Assault of the Destroyer

It's quite unbelievable that magical research has come so far in this era.

I never would've imagined it!

Haha... You know I was pretty surprised myself when I came here for the first time, too.

There's no doubt that the people of this era performed all kinds of research to further their studies in magic! Just the thought of it excites me.

I, Cynthia, owe my eternal gratitude to all those researchers who came before me... Without their hard work, I would never have become who I am today!

Haha... Going a little overboard, aren't we?

Come on, Lord Aldo! Let us continue our travels to the next town! I believe there are even more magical things to observe in this era!

You're really into studying magic, aren't you? Let's see, the next town should be...

Someone... Anyone... Help!

What was that?!

That sounded like a child!

Ah! Th-The pendant!

Oh man, that kid's in trouble!

We must hurry and save that boy!

Come this way!

Get away from that!

W-Wait! The pendant! My father's memento's gone!

His memento?!

Ah, here it is!

Darn it! It's not over yet!

Huh?

Yikes! G-Get away from me!

Stop right there!

If you want the boy here, you've got to get through me first!

S-Stop!

Huh? It stopped?

You guys there! Don't fight that thing! Your normal attacks will have no effect on it!

Ah, Uncle!

You two know each other?

We can talk more about this later! That golem'll start up again any moment now! Let's hide in Palsifal Palace while we still can!

Understood! Let's go!

I'm a little worried. But right now, safety is our first priority!

......

We should be safe in here.

Didn't I tell you that it's too dangerous to go outside by yourself?!

I-I'm sorry...

It's a good thing these two just happened to be passing by.

Thank you both for saving this little block-head here.

There's no need to thank us. We just happened to be in the area. So, did I hear that you're the boy's uncle?

No exactly. I'm a friend of the boy's father.

Uncle here is always worrying about me. Like a second father to me.

As he should.

So, what caused that golem to attack you?

The thing is... You may have already noticed that golem is not just your typical brick and stone golem. Altered by human hands, it has become a rampaging golem that can't be controlled.

A rampaging golem? Why would somebody do something like that?

It was...

The boy's father.

Wh-Why would he do that?

You see, his father and I were researchers of magic back in the day. But there was little practical use for our research, and so the general public stopped supporting us.

His father began dabbling in weapons research in order to show the people what he was capable of.

I'm sorry to hear that... New technologies should be created to save people, not destroy them... There's no excuse for anyone to harm others just to show off their capabilities!

The boy's father... Are you sure it wasn't a mistake?

I thought there might be! I couldn't believe that my father would take part in such evil research! That's why I went to see his research lab for myself!

That's when it happened...

That scary golem attacked you, right?

After implanting a magical core into a normal golem, his father conducted a series of extreme experiments. He ended up giving life to the rampaging golem that you saw.

So there are researchers in this splendid era that hold such opinions too...

Is there no way we can convince the man himself to give up his research?

Lord Aldo... Wouldn't that be rather difficult at this time?

What do you mean "at this time"?

The Little Lord told us that pendant was his father's memento. I think you can guess what that means...

I see...

Sorry...

It's okay.

During one of his experiments, he lost control of the golem and, well, that's when it happened...

That's so terrible...

Father was busy every day doing his research and he rarely came home... And then that happened...

The last time I spoke to him... He looked just awful.

If only I had listened more to him and talked to him... Maybe this all wouldn't have happened.

Hey there now... You shouldn't be so hard on yourself.

She's right. I don't think anyone could've stopped his recklessness.

However, now there is a way to stop your father.

We can stop my father? How can we do that?

You and I together can destroy your father's horrendous legacy.

That rampaging golem's vendetta is so strong against your father that it threatens your life as well... We can't allow anything to happen to you!

Before that, I have a few questions for you about all this.

Cynthia, is there something you're worried about?

Yes, I was concerned about Master Golem's actions back there.

Master Golem? Oh not again Cynthia...

When I saw Master Golem, I thought it was strange that it didn't look out of control to me.

What?! Are you serious?

