<<Once again, the days went by and I've continued my research…. Well, I've tried to.>>

<<My research of trying to create a special elemental golem is going even slower than I've expected.>>

<<Well, a lot to be honest.>>

<<One of the main reasons being the lack of any elemental objects or materials that can handle elemental mana.>>

<<I've thought of many different things, I've even tried using mage staffs as reference…. But it didn't worked…>>

<<Let me explain.>>

<<The main weapon of mages, which can have many functions, ranging from

<<Mage staffs are like magic tools. Similar, but different.>>

<<Simple put, they can do many things, from applying magic power to stabilizing it, allowing the mages to cast their spells much easier.>>

<<You can make mage staff that can apply specific element, boosting the mage power in that specific area.>>

<<But, as said before, I've already made mage staffs.>>

<<Hell. My own arms are not just claws. They are slightly based on mage staffs, which slightly boost my focus and casting speed.>>

<<Still, it does need a lot of work and everything, so they are not perfect.>>

<<Anyway, going back to the point.>>

<<Mage staffs use a form of mana craft called "Mana Bath".>>

<<It fills up object with mana, increasing its base mana value within the object, which in turn also allows object to easily handle higher tier of mana affinity.>>

<<And by forming up this mana, it could result in the object gaining a specific form of path that can boost the mage's power.>>

<<This could also include boosting specific elemental path.>>

<<But this wasn't it.>>

<<Honestly, I've also tried other methods, but nothing has worked.>>

<<I've also thought about the Concentrated artificial manifestation of mana crystal.>>

[Concentrated artificial manifestation of mana crystal]

[A method of creating a special object that is made of solidified mana, using either mage craft or mana alchemy, giving a mana a solid form in a form of gem.]

[In form of function and effect, it is very similar to that of a normal mana crystal that can be obtain from the monsters and dungeons.]

[However, unlike regular crystal, they are just pure mana, meaning that they don't possess a special ability like mana crystal which allows the object to release and store the energy.]

[Meaning that the object is an expendable resource.]

[The object that is produced via that method is called either {Artificial Mana Jewelry} or {Crystalized Mana} or {Artificial Mana Crystals}.]

<<However, I gave up from get go.>>

<<Reason? These artificials mana crystals are expendable.>>

<<Even if I were to make ones with earth attribute, they would end up losing power sooner or later and it is not like I can replace these crystals mid battle.>>

<<I think the best bet would be to make regular crystals or gems…. But I don't have any... Then again, this research is already moving at extremely slow pace.>>

<<Maybe I should make these crystals at least to see if I could learn something from them…. But there is also the problem.>>

<<Or more exactly, the enemy is back.>>

<<It has been already few days since they returned after going missing for a week.>>

<<I don't know why their scouts suddenly disappeared…. But I don't like this.>>

<<So, I've decided to somewhat slow down my experiment and instead focus on the dungeon.>>

<<Specifically, upgrading it as much as possible with what I have.>>

<<And to do that, I've started dungeon research, trying to obtain stronger mana gems and mana crystals.>>

<<While I on the other hand was focused on producing different kind of metals.>>

<<Specifically the "Steel".>>

<<And honestly? Making it wasn't that hard?>>

<<I mean, I've had thought it would be bit harder to produce… But okay?>>

<<I've also had dungeon core research different natural occurring metals, such as copper, which I also experimented on, since apparently you cane material called "bronze" with it.>>

<<Honestly, experimenting with these metals was… "Fun", to say the least.>>

<<Normally I've just sticked with iron, wood, dirt, green wood or rocks.>>

<<Well, it was obvious why.>>

<<When the material structure of the golem changes, so does their cost.>>

<<Depending on their quality, the average cost of producing even a single golem changes.>>

<<And there is also one more problem.>>

<<Mastery of material.>>

<<Simple put, different materials have different uses.>>

<<Some are much more durable, while some others can handle mana much easier.>>

<<It is like with alchemy, you need right materials to make a right thing.>>

<<….But I guess I will need to learn how to use these materials and see what I can make with them.>>

<<And like that, I've got more work to do….. And yet the enemy has not taken any action yet as even 2 weeks went by.>>

<<I've thought maybe I was overthinking or something…. But then something has happened.>>

"?"

