CH 364

Chapter 364 – Beginning of the Death March

“So we have two weeks to finish it.”

“””Yes.”””

When I explained the situation to them and gave them the deadline, the members of the R&D department gave me terrible looks of disapproval. Yes, I understand. I understand that this is a foolhardy request. But it’s kind of a political thing, you know? If we have to rely on the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom for transportation, and if we have to carry a lot of gifts (or tributes, if you look at it that way), it would be more like a tribute than a goodwill mission. We have to show more than our fair share of national prestige at home and abroad so that Merinard is not seen as a protectorate or vassal state of the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom.

“I know, I know. It’s easy for people to say, “Just hurry up and get it done in two weeks,” but it’s not easy for people to be told that.”

The people in the R&D department nodded in agreement with my words. I am not their direct superior, but I am far above them in rank. However, many of them have known me since I was in the Liberation Army, and I ask everyone to treat me normally, if not in public so that they can express their feelings honestly at times like this. I don’t know if I can say it myself, but I think we have a good relationship.

“That’s why I thought of a good counter-proposal.”

I looked around at the members of the R&D department, nodded, and raised my fist in the air.

“In the development of the first airship prototype, we will remove all restrictions on the use of materials!”

“””Oh!”””

The members of the R&D department shouted in surprise at my declaration.

“I don’t care if it’s excessive. Let’s just think about using the best materials we can think of to make it fly safely and reliably. No matter what the cost.”

“C-can we use all the mithril silver alloys we want?”

“You can use pure mithril, magic sparkling stone, or whatever you need!”

The members of the R&D department cheered again. The only one who remained calm among them was Iphrita, who raised her hand and spoke.

“Let me confirm your intention. Is it a political decision to shorten the development time and lift the ban on the use of materials in order to improve the morale of the R&D department?”

“There is that aspect, but there’s more to it than that. First of all, I think it is fundamentally impossible to develop a product with cost in mind from the beginning. This is a goal that can only be achieved after a working prototype has been built, various tests have been conducted, and the knowledge gained from these tests has been fed back. I thought it was a mistake to skip the prototype and start making a mass-production model, even though it was the first one we had ever made.”

“I see. That sounds reasonable.”

“Does it make sense to you?”

“Yes, I’m convinced.”

After Iphrita nodded her head in understanding, Isla raised her hand.

“Can I use anything I want?”

“If I can provide it. Anyway, the important thing this time is to show our technological capabilities not only to the Dragonis Mountain Kingdom but also to the small states in the West. That’s why there will be some changes in the specifications.”

“Change the specifications here?”

Isla’s eyes narrowed, and she made a sour face. Isla-san is usually sweet to me, but when it comes to research and development of new technologies, she prioritizes her position as a mage, alchemist, and head of the R&D department over her colorful love life.

“The first prototype was designed as a transport ship, but I would like to give it the characteristics of an airborne battleship or an airborne mothership. In short, we want to add ground and air attack capabilities.”

“Specifically?”

“For ground attack, I think we can use the air bombs we made for the Harpies. They are powerful enough to be dropped from a certain altitude. The development of a new type of magic bomb has already been completed at the rear base, hasn’t it?”

“Hmm. They have already sent us the designs and specifications. It is lighter than the air bombs Kosuke made, and its mass production is not bad. Except for one thing.”

“One thing?”

“There is a shortage of magic crystals and magic crystal stones that serve as the source of magic power. The supply cannot keep up with the demand, even though they are refined from the vein holes in the rear base.”

“I see. Securing the vein holes is also an issue that needs to be addressed in the future…”

Although not under control, several vein holes have been identified in the territory of the Kingdom of Merinard. If they can be used as production bases for magic crystals, magic iron, and magic steel like the rear base, the veins will become important strategic points in the future. I will advise Sylphy and Melty to secure the vein holes.

In any case, if the Merinard Kingdom wants to promote magical technology in the future, it will be essential to secure the vein holes, which will continue to release an inexhaustible amount of magic power. A large-scale battle with an external enemy is unlikely to happen now, and it would be better to let them consider whether they can allocate their forces in that direction.

“For now, we just need to have enough numbers to fight a large-scale battle at once. I would also like to build facilities on deck so that the Harpy bomber squadron can refuel and re-launch from the airship, and I would like to build a storage facility for air bombs.”

“When it comes to anti-aircraft attacks, do you prefer thunder cannons?”

“Yes, for the anti-aircraft attack, a thunder cannon would be the best.”

The thunder cannon is a weapon that is a magic tool of lightning magic used by Isla, and it has been tried and tested. The drawback is that it requires a huge amount of magic power to operate, and it is currently difficult to miniaturize. It would have to be a large subhuman with special strength, such as Shumel, Bella, or Tozume, to carry it around.

It also consumes a lot of magic power, and if you use magic crystals as the source of magic power, you need one magic crystal to fire one shot. Since magic crystals are not cheap, the operating cost is too high. Now, this could be solved by using a magic sparkling stone furnace as a source of magic power, but it is also large and heavy. Therefore, it was decided that it would be better to use it as a stationary weapon instead of a portable one.

It is a very good anti-aircraft weapon because it has a good range, is almost impossible to avoid, and can attack a wide range of targets. It is powerful enough to disable a Wyvern with a single blow.

“Then, when the anti-aircraft equipment is converted by a golem ballista… is the magic sparkling stone furnace the source of the magic power?”

“That’s right. In case of a crash, it would be a disaster. Well, thanks to this, we don’t have to worry about the source of the magic power inside the ship, so let’s think positively.”

“We’ll have to make the compartment for the magic sparkling stone furnace extra sturdy…”

“We’ll use anti-physical barriers to protect the magic sparkling stone furnace in case of emergency, so it’ll be fine. Maybe.”

“Maybe, you say…”

“Nothing is ever certain.”

Iphrita smiles bitterly, and Isla cries over her little shoulders. I think it is true that no matter how many precautions you take, there are no absolutes. The reality is that we have no choice but to do the best we can.

“Since the airship will be equipped with a magic sparkling stone furnace, it is necessary to have a magic path around the furnace. Please prepare two systems, preferably three, just to be safe. Pure mithril can be used as the material if necessary.”

“Pure mithril is too much for the magic power conduits. Mithril-silver alloy is sufficient.”

“Okay, you can ignore the cost as long as it is necessary. You can even install several magic sparkling stone furnaces, not just one. With that in mind, please make a ship that can fly, even if it takes a lot of effort.”

“Roger that.”

“Understood.”

“We will do our best. Ah, we need to review the design…”

The members of the R&D department each express their understanding and then go about their own business. Now, I must continue with the creation of the magic sparkling stone furnace, the mithril spear, and many other things.