I wouldn't joke about something like this. When Lord Aldo and I were moving to rescue the Little Lord here...

Darn it! It's not over yet!

Huh?

Yikes! G-Get away from me!

Stop right there!

If you want the boy here, you've got to get through me first!

S-Stop!

Huh? It stopped?

It looked as though it was able to stop its attack by its own volition.

Come to think of it, the golem didn't make a move to attack us.

You told us that Master Golem was driven mad by the actions of men... But if it had come to its senses at that moment, who's to say that it's actually out of control?

Are you saying it's not dangerous?

That's a bunch of slime waste! You're talking nonsense! I was there too, don't you remember? That golem was chasing down the boy!

The golem was chasing the boy, there's no mistake about that...

As I see it, that golem is far too dangerous to be allowed to continue. We must destroy it as soon as possible.

You understand that only you and I can finally put your father's sins to rest, right?

Uh huh...

I have to do it. I've got to destroy that golem for Father!

I see Little Lord...

You two can move along now. This is a job for Uncle and I.

Unfortunately, we can't do that just yet.

Huh?

Are we not already involved in this? There's no need to for us to leave. I hope the heart-broken Little Lord here doesn't reject our request to help...

That is why I, Cynthia, can't ignore this situation.

......

What she said. Let us help you.

Thank you sir... B-But you don't want to destroy the golem, right?

I'm concerned about the truth behind this... So, could we consider another method to correcting this situation? According to what I saw, I strongly believe that there must be another way.

Got it! Thank you!

Hey Uncle, please tell me! How would we destroy the golem?

I was able to look over some of your father research notes before... It seems that there's something like a "key" that can control the golem.

You don't sound very confident about this information.

Unfortunately, not so much... But I think if we can get this key, then we can put an end to the golem... What do you think the key could be?

Beats me. Father never talked about his work at home.

This is just a theory...

But considering how important the key is, it's very likely that he carried it around with him. I believe the pendant from your father could in fact be the key.

Huh?! This pendant?!

That's it! It must be the pendant! His father had it with him all the time! Maybe that's the reason the golem was tracking down the boy.

Alright! Let's go track down that golem!

I'm thinking we can lure the golem to Keruri Highroad and take it out!

That way we can avoid getting anyone else involved.

Well then, let us journey to the Keruri Highroad. Though I ask that you please allow me to confirm Master Golem's intentions.

Okay, all we can do now is wait here for the golem.

We're pretty far from the main road. Are we sure it'll follow us this far out?

I guarantee it'll come.

If it comes down to it, I'll be the one who destroys the golem, since I was the one who saw the research notes. Can I have the pendant?

Oh, yeah, here it is.

Is that...the sounds of the golem's footsteps?!

I-It's here! Before you destroy it, I'm going to check the golem's intentions...

I knew it...

Huh?

I can't let you do that!

Little Lord?!

Hey kid! Get away from it!

Whether it's out of control or not, it doesn't change the fact that I need to avenge Father! I know that my crazy father created this thing... But... But Father was the last family I had!

That's why...

It's just as you said, Uncle! We've got to destroy it!

Got it! Give me a moment to prepare!

Please wait, both of you! Master Golem, stop your attack! Get control of yourself!

Master Golem, can't you hear me?!

I already told you! You're wasting your time trying to reason with it!

It doesn't look like it's stopping. I won't let you hurt the kid!

Huh?!

St-Stop it! Get away from me!

It stopped! Could it be that...

H-Hey! That last attack looks like it worked!

Now's our chance!

Please wait! Master Golem isn't out of control at all!

Are you still going on about that?! Can't you see?! The golem's beyond our control!

I know... I thought so too at first. But now I can see that it's following your orders! You can see for yourself...

Master Golem isn't doing anything!

Wh-What's going on?!

It's following your orders to the letter, that's what.

On the Derismo Highroad, it stopped when Little Lord told it to. And just now it did the same for you!

Then why has it been following the kid around this whole time?

I think we heard the reason before. It's following the pendant around!

But it was targeting the pendant for a fight, right?

