Chapter 368: Unexpected Completion

It must have been about an hour since then. While Havel and I groaned and tweaked the materials, Ladavista’s face popped out from the sea surface.

“How was it?”

This was about the twentieth check. I asked with the feeling that this time it had to be it. Ladavista nodded deeply with a serious expression.

“Umu. I think it is good this time. The sound and vibration were resonating firmly underwater.”

“Ooh!”

At Ladavista’s statement, I involuntarily let out a cheer and turned to face Havel. In response, Havel snorted with an exasperated look on his face.

“……It is good that we found it surprisingly quickly, but that is completely foul play. It makes me want your magic too, Lord Van.”

Havel let out a short sigh, complaining rather than voicing joy.

And he had every right to. Normally, one would have to smelt ore into a block of high-purity metal, then melt it again while checking the measurements. Then, through the process of mixing and cooling, the alloy would finally be completed. I don’t know the detailed steps, but it’s probably something like that.

However, with my magic, as long as I can image the shape, I can rapidly change the materials and remake it.

So, we tried mixing silver into mithril in rough increments of about ten percent. The result seemed to be between twenty and thirty percent, so from there, we tried changing the amount by one percent at a time.

Once we got that far, the rest was just fine-tuning. Hearing Ladavista’s opinion that it was “almost certain, but felt slightly different,” we changed the materials over and over again, succeeding in reproducing the alloy in the blink of an eye.

“We did it!”

When I held out my fist to Havel to share the joy again, he pressed his own fist against mine with a sigh.

“……Truly, what outrageous magic. Well, let us just honestly rejoice that it is complete.”

Havel gave a wry smile, looking somewhat unconvinced as he said that. As I laughed at his reaction, Panamera and the others came down from the ship. Arte and Khamsin were with them.

“Is it finished already?”

Panamera asked, looking a little surprised. I nodded with a smile and answered.

“That is correct! I am glad we managed to finish it within the day!”

When I said that, Havel complained persistently from behind.

“No, it is foul play, you know? Truly against the rules. It is unfair.”

“Geez, Mr. Havel. You are being persistent.”

“No, but listen……”

In the end, Havel pouted and sulked. As I involuntarily laughed at this face of Havel I had never seen before, Panamera laughed, showing her teeth.

“It is business as usual for him. Now then, let us go inform His Excellency of the completion.”

“Ah, okay.”

Saying that, Panamera moved back to the deck. Shortly after, Rosso came down from the ship leading his subordinates.

“Is it already complete?”

Rosso asked in his usual tone, but Havel made a dissatisfied face at that. Perhaps he wanted him to understand just how outrageous what we did was, but he seemed to know better than to speak out of turn to a Marquis.

“It is done! First, I think we will try a test voyage in the nearby waters!”

When I announced that, Rosso nodded deeply and looked up at the ship from the pier.

“How many people are required to operate this ship?”

“Let me see…… I think the minimum number is probably about ten. A wind mage, a helmsman, people to hoist and lower the sails, and so on. However, realistically, I think twenty people will be necessary. We need shipwrights and cooks, and enough personnel to work in shifts in case of emergency.”

“I see…… Still, only twenty. It is surprising that such a large ship can be moved by so few personnel. If I recall, Lord Tran said it took over thirty people to move the Fleetwood. If aiming for distant lands across the sea, does that mean that many people are required?”

“Most likely, there is a possibility that they also carry navigators who can determine the current location on a chart based on direction and travel time, combatants, and diplomats for negotiating with other countries.”

When I answered his question with conjecture, Rosso placed a hand on his chin and groaned.

“Fumu…… Considering those factors, it is not a simple matter. First, we have no choice but to see how it performs in the coastal waters.”

“Yes. Therefore, I believe we should spend six months to a year learning ship operation techniques. First, I think we will be fine with Dee and the others, who have experience moving a ship experimentally last time, and a fairly strong wind mage……”

Those with an aptitude for four-element magic are rare. When I voiced my opinion somewhat hesitantly, Rosso nodded lightly and answered.

“In that case, I shall have one of my subordinates who possesses an aptitude for wind magic assist you. When do you plan to start?”

To my surprise, he agreed readily. I was extremely grateful.

“Starting tomorrow.”