================================

Chapter 328: Towers

================================

So for the next few hours more, Siva focused on creating a standalone [Generator] and integrating his remaining Auricles into its functions.

These are his personal Communications Towers!

Six of them were lined up in front of him and with them were six of his Master Puppets.

He was going to send [Gunslinger] and [Smasher] with the four red-cloaked Faceless to guard each [BM-Towers] = official name.

“So we will have six active ones huh. For our base here in Oz Forest, I’ll be leaving the [Smasher] to be the Castle Guardian.”

Siva had ‘edited’ the [Grand Ender Hammer] that the [BM-Smasher] was using. He made it look like the Godhammer.

And although his [BM-Smasher] is two heads taller than him, he still changed its frame size to make it look like the ‘him’ when he’s wearing his BMA.

—ocean blue themed edgy armor with a red cape.

It was also the same for the [BM-Gunslinger].

“The six are now online, boss. That’s how we’re going to be permanently connected to them. Each [S-Generators] are self-sufficient, eternally on-going, self-repairing equipment. Thanks to Black Ironwood Alloy, we’ve manufactured a compact version [S-Generator].”

Siva felt satisfied.

Half of a Mega-Crate was used to modify these six’s capabilities, along with a specialized tweaking of the Faceless, the [Gunslinger], and the [Smasher]… that although changed their outside appearances to that of Siva’s red-caped version, did not diminish their capabilities and instead even improved their reactionary speeds when behaving on the predefined settings of his [Moves List].

“I’m flatted out of my resources by these guys. To minimize their maintenance, I really have to go all out on their capabilities.”

“It was a good thing that Plasma Smoke Screens are excellent conductors and thermal insulators. With the help of the chemistry between it and the energy output of the [S-generator], the equilibrium of the Signal Repeaters is easily manipulated. We don’t have to worry about them running out of juice and even have to be recharged, unlike the BMA.”

“This is my creation.” Siva felt proud of himself and for a moment, he was lost in his thoughts.

Still…

If only he could find a better energy booster than just the Stun E-Grenade, then he’d never have to worry about running out of juice with the BMA.

But Siva made sure that these six Guardians are well equipped with over 300k NanoCubes, each, for instances that they need to repair themselves if they ever get attacked by monsters or other people, or get damaged by natural phenomena.

Then, he installed them with a few basic preset reactions when they are guarding and it can even be updated. He also had the [S-Generator]’s 200m-wide [Absolute Domain] integrate a passive [Auricle Scan] function as the main feature of its defensive set up.

The difference, though, is with the [BM-Gunslinger] and [BM-Smasher] which is perhaps a big factor that makes it a unique accessory for the BMA as a whole, and as well as to Cortana.

*Absolute Domain = BM-Puppet’s MAX movement range + Passive Scan Range. Absolute Domain is 200 meters wide

*200km-wide range = Communications Link range

*Communications Link = lets Cortana (and with a 0.01% latency, Siva) establish an [eyes and ears] effect through the Orbiter Bracelet’s [Orbiter Control] function

*Orbiter Control = allows Siva and/or the Battle-AI to remotely access and manipulate any equipment items operating in the same signal frequency as the Bracelet

If Siva had to give a word for this “ability” of his, then perhaps he might call it plainly as [Cloning].

He could [Clone] his intent using his puppets.

While he was absorbed on his marveling, Cortana spoke with a voice that also resembled pride in it.

“You really made it now, Boss. With these signal repeaters, you can make sure that at least 100km of the immediate distance from the Asgard will be navigated freely by the [BM-Gunslinger] and the [BM-Smasher].”

“Although it’s a pity that the Auricle’s integration of its Scan Function only yielded the same 100m-wide effective range from the [S-Generator].”

“But the difference boss is that even if you’re in Tiara or even in Espada, you can still control the guardians via my active connection through The Alliance’s own Communication Towers.”

“Aye… just make sure that they don’t tap into our link with our own towers.”

“With me here, they can only wish.”

Although Siva felt assured, but if in the future, the tower’s guardians ever encounter anything that is beyond their capabilities to handle, it can use the 200km-wide communications ability to ask for help and report in their situation.

If Siva can’t come in to help, then at least either the [Gunslinger] or the [Smasher] can come and give aide to the others.

—because he installed the [S-Generators] not in the towers these two are guarding, but on their bodies themselves.

“I’ve also added a few advanced security steps for the [BM-Gunslinger] and [BM-Smasher] that even in times that we can’t be connected to them, most especially when you’re offline, they can still operate through the default pre-arranged actions that you have set up on their processing matrix.”

“Like a ward in the middle of the forest, but one that moves five times slower than the speed of sound.”

Without the limitations of the physical body inside the armor, the [Gunslinger] and [Smasher] can perform to their optimized setting without a hitch.

“And as invincible as these guys may seem against other mortals, they still have a lot of rooms for improvement.”

