Ep. 1106 Homeward Bound Part 15 (Patreon)

However, even when the blueprint is done, I don't start building the golem yet. Instead, I start working out the programming that the golem is going to need. As I am working out the programming, I come up with a few modifications for the design.

When I get to the point that I can't think of any other changes to make, I stop working on it. Instead, I pick up the first book of the next manga series and go upstairs. I start reading it while eating some lunch to give myself a bit of a break.

I finish eating, but I don't move until I have finished reading the entire book. Then I get up, head back to my workshop, and look over the blueprint again. Unfortunately, I still can't think of any more improvements for the design.

Figuring that means that it is as good as I can make it, I start building the first golem. After working on the golem for a couple of hours I stop and take another break. I read the second book in the series and then go back to working on the golem.

Or at least I try to, but I find I can't focus, the second book ended in a cliffhanger. I try to focus for a few minutes, but then I give up and start reading the third book. I am about halfway through the book when the gates opens and Lin and the kids return.

When the kids spot me, they immediately rush over and start telling me about their adventure. Lin just laughs and watches, she doesn't add anything until the kids run out of steam. Even Mulan is excited and acting like a kid again, which is super cute.

Once the kids quiet down, Lin fills in the details that they missed in their rambling. Apparently, this time they ran into a few stronger beasts and had some decent fights. Luckily, the kids have had plenty of combat training and they handled themselves well.

"After this second trip, do you think you would be up to briefing others?"

Lin says "What do you mean?"

"If Brightfire organizes some groups, could you brief them on what kind of things to watch out for? Just enough to make them more likely to survive."

Lin says "Yeah, I think I can do that. Are you still planning on letting the kids go with the groups?"

"If you aren't going anymore, yes. Only if they want to, of course."

The kids all say "I want to!"

Lin says "I guess that answers that. Did you already talk to Brightfire?"

"Nope, not yet. I will, now that we have decided."

Lin says "Alright. I am going to go relax and read until dinner."

"Okay. Jarvis, can you invite Brightfire to come see me."

Jarvis says "Of course."

I go back to reading my manga until Brightfire arrives and then I explain things to her. She thinks that it is a good idea and leaves to go see how many elves want to participate. I go back to reading and I move on to the forth book before she returns.

Brightfire says "Alright, I have four well balanced groups. I would have had more, but we don't have many healers."

"Okay. You can set a time with Lin to get them briefed and then they can go exploring. My kids are going to want to go as well, if there are four groups then one kid can go with each."

Brightfire says "That works. I will take Mushu with my group and keep an eye on him since he is the smallest."

"Thanks."

Brightfire leaves to go talk to Lin and I sit staring at the half-finished golem. Something Brightfire said gave me an idea, so I decide to try a new experiment. I finish the golem, without any weapons, and then use it to test my idea.

It takes a lot of trial and error and I even have to ask Seronia for a little help. However, the experiment ends up being a success, I manage to create a golem using no magic. Instead, the enchantments and programming are all done using divine power.

The idea came from Brightfire's comment about not having many healers. I decided to try and see if I could make a golem healer, but not by using wands. The only reason I was even able to try the experiment is because the goddesses taught me the full language.

Without that there would be no way for me to program the golem even if I could enchant it. Now the only thing left to do is activate the golem and see if it works. However, before I can do that, Lin comes into my workshop to talk to me.

"Hey, is it time for dinner already?"

Lin says "Uh, Ash, the kids and I just finished breakfast. You worked throughout the night. I tried to come get you for dinner but Jarvis said you were working on something dangerous and shouldn't be disturbed."

"It has been that long? It wasn't that dangerous, I was just experimenting with divine power."

Lin says "Didn't you promise not to do anything crazy?!"

"Don't worry. I spoke with Seronia, she not only approved, she helped me figure some things out."

Lin says "She did?! What exactly was this experiment?"

"I made a golem using only divine power."

Lin says "Oh, okay. That is interesting, but was there a point?"

"Yes. I wanted to see if I could make a golem that can act as a healer."

Lin says "Couldn't you just make a normal golem and equip it with healing wands?"

"That would be far too limited. If it works, this thing will have all of my healing spells and even my healing aura."

Lin says "That sounds super useful, but you don't sound very confident."

"The theory is sound, but it required a lot of divine runes I haven't used before. It should work, but I won't know until I actually turn it on."

Lin says "Well, what are you waiting for? Turn it on!"

With a chuckle at her excitement, I do as I am told and activate the golem. At first, nothing happens and Lin looks disappointed, but after a minute the golem starts moving. It is not meant to be a sentient golem, so it just stands up and waits for orders.

While Lin watches, I order the golem to test out all of its abilities one by one. It actually works perfectly, it is able to cast all of the divine spells that I programmed into it. Once it is done testing all of its spells, I have the golem shut itself down.

Lin says "What did you do that for? It was working, wasn't it?"

"Yes, but it isn't complete. This is an experiment, I only programmed it to cast spells on command. It needs a lot more programming before it can act as a healer for a group. It will also need combat programming so that it can defend itself."