Helios Orb Chronicle – Chapter 430

I will submit daily submissions within the year, as I have completed up to Chapter 16.

Side: Ludia

After setting up MARS at the Memoria General Academy, we ascended to Amagi Castle to attend a meeting about the General Academy.

I don’t go to Amagi Castle often, mainly because I dislike formal things like meetings.

Actually, I was planning to return to Alka once the MARS installation was finished today, but I got so engrossed in the conversation about the small multi-functional beast carriages that the Heavenly Noble Houses and Marquis Amatista family are commissioning while we were traveling, that I missed my chance.

So, although I had to participate, I still felt like I should have just gone home.

The meeting finally ended safely in the evening, so we decided to return to Alka.

The Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble House’s separate residence under construction in Float was also completed recently, and we have already installed a Gate Stone with Emperor Reinhardt’s permission.

The Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble House’s separate residence was built in a corner of the noble district. The noble district isn’t very wide, and it’s already lined with mansions, so it’s a bit of a distance from Amagi Castle.

There’s nothing we can do about this, but honestly, I wish it were a little closer.

Incidentally, the exterior matches the townscape of Float, so it’s similar to the other mansions, but the interior is a bit more elaborate, incorporating styles from Yamato and Mako’s country. We’ve also prepared tatami mats, like the ones in Alka’s Hinomoto Mansion, so in some rooms, you’re not allowed to wear shoes. This was only possible because of Ee-quipping. Also, the garden is large enough to summon familiar spirits and still have plenty of space to park ten multi-functional beast carriages, making the property one of the largest in the noble district. However, the mansion itself is a bit smaller.

However, when we arrived at the Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble House’s separate residence, one beast carriage was parked there, and my co-wives were waiting. Hilde-sama didn’t seem to be back yet, but I could see Yuri-sama. I wondered if something had happened.

“Welcome back.”

“We’re back. Did something happen?”

“No, it’s just that the beast carriage for the Lapislazurite Heavenly Noble House is complete, and we were taking it for a test drive. We just got back, and we heard Yamato and the others were in a meeting at Amagi Castle. Lucas and Lyra, who had returned earlier, said they would be here soon too, so we waited.”

Ah, I see.

I think Feel would have been fine for a test drive, but Mana-sama is well-known in Float, and since it’s a beast carriage for the Lapislazurite Heavenly Noble House, it will be used frequently in Float. So, after picking up the completed beast carriage from Feel’s Crafter’s Guild, they moved around Float a bit, then used Traveling to get to Float, and continued the test drive from there. However, Mana-sama is seven months pregnant, and her belly is quite large. Even with everyone around, I think she should restrain herself a little from moving too much.

“I heard before we came to Amagi Castle that it would still take a few more days until completion.”

“That was the plan, but it’s basically the same as the beast carriage for the Esmeralda Tenchaku Family, and Feel’s vehicle manufacturing department is accustomed to making multi-functional beast carriages.”

“That’s why it was completed much earlier than scheduled.”

Speaking of which, during our journey to Amagi Castle, they mentioned that the beast carriages for the Lapislazurite Heavenly Noble House, the Esmeralda Tenchaku Family, and the Marquis Amatista family were only different in exterior appearance, but the interior was the same. I think they are completely different merely by their appearance, but Feel’s Crafter’s Guild vehicle manufacturing department, which received the orders, also makes our Amagi Manufacturing Beast Carriages, their two prototypes, and the multi-functional beast carriages for the Hunter’s Raid dispatched to Torencia and Solemne. They are certainly accustomed to making them.

“Also, the small multi-functional beast carriages I ordered are two, and those will be completed in a few more days.”

Huh?

Mana-sama, you ordered two? One is for the Lapislazurite Heavenly Noble House, but what about the other one?

“It’s a tribute to my older brother. Not for the Celestial Emperor’s family, but for my brother to use personally.”

“I am commissioning the beast carriage for the Celestial Emperor’s family.”

For a moment, I thought it was for the Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble House, but it’s for Emperor Reinhardt. However, Emperor Reinhardt is also a Hunter, and he will retire within thirty years at the latest, after which he will live as a Hunter. In that case, it would be better for His Majesty to have his own beast carriage. I recall Sayuri-sama and Kaito-sama also owning beast carriages personally. Since Yuri-sama has already commissioned the beast carriage for the Celestial Emperor’s family, it shows sufficient consideration for His Highness Lessheit, who will be the next Celestial Emperor.

