Magi Craft Meister

"15 enemy golems. Incoming!"

"Ash, Elm, Land-50, Land-51, intercept them."

"Roger."

Receiving Jin's orders, the four golems rushed out.

The first ones to clash were the light-weight Ash and Elm. These two were the type that utilized their speed to the utmost while fighting.

Ash pretended to come grappling from the front, then in an instant leapt to the right and drove a backhand blow to the enemy golem's head with his left hand.

Elm bent his body to avoid the fist the enemy golem swung, then reached out and powerfully smashed the enemy golem's chin with his fist.

The two were effective against human opponents, but with golems the damage didn't turn out to be great. The heads of the golems who ate the attacks were crushed, but unlike with humans it was no fatal wound.

Using current Reiko as the basis, the Army golems' power output was about 20 percent of hers, while the SP's was about ten percent.

Nevertheless they were able to destroy bronze golems with a single strike, while against battle-type golems the established tactic was aiming at the torso where the Control Core was.

"Hmm, they really are specialized in combat against humans after all."

While Jin held such an impression, at that moment, Land-50 and 51 clashed with the enemy golems.

As expected of the Army golems, after their first blows struck two golems were turned into scrap and blown away.

Subsequently Land-50 and 51 both took golems in underarm holds, one golem per arm, then smashed them together.

Meanwhile, Ash and Elm had defeated their first two golems. Seven remained.

"Hmm, the Land golems do indeed use the brute force approach. Maybe it would be good if they learned some more martial arts."

Jin remembered how during the golem party Lotte had played an active role.

"Next time, let's also transcribe knowledge of martial arts to them."

And so Jin came to a decision in his heart.

＊ ＊ ＊

"Oooh, what an impressive group!"

While observing the scene, Intact raised his voice in surprise.

"Mh-hm, they're strong. As I thought, he must be Jin Nidou for sure."

Marcello made a calm analysis.

"That is inconsequential! We must win! I will now go activate the strongest golems!"

With those words, Intact left. Marcello, left behind, breathed a sigh.

"Good grief, it appears we ended up throwing our military power in one by one. I suppose things will get hairy unless I make preparations to escape."

＊ ＊ ＊

Little by little, Ash and Elm also appeared to be getting used to fighting against golems. At first they were fighting one against one, but now capitalising on their speed they both attacked the same golem together to beat it. This wasn't a game so it was alright.

On the other hand, Land-50 and 51 took the enemies straight on and utilizing their power scrapped them. As you might expect, they hadn't been able to take two golems in an underarm hold like earlier, but they had already defeated two more golems each, and another one just now. Ash and Elm also had beaten two more golems, and in the end all fifteen enemy golems turned into scrap.

"Hmm, how should I say this, what a pity. Land-50, Land-51, collect them."

Simply because they were built for and used by a stupid master, they ended up like this. For research purposes too, Jin ordered the fifteen golems to be collected. And at that moment.

"Father, watch out!"

A black figure attacked Jin. Reiko noticed it and promptly protected him, but as that ruined her stance, she ended up being sent flying because of the weight difference.

However, as a result, the black figure too stumbled and stopped without being able to touch Jin.

Although Jin was also inside a [Barrier] he was a little surprised. And then he observed the enemy in front of him.

"…A dark gray golem, huh. It looks like its workmanship is different from the ones until now."

With a simple glance Jin was able to grasp its quality workmanship. The dark gray was also a sign of being coated with Adamantite.

And then the battle began anew.

As a substitute for Reiko who was some distance away from Jin after being sent flying, Ash and Elm leapt upon the dark gray golem.

But the difference in physique was great. The dark gray golem was 2.3 meters tall, contrasted to Ash and Elm who were 175 centimeters tall. The weight difference was likely nearly threefold.

Ash with the right arm, and Elm with the left arm. The opposing golem stopped them both with one hand each.

"Huh, you're rather strong, aren't you."

Jin looked on very interestedly.

"Hmm, the flow of energy isn't greatly different from the other golems. However, there's a strange concentration that… Could it be?"

Jin had some questions regarding the way the enemy golem put out its energy and,

"Land-50, you try taking it on."

He gave the order.

Following the order, Land-50 moved to face the dark gray golem. Realizing that, the enemy golem shook off Ash and Elm.

