Evelyn No. 1

“You know what I want?” Leon narrowed his eyes, looking at Evelyn No. 2.

Without any hesitation, Evelyn No. 2 said, “When the Creator was still alive, she said that if any guests arrived in the future, we should hand over the alchemical core, the Deep Diver, and all the information on our alchemical technology to the outsiders.”

“Aside from the Evelyn-model alchemical golems, these are the only things left of our Evelyn Alchemy Technology.”

Leon nodded slightly and said, “Tell me the specific details. I will consider whether to accept this deal based on the information and the enemy's strength.”

Evelyn No. 2 explained, “Because No. 1 absorbed contaminated mana, her alchemical soul malfunctioned. She stole the alchemical core and broke into the Creator's Sanctuary.”

“The Creator's Sanctuary was the Creator's final residence while she was alive. It houses many alchemical machines and magic items.”

“However, because too much time has passed, most of these alchemical machines and magic items have lost their functionality. Even if some are still usable, their power has been greatly weakened, so they are nothing to worry about.”

“As for No. 1, she originally possessed Gold Rank strength, but the mana contamination has weakened her. She currently only has Silver Rank strength, which poses no threat to a Gold Rank priest like you...”

Having gathered the information and the exact location of Evelyn No. 1, Leon turned his gaze back to Evelyn No. 2's delicate, feminine mechanical face and asked, “Why don't you take action yourself?”

No. 2 replied in a cold, emotionless mechanical voice, “I am not a combat-type Evelyn alchemical golem; I do not have a combat module installed.”

“Furthermore, my underlying alchemical framework is programmed to prevent me from harming other Evelyn-model alchemical golems.”

“If you, as the human Unit-01, are not confident, you can take No. 5 with you to fight No. 1. No. 5 is a semi-combat alchemical golem left behind by the Creator, and she can assist you in battle...”

Having clarified all the details, Leon nodded. “Since the information is so comprehensive, I can accept this deal.”

“However, I have one last question—as alchemical golems, how did you acquire consciousness?”

Hearing this question, Scott, who was standing nearby, also perked up his ears.

As an alchemist, what surprised him most since entering these ruins was undoubtedly the Evelyn-model golems, with their incredibly lifelike appearance and human-like expressions, as well as their self-awareness.

Their lifelike appearance showed that Evelyn had put a great deal of effort into alchemical skin simulation technology, allowing her to create golems that could pass for real humans—and perhaps even be used for other purposes.

As for the latter... the self-awareness of these alchemical golems had completely transcended the boundaries of the alchemical technology Scott was familiar with.

Evelyn No. 2's glowing blue eyes flickered for a moment. “A few words cannot explain it clearly. Once you obtain the alchemical records compiled by the Creator, you will understand.”

Leon stared at Evelyn No. 2, observing her for five seconds. In the end, he did not press further. Instead, he asked No. 2 to have someone lead him to the Creator's Sanctuary to eliminate Evelyn No. 1.

“M-Master Leon, can I stay behind?”

Just then, Scott's voice rang out. He raised his right arm, only to shrink back slightly when everyone turned their gaze toward him. “I... my combat ability is very weak. It would be better if I stayed here to support you.”

“Besides, as an alchemist, I have many ideas I'd like to discuss with Evelyn No. 2...”

Before Scott could finish, Leon cut him off. “No,” Leon said coldly.

“I do not trust you. Therefore, you must come with us and cannot remain here.”

Hearing this, Scott could only lower his raised arm with a resentful expression.

He had thought that his performance over the past half-month, especially his achievement in creating the mana interference device, would be enough to earn Leon's trust.

To his surprise... he wasn't even allowed to stay in the room to converse with Evelyn No. 2...

Leon turned around and ordered Ratahn to bring Scott along, then walked out of the black-and-white room.

Following Evelyn No. 5, who was eyeing him with curiosity, Leon led the team toward the Creator's Sanctuary.

“The Creator's Sanctuary is just inside. Big Sister No. 1 is in there. However, she has been contaminated. In her frenzy, she damaged Big Sister No. 3, and under the pressure of the trap set by Big Sister No. 2, she fled into the Creator's Sanctuary...” No. 5 said with a lonely expression.

Although her voice was mechanical, her face's ability to convey loneliness was quite moving.

At the very least, Scott's eyes had glazed over. The gloom he had felt from Leon's lack of trust instantly dissolved into pure appreciation of this mechanical beauty.

“As expected of someone who frequents clubs. He can even lose himself staring at an alchemical golem...” Leon shook his head and looked toward the Creator's Sanctuary ahead.

The so-called Creator's Sanctuary was the core research area Evelyn had used to study magic and alchemical technology during her lifetime.

According to No. 2, when Evelyn's life was drawing to a close, she never left the sanctuary.

Currently, the sanctuary's doors, crafted from living wood, stood wide open. Traces of dark, dried engine oil and several broken mechanical parts lay scattered near the entrance.

“Let's go, guests. Let's head inside to find Big Sister No. 1 and Big Sister No. 4,” No. 5 said, quickly casting aside her melancholy as she stepped into the sanctuary.

Leon followed closely behind, keeping her protected in front of him. Behind them, the warriors stood ready for battle.

Upon entering the sanctuary, they found an incredibly spacious interior, resembling a massive underground stadium.

The sanctuary's ceiling was exceptionally high, with white berries hanging down that emitted a brilliant light, illuminating the entire space.

Although the sanctuary was vast, the view was somewhat obstructed by piles of alchemical and magical equipment.

However, Leon had already located his target for this excursion using his perception field.

Evelyn No. 1 was in the furthest corner of the sanctuary, while Evelyn No. 4 lay inside a certain alchemical device.

Just as Leon sensed Evelyn No. 1, the golem, who had been curled up in the corner, suddenly used her fingers to slide open her mechanical eyelids and directed her gaze toward the sanctuary entrance.

“Clang! Clang!” The sound of gears turning and metal clashing echoed within the sanctuary. No. 5 said with a tense expression, “Be careful! Once we enter the sanctuary, Big Sister No. 1 will sense us, and she will—”

“Traitors!” Before she could finish, an angry, metallic roar echoed from ahead.

Everyone looked up and saw an alchemical golem charging rapidly toward them on mechanical legs that were missing several parts.

This alchemical golem's eyes glowed with a red light, and her face was remarkably similar to No. 2 and No. 5. Aside from her furious, maddened expression, she had few other distinguishing features.

Embedded in the center of her chest was a silvery-white orb. As she charged forward, the orb emitted an increasingly brilliant light.

“The thing embedded in the center of Big Sister No. 1's chest is the alchemical core!” No. 5 said quickly, pointing at the silvery-white orb.

“I see it.” Leon raised his wand, casting layer upon layer of defensive divine arts around himself.

Within his perception, No. 1's strength was only around the peak Silver Rank. Capturing her alive would be as easy as pie.