Chapter 68

Ricardo made a request before the Crown Prince returned.

"Could I have permission to build a ship?"

"What would you do with such a thing? Are you planning to start a shipping business?"

"No, I don't intend to build a transport ship, but rather a fishing boat."

In this country, building a ship requires the lord's permission. However, small boats that can only carry one or two people are exempt and do not require permission.

"Is this also part of your food supply strategy?"

"It is, but first, I plan to use it to collect seaweed to feed the monster trees."

The Marquis Boniperti looked surprised.

"Are the monster trees that hungry?"

"It's not that they are hungry, but if we don't feed them, the fruits on the Shuram trees will take longer to ripen."

"I see, that makes sense."

Ricardo received permission to build a ship from the Crown Prince. They agreed to deliver the permit later.

When it was time to leave, Greta seemed a bit excited.

"Lord Ricardo, can I come again?"

She seemed to have enjoyed her experience here. Ricardo told her she could come anytime.

After seeing off the Crown Prince and the Marquis, Ricardo resumed his grafting work and finished 100 by evening.

"Am I going home now? I really want a scooter."

When Ricardo grumbled, Antonio had a complicated look on his face.

"Isn't it because Isarco is stopping you?"

Not only Isarco, but Bernaldo also advised against doing anything that might provoke the criminals in the capital, so Ricardo stopped using the magical scooter.

There were only two magical scooters, one for Antonio and one for Ricardo, and no more were made. Several famous merchants had offered to buy them due to their high rarity value.

Seeing his tired brother, Antonio suggested,

"Should we buy a donkey?"

"No, I asked Vigor from Emilia Workshop to develop a bicycle. Once it's ready, it should make things easier."

"…It won't turn out like the magical scooter, will it?"

"This time it will be fine. We plan to make many and sell them."

The two dragged their heavy feet home. Incidentally, Monta was sleeping in Ricardo's shoulder bag, exhausted from playing.

The next morning, Ricardo went to Emilia Workshop to check on the bicycle development.

"Mr. Vigor, how is the bicycle coming along?"

Vigor, scratching his head with a few strands of white hair, had a grumpy look.

"Finally, the chain is complete. Once the freewheel and tires you told me about are ready, it will be finished."

A freewheel is a mechanism that transmits the rotational force generated by pedaling to the rear wheel, but allows the wheel to spin freely when coasting or pedaling backward. It uses a ratchet mechanism, which is simple but revolutionary in this world. When Ricardo explained it, Vigor was very surprised.

For the tires, Vigor proposed using the intestines of tree-biting lizards, which are surprisingly strong and flexible. The outer tire part could be made from the skin of tree-biting lizards, similar to crocodile skin.

Vigor's bicycle was completed and went on sale a month later. It was expensive, so it initially sold as a toy for nobles and wealthy merchants. After the discovery of rubber a few years later, it became a popular mode of transportation for the common people. Of course, Ricardo bought one for himself and one for Antonio.

After finishing his conversation with Vigor, Ricardo went to a forge introduced by Vigor. The forge, run by Galofaro and his apprentices, produced various metal products. Upon entering, Ricardo felt a stifling heat. The forge was more like a factory in scale, with a large blast furnace in the back.

The apprentices were pouring molten steel from the blast furnace into molds. The iron-making technology seemed more advanced than expected.

"I came on Vigor's recommendation. Can I ask you to do some work?"

Galofaro, a bearded large man, replied,

"Vigor's recommendation? If that's the case, I trust you. What kind of work?"

"I need a sturdy steel box."

"How big?"

Ricardo explained it should be about the size of a single room in a typical inn, which is about six tatami mats and two and a half meters high.

Initially, he considered a trailer-like structure for mobility, but the country's road conditions made it impractical. Therefore, he decided to design it for storage in a碧晶 (bisei, a magical storage device), making it similar to a container house or capsule hotel.

Considering it would be used in dangerous places, a more robust design would be best.

"How thick should the steel plates be?"

Ricardo suggested using corrugated steel plates, which are commonly used in containers, though it would be the first time for Galofaro.

