Rebuilding a Kingdom - Chapter 46, Chapter 47, Chapter 48 (Patreon)

Automatic Seal Pressing Machine
He had a sullen expression and was hunched over, but Brother Adel headed to capture slimes within the Royal Capital’s sewers.

In the underground of the Royal Capital, there is an ancient sewer system where wastewater from the city is collected and purified by slimes before being discharged into the river.

There are no specific ponds to store slimes; instead, the ends of the sewer are fenced off, allowing the slimes to move freely and purify the wastewater within.

The reason for asking Brother Adel to capture slimes was that I heard the Elfast Magic Kingdom was breeding magic insects for magic circle research.

According to Arya, magic insects are small, bug-like magic beasts, but I've never seen one nor do I know much about them.

So, I thought of using slime fluid as a substitute for magic insect fluid.

After Brother Adel left the room, Arya began drawing magic circles on parchment one after another and handed them to Emmy.

Emmy said, "I'm going to make stamps," and went back to the workshop with a smile.

While Arya and I were chatting on the sofa, a slender white hand reached from behind and hugged me tightly.

"Ian, play with me.”

Oh, I had forgotten that Orlan was sleeping on the bed.
Maybe she was considerate not to disturb us?

A week passed, and Brother Adel dove into the sewers and captured a cage full of slimes.
Now, the Royal Guards were monitoring the cage, and the castle staff were feeding the slimes and taking care of them.

Regarding the care of the slimes, Captain Lyshiria of the Royal Guards gave me a hard time, but with her gentle nature, she frowned and still helped out.

I asked the soldiers to put the slimes in small barrels and break the slime cores inside.
Then, the barrels filled with slime fluid were carried to Arya's room.

Arya used the slime fluid mixed with dye as ink.
When she chanted the activation spell over the drawn magic circle, a small flame lit up on it.

"The experiment is successful."

"Yes, this clears the first stage."

Arya and I high-fived each other in celebration.

I thought it might not work, but now it seems we can use slime fluid as a substitute for magic insect fluid.

Three days later, Emmy brought the magic circle stamps to the castle.

The four of us—me, Brother Adel, Arya, and Emmy—immediately decided to test the magic circle stamps.
Orlan, to avoid getting in the way, was eating snacks on the bed.

Emmy brought four stamps.

We applied slime fluid to each stamp and pressed them onto parchment, ensuring the patterns overlapped. Arya chanted the activation spell over the completed magic circle, but the magic didn't activate.

When we investigated why it failed, we found that the ink had smudged when the stamps were pressed.

Emmy frowned at the failed magic circle.

"No matter what, the ink always smudges a bit when pressed."

"It might be because we're using too much ink at once. Also, changing the ratio of dye to slime fluid might help."

After repeated trial and error, we successfully created a magic circle with a small flame using the layered stamps.

We all clapped in celebration of the successful result, and Emmy said, "I'll improve it and turn it into a machine," then rushed out of the room with a barrel of slime fluid.

A week later, Emmy completed an automatic seal pressing machine for drawing magic circles.

When Brother Adel and I were summoned to the workshop by Emmy, we found a machine equipped with four hammer-shaped stamps attached to a central wheel.

When parchment was set into the machine, the first stamp lowered and pressed onto the parchment.

After the printing, the column with the wheel lifted high, rotated to the next stamp, and the column descended to press the next stamp.

Watching the machine in action, I tilted my head.

"Huh? I don't see the step where the ink is applied."

"The inside of the hammer-shaped stamps is hollow, and that's where the ink is stored. When the machine operates, the pressure inside the stamp changes, causing a fixed amount of ink to ooze onto the surface."

That technique was used in printing machines in my previous life in Japan.

If Emmy thought of that system on her own, she has incredible talent.

I've always known she had many creative ideas, but Emmy never ceases to amaze me.

Brother Adel, Emmy, and I took the parchment with the machine-drawn magic circle to Arya in the castle.

When Orlan saw us enter the room, she slowly walked to the bed and lay down.

Such consideration not to interrupt our conversation is typical of Orlan.

Emmy handed the parchment with the machine-drawn magic circle to Arya and asked her to activate it.
When she did, a small flame appeared on the magic circle placed on the desk.

Seeing the flame, Brother Adel sat cross-legged on the floor and hid his face with his thick arms.
Upon closer look, he seemed to be crying.

"What's wrong? Did you get a stomachache?"

"No… after all the struggles and everyone brainstorming together to create this machine… I got overwhelmed with emotion, and the tears won't stop."

As Royalty, we can simply instruct the castle staff to get what we want.

Brother Adel has always worked hard to master martial arts, but this was his first experience with creation.

And working together with everyone to complete something must have made him very happy.

Creating something involves many failures and difficulties, but when it's completed, there's a great sense of accomplishment.

When I looked at Arya and Emmy's faces, their eyes were also moist with tears.

