Chapter 95

Ricardo and his companions returned to the town of Sheza. Boniperti Marquis proposed to hold a strategy meeting and began gathering people. The attendees were the chief of staff of the Marquis's army, the commander of the royal dispatched army, and Ricardo.

Ricardo wondered why he was called to a strategy meeting but attended it anyway. Monta seemed to be sleepy and curled up on Ricardo's lap, snoring softly.

The commander of the royal dispatched army was Orlando, who had been the deputy of General Samuele in the Royal Guard. Ricardo was also familiar with him.

The meeting began, and the Marquis asked about the point he was most concerned about: how long the royal dispatched army could cooperate.

"Until we repel the Claire Kingdom's army... but due to supply and other issues, the limit is the end of next month," Orlando clearly stated.

The Marquis did not expect it to be until the end, but the situation became more serious when a deadline was set.

"We must settle this by the end of next month," the Marquis said. Orlando looked apologetic.

"I understand that it's a harsh request to defeat an enemy with such a fortified position within a short period, but the royal territory is also in an unstable state, making it difficult to dispatch a large force for a long time," Orlando explained.

The Marquis, who knew that preparing supplies and replacements for the wounded would take a month, was troubled.

"But the enemy's defensive position is strong. How can we break through it..."

"I don't know either. However, the Crown Prince mentioned that the Romanus Kingdom has two strengths."

The Marquis showed interest.

"Really? What are those strengths?"

"One is a new weapon developed in this country."

"Are you talking about the magic cannon wands?"

"Yes, the Crown Prince said that with fifty magic cannon wands, the battle could change."

The Marquis looked puzzled and thought deeply.

"I know that the magic cannon wands are excellent weapons. But the mages in my territory have not been able to develop their own magic cannon wands. It's impossible within a month."

Orlando nodded.

"I thought the same until I heard the Crown Prince's story. However, the person the Crown Prince entrusted to develop the new magic cannon wands managed to send twenty new models within a month."

Ricardo looked surprised, and the Marquis was astonished.

"Who is that person?"

"That person is the second strength of our country. Ricardo Unius."

Ricardo felt both proud and embarrassed. He even thought it was a bit too much praise.

Everyone except Orlando looked at Ricardo.

"Is that true?"

Ricardo responded to the Marquis's question.

"Yes, but the new magic cannon wands were based on the ones I made before, with only the magic circuit changed."

The Marquis knew that even a slight change in the magic cannon wands required a long development period and a lot of funds due to the lack of knowledge about factor letters and the need for trial and error.

"Can we rely on Ricardo to prepare a large number of magic cannon wands in a short time?"

"If it's the same as the ones developed for the Crown Prince, it's possible."

Orlando interjected.

"Can we use those magic cannon wands to capture the Claire Kingdom's position?"

Ricardo considered the point raised. If it meant breaking the shell of the Flame Turtle, it was impossible. The current magic cannon wands could not destroy that shell.

It was possible to attack the area around the shell with magic or magic cannon wands, but if we attacked, the enemy inside the defensive position could also attack. The damage to our side would be greater.

However, if we gathered magicians or magic cannon wands with long-range spells, we could attack unilaterally. But even if we destroyed the area around the shell, the Flame Turtle's shell would still defend the path, preventing us from entering the position.

"It's impossible," Ricardo said honestly.

"I see. But a large number of magic cannon wands will be a powerful force. We should ask Ricardo to produce them."

Orlando's suggestion to request the production of magic cannon wands meant that the Crown Prince had approved it. The Crown Prince might be trying to test the use of a large number of magic cannon wands in the Marquis's army to reference for a new military system.

The Marquis promised to pay the agreed price with Ricardo and the Crown Prince and requested the production of fifty Flame Steel Magic Cannon Wands from Ricardo.

"I'll accept. However, I will produce only the magic circuits and magic formation rods. I will provide the design for the other parts, and I would like the Marquis to produce them. Of course, I will give a discount for that part."

Even for Ricardo, producing fifty magic cannon wands was a heavy burden. So, he changed it to a parts supply form.

"That's fine. I'm grateful."

After that, the topic shifted to the supply lines of the Claire Kingdom's army. The Claire Kingdom's army was bringing supplies to the position by crossing the shallow part of the Vodal River. Orlando suggested attacking the supply line.

