Chapter 136
"But this is quite an elaborate design. Even when assembled, you can fold it up by loosening the screws."
Wickhart was holding the small, metal, modular crossbow Drew had made.
Even in its assembled state, loosening the screws lets it fold up alongside the central firing platform, making for a remarkably well-thought-out design.
"There are a few drawbacks, too. If these screws aren't tightened properly, the joints seem to wobble a little. That makes accurate aiming difficult."
At Wickhart's words, Ryuzel nodded emphatically,
"And I'm worried about its durability, too. We won't know until we've actually fired a few shots, but the connections seem unreliable," he said, opening and closing the folding section.
"But it's on a whole other level compared with the crossbows we've used until now." Frein seemed to like it quite a lot.
The reactions were as varied as the three of them, but all were captivated by the new crossbows. There were five prototypes in all. Only two were foldable; the remaining three were assembly-only models.
As Ryuzel had pointed out, durability remained a concern, but after consulting Raiz-sama, we provisionally selected the folding model.
Being able to keep it out of the way while riding was a major advantage.
"Well, now all that's left is a name." Everyone turned their attention to Raiz-sama.
"A name?" I asked on behalf of everyone.
"Surely 'a small, metal, modular folding crossbow' is too long, isn't it?"
"Usually, things like this are named after their developer, aren't they? 'Drew Crossbow'... doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, so how about 'Drew Bow'?"
"Unfortunately, that's out," Lapiria-sama interjected.
When I asked why, Lapiria-sama explained, "Drew doesn't want their name on it. They said, 'Absolutely not.'"
"Then how about the Raiz Bow?"
Raiz-sama gave a wry smile at my suggestion.
"Even I don't have the audacity to put my name on something I had absolutely nothing to do with. If anything, Roa, your name would be more appropriate, wouldn't it? You were the one who brought crossbows here in the first place."
"I may have brought them here, but this is a completely different weapon."
"Then should we name it after Judiano or Hornet? You two are more than qualified to call yourselves its developers."
When Raiz-sama's gaze fell on the two of them, Judiano cried, "Eek!" and frantically shook their head. I wondered whether Judiano's neck was all right.
Hornet also recoiled, making a troubled face, and said, "Please spare me."
"Then, do either of you have a good name? Judiano, Hornet—either of you, suggest something."
Faced with Raiz-sama's unreasonable demand, the two of them froze in their positions.
After a little while, Judiano timidly spoke up. "Um..."
"Do you have something good?" Apparently frightened by Raiz-sama's gaze, Judiano squeezed their eyes shut and forced out, almost like a scream, "How about the 'Tenth Knight Bow'?!"
"The Tenth Knight Bow?"
"Y-yes! The people who contributed to its development, even if only a little, and those currently using it are all members of the Tenth Knight Order. Besides, it looks like a cross when assembled, so... the Tenth Knight Bow!"
There was a brief silence. Judiano apparently took it as a rejection and began saying, "I'm sorry! I'll die to atone for it!" If Judiano risked their life over every little thing like this, they would run out of lives no matter how many they had.
"No, Judiano. I'm not saying it's bad. If anything, I think it's not half bad." Raiz-sama's praise made Judiano collapse onto the floor in relief.
"Indeed, it is short and neat, is it not?" Glantz-sama remarked.
No one else raised any objections.
Thus, while everyone was getting excited over the new weapon now named the Tenth Knight Bow, a veteran civil official, Oafuk-san, came to Drew's room.
"Sorry to interrupt. I heard you were all here. May I have a moment?"
"Is this something we can discuss in front of everyone here?"
"Of course, Raiz-sama."
"Then, let's hear it."
"I was just informed that the new highway we've been constructing for some time has finally reached Gadeland."
At Oafuk-san's words, exclamations of "Oh" and "At last" escaped from the others. I, too, felt a little moved.
Using bottled goods as my backing, I pushed the highway's construction forward for one reason alone: to make it possible for the Third Knight Order to come swiftly to the royal capital as reinforcements.
In the future where our nation fell, the Third Knight Order fought to the very end. I wanted to create a situation in which they could reach the royal capital as quickly as possible. I thought that might allow me to influence history.
As things stand, thanks to Lufa, I've built a fairly good relationship with Zackhart-sama of the Third Knight Order. If we end up having to hole up and fight in the royal capital, there's a good chance he'll send reinforcements. It felt as though I'd gained another means of countering the First Knight Order.
"Furthermore, the commander of the Third Knight Order has recommended to the king that we hold an opening ceremony for the new highway, and has also asked whether the Tenth Knight Order can provide an escort."
As I listened to Oafuk-san's explanation, I thought, "This is definitely just an excuse to meet Lufa." I was probably not the only one who thought so.
"Understood. Then I'll hear the details. I'll come by again, Drew." With that, Raiz-sama left, and we followed Raiz-sama out of Drew's room.
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In Drew's room, which had finally regained its usual quiet, Judiano and Hornet let out deep sighs.
"Seriously, they're like a storm. The pressure is insane," Hornet muttered. Beside Hornet, Drew let out a burp. Apparently, Drew was finally full.
Rubbing their stomach, Drew looked around in confusion. "Huh? Did everyone leave?"
Ignoring Hornet's incredulous "You're only noticing now? Seriously?", Drew shifted their gaze to the white-cloth-covered object occupying a considerable amount of space in one corner of the junk pile.
After thinking it over for a while, Drew decided, "Well, whatever," and began to doze off while still seated in the chair.