Chapter 91

It has a high output, but the power is so excessive that I can't find a use for this magical artifact.

Since it's an artifact, it's difficult to fine-tune the power, and if I forcibly reduce the power through magic stone integration, the strength of this magical artifact will be lost. In that case, 'Flame Emission' would be sufficient.

If I made a robot, I could install it without any qualms... but in this world, let alone on Earth, there are no humanoid combat robots.

For now, I'll go back to the ship and discuss it.

"Wow, that was powerful! How was the recoil?"

Catherine praised the power of the magical artifact... but the ship was quite far from me. She probably didn't see the aftermath of the magical artifact.

"It's not practical as it is. The blast and heat would have killed even a high-ranking adventurer."

Even for a high-ranking adventurer, only those with high defense would survive unscathed.

Without a magic close to magical armor, it would likely result in instant death.

The blast is one thing, but the heat is impossible to withstand with bare skin.

"Is it that bad?"

"Flames were burning right in front of me; it can't be anything but bad. Moreover, I almost got blown away by the blast right after activation."

In terms of safety, it's worse than a kamikaze plane that doesn't even carry fuel for the return trip.

"Kaede almost getting blown away... that's not something we can market."

I'm glad she understands.

"Well, that's if you use it alone. If we add a mechanism to protect from the aftermath, it might be usable."

It doesn't have to be a robot; as long as we can protect from the heat and blast generated by this magical artifact, it should be fine.

With the right magical artifacts, it might not be impossible... I think.

Even on Earth, there are weapons that can't withstand the aftermath with bare skin.

"The aftermath... controlling a magical artifact to cool the space is difficult. It's not easy to use for protection. As for the blast... there are no existing magical artifacts with such a function. A barrier spell wouldn't withstand it either."

Come to think of it, most of the magical artifacts I've seen are offensive, and I don't recall seeing many defensive ones.

If there were powerful barriers, they would have been used already.

Artifacts are also said to have six structures.

Using a six-structure artifact to protect from a two-structure artifact... that doesn't seem right.

Due to the relationship with magic stone integration, the power would be reduced to a fraction.

After thinking for a bit, I came up with a realistic solution.

"Then, how about combining physical and magical methods?"

"Physical and magical...?"

"Right. I remember there was a magical artifact in the artifact that could fix objects in mid-air, right?"

"Yes, I believe it was a two-structure artifact."

I think it was called 'Fixed Support.'

It's not weak, but it was considered not very useful because it only lasted about half an hour for the cost of a two-structure artifact.

But for recoil suppression, even a tenth of that would be more than enough.

"I'll fix a large mithril armor in place with that 'Fixed Support.' For the heat, we can cool the armor with a magical artifact."

Mithril from Metal Lizards would be ideal, but it's too expensive.

With mithril now mass-produced by coke, it can be kept at a realistic price.

"Enhancing the armor's function with a magical artifact... it might be possible."

"Let's give it a try. We have plenty of mithril."

Three days later.

After much trial and error, a new weapon using physical/magical composite armor was completed.

The quick completion was largely due to the use of shipbuilding artifacts, which allowed the shaping of mithril to be completed in a short time.

The final form is a half-spherical shelter with a cannon that can change angles through magic.

It's a powerful equipment with durability that can withstand a Gargon's charge and firepower that can burn lesser monsters in an instant.

"...So, what are we going to use this for?"

We made it with enthusiasm, but we're facing the problem of finding a use again.

It has high power as a weapon, but the question is who would buy such a thing.

Before dragon hunting, it might have been different, but in the current stable situation, there's no place that needs such a robust defensive position.

The only place that might need it is Broken, but I can fly there anytime.

"...The Kononsa Guild is coming to see it, so they might have some ideas."

"We can only hope."

The Kononsa Guild is the large-scale guild Catherine mentioned the other day, which deals with weapons.

The attribute-attached 'Flame Emission' is quite practical, so they're coming to see it.

Just as we were talking about it, we heard a knock.

Mercia seems to have brought someone from the Kononsa Guild.

"Nice ship. I haven't seen such a magnificent ship in a long time."

About an hour later, our ship was heading to an uninhabited island for experiments with Intaize, the representative of the Kononsa Guild.

Intaize seemed pleased with the speed and stability of the Zunana grass transport ship, smiling.

"Now that mithril is cheap, it's easier to build ships of this size, isn't it?"

"Indeed, we've increased our fleet since coke came out... but the operating costs for this size are astronomical. There aren't many things worth transporting at such a cost."

Operating costs... oh, magic power.

Compared to wooden ships, ours are heavier.

