Devourer's Legacy: I Regressed With The Primordial Crest
Chapter 78: Sentients

Chapter 78: Sentients

The workshop looked like it had seen better days—about fifty years ago.

What had once been a proper research facility was now a run-down building with cracked walls, leaking pipes, and windows that barely let in any light. Three people sat around a small wooden table that had so many cracks in it that they had to be careful not to let their papers fall through the gaps.

The first man looked like he hadn’t slept in a week. His glasses were crooked on his nose, his hair stuck up in every direction, and he had the kind of expression that suggested someone had just told him his dog had died. His name was Tony, and he was supposed to be the leader of their little group.

The other two men looked very similar—twins, in fact.

One had dirty blond hair and wore a mechanic’s apron covered in different tools. Hammers, wrenches, screwdrivers, and things that might have been tools but could also have been torture devices hung from his belt. His name was Thomas, and he was their craftsman.

The other twin had a sharper look and a wooden wand that rested by his side. Just by looking at him, you could tell he was a mage—which was a very rare profession that most people either respected or feared. His name was Timothy, and he was their magical expert.

"I hope you all know why we’re gathered here," Tony said with the enthusiasm of a man attending his own funeral.

The twins’ expressions immediately turned sour. They knew exactly why they were gathered.

"That’s right," Tony continued dramatically. "We have completely run out of funds! We can no longer make any progress on the golems!"

As the man with glasses delivered this cheerful news, Thomas and Timothy couldn’t help but frown deeply.

Sentients!

It was the grand name they had given themselves when they started their research on golems. It sounded impressive and important, which was exactly what they had been going for.

The whole thing had been an idea that four friends had developed together. They even had theoretical proof that their concept would work. On paper, everything looked perfect.

But there was one tiny problem with their brilliant plan—all of them were dirt poor.

Still, they hadn’t lost hope at first. They had pooled together every copper coin they could scrape up and purchased this run-down research facility outside the borders of Draemir territory. It wasn’t much to look at, but it had four walls and a roof that only leaked when it rained really hard.

They had started their research with whatever materials they could find, buy, or "borrow" from other places. The plan was simple - create a working prototype and then get funding from wealthy lords after showing off what golems could do.

But there were two major problems with their plan!

First, the moment the Sentients were started, they had received nothing but scoffs and mockery from the people of House Grim. For a family that controlled beasts and made their living from creature contracts, summoning artificial golems didn’t sound particularly attractive. It had been a very bad decision to start golem research in the territory of the greatest beast masters on the continent.

Second, they couldn’t actually complete their prototype!

The funds they had went down like water through a broken bucket. Research was an incredibly expensive process. The materials they needed cost more than a year’s wages for most people, and the resources required for testing kept draining their savings faster than they could replenish them.

It had been pure delusion to think they could finish a working prototype with the money they had.

"So," Thomas said, absently cleaning one of his tools, "I guess this is where we admit defeat and go back to our old jobs?"

"I could always return to the magic academy," Timothy added with a sigh. "Professor Hartwell said I could come back as his assistant anytime I wanted."

"And I could go back to fixing wagon wheels and shoeing horses," Thomas said gloomily. "At least that paid actual money."

Tony slumped in his chair. "I suppose we should start packing up the workshop. Maybe we can sell some of our equipment to pay off our debts."

"Or we could just burn the whole place down and claim it was an accident," Thomas suggested helpfully.

"That’s... actually not a terrible idea," Timothy mused. "Though I think arson is illegal."

"Only if you get caught," Thomas pointed out.

"Please don’t burn down our workshop," Tony said tiredly. "I’d prefer not to end up in prison on top of being broke."

Just as the three of them were seriously considering their options for either bankruptcy or a life of crime, the door to the workshop burst open.

Their fourth member stumbled in, looking completely stunned. His name was David, and he usually handled their correspondence and tried to find potential investors.

The three noticed his expression immediately.

"David?" Tony called out. "What happened? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

But David didn’t answer. He just walked over to their cracked table in a daze and placed a letter down on it.

Thomas looked at the letter, then at David’s shocked face. "What’s this? Your resignation letter? Because if so, that’s perfect timing. We’re closing down anyway."

"Maybe he’s finally snapped from all the rejection letters," Timothy suggested. "I’ve heard that can happen to people in our line of work."

"Or maybe he’s been drinking," Thomas added. "That would explain the expression."

But David still didn’t say anything. He just stood there looking stunned, as if someone had hit him over the head with a very large hammer.

Thinking something might be seriously wrong, the three of them bent over to look at the paper David had placed on the table.

On the paper, the following was written:

-----

To the Sentients Research Group,

I would like to make an investment in your golem research. If you are interested in discussing terms, please visit Draemir territory and ask for me at the main estate.

Sincerely,Lord Augustus Grim

-----

The letter bore the official stamp of the Draemir territory, marking it as genuine correspondence from one of the most powerful nobles in the region.

"Huh?"

All three of them became as stunned as David, staring at the letter like it might disappear if they blinked.

Tony was the first to break the silence. "Is this... is this real?"

---***---

End of Volume 01: Return of the Beast Sovereign