kscans

Chapter 227 - Episode 19: The Insecticidal Lamp

Outside, winter was about to crest its peak. In my past life, it would be around the new year. The Royal Capital rarely sees snow, but even so, the cold had grown harsh. It was the season when one would normally start longing for spring.

Of course, I wished winter would last forever. The magical ice age, too. Six months left until the calamity... no, it might be as little as four. There was too much to do in the time remaining, and all of it was filled with uncertainty. My only solace was that the project I had given top priority was making progress.

I looked at the bowl-shaped device placed in the center of the director's office. A large bowl, an improved version of the antenna, was on the bottom, with a smaller bowl on top. Between them was an instrument that could adjust their vertical and horizontal positions. Inside this instrument, a Crimson Magic Crystal and a Negative Magic Crystal processed into a flat plate were set a certain distance apart.

"Shall we begin?"

When Fulsy turned a screw on the central instrument, the two Magic Crystals gradually drew closer. The moment they touched, a purple magic was generated. This magic reflected off the upper and lower curved surfaces, rising toward the ceiling.

It was like the insecticidal lamps from my previous life that used ultraviolet light to attract bugs. The only problem was that while this could attract them, it had no means of killing them. After all, it was the enemy that used electric shocks.

As our strategy dictated, we had no choice but to rely on learning as we went. Of course, Noel was still working with Maytyl to improve the efficiency of the sorcery circuits on both the hardware and software fronts. The Spiraling Flame was slated for another power-up. I just hoped that would be enough.

No, I needed to focus on this for now. If we could complete this device, we could prevent the worst-case scenario where Magic Insects attack all locations in both nations simultaneously. We could figure out how to exterminate them then.

"This took shape faster than I expected."

I suppressed my impatience and stated the fact.

"It is an application of the antenna we already had. As long as we can use purple magic stably, it is just a matter of adjustment. Well, this is just the first prototype."

Fulsy said this while stroking his beard. He looked like a kind old man enjoying a retirement hobby. He probably was enjoying himself, but I knew the light in this room had been on late almost every night.

Once we realized that the purple magic was caused not by the Negative Magic Crystal itself but by Magic Particle Movement, things had gone smoothly. The deciding factor was whether the Magic Particles, the "magic" equivalent of charged particles, would flow obediently between the two crystals.

It was an amateur's guess, but I figured that when the Magic Particles flowed from the Magic Crystal to the Negative Magic Crystal, collisions between particles disrupted the flow, causing the irregular generation of magic. It was like a large crowd of people rushing toward a narrow entrance over uneven ground.

By increasing the surface area and pressing them tightly together, the Magic Particles could move smoothly. As a result, the wavelength of the emitted magic became constant. The markedly cleaner magic produced also led us to realize that Negative Magic Crystals likely had different levels of purity.

But once we confirmed the principle, a problem of application arose.

"Has it already gone out?" Fulsy said. The light from the generator had vanished in an instant.

"For the use you envision, this will not do."

"The duration is an issue, of course, but the output is likely insufficient as well."

This device had to compete with the Magic Vents in the magic veins to attract the Magic Insects. It had the advantage of distance, but it was essentially a race against a natural phenomenon.

"Control is also difficult. I can manage something like this, though."

Fulsy created a tiny gap between the two Magic Crystals. He then placed his finger on a new Crimson Magic Crystal. As Fulsy poured his strength into it, Magic Particles flowed across the small distance.

"Ooh."

I see. A sorcerer could control it by applying pressure to the Magic Particles.

"However, once it starts flowing, it will not stop."

Even when Fulsy removed his finger, the light did not go out.

"Can you not consciously move the Magic Particles in the opposite direction to stop the flow?"

"Do not ask the impossible. This is a truly delicate adjustment. To begin with, I only just came to understand the very principle of how these Magic Particles generate magic inside a Magic Crystal from your explanation the other day. Though now that you mention it, the theory fits so perfectly there is no other way to think of it."

Fulsy said, exasperated. In my past life, this was on the same level as a miniature light bulb lighting up, high school knowledge at least. Well, I suppose it was a monumental discovery at the time it was first found, even in my past life.

"The spread of the magic is also a far cry from what you desire."

Indeed, from what I just saw, the pillar of light rose far too straight.

"Adjusting the shape of the lower antenna should change it somewhat, but it is difficult."

Magic, to begin with, has a stronger tendency to travel in a straight line than light. On top of that, it passes through basic materials. This meant reflecting it was inevitably a challenge. A slight change in angle could cause it to pass through the antenna or be absorbed by the sorcerous metal that comprised it. That we had come this far in such a short time was a testament to Fulsy's decades of experience.

I had always left all the radar-related matters to him, so I had never realized.

"Output, efficiency, and control of the on, off, and range..."

"Which do you prioritize?"

Fulsy asked me. If the technology was first-rate, it was the responsibility of the one making the request to utilize it. But what should I do? These things usually had a trade-off relationship. Prioritizing output would lower cost-effectiveness, for example.

No, that was thinking of it as a purely physical phenomenon. This time, there was an "opponent." I had to consider the customer's ecology.

"The spread of the magic, I'd say."

"What is your reason?"

"The magic from the Magic Vents is also highly linear, isn't it? But the Magic Insects sense it from far away and gather."

"I see. So they can detect it even if it is extremely faint. In that case, as long as we can radiate it widely, even with a certain level of output, the effect of attracting them will be significant."