"If we use it near Desibator, it will inevitably be heavy. ...Oh, we've arrived."

While chatting, we reached the island.

Due to its use in artifact experiments, it's burned and pitted in places, but there are still some intact areas and trees (which look like palm trees).

Incidentally, it's planned to be used for Zunana grass production after use.

"Let's start the experiment. That area is safe, so you can watch without worry."

Catherine is the host.

Mercia could have done it, but Catherine is in charge of magical artifacts.

I placed the Green Wolf's cage on the ground and set up the magical artifact in front of it. Incidentally, the target is a tree that originally grew on the island.

The Green Wolf, which is weak to fire, was deemed perfect for testing the suppression of the aftermath.

Incidentally, the method of preparation was simply me catching it and forcing it into the cage.

"Here goes the 'Flame Cannon.'"

The name has changed because this magical artifact is far from a regular 'Flame Emission.'

It's not that I'm hiding anything.

In fact, I've already informed them that the magical artifact I'm showing uses an attribute-attached magic stone.

When I activated the 'Flame Cannon,' a huge flame spewed from the magic stone.

The palm tree, used as a target, burned and fell in about ten seconds.

"This... is on a different level from 'Flame Emission'! Incredible power!"

Of course, the Green Wolf in the cage below the 'Flame Cannon' is still bouncing around.

Proof that there's no significant aftermath.

"How about it? Can you sell it?"

"That depends on the price... but if it's about 100 times the price of a regular magic stone, I'd like to stock a considerable number."

...100 times!?

100 times the already expensive magical artifact, plus the Kononsa Guild's profit margin... who would buy that?

"Are you joking?"

When I asked, Intaize laughed and answered.

"I'm not joking. For example, Kaede, you encountered a Metal Lizard in a weak guild town before, right?"

"...You know that well."

The guild was supposed to keep it secret... large-scale guilds are scary.

Not just in scale, but also because they deal with weapons.

"In such a case, the presence of this magical artifact greatly increases the chances of stopping it. I don't think Ein's budget can afford it, but it would make a big difference in places like Tsubai. A hundred regular magical artifacts can't do the same."

To be placed in weak adventurer towns as a precaution.

The cost is almost the same as regular magical artifacts, so it would end up being a rip-off...

But if it's too cheap, it would take away jobs from adventurers.

There's no choice. This is a necessary rip-off.

"Mercia, do you think that's a good price?"

I'm not very familiar with this industry, so I'll check with Mercia.

It's a bit awkward to show my lack of knowledge in front of the negotiation partner... but they know I'm primarily an adventurer, so it's fine.

"From our perspective, it's not a bad deal."

"Then, I'd like to wholesale it at that price. Please negotiate the details with Mercia. ...By the way, there's another magical artifact that was completed today... would you like to see it?"

Of course, it's the attribute-attached artifact with no clear use.

The name given during development is 'Super Flame Cannon.'

"Please, I'd like to see it."

"Since it's powerful, let's set up a barrier just in case."

While saying this, I activated a double barrier spell to cover the ship and the other participants.

The armor only protects the shooter.

"Is this much defense necessary... I'm looking forward to it."

With Intaize watching with interest, I finished setting up the 'Super Flame Cannon' and threw the Green Wolf's cage inside.

After a thorough safety check, I reinforced the double barrier to a triple one.

"Here goes!"

I activated the 'Super Flame Cannon' and used an acceleration spell to counteract being blown away.

This magical artifact's heat aftermath is even stronger than a powerful explosive spell.

The effect was tremendous; not only the target tree but even the palm trees outside the line of fire were blown away with a cloud of dust.

After the dust cleared, what remained was a crater around the magical artifact and a straight line of charred... no, ashed trees and undergrowth across the island.

"Wow... this is... incredible."

Even Intaize seemed a bit taken aback.

Perhaps it's too powerful even for a weapon merchant to handle.

"By the way, this can last for several minutes and the direction can be changed."

I opened the cooled armor of the cannon and took out the unharmed Green Wolf.

The safety of the user is ensured.

"...I was starting to think it might not have a use while making it. What do you think?"

Well, it's fine if it doesn't work. I'll just ask if it's usable.

However, Intaize strongly disagreed.

"No use!? Nonsense! This magical artifact has even more demand than the Flame Cannon! There's a perfect use for it!"

...There is? I hope they're not talking about destroying a country or something.

The first volume of "Cheater Magic Swordsman" will be released next week, on October 30th!

It seems that GC Novels has a special site.

http://micromagazine.net/gcn/

Bonuses and other information are also published there.

The second half is a different development from the web version. I'm confident in it.