Isekai Journey Of The Magic Archer

[Eon's POV: ]

[ "Then for the second round of the competition!" ]]

The participants were all gathered at their individual workplaces this time which were arranged to be all separate from one another. 

They all had pretty good space to do whatever they wanted and just like the last competition, there were also some special places with open areas dedicated to the larger things.

The participants looked ready, and, as we looked down from the special balcony once again, the look in the eyes of my house members was still the same.

They weren't afraid, they were prepared for what they had to do, and they were prepared for anything that would be thrown at them.

'Silly people…'

They were determined and there was a unique kind of faith, no, determination in their eyes. A pure determination to achieve something so strongly that their entire focus was fixed on that certain thing.

'They were doing pretty fine on their own though, so, this is fine. Funny, but fine.'

They didn't have to dedicate all that to someone else. They were the ones doing all that so they deserved all the credits that their creations received, not someone that taught them a few little things.'

Anyway, they looked good, and so did the other participants.

'The others who had taken the first round as something simple and passed it without much difficulty were all now in the serious modes.'

They were looking scarier than they had been a while ago. And, this seriousness was understandable since if they did not do good in this round, there was a chance that despite their excellent performance they might get kicked out of the competition.

This was the real thing, and, the tension in the air among the participants, was something that fouled the enthusiasm and excitement of the crowd to another dimension.

[ "All participants will have to create a [Golem] with some kind of elemental properties! The type or kind of the golem does not matter however, the winning criteria would be a working, functional golem that can sustain itself for the duration of this round of the competition!" ]

The announcer revealed the human-sized golem that resembled an Orc warrior who seemed to possess wind attribute abilities. 

Its surface was made of metal, a lightweight metal specifically. And instead of being something robotic, this thing was purely metal, chemicals, and magic. A creation of pure alchemy.

It was a unique-looking model that seemed pretty attractive however, it was also a very functional model that could be used in the construction of large structures.

"That is V-12, isn't it dear?" Lord Justin asked Lady Char with an excited expression present on his face, and, since the announcement had sparked a wave of depression among the participants, his excitement was obvious.

"Specifically, that's a higher-end version that we use for specified tasks. This one is V-15 Anemo. We use this one to cut the harder elemental wood that couldn't be cut with the normal blades."

It was certainly used in the construction work and is one of the best artifacts in the world present among us who would obviously know about this.

Still, though, this was absurd.

"A golem production in the second round? Something like this hasn't happened in decades, right?"

"The last time a golem production was set in the second round was around a century ago if I remember correctly however, at that time, there was a backlash that it was too difficult thing for the people and that it was unfair."

"If I remember correctly, my grandfather had participated in the competition and according to him, the backlash was mostly because the people weren't prepared for something of this level in the early stages of the competition, however… the current time is different."

"I believe the standards of the competition are correct. The participants this time around are the most capable ones the competition has ever had. This much shouldn't be that great of a challenge for this round.

And besides, if the stakes are higher, the fun would be that much higher as well."

"I am excited. Let's see what happens~."

"Kekekeke. I see where this is going. The organizers of the competition this time around certainly aren't holding back at all."

The people were getting more and more excited with the progress and since the announcer was telling the audience what the objective of the competition was and the other things that the participants wouldn't be told, the people all around us were making louder and louder noises.

'The people were still only one thing though, the participants on the ground had mostly fallen into a difficulty dilemma.'

A golem.

In the field of Alchemy, the Golders are artificial life forms that possess basic intelligence and the ability to follow commands. They were similar to robots or artificial golems created in Magic Engineering, however, instead of having software and hardware made of sophisticated technology, these products of alchemy were practically natural creations that did not have anything like sophisticated technology or any artificial intelligence to be precise.

'The golem created purely with alchemy were practically machines that would do anything they were commanded under the guidelines preset by their creators while the artificial golem were golems with artificial intelligence, beings that understand a few things and make a judgment on their own value systems.'

Both of them were used in their unique fields and there are also some instances where the Alchemy is used alongside the Magic engineering to create a higher version of these golems, something called [Automations]. Something I specialise in.

"The participants look to be in quite a bad state, don't you think Master Axion."

"Well, some of them sure do. While on the other hand, some look unexpectedly excited to me. As if they were delighted to receive some 'worthy' challenge."

"Huhuhu, so you can read the emotions of those led people as well."

Lady Carolina was chuckling with her mouth covered with her fan, however, all those who heard this laugh gasped in shock for a moment.

'Haaaa… she is taking this seriously. So much so that this will burden me later.'

