Chapter 355 - Episode 347: Unexpected Discovery ④
"Next, wind magic number two."
"Alright, I'm firing."
Pence received a magic tool for attack magic from a Guard soldier, inserted a magic stone—the power source—into the central box-like section, and readied it.
The location was an open area within the ruins that had barely managed to avoid being swallowed by the forest. The target was a wooden mark set up at the edge. Since a wall of piled earth had been constructed behind it, there was no danger even if he missed the target.
"...!"
As Pence pulled the trigger located in the center of the grip, a magic circle manifested at the tip of the staff-like magic tool, emitting a strong light, and immediately after, the magic—a "Wind Blade" large enough to seem capable of cleaving a person in two if it hit—was unleashed.
The "Wind Blade," fired at a tremendous speed, easily pulverized the target and gouged deeply into the piled earth behind it.
"Wind magic number two, 'Wind Blade'."
"Understood. Recording it."
When Pence handed back the magic tool, the soldier wrapped a piece of paper around it, noting the magic attribute, the magic tool's number, and the type of attack magic it unleashed.
There were twelve magic tools in total discovered in the ruins. Five for fire magic, three for water magic, two for wind magic, and two for earth magic.
Of the five fire magic tools, four were "Flame Bullets," and the remaining one radiated a long stream of fire from its tip. Of the water magic tools, two were "Ice Bullets," and one discharged water with enough force to blow a person away.
Both wind magic tools were "Wind Blades." It became clear that even for a great ancient nation, the attack magic that could be reproduced via magic tools consisted only of spells that simply unleashed destructive power.
"...Looking at it again, it really is an incredible sight. My senses are starting to go numb."
The one who muttered this beside Pence and the others as they proceeded with the test firing was the magic tool crafter, Daphne. As the person most knowledgeable about magic tools within the Grand Duchy, she was present as an advisor in case anything happened.
She had been delighted at first by the actual firing of extremely rare attack magic tools, but after watching so many test shots being fired one after another, it was only natural that the sense of gratitude was fading.
"Yeah, exactly. We're assigning numbers and sticking labels on precious magic tools that would normally be family heirlooms of high-ranking noble houses."
Pence replied with a wry smile to Daphne, who now wore a smile of sheer exasperation.
Just then, a soldier from the team conducting the investigation of the ruins ran up to them.
"Excuse me, Lord Schoenberg."
"Yeah. Is the investigation finished?"
"Yes. We searched the workshop and warehouse thoroughly, but there were no hidden rooms in the walls, attics, or basements. We also checked the ground within the premises, but nothing was discovered."
"I see... good work."
Pence answered with a feeling closer to relief. To be honest, discovering anything more would only leave them with more than they knew how to handle. His lord, Noein, likely felt the same.
"After you take a short break, switch places with the team guarding the perimeter. I'll finish the test firing quickly. Once that's done, we'll clean up and head back."
"Understood."
Once the soldier finished his report, saluted, and departed, Pence let out a small sigh and called to his subordinate beside him.
"Alright, the earth magic ones are left."
"Yes. First, earth magic number one."
The subordinate handing over the magic tool also seemed to have become completely accustomed to the sight of attack magic being unleashed from a staff. Under the gaze of the exhausted subordinate and the vacant expression of Daphne, Pence readied the eleventh magic tool.
...
"Now, I shall report the results of deciphering the classical language on the parchment."
"Yes, please go ahead."
With the parchment spread across the conference room table between them, Noein sat facing his wife, Clara. Also present in the conference room were his adjutant, Matilda, and his close aide, Yuri. Furthermore, Honorary Baronet Damian sat there as a reporter, similar to Clara.
Damian, whose words and actions had calmed down slightly since marrying Christy, was particularly quiet now, perhaps because the sovereign and the Grand Duchess were before him. He didn't shout, nor did he jump or sway. He was being so well-behaved it was unthinkable compared to when he first arrived in this land.
"First, regarding the note left at the entrance of the hidden room. At the time, I only gave a simple paraphrase, but..."
Starting with that, Clara recounted the full contents of the parchment note.
Upon scrutinizing the text, it became clear once again that this message was addressed by the master of that workshop to an ally.
At the time, the West Zeetsgard Empire was in the midst of collapse, with successive rebellions and declarations of independence by local powerful clans. This area, which had been under the direct control of the Imperial family, was likely about to be swept away by that wave of rebellion, and the master of the workshop decided to go out and fight. The reason for that decision remains unknown now.
Whether an ally had originally planned to come to the workshop, or if there was some other reason, the master of the workshop hid the production method of the Jet-Black Steel in a room in the back, left the attack magic tools for the ally who was supposed to come later, blocked the entrance, and hid it with a shelf.
However, for some reason, the ally to whom the note was addressed never came, and the master of the workshop never returned. The secret workshop built deep in the forest passed through the years without anyone noticing it.
And that leads to the present.
"I see. The person who wrote this, and the person who was supposed to receive the set in the hidden room, are both gone. Other involved parties vanished into history along with the Empire. In other words, this parchment and the attack magic tools are..."
