The Runesmith

Chapter 528: Riding Dirty.

Roland pulled the cloth away, unveiling a three-wheeled, buggy-like contraption. Its frame was a blend of metal and wood, reinforced with engraved runic symbols that shimmered faintly in the light. At the back was a blocky, rune-powered battery engine, connected to the glistening runic framework within. A lightweight metal casing concealed the inner workings, keeping them hidden from prying eyes.

“Ah, so we’re finally doing something with this old thing?”

Bernir said, scratching his beard. His gaze settled on the large wheels, or rather, what they were missing.

“Yes. With these, we should be able to get it running, it did shake a lot in the past.”

Roland glanced at the metal wheels attached to his old creation. The concept had originated after he built the first runic bike powered by his own mana. In the past, he had intended to complete it as a means of traveling to and from the city. However, he eventually abandoned the project to focus on his golemic inventions. With Bernir’s assistance and Arthur’s help, he no longer needed to make frequent trips to the city and materials were regularly delivered to his workshop. Additionally, using a machine would prevent him from leveling up skills like running or dashing.

Even so, whenever he had free time, he found himself tinkering with the design. Now, it was nearly complete. This vehicle featured two wheels in the front and one in the back. While he could have opted for a four-wheeled design, the three-wheeled configuration saved space and reduced production costs. Though he wasn’t much of a gearhead in his original world, he had learned that the “Tadpole configuration” he chose offered greater stability, better traction, and improved braking over the “Delta” type which had other pros. If this project proved successful, he might eventually create the other designs he had in mind, including a proper four-wheeler.

He reached for one of the black, rubber-like objects Rastix had crafted, holding it up to inspect its craftsmanship. The material stretched slightly under his grip, and its surface featured a faint, textured pattern designed for better traction.

“These tires should cushion the ride and provide better grip”

Roland explained to Bernir, who was watching with growing enthusiasm. Carriages existed in this world, but their suspension systems relied on enchantments that absorbed and dispersed shocks, rather than materials like rubber. Cheaper models used large, basic springs, but Roland wanted his creation to be more efficient. By minimizing reliance on enchantments, he could focus all the available power on generating torque to spin the wheels and propel the vehicle forward. Once the basis was in order, he would look into lowering the shaking through magic.

“Without them, the ride will be quite rough but this is not really a perfect solution, we’ll need to develop a proper suspension system.”

“Suspension system?”

Bernir asked, puzzled at the name, as he wasn’t sure which part of this system was being suspended. Roland didn’t reply, as he was not the one who invented the terminology for these things, and instead focused on getting one of the rubber-like tires on the metal wheel. It had taken Rastix weeks of experimentation to produce a material durable enough to handle the strain of travel yet flexible enough to fit snugly over the wheels.

Roland had to give it to the gnome, he was truly a genius. This alchemically created tire didn’t need air to keep its shape and function. Instead, He had engineered it with a unique lattice structure within the rubber-like material. While Roland had created the schematics it was Rastix ingenuity that made it possible. This caused a few explosions and some poisonous fumes to leak out but in the end, they made some good progress.

With the help of this self-cushioning tire, Roland hoped to finally complete his creation. Perhaps in the future, it would revolutionize transportation in Albrook. However, he was well aware of the world’s reluctance to adopt new technologies. People here were deeply attached to their traditions, and it would likely take time for them to warm up to using a vehicle instead of a mount. He could already imagine the resistance from those who bred horses or tamed mounts, accusing him of encroaching on their livelihoods.

‘Well, we’ll see how it goes’

After a moment of reflection, he nodded and began fitting the tires. Normally, a specialized tool would be needed to stretch the tire over the wheel rim. Fortunately, Roland’s superhuman strength made that unnecessary. The rubbery material was flexible enough for him to muscle it into place without much effort. His enhanced tier-3 strength allowed him to fit all three tires with relative ease.

“Boss, you make it look easy”

Bernir muttered, clearly impressed as he watched.

“You should be able to do the same. Your level isn’t low”

Roland replied, glancing at him as he worked on the final rim. While Bernir didn’t have half his strength, he was still a high level blacksmith.

“Have you thought about what class you’ll choose?”

Bernir was close to a major milestone - he only needed twenty-nine more levels to reach one hundred fifty, the threshold for entering the realm of tier-3 elites. With the influx of high-grade materials and the work ahead, Roland was confident his assistant would reach that level soon. ???????

“A Master Blacksmith, I suppose?”

Roland could see Bernir scratching his head as if he didn’t really give it much thought.

“I’m not sure if there will be any other choices, boss…”

“I think you’re underestimating your talents.”

Everyone in this world had multiple possibilities, but a Master Blacksmith or one of the other advanced classes was the usual choice for most. Normally, Bernir would likely have to decide between the Master Armorsmith or Master Weaponsmith variants. Both were considered more specialized professions, with the Master Blacksmith being seen as a more generalist option - competent but not exceptional in either field.

