⟐ Chapter 12

Now that I’m done with the chest, I went and asked the [King’s Core] to show me the available [Structures] again, and after finalizing my calculations, it seems like I can finish the set-up phase almost instantly. Without wasting any more moments, I commanded the [King’s Core], but first, a little security measure.

“Child, close your eyes.”

“Why?”

The child looked at me in confusion but followed my words nonetheless.

“And don’t open it until I say so.”

“Y-yes.”

And with that affirmation, I began to construct the first of many [Structures].

“Build the [Basic Neutrumoid Main Headquarters].”

[That will cost 5,500 [Gold] and 1,000 [Neutrium], my liege. Do you agree?]

“Confirm.”

And not so soon, an all-too-familiar scene unfolded in front of me. A very bright light eclipsed before my eyes that had disappeared as soon as it had come, and from its origin, now standing tall, a gigantic structure of pure white polished concrete. If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought that this building was just oversized quartz ore or something similar, but from my view, I could see the intricate detail of its towering form. The shape of it looks like an overgrown chimney with an extremely tall center tower and three sub-buildings on its three sides, except from the side facing where I stood. The building outgrew the Kulvian trees surrounding us three times over and speaking of the trees, it seems like everything around one hundred meters from the building had been [Neutrumited] and had turned white in an instant. As I ogled at the majesty of my main building, I then heard a faint womanly voice.

[Booting up Head Assistance feature, please wait for a short moment my master…]

What? A system notification? But aren’t they supposed to come out like floating windows? Also, this sounds different from the prompt I heard before I was transferred here. Unlike the lifeless voice before the transfer, this one sounds extremely lifelike and soothing, just like the [King’s Core]. Speaking of which, it seems my [King’s Core] had disappeared, and from my tutorial knowledge, I know it is now somewhere inside the [Structure].

[...Initializing complete! Greetings my master, I am your [Head Assistant]. Please bestow a name upon your servant as you like, or you could just call me [Head Assistant]. All as you will, my master.]

Still in confusion, I tried to scour my tutorial knowledge for any information regarding this [Head Assistant] feature or as it calls itself. But then I remembered that I could just inspect the building. It seems that I keep on forgetting I could use it on my buildings too instead of only reading the overview from what the [King’s Core] is telling me. After repeated confusion, I made a mental note to do that before going in blind and scouring the dark in the future. It seems even after I’m not human anymore, I still retained my stupid flaws back on Earth.

[Basic Neutrumoid Main Headquarters: This building is a unique structure only accessible to the [Neutrumoid] race, and it is its most important building as it houses the [King’s Core] of the Neutrumoids. Among its most important purposes, that being the main abode of the [King] of the [Neutrumoids], it also acts as a [Neutrumoid Converter] and along with being a [Special Neutrumoids] upgrade station. This building also acts as the main command center for nearby [Neutrumoids]. Traits: Command Center, Neutrumoid Converter, Basic Self Repair, Basic Neutrumoid Upgrade, Basic Shield, Medium Neutrumite Domain. Hidden Traits: Basic King’s Personal Assistant]

So that’s why. It seems like it was a hidden feature. I was happy upon seeing something I assume is unique to my race, as it had no reason to hide it if it isn’t something to be hidden about. But this also gave me a bit of worry because if this happens to me, then the other [Kings] may also have their own hidden unique features. I made a mental note to not underestimate other [Kings] and any enemies for that matter and gauge them properly before acting all smug, though that might become a loose note for me, as sometimes I just couldn’t help but feel bored and annoyed at weak enemies.

Moving back to the matter of my new [Head Assistant], I want to know what it is and what it could do first before I continue on upgrading my base.

“Let’s do that later, but first, what are you?”