"That's difficult... The shallow part is behind the position, and the soldiers of the Claire Kingdom are guarding both banks of the river."

The Claire Kingdom's army seemed to have built a supply line with a perfect system.

After that, the discussion turned to tactics, and Ricardo could not keep up with the knowledge.

Ricardo stroked Monta, who was sleeping on his lap, and started thinking about the Flame Turtle's shell. To destroy that shell, it seemed necessary to complete the "Air" magic. The problem was how to construct the magic and what catalyst to use.

When he first imagined the "Air" magic, he thought of an invincible spear. It was a destructive energy in the form of a spear that would destroy everything it hit.

But if the spear could pierce the shell, it would only create a hole. Could it explode after piercing and destroy the surroundings?

Ricardo started searching for and combining magic words in his head.

After the meeting, Ricardo asked the Marquis what happened to the people who worked at the Ileb Silver Mine.

The Marquis's face darkened.

"Half of those who resisted were killed, and the rest are forced to mine silver."

The silver mine had many criminals working, but those who resisted were mostly skilled workers. Even if the silver mine was recaptured, the production of silver would surely decline, the Marquis realized.

Since Silvano had recovered enough to get up, Ricardo and Greta decided to return to the capital. Greta wanted to stay, but the Marquis did not allow it because the battlefield could expand.

When Ricardo left the Boniperti territory, the Marquis gave him a bag of gold coins as an advance payment for the production of the magic cannon wands.

When Ricardo returned to the capital, Robson and Nicola, who had been his servants, visited him. They had been approved to leave their positions and work at the breeding farm. Ricardo introduced Robson and Nicola to his brother Antonio, and they started working the next day. This allowed him to advance the education of the children and employees.

After sending the design and catalyst preparation method to the Boniperti Marquis, Ricardo started producing the magic circuits and magic formation rods. Although fifty was a large number, it was a familiar task for Ricardo. He received the materials from Bernardo and completed the production in about ten days, sending them to the Marquis.

After fulfilling the Marquis's request, Ricardo started researching the "Air" magic. He searched for magic words that matched the image of the magic and tested several combinations.

The testing method involved using a black dragonstone to attribute-activate a small amount of magic power and casting the spell. Although he could attribute-activate without a catalyst, it would take longer, so he used the black dragonstone.

However, the black dragonstone could only attribute-activate a small amount of magic power, so it could not properly activate the magic. He narrowed it down to three combinations based on the feeling when the activation failed.

The next step was to solve the catalyst problem to use the "Air" magic.

Ricardo searched the library for related materials but found nothing. Stuck on the catalyst, he went for a walk in the city to change his mood.

The city, which had lost its vitality due to the pirates, had regained its energy after the Patriotic Self-Defense Corps drove them away. However, the citizens of the capital were worried about the Claire Kingdom's invasion of the Boniperti territory.

Ricardo walked around and reached the Royal Bizer Academy.

This area was a quiet place with small parks and single-family homes. It was the time when children from the elementary school of the Royal Bizer Academy were returning home.

"Ricardo-sama!"

Greta, walking with three friends, spotted Ricardo and ran over.

She seemed a bit more energetic since her brother's condition had improved.

"I thought you were coming by carriage."

Greta usually came to the Magic Guild by carriage, so Ricardo asked.

"The academy prohibits non-royal students from commuting by carriage."

"Is that so?"

Greta's friends came over.

"Is this Greta's boyfriend?"

Greta's face turned red as she hurriedly denied it.

"N-no, he's my teacher who teaches me magic."

Her friends laughed at her suspicious behavior.

"Wow, a teacher. Did Greta start talking about going to the Advanced Magic Education School because of the teacher?"

"It's the other way around. I met the teacher because I decided to aim for the Advanced Magic Education School."

"Is that so?"

Ricardo introduced himself and joined the conversation.

"Greta said she has already earned the credits needed to graduate. What are you studying?"

"My uncle said that catalyst science is necessary to become a magician, so I'm taking Mr. Rujero's class on catalyst science."

Ricardo learned that catalyst science was an independent field. Rujero might know about the black catalyst.

