Chapter 21 - Request for Cooperation Regarding Mass Production and Field Deployment of the Saintess Death Beam
Request for Cooperation Regarding Mass Production and Field Deployment of the Saintess Death Beam
Translator : Elizabeth
Chapter 21
“The capital has a wide variety of foods.”
Archion wanted to cry. Even when the Tower Master tried to soothe him by saying, “Let’s go eat something delicious~!” he just really wanted to cry.
“That’s right! Young Master, did you know the Mont Blancet in Lidasid is just a branch? The main store is in the capital! So, later, let's go visit the main store together—”
“Goldie. Haven’t you gained weight recently?”
“Tower Master!!”
Even when Goldie tried to comfort him with the prospect of eating cream puffs at the original bakery, he just wanted to wail.
“I want to do engineering….”
“This is a severe case….”
He simply wanted to stay comfortably in his lab, tightening small screws on machines. It was because he wanted such a small, peaceful daily life that he had sent the letter asking if he could have the land next to the Lidasid Diocese as a site for the bathhouse.
“Young Master! How can a human being stay cooped up and only research for months without going out!”
“I’ve already lived through that kind of research!!”
“And that’s why your body is so frail! Look! Look at these thin forearms!”
Of course, it was Goldie who was scolding the introverted Archion. How can a human live without getting any sunlight? Beyond just being the person in charge of him, she was genuinely afraid that he, who gave so much to everyone, might suddenly collapse one day.
If such a moment came, she would certainly be held responsible... but in truth, she was more afraid for Archion's well-being.
“Tower Master, say something too!”
She called for help from the Tower Master out of concern, but—
“Hmm? Isn't staying inside for just a year perfectly fine?”
“Waaaaah! Master!”
“Ah?!”
She had been betrayed! The "doggy" trembled with a sense of betrayal.
“Tower Master, why…!”
“Huh? Well, it’s only a year, isn't it? For us Dragons, ten years can pass even if we just take a short, deep nap.”
“Ah…….”
She was just a grandmother with a broken sense of time.
Goldie’s inexplicable jealousy vanished instantly, and she comforted the Tower Master with eyes full of melancholy.
“That can happen. I understand.”
“Why are you suddenly comforting me? It feels somewhat unpleasant.”
Fortunately, the Tower Master didn't catch on this time and merely struggled to interpret Goldie’s words.
“Sigh, anyway. Archion, this should be your first time in the capital. How do you feel?”
The Tower Master, failing to interpret the situation, spoke up first.
“This is my second time going to the capital.”
“Last time, you returned immediately because of your research.”
“You stubborn fellow.”
“Why am I the stubborn one... but I roughly understand what you mean.”
This trip to the capital was not like the rushed one-day trip from before. It was for a whole week! Since the Vatican’s Saintess had personally invited and hosted him, two days were already blocked out for official events.
In other words, escape was impossible, and as a social animal, Archion had to be dragged along obediently. Of course, nothing bad would happen, and he could tour the capital in his spare time, but….
“It feels very much like crap.”
“You brat.”
“Gerk.”
It was so bad that his choice of words had turned poor. His only joy was researching, and when not researching, rolling around in his room smelling the scent of flowers wafting up from the mansion's garden!
Archion resented the Saintess today for dragging out such a voluntary shut-in.
Whinny!!Thud!
“We have arrived!”
As if to soothe his heart, the carriage window opened simultaneously with the coachman’s shout.
“Whoaaaaa….”
“Fufu, it has certainly developed compared to a thousand years ago.”
A super-massive wall, likely the height of a 20-story apartment building, greeted them.
“Welcome to Drakir, the capital of the Khalid Empire!”
The Khalid Empire, which had unified half of the Illiad Continent. Beneath the city walls that rose like a curtain against the sunset, a resplendent gate welcomed the guests from Enersis.
When Archion had come to the capital for negotiations with the Yurinchev Marquess family, it was evening. Although it was brightly lit by torches, he didn't have time to look properly, and he returned in a hurry as soon as the negotiations ended, so he hadn't seen it properly.
“Wow…….”
And only now did Archion understand why imperial citizens felt they had to visit the capital, Drakir, before they died.
“Does it even have Rococo styles mixed in?”
“It's truly beautiful, isn't it? Our Lidasid is very pretty too, but compared to the capital, it has to take a step back.”
The moment he entered after the inspection at the gate, Archion was overwhelmed by the countless and diverse architectural styles. A breathtaking landscape where all the architectural styles of early and modern Europe—Early Renaissance, High Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, and more—were gathered in one place.
As someone who had always been stuck in a lab since his past life, Archion's eyes sparkled even more.
“Archion. Do you perhaps have an interest in architecture as well?”
