Thanks to his previous experience in crafting Succubus Dolls and studying humanoid statues, Roy had gained some familiarity with humanoid intelligent bodies.
The partial intelligence model of the centaur could also be applied here.
At least 90% of it was interchangeable.
Doll commands—attack, defend, guard, follow—could all be summarized as external inputs.
What he needed to do was simply find the key interface that connected the internal and external systems, allowing him to mobilize its vast internal command system.
Just like the human body's functions, it could operate through instinct without much interference.
The key was to gain control over this doll.
For an ordinary person, this would be nearly impossible.
After all, an average Wizard couldn't perform precise modifications on a semi-divine-level Magic Puppet.
Even if it lay there motionless, an ordinary person wouldn't be able to breach its defenses, not even scratching its surface layer.
But Roy had mastered the Blackening technique and could manipulate it with precision. Through persistent effort, he could slowly make progress.
"…"
Suddenly, a strange thought surged into his mind.
"Magic Puppet Crafting (Basic)…"
This was knowledge brought by the Black Iron Grade talent, Inspiration.
"I didn't expect that working on it could also trigger inspiration!
Although I can understand and grasp this knowledge, it's all isolated.
I still can't easily connect and integrate it.
Otherwise, the obstacles in my mind would gradually disappear."
If his brain were more flexible, more efficient…
Or if his body could supply it with more energy and operate at a higher efficiency, that would be great!
Perhaps the probability of inspiration would even increase!
While delighted, Roy once again felt the limitations of his body.
Even his innate abilities were constrained.
However, his main focus now was still on studying the Magic Puppet itself.
After a brief distraction, he quickly returned to his task.
Suddenly, the Humanoid Angel opened its eyes!
Roy was slightly surprised but soon realized that his consciousness had been guided into a dense internal array of runes.
"It seems like I succeeded!"
He was greatly encouraged and immediately began searching for the control hub.
…
Meanwhile, above the Nether Kingdom.
Numerous Sky Surveyors streaked across the sky.
Their streamlined, elongated shapes showcased mobility far surpassing that of Wizard-made creations.
In just over an hour, they had traversed over a thousand kilometers of airspace, successfully reaching the capital.
Inside the castle, alarms blared.
"Damn that Mage Achini La!"
Erlant immediately took cover in a shelter.
Throughout the castle, personnel quickly evacuated.
As expected, a barrage of bombs soon rained down, colliding with laser-like beams rising from the castle.
These were Scorching Rays from the school of Evocation, guided by special Wizardry Eyes, striking with pinpoint accuracy.
But outside the castle, ordinary residences, including those of the local nobility and commoners, lacked such a complete defense system.
In an instant, explosions roared, and flames spread.
Winged pegasi urgently took to the air, attempting to intercept the Sky Surveyor crafts.
However, once the crafts had dropped their payload, they immediately turned back.
Close behind them came the second wave.
The Golem pegasi could intercept only a few, and some were even shot down by combat machines hidden among the crafts.
The two sides engaged in a fierce battle in the air, with bursts of smoke and fire, making the scene incredibly intense.
...
"The capital has been attacked?"
Soon, Roy received the report.
His mentor was an advanced Wizard, so there was no need for him, a newly promoted Wizard, to worry. Thus, he quickly shifted his focus back to himself.
"The location where the Wizard Tower landed is relatively close to the capital, with a straight-line distance of over 1,200 kilometers...
But to reach my location, it would be at least 4,000 kilometers...
In the short term, it shouldn't become a bombing target."
Even if it were to be bombed, there were other territories controlled by Wizards along the way, which might provide early warnings.
The response should be timely enough.
"Let's not overthink it for now; just strengthen our defenses.
After all, I currently have no anti-air capabilities. I can only rely on manually equipped Alchemy products with lookout functions and visual observation."
The development system of Wizardry is not compatible with technology, so in this aspect, it is not as inclusive as Arcane.
But fortunately, where technology falls short, manpower can compensate.
Roy arranged for Andov and others to take shifts on guard duty, observing and keeping watch 24 hours a day.
Whether the enemy attacked from the sky or the ground, they would be able to detect it in time.
As for himself, he neither wanted to nor could afford to waste time on these trivial matters.
He continued to busy himself with his own affairs.
...
A few days later, on the morning of January 6th.
Dony, a seasoned Wizard who had collaborated with Roy during the "Blood Hoof Eradication Campaign," sent his subordinates over.
This was an average advanced apprentice named Sam, whose personal abilities were not outstanding, but he brought with him twelve Blade Mantis warriors from the Blade Mantis World.
These were insectoid warriors, the size of adults, resembling mantises.
Due to proper rearing, each of them was full of vitality and imposing presence.
Roy personally received Sam and briefly introduced him to everyone: "Apprentice Sam has brought Blade Mantis warriors here to assist us in our defense...
I have rented some combat forces from Wizard Dony, and he has temporarily allocated these to me!"
He then arranged for their accommodation.
Everyone was greatly encouraged and warmly welcomed Sam.
"So these are the Blade Mantis warriors!
We've seen them before in Chalkland. Senior Olen and Senior Apprentice Balu both reared them...
Now, Wizards Bessan and Dony also have quite a few..."
Winter and others who were not on duty at the moment came to observe and participate in the handover.
"The Blade Mantis World is part of the insectoid planes that the alliance is focusing on conquering. The Blade Mantis produced there are considered perfect warriors...
They are cold, ruthless, efficient, and obey orders like machines, yet they possess the reproductive and regenerative abilities of living beings.
Generally, mature Blade Mantis possess combat abilities comparable to advanced Knights. With various secret methods to aid their growth, they can reach the level of Grand Knights.
These are the elite troops that Wizard Dony has been focusing on cultivating.
I can't afford to buy them yet, nor do I know how to rear them.
But by delivering Blood Mercury, I can temporarily rent them to strengthen our defensive capabilities."
Roy briefly explained.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Given the tense situation, Magic Stones and materials could be set aside for now; it was better to secure some tangible combat strength.
However, even with these additions, they couldn't dispel the inexplicable unease in Roy's heart.
He quickly stepped back into the Alchemy Room and busied himself with matters concerning his new body.
The previous experiment's failure had cast a shadow over the plan to replace his body.
Fortunately, failure is the mother of success. After absorbing the lessons learned, he proceeded with the cultivation process and soon nurtured a new body.
"Conducting the decanting experiment once again..."