Kays Translations

Chapter 100: Demonstration

As they journeyed from the ruins to the capital city of Inotia, Isamu performed detuning on the explosive orbs inside the carriage.

"All right, this should reduce the power to about 60%. It's good that it's a simple mechanism. Tiramisu-san, I'd like to try it out a bit during the next break. Can we park somewhere off the main road?"

"Roger that!"

After about 30 minutes of work, Isamu, who was acting as the coachman, spoke to the female knight who was their driver, Tiramisu.

As Isamu had said, the mechanism of the explosive orbs was quite simple.

Similar to the thunder orbs, it counted down the time to detonation on the activation array side, and then simply activated the explosion magic circle. The only difference was that there were parameters for the explosion command: heat, explosive force, and range, which could be individually set.

This time, Isamu was attempting to detune by weakening the heat and range.

There was a slight sense of unease about handling explosive force and range separately, but he accepted it as part of how magic worked.

"Being able to adjust the explosion seems quite versatile." 

Eto remarked after hearing about the parameters from Isamu.

"Yes, indeed. By increasing the heat without triggering the explosion, you can minimize damage to buildings and only harm living creatures. Conversely, by reducing the heat, you can prevent fire even in the forest. Ideally, though, I'd like to use it in ways other than weaponry..."

Isamu replied with a wry smile. While it was necessary to develop weapons to protect themselves, doing so was akin to strengthening the power to kill. Though he had no intention of preaching non-resistance like saints, as someone who knew about the escalating arms race on Earth, he felt nauseated.

"In the end, it's all about the intent of the user. A knife can easily kill someone, and a carriage can run someone over. It's the same with any tool." 

Eto chuckled.

"Well, that's true. There are monsters out there, and I want to protect myself. I'll just be careful not to spread the word too easily."

"Oh, that's good. Besides, if you have overwhelming power, no one will pick a fight with you."

“Ahaha, that’s true too.”

Isamu also laughed in response.

"However, like the lightning orbs, this consumes magic power too wastefully. Once we return, I'll modify it to operate using non-attribute magic stones." 

Isamu changed the topic to dispel the slightly heavy atmosphere.

"Yeah, just like with the lightning orbs, you take the countdown function to the functional circle and combine it with the accumulation and counting of magic power, right?" 

Willem, who was beginning to understand the concept of algorithms in magic circles, confirmed with Isamu.

"Yes, that's the most efficient method. It eliminates the need for precise time management. Disposable magic tools can be costly, so being able to reduce the cost of magic stones is significant." 

Isamu explained.

"That's very helpful. The operating costs of the territory mainly consist of expenses related to defense and security. It's very appreciated if we can reduce them or strengthen them for the same amount." 

Annemarie nodded in agreement while listening to the conversation.

The military of this world, Ethersia, was mainly operated by regular troops.

Since the threat of monsters was constant, there was a need to be constantly prepared for battle. It was more efficient to divide those who fought from those who did not.

While there were countries with conscription systems, at least in the Stahlen Kingdom where they currently were, it was a voluntary professional military.

There might be cases where they would be conscripted in the event of a war involving the entire nation, but it would be a last resort.

Incidentally, adventurers could also be considered professionals who fought against monsters, but as they aged, more and more of them seemed to transition into soldiers.

For mid-level adventurers, becoming a soldier who fought similarly but had a stable income seemed like a better option.

Moreover, soldiers who were reliable and not affected by economic fluctuations were popular as marriage partners.

Therefore, how each lord managed to maintain the costs of their standing army was a headache.

"Yes, indeed. If we can upgrade the same number of units, we can also reduce casualties and embark on territorial expansion." 

Isamu replied, and Annemarie nodded vigorously in agreement.

The Klaufeldt territory, while having fewer monsters around the capital city, had many in other areas due to the expansive forests.

To proceed with development, measures against monsters were essential, and this development was one of the Klaufeldt family's longstanding wishes.

Considering it would be a helping hand towards that goal, Isamu felt it was worth it.

Afterwards, they took a break in a place out of sight from the main road as Isamu had suggested, confirmed that the explosive orbs had been detuned as planned, and returned to the city of Inotia around evening.

Since it was not feasible to visit the Margrave from this time onwards, they left a message with the knight at the gate that they would like to visit later to report on their exploration of the ruins and returned to their lodgings.