"Ash, Elm, good work. Come back."

Jin ordered the SP to return back to Jin's side.

In front of him, the dark gray golem and Land-50 grappled. Hand gripped hand and they simply grappled and pushed.

"Huh, so it can put out the same amount of force as the Lands."

Jin once more observed. While he was doing that, Reiko warned him.

"Father, it's fine to observe the enemy, but if you don't keep it in moderation then the enemy leaders may escape."

Being told that, Jin contemplated. He was self-aware of his personality not fit for combat.

"You're right, I understand. But I'd like you to not destroy the research material too much. Alright, Land-51, Ash, Elm, Reiko. Suppress it."

"Roger."

"Understood."

Reiko swiped at the golem's legs. She put a little bit of strength to it probably as revenge for being sent flying earlier.

The enemy golem's knee joints were bent the wrong way and without being able to support itself it fell to the ground. Reiko lightly bashed the joints of its four limbs

Due to the four strikes that occurred in the blink of an eye, the connections of the enemy golem's limbs were partially destroyed. It wasn't in a state to put out any decent force.

In addition, being pinned down by four golems and an automata even the enemy golem became unable to move. Jin approached it, touched its chest, and,

"[Erase]."

He removed the operating instructions of the Control Core. Now the dark gray golem would be unable to operate.

"It went well. I never thought I'd end up using this magic myself."

All the golems that had come out were neutralized. Jin looked up at the fort. Reiko also looked up in front of Jin.

"The people who were here not long ago are gone, it seems."

The faces peeking out of the small observation windows had disappeared and, although it was a little inaccurately, Reiko was also able to detect the presence of living things. Jin had faith in her judgment.

"Is that so. They probably want to escape. In that case, they went to the opposite side and are most likely going to use the river. Alright, here should be fine. Land-50, 51, in addition to Ash and Elm, stay behind to stand guard. If those Unifilers turn up, don't let them escape. Reiko, come with me."

Jin's group was in front of the fort. If they wanted to run they'd probably do it by the river. Coming to that conclusion, Jin headed towards the river with Reiko. There Hydro-5 was waiting.

"Alright, let's wait for the enemy to come."

If they set out to the river on a boat there would no longer be a place to escape. He planned to catch them all at once. On the side of the fort facing the river there was a large gate. If they came out they would come out of there.

After about three minutes of waiting. As expected, the gate opened.

"Alright, there they are. Falcons, provide backup from the skies. However, hold back on attacking until I give the command."

This time, Jin planned to hold back on displays of military power as much as possible. In particular, he didn't want them to learn of the military air power.

The enemy boat was a large boat. It was painted black, and could board probably around 50 people. Four oars stuck out on the left and right sides each, apparently rowed by golems.

"Hmm, even with this night vision mode, it's still a bit dark."

Jin complained, although he was still able to observe what was going on in the lightless environment using the night vision mode. Hydro-5 pursued the boat silently, waiting until the boat had come to about the middle of the river.

"Alright, [Light Ball]."

Jin made five [Light Ball]s and had them float around. The surroundings were lit up bright.

＊ ＊ ＊

"It's an a-a-ambush!?"

Because of the [Light Ball]s, the boat Jin was on was also made obvious.

"What, you're telling me they pursued us with a small boat like that?"

Intact made light of Hydro-5 which looked like a small boat that could barely board four people, but Marcello was different.

"Branch head, that is not the case. That boat has no oarsman."

"What?"

At present, the propulsion mechanism of this world's boats (excluding those rowed by people) were golems. Seeing no golem as an oarsman meant that Marcello was doubtful.

"Is the golem underwater?"

Marcello had heart talk of a mermaid-type golem that had previously appeared in the golem boat race held in Elias Kingdom, and so he arrived at that guess.

"Hey, attack! Magic troops, to the front! Fire!"

Giving a backwards glance to Marcello, Intact ordered the magicians to aim at the small boat and cast [Flame Ball]s.

However, before they reached the small boat it was as if the [Flame Balls] had met an invisible wall as they all burst and scattered without single one hitting.

"Hey, what are you doing, shoot a barrage!"

Intact was agitated and irritated by there being no result.

While watching, Marcello thought that people manipulated with [Hypno] really aren't fit to be leaders.