Roland wondered if Bernir was leaning toward this less specialized path. After all, Bernir wasn’t crafting weapons or armor that much anymore. Instead, he had begun focusing on modular parts for Roland’s magical creations. However, Roland didn’t want his best worker to base his future solely on Roland’s inventions.

“I am?”

Bernir asked, his expression filled with doubt.

“Yes. If you see something special in one of those advanced classes, don’t hesitate to pursue it, even if you fail the first time.”

Roland spoke from experience. He, too, had failed his first Tier-3 ascension trial. Though much of what happened during the trial was hazy in his memory, fragments remained. The crystals required for advancement weren’t a problem for Bernir, and it was always worth aiming for a prestigious class. The real issue was Bernir’s current classes. They weren’t particularly rare, which meant that even if Bernir acquired an exceptional new class, the trial would likely be a difficult ordeal for him.

“Special, huh? But my arm…”

As they talked, Bernir’s gaze drifted to his runic prosthetic, and he instinctively clutched it. He had lost his arm during the Abyssal Cult incident, an event that had left him permanently altered.

‘I wonder… will he be able to keep that prosthetic arm during the ascension trial?’

This was a big question. From what Roland knew, lost limbs wouldn’t simply regenerate within the ascension realm. With only one arm, Bernir might not even be able to pass the simplest of trials. But this wasn’t just any prosthetic. It was a marvel of runic craftsmanship, connected to his soul. Unlike regrown limbs, this prosthesis was superior to the original flesh and blood. It could perform tasks the old arm never could, and Bernir had become quite adept at using it.

If the prosthetic accompanied Bernir into the ascension realm, it might become a crucial asset. In fact, it could even help him achieve a higher-tier class. Roland couldn’t help but wonder if, through this unique trial, something entirely new might emerge - a class born from the fusion of runes and man.

‘He won’t turn into a cyborg or something, will he?’

For a moment, a vivid image flashed in Roland’s mind: Bernir with glowing red eyes, most of his body replaced by intricate runic prosthetics, having discarded the frailties of his flesh for cold, unyielding runic machinery. Roland shuddered and quickly shook the thought away.

‘That’s definitely not something his wife would approve of…’

The last thing Roland wanted was to become some kind of mad scientist who experimented on people, replacing their body parts with mechanical constructs. The idea was absurd - but he couldn’t ignore the fact that some people might be eager to embrace such methods if it granted them power.

Once his technology spread further into the world, Roland was certain that copycats would emerge. Some would undoubtedly start experimenting, perhaps even crossing ethical lines he wouldn’t dream of approaching. He had to make peace with that inevitability. He couldn’t control how others used his inventions, nor could he let their misuse weigh on him.

“There… that should do it. Now, how about you give it a spin, Bernir?”

“Me?”

Bernir asked, pointing to himself in surprise.

“Who else?”

Roland replied with a faint smirk. He had no real need for this wheeled vehicle. If he wanted to travel, he could simply fly. While the glider he had used to save Robert was too conspicuous, there were other ways for him to move around. This new creation, however, was better suited for Bernir. His assistant often traveled between the union workshop and this palace. His assistant didn’t particularly enjoy riding mounts, so this vehicle would likely be a perfect substitute. Roland hoped it would make Bernir’s trips easier and perhaps serve as free advertisement as he knew of his loud mouth and boisterous attitude.

Bernir rubbed his beard thoughtfully as he studied the three-wheeled buggy. Despite his initial surprise, a hint of excitement crept into his expression. He understood its function in theory, but the prospect of navigating the streets on this peculiar contraption was undeniably fascinating.

“Alright, Boss, I’ll give it a shot. It won’t blow up, right?”

“I’m not Rastix,”

Roland replied to the grinning Bernir while rolling his eyes.

“Aye, but we’ve had a few accidents from time to time. Remember when that golem exploded?”

“That was a long time ago…”

Roland muttered, shaking his head. After teasing Roland for a moment, Bernir stepped up to the vehicle. His runic prosthetic flexed slightly as he gripped the steering wheel. Though he was no stranger to Roland’s inventions, he remained cautious. The potential for something going wrong kept him focused.

“Good.”

Roland said, handing Bernir a small, rune-inscribed metal card. Bernir examined the card, noting its intricate designs. Roland gestured toward a rectangular socket on the vehicle. When Bernir slid the card in, the runes on the card began to glow faintly and the vehicle began to respond.

“You’ve probably noticed the two pedals. The one on the left is for braking, and the one on the right is for accelerating.”

Vehicles in Roland’s world often had a third pedal for the clutch and a gearbox for shifting gears. However, this one was far simpler. It accelerated smoothly without the need for manual gear changes. There were no mechanical gears in this design; pressing the accelerator pedal simply increased mana usage. While Roland was familiar with how combustion engines worked and had the knowledge to recreate them in this world, he deemed it unnecessary for now. A combustion engine might reduce mana consumption, but developing it fully would require time - a resource he had precious little of lately.

