The Genius Engineer's Legendary Territory - Black Terrahole (3)
Clunk! Rattle-rattle!
"Uweeeegh!"
"Young Master! Are you all right?"
By the time I returned to the manor by carriage, I had come to appreciate the importance of suspension and shock absorbers in this era more than ever.
The main roads were tolerable enough. But the moment the carriage left the paved highways for unpaved side paths, the ride became nothing short of a disaster.
I finally understood why people of this age preferred riding horses over carriages.
On the way back, I had taken a brief detour out of curiosity onto an unpaved stretch—and immediately regretted it.
My body had been tossed up and down like it might hit the ceiling every second, leaving me half out of my mind until we finally made it home. The second we arrived at the manor, my churning stomach forced me to empty its contents in spectacular fashion.
"Haaah…"
This body was in terrible shape.
One of the first things I had noticed over the past few days was just how poor Robon's health was. The original owner of this body clearly never took care of himself—no stamina, no muscle to speak of. Naturally, his internal organs were a mess too. Feeling like death itself over a little jostling was proof enough of that.
I was leaning against the wall catching my breath when Wendy bounced over and gave my shoulder a few light taps.
"It didn't even shake that much. Quit being such a baby."
"You… watch how you talk to your older brother."
"Hehe. But seriously, how did you do that sus—"
"Suspension."
"Right! That suspension thing. How did you even make it? So this good-for-nothing big brother of mine can actually build something proper, huh?"
"Shut it."
Wendy hopped backward on light feet, retreating with a grin.
"Hehe. I've been stuck studying magic every day and it was so boring. That was the most fun I've had in ages! Do something fun again next time!"
"Do I look like a clown to you?"
"I'll come play again!"
Without waiting for an answer, she slipped back into the manor.
She looked every bit the adorable little sister, but the things she did had a definite mischievous streak. Was that a family trait?
"Young Master. It's tea steeped with fresh herbs. Please have some."
When I returned to my room, Rachel brought me a cup of steaming tea. A fragrant aroma filled my nose.
Slurp—
"Oh."
My stomach actually felt a little better.
"Not bad."
"Right? It's one of the Madam's favorites. I snuck some out."
"Really? Is that okay?"
"As long as I don't get caught! And even if I do, I'll say I did it alone, so don't you worry, Young Master."
"What are you talking about? You did it for me. If you get caught, tell me. Got it?"
"Understood. Now finish your tea."
It felt exactly like being fussed over by a mother. I had only been in Robon's body for a few days, but Rachel had already helped me more times than I could count. Maybe I was getting attached—I genuinely hoped she wouldn't get scolded on my account.
"I mean it. Tell me. All right?"
"Yes, yes. I understand. Why are you so worried all of a sudden, Young Master?"
"Who's worried? I'll be in the workshop. Call me when it's time to eat."
"Yes."
By now my eyes had adjusted enough that I could find my way around most of the manor without Rachel's help. The layout of the place was clear in my head.
"Robon."
A familiar voice called my name. I had grown used enough to the people here that I could tell who was who by voice alone.
"Yes, Brother Gain."
"I heard the news. You really won a bet against Vulkan's successor?"
"Of course. I don't say things I'm not certain of."
"Well done."
Even that blunt, sparse way of speaking was the spitting image of his father. The only real difference was that Father could make your legs go weak with nothing but a cold stare. Gain wasn't quite at that level.
"I heard you're heading out on a mission to the Green Swamp this time, Brother."
In the southern part of the Mardin Principality lay the territory of the Lobel family—mostly open plains, and therefore a region where agriculture thrived. That was how the Lobels raked in such enormous wealth through farming. Lately, though, monsters had been appearing across those wide plains and attacking the farmers.
"Yes. This will put the Lobels in our debt."
The Bladewyns and the Lobels were practically sworn enemies. The heads of both houses, in particular, were said to be ready to tear each other apart. The rest of the families had little choice but to follow suit.
"Even so, is there any real reason for the principality to send us?"
"They probably hope relations between us and the Lobels will improve. But that will never happen."
Gain's tone was firm.
"Not unless the Lobels bow their heads first."
"…If we were to extend a hand of reconciliation first—"
"What nonsense is that! The ones who should bow their heads first are clearly the Lobels. Not us. Robon."
"…Understood."
"If I ever hear you say something like that outside, you'll be in serious trouble. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
Even his speech and mannerisms were carbon copies of Father's. Did he practice impersonating the man in his spare time?
"Still, you did well this time. Having first claim on Vulkan's products is an enormous privilege. We can trade with the other houses from a far more advantageous position because of it."
Even Gain's usually expressionless face brightened a little when talk turned to the bet with Siena.
All the way to the workshop, family members I passed kept throwing compliments at me without pause.
"Why is everyone like this? I only did it to get research funding from Father."
"Oh, Young Master. There's no need to be embarrassed. Even I never expected you to step up so boldly for the family."
"…Huh? That's not what happened."
What were these people talking about? I had only stepped forward to secure research funds for my future work. Given that Siena Askan had offered twenty percent of the iron ore distribution price, the true value of that priority rights was probably closer to thirty percent of the purchase price. On top of that, I would get to see everything Vulkan produced before anyone else. Of course I was going to jump on it.
From now on, I have to move more aggressively myself.
"Dr. Noh Bo-jun, leave it to me. I'll handle all the research funding. You just focus on your work!"
