kscans

Chapter 72 - Chapter 9: Part One - The Starting Line

Fortunately, it was a clear day.

On the plains spreading out from the Royal Capital's main gate, over thirty carriages were arranged in an arc. A great number of people bustled around them, and the city walls above were packed with spectators.

The day had come for the start of what had essentially become a long-distance endurance carriage race.

Among the participating vehicles, two groups positioned at either end of the arc stood out. On the left and right, two sets of six two-horse carriages were separated, similar not only in size but also in shape. However, as the morning sun shone down, the two factions gave off completely different impressions.

To the left of the main gate, six brand new carriages gleamed, reflecting the sunlight. To the right, however, were used carriages, their surfaces dull with scratches and dirt.

The shiny carriages bore a crest of a blue circle enclosing a square on a white field. Flying over the tarnished carriages was a banner depicting a wildcat on a black field.

Knights wearing their respective crests surrounded each group of carriages. Although the distance between them now dissipated it, just moments before, a palpable tension had crackled between the two sides. To be more precise, the new-carriage group had been blatantly pointing at the used ones. The commotion quieted down, as expected, when the prince made his appearance.

Apparently, the First Knight Order had been provided with new carriages by the Carriage Guild at a bargain price. Peeking out from the undercarriages of the new vehicles were leaf springs. The front of the carriage boxes were also slightly sloped.

It's one thing to incorporate high-end specifications into military equipment, which is all about practicality. But that slope is probably for air resistance, right? Wouldn't that reduce comfort and durability? Either way, this isn't technology that could be prepared overnight. Does that mean they already had it but just weren't using it?

In any case, it meant their sponsor had really splurged. Well, as long as they competed fairly, I didn't mind that at all.

Between the two imposing groups of knights were carriages of various colors and shapes. These were, so to speak, the general participants, carriages from various merchant companies. It was impressive that nearly twenty had gathered, despite the last-minute announcement. And that was after a few had already dropped out.

The official reason was that in times of crisis, private merchant companies might also be called upon to cooperate. Participating companies would receive a subsidy based on their final ranking.

Near the center, I could see a carriage bearing the Kenwell mark. Jean-senpai had wanted to participate as the representative for Central Garden. The other companies, as one would expect, didn't have the manpower to handle both this and the trade fair. Flanking the Kenwell carriage were a few other strangely new-looking vehicles.

Every carriage was fitted with a metal plate, on which a number and a frame of four squares were embossed. Getting those ready had been a real pain.

I looked up at the Kurtheite crest fluttering from the gatehouse extending out from the city wall above the main gate. Seeing the rose crest displayed alongside it, it seemed the older brother had come to watch his younger brother's exploits. He was the very source of all this trouble.

From the left and right factions, one carriage each drove out and met in the center. When a knight stood up from the well-worn carriage, a cheer erupted from the city walls. It was the hero prince's entrance.

Standing up from the brand new carriage was a stern, large man. He was apparently one of the First Knight Order's captains and also the head of a viscount house.

"This exercise is to allow the Knight Order to swiftly respond to the monster hordes that threaten the kingdom..."

Craig began to explain the significance of the exercise. First, he recounted the recent monster flood in the west, establishing the background that the kingdom now needed to prepare for monster floods in both the east and west.

Next was the scenario for the current training. Signs of monster floods had appeared in both the east and west simultaneously, with one being a medium scale flood. The Knight Order would first strike the medium flood with all its might, then turn right around to subjugate the flood in the west. Designating one as medium scale was the justification for the First Knight Order to lend its strength as well.

For a military operation that circles the entire kingdom, the bottleneck would naturally be the baggage train. That, he explained, was precisely why the Knight Order was conducting an exercise to strengthen its transport capabilities.

The reason merchants were participating was the pretext that private citizens were also cooperating to supplement the insufficient transport capacity. It was a beautiful story if you didn't know the background. A pretext's power lies in its beauty. At least, until it crashes into reality.

The crowd fell silent for a moment at the scenario of a kingdom pincered by monster hordes. But they erupted into cheers at Craig's powerful declaration, "Even if monster floods occur in the east and west simultaneously, the Monster Knights will prove they have the strength to protect the people of this kingdom."

On Craig's command, white cloths were tied to three of the Monster Knights' six carriages. The carriages with the white cloths were the improved models equipped with ball bearings. Those without were the conventional models.

It was a benchmark, a clear way for the spectators to understand how superior the improved carriages were.

"He's certainly used to the big stage. A world apart from me."

A lone carriage was parked some distance away. I murmured from its window. I almost felt like adding a narrator's voiceover, "And there stood the pitiful commoner, caught in the middle of the knightly orders' proxy war."

"What are you talking about, you're the one who caused this clash between the knights. I had a terrible time because of your request, you know."

Noel's voice came from inside the carriage.

"I can't quite agree with being called the one who caused it, but I am grateful for the number plates."

"Are you really. I get the feeling you think you can use alchemists for cheap..."

"I brought you the French toast like I promised, didn't I. Apprentice."

I said, pulling my head back inside the carriage.

"W, well, that was delicious, but... I was helping the Sage at the same time, so it was really tough."

The plates fixed to the carriages were all thanks to Noel.

