Chapter 91

Day 1 of Return: Breaking In
Thus, the Island Golem advanced through the sea and arrived at the Fractalian coast.

… To the knights, Marylia explained, "Once we disembark in Fractalia, let's get properly equipped. Once everyone is ready, I'll make you all a bit sturdier and a bit more agile." After all, if they didn’t put on their armor first, I wouldn’t be able to turn it into golems.

According to Marylia’s memories, there was a fortress near the coastline they were heading to. If they stopped there, they could probably scrape together enough armor for everyone. Some of the pirates had already been wearing armor, so they wouldn’t need too many.

About a quarter of an hour after making landfall, everyone had donned their armor and lined up. Their speed was impressive.

… At the same time, people came pouring out of the fortress, shouting, "Lady Marylia!? Lady Marylia is here!?" Seeing them in such a frenzy, Marylia smiled brightly and waved at them.

"Everyone, I want you all to head for the royal capital now. There, fortify the defenses. Protect the people… protect our country."

As Marylia began speaking to the knights, they saluted her with determined expressions, overwhelmed with emotion. She returned their salute with a gentle grace.

"Now then… I’ll lend you a bit of my power. Please, all of you, stay safe."

Then, she used her golem manipulation magic on the knights in their armor.

She transformed their armor into golems one after another… but it felt much easier than when she had done it before.

Indeed, Marylia had grown significantly during her time on the uninhabited island. The effects of the magic stone she now wore likely played a role as well, but regardless, she was able to transform their armor into golems with almost no strain.

"Oh…! It feels like my armor has become lighter!"

"I can feel power welling up within me… this is Lady Marylia’s gift!"

As the knights cheered, onlookers murmured with whispers of expectation and hope. The people, who had been bracing themselves for Baltoria’s inevitable conquest, now had hope shining in their eyes once more.

"Well then, I’m off."

Marylia scanned the crowd, then commanded the Island Golem to lower its hand to the ground. With a soft "heave-ho," she climbed aboard.

"Leave Baltoria to me. Please, take care of Fractalia."

With the movement of the Island Golem’s arm, Marylia was lifted off the ground. Below, people called out, "Lady Marylia!" and "Lady Marylia, may fortune be with you!" She waved to them before settling onto the Island Golem’s shoulder.

… Thus, amidst the cheers of the people, the Island Golem began to move.

Thud. Thud. It advanced step by step, and once it reached deeper waters, it continued forward in a slow, gliding motion.

Even as the Island Golem moved along, the cheers from the coast could still be heard. Along with them… were prayers and unfamiliar hymns.

"… They’ve made a hymn for me~? Oh no~…"

Marylia muttered under her breath, her brows knitting together. Though there was some bewilderment in her expression, it wasn’t due to displeasure.

"… This is kind of embarrassing. Ehehe."

… She was simply flustered!

After leaving the Fractalia coast, Marylia soon spotted a ship flying a familiar emblem ahead.

"Oh my. A Baltorian ship. Probably a rear guard unit or something."

It seemed to be one of Baltoria’s vessels. Since it had set sail after the ones she had sunk earlier, it was most likely a supply ship.

"If it's a supply ship, I want it. Hmm…"

If the ship was carrying cargo, it would be a waste not to take it. That was Marylia’s thought process. It was quite similar to that of a bandit or a barbarian, but there was no one around to admonish her.

"If the Island Golem moves and sinks it, the cargo will be lost too… oh well, no choice."

After thinking for a moment, she smiled brightly… and turned toward the Iron Golems.

"I’ll bring that ship ashore, so go ahead and raid it, everyone."

Behind her stood the Iron Golems, all three hundred of them. They nodded in unison and raised their weapons.

A few minutes later.

"Alright! Let’s pick it up. Everyone, get ready."

Marylia maneuvered the Island Golem, and with a firm grip, it lifted the Baltorian ship.

… Naturally, cries of confusion erupted from the vessel. This meant it wasn’t just a ship full of zombies. Even if necromancers had been controlling them, there had to be living people aboard to issue commands and make adjustments.

"Alright, everyone, board it and take them down!"

… And so, the ship was gently placed onto the Island Golem’s shoulder, where the Iron Golems swarmed it.

The battle was over in an instant.

Of course, it was. When a horde of steel soldiers—one, two hundred strong—swarmed aboard, what could mere flesh-and-blood humans possibly do?

The ship’s height was no obstacle. The Iron Golems simply stacked themselves—one climbed onto another’s shoulders, and another climbed on top of that—forming a staircase in no time. Before long, the Iron Golems had completely flooded the ship.

From the Island Golem’s shoulder, Marylia watched the scene unfold with a smile. "Ah, they’re really going at it. Hehe."