While staying in the city, they were informed by Silvio, who was advancing the arrangements for the workshop, that the negotiations had been successfully completed.

With this, the essential objectives of this business trip were accomplished, and a celebration was held that evening to commemorate their return from the ruins.

The next morning, after finishing breakfast and discussing their plans for the day in the lounge, they were visited by a messenger from the Margrave’s residence.

The Margrave had some time available tomorrow afternoon, so he wanted them to come for a report.

The implication that there might be souvenirs prompted an unexpectedly quick appointment, which would not have happened under normal circumstances.

During the morning of that day, they relaxed at the inn to recover from yesterday's fatigue, and in the afternoon, they strolled around the city.

For Isamu, there was a pleasant discovery.

He found grains that seemed to be "rice."

This area was a rocky desert a little away from the Meator River, which passed by the side of Inotia, but as you go down the river, the surroundings changed to vast plains.

In this plain area, the riverside was extensive, and what was cultivated there was a grain called Oriza.

As it grew in the riverside, which swelled with water during the rainy season from late spring to summer and receded during the dry season from autumn onwards, Isamu suspected it might be rice.

It was said to have been eaten in the nearby area since ancient times, but it was a local food that had hardly spread to other regions.

In the city of Inotia, which served as a hub for water transportation using the Meator River, there was a small amount of handling, according to the shopkeeper who sold Oriza.

As it was still in the form of rice grains, Isamu bought up all that was available after breaking a few grains to confirm that it was somewhat reddish but close to the familiar rice in appearance.

Since husking and polishing would take time, he planned to take it back to the viscount's territory and try various things with it.

Seeing Isamu buying up an unknown crop, Nuber and Tiramisu were surprised, but the members who knew that Isamu’s cooking was always reliable rejoiced at the discovery of another delicious ingredient.

And the next afternoon, Isamu and the others visited the Margrave’s mansion again to report on their exploration of the ruins.

"Hmm, there were still hidden rooms in that ruin? I thought it had been thoroughly explored..." 

"Yes. I can't reveal the location, but we found a small room like a warehouse and discovered a lightning orb and another artifact, which we brought back."

Following the prepared cover story, Isamu placed the original lightning orb and the newly discovered explosive orb (detuned) on the table.

"Indeed, this one is the prototype of the lightning orb. I heard it was discovered in that ruin a long time ago, but there's still something left. And the other one is a new artifact, you say?"

M argrave Nazario Innocenti took the explosive orb in his hand and examined it closely.

"Yes. On our way back, we tried out what kind of magic tool it was, and it seems to be a magic tool with an explosive magic built-in. So we call it the 'explosive orb.'"

"Huh, explosive magic, huh? How powerful is it? Depending on its power, it could be quite dangerous, you know?"

When he heard about explosive magic, Nazario's eyes sharpened.

"According to the assessment of our territory's magic knights, it's presumed to be slightly inferior to the standard power. However, since metal fragments are scattered along with the explosion inside the tube, it can be said to be similar to a phenomenon of simultaneously using the flame blast and stone hail spells." 

Isamu relayed the result of confirming the power after detuning to Liddell.

"So it's similar to composite magic... Even though it's slightly inferior to the standard power, it's still quite something." 

Nazario's brow furrowed deeply at Isamu’s explanation.

"If you'd like, would you like to take a look at one or two? While we have some leeway in quantity, it's still a newly discovered artifact..." 

"What!? While we do have some leeway in quantity, it's still a newly discovered artifact...!? Is it all right, Miss Annemarie?"

Isamu proposed, surprising Nazario, who sought confirmation from Annemarie.

"Of course. However, could you please let us know if you notice anything or have any points of concern?"

"I see. It's such a simple task. Is it alright to use the training ground in the backyard? Mercurio! Please clear the backyard for us. No need for guards!"

"Understood!"

"Thank you for your consideration."

A while later, Isamu and the others emerged at the edge of the cleared training ground.

There were hardly any rooms with windows on the side of the mansion's backyard, and even those rooms were guarded by knights stationed at the entrance.

From the Innocenti family, there were Margrave Nazario, his wife Fleurier, their second daughter Julia, Mercurio, the captain of the knights who had just received instructions from Nazario, and five other members of the household.

Julia was the youngest, with two older brothers and one older sister. The eldest son served as the acting lord in the capital, and the second son led a frontline unit guarding the border with a neighboring country. Their sister had married into another family and left home.

