chapter 33
Azumashi workshop’s resting room.
“It’s always steaming here. Are the two of you okay?”
“I’ve been used to the heat ever since I was in my mother’s womb.”
The two answered, gulping cold water from a cup that would turn into lukewarm water if you didn’t drink it quickly. In the front, the man who requested the sword, Ivan, was holding a luxurious water bottle.
“Whoa, that’s cool. You have more sense than you look.”
“It’s thanks to this cold water bottle I got from a lady with the magic of ice. Basically, cool water was widely available in the chilly Iron Blood, but it seemed like it would come in handy here.”
“I hope it doesn’t break down in the heat here.”
The two generations laughed as they looked at Ivan, who was rubbing his cheek against the cold water bottle as if it were lovely. And then it became a serious expression.
“So what’s going on here? I don’t think you came here to show off that water bottle to me.”
“What, can’t we come here to brag? … … I’m kidding. I just came here to talk about the world.”
He must be a very frivolous guy for a nobleman.
“Did you know that the prince went to study at a knight academy?”
“I’ve just heard the story. Did you say you only go for one year?”
“Then have you heard about the later saga?”
“On the first day, I declared war on all the students and knocked out the student council president.”
The incident that happened on the day of the prince’s entrance ceremony became a good story for the bored entertainers, and no one knew about it. Along with the praise that he was the one who inherited the blood of the emperor, and the suspicion that he was playing after all.
“I have a sense of kinship with that student council president. I’m going to have a hard time waking up.”
Ivan smiled bitterly. He was treated arrogantly by the crown prince and was accused of being a rebel and was almost sentenced to immediate execution.
“I hope it doesn’t bother you too much. A kid with no tips.”
“huh? Do you know each other? A kid without tact, I don’t think he was talking about the crown prince. Are you talking about Student President Proud?”
Ivan, who caught the two small murmurs, questioned. The two generations looked at Ivan as if they were getting annoyed, and eventually opened their mouths.
“… … I have a long professional relationship with the Proud family. meet twice a year I thought of him as a stubborn kid on a timid subject, but how did he become the student council president?”
“What, you seem to be quite friendly. I’m surprised My knowledge has increased.”
“I don’t know if seeing each other twice a year is really close. I only made a sword, though.”
“You are very friendly. Aren’t we the same age? This smells like youth.”
Ivan smiled as if he knew it was funny. The two generations were convinced that if left alone, rumors would spread.
‘It’s not really okay, though.’
It’s annoying to deny one by one. He let out a short sigh.
“So what? As long as you keep talking about boring things, you go back to the studio.”
“Then let’s move on to a more interesting story.”
Looking at the two generations, who had lost interest in the conversation, Ivan put his hand on it. It’s a very serious mood.
“Second generation, do you know about the recent Saratov rebellion?”
“… … know.”
It was spread in the world that the citizens of Saratov, hungry for the exploits of the lord, revolted…
“The incident that made it bankrupt by raising taxes and then turning it into a military domain.”
Those in the know knew the truth. The second generation was no exception.
“It’s fine for me, but for someone in the military, it would be dangerous. It’s not wrong, though.”
Ivan shook his shoulders in a creepy and exaggerated way, as if he was creepy. And he threw his body forward.
“Did you know that a special weapon was found there?”
“I did.”
“Even if it’s a special weapon, it’s from the point of view of the military. A few weapons similar to the muskets you are making have been found among the rebels.”
‘… … It’s a terrible way to promote.’
Perhaps the man who commissioned him solved it. The two were easily predictable.
“The military called the weapon ‘firearm’. And I’m thinking of introducing it into the military.”
“Unusually fast. It took nearly five years to standardize the standard sword.”
“The merchant who recently visited must have had a lot of fun selling drugs to the people of the upper classes.”
“I think I know roughly who you are. You are frighteningly resourceful.”
The two generations quenched their thirst with lukewarm water.
“Since then, based on the principle suggested by the merchant, Sangvis Sangvis Workshop is desperately proceeding with the development of firearms. I should have already talked to you.”
“okay. It’s a story everyone knows. Still, I know the details.”
First of all, these are secret stories. The two generations found it strange that Ivan, who was not a military aristocrat, knew this much detail.
“I’m not a socialite for nothing. My lost reputation has now been restored.”
said Ivan, sticking out his chest in an exaggerated motion and pointing at himself. The two generations laughed at the theatrical movement.
