Volume 4 Chapter 62-2 Blueprint Of A New Weapon
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Indeed, if it’s a cannon, it might be able to repay that Sea Serpent with one shot.
A ship-mounted cannon. If its range and power surpass our current weapons, it’s a valid choice. The strategy of a surprise bombardment from a Love Hotel also enters the picture.
But the question is, does such a cannon exist?
Currently, this ship has no cannon mounted. The motel function can repair existing equipment, but it cannot create something from scratch.
In other words, to use a cannon, I must either obtain one myself or make it.
* * *
Lifia and I were walking through the backstreets of the town.
”No problem, there’s no one paying attention to us.”
”Alright, shall we go?”
Lifia is using her perception magic to scan the people around us. It seems no one is monitoring us. Then there’s no issue.
We head towards our destination.
It’s further into the artisan district. We step off the well-maintained street and into a sparsely populated back alley. The sunlight is poor, and moss grows in the gaps between the cobblestones. It has an atmosphere reminiscent of a slum.
Soon, our destination comes into view. It’s a workshop with a dilapidated exterior, resembling an abandoned building. The walls are cracked, and the wooden sign looks like it could fall at any moment. But inside, there’s a man with sure hands.
”Hey, old man! Are you there?”
I call out from the entrance, but there’s no immediate reply. That’s typical, though.
This shop rarely gets customers. More accurately, he chooses his customers. I was confused when I first came.
Now I’m used to it. I push open the door and step into the back of the workshop.
”I’m coming in.”
It might seem impolite, but I’ve been here many times. There’s no point in being cautious now. Plus, there’s a risk of being seen near the entrance.
”What’s up, Taro? You didn’t take off somewhere, did you? And… what’s with that outfit? You even dressed up the little lady.”
Emerging from behind a pile of rusted metal is a small, dwarf-like old man, Beckus. Though he doesn’t look it, he’s a renowned blacksmith. If it’s a sword, there’s no one who doesn’t know him.
He blinked upon seeing our appearance.
That reaction was understandable.
I was wearing plain town clothes and a brown wig.
Lifia also was not in her usual maid outfit.
She wore a subdued dress, with a wig and hat.
She hid her blonde hair and elf ears, trying not to stand out.
She looked like an ordinary town girl.
”Right now, I’m sort of wanted, or at least suspected. I don’t want to be seen much. Please let me in.”
When I said that, Beckus snorted but led me to the back workshop.
The reason was simple.
There was a chance the country ordered the military to conscript me.
I might be drafted to war against my will.
So, I vanished and made it seem like I left this town.
But this time, I really needed to talk about something important.
That’s why I hid and came back like this.
Beckus, this small dwarf blacksmith, is stubborn and hard to please.
But he is skilled.
He rarely takes on ordinary jobs.
But if I bring him booze and metals from the “Love Hotel,” he agrees.
”Fine, but did you bring some interesting job again?”
The old man squinted and smiled slyly.
”Yeah, I want to ask you about this.”
I took a rolled-up piece of paper from my pocket and spread it on the table.
It was a design drawing of a cannon, created by Sailor Brownie.
Brownie is talented enough to draw plans.
The design is detailed and practical.
Unfortunately, he apparently couldn’t make it in real life yet.
”Hey, Taro, is this… a cannon?”
Beckus widened his eyes after seeing the plans at a glance.
”Are you planning to start a war alone?”
”Not at all.”
I said, shrugging with a wry smile.
”I have no guts to fight the military.”
”Then, what are you going to use this for?”
”Of course, monsters. There are strong enemies in the dungeon.”
Beckus crossed his arms and looked back and forth between the plans and me.
”Hmm, monsters. That I understand. But I hope you’re not planning to use it in the town or street?”
”Of course. I intend to stay within common sense.”
When I answered seriously, Beckus sniffed.
”Well, I don’t pick work based on common sense either. So, about this blueprint, can you get the materials ready?”
”Yes, I brought what I could.”
I nodded and patted the magic bag.
Inside, there are rare metals and magic stones collected over the past few days from the dungeon.
All are hard-to-find materials in the normal market. Brownie, the sailor, clearly explained what I needed.
We moved to the back of the workshop, to the materials storage.
When I took out items from the open bag, Beckus’s eyes narrowed.
”Hmm…”
Sharp, craftsman’s eyes assess the quality of the materials.
”I see. You brought good stuff. I can manage the missing parts here. But, well…”
Beckus toyed with the blueprint and lowered his voice a little.
”A cannon, huh. More like a weapon than a tool. And at that size, I can’t do it alone. I’ll have to call my apprentice.”
That means information might leak.
But I shook my head without hesitation.
”Nothing I can do about it. I trust your apprentice, old man.”
Honestly, I am the one asking for too much. I should show some sincerity.
Then I lined up the reward on the table.
High-quality sake and beer from the Love Hotel, stainless and aluminum products, and cash──since I couldn’t withdraw that, I brought jewelry instead.
These items were way above market prices.
Beckus glanced at it and then softly chuckled.
”Really, you always bring things that make a blacksmith’s blood boil…”
His face looked somewhat amused, like an old craftsman enjoying himself.
After that, Beckus and I discussed details about delivery time and specifications, and I officially placed the order.
Then we left the workshop. Lifia quietly bowed to Beckus and followed me.
Stepping outside, the air felt even colder. But inside my heart, I burned hot.
Now, I had a new card to play.
Guardian sea serpent’s defeat is only a matter of time.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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