(Wait, they are coming closer?) – thought Thauma as it observed two scouts approaching the forest.

"…I don't like this, sir." – said the worried elven scout who was ridding a giant deer creature.

"Shut it!" - said the elven knight who was ridding the same kind of creature as other elf.

"Look. Considering that you have found nothing at all, I was straight up force to go with you."

"For crying out loud, it was weeks and you have gotten nothing!"

"…Sir…. I don't think we should move any closer than this." – said the elven scout as he stopped in tracks.

"We maybe already in their detection zone."

"And were you attacked before even once?" – asked elven knight.

"N-no. We-"

"Then keep moving." – said the elven knight as he went on ahead.

"I'm with you, so I can at least protect you in case something shows up."

"Let's go."

"…"

The pair of elves carefully approached the forest while riding their mounts and as they approached the monster infested forest, they looked around, trying to find anything that resembles tracks or actives left behind by the golems.

"…"

"Nothing." – said annoyed knight as the duo was right outside the forest.

"There is nothing!"

"The hell is going on here?!" – said the pissed off knight as he turned towards the scout who was dumbfounded.

"N-no! I-Well...The information stated that the golems attacked anybody who were anywhere near the forest."

"Apparently the golems even attacked the Garmfon kingdom camp that was located all the way over there." – said the scout as he pointed at the small hill in the distance.

"This wasn't a fake information or anything, it was checked."

"…"

"Maybe it is other way around?" – said the knight as he stared at the forest.

"Maybe….Hm…. Maybe they only attack you if you travel in large groups?"

"…"

"Okay. We are going back. I need to report this back." – said the knight as he turned around and started ridding away.

"You can piss off as well, since I can tell you are about to shit yourself from being near thing."

"Y-yes sir." – replied the scout before moments later the duo left the area.

"…"

(Who were they?) – thought Thauma as it used its golem to take a good look at the two men.

(Their equipment…. It looked… Different? Different colors? Dark green colors?)

(And what they were ridding? Horses with horns?)

"…"

(Were they from Garmfon kingdom?) – thought Thauma as it quickly took off its headset and instantly started wandering through the corridors of its base, before then arriving at the prison.

"…How long is this guy going to keep us here? It has been months already…." – said tired prisoner before moments later something banged on the cell doors, startling the prisoners as they turned towards the cell bars, noticing the giant puppet right behind them.

"I have some questions." – said Thauma using the written message.

As soon as Thauma got to the cell, the puppet only asked the prisoners two simple questions.

About the people who were near the forest.

About the creatures they were ridding.

"?"

"Wait…. But that is…" – said the beastman prisoner with confused expression.

"…"

"You know something." – said Thauma via written message.

"Y-yea." – replied nervous prisoner.

"I think those were the elves?"

"The ones from Mowiorano. The armor that they are wearing is bit dark greenish."

"And they are using a horse deer hybrid creature as their mounts."

"The description you just told us match them."

"…"

(Elves?) – thought worried Thauma.

(Did the Garmfon kingdom ended up recruiting the elves?!)

(First adventures and now…. No wait. Something isn't adding up.)

(If they had recruited elves, then why haven't they already attacked?)

(Are these scouts not from Garmfon kingdom, but from the elven kingdom? Were they replaced by any chance?)

(Why?)

(I mean…. No. It is still not making sense.)

(Why are they not attacking?!)

(If they really had teamed up, then they should had attacked as soon as possible, or at least sent somebody into the forest, like those people who chased after my golems inside the forest…. They were called "spies" or something, right? According to these people here.)

(So why….)

(….)

(God dammit.)

(Just what the hell is going on in the outside world?!)

(Why there are elves instead of soldiers belonging to the Garmfon kingdom?!)

(I'm…. Completely lost.)

(I straight up have no idea what the hell is going on right now.)

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