Volume 6 - CH 3.3

Staring right at the pictorial map made of an enormous tapestry, Quique Albiol picked up a small lump of metal and held it up high.

「This is argental—though it means “all-purpose silver”, it was named by me. It’s an exceedingly rare metal」

The ones seated at a round table and listening to Quique’s words were King Jeffren XI, his son Isaac, and also the important people called the four elder statesmen of Ahmad only. It couldn’t be helped that Dimitar was feeling extremely uncomfortable that he had to be present at such an occasion. After all, even Orvieto, who was the head director of the magic academy, and Lucius, who could be called Isaac’s confidant, didn’t make an appearance at this meeting.

Taking little notice of Dimitar who was thinking about this and that unnecessary matters, Quique put on his monocle over again and continued his explanation to the king and the others.

「—As a matter of fact, this argental is an indispensable key to producing magic motion swordsEspada Marefika」

「…Hmm」

The king held the plain sword up to the flickering light and tilted his head in contemplation.

The king, who had run around the battlefields since his early days, was, of course, proficient at the handling of weapons. Even if he picked up a sword now, his son Isaac would probably be no match for his considerable skill. The king went out of his way to stand up from his chair, moved to the window and swung the sword lightly, then looked back at Quique and opened his mouth.

「The balance is good. …However, it doesn’t seem like a specially made sword. It’s not different from the steel swords that are being used by the army, you know?」

「It’s as you say, normal steel is used as far as the sword base is concerned. It’s the blade part of the sword that this argental is being used on」

「Blade?」

「Though I’ve explained to His Highness and Minister for Military Affairs-kakka already—Richternach-kyou, please give a demonstration」

「Yes」

When Dimitar, who was called out by Quique, stepped forward to the front of all present, he pulled out Jagielka, which he was carrying on his waist.

「Please excuse my rudeness」

He announced a few words like that and pointed the tip of Jagielka towards the ceiling. When he grasped the hilt tightly with both hands, lightly focused his consciousness and poured in his magic power, complex magic crests emerged faintly on the broad sword blade.

「Mu—?」

「Argental has several big characteristics. Firstly, it can be vapour-deposited on the surfaces of other metals with a method similar to plating. And another special characteristic that can’t be found in other metals is that it can circulate magic powers efficiently」

「In other words—?」

「In other words, it becomes possible to invoke magic by means of this」

「For anyone?」

「Well, unless they’re a baby, anyone can use it」

「I can guarantee that」

Isaac stroked the hilt of the sword hanging from his waist and spoke to the king, who was his father.

「—After all, even I can use magic, so most people should be able to handle it」

「I see. That’s amazing」

The king nodded with a “Hmm” and surveyed the four elder statesmen.

「—So, you want to proceed with the mass production of this weapon, huh」

「Rather, the situation is one where we have no choice but to proceed with it」

Garrido-kyou expressed with a grim expression.

「It looks like a part of the powers has already obtained this technology… if Heidelauta obtains this technology by some chance and prepares this weapon in large quantities, things could become troublesome」

「And one more thing, I believe that this will also be very helpful as a working force for supporting our country’s industries. It should become possible to carry out works that have been depending on human strength or horses and cattle until now more efficiently than ever. It’s crucial that we think of it as a long-range plan for one hundred years, two hundred years, and not look at it ten years, twenty years from now—」

Minister of Finance Caparros-kyou cited an advantage in terms of the economic effect. With a liberality that was very typical of him, the king, who had been listening to that, looked back with the sword in one hand.

「All right. You’ll take responsibility for this matter, Isaac. Each minister as well, make sure that you thoroughly cooperate in this plan」

「Yes」

「And then—」

The king looked at Quique and Dimitar slowly this time and asked.

「You have some appeal in addition to this slightly difficult explanation, but let me hear what you have to say, Chief EngineerMaestro」

「Yes. It concerns the argental that I’ve explained just now」

Putting the lump of metal on the round table, Quique cleared his throat slightly.

「—No matter what kind of plan we make, mass production is impossible unless we secure argental. But in reality, I only have this small lump on hand… of course, I can prepare a moderate amount of swords even with this much, but that’s it」

「…In short, for the sake of the plan, we have to be able to provide argental stably?」

「That’s right. Therefore, I have a suggestion… this small lump was brought to me by an acquaintance of mine, and according to what the person who picked it up had said, he found it beside a mountain stream that flows between the mountains in Romarikku」

「Romarikku?」

「As you know, all sorts of mineral resources are lying untapped in that vicinity. If there’s a large-scale argental deposit there—I think we should secure this and work out a system for the mass production of magic motion swords as soon as possible」

「Does a deposit of that what-do-you-call-it metal really exists in that vicinity?」

「As it’s still at the stage of possibility, I can’t say that it surely exists. Therefore, first of all, I want to send personnel to Romarikku and have them search for the argental deposit, but… well, the location being the location」

「…Certainly, it’s a bit dangerous for the army to march into that vicinity and investigate extensively」

Wiping the sweat on his forehead with a handkerchief, the nervous Minister for Home Affairs Camunas-kyou took over Quique’s words.

「If we’re not careful, we’ll stir up the sentiments of the Romarikku’s citizens, you know?」

「That’s why I was thinking of requesting um—Richternach-kyou personally at the beginning…」

「Isn’t this just right?」

Isaac reached for the wine, which no one had tasted, and smiled.

「It’s a complete coincidence, but it’ll soon be Valeria Costacurta-jou’s royal visit to Romarikku. Of course, Richternach-kyou will be accompanying her as well. —While he’s at it, we can get him to make a preliminary investigation. We can carry out a large-scale investigation after we’re able to obtain conclusive evidence to a certain extent」

「…Can you do that, Richternach-kyou?」

The king looked at Dimitar fleetingly.

「Yes. I originally intended to go alone, after all」

「…Very well」

The king put the sword on the round table with a clang and sat down on his chair.

「Since you’re going to do it, then do it well, Richternach-kyou. Of course, at protecting the young girl as well as the other mission, all right?」

「Acknowledged」

Dimitar bowed courteously together with Quique and quietly followed the important people leaving the office with his eyes until they were out of sight.