Magi Craft Meister

20-04: Reflection and Self-Reproach

“Oh, so this is supersonic…”

Jin, riding Pegasus 1, flew through the skies along with Reiko.

For now, their top speed was 3,600 kilometers per hour, equivalent to Mach 3. This calculation was based on the results measured by the magical energy detection device, MagiRadar, which the Old Man had used.

In the vacuum created by the wind-dodging barrier, they should be able to increase their speed infinitely, but there were still limits.

That limit was the barrier’s generation speed.

At speeds over 3,600 kilometers per hour, the barrier’s generation speed couldn’t keep up, causing Pegasus 1’s nose to extend outside the barrier.

“Still, it’s an incredible speed.”

This planet, Ars, could be circumnavigated in two hours, which was an unparalleled speed.

After enjoying the world of supersonic flight, Jin decided to retrofit other air forces.

Once Jin created the design and registered it in the control core control core, which stored the memories of the Old Man, the skilled blacksmiths would produce the devices.

Thus, all aircraft would be equipped with force field generators, eliminating the need for runways for takeoff.

“Of course, it can be used on ships and golems too.”

Hydroboats and Mermaid Golems were given priority for modifications. Due to the water-repellent barrier for underwater use, the Mermaids’ maximum speed reached 500 kilometers per hour.

Here, Jin would reflect deeply on something.

“Old Man, what’s the status of the three aircraft carriers?”

These were 20,000-ton-class aircraft carriers that began construction during the conflict with the Unified Party Unifylaer. The first ship, Hidakami, had already been completed.

“Yes, Master. The second ship, Myoko, and the third ship, Asama, have also been completed. Myoko is currently at Tatsumi Bay, while Asama is still in dry dock, awaiting its launch ceremony.”

“Hmm? Oh, I see.”

They had visited Tatsumi Bay earlier to test Reiko, but he hadn’t noticed. He was likely too absorbed in the testing.

“…That’s fine, but Old Man, I have something to discuss.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“The necessity of aircraft carriers.”

They had constructed the aircraft carriers because it was inefficient to launch their air forces from Hourai Island, but the Unified Party Unifylaer had decided to decommission them without ever using them.

With the completion of the teleportation devices, they could instantly return and sortie to any location, rendering the carriers unnecessary.

“…I did this on a whim.”

“Master, there was no other option at that time. Besides, you are fond of creating new things.”

The Old Man reassured Jin. He felt like he had been told something subtly askew, but he decided to press on.

“Well, there’s no point in regretting it now… My real question is whether we should modify the three carriers.”

“What kind of modifications are you considering?”

“I’m thinking of creating something like a ‘universal vessel,’ so to speak.”

In terms of weaponry, versatile vessels had excellent usability, but they lacked the decisive power in critical situations. In other words, they tended to be more like multi-purpose vessels than universal vessels.

However, Jin was designing it, so at the very least, he thought he could minimize that concern.

The Old Man contemplated the pros and cons, and then replied.

“I think your idea has merit. What kind of modifications are you considering?”

“I’m thinking about connecting the three carriers to make a trimaran-type vessel.”

“Wouldn’t that make it too large?”

Combining all three ships would result in a total of 60,000 tons, and if they factored in the connected decks and other considerations, it could reach around 70,000 tons. In that case, it would surpass the super-dreadnought battleship Yamato from before.

“As for me, I believe a size with a flight deck large enough for the private aircraft of milord, Pegasus 1, to take off and land, and space for one or two more to land should be sufficient.”

“Yeah, I understand. That’s why I’m pondering…”

“Father, how about creating an invincible fleet?”

Reiko, who had been listening silently, chimed in.

“…In your memories, Father, I recall there being destroyers, light cruisers, heavy cruisers, battlecruisers, battleships, aircraft carriers, repair ships, supply ships, submarines, torpedo boats, and so on, am I right?”

“Even that seems excessive.”

Immediately, Jin expressed his disagreement.

He understood Reiko’s sentiment, and he felt an inclination to create them, but he couldn’t see any practical use for them. Even during World War II, it was the era of aircraft carriers rather than battleships.