“To build a large bathhouse, wouldn't architectural knowledge be necessary?”
Architectural engineering is also engineering. Though he diverted the conversation that way, Archion was actually quite excited. The capital was so grand and beautiful that even he wanted to set aside his research for a moment and look around.
“While I’m at it, I should also look into patterns, trends, and such for when I build the bathhouse….”
“Ooh-waah! Then you’re going to go out and play with Goldie and the Tower Master, right?! It’s a promise!”
“Hoh. Are you telling this one to accompany you as well? Arrogant fellow. I shall gladly join you.”
He had found it a hassle when Goldie asked to play together, but he took it back. With such a spectacular view, he felt it wouldn't be bad to tag along for a bit.
“But... fufu, I know you’re both excited, but the sun is setting, so let’s find our lodgings first.”
“Ahem.”
“Whimper.”
But work comes first. The three moved by carriage toward the lodgings the Vatican had reserved in advance.
“May the Lord of Heaven’s grace be with you.”
“You are, from that time….”
The one who greeted Archion at the main gate of the Vatican was the incredibly large Holy Knight who had taken him to the monastery back then. He was definitely a Holy Knight from the Lidasid Diocese who had modified the incandescent bulb into a flashlight. Why was he up here at the Vatican in the capital?
“Things went well and I’ve been assigned to the main headquarters! This is all thanks to the incandescent bulb developed by Young Master Archion!”
“Isn't it thanks to all of you who used it so well back then?”
“You are as modest as ever!”
He said that after the "Saintess Death Beam" incident, his aptitude as a researcher was recognized, and he now lived as a researcher belonging to the Vatican. Hearing this, Archion felt a slight regret.
“It is truly a pity that Sir Knight belongs to the church.”
“Hahahaha! It would be a supreme honor to be accepted as a researcher in your workshop! But since I have already entrusted my body to the Lord of Heaven... I ask for your understanding.”
Handiness and comprehension levels high enough to understand a blueprint at a glance and even create an imitation? He was regretting that he had missed out on a talent optimized for engineering.
“Oh dear! I’ve delayed us talking about myself! I shall escort you to the Saintess!”
Escorted thus, Archion moved his feet.
“Whoa…….”
“This is the main headquarters of the Vatican, with a history even older than the Empire.”
“It is also a place that has existed longer than I have. Some say the Lord of Heaven built it Himself.”
On the inside of the sky-high ceiling, countless murals were embroidered, and history was recorded on every single pillar. They said each one represented a turning point in history….
“What is that one?”
“That is the Anti-Evil Dragon Rebellion.”
Below it was a smooth pillar depicting a scene where a Golden Dragon and an Apostle of the Lord of Heaven were slaying a Red Dragon.
“It was a rebellion led by the Helladion Ducal Family. Those who joined hands with demons and revolted at the time….”
The Tower Master, who would have naturally experienced that era, explained it, and Archion also knew the end of that story well. After the civil war ended, everyone with Helladion blood was executed. Every last descendant.
Was it after that? It was said that the number of executions in the Empire dropped significantly. It was because the Emperor ordered that a certain degree of mercy be shown to sinners.
“Let’s go. We must finish the work quickly so we can return sooner.”
However, the Tower Master’s complexion was not good. Archion wondered what might have happened to the Tower Master regarding this matter... but for now, he buried it in his heart and moved on.
“From here, we ask that only Brother Archion enter.”
“Yes. Can I leave Goldie and the Tower Master in your care?”
“Leave it to me! I shall show them around the area!”
And entering the inner sanctum, similar to the Lidasid Diocese, a young nun met Archion. After walking for a few minutes following her….
“The Saintess usually resides over there.”
Archion discovered a small hut. It was a crude shack for someone called a Saintess to live in. In that place where rough hands had clearly been at work….
Click, creak….
“You have come.”
A silver-haired woman with one eye covered welcomed him.
“Uh….”
“Ah, this must be your first time seeing me like this, Believer?”
Come to think of it, the first time Archion saw the nun, she was wrapped in bandages from head to toe, so he hadn't seen her real appearance. But to think such a mysterious beauty was inside….
“I’m glad to see there’s progress in your recovery.”
“Thank you for your concern, Believer Archion.”
So, why did such a beauty go through the trouble of calling Archion to a hut in the capital?
Slurp.
Drinking the warm tea served as hospitality, Archion waited for the Saintess to open her mouth.
“The tea tastes good.”
“It’s Kenzeli from the eastern Erki region. Its clean floral scent is charming, isn't it?”
Archion came here for only one thing. Seeing the beautiful Saintess? No, it was to obtain that large soccer-field-sized land next to the Lidasid Diocese.
