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Edgar established a shipyard and reached the point of creating the battleship’s turrets.

A month had already passed since the academy had entered its vacation period.

During this time, Enya was still focused on her training.

She was dedicated to developing the sword technique she wanted to create independently, called the “Baldos technique.”

– Whoosh!

However, there had yet to be any significant achievements.

Throughout the entire academy semester, and even after returning home, she was fully committed to the development of the Baldos technique, but no clear results had emerged.

In the first place, the Baldos technique appeared plausible only due to its cartoonish liberties, and in real combat, it had no practical value.

Realistically, it would be wiser to heed the advice of her father, a master swordsman, and use her special skill, the swift sword.

– Hooom!

Yet Enya did not yield to her stubbornness.

Countless moments had almost led her to the brink of collapse, but ultimately, thanks to Ed, she managed to rise again.

He was the only one who supported her.

He had advised that a significant amount of energy must be invested to achieve a certain trajectory.

It was because that very person she held deep in her heart existed that she was able to swing her sword without wavering like this.

She could dedicate herself to swordplay that everyone said would end in failure.

“Hmm…”

However, this didn’t mean she simply swung her sword blindly.

She analyzed the reasons why the Baldos technique kept failing and sought out solutions to those causes as best as she could.

In other words, she was in the process of formulating and applying appropriate theories.

“…The essence of the Baldos technique is the “critical strike.””

Thus, Enya was delving into the essence of the Baldos technique and had concluded that its essence was the “critical strike.”

This made sense, as a critical strike dealt catastrophic damage to an enemy with a single swing, so it could be seen that the Baldos technique, which inflicted damage on the enemy simultaneously, was similar in context.

“But…”

However, to execute a critical strike, one’s physique needed to be innate for it.

In other words, the mana capacity had to concentrate in one hand enough to perform a critical strike.

In that sense, the one who could best wield the Baldos technique was Gracia.

On the right arm of Swordmaster Gracia, almost 30% of the total mana capacity concentrated, allowing her to execute an astonishing critical sword strike.

It enabled her to achieve one-hit kills.

“I can’t do that.”

But Enya’s mana capacity was different.

She had 40% in her head.

And the remaining 60% was distributed evenly.

Due to this structure, executing a critical strike was difficult.

“Is it my stubbornness?”

Yet even knowing her mana capacity, Enya had been striving to perform a critical strike.

Since she defined the essence of the Baldos technique as a critical strike, she had been forcing herself to deliver a strong critical strike by any means.

– Hooom!

And this was the result.

It bore the nature of a critical strike yet showed significantly reduced lethality.

The sword energy released was not enough to tear an enemy apart.

– Swoosh.

Enya dropped her arm that had been swinging the sword.

And she recalled the advice Edgar had given her.

He had advised her that failing as much as possible was fundamental to success.

However, he also mentioned that there needed to be lessons learned from failures.

In that sense, had she learned anything from her failures?

“…No.”

No, she simply threw a tantrum like a child.

The genius of swordplay that she once believed herself to be would not allow her to be like this.

She stubbornly insisted that she could achieve critical strikes anytime with just a bit of practice, but all she received in return was ridicule and neglect.

What was once her childhood genius was now just a bubble, and she was only hearing the label of being a has-been, ranking low in the S-class now.

Feeling inferior to the rumors, anxiety and restlessness bubbled within her, along with a baseless rage that had been her most recent self.

Until she met Edgar and received his advice.

“I am weak.”

Thus, Enya decided to face reality properly.

She accepted her weakness.

Only then could she learn something from her failures.

“I was arrogant.”

One of her weaknesses was indeed arrogance.

Having been celebrated as a genius since childhood, she came to take it for granted.

She easily looked down on others, relying only on her innate talent.

Because of that, she hadn’t sought to learn.

Thinking that she could simply follow along with a casual glance, she made everything far too easy for herself.

As a result, while everyone was growing, she fell behind.

“I underestimated everyone…”

She also underestimated her opponents.

Thinking she could easily win, she clung only to the Baldos technique.

She thought that with just the Baldos technique, she could easily defeat that guy, looking down on him.

As a result, she began being pushed back by those whom she had underestimated.

Losing to those she had dismissed ignited an unbearable rage within her.

That rage consumed her and made her narrow-minded.

Thinking that if she properly mastered the Baldos technique, she could crush that guy anytime, she became obsessed with the Baldos technique once more.

“Hoo…”

Enya took a deep breath.

As she faced her weakness, things began to become visible that hadn’t been visible before.

Could it be that her thought of Baldos technique equaling critical strike was wrong?

What if she tried to redefine the Baldos technique?

“Ed advised me to experience a variety of failures.”

Now that she thought about it, Edgar had also said that tasting failures in various ways could increase the odds of success.

In that sense, she had been repeating only one type of failure.

