Chapter 69
Carriages were truly an indispensable necessity in this world where transportation had not yet developed.
What more could be said when they could reduce a journey that would take a person a full week to walk down to just a single day? Whether it was goods or people, there was no choice but to use carriages.
However, they also came with significant drawbacks.
First, the ride quality was extremely poor. Because solid wooden wheels traveled over unpaved dirt roads, anyone riding in a carriage had to endure every bump and the unevenness of the ground with their body.
While expensive carriages might offer some compensation through the quality of their wood or the cushioning of their seats, a carriage was still a carriage. Sitting for too long felt like one's back would break, and hitting a large stone would shake the entire body, leading to headaches.
Moreover, Franz had experienced the cutting-edge technology of the 21st century, so the ride quality of these carriages felt doubly, no, *exponentially* worse to him.
'If I go like this, I'll die.'
Because this damned landmass was so ridiculously vast, it would take two days to reach the Phrygia Dukedom in the northern part of the Empire. Excluding time spent sleeping, the carriage would be moving continuously, totaling at least 30 hours. That was more than enough time for his back to be utterly destroyed.
By the way, how do people in this world manage to ride carriages so well? It was enough to make him wonder if their spines were made of steel. Well, since there were no other options, he supposed it couldn't be helped.
In any case, he couldn't just leave things as they were. He had 18 hours left, and within that time, he had to somehow successfully modify the carriage.
Arian, I think I'll be quite busy today.
Franz stood up abruptly and said.
Arian, who was standing before him, tilted her head.
Are you going out?
Something like that. You'll see tomorrow.
I don't know what it is, but I'll cheer you on.
Usually, if he mentioned going out, she would furrow her brows and ask what was happening, but today she seemed oddly kind.
Well, it must be his imagination.
Thinking that, Franz immediately set off.
The place he arrived at was the Magic Tool Development Department, which generated the most profit within the Magic Tower.
Magic Tower Master...?
Why is such a humble person in such a noble place?
You idiot, it's a noble person in a humble place.
Franz's sudden visit elicited various reactions from those diligently conducting research.
There seemed to be something strange said in the middle, but Franz decided to overlook it, because such things weren't particularly important right now.
Is there anyone who wants to develop Magic Tools with me? It will truly be a masterpiece that will leave a mark on history.
It was, quite literally, an unprecedented masterpiece. One that, if successful, could leave its name in history.
A brief silence then fell over the laboratory,
Of course, we will!
If it's something the Magic Tower Master commands, what could we *not* do?
The Researchers, every single one of them, eagerly stepped forward.
In truth, it was only natural.
Wasn't this a project personally conceived by the Current Magic Tower Lord, who was called an unprecedented Mage?
Even setting aside the possibility of success, something unimaginable was sure to emerge, and since the Magic Tower Master himself had given the directive, budget support was guaranteed.
Therefore, for them who were obsessed with Magic Tool Research, it was an offer they absolutely could not refuse.
Franz was a little taken aback by their enthusiastic support, but since it wasn't a bad thing at all, a smile spread across his lips.
'This is going to be fun.'
Franz was extremely excited. What man in the world wouldn't be thrilled to freely modify a carriage? The thought of his ideas manifesting in reality was exhilarating.
Alright, everyone, let's gather around first.
Franz stood in front of a large blackboard.
Soon, all the Researchers gathered in a semicircle around Franz, and he began his explanation.
We're going to develop something unimaginable. First, let me show you the exterior...
*Screech*, *screech*.
Franz drew a picture on the blackboard with chalk.
Current carriages have terrible aerodynamics.
He understood they were made rectangular to maximize space, but that meant they received too much air resistance. So, they needed to be as sleek as possible.
The drawing that emerged from Franz's fingertips looked remarkably similar to a 21st-century automobile.
There was no reason not to copy it. After all, they had already scientifically proven it in various ways. And there was no one here to criticize him for copying.
The reason for making it this way is to reduce aerodynamic resistance while still maintaining interior space...