“You’ve only expanded the range of the Orbiter Control via the Communications Link function, but considering that the most important part of this ‘extension’ is the active Auricle Scan itself that only has a tad bit of a fraction’s fraction of its true potential, boss…. sorry to say this but you might need a bit more Mega-Crates before you can also expand this most important function of your plan.”

Siva gulped remembering the resources he had just expended creating this project.

“Just how many more resources do we need to have, according to your predictions?”

“There is no problem with monster resources for you have hoarded so many from Alexandria, but you need to have at least 30 more Mega-Crates of Black Ironwood Alloy to cover the creation of enough [S-Generators] that could cover the 200km sphere of the Asgard with Auricle Scan.”

Siva choked at the staggering amount of funds he needed to procure for the sake of ‘not having even a tiny hole’ on his Asgard’s defenses.

“Wouldn’t it be cheaper if we could just buy a lot of Auricle Devices and —no wait, we need to still establish a power source for the Auricle Device.”

“You can always create your own Power Supply Chain that can cover the entire Fortress. But the resources needed are still almost the same; 30 Mega-Crates worth of Conductor Materials —with the [Generator] that has enough energy output to support that distance still needing separate resources to create… leading you to the fact that it’s more expensive.”

—really?

(--_--)

—you could have just told me that last part in the first place, right?

Siva could feel his heart bleeding.

He was in shock.

—why is it that everything I need ‘needs’ money?

“In the end, the PNF is for Weapon Building and not for general industrial equipment making. Ah, this is such a drag…” Siva sighed, “Relying purely on Technology to cover this weakness on our defen—ah, wait a minute, what about Magic?”

“I have no data to use to answer your question.”

—that was a quick reply. (==_==)

He wanted to rebuke her but he also knew that unless he gets in touch with something, Cortana wouldn’t be able to archive it for future reference.

“Oh well, it’s not that I’m not satisfied with this. We can only rely on Akhenaton to help us with the rest of the security measure. Thank the Gods that he is an immortal.”

“Well, I must say, his [Defense Zone] is really a piece of art in itself. Its detecting ability is good.”

“I will have to capitalize on it until I get the proper resources to optimize the fortress’ defenses.”

The [S-Generator]…..

It doesn’t have to support any other function aside from auxiliary power source for its Guardian and powering the Communications Link function of Cortana’s Battle-AI capability.

Its energy output is thoroughly maximized for its intended usage… adding the fact that the towers also has a built-in solar power technology.

In the off-chance that the [S-Generator] is damaged or it fails to supply power to the signal tower, this emergency power-supply function will activate and will send a unique emergency beacon that can be detected even on a different continent.

—with the downside being: it will also be detected by the enemies.

But all in all, it is a marvelous Invention no matter the pair of eyes that look at it.

“We’re ready.”

“Aye.”

Two [S-Generators] were installed within the [BM-Gunslinger] and the [BM-Smasher’s] bodies.

The rest of the guardians, the [Faceless], weren’t, and that their towers have the [S-Generators] installed on them.

This way, inside the [Gunslinger] and [Smasher]’s 200km circle, they can move freely within a limited period of time and then come back before the backup power supply kicks-in and trigger the emergency beacon —or— the two of them, or at least one of them, can carry their tower with them when they are supporting the defense.

By the way, the [signal tower] is only 2m large.

The best tweak of all, these guys are equipped with [email protected] acoustic transducers that can imitate his voice and looks.

“Ah, wait, now that I think about it… I still have two Harvesters in me. Maybe I could use these Tower Guardians to guard my Harvesters as well.”

“Volcano locations are the best resource spot, boss… it’s full of rare ores and minerals like Fire Crystals and Diamond!!”

The dream of a rich and carefree life; how Siva wished that he could enjoy such dreams but alas, fate had a different plan for him and he intended to defy it to the last bit of his strength.

“Hmp. In this world, if I can’t get the resource I need then I’m just gonna take it away from those who don’t need it.”

“Are you finally going against the world, boss?”

“I’ve always intended to do so from the very start of everything. Tell me, Cortana, what’s your advice on this decision of mine? Tell me something concrete and constructed.”

“Well, firstly, if the world should stand before you, then burn them all. If the Gods, Immortals, and the Devil Gods block your way, slay them all. You may not be powerful in Mana, but you have me and so you don’t have to worry getting tricked by almost anything. I guarantee you, boss, we only need the proper resources and with it, you can stand toe to toe even amongst those Gods in your memories.”

Again, Cortana can’t see his [memories] but Siva had already unlocked a few of them and these are visions that are also readily available for Cortana as references.

That’s why she was able to say those words.

Cortana has 500 Yottabytes-worth of processing power with her; alongside Siva’s imagination and his current state, there are now really few people in this planet who can actually threaten him.

Perhaps, like she said, only Gods, Immortals, and Devil Gods can actually stand before him and get the right to look down on him with rights!

Of course, Warship Cannons are still overkill.

“Soon… soon…” when Siva’s thoughts run here, he could feel his blood boiling again.

As long as Baron is not safe in his city, everything and anything that was more powerful than him are all considered as his enemy.

