5.56 - Private Army

5.56 - Private Army

It was always a pleasure watching Zizs team get to work. They had created so many weird structures, starting with the bridge and the harbor, that they were now a well-oiled machine. Instead of going with a tower design, which was required for the ocean dungeon, they did something different. First, they reinforced the edges of the river with stone walls. Theo helped them smooth the area out as they worked. Next, the created a stone base on the riverbed.

Watching how far the workers had come was amazing. Theo watched one half-ogre with a stack of marble stone blocks in one hand and his other hand free. He would place a brick down, passing his hand over it to apply magical mortar, and move on. Each block took about a second to lay, and there were twenty workers. The alchemist swept his will over the riverbed, helping to smooth it out as they worked. There were sections where the workers wanted to drive massive pillars, and it was another area the alchemist was helpful in.

Sure you dont want a job? Ziz asked, laughing as Theo helped guide another support column.

I just might, Theo said, driving the pillar deep into the ground. He slapped the side of the marble structure. This bad boy aint going nowhere.

The supports were required because the entire river was going to be covered. This was a feat of engineering that would have been impossible back on Earth. The weight of the stones would have collapsed any logical support system. But this wasnt earth. Ziz and his team could weld stone together, creating a near-perfect bond. That allowed him to create a lattice support structure. The point of the rivers stone ceiling was for the tube-like structure being constructed around the river. It gave them perfect control over the amount of water allowed to rush over the River Dungeon while still providing easy access for adventurers via a spiral staircase.

While he was at it, Ziz planned to take the covered river idea all the way to the harbor wall. It might look awkward when we expand the wall, Ziz said, admitting the plans shortcomings. But well sort that out later.

This would have been at least a week-long job without Theos help. As the work went on, he saw how useful he could be in the construction business. The dam almost collapsed at one point, but the alchemist held it back with his Earth Sorcerer Core. That gave time for the stoneworkers to get down there and put in some reinforcements, tying it to the marble lattice. When he let go, the dam held.

Dusk came and left, giving way to twilight. The group still worked, and Tresk complained they werent in bed yet. The workers had lit lanterns, magical and mundane, to keep going until they were done. Theo refused to leave, fearing another dam incident.

Just a few more things to get going, Ziz said, dabbing his muddy brow with a cloth. But I think this is pretty solid.

Theo jumped up and down on the covered river, laughing as the stones supported his weight. This is just wild.

The fisher folks are gonna yell at you, Ziz, Tresk said.Thi/s chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.co/m

Yeah. They have the ocean now. They can deal with it.

Sarisa and Rowan came parading to the work site with platters laden with food. Ziz groaned as the attention of all his workers was drawn away from the work, delaying the completion of the job by about an hour. Theo laughed at the half-ogre, helping himself to a plate of Karatan steak. Once everyone was well-fed, the river was ready to be opened once again.

Theo reached out with his core, finding it hard to hoist the entire dam up. He strained, getting it most of the way there before the rushing water put a stop to his plan. The workers had to attach ropes to the dam while the alchemist chugged Mana Potions, eventually pulling it free from the slurry of churning river water.

That was a close one, Theo said, wiping his brow. He reached out again, filling in the temporary river with the dirt he had extracted.

That was a massive advantage of using the Earth Sorcerer Core instead of the Tunneling Potion. While the potion removed the dirt completely, the core allowed him to use the dirt afterward. It took Theo longer than he would have liked to fill in enough of the offshoot river to keep the water from soaking in. By the time he was done, it was around midnight. Tresk was pissed, but that was nothing new. She was so focused on advancing that any change to their schedule was an affront. They returned to the manor, collapsing into their beds and drifting off into the Dreamwalk.

Theo came up with an idea to increase his willpower while working within the constraints of size. Human-sized skeletons wouldnt fit within the Hallow Ground potion modified with Embolden. But skeletal hamsters? They absolutely would. The alchemist stood in a field of slavering hamster zombies, shoving as many as he could into that circle. His first attempt failed. The amount of hamsters that could fit within the circle was greater than he had expected. After resetting with a reasonable amount of hamsters, he found success.

Before long, Ill have an army of bugs to contend with, Theo said, booting one zombie hamster into the distance. Can bugs become zombies? Who cares?

Theos Earth Sorcerers Core had advanced to Level 4, which might have been impressive in another core. Getting that core to a point where it would be useful was effortless compared to many others. He was once again reminded that he needed to make his free pick, but felt uninspired to do so. The alchemist wanted to wait until his newest core was higher, or when it evolved into something related to Drogramath. There were skills under the sorcerer category that werent tied to any specific school as well. While he only had access to a few, which added nothing he wanted, that meant he could get more as time went on.

Banking a skill for so long was something Theo had never done. He had always grabbed new skills impulsively, snatching up whatever he could to enhance his life and abilities. But with so many moving parts, it was hard to justify that behavior. Silent observation was required as he attempted to push himself in one direction, rather than barreling toward every new thing all at once. It might have been time to do more core swapping, using his newest slot to bring in other cores that relied on willpower.

Research is required, Theo said, growing bored of the endless parade of hamsters. He banished them with a thought, heading off to see what Tresk was up to.

Tresk was finally done fighting the giant horned snake. But the thing she had summoned wasnt much better. Theo watched as she and Alex battled with a massive skeletal dragon. The alchemist sensed her thought pattern, understanding that she wanted to be prepared for the worst case. Pogo, in the underground below, turning into a skele-dragon would have been that case. It wasnt logical to assume that she would turn undead, but he didnt blame the marshling for being prepared.

Should I report this to Aarok? Rowan asked.

Please, do. Hes going to freak out, Theo said, jogging to catch up to one golem. He tapped it on the side, inspecting the creature before it left.

[Metal Golem]

[Alchemy Construct]

Level 28

Metal Golems are excellent at combat. They serve almost no use elsewhere, and require new [Fire Constructs] to repair themselves. Metal Golems without an installed [Fire Construct] will become more useless the longer they operate.

Containment Core: [Alchemically Treated Drogramathi Iron Cage]

Monster Core: [Goblin Skirmisher] (Level 28)

Medium: [Azrugium]

Alchemy Slates: [Mana Construct]

Power System: [Tworgnothi Copper Battery]

Siphon System: [Tworgnothi Copper Siphon Artifice]

Additional Modifications: [Fire Construct]

It didnt take long for Aarok to come check in on Theo. The alchemist was following one group of the battle golems, making sure they were following orders correctly. Since their orders were so simple, and their cores high enough for them to solve problems, it shouldnt have been a problem.

Summoning an army? Without my permission? Aarok said, shoving Theo playfully.

Theo alchemist sent a mental command. Four golem heads turned, locking onto the half-ogre. Aarok held his hands up, a nervous smile spreading across his face.

Im revolting, Theo said.

Against yourself? Aarok laughed.

With a wave of his will, the alchemist sent his golems off to do their work. Whats up? Theo asked.

Just a request, Aarok said, visibly relaxing. Allow our commanders to issue orders to your private army.

Then it wouldnt be private, would it? Theo asked, adding the command to the lodestone near the greenhouses. Done. It wont override my commands, but you can assemble them. In an emergency, theyll do whatever you say. So long as the person is recognized by the town as a commander.

Thanks, Theo.