The airship’s test flight concluded without incident.
Emperor Reinhardt and his party had no major complaints, except for the interior being a bit weak, so I immediately registered it at the Crafter’s Guild upon arriving at Feel and placed an order for an airship hull for the Tree-made Multi-functional Beast Carriage.
The Crafter’s Guild will also need to create a prototype, so I’m unsure how long it will take to complete, but I’m not in a hurry. As long as they make a solid product, that’s all that matters.
I reported to headquarters when I took Emperor Reinhardt and the others to Float, so I expect they’ll be building airships there too.
Regarding airships, it’s become largely a hand-off to the Crafter’s Guild, but there are still things I can do, so I plan to visit regularly.
After all, there are material issues.
Since we’re flying, the materials need to be even more carefully selected than for ships, and we have to consider safety. This means the metal materials should be at least Jade Silver, and Monster materials from high-ranked monsters are also desirable.
For us, smelting Jade Silver is no trouble, and we have quite a bit of material from high-ranked monsters. If we’re short, we can go get more, so I intend to stick to our standards.
Oh, and for the Wing Crest’s airship hull, I’m planning to use Lapis Lazuli for the metal material.
I suspect the Royal Family’s exclusive ships, including those for the Celestial Emperor’s Family, will be the same, but that’s a matter for when I receive a request.
“Speaking of which, the Tree-made Beast Carriage uses Jade Silver, right? Wouldn’t it be better to switch it to Lapis Lazuli?”
That night, after the airship trial, Marina suddenly said that to me in the main hall’s living room. Why would she suddenly bring that up?
“It might seem sudden, but the Jade Silver is wearing out faster than I expected. It’s not surprising, considering not only Yamato and Mako, but also Asuka and Maoh have been riding in it.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. Ah, the Celestial Emperor’s Family’s Beast Carriage uses Cherry Tree and Lapis Lazuli, so that one is fine.”
Fiana explained the reason, and I had no idea the Tree-made Multi-functional Beast Carriage was in such a state.
Indeed, it’s been concluded that Jade Silver cannot withstand the Magic Power of Element Class. I even had Ed forge a sword and tried channeling Magic Power through it.
The Jade Silver sword, while not as bad as High Class swords made with Magic Silver or Adamantine Steel, still showed a noticeable sluggishness in the flow of Magic Power.
“Huh? But didn’t Lapis Lazuli not withstand the Magic Power of Arch Class?”
“Yes. When Father channeled Magic Power into a Lapis Lazuli dagger, it broke down in no time.”
Ludia answered Prim’s question. It’s precisely because of that that Father defeated Nidh on Enigma Island and liberated the Divine Metal Mine, which is why Hihishirokane was created.
Yet, the Celestial Emperor’s Family’s Beast Carriage, which uses Lapis Lazuli, is unaffected. I agree that it doesn’t make sense logically.
“The Cherry Tree can comfortably withstand even Arch Class Magic Power, and Lapis Lazuli is only used for reinforcement. Moreover, Cherry Tree and Lapis Lazuli seem to have good compatibility, so their synergy likely increases their strength.”
“Really?”
“I haven’t investigated it in detail, but when materials are compatible, such things can happen.”
I didn’t know that. So that’s why riding with Father and Mother was no problem.
According to Marina, this is a guaranteed topic for the promotion test to G-rank Crafter. However, Yamato, Mako, Flam, and Ludia have made contributions in areas like MARS, airship production, alloy proposals for Multi-functional Beast Carriages, and new magic performances. As such, we are exempt from the tests up to P-rank, and haven’t been studying for them.
So I had no idea.
“Just because you can be promoted without testing doesn’t mean you should neglect your studies. I need to reflect on this too.”
“Me too.”
“Me as well.”
I also have a lot to reflect on.
Of course, I’ve been studying the techniques and skills that can be learned at the relevant ranks, but that knowledge is meaningless if you can’t apply it.
“So, Marina, about switching to Lapis Lazuli, isn’t that going to be quite a lot of work?”
“It uses a fair amount of metal materials, so replacing all of it means it will be unusable for a while. However, it will need to be replaced eventually, and the longer we wait, the more difficult the work will become, so we should do it now.”
The Jade Silver used in the Tree-made Multi-functional Beast Carriage is utilized extensively throughout, including reinforcement materials, exterior panels, and even some interior facilities.
I understand that replacing all of it will take time, but the fact that it will be unusable during that period is difficult.
However, if they told me that an excessive amount of deterioration would hinder the replacement process, I suppose I have no choice but to endure it.
“Why not Hihishirokane instead of Lapis Lazuli?”
“That would be preferable, but Hihishirokane’s manufacturing method isn’t disclosed at the Crafter’s Guild, and more importantly, we can’t procure enough of it. It’s not just the beast carriage body, but also the hull of the ship that’s an issue.”
“Ah, so it’s difficult to procure large quantities because Divine Metal is still under export restrictions.”
“Yes. Furthermore, even for High Crafters, it’s difficult to make more than a few Hihishirokane pieces, and for Ancient Crafters, it’s about twenty pieces, right?”
“Around that much, perhaps.”
“If we push ourselves, I think we could manage about thirty, but overexertion could lead to Magic Power depletion.”
Even for Element Class, smelting Hihishirokane consumes a considerable amount of Magic Power.
I haven’t depleted my Magic Power to that extent yet, but depleted Magic Power can lead to poor health and even unconsciousness.
Especially if a pregnant woman’s Magic Power is depleted, in the worst-case scenario, not only could she miscarry, but her own life could be in danger. There’s no way I could make Flam, who is nearing her due date, use her Magic Power to the limit.