"Well then, let's get started. Mizeroi, count to two and then throw. Oh, and please be careful not to hit any buildings..."

"Understood!"

It seemed Mizeroi, who was most accustomed to throwing, would take on the role of throwing. He moved alone towards the wall of the training ground.

After giving instructions, Isamu moved next to the Margrave and gave a brief explanation.

"When activated, it explodes after counting to five. It's similar to the lightning orbs, so I think it's used in the same way, as a weapon to throw."

"I see."

While they were talking, Mizeroi finished his preparations and waved his hand towards them.

Isamu waved back, giving the signal to go, and Mizeroi activated the magic device. Then, he counted to one, two, and threw it.

After rolling on the ground for about 20 meters, there was a sudden "boom" as the explosion sounded.

Due to the enclosed space, the sound reverberated in all directions.

The detuned explosive orb had created a depression about three meters in diameter on the floor of the training ground, just as Isamu had aimed.

"Next, Mercurio-san, please give it a throw."

"Yes, sir!"

When Isamu handed the explosive orb to Mercurio, he walked over to where Mizeroi was standing.

After exchanging a few words, Mercurio signaled that he was ready.

"Alright! Give it a throw!"

Nazario raised his hand and shouted loudly to him.

Mercurio activated the magic device, counted to two just like Mizeroi, and then threw it. And then, an explosion.

Another depression of similar size was carved into the ground of the training ground.

"Well, that's about it."

Saying so, Isamu walked towards the depression.

"Just throwing it can create this much power... What do you think, Mercurio?"

As Nazario asked while looking at the depression caused by the magic device's explosion.

"Well... If we disregard the cost, it's a very effective weapon. After all, you just have to throw it... It might be slightly weaker than the standard power, but since it's composite magic, one shot is enough to deliver a significant blow equivalent to two mages. However, since its range is short, it would be ideal to cover it with something like a catapult and ensure it doesn't hit allies."

Mercurio's assessment was almost identical to that of Isamu and the others.

Nazario nodded heavily upon hearing this.

"We can't hand these over to you right now, but we intend to provide them to your household in case of an emergency."

Annemarie, who had been listening to the conversation beside Isamu, declared so.

"What?"

Upon hearing this, Nazario raised an eyebrow.

"Is that okay? While it would certainly be helpful if we were to receive them, they could become a powerful trump card for the viscount's household..."

"It's fine. Your household's emergency means an enemy invasion. If we can help with that, it will be beneficial to our country."

"...I see. The best-case scenario is that such a situation never arises... But if it does, we won't hesitate to ask for your assistance."

"Yes. We also believe it would be best if we can avoid using them."

And so, after the demonstration of the explosive orbs at the Margrave’s mansion, Isamu and the others informed them of their imminent return and returned to their lodgings.

After Isamu and the others left, the members who had participated in the demonstration gathered in Nazario's office.

"What do you think?"

"If those were mass-produced and deployed, they could easily turn the tide of battle... With just fifty of them, you could crush a whole platoon."

"That's right. They would be particularly effective against densely packed enemies. They should work well against hordes of monsters too."

"Yes. What's most terrifying is that anyone can use them. As long as there are outer walls, even villages or towns with few soldiers would significantly improve their defense capabilities..."

Nazario and Mercurio accurately analyzed its usefulness.

"Say, why do you think they went out of their way to tell us about this? They could have kept it a secret, couldn't they?"

Fleurier asked Nazario, tilting her head.

"That's the biggest mystery. Well, it's undoubtedly a matter of repaying a favor, but I don't understand what it's for exactly. They have a good relationship with us because Julia and Miss Annemarie are close, but they're also quite distant, and there's hardly any direct benefit for us."

"Yeah, that's true... Even the magic stove incident this time was a business matter, so there's hardly any political interest involved..."

"Could it be because something is going to happen in the future?"

Julia, who had been listening silently, spoke up.

"Something in the future?"

Nazario asked back.

"I don't have anything specific, but... Miss Annemarie has always been good at predicting things and preparing in advance. She always ranked at the top in school exams because of that."

"I see. So it's like they're saying, 'Be allies when something happens in the future'... Heh, that sounds plausible. Well, as long as it doesn't bring us any disadvantages, let's look forward to whatever 'something' happens. Until then, let's just wait and see with excitement."

Saying so, Nazario smiled happily.

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