Chapter 5: Avid

Chapter 5: Avid

Around the time when I was about to reach my mid-thirties.

The mobile knight that I had sent out for repairs had finally returned.

It was a humanoid weapon wearing knight-like armour, and on its arms it had its most defining characteristic of a large shield mounted on each of its shoulders.

I thought there was no point in developing a weapon in the shape of a person, but from the perspective of this universes people, humanoid weapons were easier to control.

Fantasy universes are awesome.

Avid was currently stationed in the mansions garden, and it looked quite menacing.

Now arent you amazing?

Standing next to me was a satisfied-looking technician from the Algrand Empires Seventh Weapon Factory.

I could tell that she was a soldier because a class badge that was pinned on her uniform.

The technical lieutenant wore glasses and had black hair that reached her shoulders.

She gave off the feeling of an intelligent woman who had pride in her work.

I still havent heard her name.

Im glad that you like it. Although, I didnt think wed be able to repair an aircraft like this.

You know this aircraft?

Its because its an aircraft manufactured by us. The same model can be found in the reference books of our library.

A large aircraft that hasnt been used in recent times.

Though it seems theres no problem with upkeep since the large models are maintained the same way the small ones are.

The technical lieutenant looked a little worried.

Are you sure youre okay with this? With the auto-assistance removed, itll become far more difficult to maneuver.

Is it like the difference between using a manual and an automatic car?

Master who was with me laughed while crossing his arms.

Sir Liam can easily overcome an obstacle of this difficulty, so dont worry. Now then, may I have the pleasure of your name? Id like to have a brief discussion about this aircraft, so why dont we talk inside the guest roo-

There should be no problem because Ive prepared a manual, and if its the Count wholl be piloting it, then its better to explain it to him directly.

Master seems to have a thing for the technical lieutenant.

But she declined his invitation with a smile.

I looked at Master who drooped his shoulders.

As his Evil Lord, should I allow this person to be Masters partner?

Well, umm the other party is an imperial soldier.

Shes the kind of person youd normally hesitate getting involved with.

Now then, would you like to enter into the cockpit, my lord?1

Oh, uhh yeah.

While being guided by the technical lieutenant I headed over to the cockpit.

You cant say that the cockpit is narrow.

Its actually quite wide. No, isnt this too much space?

The cockpit has been expanded using space manipulation magic. Weve also prepared the highest quality seats to make sure youre comfortable. Aside from the fact that theres no auto-assistance, this is definitely a top-caliber model.

When I sat down, I could feel how soft the seat was.

It was like I had a supportive feeling wrapped around my body, it was that kind of sensation.

The control stick automatically adjusted to the position of my hand.

Im liking it so far, its my favourite colour black and it looks really cool.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

A lot of our male customers like black, so there are many black aircrafts.

Many nobles have knights.

The reason is because knights are a certain kind of status-symbol.

Theres also the fact that humanoid weapons are simply popular among the nobles.

As long as it looks good, the nobles will buy it to further their houses prestige.

There are even nobles who dress like knights.

The thing is, there arent that many people whore willing to spend this much on airframe maintenance.

Is that so? I thought everybody went this far.

Master told me so.

And based on that, I agreed to splurge on money.

Usually amounts like that are used for improving the contents of multiple mass-produced models. You gave us an abundant budget, so the engineers got to go all out. Now, try starting the engine.

When I started the engine with a switch, something started to scan my body.

Its capable of recognizing the pilot, so no one unauthorised can just use it.

My lord, the imprinting is complete. You are now the sole operator and pilot capable of moving this child. Its a custom-made aircraft built just for you.

Hearing that its a personal machine makes me happy.

When I grasped and moved the control stick, the scenery displayed in front of me completely changed.

The cockpit started to shake lightly.

H-huh?

Before I noticed it, Avid was already falling.

The technical lieutenant had a face on that said, as expected.

This child has had all assist functions as well as the auto-balancer removed. It has a very difficult control scheme, but if you can master it, then youll be able to move it as if it were a part of your own body.

Learning how to use something like this was probably going to be tough anyways.

I finally understand what Master was trying to tell me.

If I can become proficient in using this, then I could be one of the best pilots there is!

No, if you can already handle this as a child, then youre already a top pilot.

The technical lieutenant placed her hand over mine that was holding the control stick.

I could feel and smell the gentle warmth of a lady.

-I guess even if its just a little, my distrust of girls was getting better.