“Anyway, many studios are participating, but… … Eventually, the firearms you create will become the Sangvis standard. It will also be delivered to the Knights Academy.”
“Because I was making it before the request came. Rather, do you know anything about the model used in Saratov? I’m curious.”
“It’s even worse than the prototype you first showed me.”
“Right. That man seems to have been commissioned here and there.”
“If that man… … Are you the one who asked you to develop a musket?”
“yes. I can’t tell you any more details than this.”
The 2nd generation has a complicated head. It would not be something that a mere craftsman could do just because he was worried, but it was ominous as to what his intention was hiding.
“By the way, how is the production going?”
“not bad. I just have to be careful not to be too greedy.”
“I’d like to see a prototype, if you don’t mind.”
Ivan asked with a smirk.
“… … .”
The two generations kept their mouths shut and stared at Ivan.
“I refuse.”
And refused.
“what. Sorrow between us.”
“I don’t remember ever having a relationship more than that between craftsmen and customers. When the story is over, go back.”
“I have a strong work ethic. It’s a good attitude befitting the name of Azmash Workshop.”
As if he knew that it was an unreasonable demand, Ivan praised the two. The 2nd generation replied that they had no intention of showing it, and went back to the studio.
“… … Whoa.”
Returning to the studio, the two sat quietly for a while. Soon I heard the sound of Ivan leaving the break room.
After Ivan judged that he had completely left the studio, the two stood up and headed to the warehouse inside the studio.
‘I thought it was a weapon that shouldn’t be made.’
Numerous prototypes of firearms were randomly lined up in the warehouse.
‘Especially when I heard all of the prince’s improvement plans, I was convinced that this was a weapon that should never be made.’
The two pushed the prototypes aside and unlocked a large locker deep inside.
‘But what I made and stopped… … .’
There, there was a weapon of a strange type that had never been seen in Sangvis Sangvis until now, emitting a heavy black light.
‘It’s probably because I couldn’t overcome my twisted desire as a craftsman.’
It was a gun that applied all the improvements suggested by the prince.
‘Rifle’ was there.
* * *
After saying that there are things only you can do besides the Philosopher’s Stone, Ver shut himself up in the alchemy classroom and started studying nonstop. Except for going to the cafeteria to eat, there were rumors that he was sleeping in the alchemy classroom.
‘Actually, it seems that I can make a Philosopher’s Stone, but I’d better keep this fact buried.’
I don’t know what kind of item it was, but Katyusha said it was a very dangerous item. I’m sure it would be good to leave it forever as a MacGuffin, no, as an unused rice cake.
Anyway, so, where am I now during lunchtime——.
“hmm.”
It was the student council room.
It’s not like I’m doing anything really wrong or anything like that. I just came because Proud wanted me to come to lunch through an employee.
‘It’s a strangely tense space.’
Looking at the elongated mahogany desk that looked like a conference room and the bookshelves filled with books, it felt like a conference room. In fact, the meeting will also be held here.
“I don’t like it when you call and then you’re late.”
“Becoming the student council president must be a big deal.”
“… … sorry. I was rather late after inviting you.”
The tiger also said that it would come when I said it, and Proud appeared right away. It’s like apologizing to your boss when you keep bowing your head as if you’re really sorry.
“Okay. So why did you call me?”
“Ah, that… … Is the restaurant noisy? The dormitory is far away.”
“yes.”
“You can spend your lunch break peacefully here.”
Proud said with a bright smile.
“… … Is that all?”
I didn’t know what to say at the moment, so I asked again.
“yes. That’s right.”
To that question, Proud answered innocently.
‘So, you mean you wanted to provide a comfortable dining space?’
It’s certainly more comfortable than eating at a restaurant, but I’m not sure it’s worth inviting. However, when I thought about it, I certainly had never seen Proud in a restaurant.
‘Unexpectedly, is Proud an outsider?’
In the original work, it was unknown because he only showed his appearance as a strong man, but in reality, he may have a serious yet clumsy personality.
“ah… … Maybe it wasn’t delivered properly. Because everyone interprets my words harder than necessary.”
When I showed a slightly absurd reaction, Proud laughed as if he was embarrassed. Then, I took out something like a lunchbox from the bag I had put down.
“First of all, if it’s a meal, I’ve prepared 3 servings. Eat it if you like.”
It wasn’t something like a bento, it was a bento. It was even hot.
“… … Next time, I will prepare myself.”
And it was pretty tasty. Katyusha felt a sense of danger.
I wondered if it might have been prepared by hand, but I decided not to ask.