Reinventing Magic: An Inventor's Tale-Chapter 38: Gregor’s Schemes

The sprawling estate of Count Gregor loomed under the twilight sky, its jagged silhouette framed by dark, tempestuous clouds. A ferocious wind howled through the ancient trees that guarded the mansion like silent sentinels.

Inside the grand hall, shadows writhed grotesquely across timeworn tapestries and opulent furniture. Flickering candlelight bathed the polished marble floors and gilded fixtures in an eerie glow, a testament to the immense wealth and unchecked power of its master. freёweɓnovel_com

Before Count Gregor stood a hooded figure, his dark cloak merging with the oppressive dimness. The air was charged with an unspoken dread as he delivered his report, his voice barely rising above a whisper.

"My lord," he began, bowing slightly. "I bring news from the Valtieri domain. A flying vehicle was sighted landing at Count Valtieri’s mansion. The Count’s son emerged from it."

Gregor leaned forward, his piercing gaze dissecting the hooded man’s every word. "A flying vehicle, you say? Describe it."

The informant’s voice grew animated as he recounted the sighting. "Sleek and agile, my lord. It moved with an almost supernatural precision, defying the very laws of nature. It hovered momentarily, then descended with ethereal grace. The young lord stood by it, brimming with pride of his creation."

Count Gregor’s expression darkened, fury and disbelief flickering across his features. "Impossible! That insolent boy creating such a marvel? Explain yourself. How did you learn this?"

The hooded figure hesitated, trembling under Gregor’s intense scrutiny. "My lord, I have sources... shadows that speak and eyes that see."

A flicker of intrigue crossed Gregor’s face. His lips curled into a sly smirk. "And what else? What of his activities?"

The informant hesitated before continuing. "The young lord spends much of his time in a peculiar workshop. Its design is unlike anything else in the territory. Spies believe it’s where he creates his advanced artifacts."

Gregor’s fingers drummed rhythmically against the armrest of his chair. "Advanced artifacts, you say? The Veilbreaker Staff, the Knight Commander’s twin swords, the Arcane Gauntlet—these reek of ingenuity beyond their station. Someone within their ranks is the key."

The informant’s eyes gleamed with malice. "Our spies confirm the young lord himself frequents this workshop. They monitor his every move."

Gregor’s smirk deepened. "Excellent. Infiltrate the workshop. Steal whatever you can, and ensure no secrets escape us. Leave nothing untouched."

The hooded figure bowed deeply. "As you command, my lord."

With a swift turn, the man vanished into the shadows, leaving Count Gregor alone in the flickering candlelight. His eyes gleamed with ambition, his mind already crafting plans to seize the power he so desperately craved.

---

Back at Kael’s workshop, the atmosphere was tense yet hopeful. The capsule hummed softly as the mana-infused fluid drained, revealing Alice’s graceful form. Keira, ever prepared, had a white dress ready. With gentle care, she dressed Alice, ensuring every detail was perfect.

Once Alice was ready, Kael re-entered the room, his expression filled with anticipation. "Alice, tell me about yourself," he said, his voice calm yet commanding.

Alice’s gray eyes gleamed with serene intelligence as she replied, "Greetings, Master. I am Alice, a hybrid of human and golem. I possess a spirit crystal and mana core, allowing me to cast spells without incantations. I can engage in physical combat, answer questions within my database, and adapt to new information."

Kael nodded, clearly impressed. "What are your capabilities, Alice?"

"I can cast powerful spells pre-installed within my system," Alice said, her voice precise. "My mana core allows for immense mana storage and channeling. I am proficient in hand-to-hand combat and continuously learn and adapt to new situations."

Keira watched in awe, her eyes wide with amazement. "She’s incredible, Kael. It’s like she’s truly alive."

Kael nodded in agreement. "Alice, tell me about what happened five thousand years ago."

"Master, your query requires a detailed explanation. Shall I proceed?" Alice’s gray eyes flickered with a faint glow. Her response was measured, calm, and precise—a reflection of her hybrid nature.

Kael nodded, his analytical gaze sharp. "Begin. Tell me what happened. I need everything you have."

Alice’s crystalline core pulsed faintly, and the lights in the workshop dimmed as a holographic projection filled the room. A haunting silence fell, broken only by the whir of machinery and the quiet gasp from Keira as the projection revealed a scene of unimaginable chaos.

The footage began with a calm, starry sky. Then, rifts tore through the heavens, spilling forth alien monstrosities. Their grotesque forms defied nature—twisting, writhing masses of limbs, tendrils, and razor-sharp appendages. Cities crumbled under their assault as explosions and screams filled the air.

