Chapter 325 - Episode 317: The Grand Duke's Prestige
The end of February, a time when the air shifts from winter to spring. A report reached Noein from the retainer Damian and the magic item crafter Daphne, who had been working on the development of an Arqvist-territory-made magic carriage, stating that the prototype was complete.
Upon receiving this, Noein went to actually confirm the quality of the prototype. The location was the testing ground attached to the lord's direct-run workshop, used for things like test-firing weapons.
"This is the prototype we reported. Since it's primarily for confirming functionality, the appearance is a bit clumsy..."
The carriage body Daphne pointed to was a simple, hastily made construction. As per her words, it was clear that it wasn't intended for immediate practical use.
"I don't mind that, so it's fine... As I thought, the body became quite large."
"Yes. Therefore, I believe it will be operated as a four-horse team. I did my best to make it as small as possible, but this was the limit given the quality of the magic paint from the Kingdom of Roadberg."
Compared to the single-horse or two-horse carriages common in the Kingdom of Roadberg, the prototype's body was one size larger. No matter how much the burden on the horses was reduced by the effect of the magic circuits, four horses were necessary if one were to load a driver and a sufficient amount of luggage for the horses to pull. Indeed, four draft horses were hitched to this prototype.
"It's sufficient. The roads leading to the County of Koenitz and the Kingdom of Lancel, as well as the roads leading to Kilde and the pioneer village, will be improved from here on. I'll make sure that four-horse carriages can pass through without issue, so there's no problem. Rather, it's more convenient to be able to turn large carriages with high load capacities into magic items."
Noein responded thus to Daphne, who seemed dissatisfied that they could only produce something of lower quality than the magic carriages of the Republic of Betumia.
"In terms of performance, you've achieved the goals we discussed at first, right?"
"Yes, for the horses pulling the carriage, it should feel about thirty percent lighter than the actual weight. I'll show you in practice... Damian-san, I'm counting on you."
"Leave it to me! Noein-sama, please watch closely!"
Damian, who was sitting on the driver's seat of the prototype, called out to Noein with his usual energetic voice. Noein responded by waving back with a smile.
First, Damian pulled a lever extending diagonally in front of the driver's seat. Then, the magic circuits engraved on the axles beneath the body emitted a momentary glow. This was a common reaction when activating a magic item.
Then, as Damian operated the reins, the four horses began to walk, pulling the carriage.
Bags of wheat and mining resources, intended to simulate cargo, were loaded on the body, meaning it should have a weight similar to actual transport, but Noein could understand that the horses were advancing with a lighter gait than usual.
Damian accelerated the horses from a walk to a trot, completed one lap of the testing ground, and stopped the carriage right beside Noein and the others before climbing down.
"...Yes. Since you two made it, I wasn't worried, but it seems the performance is exactly as reported. With this, it's well worth producing."
"Thank you. Since the magic consumption of the circuits is low, it should be superior to those of the Republic of Betumia in terms of fuel efficiency alone. Considering the consumption of magic stones, I believe there are many advantages in terms of transport volume and distance."
"Is it a pass!? Can we proceed with production as is!?"
Beside Daphne, who was providing supplementary explanations, Damian asked with sparkling eyes. While giving a faint smile at his innocence, Noein nodded.
"It's a pass in both performance and magic fuel efficiency. Let's refine it for practical implementation within the territory."
While Damian jumped for joy, Daphne also showed an expression combining relief and happiness.
"I don't really understand the improvements for practicality just by looking at it. I'll put in a word for the merchants and craftsmen, as well as Edgar, the Minister of Agriculture, to serve as advisors."
The ones who would actually use the Arqvist-territory-made magic carriages were the Skinner Trading Company and Victor's Mining Development Trading Company for transporting goods, Dmitri's Construction Trading Company for transporting building materials, and the farmers for transporting agricultural products. To complete the carriage, it was necessary to incorporate the opinions of such users.
"Then, I will continue to work on the finishing touches... Also, actually, separate from the magic carriage, there is one more thing for today."
"There's something we want you to see!"
The calm Daphne and the even more excited Damian pointed to an object covered with a leather cloth at the edge of the testing ground.
"That. I've been curious about it since I arrived, but so it was something to show me."
Looking at the silhouette of the object through the leather cloth—its height not much different from Noein's own, but its width larger—Noein muttered.
"That's right! We were working on it simultaneously with the magic carriage prototype!"
"...The idea was his, and he provided advice and assistance, but the actual construction was mainly done by me. It's still a work in progress, though."
"Since you made it, is this also a magic item?"
When Noein spoke to the wryly smiling Daphne, she nodded and said, "Exactly."
"It's faster to just see it for yourself! Here!"
As Damian said this and removed the leather cloth, what emerged from beneath was—the upper body of a golem. However, no matter how one looked at it, it was not an ordinary golem.
"...Isn't this huge?"
