Chapter 49

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---

Following Kizaki's shocking statement, to calm the agitated attendees, Kyuyama inserted a short break and restarted the meeting. After a 10-minute break, the attendees, who had regained their composure, gathered in the conference room.

"Let's continue with the reports. First, the Mithril-related projects."

"Then, I'll start."

Encouraged by Kyuyama, the middle-aged man who had been arguing stood up. It was Kitajou, the middle-aged man with a slight paunch.

"It's Kitajou. The project I'm in charge of is the development and utilization of superconducting transistors using Mithril, in other words, quantum computer development."

"What is the progress of the project?"

"Except for the insufficient supply of Mithril, the progress is smooth. We have already completed several experimental models and are in the process of selecting the prototype based on the experimental results."

"How is the performance of the experimental models?"

"Thanks to the successful development of the superconducting transistor, we have hardware that boasts thousands of qubits. The computational speed is incomparable to current supercomputers. However..."

"However?"

Seeing Kitajou hesitate, Kyuyama urged him to continue.

"To fully utilize this performance, we need a considerable amount of pure Mithril, not an alloy, for the production of superconducting transistors. Given the limited supply, we don't have enough pure Mithril to create the prototypes."

"..."

"If the supply of Mithril does not increase, we will have to use inferior superconducting transistors made of Mithril alloy to create the prototypes."

"..."

"How much will the performance drop?"

"Please assume a one-order-of-magnitude drop in qubits. Of course, even then, the computational power will still far surpass existing supercomputers, but..."

"..."

"I see, that's a real pity."

A one-order-of-magnitude drop in qubits means a significant difference in computational performance. Given that the highest-performance hardware is already achievable, it's frustrating to have to abandon practical application due to a lack of raw materials.

"But, you can't make something out of nothing. We have no choice but to proceed with the prototype production using Mithril alloy."

"..."

"I'm sorry."

Kyuyama lowered his head and informed Kitajou that there would be no additional Mithril. Kitajou sighed and returned to his seat.

---

After confirming that Kitajou had sat down, the next to stand and report was the middle-aged man with glasses, Miyazawa, who had been arguing with Kitajou.

"It's Miyazawa. The project I'm in charge of is the development of a power storage system using Mithril. Currently, we are creating demonstration models of a flywheel power storage system and a coil power storage system using Mithril alloy."

"What are their performances?"

"We plan for both to have a 10,000 kWh power storage capacity in a single railway transport container size."

10,000 kWh is enough to cover the daytime electricity consumption of about 2,500 households and can stabilize the supply of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, which have unstable generation.

"Currently, due to resource constraints, we are building systems using Mithril alloy, but using pure Mithril would further enhance the power storage capacity."

"I see. ...So, it still comes down to the resource issue, doesn't it?"

"Unfortunately. ...And, by the way, the same issue?"

"..."

"Yes. There will be no additional Mithril."

Miyazawa, like Kitajou, sighed and returned to his seat.

---

After Kitajou and Miyazawa, the other attendees in charge of various Mithril-related projects continued their reports. The superconducting motor project, the superconducting power transmission project, the superconducting power line project, and the superconducting propulsion system development project... The common problem with these smoothly progressing projects was one: there wasn't enough Mithril. The attendees' painful sighs echoed in the conference room.

"Next, let's hear the reports on the Orichalcum-related projects."

Shaking his head as if to shake off lingering thoughts, Kyuyama prompted the next report. A tall young man stood up.

"It's Tashiri. The project I'm in charge of is the research on an orbital elevator using Orichalcum. As you know, Orichalcum is an incredibly strong metal material that far surpasses existing materials. It has the same density as copper but a tensile strength hundreds of times greater than carbon nanotubes, reaching TPa levels. It can be processed into an extremely thin ribbon cable and, even when hung from a geostationary orbit, it won't break under its own weight. With Orichalcum, the realization of an orbital elevator is possible."

At Tashiri's words, the conference room buzzed with excitement, as if the era of serious space development had begun. The orbital elevator, once considered a dream, was now a possibility. It was impossible not to be excited. Until Tashiri hesitated to speak his next words.

"However, there is a problem."

"..."

"What is it?"

"The amount of Orichalcum needed to build an orbital elevator is completely insufficient."

"..."

"Again?"

Kyuyama held his head, and the attendees sighed. It was a problem of resource quantity, not a technical issue. If it were a technical issue, the attendees would try to find a solution, but they were powerless against a resource shortage.