However, Yamato is breaking out in a cold sweat.

“Oh no… His Majesty really liked the multi-functional beast carriages, but I completely forgot…”

“You’ve been extremely busy until now, and you still are, so it can’t be helped.”

“Could this be called a wife’s contribution? We are also cooperating with Prim-onee-sama, and both beast carriages are planned to be presented as gifts from the Three Houses.”

Prim is Yamato’s first wife, and if that’s the case, the Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble House can also participate. Since Yamato founded the Federation Heavenly Empire, he has been incredibly busy. Mana-sama is also pregnant now, so to lessen Yamato’s burden as much as possible, she has been the central figure in creating miniaturized multi-functional beast carriages for Emperor Reinhardt personally and for the Celestial Emperor’s family.

“I actually wanted to commission a beast carriage for the Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble House as well, but I can’t do that without consulting Yamato’s opinion.”

“Once winter comes, things should calm down a bit, so I was thinking of commissioning the Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble House’s beast carriage then.”

Indeed, we cannot commission the Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble House’s beast carriage without consulting the head of the family, Yamato.

“Also, Raus-kun and Ed-san have also placed orders with Feel’s vehicle manufacturing department, so it will take a considerable amount of time until completion even if you place an order, Yamato-san.”

“Is that so? And why Raus and Ed too?”

I was surprised too.

“Ed-san is for their own use.”

“It’s the same for Raus-kun, and it’s also for presentation to the Grand Duke Lichtenfels family and the Count Bernstein family.”

“To the Grand Duke Lichtenfels family and the Count Bernstein family as well?”

“Ah, I see. They are Carol and Seras’s families.”

“It seems so.”

Indeed, even small multi-functional beast carriages are useful, so I believe the Grand Duke Lichtenfels family and the Count Bernstein family would be delighted. Raus has also saved up quite a bit of money, so it’s likely for that reason too.

Hearing this, Yamato started sweating profusely. If Yamato were to do the same as Raus, the recipients would be the Celestial Emperor’s family, the Torencia Phantom King Family, the Marquis Amatista family, Viscount Fallhight, the Dragonian, Lady Apricot, and my and my sister’s family, the Highwind family. However, the Marquis Amatista family has already placed an order for a small multi-functional beast carriage, and Hilde-sama and Meena also plan to place orders. I had forgotten, but my family, the Highwind family, has been elevated to a marquisate, so they will need a beast carriage. Therefore, if Yamato were to place an order, it would likely be for Highwind Marquis family, Lady Apricot, my mother, and Lady Gaia, Athena’s mother, for three custom-made carriages. Ah, it might also be possible for Sir Aiver, Sayuri-sama, and Lady Neige of Valt, who is the Vald Beast Duke. I assume all of these would be from Yamato’s private funds, and he would still have plenty left. Lady Apricot is like Yamato’s concubine, and Lady Neige is the Vald Beast Duke, so the interior would likely be lavish.

“Let’s do that. I need to go to Feel’s Crafter’s Guild tomorrow and place my order.”

“Father and Grandmother Sayuri are making them themselves. They are happy to be working on them because multi-functional beast carriages can do so many things.”

Although she made the decision instantly after hearing that, it’s no wonder, as Aiver-sama and Sayuri-sama are Crafters. Sayuri-sama has ridden in our Amagi Manufacturing Multi-functional Beast Carriages several times, and I’ve heard Aiver-sama was involved in the creation of the Beast Carriages for the Order’s Guild, so it’s not strange for her to make one for herself. Moreover, Aiver-sama rarely leaves Amagi Castle, so she is prioritizing the creation of a small multi-functional beast carriage for her father, Kaito-sama.

“Also, Raus and the others have orders pending, so it will be quite a while until completion.”

“I know. Besides, Torencia, Valt, and the Highwind Marquis family may have already placed orders, so I need to check on that too.”

I can’t deny that possibility. However, while Torencia and Valt are one thing, the Highwind Marquis family was only elevated about six months ago, and I don’t think Father and Mother have thought that far ahead.

“Thank you, Yamato. But I’ve already commissioned a beast carriage for Mother.”

“Is, is that so?”

