We returned to Feel, and bringing everyone, including Apricot, we came to Alka once again.
Although it was decided that Alka would be our base among me, Prim, Lydia, and Ludia, and Hinomoto Mansion would be the Union House, I wanted to hear everyone else’s opinions and show it to them quickly.
“I-it’s amazing…”
“Is this really above the clouds…?”
“Ah, the Sky Tree!”
The troublesome part was that the stone tablet was used on the summit of Mylight Mountain, so when we teleported from Alka, we ended up there. Fortunately, we weren’t attacked by monsters, but I knew this was bad. However, I don’t think we’ll ever use it to teleport from here again.
Siri and the others also appeared, and we were guided to the Main Hall. There, I explained what we had heard during the day, excluding the matter concerning Abaricia, and as expected, it was unanimously decided that this place would be our base.
“So, the Main Hall, you guys can use it, right?”
“Of course. You are the leader of this Union.”
We are currently discussing which of the Main Hall and the four Sub-Halls to use as residences, and it was quickly decided that the Main Hall would be mine. Not only am I the Union Leader, but Mana, the princess of Amister, and Yuri are also here, which I felt was a contributing factor.
Hinomoto Mansion seems to have been built modeled after Japanese castles. The Main Hall is like Azuchi Castle, the Sub-Halls are Nagoya Castle in the northeast, Himeji Castle in the northwest, Kumamoto Castle in the southeast, and Matsumoto Castle in the southwest. The Guest Halls are Okayama Castle in the east and Odawara Castle in the west. The Familiar Dwelling resembles Shuri Castle, and the Crafting Hall resembles Kochi Castle. The Hot Springs strongly resemble Osaka Castle, which surprised me at first. Also, there are four Sub-Halls and two Guest Halls. Since we had the chance, I ended up naming them. So, the Sub-Halls are Kinshachi Hall in the northeast, Shirasagi Hall in the northwest, Icho Hall in the southeast, and Fukashi Hall in the southwest. The Guest Halls are Kin’u Hall in the east and Komyō Hall in the west. They are alternative names for each castle, and I’m proud to say they’re not bad.
“We’ll take Fukashi Hall.”
Ed and the others chose Fukashi Hall, in the southwest. The reason was that it was sandwiched between the Hot Springs and the Crafting Hall, so it wasn’t particularly surprising; rather, it was the expected choice.
“Then we’ll take this one, Kinshachi Hall.”
Raus and the others are choosing Kinshachi Hall, in the northeast. It’s the furthest from the Hot Springs, but each Sub-Hall has a semi-open-air bath and a view bath on the top floor, so they seem to have chosen it for the scenery. Since the Sky Tree is also clearly visible from there, it’s probably the best in terms of scenery.
“It was decided more smoothly than I expected. What about Mother?”
“If it’s not a bother, I’d like to borrow a room in the Main Hall. I’m sure a Sub-Hall is too spacious for me alone.”
Apricot is choosing the Main Hall. Indeed, the Sub-Halls are four stories high, and it would be too spacious for one person. Besides, she will be my mother-in-law, and there are many rooms in the Main Hall, so it might be better.
“I don’t mind. You’re Prim’s mother.”
“I agree too.”
Following Mana and Ludia, everyone readily agreed. Apricot will be given a room on the third floor of the Main Hall.
“Now that our residences are decided, the problem is what to do from tomorrow.”
“Ah. It wouldn’t be a problem if the Gate Crystal were complete, but until then, we have no choice.”
It was decided that we would stay in Alka tonight, and Ed and the others were already eager to start working in the Crafting Hall. The familiars and summoned beasts also seemed to like Alka and were currently exploring it freely. However, for now, the only way to move is by using the stone tablet I possess. I had three Feather Drakes stored in my storage, and I handed them, along with the recovered stone tablet and the Crystal Silver that Ed had, to Conrull. However, since the Gate Crystal won’t be ready until the day after tomorrow at the earliest, we’ll either be confined to Alka or have to get lodging in Feel until then.
“It can’t be helped until the Gate Crystal is ready, but it will make it easier to pick up Fiana’s family.”
“Indeed. We’ll have to ask Eos to take us there, but we’ll be returning via Alka on the way back, which reduces the risk of being discovered.”