"..."

"To prepare a 100,000 km Orichalcum ribbon cable, we need at least 5,000 tons of Orichalcum."

"5,000... It's impossible to prepare such a quantity of Orichalcum under the current circumstances."

"..."

"Of course, we are developing Orichalcum alloys to reduce the amount of Orichalcum used, but they are inferior in strength compared to pure Orichalcum. Considering the safety of the orbital elevator, it is desirable to use pure Orichalcum for the first ribbon cable, which is the mainstay. It would significantly reduce the risk of collapse."

"..."

"I see."

The collapse of an orbital elevator would be a nightmare. To avoid this risk, using a pure Orichalcum cable is a non-negotiable requirement, which means directly confronting the resource shortage issue. After finishing his report, Tashiri sat down with a tired expression.

---

Kyuyama held his head. He had anticipated the resource shortage of the fantasy metals, but he hadn't expected it to be this severe.

"Next, the report on Hihiirokane."

"Yes. It's Minato. The project I'm in charge of is improving the performance of existing internal combustion engines using Hihiirokane. Currently, we are working on increasing the temperature in jet engines and gas turbines."

"What is the progress?"

"It's going well. All of them have seen a significant improvement in thermal efficiency. We are not pushing for unreasonable high temperatures to avoid issues with peripheral equipment, and we are not using pure Hihiirokane. Using Hihiirokane alloys is sufficient to achieve good performance, and mass production is possible to some extent."

"..."

"Really!?"

Amidst the reports of resource shortages, Kyuyama was pleased with this report. Using alloys to achieve sufficient performance means dramatically reducing the amount of Hihiirokane needed.

"Yes. However, this is just an improvement of existing internal combustion engines, not fully utilizing the potential of Hihiirokane."

"..."

At Minato's words, Kyuyama frowned. It felt like the amount of Hihiirokane was reduced because it was an improvement of existing engines rather than a new development. As if to confirm this, Minato sat down, and another man stood up.

"It's Fukuhara. The project I'm in charge of is the development of a new electric propulsion system for aircraft using Hihiirokane."

"..."

"What is the status?"

"It's going well. The current configuration of the propulsion system combines a superconducting motor-driven compressor and a self-induced magnetic field coaxial MPD arcjet using Hihiirokane as the cathode. We have completed an experimental model that generates 2,000 kN of thrust with 1,000 kW input."

"2,000 kN... 200 tons of thrust?"

"Yes. The superconducting compressor compresses the atmosphere, which is then ionized and accelerated by the MPD arcjet using the Lorentz force to generate thrust. As long as power is supplied to the engine, the atmosphere serves as fuel, so there is no limit to the range."

The lack of range limitations caused a stir among the attendees. Kyuyama took a deep breath to calm himself and then asked a question.

"High performance is excellent, but where will the power to run the engine come from? It's difficult to generate MW-level power with a generator like an APU that can be installed on an aircraft, isn't it?"

"Yes, that is indeed a problem. Even using the superconducting power storage system reported earlier, it would only last a few hours at best."

"..."

"Then, even if it's completed, it won't be useful, will it?"

"Indeed, that's true under the current circumstances. However..."

Fukuhara operated his terminal, displaying a video on the conference room monitor.

"Currently, a separate project is developing a new thermoelectric conversion element using Hihiirokane."

"Thermoelectric conversion element?"

Kyuyama and the other attendees tilted their heads in confusion, unable to understand the relationship between the new propulsion system and the thermoelectric conversion element.

"Traditional thermoelectric conversion elements have a conversion efficiency of just over 10%, making them unsuitable for large-scale power generation. However, the new thermoelectric conversion element using fantasy metals boasts a 99% conversion efficiency. It uses pure Mithril and pure Hihiirokane and can be used from room temperature to ultra-high temperatures."

"..."

"By combining Core Crystal power generation and this thermoelectric conversion element, it is possible to develop a small, ultra-high-output generator."

Ignoring the shocked attendees, Fukuhara operated his terminal again, displaying a conceptual diagram of the new generator on the monitor. The diagram showed a generator with a classic pressure cooker-like appearance.

