Chapter 54 - Communication with Remote Areas
Translator's Note: Let's start off the month with an additional chapter 😸
The magic communication line developed by My Friend was composed of a combination of known technologies. Reading the manual made it clear. It was just like the street performances by tricksters I had seen in the city during my childhood. Once you knew the trick, the logic became understandable.
Magic crystals conduct mana well. This was a known fact. It was also understood that no matter what shape the magic crystal took, its properties remained unchanged. Furthermore, magic crystals had qualities similar to glass. When a mass of magic crystal was heated with a heat source other than magical flames, it would glow red upon reaching a certain temperature, its hardness would significantly decrease, and it would become viscous—a highly viscous liquid form, to be precise.
The manual described that when heated in a crucible and turned into a highly viscous liquid, inserting a rod-shaped sintered magic crystal and slowly pulling it out would create a thread-like magic crystal. It was also noted that by carefully maintaining warmth to avoid rapid cooling and winding it onto a spool, a “considerable” length of magic crystal thread could be produced.
“Considerable”?
What a perfectly vague way to phrase it. Checking the inventory of the carriage containing some of the finished products, I found several spools of magic crystal thread and mana communication thread. The magic communication line was simply magic crystal thread coated with “mana-blocking paint” to prevent the attenuation of mana strength. That was all there was to its production. It was clear that it was solely composed of My Friend’s patents.
From My Friend’s research notes, its effectiveness was guaranteed, and communication was possible with a single line. The real challenge, however, lay in crossing and interweaving those lines into a network. Reflecting on this, I considered implementing this technology within the knightly family’s domain.
If the priority was to eliminate any hesitation in reporting incidents, and if I were to create the magic communication devices while the knightly family bore the cost of the magic batteries... By limiting the use case to specific purposes, overlapping calls could be avoided. A single line per village would suffice. As for installation, the guerilla unit—meaning me—would head to the villages at the edge of the forest. I could use earth magic to dig trenches, lay the magic communication line inside, and bury it. Nothing complicated about that. Connecting village to village would also make the installation of mana amplifiers easier. Thus, a single line could deliver information from multiple villages to the knightly family’s estate.
Hmm... this just might work.
As a test, I followed the manual’s method to produce magic crystal thread, then passed it through a bucket filled with mana-blocking paint to make mana communication thread. With a meticulously detailed manual, it was easy for someone with my Craftsman Skill.
The thickness of the thread varied depending on the speed at which it was wound, so I needed a mechanism to maintain a consistent winding speed. But using the motor I developed—which continuously grinds magic powder and crystal powder with a giant millstone—this posed no problem. I constructed the entire process of transforming magic crystals to mana communication threads as an uninterrupted workflow.
Indeed, the length varied depending on the magic crystal used. Although I hadn’t yet determined the exact cause, I was confident further research would shed light on the matter. Roughly 3,000 yalds of thread could be spun from one spool. According to the manual, by applying a single mana amplification rune per spool, an unlimited number of spools could be connected. This was something I had to try for myself.
It might be worth conducting some verification when the deployment orders came through. Until then, I decided to mass-produce spools of magic communication line and mana amplifiers in preparation.
――――
The disturbances in the Demonic Forest continued. Emergency reports from various locations, sightings of monsters, and abnormal activities of magical beasts in the shallow layers were relayed to the knightly family. It was our task, as the guerilla unit, to handle the initial response. We were sent on missions to various places. Many of these missions involved verifying the authenticity of the reports, often doubling as reconnaissance-in-force missions.
“Being tossed around by uncertain information is also our duty. Stay sharp.”
These were the days of “encouragement” I received from Father. Honestly, I didn’t mind being sent to these locations. It was far more meaningful than aimlessly patrolling our domain. Not only could I hear firsthand accounts from the locals, but it also helped with the installation of the magic communication line. In the villages at the edge of the forest, I spent my days setting up communication magitech tools at the homes of the local leaders.
At first, they looked at the communication magitech tool with suspicion. However, when I demonstrated an immediate conversation with a resting fifth-year soldier stationed at the Fortress, their eyes lit up with understanding.
For them, who deeply felt the threat to their peace from the dangers nearby, a magitech tool that could relay danger was directly tied to their safety.
Once a certain plan was in place, I realized I couldn’t operate it on my own discretion. It was, after all, just a draft proposal. I knew that if the knightly family deemed it unfit for use, it would be scrapped. With that in mind, I decided to return to the main estate to seek approval.
――― § ―――
In the office of the Eldest Brother of the knightly family, I discussed the operation of the communication magitech tool. I explained that it could consolidate information, assess importance and urgency, identify dangerous zones in the Demonic Forest, and even predict Stampedes. However, Eldest Brother’s expression remained stern.
“...I understand what you’re saying. But I’m not well-versed in magitech tools. You’re the one who’s already installed this... magic communication line all over the place, aren’t you? I agree that consolidating reports and centralizing information is useful, but it’s beyond my capacity. Wouldn’t it be more efficient for you to operate it, on the condition that you organize the information and pass it to Father and me?”
“But wouldn’t it be overstepping my authority within the knightly family if I were to decide what information to prioritize?”
“You’re also... a man of the knightly family. Everyone, not just within our family but also the main and guard forces, recognizes the contributions you’ve made as the commander of the guerilla unit. The casualty rate of the guerilla unit has been steadily declining since you took command. Even neighboring knightly families have been inquiring about you. If you make the call, it’s fine. Aim higher. The value of the guerilla unit in the initial response is becoming more precious than gems in the areas we oversee.”
“Your words... are gratifying, but... the weight of this responsibility fills me with trepidation.”
“‘Take it on. Contribute to peace.’ ...That’s what Father would say. You’re being relied upon. Since the incident with Granduncle, Father has seen in you the spirit of a frontier man. Perhaps he even sensed the soul inherited from our ancestors. As a knightly family, we must never lose our resolute attitude and high pride. He’s reaffirmed that... though he’s not one to say it out loud—he’s not the most articulate. I believe your efforts will never betray his expectations.”
“Eldest Brother... I understand. I will take charge of consolidating the information from the edge of the forest. I accept the responsibility of selecting and managing the reports with a renewed sense of duty.”
“I’m counting on you. Though, this is also a decision based on the knightly family’s financial situation. Sending messengers from the distant edge of the forest is costly. There’s a limit to how often the communication soldiers of the main force can patrol. If there’s a viable alternative, we have no choice but to use it. My dear younger brother has grown in the royal capital and become even stronger in the frontier. I have high hopes for you.”
“Your words are most kind. Brother... am I truly being of use?”
“Without your command, the guerilla unit would hardly function now, would it? We’re counting on you.”
“As you wish.”
Since I was relying on my vanished Friend’s power, it wasn’t truly my own strength... But now that I had been appointed, I resolved to give it my all. I returned to the Fortress and consulted with Old Man. The sergeant major also joined us, and after much deliberation, we decided to set up a dedicated room in the Fortress.
The mana communication threads we had laid out in the distant villages and towns were originally planned to be consolidated at the Fortress and then connected to the main estate in the town. However, it was decided that we would build the necessary facility here in the Fortress. Neither Old Man nor the sergeant major were particularly knowledgeable about magitech tools. I didn’t mind explaining, but conveying the details to those without prior knowledge proved difficult.
Therefore, the only way was to create a physical prototype, assign personnel, and demonstrate its operation to show its usefulness. And so, the earnest effort to make this happen began. I also enlisted the help of local magitech craftsmen. My childhood friend had already become a master craftsman, so I asked for his cooperation.
“It’s your request. I can’t promise the impossible, but I’ll help as much as I can.”
His words brought me great joy.
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