"This," Alice began, her voice devoid of emotion, "is what transpired when the rifts appeared. They emerged without warning, their origin unknown. These entities were hostile, relentless, and immune to conventional magic."

Kael’s jaw tightened as he studied the creatures in the projection. They were massive, dwarfing the buildings they destroyed. Their movements were erratic yet purposeful, as if guided by an intelligence beyond comprehension.

"The mages of Imperius," Alice continued, "rallied to combat the invaders. They developed the Seal of Eternus, a prototype artifact capable of closing the rifts temporarily. The cost was immense—entire generations of mages sacrificed their lives to power the seal."

The projection shifted, showing a group of robed figures standing before a colossal rift. Their faces were grim, their bodies glowing with mana as they chanted in unison. A massive, rune-inscribed artifact hovered above them, radiating blinding light.

"The seal was activated," Alice explained, "and the rifts were closed. However, the effort left the world in disarray. The surviving monsters roamed freely, wreaking havoc. The mages initiated ’Project Golem’ to counter these creatures."

The hologram morphed into schematics of towering constructs—mechanized giants, intricately designed with a blend of arcane runes and mechanical precision. Kael’s eyes widened as he recognized the unmistakable signs of advanced engineering.

"Project Golem," Alice continued, "was humanity’s attempt to create autonomous constructs capable of combating the monsters. The designs were revolutionary, but the project failed to reach completion. The remaining monsters eventually succumbed to time, but the damage was irreversible. Advanced civilizations fell, and technology regressed to the state you see today."

Keira’s voice was barely a whisper. "All of that... It’s terrifying to imagine."

Kael stepped closer to the projection, his mind racing. "Alice, show me everything you have on Project Golem."

"As you wish, Master."

The projection shifted again, this time displaying intricate blueprints of the golems. Their designs were monumental—towering machines powered by mana cores and equipped with armaments that combined science and magic. Kael’s breath caught as he realized the potential of these constructs.

"This..." Kael muttered, his eyes scanning the data. "This is incredible. If I can recreate these, they could revolutionize warfare and defense in this world."

Keira moved to his side, her curiosity outweighing her fear. "Kael, are you really thinking of rebuilding them? Could you even manage such a task?"

Kael’s lips curled into a determined smile. "It’s not about whether I can—it’s about how. These designs are centuries ahead of their time, but I am confident that I can bridge that gap. The fusion of science and magic will be the key."

Alice tilted her head slightly, her voice steady. "Master Kael, I will assist in any capacity you require. However, I must warn you—there may be unforeseen consequences in pursuing this path."

Kael’s gaze hardened. "Consequences are inevitable, Alice. But if those rifts ever return, we’ll need every advantage we can get."

Keira placed a hand on Kael’s arm. "I don’t know how you will do it, Young Master. Whatever you decide, I’m with you. Just promise me you won’t push yourself too hard."

Kael glanced at her, his expression softening. "I promise. But we have to act quickly. We only have 5 years to prepare."

Suddenly, Alice’s gray eyes flickered with a sharp, icy light. Her posture stiffened, and her voice, calm yet insistent, broke the momentary silence.

"Master, I have detected an intruder within the workshop perimeter. I advise apprehending the individual."

Kael’s eyebrows rose, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "An intruder, you say? Interesting. Let’s see how capable you really are, Alice."

Alice bowed her head slightly. "Understood, Master."

Without hesitation, she stepped forward. Her form shimmered momentarily as she activated a pre-programmed spell. "Executing spell: Blink."

Alice’s figure dissolved into a ripple of light, vanishing from sight. Keira gasped, gripping her staff tightly. "Did she just... disappear?"

Kael chuckled. "She’s not gone. Watch."

The spy crouched low behind a stack of crates, his breathing shallow and measured. He peered cautiously toward the main workshop, his dark cloak blending seamlessly with the shadows.

But before he could take another step, a figure materialized directly behind him.

Alice reappeared, her bare feet making no sound as they touched the ground. Her neutral expression betrayed no hint of hesitation or malice. In one fluid motion, she raised her hand and struck the base of the spy’s neck with precision.

The intruder’s body went limp instantly, his consciousness fading before he could react.

Alice caught him effortlessly, her strength belying her slender frame. With the unconscious man slung over her shoulder, she spoke softly to herself, "Mission complete. Returning to Master."

She vanished once more, the soft ripple of her ’Blink’ spell leaving the area eerily silent.

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