Oh… seeing everyone like this made me so happy that I couldn’t help but tear up too.

---------

The Wind Magic Circle
The machine to draw magic circles was complete, so Emmy, Arya, and I decided to think about what kind of magic to embed in the magic circle next.

Brother Adel said he had duties to attend to and left the room.

Emmy crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked at me.

"First, where do you want to use this magic circle? If that's not clear, we can't decide what magic to embed in it."

"That's already decided. I want to place the magic circle on the front or the roof of the tank the dwarves are making."

"So, you intend to use the magic circle in battle? Personally, I don't want to kill too many people with the tank we made."

"I feel the same way. However, since it's a weapon, it needs to have some degree of power."

In the near future, there might be a conflict between the Elfast Magic Kingdom and the Kingdom of Critonia.
That's why I asked the dwarves to build a magic tank.

However, even if the enemy soldiers are enemies, it doesn't justify mass slaughter.
Ideally, I don't want to create weapons that kill people... Isn't there a better way?

While Emmy and I were deep in thought, Arya raised her hand timidly.

"I think fire magic is dangerous. Watching people burn is gruesome, and the smell is awful, too."

So, you've been silent until now, and that's what you imagined?
I don't want to see people burning to death, either.

"Then there's water magic... But drowning is a painful death. I heard rumors that the corpses of people who drowned in rivers are severely decomposed."

Stop imagining such horrific things.
I've hardly ever left the castle, so I've never seen a decomposed body.

Come to think of it, I remember some splatter videos from my previous life in Japan...
It's too nauseating to recall.

If fire magic is out and water magic is out, that leaves earth magic, wind magic, and light magic, I guess?

Speaking of light magic, it would be like laser beams or railguns...
Both earth nad light magic seem likely to cause fatal injuries with a single hit.

That leaves wind magic...
With wind magic, it can blow people away, but is less likely to be fatal.

After careful consideration, the three of us decided to install a wind magic circle on the tank.
I left the specifics of the scale of the wind magic to Emmy and Arya.

I’m not well-versed in making magic tools or magic circles, so I’ll leave this to the experts.

After our discussion, Arya sat at the desk and carefully drew the wind magic circle on parchment, handing it over to Emmy.

Emmy received it and said, "I'll make a stamp of the magic circle and test it on a metal plate," before leaving the room with a joyful expression.

A week later, we received a report from Emmy that she successfully replicated the magic circle onto a metal plate.
Brother Adel and I headed to the dwarves' workshop.

Seeing the two of us, Emmy led us to the back of the workshop, where the machine was set up.

In the courtyard, there was a machine with a metal plate angled upwards with the magic circle drawn on it.
Emmy ran to the machine and pressed the activation button with a loud shout.

"Fly away!"

Bwoooosh!

The machine started to move with a clatter, and the magic circle on the metal plate began to glow.
Then a powerful whirlwind spiraled upwards from the magic circle, lifting surrounding debris and junk into the air, spinning as they rose.

Seeing this, Brother Adel shouted in joy.

"Amazing! With this, we can defeat both the Elfast Magic Kingdom and the Bardhain Empire! Wahahaha!"

At that moment, I stood there, dumbfounded, looking up at the sky with my mouth agape.

Oh no, this is bad.

If enemy soldiers were caught in such a powerful whirlwind, they'd be hurled high into the air and would surely die from the impact of falling.

I had told Arya and Emmy that it was a weapon for the tank...
But this could endanger not only the enemy soldiers but also our allies.

Why did it turn out like this?

Emmy hurriedly pressed the stop button to halt the machine, and her eyes widened at the sheer power of the whirlwind.

According to Emmy, the magic pool installed in the machine was the same as that used in the magic car, and the amount of magic power flowing to the magic circle on the metal plate should have been constant, not an enormous amount.

If there’s no problem with the machine, then the issue must lie with the magic circle.

Brother Adel, Emmy, and I rushed to Arya’s room in the Royal Castle.
The three of us explained the disaster in the courtyard of the workshop to Arya, who was lounging in her room, using gestures.

After hearing everything, Arya clapped her hands.

"I’m good at drawing wind magic circles, so I drew it as usual."

We were all dumbfounded by her response.

As usual? Do you always draw such powerful magic circles?
What kind of destructive magic is the Elfast Magic Kingdom researching?

Just thinking about it is terrifying!

This time, we made sure to specify to Arya that the power should only be enough to blow a person about five meters away, and she drew the magic circle on parchment under those conditions.

"Why do we need to reduce the power? That whirlwind could easily annihilate our enemies."

Brother Adel, sitting cross-legged and holding his head with one hand, still didn’t seem convinced, but we don't intend to develop weapons of mass slaughter.

First, let's celebrate the successful activation of the magic circle on the metal plate by the machine.