If that's true, then it wouldn't need to follow any orders. It would just stand there... That's all the evidence we need. Master Golem has only been trying to be close to the one holding the key!

But then why did it kill Father?

That's right! He was murdered by this rampaging golem! We don't need any more evidence than that!

That is quite the conundrum. But you have to believe me!

This talk is pointless!

What are you planning on doing?!

It's already decided! We've got to destroy this dangerous weapon!

The Master Golem is...

Hm... Haha... Muahahahaha!

What's wrong, Uncle?

No matter what I do or say, I can't help but laugh.

What...?

Now, I've finally got the chance to get my hands on its magic core!

What's that?

Are you saying that evil magical energy was included in the core planted in the golem?

Precisely. The core is like a heart for Master Golem... It needs the core to continue functioning.

If I can get it... Then I won't need this hunk of garbage anymore. Hehehe... Pardon me while I help myself to it.

What's going on, Uncle? What are you talking about?

The core is full of evil magical energy... It's too dangerous!

Muahahaha! Evil magical energy you say? You still believe in such drivel? Kids'll believe just about anything.

Huh?!

C-Could it be that you... You lied to us this whole time?!

Hahaha! It took you long enough!

With the magic core in my possession, all my dreams'll be within my grasp!

What?! He just ran away! What's going to happen now?

I don't know what to say... That man had us going from the very beginning!

Huh?! Wh-What does that mean?

That man knew this whole time that Master Golem was not a threat!

It was his plan all along to make us believe that Master Golem was out of control.

All just to obtain its magic core!

I can't believe he could do that! What do you think he's going to do now that he has the magic core?

I have no idea... But from the way he was acting, I can imagine that he's up to no good. I've sensed a powerful magic emanating from Master Golem. With just one of those magic cores, one could perform all kinds of dangerous research.

Darn it! Then we've got to catch him before it's too late!

W-Wait...

D-Does this mean Father didn't make any evil weapons?!

I don't know why your father created Master Golem... But I believe that all the terrible things that guy said about your father were lies.

Really?!

If you're right, then...maybe Father's death wasn't the golem's fault!

It seems that's likely the case.

So... I believed Uncle's words more than Father's... I blamed Father's golem, and ignored your words... And now Uncle's going to destroy it...

How... How could I be such an idiot?!

I understand how much you regret all this, but you don't need to blame yourself. You were left all alone after your father's death... It must've been so hard for you.

And that man took advantage of that pain. None of this was your fault.

But...he took it all from me, Father's pendant, the magic core, everything! That's all my fault!

The only one who did anything wrong was that terrible man. You were nothing more than his victim. No one blames you for that.

I agree with everything she said. You can't beat yourself up over this right now. There's something you can do.

Really? What can I do?

It's pretty obvious. You can help us get the magic core and the pendant back from that fiend!

But how can we do that?!

Leave this part to Lord Aldo and myself. Shall we track down that man, Lord Aldo?

You're darn right we will! The Tower of Time is down this way. He's probably holed up there. Let's hurry up!

Muhahaha... With the pendant and the magic core... I can complete my own ultimate golem!

There's the despicable man. I can't even stand your intolerable stench!

Hmph!

Don't even think of trying to get away!

I'm embarrassed to think that you were like a second father figure to me! Give back the pendant and Father's notes!

I'm surprised you came all the way just to find me!

Of course. You took advantage of a distraught child who just lost his father...

All so you could dirty the research done by his father!

Do you think I'm dirtying his research?! You must be joking! I'm the one who's putting his research to good use!

By using the magic core that you stole?! Have you no shame at all?!

The magic core belonged to me from the very beginning! Had that idiot not gotten in my way, without a doubt I would've finished it first!

What trash are you saying now?!

He was a thorn in my side, always one or two steps ahead of me...

So I was elated when I heard that he'd died of some incurable disease!

Father died of a disease? Why didn't he tell me?!

Maybe he couldn't... You were so young, and he didn't want you to burden you...

What a stupid idea.

Regardless, that stupid idea gave birth to that piece of junk, the Guardian Golem!

