Chapter 45: The Villainous Aristocrat Talks with His Uncle

“I see. Is that what’s troubling you, Kunou-kun? Ah, sorry, but could you make that component slightly smaller one more time?”

“Understood, Uncle. …I was just about to lose to my sister. It gets me down, and I’m not sure what to do.”

A few days have passed since returning to the capital.

There’s still some time before the school starts, so I’ve been helping my uncle, Reldo, in his workshop.

The nature of this work is…

“By the way, it seems like something incredible happened while I was home for summer vacation.”

“The steam engine was already completed. Now, we just need to create something using it.”

Reldo had developed a magical steam engine infused with enchantments.

Apparently, this was finished quite a while ago, around the time I received the baron title from Freya. 

The plan was to incorporate it into a locomotive, but due to budget constraints, the development had been stagnant for a while.

To be frank, it still is.

What we’re doing now is just prototyping some of the necessary components for creating a magical steam locomotive.

“Uncle, will the budget work out?”

“That’s not going as smoothly as I’d hoped. There’s talk of financial assistance from Her Majesty the Queen, but some of the influential figures are opposing it.”

“Why? I think a revolution would occur once the railway is completed.”

“Exactly. That’s why. For traveling merchants and certain trading companies, a railway system is revolutionary. It disrupts existing interests. The influential figures who received money from these people are the ones causing the commotion.”

I see. Politics is complicated.

I suddenly thought about it, but in the main game, Reldo might have already completed the steam engine.

Considering the timing, Freya should have been mentally distressed and on the verge of collapsing due to Eleanor’s kidnapping.

In other words, the discussion about assisting Reldo might not have even come up.

Because of my careless actions in swiftly dealing with the kidnapper Kerbek, Reldo’s invention might be in a complicated situation.

Well, with the introduction of the railway, both travel and transportation would become easier, which I think is a good thing.

“But a railway, huh? I had only rough outlines in mind, so I’m surprised by your ideas, Kunou-kun. Constructing a large-scale transportation network is indeed revolutionary and deserving of the term.”

Reldo nodded, clearly impressed.

Truth be told, I had vaguely discussed the use of steam engines like locomotives and steamships with Reldo in the past.

Reldo looked away.

“Is something wrong?”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“Well, I had thought you might have reservations about creating something that could potentially alter the course of wars.”

“Oh, well? I do have some reservations, yes.”

“The completion of the railway could significantly impact logistics and troop transport during wartime. I never imagined you would disclose your railway idea to me.”

“Well, it’s more like a change in perspective, or a realization.”

During the Kito attack, I realized something.

I had pondered various reasons for not indiscriminately spreading the weapons I created, like preventing wars of conquest and such. But it was probably something different.

I just didn’t like the idea of someone dying because of the knowledge and weapons I shared.

I wonder if this is what they call ego.

Even if someone were to create muskets in this world, I wouldn’t stop them; in fact, I think I would actively accept it.

Even if even more lethal weapons were to emerge from that, I wouldn’t particularly think anything of it.

I would accept it as an evolution of weapons in this world.

But let’s say, for some reason, the existence of my creations like the Gatling gun or railgun became known.

If they were suddenly mass-produced without going through any stages, without relying on enchanted magic, I would do whatever it takes to stop it.

Absolutely.

Well, the best thing would be not to create such weapons in the first place, but I will continue to make weapons.

For the sake of my own safety and the safety of those around me.

“So, well, my uncle is the one who created the steam engine, and he probably would have considered building a railway network within a year or two. If a war were to happen and more people died because of the railway, wouldn’t it be my uncle’s fault?”

“I see, so I’m like an arrow catcher, huh?”

“To be frank, yes, that’s how it is. Do you dislike having a nephew like me?”

“No, quite the opposite. It’s refreshing. After all, the lineage of Andains is made up of free-spirited individuals who create what they want to create. If someone’s life and death get in the way of creating what one wants, I would gladly serve as an arrow catcher to ensure that.”

Reldo adjusted his glasses.

Mother is a person of great character, but you’re quite something too. You seem rather pleased listening to my story.

Then, I murmured under my breath.

“Most importantly, with the railways, we can enjoy delicious food from all around the world.”

“That’s your true motivation, huh?”

Oops, did he hear that?

After all, food is essential for a comfortable and civilized life.

The completion of the railway is a delightful prospect for me in that sense.

“By the way, how much budget do you think we’ll need?”

“It’s a sum that makes me reluctant to even put into words. It’s beyond my personal assets. If we do it, it’ll have to become a national project.”

“That’s true.”

“So, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Hmm?”

Reldo brought out a piece of paper and showed it to me.

“What’s this?”

“It’s an advertisement for the arena tournament. It’s surprising how Queen’s actions never cease to amaze, spending so much on elaborate paper for promotion.”

An arena tournament? What’s that about?

I tilted my head, taking the paper from Lerudo and reading its contents.

**”Royal Event!!

Galdanakia Arena Tournament!! Participation is free!!

The winner gets any wish granted by the Queen!!”**

It seemed a bit dubious, but the paper bore the royal seal.

In other words, it was genuine.

“What is this about?”

“Well, who knows? I don’t understand what Queen has in her mind, but it seems she’s starting this arena tournament from this year.”

“…I see. So, you want me to participate in this tournament, win, and then ask the Queen to fulfill this wish, allowing you to build the railway?”

“Yes. Of course, there’s something in it for you too.”

Oh?

“The Queen allows participants from foreign countries. That means the strongest individuals from all around the world will gather. It might serve as a reference for your future battles.”

“…I see.”

Certainly, this could be a good opportunity.

Let’s be clear. I, Kunou, am not that powerful of a character.

Among the characters in ‘Fantasista Stories,’ I’m undoubtedly the weakest, and in this world overall, I’m probably just slightly above average at best.

Using firearms might elevate me to being somewhat above average, but my inherent abilities might still be considered below average.

In any case, I am weak.

This world is full of dangers.

Monsters, demons, the Demon King… or rather, at present, the Vomiting Reincarnator. But there might be someone else scheming behind the scenes, possibly to replace the Demon King.

In fact, I’m absolutely sure there is.

I can’t fathom why Ayano, who had possessed the body of Mevius, the Demon King, would fall into slavery.

I need to become much stronger.

Above all else—

“I don’t want to lose to Wendy.”

As her brother, I can’t afford to lose.

Even if my opponent eventually becomes a character with overwhelmingly powerful attacks, capable of landing critical hits, I have no intention of losing.

In hand-to-hand combat, Wendy will undoubtedly become superior sooner or later, but I want my own strength, something that sets me apart and allows me not to lose to her.

My strength outside of close combat…

Well, if being able to create weapons that anyone can use is considered a strength, then so be it.

However, I don’t want to use such weapons unless the situation is truly dire.

I do want to come up with my own fighting style using melee weapons.

“Certainly, in the arena tournament, I might find opponents who can provide useful references.”

I could try creating various non-firearm weapons and use this opportunity to test them out.

Until now, I’ve just instinctively enchanted swords with magic and used them, but now’s the time to change that.

It might be a good idea to think of weapons other than firearms that suit me.

This suggestion might be a blessing in disguise.

If that’s the decision, I need to think about the weapons to use in the arena tournament.

…But, when I think about it calmly…

“What kind of weapons are there?”

Swords, spears, bows.

Those are the basics, but what else is there?

“Scythes, hammers, flails, knuckles… ugh, none of them seem right!”

I kept thinking and thinking, and before I knew it, it was late at night, and I had created several weapons.

Yes, in the excitement of the late night.

In the end, I ended up making several melee weapons based on romantic notions.

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