"Young Master. You should use more proper language with a girl."

A voice called down from the driver's seat. A woman with short, indigo hair and somewhat sharp eyes turned to admonish me. It was Remi, who, like Jacob, was hired exclusively by Vinder. Speaking of which, Jacob was riding in the Kenwell carriage. That was to avoid a situation where Noel was the only girl. Though I hadn't thought of it until Mia suggested it.

"More importantly, which is the suspicious carriage Jacob mentioned?"

"Yes. It's that one parked right next to the First Knight Order."

It was on the complete opposite side. I squinted to get a better look.

"That mark belongs to the Carriage Guild Master's company, right? He's the obvious one to watch, but..."

"The undercarriage is hidden by mudguards," Remi said.

I leaned out the window and looked toward the tip of her whip. It seemed like an ordinary carriage at first glance, but there was indeed a skirt hanging down from the body.

"That's concerning. It's not against the rules, but still."

"Furthermore, it's being pulled by some very fine horses, but they seem to dislike pulling the carriage."

"How can you tell what a horse is feeling? For me..."

"You can't even read people's hearts, can you. I know."

"Ahahahaha."

"You're not wrong, but the way you say it..."

I wasn't going to argue, but to be laughed at by Noel, who I felt was a kindred spirit, was a little much.

"Look at their ears. See how they're drooping?"

They were magnificent horses, no less impressive than the Knight Order's, but it was true their ears weren't perked up. I see. A company run by the Carriage Guild Master would be able to select individuals in peak condition and mood from among their best horses.

"I wonder what they're planning. Well, I've already taken countermeasures..."

"The plates attached to each carriage serve as proof of participation. Removing it will not only result in disqualification but also incur penalties."

On the plains, Count Adele was explaining the rules. The knights on horseback were, in a sense, the monitors for this race.

There was a phrase I was taught repeatedly in elementary school. Something like, "If you all behaved properly, we wouldn't need rules."

I have no objection to the idea that self-regulation is best, but the notion that things can truly function without rules is absurd. Simply following the rules properly is an achievement in itself. Therefore, rules must have elements that enforce compliance.

If laws alone could prevent crime, we wouldn't need police, would we?

The most crucial element of that is personal identification. What we attached to the participants' carriages were, in essence, number plates. In modern Japan, there was probably no system more efficient at making people follow the rules.

The material was True Iron, and the engraved numbers were marked with a small seal of magic-infused metal. Moreover, the design incorporated a combination of circles, making it extremely difficult to alter.

Another element was the eyes of those around. The knight orders were in a position to monitor each other. The merchants were also conscious of their peers' gazes.

The final element was penalties and the power and authority to make people believe they could be enforced. This time, since Craig himself was participating, authority was not an issue.

It goes without saying that the eyes of others and the penalties only have power because the identification system works.

Incidentally, the participants were only told today that these plates would be attached. Of course, it caused a bit of a fuss. But wearing a number for a race is common sense. The participants who complained were duly noted on a list.

According to Remi, who had been observing the Carriage Guild Master before we arrived, his face had twitched the moment he heard about the plates. He had quickly regained his composure, so perhaps they were confident in their carriage's performance.

"Now, load the cargo."

At Adele's words, the baggage trains of the two knight orders were loaded with expedition supplies. The weight, of course, was standardized. Just enough to show the greatest difference between the carriages with and without ball bearings.

The merchants' carriages were loaded with metal and lumber. The pretext was something about transporting military supplies that would be needed in the west. The Grand Ducal House would purchase the metal and wood there. They would unload the resources in Bertold and return with food supplies. Any merchant would understand this simulated commercial activity between cities.

"For the general participants, the leg to Bertold will serve as the preliminary round."

This was one way to predict the finish times. The knightly order's carriages would have their start order for the next day determined by their arrival rank in Bertold. This meant that any time gaps due to distance would be semi reset before the finish in the Royal Capital. Based on the times calculated from the Monster Knights' tests, the leading knights were scheduled to reach the Royal Capital at exactly noon.

Of course, once the preliminary results were in, they would be sent from Bertold by fast horse, and the rankings would be posted in the Forum in the capital. From then on, during the main race, the rankings would be updated at each checkpoint set up along the highway. It was a mechanism to liven up the trade fair.

By the way, the outbound trip to Bertold, the preliminaries, had simple rules. They just had to arrive with their cargo intact. By the time the difference in our performance became clear, an environment where cheating is difficult would already be in place.

What if I lose on pure ability? A forty percent increase in transport efficiency in such a short time is normally impossible. In fact, both the First Knight Order and the merchants had looks on their faces that said, "Wait, we have to load this much?" Furthermore, when we attached the number plates, we checked their axles. They were perfectly ordinary sliding bearings, in other words, just simple tubes.

Oh, and the use of magic by the Knight Order during the race is prohibited. Are the bearings made with alchemy, you ask? The bearings themselves are just metal. They don't use magic.

"Whatever they're plotting, this should have nipped most of it in the bud."

"...You, you are truly ruthless, you know," said Fulsy, who had been completely absorbed with his antenna.

"I'm busy too, you see. I just need to cut down on potential trouble from the start."

Of course, this wouldn't prevent everything. But by the time they realized their only option was an extreme one...