021: Final Plan: Forge the Dragon's Head into a Weapon
"Ah, I see. So this is your commission."
Having swiftly steadied herself from the shock, Shirley raised her hand. Ethereal threads, flowing at a micron-scale, extended from her fingers and inserted themselves into the buried remains.
"Without a brain, I cannot see memories. I can't peer into a mind, so I can only gather surface-level information from the physical body..."
"Is it troublesome?"
The silver-haired youth blinked. In response, Shirley began drawing diagrams in the air. She first wrote the name 'Spiritual Tomb Albion,' then sketched a simplified map of the dragon's remains using two opposing triangles.
"As you said, this 'Albion' you speak of, a pure-blooded dragon, remains a super-existence on the physical hierarchy for humans, even as a corpse. Its two-kilometer-long body is buried underground. My calculations suggest that, barring major geological shifts, establishing a workshop and performing necromantic transmutation would conservatively take... about twenty years."
"Twenty years, huh."
Novia murmured. Objectively speaking, Shirley needing only twenty years to successfully transmute the Albion Dragon's remains was undoubtedly a testament to her reputation as a candidate for the next head of the Atlas Institute. After all, this was a dragon species that nearly tunneled into the Reverse Side of the World with its physical body alone.
However, Novia believed that if it truly took that long, unforeseen events were bound to happen. If other magi discovered this place, it could spark a new storm within the European magical community. Objectively, magi were egoists and efficiency maximizers. The first thought of a typical magus finding this would likely be to claim it for themselves. Cooperation would only occur if concealment was impossible.
It was worth remembering that the later Clock Tower amassed immense magical assets from the Tomb of Albion, becoming a beacon of hope in the declining Age of Man and standing alongside the Wandering Sea and Atlas Institute as one of the three great magical associations. Every part of it was a treasure.
But Novia and Shirley were clearly anomalies in the magical world. Novia was a transmigrator. Hialli, while not previously human, was a good person because her ethical framework was derived from the good and evil of others, acquired through her ethereal threads.
Currently, the purple-haired girl was on the path to confronting her own nature.
Precisely because of this, she frowned at Novia's sudden silence.
A hint of genuine impatience flickered within her, coloring her next words with a slightly aggressive tone.
"I can only guarantee roughly twenty years. And since the Albion Dragon's soul has completely vanished, the necromantic transmutation won't leave behind residual 'regrets' or 'grudges' or other negative elements. I can't promise you anything else."
Necromantic Transmutation referred to the Atlas Institute's fusion of necromancy and alchemy. Because the bodies of magi and Phantasmal Species remained rich in magical energy even after the soul's departure, they could be crafted into incredibly powerful Mystic Codes.
"I understand. Twenty years is indeed the fastest possible."
Novia nodded, thinking that if that were the case, it was time to implement the alternative plan.
"Then, would it be possible to forge only the head of the Albion Dragon into a weapon? The body won't be necessary."
While obtaining a loyal dragon species was impossible, forging a weapon from its head should be nearly as good, Novia reasoned. After all, the Fairy Knight Lancelot was born merely from its left claw. Using the head shouldn't pose a problem.
As for the form of the weapon, Novia had already decided: he would have it made to resemble Lancelot's lance.
"The... the head? But this dragon's head isn't severed—"
The girl observed Novia, her confusion evident as she spoke.
But as she talked, Novia dug away the soil on the other side, revealing the Albion Dragon's head, which he had retrieved from deeper underground.
So the Albion Dragon stuck out its tongue when it died...
With this thought, Hialli inserted her ethereal threads into the dragon's head and began her calculations.
"Still can't see memories. But if we're only transmuting the head, it should take about a year."
"Then I leave it to you, Shirley."
"But what kind of weapon do you want? A sword? A spear? A bow—"
"This."
When Novia presented a design with an anachronistic feel, Shirley, though accustomed as an Atlas alchemist to all sorts of bizarre concepts, sincerely found the weapon on the blueprint to be incredibly cool.
"I'll forge it according to your design."
Hialli replied succinctly. Without hesitation, her body began constructing a magical workshop at an astonishing speed.
"You're starting now? Don't you need to prepare? Should I show you around Britain for a few days?"
Novia crossed his arms and smiled, extending the invitation.
"That's unnecessary. Those things hold no meaning for me. By the way, your design skills are quite good. You could probably join the Atlas Institute if you wanted."
Shirley said casually.
Then she immediately added.
"Ah, I forgot for a moment you've already joined Christianity. Anyway, I'll deliver what you want in a year."
........
"It's all settled?"
Exiting the cave, Novia saw Lucius guarding the entrance, sitting on the grass by a campfire, and walked over.
"Yes, it should be ready in about a year."
"Just a year? That little girl is that capable? I thought it would take decades, given the dragon's size."
"You've misunderstood. What I gave Shirley was the Dragon's head."
The crimson campfire illuminated the desolate grassland as the two engaged in idle conversation.
"By the way, you're only sixteen now. You've already accomplished so much, and you still intend to keep going?"
Lucius spoke with a touch of melancholy, perhaps feeling, as the older one, powerless to do more for the youth before him.
"My name is Novia. Paul and the others raised me. I owe them, don't I? Besides, crying and screaming won't change reality. If it's a task only I can shoulder, then I must face it head-on. Even if it's not my original wish, even if I must test it with my own body, I will do what I must."
Just like on the day they first met, the youth's words held an emotion Lucius couldn't fathom. Yet, Lucius felt undeniably that these words were imbued with a sincere wish.
Therefore, Lucius grinned again, his hand touching the cross-shaped scar on his cheek.
"Then do your best, Lord Novia."
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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