----------

Brother Roland’s Resolution
Once we failed and a tornado occurred, but in the second experiment, the power was reduced to the extent that it could overturn a magic vehicle.

Even so, it had enough power to blow a person several meters away.
At this level, it would cause injuries, but not fatal wounds.

I instructed Emmy to install the magic circle metal plate onto the magic tank being built in the workshop, to imbue it with the wind magic function.

A week after the modifications to the magic tank began, I was summoned by Brother Roland and headed to the throne room.
When I entered the room, Brother Roland, Prime Minister Sylberg, Sister Emilia, and Brother Adel were all waiting for me.

Looking around at everyone, each had a stern expression.

Feeling an unpleasant premonition, I cautiously asked,

"Did something happen?"

"A messenger from the Elfast Magic Kingdom arrived. They demand we hand over Arya."

Since we sheltered Arya, several assassins have infiltrated the castle.
Knight Commander Bamberg and Captain Lyshiria handled the assassins.

Moreover, there might have been spies hiding in the castle without us noticing.
In any case, it was only a matter of time before the Elfast Magic Kingdom found out.

Prime Minister Sylberg sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the situation.

"The Magic Kingdom claims that the magician was trained by them and thus belongs to them. Therefore, they demand that the Kingdom of Critonia promptly hands over the magician."

It's disturbing that they don't treat the magician as a person, but their argument is somewhat reasonable.

Brother Roland placed his elbows on the desk and clasped his hands.

"We told the messenger that Arya, being a magician, sought asylum in the Kingdom of Critonia, and the castle accepted and is protecting her. Then the messenger accused us of illegally acquiring the Magic Kingdom's secrets."

The techniques and knowledge of magic circles that Arya possesses are certainly confidential information of the Elfast Magic Kingdom.
It was within expectations that the messenger would say this.

However, considering that Arya sought asylum in the Kingdom and the Kingdom was merely providing protection from a humanitarian perspective, it can't be entirely labeled as illegal.

Since we've been researching magic circles and equipping the magic tank with Arya's knowledge, it's inevitable that the Magic Kingdom would accuse us of illegally stealing their secrets.

It was expected that negotiations between the two countries would be at an impasse, so it's not surprising.

Brother Roland continued, looking around at us.

"Of course, our diplomats argued that the Kingdom is merely protecting someone who sought asylum. In response, the Magic Kingdom's messenger said that if we do not cease holding the Magic Kingdom's secrets, military sanctions would be considered."

"So, it's finally war with the Elfast Magic Kingdom. We are ready for battle. We can always make the Magic Kingdom regret it."

Brother Adel said excitedly.

"Why are you so excited about the possibility of war? Think a bit about the soldiers who will be fighting.

Brother Roland showed a bitter expression as Sister Emilia admonished him.

"So far, this is just as you predicted, Ian. Do you think it will lead to full-scale war?"

"Even if the Magic Kingdom is a strong nation, they won't immediately go into full-scale war. But for the small Kingdom of Critonia, it will still be a significant conflict."

"Do you think we can win if we refuse the Magic Kingdom's demands?"

"We can probably repel the Magic Kingdom's army."

If too many enemy soldiers are killed in the initial battle, it could leave lasting resentment, making the Elfast Magic Kingdom serious about going into full-scale war.
That would eliminate any opportunity for future negotiations.

Without negotiations, the war could drag on, putting the small Kingdom of Critonia at a disadvantage.
We must avoid that at all costs.

Moreover, if we go into full-scale war with the Magic Kingdom, the Bardhain Empire could attack from behind, leading to the destruction of the Kingdom of Critonia from both sides.

Even if we go to war with the Elfast Magic Kingdom, it should be a fight to show that the Kingdom of Critonia is an equal.
By hinting that fighting us would cause massive damage, we can prevent the Magic Kingdom from going into full-scale war.

To achieve that, we must end the initial battle quickly, with minimal casualties on both sides, and achieve an overwhelming victory.
That way, the enemy will lose their morale and have no choice but to retreat.

A tense silence filled the room.
In that silence, Brother Adel raised his arm and showed his biceps.

"Brother Roland, you've already reported your resolve to Father. Why hesitate now? We have no choice but to trust ourselves and move forward."

"That's right. It's infuriating that the Kingdom of Critonia is seen as easily submitting. It's time we make them understand that we are equals.”

Sister Emilia agreed, following Brother Adel's lead.

I pressed a hand to my chest, took a deep breath, and looked straight at Brother Roland.

"Brother Adel and Sister Emilia are right. Now is the time to reclaim the Kingdom of Critonia's stance."

"I understand everyone's opinions. I must also steel myself. From now on, the Royal Castle will steer the Kingdom of Critonia towards preparing for war with the Magic Kingdom. Hear the decree of the Acting King. Inform the Kingdom's soldiers to prepare for battle."

Next: https://www.patreon.com/posts/108526394