Chapter 778
Episode 191: Pioneers of the Era (2)
“Recording and storage, huh… If we could turn this into the Union’s technology, then maybe every knight in the Union could fight like a magic swordsman. Even without the mana level of a first-rank mage, they’d just need to use the stored magic at the right moment.”
Valeria’s words from the Maliet heritage site echoed in Jin’s mind.
From the moment Jin and Valeria confirmed the existence of the ‘storage paper,’ they had already decided how to put it to use.
“A magic knight unit…?”
When his comrades asked, puzzled, Jin pulled out a sheet of storage paper and explained.
“Wow, so storage paper is basically a portable, recorded magic circle activated through recording magic? The academy has been researching this for centuries, yet it was already perfected long ago? At this rate, mages like me might find ourselves with fewer roles to play…”
“The current limit of storage paper is effectively eighth-rank magic. Even then, the highest-grade storage paper is so expensive it’s not cost-effective.”
{[That’s correct. However, if you disregard investment costs and production time, tenth-rank magic can also be stored.]}
Even when the Union’s finances were at their peak, producing storage paper for tenth-rank magic was a heavy burden. Now, with funds tight, it was out of the question.
“Given the Union’s current situation, making even one or two tenth-rank sheets is the limit. But it’s worth pushing for a few in special cases.”
The key was that producing storage paper for seventh-rank magic and below posed no problem. Though the world’s strongest overshadowed this fact, seventh-rank magic was still firmly in the realm of experts by general standards.
War isn’t fought only by transcendent beings. The quality and scale of forces matter just as much as the number of superhumans. Storage paper would instantly raise the quality of troops. With applicants flooding into Runcandel nonstop, the scale was steadily growing.
“If we just had a little more time, we could start to catch up to the troop sizes of Ziphl and Kinzello. Until we’re fully ready, I have to keep them from moving recklessly.”
Kinzello was continuously adding new demons, and Ziphl was creating magic swordsman bio-golems.
To close that gap and surpass them, every element they were preparing now had to be completed safely.
“Anyway, once storage paper becomes commercially available, it’ll be a huge advantage for knights over pure mages.”
“Enya, why do you think only knights would use storage paper? If mages use it too, they’d become simultaneous casting users. Those users would benefit from the effects of multi-casting.”
Valeria spoke.
A mage capable of simultaneous casting usually outperforms knights of the same rank in combat power. So storage paper would be a great boon not only to knights but also to mages.
“Oh, that’s true.”
{[Drin, storage paper total: three thousand sheets. If you build a production workshop, you can quickly increase output.]}
Naturally, producing storage paper required recording magic.
That meant even busier days ahead for Valeria and Luet, who were already swamped.
“We’ll build the storage paper workshop in the Garden of Swords. Jet, get the Red Owl ready. We need to head straight to Runcandel and inform the harvesters.”
“Yes, my lord!”
{[Everyone!]}
“Speak, Lord Zen.”
{[I want to talk with my descendants like Teven does. Bring them here. That one’s a junior engineer, right? Though I may be senile, there’s plenty of knowledge I can pass on.]}
As soon as Sayel heard the voice of his ancestor, he was overwhelmed with emotion and burst into tears.
{[Teven’s descendants seem incredibly sharp, but mine are such crybabies. Tch! Stop crying. Lord Zen will turn you into a top-tier engineer.]}
“Sniff, understood, ancestor.”
“Thank you, Sayel Rutber. The technology you’ve given us is priceless. Name your reward.”
“I only wish to work as a researcher for the Bamel Union… But if you insist, a monthly research fund of a thousand gold coins, membership to the Biment Academy seminars, and payment for premium lodging during those times would suffice.”
His request was blunt and specific, yet modest. Everything he asked for was research-related.
“You’ll live a life free from worries about research funds or support. If you need anything else, just ask.”
The historic first communication ended with the conversation between Zen and Sayel. There would be many more communications in the future, so there was no need to feel sentimental.
