Chapter 42
  『Ugh~, is strengthening the city walls really necessary?』
  
  Perhaps Revia was recalling the east gate of the ruined core city Winzard’s defensive walls, but personally, I can’t agree with that opinion.
  
  『In the first place, the idea of protecting the people from outside enemies with walls is outdated.』
  『Uh, what do you mean?』
  
  Responding to her question, conveyed through the artificial muscles of the connected Clawsolas, I explain that with the advent of weapons equipped with powerful firepower, “heavy defense” has become obsolete and meaningless.
  
  Even while having such a conversation with my partner, the guards moved at Vice-Captain Raizes’ instructions, and the north gate of the city walls was opened from the inside.
  
  “Cavalry Captain Aldo, the Knight King has returned… Please clear the main street.”
  “Understood. Cavalry unit, let’s go ahead!”
  
  “””Roger!”””
  
  The soldiers, following the command, walked their horses at a normal pace, announcing the passage of the Clawsolas as they proceeded to the castle town of the royal capital Asia, which wasn’t too far away.
  
  Furthermore, as Lloyd and the others’ Clawsolas Begalta passed through the north gate, and our Clawsolas followed a little later, the sounds of movement from Dino and the others’ Clawsolas Unit 4 and the baggage train could be heard from behind.
  
  Since there was no need to turn around and confirm, I ignored the cheers of the people directed at the unfamiliar newly built Clawsolas from the side of the main street and headed towards the Clawsolas station set up within the castle town.
  
  Knight Commander Xenos had come to greet us at our destination, and he stood beside Raizes, who had pulled up his horse, looking up at the black and silver giant knight.
  
  “So this is Belphegor… It’s quite an imposing Clawsolas.”
  “Although Lady Nina’s tastes are heavily incorporated, its performance has been confirmed in actual combat.”
  
  “I’d like a detailed report, including that.”
  “Ah, there are some things we need to discuss with Blaze as well.”
  
  While reflecting the slightly troubled face of the Vice-Captain in the Clawsolas’ pseudo eyeballs, we were guided by the remaining maintenance soldiers into the workshop and, like the Lunavadis siblings’ Clawsolas, were housed in a hangar and had our shoulders fixed.
  
  After that, as usual, I opened the chest armor, put my feet on the lifting wire pedals, and descended together with Revia, who was clad in her own wind magic and floated gently. Squad Leader Jax came running up to us, raising his hand slightly.
  
  “I heard there was a battle on your side, but I’m glad you’re safe.”
  
  “It’s thanks to the Clawsolas that Lady Nina cherished.”
  “Ugh, it was a bit hard on my heart though.”
  
  The red-haired girl glared at me with a slightly resentful look for my reckless charge in that situation and began to tell the squad leader and the maintenance soldiers about the battle situation at that time.
  
  “Hmm, a burst mechanism on the left strong arm… It seems like a Clawsolas that would be fun to tinker with.”
  “It’s already difficult to handle, please give me a break.”
  
  Immediately after I muttered a light complaint, my partner tugged at my military uniform sleeve, and as I turned around, I saw Fine approaching us.
  
  “I apologize, Your Majesty. My foster father wants to hear the details in the castle…”
  “Should I go too?”
  
  Contrary to her considerate words, Revia seems to have a lot to talk about with her best friend, whom she hasn’t seen in a while, as she glances at the Knight Commander’s adopted daughter.
  
  “…It’s fine if I go alone.”
  
  “Okay, see you later.”
  “Please tell me about it later.”
  
  Seen off by the girls waving goodbye amicably, I joined the two captains, the main and the vice, who were waiting at the workshop entrance, and headed to the reception room in the castle.
  
  In addition to the Chief Magician, Izana, whose lustrous black hair was highlighted by the sunlight streaming in from the window, was sitting on a chair placed around the round table, and Sariel, the one-eyed magician who also served as her bodyguard, was standing behind her.
  
  “Welcome back, Claude.”
  “I’m sorry for returning a little late.”
  
  Although her carefree smile made me feel a little awkward, I returned a smile and sat down as she patted the chair next to her.
  
  At that time, I saw the bangle-shaped cuff, which I had entrusted to the messenger, on her slender wrist. I breathed a sigh of relief that it had been delivered without any problems and shifted my attention to Blaze, who was sitting opposite me.
  
  “Were there any particular problems while I was away?”
  “Twice, Aberrations that broke through the Lichtea Principality’s defense line crossed the border…”
  
  “There weren’t any decent large types, so the forces at Rigald Fortress and Clawsolas Units 8 and 9 were enough to handle it.”
  
  Originally, since the said principality served as a defensive wall, situations like the recent battle over the Spirit Gate were exceptions.
  
  Incidentally, in the alliance of nations that are fighting against the “Hour of Ruin,” the role we play is to provide material support to the principality and to dispatch reinforcements in response to requests for assistance.
  
  ‘Taking that into account, I have to respond to Lady Nina’s request.’
  
  After closing my eyes for a moment, I first dismissed the two maids who were serving us and brought up the topic of the deal I had brought back.
  
  “Actually… I was urged to develop domestically produced Clawsolas in Zephyrus.”
  “But we can’t make magic cores or heart units, it’s frustrating.”
  
  In response to Blaze, who had a troubled expression on his face, Raizes took out a bundle of documents from the large leather envelope he had been carefully managing during the journey and slowly placed it on the table.
  
  “This is… Could it be, blueprints for confidential parts!?”
  “Hey, what’s the price? That Lady White Fox wouldn’t give it away for free.”
  
  Raizes, the vice-captain who has a long and complicated relationship with Nina, faced Xenos and the others, who were casting suspicious glances, and briefly explained the circumstances.
  
  “I see, we owe her one…”
  “No, wait a minute, are you going to submit this document under the Chief Magician’s name!?”
  
  “It’s better for the developer to be tight-lipped for convenience’s sake. Give it up, Blaze. Considering the content, it would be unnatural for a rough-and-tumble person like me or Xenos to put our names forward. Wouldn’t you agree, Claude?”
  
  I nodded to the middle-aged knight, who had asked for my agreement as if it had nothing to do with the fact that he had chosen the person himself, and told him “It’s a royal order” as we had discussed beforehand… The Chief Magician, who had been trying to resist in vain, gave up and slumped his shoulders.