The Guardian Golem?

Could it be that he wanted to protect his son even after he'd left this world?!

Huh?!

Hmph... A Guardian Golem with no other function is useless to me. I'll be able to create all kinds of powerful weapons using the magic core. But that's not all...

Then I'll mass-produce them and create an army of golems to do my bidding! With those under my control, money and fame will be all mine!

You're a real piece of work, aren't you?

I won't let you use Father's final research project for your own ends!

And what are you gonna do about it? Are you gonna cry like a little baby?!

Grrrr!

I... I've got to do this...for Father!

I'm not gonna cry any more! Even without Father here... I can still fight on!

You are most admirable, Little Lord. However, you're not alone this time.

Lord Aldo and I are here to fight at your side!

Darn right! Don't forget about us!

Thank you... Both of you.

Hah... How touching! Why don't you all go play patty-cake somewhere together! A kid and a couple tourists can't stop me now!

As I told you before, no one should be allowed to do evil research just to show off! You took someone else's work and are seeking to profit from it... I've no choice but to take it all back from you by force!

Annoying girl... Let's see you try to stop me!

What's happening to the magic core?

What's this shaking?!

Wh-What is this?!

This is the culmination of years of research, the most fearsome golem ever. It's now complete thanks to the magic core that you graciously donated to me!

Now it's your time to shine, golem! Crush these annoying insects!

Bring it on! I'll prove to you that your greedy research will never come to fruition!

Th-This can't be possible! How could you defeat my golem?!

Are you still thinking of resisting?

No, that's enough! I'll return the magic core, notes, and pendant back to you!

So just let me go! You'll never lay eyes on me ever again, I promise!

I don't know about this...

It's okay, Aldo. I'm fine as long as we get back Father's things.

The pendant looks like it's as good as new...

Let me help, too.

It doesn't look like any pages are missing from the researcher's notes... But what's this?

Is this what I think it is?!

What's wrong, Cynthia? Did you find something?

Little Lord, and you too Lord Aldo, look at this! There's a hand-written message here!

This is Father's hand-writing!

The message suddenly ends there. It might have been the last thing he ever wrote...

He must've been writing right up until the moment he became too ill. That explains why the guide for the Guardian Golem is also incomplete. Likely, he didn't live to finish his work...

Father... You pushed yourself so hard for me... I never realized what he was doing for me...

I'm sorry, Father! And Father's golem is...

......

Don't look so glum, you two.

The golem can't come back to us... It's over.

Everything's fine. You can see Master Golem once more.

Huh?!

We can do that?!

Of course. Just leave it to me!

What are you planning exactly?

Teehee... I'll explain everything later. Let's retrieve Master Golem's body and return to Palsifal Palace for now!

Well, we've brought it back here... But can we do anything for it in this state?

Sure, it's something that I found in the research notes. There were some notes about the pendant... You see, a portion of the magic core was included in the pendant.

It was designed this way to allow the holder of the pendant to control the Master Golem.

That's useful, but isn't it a bit dangerous? I mean, it could be trouble if the pendant were to fall into the wrong hands.

That is true. Plus, it seems that carving out a piece of the magic core has left it weakened and vulnerable. If we don't do something about it, it could corrupt someone, and then be used for some evil purpose.

Well, doesn't that mean restoring the golem is too dangerous?

Not quite. Using the last little time he had, your father discovered a possible way to avoid this vulnerable state...

It might be presumptuous of me, but I, Cynthia, believe I have the ability to overcome this obstacle!

Can you really do that?

If I combine your father's unfinished research and the knowledge I've picked up, then I'm sure something can be done! We'll fuse the whole magic core back into the Guardian Golem, and it should restore Master Golem back to normal!

You're pretty amazing!

Cynthia... I'm really sorry for asking this but...

You're not gonna mess up like those other times, right?

How dare you say that, Lord Aldo! This time everything'll work out just fine! I'm prepared 1,000 times over! I read those notes about the magic core enough times to burn a hole in the pages! I absolutely, positively, 1,000% surely can't mess this up!

