Chapter 24: Well-Developed Chu Hao
"Joshua, what are you thinking about?"
Just as the warrior was pondering the signs of the future, a curious voice suddenly came from outside the study door.
Arcane power rapidly converged, and the image of the Winged Human girl appeared at the entrance. Number Three, wearing a gray cotton cloak, floated into the study. She looked at Joshua with some curiosity: "You're not the type to space out."
Hearing the voice, Joshua turned around. He looked at the projection of the artificial intelligence and nodded: "What's up, Number Three? Is there something you need?"
After entering the study, Number Three carefully tidied up the scattered books on the bookshelf. Upon hearing the warrior's question, she smiled slightly: "Ever since you returned from the Imperial Capital, you've seemed a bit strange... I mean, if there's something troubling you, you can tell us."
"We're partners." The Winged Human girl said softly. "We should help each other."
"...Thanks for your concern. There are indeed some things."
After hearing Number Three's words, Joshua rubbed his chin in slight surprise. He hadn't expected that his recent odd behavior, caused by thinking about the Great Magic Tide, would be noticed by Number Three and remembered. He pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "It's not that I can't tell you... but this matter might show signs within a year or two at the earliest, or take five years at the latest. Saying it now would only add unnecessary pressure."
This was the warrior's genuine thought. Back then, the first wave of the Great Magic Tide erupted when the Seven Gods joined forces to cast the Five-Colored Dragon God from the Boundless Heaven into the main material plane. Amidst the surging arcane power and the pained howls of the wounded Dragon God, all magical beasts with Five-Colored Dragon bloodline across the world went mad, creating a true Dragon Calamity.
But now, the root of the Dragon Calamity no longer existed. Although the Five-Colored Dragon Clan wasn't as severely wounded as in the previous life, humanity had preserved itself even better. In terms of power balance, they actually held more advantage than before. The Five-Colored Dragon God hadn't even clashed with the Seven Gods yet. Since the deities hadn't fought, they might not let the first wave of the Great Magic Tide affect the continent.
These reasons couldn't be told to Number Three for now.
Seeing Joshua's refusal, the artificial intelligence girl looked a bit disappointed. She floated over to the desk, sat on it, and said somewhat gloomily: "Fine... then is it because you're unhappy about being grounded?"
She knew the warrior's personality and understood that being confined to the Northern Lands was indeed uncomfortable for Joshua. But when she asked this question, the warrior showed a subtle expression.
"How could I be unhappy about something like that? Avenging unjustly killed subjects is exactly what a lord should do. Even if I'm punished, it's only right."
Walking over to the desk and sitting on it alongside Number Three, Joshua's eyes fixed on the map on the opposite wall. It seemed the artificial intelligence girl's words had sparked some thought in him, so his tone carried a hint of sarcasm: "But what makes me uncomfortable is the attitude—from start to finish, aside from me, no one really cared about Alfonso's death."
Saying this, Joshua's tone calmed down. He shook his head: "The nobles who struck were naturally indifferent. His Majesty the Emperor looks at higher things and is unconcerned with such trivial matters. But the most uncomfortable thing is Alfonso's children and companions—they deliberately concealed his death for power, showing no grief at all."
"This attitude is too twisted. I can't even see their anger. Their father was killed, their friend was murdered—these people should want revenge even more than I do."
Joshua said flatly: "I wonder what Alfonso's spirit in heaven would think."
"At least you avenged him, didn't you?"
Leaning gently against Joshua, Number Three shook her head. She said seriously: "You killed the nobles who struck, even fought His Majesty the Emperor over it. Alfonso's unworthy son was severely punished and sent to the Black Forest Fortress as an ordinary city guard."
"Because of this, more and more adventurers have been coming to Moldavia lately, wanting to join the territory and serve you. Partly because of your strength, but mostly because your attitude of protecting your subordinates makes them feel at ease."
"Is that so."
Joshua was noncommittal. As he spoke, he picked up a roll of parchment from the desk—a planning document for the expansion of the city's western district. Glancing at it, he tossed it aside casually and said flatly: "I just felt I should seek revenge, because it's a lord's responsibility. As for how angry I really was, I didn't feel that way either."
"Being able to fulfill all your responsibilities already makes you a perfect person." Number Three organized the documents on the desk one by one, then said with a slightly amused tone: "My Lord Count, you still have a lot to do."
Hearing this, Joshua shrugged. He reached out and casually patted Number Three's head. Under the effect of his authority, the warrior touched her arcane energy body with physical substance: "I knew it—you didn't come just to listen to me complain. Spit it out, what's the matter?"
"It's about Chu Hao." Number Three said softly.
Ever since the warrior returned to Moldavia, there had been many things waiting for him to handle. Whether it was territorial governance, dealing with cultists, or developing the Black Blood Plague antidote, Joshua had to personally see to each one. Besides that, there were matters concerning Winterfell Academy and the Rune Factory.
A lord's work was this busy. Joshua could complete his daily training only because Number Three and Lin helped him with administrative affairs. But he still found time to meet with the old Dwarf, Moria, and let him take a look at Chu Hao.
As an unprecedented Steel Element on the Mycroft Continent, Chu Hao's towering steel form and characteristics instantly captured the old Dwarf's attention. Moria was very interested in it. After obtaining Chu Hao's own consent, it went with the old Dwarf to the Dwarf settlement for further experiments.
Chu Hao's growth depended on magical elements and the quality of assimilated ores. Moldavia's arcane power concentration wasn't low, but it was far inferior to the Dwarf settlement near the underground lava zone. As for high-quality ores, there was no comparison. Moria said he had gotten an inspiration from Chu Hao and certainly wouldn't mistreat it.
"What, did something happen to Chu Hao?" Joshua frowned, looking seriously at Number Three. "Or did it cause some trouble?"
The artificial intelligence shook her head. In a tone as bland as plain water, she said: "Nothing happened. Everything is normal. Old Master Moria treats Chu Hao very well because he's already developed a new alloy based on Chu Hao's 'living metal' characteristics. So the entire Dwarf settlement treats Chu Hao like a treasure, giving it whatever ore it wants."
"Then..." Joshua was puzzled. "What's the problem? Isn't this good?"
"It's too good, my Lord Count."
Number Three sighed. She floated unsteadily up and came before the warrior. In her palm flickered a layer of water-like, light blue arcane energy radiance. Then the radiance spread, and a lifelike arcane projection appeared before Joshua.
It was a photo of Moria and Chu Hao, captured by magic and sent to Number Three. The artificial intelligence girl then converted it into a three-dimensional projection to show the warrior. Old Dwarf Moria, though busy with work lately, looked full of energy. He stood by Chu Hao's calf, looking very happy. And although Chu Hao had no face to show expression, Joshua inexplicably knew it felt pretty good too.
Of course it felt good.
"This... this?!"
Upon seeing the projection, Joshua was shocked and got down from the desk. He stood opposite Number Three, staring seriously at the projection, feeling a sense of disbelief: "Moria isn't tall, but he's about one and a half meters. He only reaches Chu Hao's calf? That means..."
"Yes, Lord Count."
Number Three's somewhat helpless voice came from behind the projection: "Your Steel Element, due to developing too well, is now over seven meters tall. Because it absolutely can't get out of the underground passage, the Dwarves are working overtime to widen it."
"I think you should forget about bringing it back. Just let it stay there... After all, the Lord's Manor can no longer accommodate it."