Chapter 85: Variable Weight War Hammer

The first thing I decided to tackle was the prototype of a variable weight striking weapon.

“Good morning, Isamu-dono. I couldn’t sleep last night because I was too excited about what kind of weapon we would be making this time!”

“Haha, good morning, Felix-san. I’m counting on you today.”

After breakfast, the members of Team Orihime gathered in the workshop. Since last night, I had asked Captain Felix for cooperation in developing a new weapon, so despite being sleep-deprived, the morale of the knight team was very high.

“What I’m planning to make this time is a variable weight striking weapon. Simply put, it’s a war hammer that becomes heavier when activated.”

“…??”

My explanation didn’t seem to quite click with the knight team.

“Among you, Mizeroi-san occasionally uses heavy weapons like war hammers or morning stars, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. Since you need strength to swing them, it’s mostly used by larger members in the knight order, including myself.”

“So, which one has higher power, a heavy hammer or a light one?”

“Well, the heavy hammer, of course.”

To Isamu’s overly simple question, Mizeroi, a veteran knight, answered with a bewildered expression.

“Right? So, what if there was a heavy hammer with the same ease of use as a light hammer?”

“Well, that would be convenient. You could swing it faster, and your aim would be more accurate… Oh, I see what you’re getting at!!?”

Reaching the intended conclusion, Mizeroi was astonished.

“More precisely, it’s a heavy hammer, but with even greater power. I keenly felt the need for a powerful striking weapon to deal with tough monsters in the ruins.”

“Indeed… Even with Felis’ enhanced version, I struggled to cut through them…”

Remembering the battles in the ruins, Felix commented. Mizeroi and Liddell, who were with him, nodded with somber expressions.

“While the sword’s performance is also essential, I think it’s a matter of compatibility… The deeper we go into the ruins, the stronger the monsters become. So, I expect we’ll encounter more tough ones in the future. What I’m planning to make is a striking weapon that is well-matched with such tough opponents, allowing you to adjust its weight with simple hand movements.”

“C-Can such a thing be done!?”

Miseroi couldn’t help but ask back at Isamu’s unconventional remark.

“Ah. We found out about this property when we infused earth magic into that Metal Leech the other day. We’re going to use that to create a hammer whose weight can be changed.”

“Metal Leech has such a characteristic…”

“It’s probably something no one else knows yet. There’s just one thing after another…”

Felix smiled wryly at Mizeroi’s stunned silence. Ignoring their reactions, Isamu promptly started the prototype.

“Eto-san, as a rough direction, should we use Metal Leech as the core or attach it to the outside?”

“In terms of processing ease, it would be better as the core. However, Metal Leech is harder than iron. It seems like attaching it to the outside with protrusions would be better. Fortunately, it becomes soft with magic, so it’s just more challenging than using it as the core.”

“That makes sense. Well then, let’s start with the rough construction. We can refine the details later.”

“Agreed.”

Isamu poured molten iron into a mold about half the size of the head of the war hammer he usually used, creating the core. After it cooled down, he shaped Metal Leech, softened with magic, through molding, and attached it to the outside of the core. In its magically softened state, Metal Leech had the property of adhering to another metal easily, making the process simple.

As the magic stone of earth served as the activation switch, he made modifications to the grip to embed it on the top.

Since it was a prototype, he drew the magic circle on the bottom of the handle and the head. With this, the prototype of the variable weight war hammer was complete.

“Mizeroi-san, can you try swinging it without activating it? There should be almost no difference from your usual one until it’s activated.”

“Understood.”

Mizeroi accepted the war hammer offered by Isamu, and with one hand, he swung it lightly. 

According to the measurements of Isamu’s stats at the Wanderer’s Gate, his strength should be higher than the average person but around the average for nobles. The weight of the weapon he can swing with both hands should be quite heavy, to the point where it’s challenging to wield with one hand. Considering this, it seems to be in the heavy category as a weapon. The fact that he can swing it effortlessly with one hand raises questions about the strength of Mizeroi.

“I slightly feel that the surface is harder, but at this point, there’s no significant difference.”

After swinging the hammer several times with one hand and both hands, Mizeroi stopped and gave his impression.

