Chapter 565 – Underground Road trip.

“Lord Valerian.”

“Speak.”

A man with a large metal arm knelt before Arthur Valerian. As he rose, another oddity came into view, a glowing artificial eye, its surface laced with fine runes that pulsed in a slow, steady rhythm.

“Was it wise to let the High Commander leave? What if the monsters break through?”

“If that happens, Sir Wischard.”

Arthur replied calmly.

“You’ll finally get a chance to test that new arm of yours. But even if not now, be ready. The real battle is coming… soon.”

“…Yes, Lord Valerian.”

Sir Wischard gave a short bow and turned to leave, his face without emotion. All around him, controlled chaos unfolded. Runic turrets fired in carefully measured bursts, cutting down waves of monsters as they surged toward the outer defenses. Mines detonated with fiery violence, shaking the ground with every explosion. The exoskeletal units bathed enemies in flame, clearing entire clusters in moments. The archers had yet to be called, waiting patiently on the walls, and despite the monster’s advances, the tide seemed to be slowing.

‘If things go as Roland predicted, it shouldn’t take more than a few hours…’

Arthur’s gaze wasn’t on the battlefield anymore. He looked far beyond the dying monsters toward a distant city, a place that would become his next opportunity to prove himself.

*****

“You want me to get in that?”

“Yes.”

The large, bald man rubbed the back of his head as he stared at the strange mechanical contraption in front of him. His expression made it clear he wasn’t exactly thrilled.

“It looks like a coffin with legs.”

Roland didn’t bother to argue. The prototype was rough and bulky, the angular armor plating gave it a crude, blocky silhouette, somewhere between a box and a wedge. Six thick, black wheels lined its sides, each crafted to resemble the tires he remembered from his original world. They weren’t inflated with air; instead, they were made from a layered rubber-like substance in a flexible pattern designed to compress under pressure. It wasn’t perfect, but considering the limitations of this world, it was a remarkable feat. The vehicle ran on a custom-built runic engine, capable of drawing power from either mana fluid or Roland’s original runic batteries.

“Think of it as a mobile golem.”

He said, stepping toward the open door.

“It’ll get us there a lot faster than walking.”

“Haha, I didn’t know you were such a coward, Guild Master!”

Before Aurdhan could respond, Armand stepped forward with a smug grin and casually shoved past him. A thick vein on Aurdhan’s forehead bulged even more, his jaw tightening as he was brushed aside by his former disciple.

Roland watched the exchange with mild curiosity. He wasn’t entirely sure, but it seemed Armand still harbored some resentment over the past. After all, Aurdhan had cast him out following his defeat to Roland years ago. Now, having risen to a tier-3 class, Armand might finally feel bold enough to push back. The fear that once kept him in line seemed to be fading, replaced by something like pride or maybe even spite.

“Aren’t you overthinking things again, Guild Master? When has our Wayland ever let us down?”

Lobelia stepped in right after her brother, tossing a glance over her shoulder with a slight grin. The mobile golem, bulky as it looked from the outside, had a surprisingly roomy interior. It was wide enough to fit all seven of them without much trouble, even Agni.

Soon, four people were seated inside, leaving only the Guild Master and the massive wolf still standing outside. Aurdhan crossed his arms and muttered something under his breath, but in the end, the weight of collective social pressure wore him down. He entered with the others, taking a seat next to Robert, who sat in the middle. Robert acted as a barrier between the Guild Master and his former disciple, while the two women sat opposite them.

“Agni, no. You’re not sitting there.”

“Awooo?”

Agni froze, ears perked, and confused. He had started to move toward the main seating area like he belonged there, but Roland cut him off. Agni was still as large as a horse. The seats were not made for someone of his size.

“You’ve got your own spot. In the back. Go on.”

The sunlight wolf gave an unhappy snort, clearly unimpressed with being separated from the rest of the group. Roland gave him a few nudges, and eventually Agni gave in. With a reluctant shuffle, he climbed into the rear compartment designed specifically for him.

A moment later, a pair of wolfen eyes peeked through a small opening between the cabins. Lobelia leaned forward and gave him a scratch behind the ears, which made his ears perk up and his tail thump against the metal floor.

“Haha, you look funny like that, Agni.”

Lucille shifted slightly to the side to make room for Agni’s head, which was now resting comfortably through the small opening between compartments. She looked like she wanted to reach out and pet him, her fingers twitching in hesitation. In the end, she resisted the urge, clutching her large tome tighter and turning away. A faint blush crept up her cheeks, though it was hidden beneath her runic helmet.

With everyone gathered inside, Roland remained the only one still standing outside the vehicle. He didn’t step in right away. Instead, he lingered beside the front of the machine. There was a third cabin located at the front, designed for a driver, but he didn’t need to occupy it. The vehicle could be controlled remotely just like any of his other runic creations. He glanced at the group, their voices muffled behind the armored walls. Then he looked ahead, toward the dark path leading through the tunnels. It was time to move and fulfill the next part of the plan of getting to Aldbourne.

Roland placed his hand against the metal plating of the vehicle, and the runes etched across its surface began to glow with a soft, pulsing light. It wasn’t subtle. This machine hadn’t been designed with discretion in mind. Arcs of magic traced intricate patterns over its frame as power surged through the runic network. The engine came to life with a faint crackling, the sound not unlike static electricity building in the air, until a silencing spell kicked in, muting it entirely. Despite its bulk, the construct now gave off no more noise than a whisper.

‘Good, everything seems to be going well. The runes are stable, and the mana is flowing through correctly…’

Soon, he began walking, his metal boots echoing through the tunnel. The vehicle rolled forward behind him in perfect synchronization, its heavy frame gliding smoothly over the uneven terrain. Dust shifted beneath its wheels as they pushed the dirt aside. The weight was substantial, leaving distinct marks on the hard, rocky ground as the mobile golem and, more precisely, the runic combat transport vehicle, moved forward.

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After a few minutes, the tunnel began to widen. Up ahead, a second massive door blocked their way. It was identical in construction to the first one they had passed through earlier. Runes sprawled across its surface, flickered faintly as he had already activated the unlocking mechanism.

*Whirrrr.*

The lock was disengaging, and soon he and his companions would be in the tunnels the dungeon had created for the break. The massive bolts retracted, dirt puffing outward as the door slowly creaked open. Beyond it lay the exit tunnel, long, straight, and quiet. Roland stepped forward, scanning the area. He listened for the telltale growl or clicking of monsters, but there was nothing.

“Just as expected. It’s clear.”

“Hey, Wayland, what’s happening out there?”

Though Roland had stepped through, the people inside the mobile golem couldn’t see what was happening outside. The vehicle had been built for maximum protection, heavily armored and sealed against outside disturbances. It had no windows, nor a standard ventilation system. Instead, runes etched into its frame slowly produced oxygen and filtered out the used air.

Roland waited for the vehicle to pass through the door while he kept watch. Once it was out, he directed the runic door to shut itself again. This time, the bolts shifted slightly before plunging into fresh sections of the rock wall.