[It’s as my title says, my master. I am your personal [Head Assistant]. I can perform many tasks that you may so desire, and that includes micro and macro managing domestic affairs, tactical and strategic planning, management, and execution of said tactics and strategies when it comes to conflicts, and as I just said commanding units from afar by connecting them to the central hub, and many more. Though I have limitations, and that includes limitations in information, as I can only access your knowledge and could only assist you based on that. Also, my current processing and range of reach capabilities are limited by the rank of my main body, which is the [Basic Neutrumoid Main Headquarters], but all those limitations will grow weaker and my features will increase and grow stronger as you my master upgrade my main body and gain more knowledge.]

There’s only one word I could think of upon hearing the [Head Assistant’s] words, and that is convenience. Though I can’t trust her capabilities yet as I don’t know how proficient she’s going to be, but if she’s actually decent at it, it would lessen the burden of managing my domain, especially the micromanaging aspect. As even with only forty-five [Neutrumoid Basics], it is quite taxing already. Imagine having to manage them by the hundreds and even thousands. In a battle of that scale, before we could even execute a maneuver, the enemy is already going to be taking the initiative, and we’ll be left in the dust. Though I am confident with the individual and small group fighting capabilities, the large-scale conflicts are just way too different.

“I see. It’s good to have you then. But first, let’s give you a name.”

I thought about it for a second before deciding on something.

“Let’s call you ‘Eve’.”

The thought behind the name ‘Eve’ was because of the soothing womanly voice of hers and the fact that she could be considered as my very first sentient subordinate makes ‘Eve’ a very appropriate name.

[This servant gladly accepts the name you had given my master, and if you ever need me, you just need to call upon my name—Eve, and I’ll be at your service.]

“Well, it’s good that you like it. I was planning on upgrading the base myself, but now that you’re here, I’ll test your capability as an assistant. What do you suggest I do with the rest of my resources?”

[Please wait for a moment, master… Done. First, I suggest building the [Small Neutrumoid Constructor Factory], followed by the [Small Neutrumoid Barracks], then a [Neutrumoid Small Repair Station], and lastly a [Basic Neutrumoid Guard Tower]. After the structures, I suggest summoning forty-two (42) [Neutrulite Basics], my master.]

“Those were more or less what I was going to do anyway, so proceed.”

[The total cost will amount to sixteen thousand one hundred (16,100) [Gold], Two Thousand and fifty (2,050) [Neutrium], and forty-two (42) [Souls]. It will drain our current resources, master, but unlocking these [Structures] will allow us to greatly increase our current resource gathering speed while also allowing us to better our planning for our future endeavors, especially that both the [Small Neutrumoid Constructor Factory] and the [Small Neutrumoid Barracks], which upon reading their descriptions would provide new unit creation and unit upgrade respectively that would most definitely yield us great results.]

“I see. Well, it seems you aren’t lying about your capabilities, as you more or less read my mind. Focus on gathering resources and expanding the base. Our early game plan is to be able to set up fast so that we could instantly move onto [Conquering] other locations, and hopefully even before the protection period ends.”

[Understood, I will be following the master’s early game doctrine and focus on expanding and solidifying our starting position. Please grant me permission to enable full command over the [Neutrulite Basic] units and also access to the [King’s Core] so that I could proceed with your commands, my master.]

“Permission granted.”

[Then please wait for a moment.]

Then a few seconds later, large amounts of blinding lights erupted, so much so that it felt like many stars had descended around me. And from those lights, now stood many uniquely shaped buildings, as some were wide, and some were more towards length. But they were similarly celestial white colored buildings, but even so, all of them were towered by a single [Structure] in the middle, which was the [Basic Neutrumoid Main Headquarters]. All the buildings were majestic, to say the least, and the sight of them would make anybody back on Earth open agape their mouths in awe, as they stood tall with unsurpassable dignity and prestiness. Not only that, though, as after the structures were erected, the combined [Neutrimite Domain] made it so that anything within the radius of five hundred meters away from the buildings had now been [Neutrumited]. And now my envisioned domain has finally come to light. But as I was bathing in my sense of satisfaction from the thing’s built that I could call mine, I heard a confused scream behind me.

“W-what happened to the forest?!”

Oh right, that child is still here. I keep on forgetting about her.