The buggy was more compact and peculiar than a traditional carriage, featuring only a single seat positioned in the middle. Roland watched as Bernir adjusted himself inside, noting a bit of awkwardness. However, this model had been designed with Bernir’s proportions in mind, so his feet reached the pedals and the steering wheel with ease.

“This is surprisingly comfortable…”

Bernir remarked, shifting in the seat. Roland nodded, pleased with the feedback. He had taken care to craft a cushioned seat to ensure comfort during long journeys. With Bernir now settled inside, it was time for a test ride.

“Good. Now, press the accelerator pedal g…”

Roland continued to talk with the intention to add ‘gently.’ Before he could finish the sentence, Bernir shoved his entire foot down onto the pedal. His eyes widened. Though the buggy had a built-in limit for speed and mana usage, such an aggressive action still resulted in a sudden burst of power. The vehicle jolted forward, and Bernir was pressed back into the cushioned seat as the buggy shot ahead with surprising force.

“Woah!”

Bernir shouted, gripping the wheel tightly as he fought to steady the buggy’s wild movements. However, Roland quickly realized he had overestimated how intuitive steering would be for someone with no prior experience. In Roland’s world, people had a basic understanding of cars - whether through firsthand experience or simply observing others. Bernir, on the other hand, had no such reference point. His hands twisted the steering wheel erratically in both directions, as he panicked.

Despite their earlier discussions about how the wheel should work, the sudden burst of speed had clearly erased all of Bernir’s training. His instinct to overcorrect only made the vehicle swerve wildly, veering dangerously close to a bench before narrowly missing it.

“Bernir! Make small adjustments - don’t fight it! Release the acceleration pedal and try using the brakes! ”

Roland shouted, trying to guide Bernir from a safe distance. But it was clear that his assistant’s panic had completely taken over. The rune buggy was now on a collision course with the house, and Roland could only brace himself for the inevitable.

“Brake! Hit the brake!”

He yelled, his voice trying to break through the buzzing mana engine. At last, Bernir registered the command. He lifted his foot off the accelerator and slammed it down on the brake pedal with all his might. The wheels locked, and the buggy screeched to a halt, sliding across the ground as friction finally took hold.

“Oof…”

Bernir grunted as the vehicle came to an abrupt stop - a bit too abrupt. The sudden deceleration launched him forward out of his seat. Roland winced. In his haste to complete the project, he hadn’t yet designed a proper seatbelt system, assuming Bernir would be a more cautious driver. Perhaps he should have demonstrated how to drive it first before handing the wheel to his assistant.

Fortunately, Roland was quick to act. With a flick of his wrist, he cast his mage hand spell, enveloping Bernir in a glowing layer of mana before he could be flung out of the rune buggy. The magical force gently placed him back in his seat, preventing any harm.

“That was close… Are you okay?”

Bernir was still catching his breath, but rather than fear, there was an unmistakable glint of excitement in his eye.

“Hah… that was… interesting! Can we do it again?”

“You want to do it again?”

Roland blinked in disbelief but then let out a small chuckle.

“Alright, but steer it toward the open field this time - somewhere without anything you can crash into.”

The compound was walled off, with windmills occupying one side, but the other side was mostly open ground. It would be a safer space for Bernir to practice. To Roland’s surprise, Bernir seemed to take to the buggy quickly. After a few more jolts back and forth, he was starting to get the hang of it, managing to steer with better precision.

“Is there a way to go backward?”

“Yes,”

“You see that lever on the side?”

“Aye.”

“Pull it down.”

Bernir followed the instruction, and the buggy responded smoothly, shifting into reverse. A wide grin spread across his face as he maneuvered the vehicle. It seemed Roland’s invention was already a hit.

Roland watched Bernir with amusement. His assistant, once unsure of the contraption, was now confidently navigating the open field. The runic buggy, though still rough around the edges, had already proven itself to be a remarkable success. While it wasn’t that fast it would cut down the thirty-minute trip to his workshop down to around ten minutes. With it Bernir would be able to save up a lot of time.

“Good now that you’ve gotten used to it, I need you to bring these to the union.”

“Aye! Leave it to me!”

It was funny to see a grown man act like a little kid but it was clear that Bernir was mesmerized by the moving vehicle. He quickly grabbed the spatial pouch he prepared for the dwarven union and soon he was on his way.

“There he goes… He won’t crash into a tree… will he?”

Bernir’s figure vanished into the forest as he pondered whether this had truly been a good idea.

“Hey, Agni, come over here for a second…”

“Awoo?”

His trusted wolf was just lazing around the compound anyway, so before Bernir got too far away, he ordered him to trail him. It was better to be safe than sorry.