“Good. Now, try shaking it while it’s activated. I think it’s about 1.5 times heavier the moment it’s activated. If you leave it running, it will become heavier and heavier, so please try it for a while and then stop it. If it’s too heavy, the handle won’t be able to withstand it…”

“I understand. Now, I would like to try it right away.”

With that said, Mizeroi grabs the hammer and goes out into the backyard.

When the exclusive security force was established, and the research institute expanded, several scarecrows were set up in the backyard for the knights to use in training.

Mizeroi walked towards the largest and sturdiest scarecrow among them.

“For now, I’ll swing it as it is.”

With that, he swung the warhammer with both hands, repeatedly hitting the scarecrow.

Thunk, thud. Dull sounds echoed through the air.

“I do feel that the surface has become slightly harder, but at this point, there doesn’t seem to be a significant difference.”

After hitting about ten times, Mizeroi stopped and shared his impressions.

“Now, let’s try activating it. It might be intimidating to do it suddenly, so I’ll start by swinging it in the heavier state.”

Saying so, with a tense expression, he prepared the warhammer and activated it with his hands.

“Hmm!?… I see.”

He showed a surprised expression at that moment, but after a small nod, he began to swing it lightly.

Thud, thud, the sound seemed a bit lower than before, or perhaps that was just an illusion.

After swinging it about five times, he stopped for a moment.

“…This is amazing. It feels like it’s about 1.5 times heavier when activated. With this weight, it’s still manageable to swing, but it becomes tough over time. As you mentioned, it’s best to adjust the weight skillfully when hitting.”

Mizeroi repeatedly starts and stops while watching Warhammer intently.

“Understood. Now, try changing the weight when hitting.”

Lowering his stance even further than before, Mizeroi began swinging the hammer for the third time.

“Ugh…!”

Thud.

“Hun!”

Thump.

With a serious expression, Mizeroi continued to strike, and gradually, bead-like sweat appeared on his forehead.

“Sei!”

Dogan!

A few minutes later, a particularly loud cry accompanied a released blow that struck the scarecrow with a resounding noise. Mizeroi stopped his hands.

“Phew… This is quite a strange sensation.”

Taking a deep breath and wiping away the flowing sweat, Mizeroi spoke.

“When you made it heavier, did you feel a sudden stop?”

Isamu raised the most critical concern. While it’s not common for such a situation to occur in reality, if additional weight is abruptly applied to a moving object, it should experience rapid deceleration.

Isamu was worried that the opposite phenomenon might occur.

“No, that didn’t happen. Since the object being swung suddenly becomes heavier, you naturally need to apply force to maintain speed, making it a bit difficult to decelerate or control. But there was no sensation of suddenly stopping.”

Recalling the situation a moment ago, Mizeroi answered.

“I see, that’s good then.”

Isamu sighed in relief. It seemed that this mysterious object ensured that the speed matched the weight at the moment it was increased.

If that were the case, as long as it could endure it until the moment of impact, the increased weight could be expected to deliver corresponding power.

“However, if it’s too heavy to hold, it might pull us or slip from our hands, so it’s better to keep it at a weight that makes it okay to keep swinging.”

Mizeroi’s concern was valid.

“Yeah, that’s right. Also, the impact and recoil when it hits will increase, so if there’s too much difference in weight, the risk seems significant. It might be wise to keep it at a level where it’s usable without putting in too much effort, even if it means sacrificing the ability to use it for an extended period.”

“Indeed. If it’s a bit heavier than now but still manageable, I’ll get used to it before departure!!”

“Understood.”

Afterward, other knights who had been eagerly watching also tried it, but it was determined that their strength was insufficient for practical use. Thus, the development of the variable weight striking weapon was decided to be named Felis Type 5 Prototype and designated for Mizeroi’s exclusive use. It was handed over with fine adjustments to the increased weight on the same day.

Mizeroi, having essentially obtained his own magic weapon, spent the next few days with a delighted expression, and the sound of training echoed from the backyard all day long. Rumor had it that he even brought it to bed with him.

Upon hearing that, Isamu chuckled, hoping that the bed wouldn’t collapse if it accidentally activated.

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