The armor set was forged from the magic core of Beelzebub, the King of Flies.
Its name is 'Lord of the High Tower.'
One of the many aliases of the King of Flies was adopted as the name of the equipment.
It was chainmail, with tiny magic metal chains linked closely together, so finely crafted and natural-looking that it could be mistaken for cloth at a glance.
Wearing it felt like a long coat that flowed from top to bottom.
However, each piece of this chain was reprocessed from a magic core.
It included three SSR-grade magic cores of the King of Flies, and additionally, a hundred R-grade regular magic cores were hammered in for processing.
It was a luxury possible only because magic cores from past defensive battles were rotting away in abundance.
As a result of this extravagant display of magic cores, each piece of the chainmail could function as an auxiliary source of magic power.
They resonated with each other, aiding the wearer's magic computations.The armor itself became a super-grade magic reliquary.
'It’s quite similar to what the King of Flies did.'
The King of Flies was an amalgam of countless flies, using the collective consciousness of the flies comprising its body for its magic computations.
This equipment, made from their magic cores, was eerily reminiscent of them.
'In addition, I've incorporated the [Individual Barrier Creation Artifact].'
It was another spoil of war from the battle with the King of Flies, obtained from mutated flies.
We had gathered just over forty of these, enabling us to use the small-scale barriers that the flies had used individually.
'The alchemist team really put in a lot of effort...'
The alchemists had to wrack their brains for weeks to apply this artifact technology to our armor.
And they succeeded beautifully. This armor, 'Lord of the High Tower,' was the first to fully integrate the barrier artifact.
Not only could the wearer create barriers at will, but this armor also developed another unique feature: the chains at the impacted areas automatically detected, reacted to, and computed enemy attacks, generating local barriers to block them.
In gaming terms, this would be called Auto Guard.
Like Evangeline's golem armor, each metal chain played a defensive role, and when damage reached a threshold, they purged in that manner.
It was truly a case of using every available technology.
All the features of the armor were concentrated in the helmet, allowing the wearer to fully control the armor by focusing their consciousness on the helmet.
Every piece of armor supported the wearer's magic computations, and was not only an outstanding armor itself but also featured extreme barrier capabilities—
Truly an armor fitting for a commander, a control tower. 'Lord of the High Tower.'
'The very essence of this game being Tower Defense makes it a strangely apt name...'
Of course, its genre is character defense, and the purpose is town defense, but the overarching category is tower defense... Ah, such game nerd thinking!
As Kellibey lifted the armor slightly with his fingertips, I was lost in various thoughts.
"The armor is enchanted with lightweight magic. It feels a bit like a heavy coat."
"It really is wonderful. Amazing, and thank you, Kellibey."
Chuckling, Kellibey turned his gaze toward me.
"No need to explain, but this armor is meant for you."
"..."
Indeed.
Not to mention its support for magic computations.
This extremely safety-oriented armor—an obsessive will to utilize all technology and resources available to mankind to keep the wearer alive.
Without a doubt, this armor was made specifically for me.
I never gave such an order, nor did the production team ever hold a meeting to decide for whom it was being made, but this was the outcome.
The final battle was near, and here I was, a commander, about to plunge into enemy lines without a suit of armor tailored for me.
Even if I had ordered it made for someone else, Kellibey and the blacksmiths would have tailored this armor for me.
"...It would be alright for me to wear it, but."
However.
"In the end, I am support. This high-performance armor would suit a frontline warrior better."
Honestly, I coveted it, and it would be incredibly useful to me... but I decided to yield it.
"..."
Kellibey narrowed his eyes and glared at me, so I hurriedly waved my hands.
"Of course, I'll wear armor too. No, I've been wearing it all along!"
You'd think I was walking around naked, wouldn't you?
I just haven't mentioned it, but I always wore armor when heading into battle.
Given my poor stamina, I usually wore light armor, even though just wearing leather was tough enough.
This time, several sets of new armor with barrier functions will be available, and I'll choose the lightest one to wear.
'In short, this armor is too precious to be kept in the rear... That's the issue.'
Good armor should go to the vanguard at the front lines. Rear support can make do with whatever's left over.
"So, who are you planning to give it to?"
Kellibey twitched his mustache in displeasure but asked as if respecting my opinion as the commander.
"There's someone whose armor was damaged in this battle."
"The Dragon Lady?"
"Yes."
No need to beat around the bush. It's Dusk Bringar.
She is the sworn enemy of the black dragon and must continue to fight at the forefront.
It's only right to yield the best armor to this Dragon Lady.
"I'm planning to give it to her for operation."
"Do as you please. But remember, no matter who wears it."
Kellibey tapped the box with his fingertip and earnestly advised.
"The King of Flies was not one of the official ten commanders of the Nightmare Legion, but he was certainly a monster of the same class... perhaps even more so. Naturally, this equipment made from his magic core harbors darkness equal to, or greater than, a Nightmare Slayer."
