Chuck spent the rest of the week tinkering with the robot and taking one of the broken limbs around to different blacksmiths to get their advice. While Chuck was tinkering, Alz had mentioned the music devices had gone over well in the capital. Chuck was asked to record more songs when his time allowed. Tess and Maz were excited to pick out a different batch of songs so he decided to do it sooner rather than later. He promised to get each of them their own device with their favorite songs to reward them for their hard work.
They drove together to the guild building and Chuck left the girls to do their work. For a change of pace he decided to check out the nearby stores on his own. It had been a while since he had gone anywhere all by himself. He did some window shopping before a figure in an alley waved at him before ducking back down the alley. The figure just happened to be a black haired cat girl. Tess should still be back at the guild and she wasn’t a cat girl today.
There was only one other person he thought it might be so Chuck cautiously entered the alley with his hand resting on his holstered weapon. “Are you the clan leader?” Chuck asked, approaching the cat girl at the end of the alley. “No, but I have a message from the clan leader.” The girl said changing into a wolf beast kin. “Go on, I’m listening.” Chuck replied, keeping an eye out for some kind of trap.
“We have learned of a plot to kidnap Tessetty to get you to turn over the golem you won at the auction.” The shape shifter explained. “Do you know who is behind the plot?” Chuck asked, frowning at the sudden news. “We have narrowed it down to a handful of individuals but they are very good at hiding their tracks. We will continue to investigate the matter but you must keep Tessetty safe.”
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
“Of course. I would never let anything happen to her.” Chuck said indignantly. “We are all glad you are getting along so well. Please continue to take good care of her.” The shape shifter said, smiling and walking out of the alley. “I will.” Chuck responded to the retreating figure. After hearing the news, he hurried back to the guild but Tess was still there working with Maz.
Chuck sighed in relief. Alz told him the magic crystal should arrive in a few days. He hoped to get the limbs attached before then and with any luck the robot would turn on once the crystal was installed. If he could get the robot to take orders, he might have a way to turn the tables on the secretive boss. In the meantime it might be a good idea to keep Tess closer than usual.
Chuck and Tess met a blacksmith at the guild the following day. The blacksmith had a magic tool with him that from what Chuck had seen stood the best chance of attaching the limbs. Bright was interested in the process as well, so all three of them watched the blacksmith work. Bright had made some progress as well and was now confident that he could program the robot to follow orders.
Chuck told Bright to designate Tess and himself as the masters. The robot’s brain turned out to be a smaller crystal located in its domed head. Bright was a genius when it came to crystals so was able to read all the information on it. It turns out the robot was the servant of an otherworlder, who used it as a pack mule while exploring. The robot only had minimal combat abilities so when a swarm of bugs attacked them it was badly damaged and the otherworlder killed.
Bright spent some time upgrading its programming so it should be both faster and be able to serve as a bodyguard now. It had no built in weaponry so Chuck was going to have to think of what best to give it. Maybe a sword or axe in each clawed hand? He would decide later once he saw it in action. It took a few hours but the limbs were attached and Chuck finished wiring them. Now all they needed was the power source.