Torn Asunder by War, A Sword Saint for Tomorrow X The Knight Wizards!! – Chapter 41

Chapter 41
  『Once we return to the castle, it’ll be busy again, huh…』
  『That’s right, Claude♪』
  
  Revia, who picked up the muttered words and responded with a somewhat happy tone, had a clear reason for her good mood. It was probably because the royal capital, Asia, which they had been away from for about a month, was close.
  
  When I casually moved the pseudo eyeballs of Belphegor, which had become the King’s exclusive Clawsolas, the maintenance soldiers projected onto the pupils also seemed to be in a slightly elated mood. Perhaps because of that atmosphere, the newly appointed instructors were also getting along well with them.
  
  『At this rate, the development seems likely to proceed smoothly.』
  『Yeah, I’m looking forward to the domestically produced Clawsolas. Though selecting the pilots seems like it’ll be a lot of work.』
  
  For the time being, the plan is to independently produce giant knights that are classified as above the first generation but below the second generation, in order to reinforce the knight order’s fighting strength.
  
  Therefore, a competition will begin among squire candidates and junior mages, with their honor and promotion at stake… However, due to the issue of Clawsolas aptitude, in the worst-case scenario, it’s possible that we won’t be able to gather good personnel.
  
  ‘Well, I guess we can manage the pilots for the initial production somehow.’
  
  Fortunately, as befitting a nation that calls itself the Knight Kingdom, the quality of the soldiers belonging to the military is high. It’s likely that we can achieve the minimum necessary increase in military strength that Nina, who has a plan to rely on us, has been urging.
  
  『While it’s necessary to be prepared for emergencies, it would be best if we could avoid using them.』
  
  『You mean “winning without fighting”? I think that was Sun Tzu, wasn’t it?』
  『That’s correct, but if you think about it, it’s a strange proverb.』
  
  Lloyd spoke through the Clawsolas’s external speaker, and Eleia agreed but also interjected with a question. As she said, if you think about it carefully, there are some parts that are difficult to understand.
  
  『You can’t win without fighting… right, Claude-sama?』
  『Probably, it means to win through factors other than combat.』
  
  『But in that case, you’re still fighting, just not with military force.』
  『Ah, you’re talking about the words themselves.』
  
  For a moment, I wanted to retort to Sun Tzu, asking why he didn’t write “winning without physically fighting.” I explained to the somewhat pedantic Eleia that the meaning of “fighting” was limited in this case.
  
  『I generally understand. Thank you very much♪』
  
  Her voice indicated that she was convinced. After confirming that the conversation had come to an end, Revia, who was riding in the Clawsolas with me, muttered her thoughts.
  
  『Still, if we can avoid fighting, that’s the best, right?』
  『That’s certainly true…』
  
  It seems that the other day was her first time fighting against humans as well. Even though she was prepared to fight as a member of a military organization, she was somewhat depressed after the tension and excitement of the battle subsided.
  
  As for me, I used to swing a wooden sword innocently during my childhood, saying that I wanted to become a samurai without thinking much about it. But facing an enemy with a real sword comes with pressure.
  
  However, there are many battles that cannot be avoided, and sometimes we have to fight back against the dangers that come our way.
  
  ‘First, expanding our military capabilities is a top priority.’
  
  Depending on the situation, it might lead to resentment from those around me, like Lady White Fox, but if I play my cards right, it can also serve as a deterrent to discourage hostility.
  
  In addition, several countries facing the threat of the “Hour of Ruin” have received Nina’s prioritized support and have already begun to deploy their own unique giant knights for actual combat. I don’t feel good about the Lizel Knight Kingdom falling behind.
  
  『…We’ll have to get the engineers to work hard.』
  『The blacksmiths and alchemists too. I’m looking forward to what Souichirou-san can do.』
  
  Lloyd’s excited voice mentioned a Rare Human swordsmith, an elderly man who had volunteered to create Japanese swords for the Clawsolas in the future.
  
  He had said something incomprehensible about developing an alchemical material with properties similar to tamahagane and forging it with a Clawsolas specialized for blacksmithing… However, for the time being, we’ll likely have him make ordinary weapons for the Clawsolas.
  
  When I told him that, he said he wanted to make a katana for the Knight King to wear first, and Lloyd, who had cleverly jumped on the bandwagon, asked for one for himself as well.
  
  『Hehe, with this, the katana I’ve always longed for…』
  『It’s the one that was mentioned in our family’s old documents, right, brother?』
  
  『You seem awfully happy about it.』
  『Well, I’m from the Yagyu lineage, after all. I’ve always been interested in them.』
  
  I, too, find Japanese swords more comfortable to handle than Western-style double-edged swords, so I’m also looking forward to it.
  
  My slightly excited feelings seemed to be transmitted to my partner, who was integrated with the Clawsolas Belphegor. Revia suddenly questioned me.
  
  『Hey, are they that good? Katanas, I mean…』
  『Ultimately, it depends on the user and the purpose.』
  
  The Taisha-ryu style that I’ve mastered is a swordsmanship style designed for fighting in armor. Therefore, among the swords used, there are also large swords that reach 5 shaku 3 sun （about 160 cm）. If you swing down from a hidari kousoku-dan stance, it’s not impossible to cut down an opponent along with their armor.
  
  As you can see from the real thing, long and thick swords are sturdier and heavier than Western swords. Unlike katanas from the Edo period, which were meant to be worn with casual clothing, their weight and purpose were similar to Western swords, which were used to “cut down” opponents.
  
  『…That’s about as tall as I am.』
  『Honestly, it’s hard even to draw it from its sheath.』
  
  『What’s the point of having something like that?』
  
  She complained in a slightly exasperated voice… But my grandfather, in his enthusiasm, would draw the sword while throwing away the sheath midway, and then cut a tree trunk in half with the bare blade.
  
  ‘I used to admire that, but it’s beyond human capabilities.’
  
  The image of him sneering, “Surpass me, Kurato!” flashed through my mind, and I let out a dry laugh.
  
  『What’s wrong all of a sudden?』
  『It’s creepy when you laugh out of nowhere.』
  
  『No, it’s nothing.』
  
  I replied to the two girls and connected the telepathy device to Dino’s Clawsolas, which was following behind the formation.
  
  『What is it, Claude-sama?』
  『When we get back, we’ll have a proficiency test for the Modified Clawsolas L-type. How about a mock battle?』
  
  『… I refuse.』
  『I see.』
  
  I had previously been told that he would return the favor, so I made the offer with the aim of improving our strained relationship, but it was flatly rejected. Although he would usually comply with requests necessary for his duties in the Knight Order, he would always refuse anything more personal.
  
  『Don’t take it personally. He’s just stubborn, but harmless.』
  『I know.』
  
  I replied to Lise’s slightly sarcastic comment and moved the Clawsolas’s legs in accordance with the speed of the accompanying cavalry and baggage wagons, heading towards the royal castle and Fearless Cathedral, which were now visible in the distance.
  
  Eventually, we passed through the rural landscape of the outskirts and arrived at the north gate of the city walls. I could see the cityscape I hadn’t seen in a while beyond the wall, which was lower than the Clawsolas.