Chapter 256: Stone Golem
"Damn, this is so intelligent, it actually has AI."
Phield was stunned. "For puppet technology to reach this level is insane. Is this magical programming, or so kind of autonomous learning?"
This was also why people in this world relied so heavily on magic and rejected science. Because magic really was that unbelievable.
"Of course it’s intelligent. To create puppets, you have to strip a human soul while they’re still conscious, then implant it into the construct." Rosalia gave a dark smile and licked her lips as she explained. "They may look like piles of stone, but their core is a refined human soul. And the process of extracting the soul is extrely painful."
"So that’s how it works... no wonder they can understand human speech."
Phield felt a chill crawl down his spine. He had originally planned to place them at his castle as guards, but now he reconsidered.
"Don’t worry, my lord. They won’t rebel. And if you actually had the technology to make puppets rebel, that so-called Puppet Master Divine Chosen would probably co to you personally and willingly serve under you."
"Oh? Hearing that suddenly makes it tempting."
Phield set aside his hesitation and tried issuing a command. "You all, go clear out the corrupted corpses around the lord’s palace."
"Yes."
The stone golems responded simply and strode out of the palace, smashing any corrupted corpses along their path into pulp with a single punch.
"Let the golems handle the cleanup tonight."
After organizing the loot, Phield stretched lazily. Fatigue showed clearly on his face as he yawned. "It’s getting late. Everyone rest well. You’ve got a day off. The day after tomorrow we finish clearing Starnight City, and after that we still have a comndation ceremony. Busy tis ahead."
"Yes, thank you, my lord."
Everyone was exhausted. The relentless extermination of corrupted corpses had been both physically and ntally draining.
Back at Starnight Castle, Phield didn’t feel like doing anything. He collapsed onto his bed and picked up a book he had barely started, Gray Fog and Death, a travelogue-like work written by imperial scholars.
He flipped through it randomly instead of reading in order.
"January 16th, Year 148. Our army passed through the viscount’s territory and reached deeper into the northern province, the domain of Count Elk. This was once his land. The count raised three thousand elk. These noble and gentle creatures now only wish to devour my two heads."
"By the goddess, the count’s land is filled with stampeding creatures. Corrupted elk are charging, and so are the count’s heavily armored cavalry. On the very first day, we were struck by nearly five thousand riders."
"In just one clash, the Twelfth Legion led by Brulens collapsed. Corpses were everywhere. I tried to advise them that traditional warfare cannot work against corrupted creatures. But the commander insists that decapitating the corrupted leader is the only solution. I know our boat is drifting into a whirlpool, but I have no oar."
"Note: The corrupted tendrils in the count’s territory are extrely dangerous. They bind humans and animals to reproduce. Be careful. My dear horse now limps when it walks. Perhaps so ointnt might help."
Phield closed the book and drew in a sharp breath.
"Terrifying. Even sothing that seems harmless can beco deadly. The further north you go, the closer it gets to a dead end." He rubbed his temples and lowered his gaze. "I wanted to relax with a book, but now I’m even more awake."
"Still, the Empire’s decapitation strategy has its rits. It’s not as flawed as they say."
Having fought corruption many tis, Phield understood it more deeply.
"If you don’t kill the one directing them, corrupted creatures are effectively endless. Humans, on the other hand, take ti to train into soldiers. The best approach is probably a combination of fortress advancent and targeted strikes."
"Phield, co look at sothing amazing!"
A knock sounded on the window. Turning toward it, he saw Rosalia climbing through, using both hands and feet as she slipped inside.
Phield staggered, nearly falling off the bed. "What amazing thing? Don’t scare
like that."
"Ta-da! Ophelia can’t maintain her frozen state anymore."
Rosalia produced a miniature figure of Ophelia like a magician revealing a trick.
"Oh, that. I almost forgot about it."
Ophelia had been the Second Tier corrupted Divine Chosen who once led the corpse tide against the manor. After being defeated, she had transford into a sapphire-like figurine with incredible defensive properties that couldn’t be broken.
"I can feel it. Her form is on the verge of collapsing. It’ll happen within the next couple of days."
"This ability is similar to Tisiana’s. She also has a defensive form to protect herself."
Phield recalled Tisiana’s cage-like transformation. It had been shocking.
Rosalia snorted and flipped her hair arrogantly, her long golden strands cascading like a waterfall. "What’s the point of defense for corrupted beings? If you kill the enemy, you don’t need defense."
"That’s... a surprisingly valid point."
Phield nodded. In his previous world, many weapons prioritized offense over defense.
"Phield, I’ve been busy all this ti. Don’t forget your promise." Rosalia climbed onto a chair, crossed her arms, and looked down at him. "You said after taking Starnight City, you’d be my mount."
"What? Are you trying to get
killed? Don’t you fear divine punishnt?"
Rosalia blinked in confusion. "Is it that serious?"
"A real man can’t serve as soone’s mount. That would invite divine punishnt. Lightning from the heavens." Phield stood firm. "No way. Absolutely not."
"Oh? Then what about those stockings you ntioned?" Rosalia crossed her legs, resting her chin on one hand, her expression both disdainful and teasing. "I suppose I’ll have to compromise."
Phield sucked in a sharp breath.
He found himself unable to refuse.
"Fine. I’m brave enough. Even if lightning strikes , I’ll accept it."
Since Rosalia could weave clothing using divine power, she could create whatever she wanted.
Throwing away his dignity without hesitation, Phield described it with great enthusiasm.
"You really are quite shaless." Rosalia let out a soft, amused laugh. "What goes on in that head of yours all day? But... just this once."
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