… Occasionally, corpses were tossed overboard by the Iron Golems, where those stationed outside the ship ensured they were thoroughly finished off before the Island Golem dumped them into the sea. Disposal was simple. After all, they were right above the ocean!

"Oh, the bodies are gone now. Hehe, looks like they had some good cargo."

Once the corpses had been dealt with, the ship’s cargo was unloaded one crate at a time. Noticing a box filled to the brim with oranges, Marylia chuckled.

"Oh my, could the crate of oranges that drifted to my island have come from Baltoria’s cargo?"

Smiling, she wasted no time grabbing an orange and taking a bite.

"Mm! Delicious~!"

The refreshing, juicy citrus spread through her slightly fatigued body. The flavor leaned more toward tartness than sweetness, but it was invigorating nonetheless.

As Marylia finished her first orange, Jade had already peeled another for her. She happily ate a second one… and found it just as delicious. Marylia was filled with joy! After all, good food brings happiness!

Marylia continued inspecting the cargo, securing some food to have a meal.

She sliced a chunk of ham thinly, did the same with a block of cheese, and cut the hard-baked bread into thin slices, spreading butter on them. Adding some wild greens, she assembled it all together.

"Ahh, it's been so long since I've had bread~ Ehehe."

And so, Marylia indulged in a meal she hadn't had in a long time.

Until now, wheat had only ever meant porridge to her. Eating it in the form of bread made her realize just how far she had come.

"Let’s keep up the effort this afternoon."

Leisurely enjoying her late lunch, Marylia gazed toward Baltoria.

Today, that country would fall. And none other than Marylia herself would be the one to bring about its destruction!

Before making landfall on Baltoria’s mainland, there were a few battles along the way.

First, three ships. They seemed to be carrying reinforcements to Fractalia. She sank them all.

Next, a Kraken. A sea monster happened to attack, so she caught it and crushed it. The waters became safer as a result!

And then—

"Oh my, they've finally noticed me."

From atop the Island Golem, Marylia gazed toward the Baltorian coastline, where about ten ships had lined up. Looking through the telescope she had received from Cyril, she could see people frantically scurrying about.

It seemed they had spotted the giant approaching and deemed it an enemy attack. They were correct.

That was why they were reinforcing the shoreline with soldiers, loading troops onto ships, and trying to buy time.

"But really, that won’t do much, will it?"

Muttering to herself, Marylia pressed the Island Golem forward. She had no intention of stopping. The defenders along Baltoria’s coast seemed to realize that as well. Some tried to flee, others barked orders at those who ran, and a few simply stood dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.

"After all, this thing is just that big."

And so, as the soldiers scrambled, the Island Golem stepped onto the shore.

With steady, unhesitant strides, the golem advanced without reservation.

Just by passing through, the Baltorian soldiers were effortlessly crushed to death. Not that death meant much—the Baltorian’s necromancy revived them immediately, which only added to the chaos.

"Hmm… judging by the situation, it seems the foot soldiers either don’t know about necromancy or don’t understand its range. Either way, they weren’t told that they would be revived upon death, it seems."

The living soldiers ran in terror, while the newly raised undead ones tried to climb up the golem’s legs. But the sheer size of the Island Golem made such efforts futile.

They managed to climb a little before losing strength and falling, smashing into the ground, where they remained still. The grotesque sight made the living soldiers and nearby civilians scream in horror.

"Well, Baltoria has never really allowed enemies to invade its land before. I suppose they never had the chance to learn about this."

Marylia continued her analysis while directing the golem forward. The Island Golem walked without hesitation. It didn’t matter if people stood in the way; it could simply trample over or push through them.

"Ah, it’s finally coming into view. The long-awaited Baltoria Castle~ Ehehe."

From atop the Island Golem’s shoulder, she saw the Baltorian fortress—the castle where the king resided.

Crossing fields, mountains, rivers, and crushing all in its path, the golem finally neared the capital city.

Then—

"Fire!"

A voice rang out.

"Oh my."

Thud, thud. Arrows struck the golem’s legs.

More arrows rained down, piercing its thighs and abdomen. It seemed the soldiers stationed at the castle had begun a coordinated assault. From the slits in the city walls, from the watchtowers, arrows poured down in a relentless storm.

But—

"Hmm… these aren’t even reaching me, are they?"

The arrows weren’t aimed at Marylia. They were only hitting the golem’s legs. More accurately, they couldn’t aim any higher. The golem was simply too large, and they were too close!

"If they were coming for me, I’d be concerned, but… I suppose that won’t be happening."

Casually swatting away the arrows, the Island Golem took another step closer to Baltoria Castle.

And then—

"As a little greeting, let’s kick the gate open. Pardon the intrusion~"

With a cheerful smile, Marylia maneuvered the golem—

And the city gates, along with the surrounding walls, were completely obliterated!

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