As Prim and Marina said, we’ve decided to hunt Feather Drakes and Winger Drakes tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, we’ll go to Fiana’s hometown, Rorie Village. The dismantling requested from the Crafter’s Guild will be finished by tomorrow, so we need to pick them up as well. Thinking about it, the stone tablet offers a lot of freedom, but unlike the Gate Crystal, it doesn’t allow for fixed positions, so the drawback is that we have to return to Feel every time we use it.
“I’m so sorry to trouble you, Yamato-san…”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“That’s right. We’re all members of the same Union, so it’s not unrelated to us either.”
Fiana looked apologetic, but as Mana said, the safety of Fiana’s family is not unrelated to us either. After all, if they were taken as hostages for Prim, not only would our movements be restricted, but who knows what would happen to Prim.
“The Trial Baronial territory is close to Valentia, so it’s possible that Prim-ojousama’s evolution into Ancient Foxy is known. However, I don’t think Gilfa Trial knows that Fiana became a redeemed slave.”
“I agree. I’ve heard that the Trial Baronial territory is full of bad rumors, and that many people have become redeemed slaves. And I’ve heard that some of them have come to Amister, so even if they could identify Fiana among them, it would take time.”
I agree with Yuri and Rika on this matter. It seems that some families fled to escape the tyranny, making identification even more difficult.
“Still, there’s no doubt that we should hurry. There’s probably no risk of them being identified, but aren’t they saying that Gilfa killed his father and older brother to seize the title?”
“Yes. It’s just a rumor, but I think it’s true for the most part. Frankly, his existence is nothing but a menace.”
Prim stated it with certainty, but it’s true that Gilfa’s betrayal led to the execution of his father, and the Trial Baronial territory is said to have poor public security. Even if not incompetent, he’s undoubtedly a scumbag close to it.
“Thank you very much indeed.”
“That’s why I’m telling you not to worry about it. Besides, we haven’t gone to Rorie Village yet.”
“That’s right, Fiana. If you want to thank us, it’s better to do it after it’s all over.”
Hey Marina, I said thanks are unnecessary and not to worry about it, so don’t bring it up again.
“Understood. Then let’s decide on the Beast Carriage and the Union House for now.”
No, Fiana-san, decided about what? But they brought out the blueprints for both the Beast Carriage and the Union House, so I missed the chance to retort.
“Alka is wonderful, but if we had Gate Stones, we could teleport within the city, so we’ll need a Union House in Feel as well.”
“Yes. However, while daytime might be okay, what about at night? If we receive an emergency communication, we’ll be in Alka, so won’t we be unable to contact them?”
That’s the biggest problem. It could be an issue even during the day, so I want to develop a communication device as soon as possible, but is there anything in Alka that could serve as a substitute?
“Conrull, do you have anything that might be usable… or not?”
“Huh? Yes, we do?”
See?
“W-what? You do?!”
“Yes. It will take a little time, but if we incorporate a Gate Crystal into the Illusion Knocker, we can deliver illusions and knocking sounds to the Main Hall.”
“Seriously…?”
Ed is also surprised, but I understand how he feels. The Illusion Knocker is a magic item attached to a door to notify visitors. When the door is knocked, an illusion appears, and along with the knocking sound, it notifies the person closest to them. The illusion appears with the knocking sound, but it also appears suddenly, so small monsters or children are often used so that the residents don’t get confused. By incorporating a Gate Crystal into that Illusion Knocker and setting the first floor of the Main Hall as part of the Union House, we can notify visitors in Alka even if no one is at the Union House.
“Yes. However, a Gate Stone will be necessary not only for the Union House but also for the first floor of the Main Hall. This is not for teleportation, so we will have to prepare extra ones, is that alright?”
I thought it would be easy, but it seems to involve some cost. However, for us, it’s not a big expense. This is a magic item that absolutely must be made.
“That much is not a problem. It will be a while before we build the Union House, but I’ll hunt Winger Drakes quickly.”
“Understood.”
One major problem has been solved. However, building the Union House will still take time, so let’s decide on the Beast Carriage for now.
“Regarding the Beast Carriage, I’ve thought about it, and I plan to make the main body, the chassis, and the hull independent. For the main body, I plan to create space for belts for Athena and Eos, and for storing the chassis and hull, by applying mirroring or storaging. Therefore, I’ve made the bottom of the main body slightly easier to hold when the two of you transform into dragons.”