"..."
I simply looked at Kellibey. Then, Kellibey shivered.
"What, what? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"It's nothing."
Perhaps because he was chosen by the tribal god to become an avatar.
Or perhaps because he's been working tirelessly for Crossroad, day and night.
Or maybe because he's burning inside with a vengeful spirit after losing his son.
Kellibey looked emaciated. His eyes were bloodshot, his cheeks sunken and gaunt, and his unkempt beard grew messily.
I was worried about this old dwarf. Just as much as this old dwarf was worried about me.
But I didn't say it outright, just as he didn't.
However, this was something I had to instruct.
"Kellibey, I'll tell you in advance. You won't be dispatched in this battle."
Kellibey's eyes widened in surprise, and I quickly gestured with my hands.
"Of course, you are a strong warrior. You smashed the jaws of the evil dragon beautifully in the last raid."
"But why are you sidelining me?"
There was a hint of hurt in Kellibey's voice.
Instead of making up another excuse, I gave the real reason.
"There are too many Dragon Slayers to produce. And without you, all these processes would grind to a halt..."
"..."
Right now, the forge at Crossroad was mobilizing workers from all races and affiliations, dedicating their full efforts to the production of Dragon Slayers.
And Kellibey was the overseer of this project.
The moment he steps away, the entire manufacturing process would stop.
He was not only an outstanding warrior but also an unmatched blacksmith. The battlefield that suited him and needed him was right here.
It was also the place where he could temper the flames of vengeance in his heart.
"..."
Kellibey glanced around the busy forge. Even now, besides 'Lord of the High Tower,' several high-grade pieces of equipment were being produced simultaneously.
And the production of equipment must continue unabated until just before the Black Dragon - Night Bringer raid.
Perhaps this was even more important than being on the frontline. Kellibey knew this too well to easily object.
"Master."
At that moment, Hannibal reached out and gently patted Kellibey's shoulder.
"..."
Kellibey silently stared at Hannibal.
The once small assistant had grown considerably, now nearly as tall as Kellibey, and would probably grow much taller in a few more years.
Whatever he reflected in that growth.
Kellibey abruptly turned towards the furnace after closing and reopening his eyes.
"Alright. But even if I miss the next three raids, I'll accompany you when we go to capture the Black Dragon, okay?"
"..."
I smiled bitterly and nodded.
"That's fine, Kellibey."
"Then that's settled. I'm busy, so I should go now. Oh, and take that with you when you leave."
Kellibey pointed to the side with a voice that seemed drained of strength.
"This was also completed this morning... It's a weapon made from the magic core and fangs of the evil dragon we captured."
On the table next to him, there was a small box wrapped in black cloth.
"The owner of this weapon has been pestering me. Wanted it finished first..."
"..."
"Pass it on for me, then."
Kellibey disappeared into the forge, and Hannibal bowed to me before following the dwarf.
"..."
I picked up the box containing the armor and the box with the dagger.
I left the forge, where people were sweating as they worked, and went to find the person who would be the owner of this weapon.
***
South of the city. The South Gate ruins.
Or... perhaps it's a bit inappropriate to call it that now since the reconstruction has progressed so much.
The southern city wall, completely destroyed in the last battle, was being replaced with walls brought from New Terra.
People were busily moving about and shouting as they assembled the wall at the construction site.
Despite being far from completion, the walls from New Terra were already beautiful.
"..."
Verdandi was squatting in front of the construction site.
Behind the wall restoration site, charred dead trees were piled up, waiting to be collected. Verdandi wasn't looking at the walls but at these dead trees.
During the last battle against the King of Flies.
The wall of trees that blocked his self-destruction, the remains of that miracle.
The stem of the world tree summoned by Queen Skuld, who had given her entire eternal life for it.
The city was saved, and the tree burned black and died. Skuld who had summoned the tree met the same fate.
"..."
After losing Skuld, Verdandi always sat here whenever she had spare time.
Although she helped the production guild and worked all day, sometimes, when she couldn't contain the rage inside, she seemed to come here to cool down.
I approached her, calling her name.
"Verdandi."
"...Lord Ash."
It seemed Verdandi had noticed me coming and gently lowered her head as she said my name.
I sat down next to Verdandi. We were silent for a moment.
"..."
Verdandi turned her head to look down at the spot where Skuld had died.
The roots of the dead black tree were burrowing into the ground there.
Skuld, who had summoned the stem of the world tree, had become one with the tree, connected here at its roots.
Although Verdandi had personally separated Skuld's body and held a funeral, the base of the tree still remained in the ground in front of the South Gate.
I didn't offer any clumsy words of comfort. Instead, I handed her the wooden box I was holding.
"Take this."
"This is...?"
"It's a weapon made from the fangs and magic core of the dragon we brought down, Tustivian."
"..."
Verdandi silently opened the wooden box.
Inside was a wickedly evil black dagger.
--TL Notes--
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /MattReading