“Now, we have two communication devices left. One will stay here in Tikan, the other in Runcandel. The next devices will be installed in the Empire, then the Secret Palace and the Holy Kingdom, and finally on the Blacksmith’s Island.”
All were key hubs of the Bamel Union. If these regions could maintain 24-hour organic communication, information loss or delays would be a thing of the past. Plus, manpower for information delivery could be reduced.
“Dr. Quall, how long will it take to produce additional communication devices?”
“If the key material, blue diamond, is supplied smoothly, about a month per device should be enough.”
Blue diamond was an extremely rare mineral, but both Runcandel and Tikan had small reserves.
“Dr. Quall, have Luce take over all construction site tasks as soon as possible. He should focus solely on communication devices and golem production.”
“Understood. But it will take time. You know how stubborn he is. It’s a process for enthusiastic youngsters to learn to be cautious. Still, the next communication device will be ready within a month, so don’t worry.”
“If possible, also look into making the communication devices portable rather than fixed.”
“Of course. Go now. Report any progress on construction or tech development immediately.”
Bamel Union, City of Karon.
Luet smiled brightly as she listened to the information and harvest reports Jin brought. The riders, stewards, and scribes around her clapped in celebration, though all looked exhausted.
“By the way, everyone looks like they need some rest, steward chief.”
“Is that so? But Lady Sogaju, flowers that bloom after adversity are the most beautiful. Other families might allow rest now, but this is Runcandel.”
“Then so be it.”
“Of course, if it’s an order, we’ll comply.”
“I trust the steward chief to manage things well.”
Jin inwardly felt relieved that Luet wasn’t his superior, while the others silently clenched their teeth, holding back tears.
“Thank you. Lady Sogaju, you’ve brought us such groundbreaking items with great difficulty. How could we, your subordinates, rest? Haha, even though we’re tired, our work is getting sharper.”
Jin hadn’t struggled at all on Honka Island. In fact, he felt a twinge of guilt for spending so much time with Valeria.
“Communication devices… They’ll be used in many places. Once distributed to all Union hubs, it’d be great if Lady Sogaju and the riders could each carry one. If Dr. Quall can improve them that way.”
Luet’s gaze landed on the storage paper.
Seeing it brought back bittersweet memories of the old days when the magic swordsman family ruled Runcandel.
“Making storage paper isn’t that difficult. Up to seventh-rank, it doesn’t require much resources. If Valeria and I cut down on sleep, we can manage the supply somehow. It won’t be enough for all senior knights to fire them off whenever they want, though.”
Luet furrowed her brow thoughtfully before adding:
“But it’s inefficient for Valeria and me to focus solely on making storage paper. If we refine the recording magic needed for production, I think my younger brother and the children of the Wantaramo Forest could help.”
Jin and Valeria’s eyes widened at Luet’s suggestion.
The ‘Gaewangju’ made by the fairy descendants was essentially a branch of recording magic. Though inferior to pure recording magic, their abilities were very similar in nature.
“If mass production becomes possible, that would be ideal.”
“First, the three thousand sheets brought from the heritage site will be distributed only to the top-tier knights. Future production will go to those who stand out among current knights and cadets.”
“Do you have specific candidates in mind?”
“Yes. Soon, I’ll prepare so Lady Sogaju can personally inspect them.”
“But steward chief, is there a special reason to give storage paper only to the top knights? It seems like a very useful item for the other riders, too.”
“Oh, I was so caught up in the good news that I delayed the report. Riders of the 7th and 11th units, come forward and show Lady Sogaju your recent achievements.”
Merry and Heitona.
Both looked especially gaunt compared to others in the steward chief’s office. Jin watched them with sympathy.
They extended their right hands toward Jin.
On their palms, flames and cold waves flickered respectively.
‘…Magic!?’
Jin already knew that as Ziphl’s historical manipulation weakened, the brothers’ mana was awakening.
But he never imagined their power had grown this much already.
Seeing Jin’s astonishment, Luet smiled wryly and said,
“I’ve been helping the newer recruits regain their magical abilities and teaching them magic lately. As you can see, the results are coming along quite quickly.”