Our conversation earlier went on until the competition's second round was about to start and though all four of them were cursing at us for quite a long time for all the absurd things we told them about, we ended the conversation on a positive note. Not that the conversation itself had ended. 

They still asked us for dinner time so that they could finish what we had started, so, we will be having dinner together as well. And of course, I will have to cook for them again.

'Haaaaa…'

Anyway.

She was laughing, and her laugh was not something the people heard often. Not this chuckle of happiness.

They were surprised, taken aback, stunned, and some who knew the real her were looking at me with unblinking eyes of shock.

And, it was uncomfortable. Not their gazes but, their surprise. I… do not like this.

"Ah! Right. Master Axion. I remember you are quite a deep interest in golem production yourself?"

"Automation production, yes. Not specifically golems or artificial golems. I believe proper artificial lifeforms could only be created when Magic, Alchemy, and Technology are combined together."

Master Maverick sensed that I was feeling uncomfortable by them and changed the topic and, his efforts weren't in vain since right after my reply, the people that were glaring at me with that uncomfortable look, changed their way of looking to a look of curiosity and interest.

"Ohh! Automation production~? Isn't that quite a difficult subject to be interested in~? No wait… wait a minute! I have heard that the shops of your mother throughout the continent would be selling some new things that are created by some 'unknown geniuses'. My sources say there is something resembling an Automation among these products as well-"

"Dear, you shouldn't speak of such matters so casually. Please understand the place, time, and situation."

Yes, Master Maverick! Yes!

Please!

'This isn't even the first time he was talking about the things that we wanted to keep confidential! What was he even doing?! Helping me or trying to ruin my months of work?!'

I can not believe this person!

[[ "Calm darling. You are about to explode." ]]

[[ "I want to explode Rein… is this some kind of petty revenge for what we told them? Why did he do it?!" ]]

[[ "Perhaps to show others there is a possibility that you are secretly a super genius in some other fields as well? Well, it didn't seem like he was doing it purposefully." ]]

What did it matter if he was doing it purposefully or not?! Why did he have to tell them we would be selling something like automation in the first place?! Everyone knows those things are restricted for the use of normal people!" ]]

[[ "Well… I don't know about all that. I just don't think he did that on purpose so, just calm down. Take a deep breath and say something or else people will take your silence as a positive answer." ]]

'Ugh… what the hell? I was he was helping me but what is he really up to now?'

The fact that we would be selling my unique inventions was a secret but he had just planted a seed of doubt in the minds of these talkative people.

Now they might link the new things in the shops with me, and if that happens, my life would be even more miserable.

'There is no way out of this. Haaa… only if there was someone to take the credit-… oh! Right! There is someone to take the credit!'

Right. We can do this as well!

I would be in a deeper hole after doing this but being in a deep hole that I can climb out of is better than draining in some endless ocean.

"Master Maverick… and everyone present here."

I didn't think doing this would be the right idea but, since things have come to this…

"I request everyone here to keep the fact about the shops, and new products to yourself. I can compensate you handsomely if you want to sign a confidentiality contract, however, I am the kind of person who believes in the true words of a person more than some contract.

I can confirm there will be some new products we are going to introduce in the market however, none of them belong to me in any creative way. And none are anything like the Automation.

Keeping the identities of the creators confidential is our biggest priority so, WE would like to treat you positively if you give me your word. Your sincere word that the news of these things won't go out of this place. 

However, if you cannot do that, I believe neither I nor Our families would want to maintain any relations with you all.

So… I hope you understand."

I used some of my Solnova behind my voice so there was a sudden silence all around us. And, this silence could have continued for another moment if, Lady Carolina had not spoken up right after me.

"Ah~! Rest assured Master Axion~. We won't be telling about this secret thing to anyone~. Just the secret one though~. Hehe."

She… what did she just say?

"Yes, Master Axion. You can rest assured. You have my word that my words would not interfere with anything you had been planning for the future of the world's economy."

And now Master Justin as well? What the hell are these people paying on?!

"You don't have to worry about your special clients and associates master Axion! And I apologize for my mistake."

What are they-…! Oh, wait.

'I see, that look, those words, I see what they are up to… damn.'

These people were good at this. Like, goooooood. 

They were indirectly showing their support to us while making it clear that we all were on one side. 

'Fuck…'

I thought I was improvising on whatever they were doing but, I had been playing in their palms all this time, wasn't I?

'I don't like this in a way.'

But, it was effective.

The silence had become darker and there was this certain look of uncertainty on their faces now, so, this was obviously a very good sign.

'A damn very good one!'