"Even if it's expensive, it's fine."

Ricardo ordered windows with iron grilles for ventilation, a small toilet, and a shower.

"This is for travel, right? A shower seems a bit luxurious. How will you get water?"

Galofaro interjected.

"After a day of dusty travel, a shower would be nice. I'll transport water using the bisei."

The toilet would be a flush toilet, which would increase water usage. A hole would need to be dug for the toilet, and the shower water could be reused for the toilet.

"Who is this for, some noble?"

Galofaro thought it was for a noble due to the luxurious design.

"Well… yes."

Ricardo felt it was a bit luxurious, but Galofaro saw it as a noble-level luxury. The atmosphere made it hard to admit it was for himself.

"Once the Crown Prince hears about this, he might want one too."

Ricardo said this half-jokingly, but realized it might actually happen.

For the furniture inside, Ricardo decided to entrust it to Macard, Beata's husband, who works at a steamed bun shop. Macard, a carpenter, was skilled at making tables and chairs.

Ricardo ordered two bunk beds, a foldable long table, and four foldable chairs. The two bunk beds were for family trips.

Cooking would be done outside, so no cooking facilities were included. Instead, he bought a magical water heater for tea.

After arranging the container house, Ricardo went to the Magicians' Guild. In the laboratory, he started reading magical materials.

Hearing from the Crown Prince about the expedition to the deeper parts of the magic forest, Ricardo wanted to join. However, he had a concern.

The only advanced magic he could use was fire magic.

The magic forest is surrounded by dense trees. Using powerful fire magic could start a fire.

Green wood, which contains a lot of moisture, is hard to ignite, but the forest floor is covered with fallen leaves and dead branches, which could lead to a large-scale fire if ignited.

"I shouldn't use [Blazing Whip] or [Sun Flame Bullet] in the magic forest. But there might be strong magical beasts… what to do?"

Ricardo thought he needed a new powerful magic. He had an idea for a composite magic of [Fire] and [Earth], but couldn't find the appropriate system word.

Currently, the only known composite magic system words are [Fasnal] for [Fire] and [Water], and [Amnsnal] for [Earth] and [Water].

Even a thorough search of the 'Great Magic System' by Sage Manuel didn't reveal any other system words. The magic words in the 'Great Magic System' are said to have been discovered by Sage Manuel from relics in the magic forest.

Perhaps exploring the magic forest could reveal new magic words. While thinking this, Ricardo decided to experiment with the idea, using the existing system word [Amril] for [Earth], which would reduce the power but was necessary.

The other magic words were [Galsamuz], [Hyrebug], and [Zardakishur]. The image was of a large number of steel grains forming a spindle shape in the air, spinning at high speed and generating high-pressure electricity, then flying towards the enemy.

Named [Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet], it would first electrify the enemy, paralyzing their nervous system, and then drill through their skin and flesh with the spinning steel grains.

"I'll experiment with different catalysts to find the optimal one."

Ricardo made [Earth] and [Fire] catalysts with varying amounts and placed them in wooden tubes.

With the catalysts, he went to the Crem River. Upon arrival, he searched for a suitable target.

A large rock protruding from the river about twelve meters ahead caught his eye.

"I'll use that large rock as a target."

Holding a death prod, Ricardo focused his mind, visualizing the new magic's effects.

He pointed the rod at the rock and channeled magic, scattering the catalyst and casting the spell.

[Amril Galsamuz Hyrebug Zardakishur]

Silver steel grains appeared in the air, forming a vortex. As they spun at high speed, they emitted a high-pitched sound. The [Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet] sparked and disappeared, hitting the rock with a loud noise.

The rock was drilled with a hole large enough for a basketball, and the surrounding water was filled with fish stunned by the electricity.

The power exceeded expectations, and the magic consumption was relatively low.

"This magic could be used by Tania and Patrick. Using [Earth] as the system word also prevents fires."

Ricardo experimented with different ratios of [Earth] and [Fire] catalysts to find the optimal one. The experiments continued for several days, using a large amount of catalysts and incurring high costs.