Golems were about one meter for small ones and about two meters for large ones. However, the golem before him was 1.5 meters for the upper body alone. If the lower body were attached, its height would reach three meters. It would be as tall as a small house.
"Yes. Damian-san proposed that by using the mechanism of the magic carriage's magic circuits, enlarging golems might be possible. I incorporated that opinion and had him help with the processing of some parts... I intended it as an experimental piece to be made leisurely on the side of my work, but the blood of a craftsman accidentally stirred."
Daphne said this with a mischievous smile.
With conventional magic circuits, it was difficult to enlarge a golem beyond two meters. However, by incorporating part of the magic carriage's circuits into the golem's joints, it became possible to move a larger body than before... this explanation was given, omitting the overly technical parts.
"There is still room for improvement, but it should move properly once the whole body is complete. However, as it becomes larger, I believe the magic and concentration required for operation will also increase. The burden on the puppet mage operating it will likely increase considerably."
"Well, that makes sense... Can I try touching it for a bit?"
"Of course. We showed it to you specifically so that Noein-sama could actually try it."
Having obtained Daphne's permission, Noein poured his own magic into the large golem before him and attempted to operate it.
"O... h. This... certainly, the burden is incredible."
Since the thickness of this golem's torso and arms were not much different from conventional ones, the increase in height gave it a slender impression. However, the weight had certainly increased, and the magic circuits were expanded, so the required concentration and magic were on a completely different level.
It was a sensation as if he were suddenly moving a body whose weight had doubled. He had only operated the arm, but Noein groaned involuntarily at the unexpected heaviness of the control.
"Ohh! What power! I really want to see the whole body moving!"
"...Damian-san is saying this, but what do you think?"
"Hmm, if this were to move its whole body, it would require a considerable amount of power. I could do it, but even so, I think long periods would be impossible like with a normal golem. For anyone other than me... I think it would be quite difficult. In terms of skill, perhaps Gustav or Cecilia for a very short time. Other than that, maybe Alain could somehow move it a little by brute force?"
Noein possessed a larger amount of magic than general mages, and combined with his extraordinary dexterity, he could perform the extraordinary feat of simultaneously operating two golems. Even for such a Noein, it would be difficult to satisfactorily move the completed form of this large golem without using his full strength.
"Then, it seems it would be better to forgo further production regarding this. Even if it were completed and Noein-sama could move it, the practicality..."
Daphne let out a small sigh, appearing slightly discouraged.
In the future, Noein would only handle golems during battle, but whether the opponent was a human army or monsters, the power of normal golems was sufficient. There was no meaning in deliberately using an over-spec giant golem to reduce the number of attacks and operating time, especially when he could operate two of them.
"Ah, it's going into the archives, huh. If this walked around, it would surely have a presence that would surprise anyone who saw it."
"...Wait a moment."
Hearing the mutter of the disheartened Damian, Noein thought for a moment and spoke.
"You don't have to forgo production. Go ahead and make the lower body as well, and complete it as a three-meter golem."
"Eh!?"
"...Is that alright?"
Damian raised his voice, his eyes sparkling once again, while Daphne asked with wide eyes, seeming unable to fathom Noein's true intention.
"It's fine. Rather, I definitely want to ask you to do it. I'll buy the finished product. This... can be used to demonstrate the prestige of the Arqvist family and the Grand Duchy."
Noein considered himself to be one of the leading puppet mages on this continent, perhaps even the best. If it were a large golem that even he could only move properly by exerting his full strength, it meant it was an object that only he could move.
Even Orcs, who were among the considerably large category of general monsters, had a body height of at most the early two-meter range. No human had ever seen a three-meter humanoid object walking around.
If Noein operated a golem larger than any seen before at future ceremonies or festivals, he could make many people think, "As expected of the great Grand Duke Arqvist. He is different from ordinary people."
It was nothing more than a bluff, but bluffs were not to be underestimated. There is no human who does not feel awe toward an opponent who demonstrates extraordinary power. The instances of the Arqvist family being looked down upon would decrease, and the possibility of Noein taking a mentally advantageous position in future social gatherings and negotiations would increase.
"—Therefore, this can become a symbol of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist. Though only for as long as I, the one who can operate it, am alive."
"I see, the effect as a symbol... Certainly, that is significant."
"There's no one who wouldn't think it's amazing seeing this walk around! It'll definitely work!"
At Noein's explanation, both Daphne and Damian nodded in agreement.
"Appearance is more important than practicality. While we're at it, let's add some flashy decorative armor. Defensive performance can be non-existent, so make it as light as possible."
"That sounds good. Will the armor be Damian-san's job?"
"Leave it to me! I'll make armor parts that are as thin and light as possible, and look great!"
Thus, in parallel with the practical implementation of the magic carriage, it was decided that a large golem for ceremonies would also be manufactured by the time of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist's independence.