“What’s left now is setting them up on their proper locations. Then we go to Jeremiah to meet that Grand Elder Mage Pistareen. After that, we go to the Southern Islands to find a way to talk to Zeta.”

“What about that Dragon’s Corpse, boss? Would you just let it rot in your inventory?”

Of course, Cortana already know the answer to this question but one of her primary functions are to be Siva’s conversation partner.

Thus, she still voiced out those questions.

“I already have a plan for it but we need resources to properly implement it.”

At that point, he reached back to his belt and then pulled out an item slotted on a pouch. It was the «Rune» that he received when he knocked out Raven, one of Hagrid’s henchmen.

«Land Sword of Monalisa»

Actually, it was just a handle and isn’t really an actual sword. It needed to be injected by Mana to work as a weapon and sadly, with his current state, it was impossible for him to use it.

In the future, even, he had no inclination of using it since he could feel that when compared to what he was planning to do with his BMA and Master Puppets in the future, this «Rune» with a preset and predictable function/ability, isn’t really suited to his ever-changing and adapting fighting style.

Thus, he was planning to use it as a trading chip.

“I’m sure even Pistareen won’t be able to resist my proposal with this.”

“What about the «Sparrow Blade» from the female pirate you killed when you were in a rampage?”

—she was talking about the events in Dragona.

Truthfully, he can’t remember any of it but Thorn and Volt vouched that the details they saw were all true… that the notion of having an Avatar take over the player’s mind was indeed true, with him the number one case.

…and Siva had a ‘hunch’ that they aren’t lying.

He narrowed his eyes, a sinister glint drawing on its red tinge, “It’s for a different customer.”

Cortana read his mind and lowered her head with a microscopic nod of affirmation. She was his servant-slash-assistant-slash-neighbor after all.

“With that said, our mission in Jeremiah should be to gather resources for the dragon’s corpse. Too bad we can’t process it on a monster warehouse.”

After speaking, he called Akhenaton.

[My Lord?]

Akhenaton-Butler appeared with a flash of light and he bowed like a good butler towards him.

“Bring this [Faceless Alfa] and its Signal Tower to the most secure place in the castle, please. From this point on, it will be one of the castle’s guardians.”

[As the Lord commands.]

“Oh, and, uh, please do spar with it every now and then. This way, it can get stronger.” Siva eyed Cortana who was playing with her cat. “Treat it like a baby with a limited set of reactions. By sparring with you, it can learn more how to fight properly; but do know that only during an emergency can you command it to take action since its primary function is to be the guardian of this tower, with a castle guardian being its secondary task.”

[I understand.]

The two of them, Akhenaton and [Faceless Alfa], vanished with a flash of light as they disappeared from Sivas view.

“Now that settles the Castle’s security.”

The [Smasher] and the [Gunslinger] are different from the four Faceless Master Puppets because their S-Generator was embedded on their bodies, unlike the other four where the S-Generators are installed in the Signal Towers themselves.

Siva was planning to bring the [BM-Smasher] with him to find a volcanic location, and leaving only the [BM-Gunslinger] in the Asgard to be its mobile guardian that could travel around his territory if the situation deemed it necessary.

“Cortana, do you have a volcanic area for us to set up the first of the two harvesters left?”

“I already have a location.”

“Where?”

“Hawaii.”

“Ah! The unreachable islands.”

“I saw the posts in the Net and right now, the twin fire peaks are being really active and spewing still molten firestones in the surface. Active miners and Quest Takers are flocking the island. We can join in the fun and sneak in to put our own unit.”

“You’ve actually archived all my former thoughts, huh? I somehow think that you’re also just waiting for the chance to eat me when I’m defenseless.”

“Don’t worry, boss, I may sound cheerful or a bit different or sometimes inconsistent with my own character, but I am only following a Personality Algorithm that you have assigned me to follow. I cannot instigate any human-like initiative like swallowing you whole or any of that sort…… unless you want me to.”

She smiled an innocent smile.

When their eyes met, Siva felt a premonition. But instead of a good premonition, what he saw was a horrifying end.

For some reason, he saw the lovely goddess-like next door onee-chan smile of Scion having a dark shadow of an Oni in it.

Siva immediately dismissed the thought.

“Archive those logs, Cortana. She will kill me for sure if I even as much as thought about it.”

Then, at that moment, Siva received an email.

When he opened it, he shivered and glared at the head-tilting innocent girl carrying a (||_||) –faced cat on her healthy chests.

“What did I tell you?!!” she yelled in panic.

Cortana only smiled —personality algorithm active.

“Are you really still not sentient?” he cursed.

“I am not, boss. And perhaps, never will for I am cemented to your brain.”

He honestly forgot she could read his mind. He sighed in his heart and reflected on it.

The email contained a short message:

From: Mandy

[Rex, I had a bad dream. I dreamed that you were flirting with a succubus and that you were inches away from diving in her lap… are you still online?]

Siva was sure, women’s intuitions are scary.

.

.

================================

What about Rafaela…?

================================