“Then, even if we were to replace it with Hihishirokane, it would be a story for the distant future.”
“At the very least, we need to be able to do it all by ourselves.”
Right.
Lapis Lazuli can be used by general Crafters with the permission of a Crafter’s Master and by using the divine magic “Pledging.” However, Hihishirokane, due to its performance, has not even been publicly announced.
Still, some people know about it, and it is planned to be managed strictly, just like Lapis Lazuli, in the future.
For a Normal Crafter, it’s a matter of whether they can make one piece while risking Magic Power depletion. Even with demand, supply won’t catch up, and the price will skyrocket.
It’s not entirely for that reason, but I’m planning to use Lapis Lazuli for the airship hull, and it has already been brought to the Feel branch of the Crafter’s Guild.
“Even though our Crafter ranks have increased, our experience is still lacking. That’s why the four of you haven’t been able to get promoted from P-G rank yet.”
“I’m aware of that. Well, if Cherry Tree and Lapis Lazuli are compatible and further enhanced by synergy, there’s no need to rush.”
“Everyone is busy. Ah, that’s why you placed the order for the hull.”
Marina is right.
We initially intended to build it ourselves, but I also have duties as the acting lord, and since I can use Traveling, I’m not particularly in a hurry.
Furthermore, I expect the operation of the airship will be commissioned by the Royal Family to the Trader’s Guild, but since the Crafter’s Guild will be building it, I think it’s not a bad idea for us to use the first one.
Eventually, we’ll need to make it with Hihishirokane, but by the time that becomes necessary, we should have gained enough experience, and we intend to build it ourselves then.
“Next is the courtyard. Many of the evolved and larger young ones are here, and there’s also the Mirror Pool, so it’s become quite cramped.”
“Regarding that, if we’re switching the Jade Silver to Lapis Lazuli, I’m thinking of expanding the Mirror Space as well.”
The Mirror Space of the Tree-made Multi-functional Beast Carriage, with my 50x Mirroring enchantment, has a total area of 1,500 square meters, with the courtyard being 400 square meters.
However, it’s become considerably cramped for the evolved and newly acquired familiars, and it can’t even be used for training during travel.
Therefore, I want to enchant it with the Element Class’s maximum of 80x and significantly expand the courtyard. Also, Lucas and the others don’t have bedrooms, so I want to prepare those too.
There are, however, problems. Since the overall space will expand, we’ll need to re-evaluate the interior layout and partitions.
Moreover, if we have to re-apply the Mirroring, we’ll need to completely remove the interior first, making it a full-scale renovation and thus taking more time.
“Re-applying the Mirroring. It’s troublesome, but considering the familiars, there’s no other way.”
“Right. Fortunately, or perhaps not, we now have the Celestial Emperor’s Family’s Beast Carriage. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to do a full renovation now.”
“It might be better to divide it into several sections and apply the enchantment to each section separately at this point.”
“Yes, that would be for the best.”
Ah, yes, that would be better.
Mirroring is a magic that expands space, but it’s usually used for only one space.
The primary reason for this is cost, and while technically it’s not that difficult, it is indeed used in the Multi-functional Beast Carriage.
The caution is space rupture due to interference between Mirror Spaces. However, if the sections are properly partitioned, it’s manageable, and since the spaces can be connected by doors, it can be avoided with careful attention during the enchantment.
Furthermore, securing individual Mirror Spaces means that in cases like renovation, the work can be confined to that Mirror Space, which is an advantage.
“The advantages are significant, and it’s not impossible that we’ll need to make modifications later, so it seems like that’s the best approach.”
“Yes. It’s late already today, so let’s think about the blueprints tomorrow.”
“I’ll take care of that. Neither Marina nor I have any specific plans for tomorrow.”
“If you say so, neither do I.”
“Then, I’ll leave it to you. Thank you.”
I would have liked to start thinking about it immediately, but dinner is already over, and tomorrow I have plans to assist Hilde in Deseo. Even though it’s important, I can’t be solely focused on the beast carriage.
So, I’ll entrust the blueprints to Ludia, Mako, and Marina.
“Oh, Yamato. If you’re changing the hull to an airship, then the Tenma Stone too, right?”
“Ugh, I forgot.”
I thought we had settled everything, but we left out something important.
If Fiana hadn’t pointed it out, I might not have remembered until the last minute.
“Hey, hey, didn’t you leave the magic stones with someone?”
“It completely slipped my mind. Tomorrow… that’s unlikely, so I’ll go the day after tomorrow.”
“In that case, I’ll go. I was planning to visit the Healer’s Guild anyway, so I can do it then.”
“Ah, then please do.”
I feel apologetic, but I’ll ask Mako, who has business at the Healer’s Guild.
We need to enchant it with Water and Wind Attribute Magic, so monsters with similar attributes would be compatible.
The best would be a Disaster Dragoon, but I don’t have one, so I can use the magic stone from the Ocean Howl Grand that I defeated during the Kobaldia incident, which was ranked A-C.
That guy used wind magic too, so it should be fine.
Well, it’s getting late, so let’s wrap things up for today.
The Tree-made Multi-functional Beast Carriage will be unusable for a while starting tomorrow, but we don’t have any plans for expeditions, and I intend to help out when I have time.
Oh, and we should probably modify the prototype airship too, so that’s another thing.
However, while that’s important, Prim and Flam are due to give birth in a few days, and Hilde will be abdicating in two weeks, so I need to prepare thoroughly for those events as well.
