The Story Of The Second Son Of The Baron Family [EN]: Chapter 91

“To be honest, I think it would be difficult to wear this in actual combat.”

That’s a harsh assessment. I had fully expected to hear some disappointing remarks, but a failing grade was honestly unexpected.

“I am well aware that there are many shortcomings. That’s why I requested Sir Mikhail’s dispatch, and the deficiencies will be improved over time.”

“I am saying this even taking that into account.”

“…That judgment is for His Majesty the Emperor to make, not Sir Mikhail or me. You were willing to jump into a fire just a moment ago, but are you now refusing to carry out the Emperor’s orders based on your personal judgment before even starting?”

In the end, the decision rests with the Emperor. Even without the Emperor’s support, I could probably produce one or two units, but to establish a full-scale mass production system, I need the Emperor’s support to gather the strength of the entire empire.

The same goes for Mikhail. The order he received was to do his best to develop the Titan, not to judge its usability. When I reminded him of that, he looked apologetic and apologized.

“No, I sincerely apologize for interfering with the mission by adding my presumptuous personal opinions.”

“…It’s alright. Then let’s get right to the point. What exactly led you to that judgment?”

However, it’s better to have someone like him than some mediocre person. I needed someone who could clearly point out the problems rather than glossing over them with words like ‘it’s okay’ or ‘it’s not bad.’

If he made such a firm statement, his reasoning must be clear. If his reasoning is weak, I’ll send him back immediately and look for a suitable person. Now that I’ve failed once, I can’t just blindly trust the Emperor’s judgment.

“Firstly, it’s the mana. As Lord Dragnil knows, knights and mages differ in everything from how they accumulate mana to the amount they have and how they use it. Just now, it felt as if the way to move my limbs had been reversed, and combat doesn’t end in one minute. No knight would be able to sustain this massive consumption of mana.”

That was a fully expected reason. I don’t know about the former, but I had a countermeasure for the latter. It was still just a vague idea, but the existence of the engine would be the countermeasure. What he said at the beginning was what I was also worried about.

A mage who builds circles in their heart.

A knight who creates and fills a dantian [an energy center in the lower abdomen, according to traditional Chinese medicine] in their lower abdomen.

A mage who extracts a large amount of mana in a short time.

A knight who emits a relatively small amount of mana continuously over a long period.

They both handle the same mana, but paradoxically, the only thing they have in common is that they handle mana. Even with feedback, can it really be perfectly implemented?

Moreover, knights generally have less mana than mages. That means the engine needs to be even more powerful. That’s why I was listening to him quietly, because what he said made sense.

“Secondly, it’s the size. This weapon that Lord Dragnil calls the Titan is over 5 meters tall, nearly three times the size of a human. Our swordsmanship has been developed to target humans of similar size. There’s no way we can change a lifetime of habits in a short time.”

This also makes sense. The initial purpose was to more easily deal with large monsters, but it won’t only be used for that. It will surely become a blade aimed at humans. By then, other countries might have created something that imitates the Titan, but it would be ironic if it revealed weaknesses to ordinary knights.

“Thirdly… I believe it can be improved, but I doubt it can keep up with my movements. Simple actions may not be a problem, but can this metal giant properly follow the timing I want to move at? Even if it does follow, if there’s a difference, it will lead to a big gap. Can knights really trust this golem and entrust their lives to it?”

Mikhail raised three major problems, but they could ultimately be reduced to two: mana and the Titan’s massive size. The good thing is that there are plans and intentions to improve both, but the bad thing is that if we fail to improve them, everything will go back to square one.

I knew it, and Armin knew it too. The problem is how to fix the problems. In that sense, Mikhail’s presence could be of great help in solving the latter.

“From now on, we will solve those problems. Sir Mikhail’s mission is to provide detailed solutions, and it’s up to Armin and me to apply those solutions appropriately. Let’s do our best.”

#

Time passed quickly. The hot summer, the cool autumn, and the cold winter passed, and the members of the laboratory, which consisted of me, Armin, and Sir Mikhail, increased by one more.

“Am I too late?”

“JoJo!”

JoJo, who had left the empire for a while to avoid the political strife in the capital and to organize his own enlightenment, returned after a long journey. As if proving that his words about retracing the path he had walked were not just an excuse, he returned having grown a step further.

6th Circle [a high level of magical ability].

The joining of a mage of a level that could be counted on one’s fingers even in the Magic Tower was a great help in moving forward. In a way, unlike me, who was walking the path of a genius with half-cheating, JoJo was a true genius.

