The Story Of The Second Son Of The Baron Family [EN]: Chapter 93

“Thank you for showing me such a rare sight. As an old man with a hardened mind, I could never have imagined such a thing,” Marquis Gunter said.

“You flatter me, Marquis Gunter.”

Marquis Gunter.

Among the nobles gathered, he was a prominent figure, the central representative of the knights.

While Marquis Zick and Marquis Pongke were equally skilled in combat, Marquis Zick had spent half his life at the Terra Wall (the outermost border), at the request of the late Emperor Darius III. Marquis Pongke, by nature, preferred to act independently rather than lead.

Marquis Gunter’s opposition could delay Titan production by years, even decades. His approval would send knights rushing to pilot them. He was influential, so I worried about his questions.

Gulp-

The tension filled me. All eyes were on Marquis Gunter and me. Despite his ordinary tone, his presence dominated the room.

But there was no need to worry. Before I could anticipate his words, the question I dreaded came.

“I have only one question: Is it usable in actual combat? I’ve only ever held a sword, so I don’t know the details, but I do know that it takes a lot of mana to move that thing. Even the best knights wouldn’t be able to sustain it for long.”

Marquis Gunter glanced at Michael, who stood beside me.

“Michael, was it?”

“Yes, it is!”

“That was a wonderful sword dance. I can tell how hard you’ve worked.”

Michael seemed moved. It wasn’t the same as praise from the Emperor, but it was a natural reaction to recognition from the idol of knights.

“But even with excellent swordsmanship, mana is another matter. You drew out an aura exceeding several meters, and moving that huge body must have required tremendous mana.

Nevertheless, you continued fighting after the formal swordsmanship because Renil, you must have taken some measure. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s right.”

“But that’s not enough. Actual combat isn’t like today’s demonstration, which ends quickly. Variables occur, and you might swing your sword for hours without a break.

Titan, was it? I know the power of this weapon, but will it show its power in actual combat? At this rate, it seems like nothing more than a decorative sword that looks good.”

A decorative sword that only looks good.

It was a direct analogy. Impressive but impractical, fit only for decoration.

‘Still, it’s what I expected.’

Two prerequisites needed resolving at this demonstration: mana consumption. Marquis Gunter’s question was profound but not fatal. Ignoring vital points is foolish.

“That’s a good question.”

If it needs resolving, resolve it quickly. Besides, Marquis Gunter asked. Convincing him, a pinnacle of knighthood, would silence further doubts.

“First, the Titan is incomplete. The appearance you see is just before development completion. As you mentioned, Marquis, there’s no proper power source to move it.”

“No power source? But just now…”

“Of course, there’s a makeshift power source for today’s demonstration, but it hasn’t reached my desired level.”

Even in this brief exchange, everyone grasped the Emperor’s and my intentions for the demonstration. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be here.

“If we develop a proper power source… is that what you mean?”

“That’s right.”

The demonstration’s purpose was to secure justification for Titan and power source development by showcasing overwhelming power, even briefly. To make them believe it was worth the cost.

“It doesn’t seem easy, but is it possible?”

“If the Empire’s wizards unite in research, and if support isn’t cut off, we can succeed within a few years.”

Frankly, it was poor persuasion. I should have brought a future development plan, a prototype showing possibility, or evidence of feasibility to increase persuasiveness.

But I couldn’t prepare those elements. Not from lack of time or belief in words alone, but because I couldn’t.

It was a gamble, trusting the Emperor and my reputation. But it worked surprisingly well because my backing wasn’t ordinary. Silence fell, then someone stood.

“That sounds fun.”

Speaking in an interesting tone, he left his seat and approached the Titan.

“Can I ride this? I’m curious what it feels like.”

That person was Marquis Pongke, one of the Empire’s Three Swords, along with Marquis Gunter and Marquis Zick.

#

“Hey, you look familiar. Have we met before?”

“A long time ago, I saw you when you came to the Terra Wall as a commander.”

“Ah, that time? No wonder you look familiar.”

He had an unconventional personality; a maverick. Without tremendous talent and effort, he’d be a street thug extorting commoners. But his skills matched his personality, making him a prominent noble.

“Anyway, can I ride it? Or is the owner already decided, so I can’t ride this Titan until that guy dies?”

“…It’s not like that, but it wasn’t made considering a master like you, Marquis, so it’s difficult to say rashly.”

“Is that so?”

Knowing his personality, he might force me to let him ride, even if I refused indirectly. Emperor Darius III, the only one who could order him, was long gone, and the new Emperor was much younger.

“Then I can’t help it.”

Strangely, he stepped back willingly.

“But it’s a shame to just go back in after coming out like this. Michael, was it? Get on again. I want to cross swords with you once. If I can’t ride it myself, I’ll experience it that way.”

It was both a crisis and an opportunity. His words after crossing swords would decide the atmosphere’s direction. And Marquis Pongke was honest, at least with swords.

“Sir Michael, are you able to? If it’s difficult…”

“I can do it. For some reason, I’ve recovered faster than usual, so please allow me to finish today’s demonstration.”

Anyway, Sir Michael was the only knight who could skillfully handle the Titan. While he caught his breath and prepared to move it, I approached Marquis Pongke.

“You must hold back.”

No matter the size or power, it couldn’t overcome the aura’s quality. I didn’t want to ruin the Titan I’d worked so hard on, so I had to ask repeatedly.

“I know. More than that, it looks like that side is ready, so you should step back if you don’t want to get caught up in it.”

Thus, the battle between humans and Titans began. Each clash of swords created a roar that shook the space, captivating the audience, including Armin and me.

“As expected, a master is a master. Even though he’s adjusting appropriately, he’s not being pushed back, but rather pushing forward.”

“A master’s power isn’t just the aura blade. It’s a natural result.”

Sir Michael, riding the Titan, couldn’t have led a favorable fight against Marquis Pongke, even in a battle of aura against aura. If that happened, an unstoppable shock would have struck.

A master was called a one-man army for a reason. Even borrowing a weapon’s power, even without an aura blade (a master’s symbol), he suppressed the gap in swordsmanship and experience with power.

But that didn’t happen. There was no disappointment, as I never hoped for it. His words after a few exchanges were enough to cheer.

“It’s heavier than I thought? If it was an equal opponent, I would have dropped my sword before a few exchanges had passed. I want to ride it once, even if it’s a bit much.”

#

The second crisis after overcoming the first with Marquis Pongke’s help. The second premise I expected, like mana. That was right.

“Titan, was it? How much budget would be needed for the mass production of Titans?”

It was the budget.

My answer stirred the audience. It wasn’t unaffordable, but I wasn’t making just one. Even the Imperial Knights numbered in the hundreds. It was scheduled for gradual supply, but still a burdensome amount.

“Of course, it might decrease as the system establishes and proficiency increases. Also, we plan to coat the surface with mithril [a strong, magical metal] to defend against magic.”

“Isn’t it too expensive, no matter how you look at it?”

“It’s just an estimated amount. Compared to the merits Titan will bring, it won’t be that expensive.”

The rise of military power.

If the Titan wasn’t for show, it would lead to war, bringing more land and wealth. Only then did they look beyond the shock of the Titan’s demonstration.

“Won’t you join the Empire’s glorious march?”

Baron’s Family Second Son – Episode 93 – End