The Story Of The Second Son Of The Baron Family [EN]: Chapter 100

The battles between Basilisks and humans used to be like facing giant monsters. Though they moved on four legs, they were taller than humans standing upright. However, the situation unfolding before us was completely different from anything we had experienced before.

*Swish-*

The days when it was difficult to even cut their steel-like hides were gone. The days when even managing to cut them only resulted in scratches were also gone. Glory, with its overwhelmingly powerful strength and massive size compared to a human body, turned the Basilisk into an ordinary crocodile. A well-trained, well-equipped knight had no reason to struggle against a mere crocodile.

“Was that really a Basilisk I just fought? It shouldn’t have been this easy.”

The knight, who had easily defeated the Basilisk, asked in bewilderment. It was understandable. Even though the Imperial Knights were said to have the best average skills among the knights of the empire, Basilisks were still threatening monsters. They were monsters that required utmost caution even when faced with multiple people. Yet here they were, just the two of them, capable of handling it, even alone.

“The production cost of one Glory is probably worth dozens of Basilisks, so it’s a natural result.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Let’s move on. This expedition is not only for your experience and Glory’s field test but also to reduce the burden on the Terra Barrier [a magical barrier protecting humanity from monsters]. To do that, we need to face as many monsters as possible. Do you understand?”

There was hardly any rest. Even if it was a higher-level monster, only one, two, or at most three knights would step forward. Furthermore, even if the monster they encountered wasn’t a higher-level species, they didn’t just pass it by. If they only rode Glory and swung their swords, there could be problems with their inherent skills.

We literally swept through the land of monsters like that. It was a day when humans declared war on the kingdom of monsters.

#

As time passed, the knights, who had initially been loosening their stiff bodies and enjoying the overwhelming power, began to show increasingly hardened expressions. It was a forced march, but it was necessary. They needed to adapt to the Titan faster than anyone else.

Wizards were merely the creators of the Titan, not the pilots. This meant that the knights knew better how to handle the Titan. They needed to spread the know-how they had learned first, from top to bottom, as teachers and seniors to the pilots who would continue to be born.

That’s why they chose knights from the Imperial Knights, and not others. Because it was for the sake of the empire, they wouldn’t try to hoard their knowledge as a secret and would try to grow together.

*Whoosh-*

“How is it! Are there any problems with the movement?”

[It seems fine!]

“Good. Let’s stay a little longer.”

Even after autumn passed and winter arrived, we didn’t retreat from the land of monsters. I knew better than anyone how dangerous it was to spend winter in the land of monsters, but since it wasn’t a place we could come to often, we had to do everything we could while we were there.

There was no place colder than the land of monsters in this world. There was no place more harsh in terms of cold. It would be even more so if we went further north from here. In that sense, it would be troublesome if the Titan’s performance was affected by the cold in a place like this, where it was only the beginning of winter.

We had taken countermeasures against the cold and conducted tests using magic in advance, but the blizzard and overwhelming cold that struck such a wide area from time to time could cause unforeseen variables.

“Is there any problem with the movement?”

[No problem!]

Fortunately, even after being left outside for a long time, there were no problems with the Titan or the knight inside. Of course, the core’s magic power was being consumed faster than usual to withstand the cold, but that was natural even in human form and was expected.

‘Well, who thought about it and who made it? This much is obvious.’

“Good. Then let’s start moving in earnest from now on.”

#

The group, who had been massacring monsters in the land of monsters until the depths of winter, left the Terra Barrier and returned to the Imperial City only after the new year. The group, who returned with more than enough data, received treatment that was more than enough to be called a triumphant return.

At the same time, Renil was granted the title of Count along with the Hughs surname, based on his achievement of reaching the 7th Circle [a measure of magical power] and his past achievements. In any case, if he inherited the position of Master of the Magic Tower in the future, he would receive treatment beyond that of a Marquis, and even now, he was receiving treatment equivalent to that, so it wasn’t a significant event.

The Emperor, who was sufficiently satisfied with Glory’s performance based on its achievements at the Terra Barrier, ordered the second production run of Glory, and some nobles who had participated in the Titan Project were given the opportunity to invest first.

While everyone was dreaming of a rosy future and focusing on their respective tasks, only one person was deeply troubled, out of sync with this atmosphere.

‘War…?’

JoJo, one of the key figures in Glory’s development, should have been happy, but there was no reason for him to be lost in thought. Even if he had concerns, they should have been passionate concerns, not gloomy ones. But he was lost in thought, and the reason was none other than Glory, which he had helped create.

‘It’s… possible enough.’

When he first received the offer to steal information about the Titan, he didn’t feel it was worth considering. He thought it was just a cunning ploy to use him, but after going to the Terra Barrier with Renil, his concerns deepened.