"Exactly. We spread it out as wide as possible in concentric circles. Ideally, we would also improve control and generate it in pulses. Even with low output, we can disguise it as an attractive source of magic for the Magic Insects."

It was a fraudulent business practice, but we did not need repeat customers. We were luring them in to kill them.

"Hmm. Very well, with that in mind, I will look into a Magic Catalyst to coat the antenna with. Come with me. I have a few things in mind."

Fulsy stood up. Honestly, as a director, his only merit was not getting in his subordinates' way, but when you put him in his area of expertise, he was truly reliable.

He possessed a high degree of expertise himself, yet he allowed his subordinates to exercise their skills freely. Wait, could he possibly be the best kind of research director?

◇◇

The Magic Catalysts were stored next to the biology lab in the new wing. I followed Fulsy, walking nervously down the corridor. The staff on loan from the Magic Dormitory scrambled to clear a path, placing hands over their chests and bowing their heads. They did the same for me, a man who looked like a commoner and was, in fact, a commoner with no deceptive elements.

It was because Noel had intimidated them. The fact that Fulsy was next to me was likely another reason. Even the great sage looked uncomfortable.

When we entered the room, I saw Dalgan and Rilka talking with Alfina. Maytyl was in the back, testing Magic Catalysts.

"Ricardo-kun. Should I perhaps move away?"

Alfina took a step toward me, a sad expression on her face.

"No, it's fine for now."

I said hastily, feeling the sharp gazes of Dalgan and Rilka on me.

"I see. In that case, there's something about the Magic Catalyst cultivation."

Alfina approached, several memos in hand. Fulsy, telling me he was leaving it to me, headed to the back of the room.

"Dalgan-san is helping me adjust the culture medium, and Plural-san has lent her expertise in keeping the culture substrate at a constant temperature."

Alfina gave her report on the Magic Catalysts. It was well-organized, I thought. It was easy for the listener to understand in a short time, and she also had a grasp of the procurement system itself and the status of each company.

"I've been listening from the side. For a princess, you really know your money," Maytyl said, sounding impressed. Weren't you also one of those princesses? Though I know things are different in the Empire.

"I am a shareholder in the Vinder Company, after all."

Alfina puffed out her chest with a hint of pride. Even when she puffed it out, compared to the normal-sized Maytyl...

"Hmm. I'm a little interested in that 'Stocks' system. Would you care to teach an ignorant foreigner about it?"

Maytyl's eyes gleamed. Alfina looked a bit troubled but began to explain fluently. Maytyl nodded along as she listened. No need for me to step in here.

"Don't tell me you know a lot about money too, Ricardo?"

Maytyl said with a look of surprise. Her words sounded like nothing but a taunt.

"I'm a one hundred percent pure merchant."

"That's right. Ricardo-kun is the number one merchant in the kingdom."

"No, you're wrong. He's the world's number one magic researcher."

I wanted to say they were both wrong. I was just an ordinary person with an advantage thanks to my past life's knowledge.

"Well, whatever. I want to invest, too. Ricardo, sell me the rights to the Vinder Company."

We do not engage in human trafficking...

"Th, that is... w, we have no plans to issue new shares right now, do we?"

Alfina looked at me as if seeking rescue.

"The request is denied, as I can't possibly handle the distribution of ownership with a foreign country."

The current stock system is an illusion forcibly brought into existence by the authority of the greatest noble, Euphillia. That much had not changed. Some legal framework for it might progress in connection with the new conversion city bonds, but that was a matter for the future.

"Well then, that New City Bond thing is fine too. My investment would surely help build confidence in the new city's future, right?"

Maytyl said. The Empire probably did not have the leeway to invest in bonds. Still, if the Imperial Princess invested, even a limited amount, it would have great symbolic meaning. Especially for those who were skeptical about expanding trade with the Empire.

"I'll have to consider it. But..."

I looked at Central Garden, who were, so to speak, the primary dealers for the bonds.

"It's not something we can decide on our own."

I would have to consult with Euphillia and run it by the Chancellor's Office. Another necessary task added to my plate.

"Speaking of which, Dalgan-senpai. Is Plural-senpai not here?"

"We are not a set. She's completely absorbed with the cacaulus that Vinder brought back."

That made sense. As usual, I had pretty much just dumped it on them.

"In terms of growth rate, if not scale, Plural is at the top of Central Garden. Imagine her, serving sweets no one has ever tasted while talking about the profits of new trade with the Empire. That would be effective, wouldn't it?"

That would certainly have an impact. A chocolate with a higher cacao content for a male audience might be even more effective. The cost would jump, but the amount of sugar used would decrease, and even a single piece as a sample would be effective.

"By the way, I was told I'm invited tomorrow, too."

Fulsy finished his work selecting Magic Catalysts. As we were about to return to the old wing, which I called that in the hopes it would remain peaceful despite its official name being the main wing, Maytyl called out to stop me. Alfina looked at us with concern.

"Ah, of course. The director and I will be there too."

"I, I will attend as well," Alfina said.

Craig was finally returning to the country. From what I heard, everyone had made it back safely. Of course, that did not include Fabius and the others who were still making maps.

I was truly relieved that they had returned unharmed. What's more, Craig had apparently encountered what seemed to be the adult form of that Magic Insect. Tomorrow, we were scheduled to hear that crucial information.