Click.
“Saintess. Since I am in a bit of a hurry, I think I must get straight to the point. I ask for your understanding.”
“Oh my. Are you really that busy?”
“Yes.”
Of course, Archion slightly regretted it. The moment he said those words, he saw the Saintess’s brow furrow. As someone whose powers of observation had sharpened because of his wicked professor, he noticed that the Saintess had become dissatisfied with something.
What was she displeased about? Blocking what she wanted to say? Or not catching up more on their reunion? He didn't know... but Archion had already made his move.
“Yes. It is for Public Hygiene.”
“Public... hygiene?”
The reason he came all the way to the Vatican in the capital was for the first step in preventing terrible epidemics like COVID or the Black Death: Public Hygiene.
“I will explain.”
If this isn't settled in advance, it will be hard to respond to a pandemic that might break out someday. And Archion was not certain he would definitely survive such a pandemic.
“To give you the conclusion first, it is to prevent epidemics.”
“……Would you tell me more in detail?”
Although Enersis is wealthy and provides many donations so clergy are attached to them, there are bound to be limits. What if Delford, the Count of Enersis, collapses? Or even the Head Butler? How inconvenient would daily life become if Goldie falls ill? Can the Tower Master... can that Dragon even get sick?
Anyway, hiding these private reasons slightly... Archion decided to demand the empty land next to the Lidasid Diocese, using the reason of looking after the people.
“I see….”
He explained it to the Saintess with the fluent presentation skills he had used during his Master’s defense, and—
“So is that why there were so many sick people?”
“Yes. It was not a divine punishment, but rather rats running rampant due to poor hygiene and carrying diseases around.”
“Believer Archion, can you be certain of those words?”
In medieval times, it was said everyone knew epidemics were divine punishments from God. But to think such things could be largely avoided just by taking care of our hygiene?
The Saintess looked at Archion with eyes devoid of any trace of a smile, and—
“Yes.”
Archion, with silver hair similar to hers, returned a gaze full of conviction.
“This alone will secure the basic health of the commoners. And this is an additional plan….”
“Including a grocery store inside, and selling at a discount only to bathhouse users…?”
At the same time, the Saintess realized that his concept of public hygiene didn't just end with washing. To increase the number of bathhouse users, he would bring in a store that discounted various groceries only for users. Inside that store, they would bring in items commoners find hard to access, like eggs, in bulk to draw them in again.
On the surface, it looked like the tactic of a money-crazed merchant... but at the hidden kindness behind it—
“Pffft.”
The Saintess laughed despite herself.
“Saintess?”
“No. No. I was just thinking that Believer Archion is a truly blessed and kind person.”
“I don’t think this is something to be praised for….”
When was the last time she had seen such a modest young man? In truth, the life of her peer had been bruised and festering from being pushed around here and there….
“Very well, Believer. I will lend you my strength. I will propose it in my name at the next executive meeting.”
“Thank you, Saintess!”
Listening to this man’s dream-like goal, her heart pounded as if it could truly be realized.
“Then now, I suppose I should tell you my conditions?”
Archion stared blankly at the document she handed him. Its name was….
“Request for Cooperation Regarding Mass Production and Field Deployment of the ‘Light That Smites Evil’”? What does this mean….”
“That flash that burned all the vampires I told you about. Do you remember?”
The so-called Saintess Death Beam. Because it was such a shocking event, Archion remembered it as the Saintess Death Beam. But, mass production?
“The Pope, who checked the report on this vampire subjugation, was very pleased and wanted a device that can radiate this holy light whenever desired.”
“Uh…….”
The Vatican research team, including the returned Saintess, had begun researching incandescent bulbs. As a result of experiments, it was proven that this "Holy Incandescent Bulb" light was effective against all entities vulnerable to divine power.
“And how should I put it... because the Holy Knights who participated in the operation at the time have been bragging about it, hehe. It seems everyone wants to hang it on their shoulders and have it shining constantly.”
“Then, they could radiate holy light even while moving….”
“Yes! Exactly!”
Having heard the whole story, Archion fell into thought. It was because he was reminded of a certain Colonel from a strange manga.
—You f-f-f-foolish man!!! German science is the best in the world!!!!—
Of course, Archion had no intention of refusing.
“If it’s good for crushing those damn demon-remnant bastards, I should definitely lend my strength. Can I meet the researchers right now?”
“Ah…! I will not forget your grace, Believer! By the way, 'remnants'... what an insulting word if the monsters heard it! I must tell the Holy Knights!”
There was the matter of obtaining the land, but the idea of actually implementing that in this world was quite an interesting story. To think he could build a Divine-version UV Radiation Device with his own hands?
‘How can I resist this!’