If he was thinking about combat, strengthening the air power would be advantageous. If he had no intention of fighting, then having a fleet would be superfluous.

“Reiko, considering milord’s personality, I believe making a practical ship that you will use often is the best approach.”

“…You’re right.”

Reiko was an example of that. Jin’s personality was to treasure things he liked to the utmost.

“In that case, why not consider the specifications you need, whether to modify or not.”

Jin nodded at the Old Man’s suggestion.

“First, imagine the purpose and scenes of use.”

“Ah, I see… For instance, going to Potlock?”

“Considering that, it can’t be too large…”

The key point was size. In terms of aircraft, it would be equivalent to an airship, something that wouldn’t have many use cases as it couldn’t be presented to the public.

“I do want to go to Potlock and Eckhart. Besides, the demon realm’s territorial waters. Another purpose could be catching fish and transporting them to relieve famine.”

“To go to the Northern Sea, you’ll need a fairly large ship. Bigger is advantageous for transporting fish as well.”

“True…”

Jin pondered. He didn’t want to go halfway. But creating something that would be useless was also something he wanted to avoid.

“Perhaps we should make a few ships of different sizes…”

If it were under 10 meters, it would have no living space. Even at 20 meters, it would be insufficient.

“…So, maybe around 50 meters?”

The ships built by Eckhart Teclis, a major southern merchant of the Cerloa Kingdom, were about 40 meters in size. Would 50 meters be considered reasonable?

“Yes, that sounds about right… In any case, you’ll need smaller boats for docking at regular ports.”

“Hydro-class, then.”

“If you’re using Force Generators for propulsion, you won’t need to worry about balance, so there’s no need for catamarans or trimarans.”

At least two ships, that’s what it would be. Jin gathered his thoughts to stay within the boundaries of common sense.

“Father, do you think people won’t wonder where we built such large ships?”

“Ah… It’s a problem.”

The existence of the Penglai Island base was kept secret. Claiming that Deus Ex Machina owned them might work, but it would be difficult to insist that they were Jin’s property.

“Ah… It’s full of problems.”

Since it was an item more visible to the public than an airplane, there was a risk that they wouldn’t be able to hide anything.

“May I offer my opinion?”

Seeing Jin troubled, the Old Man decided to suggest an idea.

“First, the three vessels that have been completed will be refitted from aircraft carriers into battleships and used for the defense of Penglai Island.”

“That’s not a bad idea.”

“We should also construct a few cruisers for operations since battleships are not easy to operate on their own. They should be around 100 meters, 2,000 tons.”

Even though those sizes would be considered destroyers in modern-day Earth, the Old Man continued without minding.

“As destroyers… No, as torpedo boats, several one size up from the Hydro Series.”

Jin thought the Old Man had plans to fight, but when he considered it, there was indeed a lack of naval power compared to air power.

“That… leave it to you. But what’s my wish?”

“Yes, if you could take a look at them, milord, I think your thoughts will be more refined.”

Indeed, seeing the actual vessels could help solidify his imagination. Jin permitted that as well.

“In that case, please start work on the lead ship for each of them.”

“Understood. What will be the names?”

“Umm, I named the aircraft carriers turned battleships after mountains, so for cruisers, rivers, and for torpedo boats, fish, maybe?”

“Then, would it be fine to name the lead cruiser Azusa and the lead torpedo boat Koi?”

“Wait a moment. Let’s not use fish for torpedo boats. It’s too far from the image.”

Azusa was a river flowing at the foot of Mt. Hotaka, in the vicinity of the Upper Highlands. Koi, or carp, didn’t seem suitable at all for a ship.

“For torpedo boats, let’s go with numbering, similar to the Hydro Series. And for the series name… How about ‘Stream’?”

Like the Hydro Series, it was a good name.

“Understood. We’ll go with Stream 1 for the torpedo boat.”

This was how the fleet to protect Penglai Island was officially established.

Meanwhile, Jin continued to struggle with what to do with his private ship.

(“If Elsa were here, I could consult with her.”)

Jin couldn’t help but feel a bit lonely without Elsa, who was always with him.

He immersed himself in ship matters to dispel that feeling.