Franz explained it as plausibly as he could. Honestly, science wasn't his strong suit.
A carriage with such an exterior...
I truly never imagined it.
As expected, the Magic Tower Master is truly different.
However, even Franz's rather ordinary explanation felt extraordinary to them.
It was a direction they hadn't even conceived of in the first place.
Of course, the real work was just beginning. Because Franz's specialty was magic, not science.
First, regarding the power source, we will naturally use magic stones. The Magic Circle to be used is...
*Tap-tap-tap-tap*.
Franz wrote the Magic Circle on the blackboard without hesitation. The empty blackboard filled with the Magic Circle.
Even though it was clearly the development of a new Magic Tool, his actions, devoid of any hesitation, were truly an eccentricity only a genius could display.
Furthermore, there was nothing to refute, so the Researchers were utterly captivated, admiring his great feat.
'The structure isn't complicated.'
No speedometer or display was needed. A transmission gear would make it more efficient, but there wasn't enough time to develop that now.
Everything else needed would be replaced by magic stones and Magic Circles.
*Tap*.
Franz put the finishing touch on the Magic Circle. It was the birth of a carriage that would run smoothly and wouldn't break one's back.
Alright, the deadline is in one day. I'll provide whatever money you need, so let's make this happen, come hell or high water.
One day. It was an absolutely absurd amount of time. Ordinary people might shake their heads and say it was impossible.
But the people before Franz were Researchers, and before that, Mages. And Mages, as always, were madmen.
Ugh—! The time is too short!
Let's have a meeting quickly. We need to find suitable materials, don't we?
We absolutely must succeed. Aren't we all hoping to leave our names in history?
The Researchers immediately began to move busily. Some began discussing materials based on the exterior Franz had drawn, while others started inscribing Magic Circles onto magic stones.
Just then, someone approached Franz.
Magic Tower Master, to follow the design, the main body will require a magic stone of considerable size. However, it's quite difficult to acquire, and even if one exists, its value would be astronomical...
What size magic stone do you need?
Considering the size of the carriage, roughly...
The Researcher spread his hands apart to indicate the approximate size. It was about the size of a large car engine.
Ah, if it's that size, I have one.
Franz said that and snapped his fingers. A Magic Circle appeared on the floor, and a large magic stone materialized.
The magic stone, which was initially blue, gradually began to change color, turning green, then red, before returning to blue.
This indicated a magic stone of the highest purity among all magic stones.
"H-huh?"
Naturally, the Researcher couldn't help but be astonished. The magic stone before his eyes was truly priceless.
Where on earth did you get something like this...? Ah, never mind. I'll use it gratefully.
Oh, I just picked it up while wandering around here and there.
During his travels with the Hero's Party, he had truly been to all sorts of places. From places so beautiful they inspired awe just by looking at them, to caves filled with magic stones. The closer they got to the Demon Lord's Castle, the sparser the human presence became, so there were quite a few such treasures.
'I have even bigger ones.'
He also had magic stones at least ten times larger than the one he'd just produced, but judging by the Researcher's reaction, it seemed better not to show them.
After that, Franz continued to have a very busy time.
This is an alloy, but if we actually try to acquire it...
Ah, I have that too.
He also provided expensive minerals.
The blacksmith who can forge this is incredibly proud, so...
Let's go together. I'll try to persuade him.
He even brought a proud blacksmith from Mountain Valley.
Thanks to the efforts of Franz and the Researchers, Carriage Development progressed rapidly.
Franz did not leave until the Carriage Development was complete, cooperating with their work as much as possible. It was a small sense of responsibility for having asked them to do a personal task.
As time flowed on, it was around dawn eventually.
I-it's finally complete...!
It's all done—!
Ugh, I'm gonna die.
The Researchers let out cries of exhaustion.
Truly, they had really done it.
What lay before Franz was crude, but it certainly looked remarkably similar to a 21st-century automobile.
May I try riding it?
Yes, by all means.
With a trembling heart, Franz climbed into the driver's seat.