Kousuke had no idea what the person wanted if they didn’t want the actual item.
Seeing Kousuke’s expression, Schmidt continued with a completely exasperated look.
“They apparently want the design for that wagon.”
“…Pardon?”
Schmidt let out a big sigh at Kousuke, who looked as though he’d heard something incredibly bizarre.
“At first, we thought it was just a joke, but it seems they’re seriously demanding it.”
Seeing Schmidt’s dejected expression, Kousuke felt an even worse premonition.
“I can’t believe it, but the demand has reached Schmidt’s department… it’s happened, hasn’t it?”
Kousuke was about to say “No way,” but seeing Schmidt’s face, he slumped his shoulders in defeat.
Kousuke hadn’t imagined that the organization would be structured to allow such a demand to reach even the division head.
The self-propelled wagon Kousuke created was, quite literally, a running treasure.
This was true for the materials used, as well as the numerous magic circles that enabled the self-propelled wagon to move on its own.
Frankly, it was impossible to list all those who would desire a self-propelled wagon, from various research institutions to the nation itself, in order of their longing.
The processing technology for the visible materials and many of the magic circles embedded within were devised by Kousuke and Isunani, each possessing immense value.
It was only natural that organizations housing research institutions would intensely covet self-propelled wagons.
However, Kousuke had not expected a request for the design itself, just because of that.
The reason was that, especially for magic circles, it was naturally assumed that developers would keep them secret.
In this world, where the concept of patents was virtually nonexistent, valuable technologies were naturally passed down from master to disciple.
Naturally, such techniques were taught in a way that would prevent them from being conveyed to others.
This was understandable, as such technologies themselves formed the livelihood of the technicians.
Without a patent system, of course, no patent fees would be collected.
Even with the cooperation of Razek Amamiya to create such a system, it would be meaningless if the technology flowed to other countries.
Moreover, it was a mistake to suddenly try to enforce patents in a place where the concept of patents had not taken root.
Given that magic circle designs and technologies were kept secret in such a manner, Kousuke had not even remotely considered that the underlying blueprints would be requested.
What’s more, he had never imagined that such a demand would reach Schmidt’s department.
“I mean, are you really okay?”
Kousuke’s genuine question was met with another sigh from Schmidt.
“This time, the difficult thing is that I can’t say I’m okay.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
If Schmidt’s words were to be taken literally, the demand for the blueprints had a certain logic to it.
It could even be considered that an organization that could make unreasonable demands was behind it, targeting Crown.
As Kousuke tilted his head, Schmidt wore an expression that seemed both troubled and bewildered.
“Along with the countries on other continents, this time, there’s apparently a demand from Razek Amamiya as well.”
At that unexpected statement, Kousuke’s jaw dropped open.
“Well… should I rejoice that their influence has finally lessened, or lament why they’d do something so foolish? It’s a difficult judgment.”
“Is that so?”
Schmidt responded with a look of not knowing what to say to Kousuke’s reaction.
At the very least, Kousuke had never heard about the self-propelled wagon directly from Towa.
The fact that it was demanded nationally from Crown meant that King Towa was acting without Kousuke’s knowledge.
The reason Kousuke could state with certainty that Towa was unaware was that if such a matter had reached Towa, he would undoubtedly have come to Kousuke with a worried face to ask about it directly.
Of course, the matter might have stopped at Towa’s level, but even so, he would likely have come to Kousuke afterwards to discuss it.
Towa generally brought up matters involving Kousuke without concealment.
This was because Towa knew from experience that trying to hide something could make it seem even more significant.
The fact that Crown was approached directly without Towa’s knowledge meant there was a high possibility that some department or personnel were unaware of Kousuke’s involvement in the self-propelled wagon.
Furthermore, it meant that some department or personnel who didn’t know Kousuke = Kou were making moves.
It should require someone in a position of considerable authority to demand the blueprints for something created by an individual at the instruction of a nation.
Kousuke’s statement was made with the understanding that Crown would at least investigate the origin of such an instruction.
“Now then, what should we do?”
Seeing Schmidt’s troubled expression, Kousuke turned his gaze to Luca.
“Well, the fact that you’ve brought Luca here specifically means the answer is already decided, doesn’t it?”
The reason Luca was present was to examine the magic circle. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been invited to sit in.
This meant that, whoever decided Luca should attend, they were at least anticipating Kousuke presenting the magic circle.
However, Kousuke saw this as a perfect cover himself.
“Please wait a moment,” Kousuke said, got up, and left the meeting room.
Luca and Schmidt, who wondered what he had gone to do, didn’t have to wait long as Kousuke returned.
“If you can understand this, just tell them they can have it all!”
Saying so, Kousuke handed out a sheet of paper while laughing.
Upon hearing Kousuke’s words, Schmidt showed an overtly relieved expression.
He had expected to be completely rejected at worst, and that was why he had come for the meeting.
Furthermore, the fact that Kousuke didn’t seem angry also put Schmidt at ease.
Schmidt took the paper from Kousuke, glanced at it briefly, and immediately handed it to Luca.
Since what was written on the paper was a magic circle, he judged it would be better for Luca to see it than himself.
Indeed, upon receiving the paper, Luca was staring at it intently.
From Kousuke’s perspective, he had no intention of profiting from the self-propelled wagon, so there was no problem in revealing the magic circle.
Rather, it would be more beneficial to have them verify if there were any other areas for improvement from multiple perspectives.
However, Kousuke didn’t believe that Luca could understand the magic circle he possessed in its current state.
This was because the magic circle utilized technology based on divine power.
Watching Luca stare intently at the magic circle, Kousuke muttered to no one in particular, “If someone truly capable of understanding it appears, this world will change in many ways.”
It was a muttering so close to a monologue that Schmidt, who had clearly caught the words, did not reply.
However, in his mind, he was pondering just how far ahead Kousuke (sama) was thinking.
By the way, the blueprint handed over was the part related to the self-propelled wagon’s power source, a rather important component.
Kousuke believed that even if Luca, who was probably the most knowledgeable about divine power (magic circles) outside of the management layer members, were to see it, it would take him a considerable amount of time to understand.
Naturally, he also knew that even if it were to be leaked to the public, it would be impossible to understand in places where the very existence of divine power was not seriously considered.
This was not out of malice, but Kousuke held the belief that they should at least strive to achieve that level of understanding.
