thoughts.
This operation part was crafted by our Irene school’s game development team.
The male priests, such as Jiren, Noirin, and Barren, actively collaborated, and the accumulated know-how of the control interface was utilized.
Finally, the day arrived for the official test of “Alterion No. 17,” into which everyone’s efforts had poured.
*
People gathered in front of the storage facility of Irene Land, where the outer storage and Alterion were being made.
The “Metal Core” project had not yet been widely announced.
Some heard about golems being made, others claimed huge dolls, while some whispered about giant bone figures.
The news had spread yesterday that an 8-meter tall steel golem, which people could pilot and control, was to be tested today.
The onlookers were from the Irene School and Irene Land, curious to see the spectacle.
Seated at a makeshift command center made by pushing together a few desks were members of the Irene School.
People murmured while Sylvia, feeling the pressure of everyone’s gaze, messaged Yuren.
“Yuren… do we really have to conduct this test?”
[“Chiiik— It’s common sense to do it like this when a robot, aka a piloted golem, is dispatched!”]
With that lousy common sense, Sylvia genuinely wished to open Yuren’s head and fix that so-called common sense.
However, seeing Yuren having so much fun, she decided to go along with him this time and sighed while proceeding with the test.
“Then we’ll start the test now. Gate open.”
“Confirmed! Opening the gate now.”
At Sylvia’s command, Karen manipulated the crystal ball, and the storage doors began to open.
As the massive door creaked open, from the inside appeared “Alterion No. 17,” radiating a yellow glow with its white armor.
“Wow!!!”
“Awesome!!!”
The sight of “Alterion No. 17,” boasting a soft outer shell rather than a clunky rock-like golem, dazzled everyone, especially the kids.
However, “Alterion No. 17” showed no sign of moving yet.
“Checking the deployment system of ‘Alterion No. 17.’”
“System check complete. No issues.”
At Sylvia’s words, Julia checked the status displayed on the crystal ball.
Pondering the meaning of such a spectacle, Sylvia focused diligently on her captain duties.
“’Alterion No. 17,’ deployment authorized.”
“Understood. Pilot Yuren! The captain has authorized ‘Alterion No. 17’ to deploy.”
With Sylvia’s final authorization, Sora exchanged communications with Yuren for final permission.
Yuren then replied.
“Alterion No. 17, Yuren Maker! Deploying now!!”
As Yuren responded, “Alterion No. 17” started to move.
Boom!
Boom!!
The massive steel golem rose, gradually moving outside the storage with a thunderous sound.
It was the moment “Alterion No. 17” stood on the ground.