In the blueprint Fiana drew, small storage spaces were provided on both sides and the rear of the main body. The storage on both sides is for the belts for the Dragonians, and the rear storage is for storing the chassis and hull with mirroring or storaging applied, so as to save the trouble of someone keeping them somewhere. The bottom is also changed to a trapezoidal shape instead of a boat-like bottom. However, this also reduces the overall height, so this seems easier to use.
“I see. I was thinking of storing the chassis myself, but if it can be stored in the Beast Carriage’s main body, that would be better. But isn’t it difficult for the hull, let alone the chassis, with mirroring?”
“That’s right. Also, we want to store spare chassis, so storage is desirable if possible.”
I see, spares. Indeed, wheels are made of monster leather filled with air and rubber, so they can puncture, and depending on how they’re used, they can wear out quickly. Since these are spares for that, there’s no doubt it’s better to have them.
“Understood. Then please proceed with this.”
“Yes. Lastly, the main body’s basic design remains unchanged. However, I’ve added retractable steps on both sides, which will be linked to the added door on the deck using connecting mechanisms.”
A linked retractable step using connecting mechanisms, I see. In the initial plan, it couldn’t be modified because it would be the boat’s bottom, but after receiving advice from Laberna, the hull was to be prepared separately, so the main body could be used freely. Therefore, by opening the door, the stored steps will appear. By applying mirroring, the impact on the Mirror Room is minimized, so boarding and disembarking should be no problem. Most importantly, since the basic design hasn’t changed, this will be adopted immediately.
“Finally, for the hull, we will attach a catamaran hull to completely cover the bottom of the main body and ensure stability.”
I see, placing the main body on top of a catamaran hull and fixing it with connecting mechanisms. This is not bad, but wouldn’t a trimaran be better for stability?
“We considered that, but we plan to use Cherry Tree for the catamaran hull. However, the amount of Cherry Tree is barely enough even for a catamaran hull.”
Fiana explained apologetically, but the hull is not expected to be used frequently, and considering repairs if it breaks, she decided to use Cherry Tree. Indeed, since Sky Tree is likely unobtainable again, I understand why she chose Cherry Tree.
“If that’s the case, wouldn’t something like Jade Silver be better than Cherry Tree?”
When I suggested that, she looked at me strangely.
“Yamato-san, no matter how much Jade Silver it is, it won’t float on water.”
“Or rather, even Magic Silver won’t do it.”
Ed, who looked at me as if to say ‘what is this guy talking about?’, also chimed in, but are there no metal ships in Helios Orb?
“No, the ship that this Beast Carriage is based on is made of metal, you know?”
It’s not exactly correct, but I don’t know what it is, and I can’t investigate it. However, battleships are indeed made of metal, and I think Jade Silver, which is lighter than iron, could be used.
“Huh? No, seriously?”
“Ah. Battleships in Earth are almost entirely made of metal. And they are as large as a village.”
Battleships around 100 meters long are not uncommon. Aircraft carriers exceeded 300 meters, I believe.
“I vaguely remember, but if you spread metal thinly, it should float on water. So, if Jade Silver is lighter than iron, I think it can be used sufficiently.”
“T-truly, if Jade Silver can be used, it won’t be damaged by even slight impacts, but…”
“Can it really be done?”
Fiana is genuinely surprised, but Marina is skeptical. I think we’ll know if we actually try it.
“That’s true. Then, Fiana, I’ll help you too, so let’s try it later.”
“Huh? Ah, yes, that’s right. Fortunately, there’s a lake here, so it’s ideal for testing. But we can’t use Magic Silver or Jade Silver right away, so let’s try with iron.”
“Agreed.”
After that, Fiana worked in the Crafting Hall with Marina’s help and came to me the next morning with a beaming smile. She had actually made a small boat that one person could ride, and it didn’t sink even with Marina on it. Of course, the hull to be used for the Beast Carriage is incomparably heavier and larger than Marina, so she said she would make a model using ordinary iron and wood, just shaping it and adjusting the size. Marina will also help, and Ed is currently making a sword, so it’s decided that the three Crafters will be confined to the Crafting Hall. The facilities in the Crafting Hall seem to be superior to those of the Crafter’s Guild, so their excitement is understandable. That’s fine, but make sure you eat properly and sleep well.