Well...if you say so.

I believe in you, Cynthia!

I believe in you, too! Do your best and bring back the golem!

Thank you, both of you. Well then, let's begin!

O magic core, filled with power like fiery blood.

Your once divided power...

Unite as one to give this vessel new life and strength!

Incredible! It actually worked!

You're amazing, Cynthia! Thank you so much! Now, Father's golem will be with me forever!

That's right! He'll never leave your side!

I'm so happy! We'll always be together...!

What the?

Huh?

What's it doing? Why's it walking towards Cynthia? Isn't the kid the golem's master?

P-Please wait a moment! It might have just been an accident. That's all! There's no way it'd be following me!

......

......

......

......

Umm... Hmm... It's just umm...a malfunction?! There must be some hint in the notes somewhere...

Ah!

Cynthia?

I-I...

I messed up!

No way! What did you do this time?!

Urgh... I managed to transfer ownership of Master Golem to... Me.

You're kidding, right?! H-How did that happen?!

Urgh... I used my magic to patch up the missing part of the magic core, but it now looks like that was a bad idea... Back in the preface of the notes, it says that with current technology, putting magic into it means it will only listen to the caster. That's why your father had created the pendant to fix that problem. However, it seems that whoever made it could give orders to Master Golem...

And what does all that mean?

I restored the magic core, which means that the key is effectively useless. The core is currently filled to the brim with my own magical energy... So, it seems that Master Golem will only listen to my commands!

Whaaaaaat?! Didn't you say you read those notes to the point where your eyes burned a hole in the pages?!

Urgh... I never imagined that anything important would be written in the preface... I must've just...overlooked it.

Please forgive me for my terrible mistake!

Well... How about you just take out the magic core and put the piece back into the pendant?!

If I try to forcefully remove it, it'll break into pieces...

So, the golem is going to be like this...forever?

Please accept my sincerest apology!

B-But please be at ease! This time, I predicted the possibility that this could happen! This failure was factored into my plan!

Didn't you say that it was impossible?

Nothing is impossible!

I've no intention of continuing to fail like I have in the past... Which is why, right now, I am considering all our options to fix this problem!

Really?

O-Of course. Currently, Master Golem will listen to my commands, and only my commands. So, I'll command it to protect the Little Lord here. That'll solve the problem!

You're right! If you tell it to, then it'll have to follow that command!

No doubt about it!

Master Golem. You need to be watching over this little child here! No matter what happens, you must protect him!

......

Now! Go to him!

......

Ummm... Hey you, I'm leaving you here! Go with the little guy over there!

He's not leaving me alone!

Maybe he's unable to leave his master's side...

Umumumumumum...

Well, then I... *sniffle*

Ah! Little Lord! Don't cry!

I...

I must come with you all!

What?!

That golem is the last memento from Father, and it won't leave your side, right? That's why I've got to come with you and find a way to get that memento back!

I can't allow that!

Our journey is long and dangerous... We just can't allow you to join us.

I've got it!

You've said that before...

Well, that's why Lord Aldo...

I'll leave and go with the Little Lord to find a way to return the golem!

Huh?

What?!

Great! So Cynthia, the golem, and I will be together?!

That's right, Little Lord. The whole reason why we're in this mess is because of my mistake! That's why it's my responsibility to find a way to fix everything.

I'm sorry Lord Aldo, but I must leave you until I find a way to return the golem to the Little Lord...

Until that time, I cannot return!

H-Hold your horses for just a moment! How exactly are you going to do that?

The Little Lord or I will return to his father's laboratory to search for clues.

I have a feeling this won't end anytime soon... But someday I will return to you! So please don't forget about me!

Okay Little Lord, shall we go?

Okay! See you around Aldo!

I was alone for so long, but now I'm so happy to be with you... Going home with you and the golem.

We'll be together until we find a way to fix this problem. I'm not your average lady, but I hope you accept me for who I am.

I'll be happy as long as we're together!

......

H-Hey you guys! Wait up for me!