The performance of Glory, which he had confirmed in the land of monsters, was so threatening that even he, who had helped create it, was surprised. His friend, Renil, said that the Titan would be humanity’s sharpest sword and strongest shield against monsters.

He agreed with that opinion. The Titan was a result that deserved such praise. But could he guarantee that that sharp sword and strong shield would only be directed at monsters?

His friend wouldn’t be thinking that way. But what about others – the powerful who have gained power? No.

Human greed is endless, and they repeat the same mistakes. War is just a chance for them to make a fortune, and when they have superior power compared to their enemies, they wouldn’t be people who wouldn’t wield it. He didn’t want his hometown people, who lived day by day, to have an even harder time.

‘If it’s now…’

It wasn’t too late yet. Glory was in the final stages of completion and had a mass production system, but there were obstacles to overcome before that power was wielded against humans instead of monsters.

The Land of Monsters.

He knew very well that Renil’s life goal, who was the core of Glory’s development, was to make the Land of Monsters into human land. He also knew that if the direction of the sword called Glory changed before that goal was achieved, he would never stand still.

So there was still time. He learned through this expedition that the Titan was a powerful weapon, but he also knew that the Land of Monsters was by no means an easy place.

So it wasn’t too late yet. If he gave them information about the Titan now, even if the sword called Titan was directed south instead of north, by that time, they would have enough power, and the difference between starting a war with the certainty of being able to win unconditionally and waging a war with uncertainty would be like heaven and earth.

*Hesitation-*

Nevertheless, he hesitated because he knew very well that this action was a betrayal of the people who had trusted him. JoJo’s worries deepened endlessly.

#

The workshop and laboratory, which had been quiet for a while, became busy again with the mass production of Glory as soon as we returned. The workshop was for making the exoskeleton, and the laboratory was for engraving magic on the manufactured exoskeleton and researching more advanced magic circles.

However, unlike before, I, who had risen to the position of laboratory director, became more idle rather than busier. Unless it was core production, there was no reason for me to touch the production of the exoskeleton, and since the result called Glory had been created, there was no reason to rush to improve it already.

Thanks to this, I was able to devote more time to my personal training for the first time in a long time. Serena was the happiest about this.

“You’ve finally come to your senses. It’s enough to cling to such toys only in childhood. If you learn the Dragon Language properly, that toy is nothing. Whether dozens or hundreds of them come at you, it’s just laughable.”

That might not be wrong. But the path to reach where she wants to go is too far and difficult, so I’m not motivated, but still, the contract is a contract, so I faithfully engaged in training.

“Thank you again today.”

Well, as it was yesterday and the day before yesterday, there were no particular results. Then one day, I arrived at the Imperial Palace following a person sent by the Emperor, and a familiar face, but not a welcome one, was waiting for me.

“Long time no see?”

A word and face that seemed somehow frivolous, even though he wasn’t younger than other masters. An existence like a rugby ball that you don’t know where it will bounce, Marquis Pongke was there. I gave him a small bow and then paid my respects to the Emperor first.

“I have arrived at the summons of His Majesty the Emperor.”

“I called a busy person. The thing is, Marquis Pongke said he had something to talk to you about.”

If he had something to say, he could have come directly, so why did he stop by the Emperor? I received help, not help, from him at the demonstration, but perhaps because his impression at the Terra Barrier was not good, I couldn’t help but think negatively about the same actions. But his subsequent words were quite interesting.

“So, you’re saying you want me to make a personal aircraft for the Marquis…?”

“That’s right.”

Glory’s performance has been proven. Marquis Pongke, who had devoted all his efforts and time in his life to gain stronger power, couldn’t just let such a situation go. After hearing that the Imperial Knight’s Titan had been taken away and was being repaired after not controlling his power from the beginning, he couldn’t help but grab his forehead even in front of the Emperor.

‘How much is that worth?’

But whether he knew my thoughts or not, his subsequent answer was enough to turn my insides out.

“So, you should have made it stronger when you first made it. How can such a fragile thing withstand the harsh battlefield?”

“…Your Majesty. As you know, Titans are not something that can be easily made. Do you know how many wizards have worked hard for a long time to create Glory? At this moment, researching a Titan that a master-class knight can ride while working on the production of Glory is a harsh task.”

“I heard you did most of it alone, so you only need to do the research alone, right?”

“…Hoo.”

Hold it in. Hold it in. It’s Marquis Pongke, not anyone else, and it’s in front of the Emperor. I want to punch him in the face, but I pulled up my extreme patience and released the power in my tightly clenched fist. At that moment, Marquis Pongke made a suggestion.

“Your goal is to wipe out the monsters in the north, right? Just listen to my request. Then I swear on my sword that I will be at the forefront of killing monsters more than anyone else.”