The completed [Thunder Vortex Steel Bullet] is not quite an advanced magic but has the power of a high-level intermediate magic. If a composite magic system word is found, it could become an advanced magic.

Incidentally, using [Fire] system words like [Fana] or [Bolygem] didn't work, as the steel grains failed to form.

[Bolygem] is a unique system word with the additional meaning of "producing lightning," which, when combined with [Fana], is used for lightning magic. Magicians haven't recognized it as a system word.

Ricardo didn't include [Bolygem] in his paper to keep it as a trump card, as it would be less likely to be recognized by other magicians.

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While Ricardo was experimenting with the new magic, the Crown Prince was in a meeting with the king.

"Your Majesty, this is an important matter. I request that everyone be dismissed."

King Althibald was flanked by elite guards and Baron Alfred.

The king, seated on his throne, frowned.

"The people here are trusted by me. There is no need to dismiss them."

The Crown Prince glanced at Baron Alfred, sighing.

"I apologize. Let's proceed with the matter."

The Crown Prince explained the Serrato prophecy.

King Althibald listened quietly, but Baron Alfred sounded skeptical.

"Is this prophecy true?"

"I checked the records. The abnormal weather every 90 years is a fact."

"Is it just a coincidence?"

"Checking the records for 90, 180, and 270 years ago, abnormal weather did occur. Ignoring this as a coincidence is dangerous."

"But three coincidences could still be coincidences."

Baron Alfred seemed to want to dismiss it as a coincidence.

"The Serrato prophecy states that the magical beasts in the magic forest become more active before the abnormal weather. This is happening now. If you still call it a coincidence, will you take full responsibility if the abnormal weather occurs?"

Baron Alfred looked bitter, denying that he was calling it a coincidence.

"What do you want from me, Crown Prince?"

Caius, the Crown Prince, sighed inwardly, realizing the king was treating the Serrato prophecy as a trivial matter.

This was an issue that required the king's direct leadership and action.

"I believe we should warn the nobles whose territories border the magic forest and prepare for the severe winter."

King Althibald became increasingly displeased with each suggestion from the Crown Prince. The king, like a parent, didn't want to be told what to do.

This was a matter of national survival. The king knew he should listen seriously, but his emotions prevented it.

Interrupting the Crown Prince, the king called for the Minister of the Interior, Baron Goldoni, and relayed the Crown Prince's concerns.

"Goldoni, summarize Caius's concerns and prepare a plan."

"Understood."

"Is there anything else?"

The Crown Prince considered mentioning the discovered structure in the magic forest but decided against it, not trusting Baron Alfred.

After leaving the king, the Crown Prince summarized the Serrato prophecy and handed it to Minister Goldoni.

A few days later, King Althibald ordered the Crown Prince to return to the Yorgul territory once preparations were complete.

"What does this mean?"

The Crown Prince was suspicious. General Samuele, hearing rumors, rushed to the castle.

"Your Highness, there are unsettling rumors in the city."

"What rumors?"

According to the general, there were rumors that the Crown Prince was plotting to usurp the throne.

"Ridiculous. I am the Crown Prince."

"Rumors spread that you are looking for skilled monster hunters, which is preparation for usurping the throne."

It was true that the Crown Prince was looking for skilled monster hunters to investigate the magic forest.

"Someone is spreading these rumors intentionally. Who do you think?"

"Perhaps the Queen of the East."

The "Queen" refers to Duke Melbis, who holds vast territories in the east.

"She has a strong dislike for me."

King Althibald, hearing the rumors, might be distancing the Crown Prince as a precaution.

"Find and deal with those spreading the rumors."

"Should we not find the mastermind?"

"If the mastermind is Duke Melbis, it would be futile. She is not an easy fox to catch."

The Crown Prince decided to return to the Yorgul territory. Before leaving the capital, he invited Ricardo to join the magic forest expedition.

When Ricardo agreed, the Crown Prince left the capital without further ado.

2018/2/3 Correction