Chapter 84 Progress of magic research
After the meeting with Funseroa was over, I decided to show up to the research department by myself.
The value of magic tools is increasing due to their success in the war so far and because they are needed for the desert trade route targeted by the Sposato country, and I learned that the empire is evaluating the research attitude, so I am looking into the development status. I thought I'd take a closer look.
"Long time no see, guys. How are you feeling?"
When I entered the research department while calling out to them, the blacksmiths' attitudes were divided.
One looked happy, and the other looked embarrassed.
As I was wondering why, some blacksmiths with happy faces approached me. Judging by the fact that they were holding an iron plate in their hands, it seemed like the team was researching magic tools made entirely of iron.
"Prince Milimos. I've finally figured out how to put patterns on iron!"
"It's still difficult to get the pattern I was aiming for, but we've made great progress. Look!"
When I looked at the iron plate they handed me, I saw that it had ripples that resembled the pattern of an imperial magic sword.
"How did you make this?"
"It is made by stacking steel and soft iron of different hardness and sticking them together, then hitting them, bending them, twisting them, and stretching them."
"When you bend or twist, the pattern changes even more if you change the amount of force you apply, so it's difficult to reproduce the patterns found on swords and staffs."
Although the blacksmiths were talking about difficulties, their faces were bright. I'm sure the future is clear, so trial and error will be fun.
"This is a wonderful research result. I hope you continue to work hard to mass produce magic swords and magic staffs."
"of course"
"I will do my best!"
After praising the steel group, I turn my head to the blacksmiths in the bronze group. Their expressions were half happy and half embarrassed.
“What is the research on bronze products like?”
When I dared to ask a question, the blacksmiths pushed each other with their reports, and then one person answered on their behalf.
``At first, we were trying to mass-produce using molds, but we realized that productivity wasn't improving as much as we had hoped.We decided to abandon this method.''
“I wonder if the reason is known?”
"The problem was the accuracy of the molds. If you make them with sand, you have to make them again each time, and on the other hand, if you make them with metal, it's difficult to make detailed patterns."
When I hear the blacksmith's words, I think of the taiyaki food stalls at fairs.
Although the pattern on the mold is quite elaborate, the pattern on the finished taiyaki is often blurred.
I'm sure the same logic will apply to bronze as well.
“So, does that mean you have given up on researching bronze magic tools?”
"No. We solved it by changing the manufacturing method."
The blacksmith who was explaining to me led me to a section of the research department.
There was a small furnace, a small bronze plate, a hammer, and something that looked like a metal stamp.
When I picked up the stamp and examined it, the pattern engraved on the stamp looked like a magic pattern.
"I see. By nailing this onto a bronze plate, a pattern is engraved."
"Bronze has a low melting point. If you roast it a little and then hammer a steel stamp on it, the pattern will appear in one shot. Well, it's difficult to make a steel stamp with a detailed pattern."
“Then, is it okay to think that mass production of bronze magic tools is on the horizon?”
"I can do it for the magic patterns that are known. However, when stamping multiple types of stamps, there seem to be some rules regarding the position and order. That part is still being researched."
It seems safe to think that research into bronze magic tools has entered the realm of possibility.
In that case, it might be a good idea to instruct research to make a magic tool made of bronze that can produce water to be sent to desert areas. No, it's too early.
"Then the last one is a research report from the team that was searching for new materials."
When I turned my head, the two members of the new materials team looked uncomfortable.
"Prince Milimos. I've been trying out various things."
“Well, I haven’t had any real results…”
Well, I guess so.
If it were possible to easily discover new materials suitable for magic tools, there's no way the Empire wouldn't already be using them.
"I expected you to have a hard time, so please be patient. Ah, that's right. Do you know about this material? I've heard that it's one of the raw materials for glass, but I don't really know how to use it."
When I showed him the white sand I brought from the desert, one of the blacksmiths in the new material team's eyes changed color.
“This is amazing!?”
“I thought it was a good thing because the Empire wanted it, but is it really worth saying that much?”
"That's it! Not only can it be used to make glass, but if you add it when melting metals, you won't need to use a weak furnace fire. If you sprinkle it on the fields, you'll have a good harvest. If you mix it with building materials, it will increase its strength, and it can be used to eliminate odors and disinfect. It’s a truly versatile material that can be used for many purposes!”
It was truly amazing.
Well, the first consul of the empire also changes the color of his eyes.
“Then, use this to research magic tools.”
"Is that okay? I already used it."
“From now on, we will be able to receive large quantities from the Ambitose region, so please use it as much as you can.”
"I'm grateful for that, but if I keep using this material like hot water, I'm afraid the empire will notice me..."
"Don't worry. We've made arrangements to export it to the Empire as well."
Perhaps because they knew they didn't have to worry about it, the two members of the new materials team looked excited with white sand in their hands.
Well, as a general review so far, it seems like it's safe to say that the research of all groups is progressing step by step.
If we continue at this pace, it will definitely be possible to deploy magic tools and weapons to the Rocha region army in the near future.
Thanks for the chapter
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chapter!
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