I stand before the golem.
Having studied the documents, I understood how to operate it.
While it seemed to function slightly differently from existing golems, it wasn't enough to cause confusion.
I had, after all, once claimed the title of Sage.
Operating something as simple as a golem would be effortless.
I employed the dedicated magic, implanting pseudolife into the golem.
Then I channeled mana, spreading it throughout its entire frame.
It permeated down to the finest details automatically.
This was by design, ensuring even distribution.
Having established a magical connection with the golem, I could now control it.
From what I could sense, there seemed to be no issues.
If I, the caster, willed it, it would move exactly as intended.
At that moment, a vision unfolded in my mind.
I saw my own figure standing there.
I could see Grom peering curiously, and in the distance, the Director was observing.
(So this is the golem's perspective.)
I recalled the functions listed in the documents.
Visual synchronization with the caster had begun.
This same method apparently allowed for remote operation.
Indeed, this was quite convenient.
With ordinary golems, direct visual operation requires the caster to be nearby.
Naturally, this makes the caster a target.
However, shared vision eliminates that weakness.
It allows control of the golem even while the caster remains hidden.
This would prove especially valuable in defensive battles utilizing fortifications, like the one from the other day.
Precious spellcasters could be deployed as powerful combat assets without being exposed to danger.
Accustoming oneself to the sensation of two visual perspectives unfolding simultaneously is necessary.
Some might even become disoriented and suffer from motion sickness.
Of course, as an undead, it was something I didn't even need to consider.
When I focused my will, the golem slowly rose to its feet using all four limbs.
Its center of gravity was well-adjusted, with no sign of tipping over.
The response time to commands was instantaneous, making it extremely easy to manipulate.
Golem creation was a school of magic I hadn't utilized much.
While I had aptitude for it even in life, I simply lacked opportunities to use it.
At best, I employed hastily made mud or wood golems for diversions, relying on other magic in actual combat.
In the campaign to slay the Demon King, there was little use for lumbering golems.
Even if one spent time constructing one, it held little meaning against the fierce attacks of demonkind.
My personal impression was that it was "a halfway magic that could never be the optimal solution in any situation."
However, witnessing the golems of the Magic-Engineering Nation caused me to reassess that judgment.
By incorporating a different technological system, they had achieved a staggering evolution.
I could not find fault with it; rather, it made me painfully aware of my own narrow perspective.
From within the motionless golem came a low grinding noise.
Various parts were moving simultaneously.
I stepped back and had the golem take a few steps forward.
It wasn't quite like moving my own body, but the sense of wrongness was minimal.
It should be fully mobile enough.
Then I had it wave its arms.
Moving them up, down, left, and right.
No problems there either.
The movement was remarkably smooth.
Next, I had it attempt a jump after a squat, but it could barely leave the ground.
The body was simply too heavy.
It seemed it didn't possess that level of athletic capability after all.
I made the golem run at a light jog.
I could control it with far more freedom than I had imagined.
If I could gather numbers and equip them properly, they might function as a fine army.
"Oho! That is magnificent!" Grom watched the golem with barely contained excitement.
He looked ready to burst with enthusiasm.
"The finger-mounted firearms are also functional. Shall I prepare a target?"
"I'm counting on you."
Nodding at the director's proposal, a section of the floor behind the golem rose up.
It became an iron plate about human height.
It was quite thick, standing like a wall.
I turned the golem around and pointed my fingers, with all digits aligned, toward the iron plate.
Then I activated the formulas embedded in my fingers.
In an instant, a series of explosive sounds rang out as fired projectiles struck the iron plate.
The rounds were deeply embedded in its surface.
They hadn't penetrated, but the power was substantial.
It could pierce a human body, let alone ordinary armor.
My aim was somewhat scattered.
I aimed for the center, but the hits were evenly distributed across the entire plate.
It seemed less about the performance and more about my own inexperience.
It should improve with practice.
"Cylinders loaded with projectiles are embedded within both arms. Those rounds are fed to the fingertips. It's also capable of a certain degree of rapid fire."
"Even non-specialists could operate it without issue?"
"Yes, it was no problem. However, the golem did require a pre-filling of magical energy. If you possess an abundant personal supply of magic like the Demon Lord, that's irrelevant, but for a human user, sustained operation or continuous combat is difficult."
The director explained while pointing at his own back.
The internal structure was also detailed in the documents.
The golem's back section housed a device to hold the magical energy that served as its fuel.
If that part were destroyed, its operational time would rapidly decrease. It was one of the structural weaknesses. Conversely, it meant that when fighting the Magitocracy's golems, targeting that area would be effective.
"I couldn't restore the defensive enchantments as they were damaged beyond repair. I apologize."
"Don't worry about it. It was already malfunctioning. Rather, you've done an excellent job repairing it this far."
Being able to move it this much was more than satisfactory. When we had first captured the golem, it was severely damaged in various places. It had been questionable whether it could even be repaired at all. Thinking about that, the efforts of the personnel who managed to restore it to this extent should be praised.
Once the general checks were complete, I severed the connection with the golem.
"Want to give it a try, Grom?"
"Huh, is that alright?!"
"Of course."
"Ah, thank you!"
Grom bounced to his feet and bowed deeply. He clearly hadn't expected to be able to operate the golem. Despite his agitation, a clear sense of joy could be seen. He seemed truly delighted.
"Let's see, then..."
Grom hesitantly reached out to touch the golem.
He tilted his head as he began to manipulate the magic power.
However, he soon grunted and stopped his hands.
"Hmm, how is this done?"
"First, please allow me to flow magic power from this side..."
The director hurried over and explained the procedure to Grom.
After several exchanges, the golem finally began to move.
The golem raised both arms and proudly puffed out its chest.
"Oh ho! I am starting to understand it somewhat!"
The golem controlled by Grom walked around the room, albeit with clumsy movements.
Occasionally, it activated the finger-barrel and hit an iron plate from various angles.
A few stray rounds had come flying this way, so I casually erected a magic barrier.
I might be fine, but the director must not get injured.
After a while, Grom seemed to get used to the controls, and no more stray rounds came flying in our direction.
"Fuha ha ha ha! How is it, Maou! Observe my nimble movements!"
Grom laughed heartily in high spirits.
The golem he controlled was running lightly.
Sometimes, it would gain too much momentum and almost crash into a wall.
Each time, the director would cry out in anguish, "Aaah!"
The atmosphere was quite lively.
After that, I ended up engaging in a mock battle with the golem controlled by Grom.
It was at the director's suggestion that we decided to test its capabilities.
Since Grom was also eager, there was no way to refuse the proposal.
Of course, if I were to get serious, not just the research institute but the entire Royal Capital itself could vanish.
I had to exercise extreme caution, constantly holding back.
During this, Henry, having finished inspecting the firearms, joined us, and for some reason, it turned into a three-way battle.
We took turns operating the golem, putting on a fierce fight within the imposed limitations.
However, in the end, Grom miscalculated and broke the golem, which earned him a stern lecture from the director.
What left a strong impression was how the director unhesitatingly scolded him, even when facing what was practically one of the highest-ranked undead.
We were practically escorted out, and thus left the research institute.