06-25 The Golems

“Then, next is the Minister of Finances, Blaoroot-sama.”

A thin-haired elderly man stepped forward and bowed.

“Golem, ‘Zingel’. The Magi Craftsman is Yarui-Dale-dono.”

From under the cloth appeared a rather normal golem, bronze-colored and with the figure of a girl in her 15s.

“That’s rather ordinary.”

“Well, surely that’s the norm.”

The n.o.bles whispered the conclusions they came to after evaluation. However, when ‘Zingel’ began its demonstration surprise painted those faces.

–A flower blooming on a plain, the meadow swaying in the wind

–A glittering cloud, the blue heavens reaching everywhere

–A singing bird, the trees are really noisy

–A gentle wind, this beautiful land.

It sang with a clear, pure voice.

“Ooh…”

“How beautiful…”

Although the singing golem wasn’t as flashy as the previous ‘Ceres’ had been, after performing three pieces it left everyone with a strong impression.

And after that the party continued with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Domestic Affairs, and the Minister of Defense. Their golems were pa.s.sable.

“Minister of Magic, Kelhidore-sama.”

A man with a small build similar to Jin stepped forward.

“Golem, ‘Helios’. It is my own work.”

And then, a pure white golem appeared from under the cloth.

“Oooh!”

“That appearance!”

On the golem’s back there were equally pure white wings.

Jin recalled the golem he saw in Port Rock, but this Helios was more refined than it.

“Angel…”

Someone whispered that word. Jin was extremely curious about it, but he had no one to ask.

Helios fluttered her wings slowly, she didn’t fly but gave four elegant bows to the surroundings.

“What a beauty.”

That must’ve been the honest thoughts of the people watching.

After that, one golem after another was presented.

So far, the ratio of male figures to female figures was about 3:7.

“The feudal lord of Blue Land, Duke Blue-sama.”

Finally Duke Blue’s name was called.

“Golem, ‘Tauros’. Magi Craftsman, Jade Nepheloi.”

Duke Blue’s golem was unmistakably a male-type, and furthermore had a large build.

“Oooooooh!”

“How mighty!”

“Looks reliable.”

Its outward appearance suited its armor with a black l.u.s.tre, being over two meters tall. Today instead of a sword it was holding a s.h.i.+eld.

Not only that, it was one of those so-called huge tower s.h.i.+elds.

Its overwhelming intimidating air pressured the people watching without any particular demonstration.

“The a.s.sistant feudal lord of Blue Land, administrator of the eastern section, Earl Kuzuma-sama.”

Earl Kuzuma stepped forward, and gave a neat bow right out of a textbook.

“Golem, ‘Lotte’. Magi Craftsman, Jin.”

None of the people watching were surprised when Lotte was revealed from under the cloth. However,

“My name is Lotte. I pledge fealty to Your Royal Highness.”

She stated with a clear voice, and when with smooth movements she followed a va.s.sal’s etiquette, those with discerning eyes watched it their eyes open wide. Rather than smooth, the movements could be called those of a human’s.

But, the majority of people present didn’t realize it,

“Hmm, how ordinary.”

“She’s wearing a maid’s clothes, but that’s where the novelty ends.”

Remarks like that which missed the point were said.

“…Jin, was it. Just what kind of a man is he?”

“Well, it’s just hearsay, but apparently he’s the Magi Craftsman who built the golem that won the recent golem boat compet.i.tion in Port Rock.”

“Is he a freelancer?”

“No, I’m sorry to say that it seems Shouro Kingdom’s Reinhardt-dono has secured him.”

“…That’s a shame.”

However, a conversation like that was had among one subgroup of the n.o.bles.

“The a.s.sistant feudal lord of Blue Land, administrator of the western section, Earl Guarana-sama.”

It was Earl Guarana’s turn.

“Golem, ‘Owl’. Magi Craftsman, Bootes.”

The gilded golem was presented.

“Huh.”

“Gaudy, isn’t it?”

“It’s just a thing of an upstart Earl.”

The a.s.sessment seemed to be on the harsh side.

“Feudal lord of Streal, Viscount Grieri-sama.”

It was the n.o.ble who accommodated them the other day.

“Golem, ‘Iron’. Magi Craftsman, Gladia Hampton.”

The golem was built by Beana’s teacher.

Isn’t this just a regular type of golem, people thought as they saw what looked like a standard male-type golem.

The presentation continued, and finally it was the invitees’ turn.

“Shouro Empire diplomat, Reinhardt-sama.”

Reinhardt stepped forward.

“Golem, ‘Schwarz Ritter’. It is my own work.”

He removed the cloth and unveiled Schwarz Ritter.

“Ooh, so that’s the rumored Schwarz Ritter.”

“I see, a symmetrical balanced form, and natural movements.”

“If you had a hundred of those golems surely you’d have nothing to fear.”

Typical of combat golems, Schwarz Ritter wielded a wooden fake sword and displayed several forms.

The fake sword was of course because of being in front of royalty.

“Celuroa Kingdom’s special envoy, Dominique-sama.”

A young woman stepped forward. She bowed elegantly so that her blond hair reached down at her waist level.

“Golem, ‘Loiseau’. It is my own work.’

Apparently she was also a Magi Craftsman. That ‘Loiseau’ golem was some kind of a bird-type golem. It had red, blue, and yellow feathers.

As one would expect, it was heavy enough to also not be able to fly, but its chirping and wing-flapping figure was rather authentic. Above all, its value was in the skill required to make it only the size of a pigeon.

Since the n.o.bles that came from afar didn’t bring any golems with them, Dominique’s ‘Loiseau’ was the last one.

“Splendid work, everyone. It is difficult to say which one is the best, but later on We will rank them using Our own judgement, so no hard feelings.”

The King’s voice echoed.

“Be that as it may, time for consideration is needed. And therefore, even though it is a stand-up meal, please enjoy the food. Everyone, I’d like you to put aside your rank and freely enjoy yourselves.”