Every businessman who had once sweet-talked me with those words had later changed their tune. I had learned the hard way what happened when you locked yourself in a lab like an idiot and left everything else to others.
"Rest well, Young Master."
"Yeah. You too, Rachel. Don't work yourself to death—take some breaks."
"Yes, yes. I will."
Once Rachel left, I sat in the workshop and began examining the traces Robon Bladewyn had left behind. Evidence of his research was scattered everywhere. The most eye-catching pieces, of course, were the blueprints.
Hundreds of drawings lay strewn across the table. At first I had no idea what he had been trying to build. They were clumsy in places and broken into so many separate parts that it was hard to grasp the whole. But after looking through ten sheets, then a hundred, then three hundred, the truth finally clicked.
"What he was trying to make… was a Gundam…?"
The kind of robot that appeared in animated series and in that worldwide hit about a man of steel. A giant machine that a human climbed inside and piloted—that was what Robon Bladewyn had been trying to create.
"Hah. Never thought I'd see something like this here."
Sensors, gyroscopes, gears, bearings, and pistons for the tiny joints of the arms and legs; outer and inner skeletons; engines; alloy plating—he had meticulously broken hundreds of components down into individual blueprints.
There were several possible reasons for that approach. The first was probably encryption—hiding the fact that the final product was a Titan. The second was more likely: he simply lacked the skill and technology to build everything at once.
I still don't know enough about magitech engineering to judge properly, but even so, there are quite a few clumsy parts.
It was obvious at a glance that Robon's knowledge had been insufficient to design these drawings entirely on his own. Years of diving deep into multiple fields of engineering had given me a certain intuition—one that cut straight to the heart of any new discipline and showed me the fastest, most accurate path forward. That same sense was how I had mastered so many fields at once. It was what had allowed me to create the BUS-1001.
Back then I thought I could do anything if I just put my mind to it.
What a pointless, foolish thought that had been.
"Father said there was a book Robon used to read all the time, didn't he?"
I was certain that book held some kind of secret.
Where is it?
I searched every corner of the spacious workshop. Contrary to my expectations that it would take forever, the book was nestled carefully in the second drawer of the desk.
"Monaark's Memory… huh."
It sounded more like the title of a literary novel. I opened the cover. The moment I saw the first page, I knew this was it.
"……Hah."
Eidras, capital of the Mardin Principality.
The soldiers guarding the western gate tensed as a roaring sound grew steadily closer.
VROOOOOOOM—!
"Wh-what is that?"
"Monsters? Is it monsters?"
Far down the highway, something black was racing toward them at tremendous speed.
"…A Black Terrahole?"
Racal, captain of the west gate guard, had already been told that a Black Terrahole would arrive today.
They said it wouldn't get here until night.
Had it left earlier than planned? It was still broad daylight.
Watching the Black Terrahole thunder forward, belching pure white smoke and announcing its presence with a savage exhaust note, Racal let out an admiring breath.
"I'll give it this much—it's cool."
"Captain, is that the Black whatever?"
"Black Terrahole, you idiot. But was it always this loud?"
It had to be coming from the Bladewyns. He had seen Siena Askan ride one out just a few days earlier.
"My lord, go faster!"
"Hold on tight so you don't go flying!"
The Black Terrahole, already tearing down a gentle slope at full speed, launched into the air for a heartbeat. Every soldier's head tilted upward to follow it.
THUD!! SCREEECH!!
After a stylish drift that spun it full circle, the Black Terrahole came to a perfect stop in front of the gate.
Clap.
One of the guards on duty clapped before he even realized what he was doing.
Clap-clap-clap.
The rest of the men, equally dumbfounded, joined in with a round of applause.
Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap.
Even Racal, mouth hanging open, shook his head and brought his hands together.
Apparently pleased with their reaction, Ted Bladewyn flashed a grin and addressed Racal.
"In answer to His Grace the Grand Duke's summons, Ted Bladewyn of the Bladewyn family has come in person. Open the gate."
Racal snapped out of his daze and barked at his men.
"Open it already, you lot!"
"Yes, sir!"
Racal hurried down from the wall and offered a formal greeting.
"Racal, captain of the guard. I present myself before the head of House Bladewyn."
"It's been a while, Racal."
"Yes, Lord Ted."
"……"
"……"
Their eyes met for about three seconds of silence.
"…You looked like a hero out of legend, riding a flame demon."
"Hero, my foot. We'll meet again, Racal."
"Yes. Lady Siena Askan seems… unwell. Her face is a little flushed."
"Th-that's not it. Let's go, my lord."
"Very well."
The Black Terrahole roared to life again and tore through the streets of Eidras. It could not match the speeds it had reached outside the city, but even at a reduced pace it was more than enough to announce its presence to every resident of Eidras on the way to the ducal castle.
By the time they arrived, the Grand Duke of Mardin already knew of their coming and was ready to welcome them.
"You've had a long journey, Sir Ted."
"Not at all. The ride was more comfortable than I expected, Your Grace."
"Is that so? Hmph. I heard you arrived with Lady Siena."
"Ah—Lady Siena was dropped off at Vulkan along the way."
At that, the Grand Duke of Mardin threw his head back and laughed heartily.
"Hahahaha!! I hear Vulkan has been turned completely upside down because of it. Something rather entertaining happened at the Bladewyn estate, did it not?"
"Yes. I found it rather entertaining myself, for the first time in a long while."
"Since you arrived earlier than expected, would you care to tell me the story?"
"Gladly."