Ricardo asked Greta and her friends for detailed information about Rujero.

Rujero's mansion was near the Emilia Workshop.

After parting with Greta and her friends, Ricardo went to the Emilia Workshop, where the craftsmen were busy working.

"What's up? Are you making something again?"

Emilia noticed Ricardo and called out to him.

"No, just a walk to change my mood. You seem busy."

"Yes, I'm getting orders for magic cannon wands from various nobles."

Especially the "Scatter Spear" magic cannon wands were popular. However, magic cannon wands were expensive. Except for nobles who were likely to go to war, most ordered two or three.

"By the way, the Apra Marquis ordered a large number of magic cannon wands."

The Apra Marquis had ordered thirty magic cannon wands.

"Is he planning to start a war?"

"He's the neighbor to the west of the Boniperti territory, which the Claire Kingdom's army is attacking. He might be preparing weapons as a precaution."

"But the royal dispatched army sent by the Crown Prince has pushed back the Claire Kingdom's army, so it shouldn't be necessary."

"Even if they've been pushed back, the battle is still ongoing in the Boniperti territory. The Apra Marquis might be worried."

"That's true."

An apprentice at the workshop brought tea, and Ricardo thanked him and drank it.

"Are you familiar with catalysts, Emilia?"

"I've done some research. What's the problem with the catalyst?"

"I'm currently researching a rare catalyst."

"Hmm, we only use common catalysts here. You should ask the collector, Rujero."

Rujero's name came up again. Ricardo decided to meet him and talk.

When Ricardo said he wanted to meet Rujero, Emilia offered to introduce him.

The next day, Ricardo was scheduled to meet Rujero at the Royal Bizer Academy. He put on his Magic Guild robe and went to the academy. He showed his ID at the gate and entered. Magic Guild magicians were trusted by the academy as they sometimes taught there.

Ricardo heard that Rujero was giving a practical class on catalysts at the training ground. When he arrived, he saw children around nine years old gathered, listening to Rujero. He looked for Greta but didn't see her.

Rujero was a slightly overweight man in his late thirties with red curly hair.

"The history of magic is also the history of catalyst science. We must inherit the knowledge of catalysts discovered by our predecessors and continue to develop it."

A child asked a question.

"Mr. Rujero, is a catalyst absolutely necessary for magic?"

"Well, not absolutely. A magician with sufficient training in magic power control can cast magic without a catalyst."

"Can you do it, Mr. Rujero?"

Rujero smiled wryly.

"No, I can't. Only a few magicians can do it."

A child noticed Ricardo.

"Can that magician do it?"

Rujero looked at Ricardo.

"Ah, you are?"

"Nice to meet you. I'm Ricardo. We had an appointment to meet today."

"Oh, right. Emilia told me."

The child who first noticed Ricardo asked.

"Hey, you're a magician, right? Can you cast magic without a catalyst?"

Before Ricardo could answer, Rujero said.

"Wait. Even for skilled magicians, it's difficult."

The children started to chatter.

"You can't do it," "Even though you're a magician."

Ricardo felt a bit hurt.

"I can."

"Show us," "Show us," "Show us."

"Alright, I will."

Rujero looked worried.

"Are you sure?"

"No problem."

Ricardo didn't use a rod, extended his right hand, and focused his mind. He released magic power from his palm and controlled it with his will.

The children, who were watching, started to murmur when nothing happened.

But when Ricardo added vibration to the magic power with his will, the controlled magic power turned brown.

The children gasped in surprise.

"Amril Parosepiol Sperogoma"

A spear flew towards a target in the training ground, hit it, and exploded. It was the "Scatter Spear."

"No way!" "You didn't use a catalyst!"

The children started to make a fuss. Rujero called for them to be quiet.

After the class, Ricardo went to Rujero's laboratory and talked about catalysts.

According to Rujero, many catalysts were still unknown. Especially, the materials from rare magical beasts had unknown attributes.

Ricardo asked what kind of rare magical beasts there were.

"Well, mostly from the magical beasts in the Magic Realm... like the Giant Ant Murofka, the Black Wolf of the Sky, the Titan Frog, and the Wind Demon Bird."

These magical beasts were monsters with a threat level of 8.