So Prim had already placed an order for the beast carriage Lady Apricot would use. It’s a modification of the Duke Hydransia’s beast carriage to serve as the multi-functional beast carriage’s cabin, which is quite remarkable. If they don’t have to build a multi-functional beast carriage from scratch, once it’s completed, nobles might also place orders in that vein. Although it’s understandable due to his busyness, Yamato seems to be lagging behind for once.

“Things like that happen.”

“That’s right. Oh, shall we take a look inside soon?”

“Mana-sama designed it, but it fulfills all the performance requirements of a multi-functional beast carriage, except for troop transport capability.”

Meena and my sister urged me to look inside. I was curious too, and I wanted to see it quickly.

“Ah, I wanted to see it too.”

“It’s almost the same as Yuri’s for the Esmeralda Tenchaku Family, so there’s nothing particularly new.”

Mana-sama is a bit embarrassed, but I recall that not only the Esmeralda Tenchaku Family’s beast carriage but also Raus, Ed, Prim, and Meena have commissioned theirs using the same blueprints. The room layouts are slightly different, although the exteriors are the same. However, multi-functional beast carriages have many similarities to building mansions, so I don’t think such minor differences are a big deal. But even a slight difference can create a significantly different impression, so let’s take a look quickly.

“Then, please excuse me. … It’s impossible to change the fact that the living room is immediately after descending from the cabin, is it?”

“Indeed. We’ve prepared servant quarters and guard rooms, but from a security perspective, having a hallway below the stairs is problematic.”

Of course.

The beast carriage for the Lapislazurite Heavenly Noble House has a depth of 7 meters, a width of 3 meters, and a height of 4 meters including the observation deck. However, since Fiana the High Harpy applied a 30x enhancement, the Mirror Room has an area of 600 square meters. The living room below the stairs from the cabin is 100 square meters, the master’s room is 50 square meters, there are three guest rooms of 40 square meters each, servant and guard rooms of 45 square meters each, and a toilet of 20 square meters. Furthermore, although there’s almost no chance of using it, there’s a 120 square meter bath, and the remaining 100 square meters are for the stable and inner courtyard. It’s basically no different from our Amagi Manufacturing Beast Carriages, but by sacrificing troop transport capacity, it can be made this small.

“I thought the same when I saw the beast carriage for the Esmeralda Tenchaku Family, but if it’s a High Class or higher Crafter performing Mirroring, the size of the beast carriage could probably be made smaller.”

“But that would throw off the balance, and in the worst case, you couldn’t make an observation deck.”

“Looking at the small cruisers on Earth, it wouldn’t be impossible, though it would be quite cramped. If it’s just for observation, that would be sufficient.”

Come to think of it, the observation deck of the cruiser-like ship that Yamato showed me on Earth was quite narrow. If it’s only for observation, even if it’s a bit cramped, it should be fine. And it’s okay to use a ladder instead of stairs utilizing mirroring, so I agree with Mako that it should be sufficient.

“As expected, not only the living room but also the rooms are as spacious as a mansion. If this is the case, even with a 10x enhancement, there should be some demand.”

“I thought so too. A 30x enhancement costs 1 million El, but a 10x enhancement only costs 100,000 El, significantly reducing the cost.”

As Mana-sama says, Mirroring enhancement costs (Magnification x 10,000) El, so a 10x enhancement is 100,000 El. However, enhancements beyond that can only be done by High Crafters or higher, and since there are few of them, the price skyrockets. A 20x enhancement is 500,000 El, and a 50x enhancement, which only an Ancient Crafter can perform, costs 2 million El, an amount that even nobles cannot easily afford. Yamato, who has become an Element Crafter, can now perform up to an 80x enhancement, which would cost 4 million El if he actually did it.

“I don’t know if there will be opportunities to use the bath, but it’s sufficient for everyday use. The interior isn’t overly luxurious, nor is it plain, so there are no issues for a Heavenly Noble to use it.”

“I was careful about that.”

Mana-sama beamed with joy at Yamato’s compliment. The design was commissioned from the Crafter’s Guild, but Mana-sama handled all the designs herself, so of course, she would be happy to be praised. Yamato, in particular, doesn’t have that kind of sense, so he’ll likely leave the interior design of the beast carriages he plans to commission to Mana-sama and the others. I can’t say much about myself either, but this is a good learning experience. I didn’t register as a Crafter because I had something specific I wanted to do, but I still have a lot to learn.