"As you can see, we will place water and Core Crystal in an Orichalcum pressure vessel coated with Adamantine, maintain the water in a supercritical state, and generate heat. We will then use the new thermoelectric conversion element to extract power. Using Orichalcum allows us to miniaturize and lighten the high-pressure pressure vessel, and the Adamantine coating will prevent corrosion by supercritical fluids. We expect to achieve a power generation capacity of about 10,000 kW in a device the size of a household pressure cooker..."

"..."

"Is practical application feasible?"

"..."

"Actually, we can't say for sure until we create a prototype and conduct experiments, but theoretically, it is possible. However, since it uses fantasy metals..."

"Again, a resource shortage."

Kyuyama sighed and looked around at the attendees. Sensing the meaning in Kyuyama's gaze, the attendees turned away.

"..."

"Let's put the development of the new generator on hold for now."

"..."

"Yes."

"Prepare to start prototyping as soon as the materials are available. I'll have to start a new project... to secure the budget, I'll have to negotiate with the Ministry of Finance."

Kyuyama held his head, mentally planning budget negotiations with the Ministry of Finance. The attendees also sighed, anticipating the new competition for fantasy metals.

"By the way, your report was interrupted, wasn't it?"

"Yes. Currently, we are researching how to switch the new electric propulsion system to ramjet/scramjet to match flight speed. Once completed, it can also be used as an engine for a spaceplane."

"..."

"That's also contingent on the completion of the generator, isn't it?"

"Yes. Once the new propulsion system and generator are completed... for example, it will be possible to take off from an airport on the ground, accelerate to escape the atmosphere, operate in space, re-enter the atmosphere, and return to the airport where it took off."

"..."

"I see... We need to develop the generator even more urgently."

"Yes."

Kyuyama, looking pained, placed his hand on his forehead and sighed. Fukuhara said nothing more and sat down.

---

When the attendees had calmed down, Kyuyama prompted the final report.

"Finally, let's hear the report on Adamantine."

"Yes. It's Shinoyama. The project I'm in charge of is the development of coating technology using Adamantine."

"What is the status?"

"It's going well. We have successfully thinned Adamantine into a foil, and we are currently developing plating technology. Several methods are almost established."

"..."

"I see... Is there a problem with the resource quantity?"

"Not really. Although the overall resource quantity is limited, the amount used per coating is small, so it's not a problem."

"..."

Shinoyama said that and sat down. It really didn't seem to be a problem. Kyuyama sighed in relief and prepared to conclude the meeting.

"..."

"Gentlemen, from the reports, it is clear that the progress of each project is smooth. The common issue is the procurement of fantasy metals..."

"Is it impossible to increase the amount of resources obtained?"

"..."

"Under the current circumstances, it's not possible. The number of explorers who can reach the layers where fantasy metals can be obtained is too small. If more civilian explorers were to join, it would be a different story, but..."

"..."

"Under the current circumstances... it's difficult, isn't it?"

"..."

"Yes. Thanks to the entry restrictions, civilian explorers have increased the number of layers they can explore, but it will take a few more months to reach the layers where fantasy metals can be obtained. Until then, it will be difficult to secure the necessary amount of fantasy metals for mass production."

At Kyuyama's words, the attendees sighed, as if in resignation.

"Once the necessary amount of fantasy metals is available, we can immediately start mass production... Please bring each project to that stage. We cannot fall behind other countries in technological development."

"..."

"Then, I will conclude the meeting. I expect even greater contributions from each of you."

At Kyuyama's closing words, the attendees left the conference room one by one. Kyuyama, the only one left in the room, took a sip of the cold coffee on his desk and sighed deeply.

"..."

"You can't make something out of nothing. ...Truly, for a national project, it's a poor situation."

---

This is a story about the use of fantasy metals, part of a series of pseudo-scientific theories. I would appreciate it if you didn't take it too seriously.

Simple term explanations:

kWh (kilowatt-hour): A unit of electrical energy.

TPa: A unit of pressure or stress.

kN: A unit of force.

Superconductor: A material with zero electrical resistance.

Quantum computer: An extremely powerful computer.

Superconducting transistor: A semiconductor device using superconductors.

Flywheel: A device that stores electrical energy.

Superconducting motor: A motor.

Superconducting propulsion system: A propulsion system for ships without propellers.

Orbital elevator: An elevator from the Earth's surface to space.

Carbon nanotube: An extremely strong fiber made of carbon.

Self-induced magnetic field coaxial MPD arcjet: An electric propulsion system.

Thermoelectric conversion element: A device that converts heat into electricity.

Supercritical fluid: Water that does not boil.