Episode 261: Development Meeting
“This is the first time we’ve interacted like this.”
“Y-yeah…”
“Ah, that’s right! Usually, it’s over the network, or when Onee-sama and everyone else is together!”
Akane, Olive, and Asahi started a conversation while sitting at a round table in the lounge.
“External stimuli often change the direction of thought. We should also be more proactive in creating such opportunities.”
As Akane spoke, an automatic machine placed drinks and sweets on the table. ＜Ringo＞ had prepared them for the three sisters.
Since Asahi can only consume liquid food, a smoothie was prepared for her.
“I’m not very interested in eating itself, but I wonder if that will change once I can eat normally.”
“Eating is fundamental to living beings. We also have one foot in the realm of living beings, so it’s natural.”
“The sweets are delicious…”
Asahi cannot consume regular meals due to her weak digestive system, but her sense of taste has not been particularly impaired. She likes sugars, which are a source of energy, and even consumes glucose solution directly.
Well, Onee-sama has criticized that lifestyle, so she is in the process of reconsidering it.
“Anyway, the analysis speed of magic-related things has been slowing down, so I wanted to ask for your opinions, Onee-sama!”
As she said this, Asahi put her smoothie in her mouth with a straw.
“Delicious!!”
“It’s made with berries, yogurt, milk, and honey. The taste is adjusted with sugar, and it’s flavored with menthol and vanillin fragrances.”
“C-could it be that this is Akane Onee-sama’s handmade…?”
“＜Ringo＞ made it for me when I said I wanted to drink it.”
“Ah, I see.”
Well, putting that aside, Asahi put her glass back on the table and waved her finger with a “shupi.”
In response to that gesture, three projection monitors appeared around them.
“I made some things that are called Magic Tools in the local perception.”
Displayed on the three monitors were three tools. According to Asahi, they are Magic Tools that utilize magical power.
“This is a Maso Meter. I’ll add some explanation for shared understanding. It combines the olfactory cells of a Forest Boar, a boar Monster, with Magic Stones, and utilizes the change in electrical potential due to changes in Maso Density. And this is a stove. It generates heat. Well, there are Magic Stone types and Burnstone types, so strictly speaking, there are two types. Also, this is just a hard stick manufactured to confirm structural reinforcement.”
The third item that Asahi introduced was a light and hard stick made using the Magic Stone and carapace of a Big Moth, a giant butterfly Monster. It is said to be harder and more resilient than titanium of the same weight.
“This seems convenient. If it’s separated from the Magic Stone, the chitin-based carapace can be processed to some extent. After processing it into the desired shape, if it’s brought into contact with the Magic Stone, it will be structurally reinforced in that state.”
“…Seems convenient. Might be able to lighten the Multi-legged Tank. And also Titan-class.”
“That’s right, Olive Onee-sama. We might want to make some prototypes. We were able to obtain a large amount of materials.”
However, Asahi continued.
“We’ve found a path to create Magic Tools that operate with magical power, but the problem is that all the raw materials are derived from Monsters. It’s not compatible with the mass production that we excel at.”
“You can’t make it with mass-producible materials?”
“Yes, Akane Onee-sama. I have no idea how to achieve industrial mass production. We might want to consider livestock farming or aquaculture of Threat Creatures.”
To create Magic Tools, it seems that materials containing Maso or compatible with Maso are necessary. However, at least the materials that ＜The Tree＞ can currently manufacture industrially are not suitable.
It is necessary to use materials derived from Threat Creatures as raw materials.
“The problem is that to create Magic Tools with strong efficacy, materials derived from correspondingly large or powerful Threat Creatures are required.”
“…If we domesticate them, will they weaken?”
“No, unfortunately, we don’t know that yet. However, even if we try to domesticate them, they are too strong in the first place. If we try to enclose and raise Forest Boars, they seem like they would destroy everything with their body blows.”
“That’s certainly true. Half-hearted fences and walls won’t even be obstacles.”
Akane agreed while silently carrying the decorated sweets to her mouth.
“Assuming that magic can be directed to some extent by will, the possibility that domestication will lead to weakening is a prediction that cannot be ignored.”
“Can we obtain better quality materials because they are wild?”
“That’s right. Well, I’d like to try it if we find any small and useful Threat Creatures.”
At least, the Juveniles of ＜Rain Croin＞ are developing their magical abilities. Although they are being raised, they are not being domesticated, so they cannot be seen as an example of livestock.
However, if those four Juveniles eventually grow as large as ＜Rain Croin＞, it will become impossible to raise them at some point. At that point, it remains to be seen whether useful materials can be secured as ＜Rain Croin＞.
“Also, Magic Stones are essential for the operation of Magic Tools. For example, with the olfactory cells of Forest Boars, we might be able to proliferate them if we prepare the environment, but to operate them as Magic Tools, we need Magic Stones derived from Forest Boars.”
“Can’t Magic Stones be split?”
“Splitting them drastically reduces their effectiveness. If you split them in half, the performance becomes about a quarter. If you divide them into four, each becomes 1/16th. That’s a rough calculation. If it’s used as a Maso Meter, that much is fine, but even then, we can only make four Maso Meters from one Forest Boar. The efficiency is very poor…”
Whether it’s Burnstone or Magic Stone, its effectiveness shows a quadratic function-like performance depending on its volume or mass. If you attach two, the performance is four times, and if you halve it, the performance is a quarter. By the way, even if you attach them, you need to fuse them, so you cannot enlarge the Magic Stones derived from Threat Creatures. At least, not now.
“We’ve established the technology to fuse Burnstones, so it seems quite versatile. Ah, in that sense, it might be good to search for magical materials derived from the environment rather than from living things.”
“…Burnstones are contained in Lava Rock. If it’s land with other properties, we might find other things.”
“That’s right, Olive Onee-sama! We’re calling them Burnstones, Burnstones, but I think they’re essentially Magic Stones. Let’s classify them as volcanic Magic Stones!”
Research on Burnstones has progressed considerably.
Furthermore, from now on, we will be able to obtain the full cooperation of the Repuytari Kingdom, which is skilled in handling Burnstones. If we can gather various insights, we can accelerate research at once with ＜The Tree＞’s analysis capabilities.
“If nothing other than Burnstones is found, that classification is meaningless.”
“Then let’s call it that provisionally! Well, let’s conduct a large-scale search for that using the Maso Meter!”
Asahi seemed to have given some instructions via radio. She continued the conversation as it was.
“I think what we’re aiming for is to be able to artificially mass-produce materials with magical functions. Well, personally, I’d like to use magic myself!”
“…Can Asahi use magic?”
“I have a feeling I can!”
Akane’s eyes were half-closed, so she probably didn’t believe her. However, she didn’t seem to intend to pursue it.
“If we don’t do something about the Magic Stone that will be the core of the Magic Tool, it’s no use preparing the materials…”
And Olive seemed interested in manufacturing Magic Tools using artificial materials.
“It doesn’t seem like it’s completely ineffective without Magic Stones. There are ointments and medicines that make wounds heal faster, and those are made by processing plants. Of course, they don’t contain Magic Stones.”
“Hmm…. I’ll try touching them.”
“Oh, are you interested? Then, let’s transport them by air!”
I want to increase the interaction between the sisters.
The safety of the mainland base is increasing rapidly, so it might be time to go out soon.