Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Industrial Revolution (7)
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The drum brake was surprisingly completed quickly.
It used more materials than expected, but that wasn't a big issue.
It's bound to use some up in the process of making it.
With the finished brake in hand, I prepared for another test run.
I wanted to experiment with the magic that would activate it while testing its performance.
Katiranya would provide the power again this time.
"Aren't you working me too hard?"
She grumbled a bit, but she started inspecting the brake's performance at my request.
Checking the seals and compression, testing for brittleness.
Spinning it at high speed and gathering data on activation.
We ran all sorts of tests.
I didn't get too involved here.
Like with the transmission or the golem.
We've done this together so many times now; I trusted that experience.
Meanwhile, I prepared the magic to activate the brake.
From simple spells that could be cast easily to more complex ones.
Each had its pros and cons.
The simple ones definitely saved on costs and time.
But they lacked safety features and had poor inherent stability.
The complex ones were the opposite.
They had ample safety measures and superior performance.
However, they were hard on costs and took a lot of time.
"Let's test both for now."
That's what I said, but I was leaning toward the latter.
If this were a regular carriage, I'd go with the simple one.
Since individuals would ride it around.
Demand would be high, inevitably.
But a truck is strictly for special purposes.
Given its nature of hauling large quantities at once, we wouldn't need many.
They're expensive anyway; no need to buy a ton.
Hauling more than production capacity would mean losses.
Anyway, the complex one seemed better.
"Or sell them as Type A and Type B."
Ah, but that's just upselling options.
Not easy.
I set aside how to sell them for later and started testing both.
Prepared two types and hooked them up to the brake.
The activation mechanism mattered more than the brake itself right now.
"Alright, let's get started."
I spun them both up to high speed and triggered the mechanisms.
Both the simple and complex versions activated the brake flawlessly.
"Not bad response times on either."
Both mechanisms had decent reaction speeds.
But differences were clear.
"Let's simplify the complex one."
Ditch the simple version and streamline the complex one.
That settled the direction for the activation mechanism too.
Now all that was left was Katiranya's performance test.
"Edn, it's done. Take a look."
"Oh, thank you."
Fortunately, the tests she led were finished.
Now we just needed to check the data and find improvements.
I went over the brake and mechanism with her.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A lot happened after the brake too.
From simple things like headlights to major ones like chassis frame performance tests.
We needed tons of parts, and it nearly got way too complicated, but we succeeded in lightening it up.
For reference, the truck ended up with disc brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear.
Because the front takes more strain when stopping.
Plus, this truck has dual rear wheels.
In other words, the rear sees relatively less load.
Anyway, two months later, we succeeded in completing the prototype.
If you're wondering how we finished so fast...
"Ugh, never doing this again."
Well, what can I say.
We made and tested as many parts at once as possible.
It felt like something no human should endure.
I dove in like a madman, and Earth's precedents made it possible.
Of course, I didn't remember everything, so we hit some walls.
But Katiranya's tireless help made it happen.
"It's finally done."
"Yeah... Now we can rest."
"Y-yeah. You look wrecked; get some proper sleep."
Was I in bad enough shape that even Katiranya kept her distance?
Still, no rest yet.
Last thing: make sure the truck rolls properly and check for issues.
I grunted as I tried to climb aboard.
Katiranya, who'd been watching, sighed and lifted me up with shadows.
I thanked her and plopped into the driver's seat.
Normally, you shouldn't drive when exhausted.
"Can't be helped this time."
I buckled up, did a quick check, and started the engine.
A rumble, then the engine roared powerfully.
Good, it caught fine.
Released the parking brake, shifted gears, and lightly pressed the accelerator.
It started moving forward slowly.
So far, so good.
I gave it more gas to build speed.
Test-steered the handle, braked a few times.
Drove back and forth repeatedly to check for problems.
Even went over a hill and ran various tests.
"Whew, it's really done."
The prototype was complete.
Now just find a factory to produce it.
Leave that to Professor Herman.
He might be busy, but he'll love seeing my truck.
Back at the starting point, I parked and shut it off.
Opened the driver's door and stepped out; dizziness hit.
"Oof, gotta rest for real."
"Edn. Good work."
Katiranya had come over and caught me.
I lost consciousness in her arms right away.
No—fell asleep.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I woke up two days later.
Opened my eyes to the sun high in the sky.
Blankly blinked for a bit, then heard pages turning beside me.
Turned my head: Katiranya sat in a chair, reading.
She looked up from her book.
No surprise, no joy—just her usual gaze.
"Awake?"
"...Yeah."
My voice was hoarse; she smiled faintly.
No mischief, but some emotion I couldn't place.
She nodded lightly and teased.
"I see. You were out so long, I was about to wake you."
"Haha, I woke up bef—cough!"
"I'll get water. Don't talk."
She stood and left the room.
Waited a moment; she returned quickly and handed me a glass.
I sipped slowly, unhurried, then asked.
"How long was I out?"
"Two days. Herman stopped by in between. I handled the talk."
She said we got good terms.
Production starts next month.
My reaction was singular.
What? Why is she so competent?
She didn't waste those years—
"Edn. That was rude, wasn't it?"
"No, it wasn't."
I shook my head fast, but she eyed me suspiciously.
Perceptive people are...
Changed the subject before more suspicion.
"You did great, Katiranya. Saved us a ton of work."
"...Well, yeah. Be grateful I stepped in."
I offered her cookies as thanks again, then headed out.
The truck will be commercialized soon.
Sure, issues might crop up, but no need to dwell.
Now for the next phase.
The one I really can't put off anymore.
"Time to build the mana grid?"
Heading to the study, I started hunting for the family's finest stationery.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Duke had been investigating—no, observing—Edn again and learned something new.
He'd made a thing called a truck and planned to commercialize it.
Anticipating what he'd show next, a letter from Rerangbur arrived.
Expensive paper, scented even.
Usually signals a marriage proposal, but disappointingly not.
"Pity."
"Pardon? No, that's all. You may go."
The butler left; the Duke smiled faintly and opened the letter.
Neat handwriting with a masculine edge.
Obviously from Edn.
The Duke skipped the pleasantries and read straight to the point.
A hollow laugh crossed his face as he read on.
"Amusing. So that's why he sent this to me of all people."
He'd guessed it was a request.
But the request was wildly off from expectations.
"Heh, a mana grid. Quite the interesting proposal."
He'd heard the term before.
Back when the mana engine was developed, they'd tried pushing this too, but nobles blocked it.
Claiming it'd let commoners enjoy magic's privileges.
Obviously, magic was half the nobles' domain.
They didn't bar commoners from learning, but it wasn't feasible.
Magic basics came from private tutors, advanced from academies.
In reality, you pre-studied basics before entering.
Either way, commoners without means for tutors couldn't wield it.
"Magitech aside, of course."
The Duke recalled Edn's recent moves.
Steelmaking, transport, now mana transmission.
A fun thought struck him midstream.
"Could he really make magic accessible to commoners?"
Like the tool of fire first given to humanity.
Edn might become the one bringing fire to man—that sort of fancy.
"Overly romantic, perhaps."
Still, he saw real potential.
It was Edn, after all.
His track record proved it.
The Duke thought it wasn't bad—quite entertaining, even.
A rare feeling after so many years.
He began writing a reply at once.
Let's meet and talk soon.