"...likely the property of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist, which now holds those ruins as territory. In other words, they are your possessions."
Noein and Clara exchanged faint smiles.
With this, the attack magic tools and the production method of the Jet-Black Steel officially belonged to Noein. Noein had the right to receive all the profits generated from them. And the responsibility as well.
"...Well, I'll handle this skillfully this time too. So, regarding the production method of the Jet-Black Steel?"
"Yes, I have mostly deciphered that as well. The details will be provided by Damian-san."
"Leave it to me!"
At that, Damian spoke up. The fact that he could wait quietly until his turn came could indeed be called growth.
"Regarding this Jet-Black Steel, if the stories in the documents are true, it's an amazing alloy! It's written that its characteristics are lightness and high strength! It says one can make armor that is as light as leather armor but more durable than ordinary metal armor!"
"Heh, that's impressive. If such a thing can be realized, the survival rate of the soldiers will increase considerably."
Hearing Damian's words, Noein's eyes widened.
The Grand Duchy of Arqvist army provided uniform equipment to its regular soldiers; regarding armor other than the helmet, it was black-painted leather. The mainstay was a style known as light infantry. This was primarily because they envisioned defensive battles holed up in defensive facilities or guerrilla warfare within forests.
Leather armor has a good balance of lightness and defensive power, but it is naturally fragile compared to metal armor. Therefore, depending on the unit or mission, they would wear chainmail underneath to increase the defensive power of the torso, upper arms, and legs, but doing so increased the weight, which in turn impaired mobility and endurance.
If the weight of the equipment remained the same as leather armor while the defensive power could be dramatically increased, it would be a massive advantage for the Grand Duchy of Arqvist army, where every single soldier was precious due to the low population. It was also gratifying in the sense that the possibility of protecting the lives of his beloved people would increase.
"So, can that Jet-Black Steel be reproduced?"
"The production method seems to be just mixing the materials and forging them normally. There were parts where the descriptions of temperature and time were only vague, so there will probably be some trial and error at first! The problem is the materials necessary for production. In addition to iron, it seems we need powdered magic stones, lapis lazuli, and garnet!"
"...Garnet."
Noein muttered the last type of mineral Damian listed as a material for the Jet-Black Steel.
When he happened to look at Yuri, he saw that Yuri was looking back at him with a complex expression.
"Hey Yuri, if I recall, among the specialties of the Kingdom of Levrant..."
"...They did have them. Garnets."
Confirming this, the two sighed simultaneously.
Iron, magic stones, and lapis lazuli could be sourced within the Grand Duchy. Garnets could be imported from the Kingdom of Levrant. The materials for the Jet-Black Steel could be gathered easily.
"It's getting a bit scary at this point. It's far too convenient, no matter how you look at it."
"Indeed. Your Excellency is loved by God."
"Ahaha, maybe it's a reward for praying every day."
Exchanging light banter with wry smiles, Noein took a sip of the tea placed on the table to calm himself, then tightened his expression and looked around at the people in the conference room.
"For now, I'm glad we found out about those ruins and the Jet-Black Steel before departing for Lichthagen. Damian, thank you for your hard work today."
Having Damian leave the room for the time being, Noein, Matilda, Clara, Yuri, and Kimberly—who waited in the corner of the room like a shadow—remained. This was a group that could be told any important matter without issue.
"We've found out that all the attack magic tools are usable, so now it's a matter of how to handle them..."
"Will you tell His Majesty Oscar as it is?"
"About finding the ruins and the attack magic tools, yes. If I stay silent and it's found out later, it will create unnecessary suspicion. I doubt His Majesty would go so far as to try and steal the magic tools, but he'll likely have complex feelings about us possessing a large number of them, so how I explain that will be where I show my skill."
In response to Clara's question, Noein gave a fearless smile.
"And regarding the Jet-Black Steel?"
"I'll keep that quiet for now. At this stage, we don't actually know for sure if such a thing can be made. If it can be reproduced exactly as described in that parchment... I'll make it seem as though it was independently developed in our country. And even after that, I'll keep it quiet for a while."
Since Yuri asked this time, Noein answered accordingly.
"Unless we participate in an exceptionally large war and operate together with other countries' armies, it won't be discovered that only the Grand Duchy army's armor has high defensive power. If it is discovered, I'll explain it then. I'll say, 'It's armor made of an alloy recently invented in our country. I thought I'd spread its use once its utility was proven over time.'"
Military technology is a weapon not only in the things it produces, but the technology itself. The Jet-Black Steel itself could be used as a specialty armament for export, and the production method could be used as a strong diplomatic bargaining chip with friendly nations. He wanted to keep it hidden for now. That was what Noein thought.
And the people here could understand Noein's intention without being told. Yuri nodded and said, "Understood," and the others did not voice any particular doubts.
"Well then... for the rest, I'll do my best talking with His Majesty Oscar in Lichthagen."
Saying so, Noein smiled. Discussing this matter with Oscar Rhodeberg III was a job that only Noein, as the sovereign, could perform.