Though there was still a sense of unease.

The technical lieutenant who stayed for about a month to explain maintenance procedures and piloting instructions for the aircraft had already left.

She said that shed come again, so next time Yasushi wanted to get her name and contact information.

Your legs are still shaking, you havent had enough training.

Ugh, Ill make sure to train harder next time.

Ill make sure you do. From now on were going to go at it even harder.

Training had slowly become stricter just because of a personal grudge.

The guide stepped through the door that crossed dimensions.

He was standing on the roof of the mansion.

The guide who watched things from afar had high expectations for the future.

Now, how have things been going for you, Liam?2

He seemed to be doing better than how the guide thought hed be.

Which is why it would be that much more delicious to destroy it all.

It wouldnt be long now.

The territory is actually full of vitality, and wait, is that scammer still working here?

Even if Liam found out the truth and executed the con-man, it didnt really matter.

The guide would enjoy either situation.

As the guide searched for Liam in joy, he found him in the mansions garden.

There were multiple logs arranged around him, but none of them were within reach of his swords blade.

Is he practicing right now? Im looking forward to seeing how skilled hes become.

He wasnt completely incompetent, the guide knew that the fraud would at least be able to teach him the basics of swordsmanship.

But something at that level wasnt suitable for knights.

If Liam actually thought he was strong after mastering that, then thered be more fuel the guide could use for his future enjoyment.

There were large differences in individual strength from residents of this universe.

The contrast between a person who had used education capsules from and early age verses someone who had only used one once or twice was enormous.

To put things at an extreme, people were born into talent here.

Well educated nobles and knights were naturally strong in this universe.

Knights themselves being even more special, since they were individuals who could defeat gun wielding soldiers with a blade.

Liam pushed the sword out of its sheath slightly with his left thumb, releasing a small snap.

The guide was bewildered.

what?

Almost immediately after, all the logs placed around him were sliced in half and fell to the ground with a thump.

They were all cut cleanly and beautifully.

eh? EHH?!?!

The guide was frozen.

In the three decades he had left him alone, Liam had become extremely strong.

The android and the butler who were watching Liam started applauding.

That was wonderful, Master.

You have thoroughly impressed this Brian here.

It was an unbelievable sight.

Both his use of magic, and his physical capabilities were off the charts, only a handful of people could become this strong.

Surprisingly, Liam still looked dissatisfied as he wiped his sweat off with the towel he received from Amagi.

This is still nothing compared to my Masters sword. I wanted him to teach me more, but Master suddenly gave me my swordsmanship license and left.

The guide was panicking.

(What the hell did that guy do?! Just what did he teach him?!)

Summoning a bunch of windows with images on them, the guide brought up the image of Yasushi who was currently drowning himself in alcohol.

He was deep in conversation with a lady sitting beside him at the bar.

what the hell is that guy? I just cant understand him.

Are you talking about your disciple again, Yasushi?

Yasushi was complaining.

Im less than a second-class swordsman, maybe even a third or fourth class one. When I first got there I actually resolved myself to do my job properly and teach, but before I knew it, he had already surpassed me within a decade, and by the twentieth year he was already nearing the peak of swordsmanship.

The lady started laughing, thinking that Yasushi was telling a joke.

So in the last decade he became a master swordsman? Yasushi, thats a funny joke.

The lady didnt believe him.

But Yasushi strongly denied it.

Its not a joke! That brat, near the end he was asking me if Id like to stay in his territory and open a dojo. I was so scared that I had to run away. Its not funny. Its not funny at all being near someone that can kill you without even drawing their sword.

The street magic trick he showed him was completely reproduced as a sword technique.

Liam was that unbelievable.

The guide turned off the picture and started to rub in forehead, troubled.

-he had a headache.

The cause was Liam.

Liams gratitude was reaching him.

He could hear Liams voice even now-

(Im so lucky, I got to learn the sword from such a wonderful master without even knowing it, and my territory which was so barren has finally developed into something valuable. I thought that I was tricked at first, but the guide was telling the truth. Hes such an amazing person.)

Thank you oh so much.

These feelings were very unpleasant for the guide.

Although he loved negative emotions, things like gratitude and favour made him feel nauseous.

And Liams vehement appreciation for the guide was no joke.

Now how am I supposed to deal with this?

Now that he was in this situation, the ill-feeling guide decided it was about time to finally send Liam into despair.