Where there are those who return, there are also those who leave. Serena, who had been watching over my training, left my side. She hadn’t left completely, but had only temporarily left her position in case something came up, but she hadn’t shown her face for several months already.

Not all the news was good. The unidentified group that had previously infiltrated the lab and tried to steal research data did not give up as easily as I had expected. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t be there all day long. There were frequent attempts to kidnap Armin and infiltrate the lab.

Of course, they never succeeded even once, but they also failed to reveal their identities. They were armed with a thoroughness different from mere criminals, and I couldn’t even salvage a single lingering thought with my skills, whether they had undergone special treatment or not.

I heard that the Imperial Intelligence Agency was also working hard, but because they were handling information from the entire empire, they didn’t have enough personnel, so there were no significant results. There was bound to be a difference between the enemies who could focus on one area and the allies who had to protect the whole.

“There are only a few places that can continuously send spies of this level. I don’t know where they sent them from, but it must be one of the other kingdoms at least.”

“Those detestable fellows. To dare covet the knowledge and property of the Empire.”

It was only an assumption, and even the goal was unclear, so there was no real solution other than strengthening defenses.

“By the way, you’ve come to find me? I clearly remember you saying that you would show me the results when you came to find me again.”

“How dare I lie in front of His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Then can I see it now?”

“Yes. If His Majesty the Emperor would provide a place, I will show off the results of my work.”

#

“How did it go?”

“How did it go? Exactly one month from today, we will showcase the Titan in front of His Majesty the Emperor and important nobles.”

The Titan Prototype Mk.IV, created after dozens of small improvements and several major improvements.

We decided that there was nothing more to improve with just the exoskeleton. For anything more, we would have to develop and install the core of the Titan’s development: the engine.

“If we go through an adaptation period with this much, I think it’s definitely possible.”

Even Mikhail, who had been negative in the early stages of research, said this, so there was nothing more we could do with just the exoskeleton.

“Haa. Haa.”

“Why are you so nervous already? The demonstration is a month away. A month away. The final adjustments will be finished before that, and Sir Mikhail will be piloting it.”

“Still, isn’t it a place where our efforts are being evaluated? Besides, His Majesty the Emperor is attending in person. When else would we get such an opportunity?”

To be honest, I’m nervous too. Even if there’s nothing more to improve, the Titan is still incomplete. We’ve made a lot of preparations and secretly undergone field tests, but I’m still uneasy. Will the performance of the exoskeleton alone be enough to convince the Emperor and other high-ranking nobles of the need to develop the engine?

“Let’s work hard for just one more month.”

What we want to show through the demonstration is the power of the Titan. Time didn’t matter. We could convince them that the engine, an item scheduled for development, would solve that. Humans are bound to be drawn to returns over risks, even more so if the return is greater than the risk. There was enough potential.

The month given to us passed very quickly. I don’t think time has ever passed this quickly in my life. That’s why we were sharper than ever. As Armin said, it was a place where our efforts were being evaluated and, at the same time, a place that would determine our future.

“What on earth did you do to receive a personal invitation from His Majesty the Emperor? Is it finally time to see the thing that has kept my brother cooped up?”

“Why are you going so far as to say I’m cooped up? I still try to sleep at home.”

The research was conducted in great secrecy, so very few people knew its true nature. That’s why it was easy to find expectations and curiosity on the faces of those who attended the demonstration.

‘There are a few familiar faces.’

Markard Arsen, the new head of the Arsen Duchy; Marquis Pongk, one of the three swords of the Empire and someone I had a connection with at the Terra Barrier, was also seen. Count Gunter, another sword who was guarding against the movements of other countries in the south, was also present, but unfortunately, my father-in-law was not seen. In addition to my teacher and some of those who could be called influential nobles, there were a few faces among them.

“His Majesty the Emperor is entering!”

The most important person began to enter.

“…It seems like no one is missing. Thank you all for readily accepting my invitation.”

“We have only done what we ought to do.”

“As you all may have expected to some extent, the reason I have gathered you here is to showcase a weapon that has been secretly under development.”

“…A weapon that His Majesty is personally showcasing. I can’t help but be excited.”

The past comes to mind. I remember the demonstration of the Scorpion, which is still active at the Terra Barrier and is manufactured and sent whenever support departs for the Terra Barrier. How many years ago was that? It must have been nearly ten years ago, not long after I went to the Terra Barrier.

“You can look forward to it. Then it’s time for the real protagonist to step up. Lord Dragnil.”

“…It is an honor to be able to showcase the Titan in front of you all. I would like to thank His Majesty once again for providing this opportunity, and I will now begin the demonstration.”