She had fallen because she insisted only on critical strikes.

“I’ll execute the Baldos technique. I’ll cut my opponent multiple times simultaneously.”

Thus, Enya decided to redefine the essence of the Baldos technique.

A sword technique that simultaneously cuts the opponent through the Baldos—

What if this were to be defined?

“…Magic?”

Now that she thought about it, this truly seemed like magic.

To think that merely drawing the sword could make an opponent collapse from a distance seems nonsensical.

Unless there was a special formula…

“Wait.”

At that moment, a thought flickered in Enya’s mind.

Could the Baldos technique be called a sword technique?

Given that it consisted of a single action and had no systematic structure, referring to it as swordplay seemed unfounded.

That was why her father and Professor Gracia scoffed at the Baldos technique.

“A technique that simultaneously cuts the opponent through execution.”

Thus, Enya shifted the term from swordplay to technique.

If the Baldos technique is changed to a technique, could its mechanism be made to work?

“…It’s possible.”

It is possible.

There is nothing in this world that cannot be achieved through techniques.

Instead, it simply added the act of swinging the sword.

“I must learn technique.”

The Cruell family was a family famous for swordplay.

And she considered herself a genius at swordplay.

Because of these two premises, she had never thought of learning technique.

Given that her father was a magic swordsman who wielded both techniques and swordplay.

“When drawing the sword, converting the friction into magical energy to cut the opponent—this is the ultimate swordplay.”

Thus, Enya slightly altered the definition of the Baldos technique.

Changing “kinetic” energy into “magical” energy.

A smile appeared on her face.

***

At the same time.

Finally, Clendor’s battleship arrived at the port.

The colossal ship carrying Crown Prince Ian, Second Prince Luke, and First Princess Bianca docked at the southern harbor.

“Welcome to the Empire. Thank you for the effort of traveling such a long distance.”

And receiving them this time were also Grand Mage Elena and Sword Master Ireya.

However, unlike the arrogant Leon, Ian gratefully expressed thanks for the welcome while apologizing for Leon’s misdeeds.

“Hahaha. Not at all. More than that, you’ll be hungry after such a long trip. Let me guide you to the banquet hall right away.”

The subtle change in diplomatic standing was apparent.

The tone was certainly respectful, but there was a nonchalance evident in the attitudes and gazes of Elena and Ireya.

‘They are full of themselves.’

Ian found that somewhat displeasing but could do nothing about it now.

Unlike before, where they were in a superior position, they had now fallen to a partnership.

‘As long as I can obtain what I desire. The authority for setting the sea route and naval training.’

Nevertheless, he decided to accept what he had to and take advantage of the situation.

Turning a blind eye to Ireya’s subtle condescension while strategizing for an opportunity.

Throughout the party, she subtly belittled them by bringing up Leon, but Ian, Luke, and Bianca laughed it all off.

When they finally met the effective leader of this expedition, the Princess, the Second Prince Ian finally bared his fangs.

He proposed changing the sea route along with the necessity of naval training.

“Do so.”

“…?”

However, the Princess’s reaction was unexpected.

The Empire was ignorant about setting sea routes, but to so easily accept naval combat was surprising.

It was clear they could be shattered.

“…Are you sure? The Empire’s ship may suffer some damage during naval battles. Unfortunately, there will inevitably be injuries as well.”

Thus, Ian probed the Princess once more.

Yet again, the Princess repeated her only answer.

“That’s fine. Coincidentally, we are developing a battleship for this expedition as well. It should be constructed around a month from now, so how about we conduct joint training then?”

The Empire is also developing a fleet?

Ian barely managed to suppress the urge to scoff.

The technological gap between the Great Clendor Empire and the Empire was incalculable, after all.

‘Still, the Princess is so confident; that’s unsettling.’

But the Princess didn’t seem like the type to speak without thought.

She seemed to display her demeanor for a specific reason…

‘They said they started trading with the Dwarves again recently. So perhaps…’

She might be relying on the Dwarves’ technology.

It was heard that several Dwarven masters were dispatched to the Empire.

They seemed to be dispatched to aid in constructing the battleship—

‘It will be useless.’

It won’t yield any significant effects.

Dwarves live in mountainous regions, and their technology related to battleships lags far behind Clendor’s.

At best, it would just mean an upgraded cannon.

Dwarves are proficient in firearms and artillery, after all.

‘What a delusion. Naval battles are not solely about firepower.’

However, simply upgrading firepower would mean nothing if other elements weren’t in place.

To win in naval warfare, a ship’s agility must also be exceptional, and skills in navigation, utilizing waves and weather, are crucial.

Just increasing firepower won’t cut it.

‘Above all, our battleship has evolved even more than before.’

Moreover, Clendor’s battleship is the strongest in the world.

It has gone through modifications upon modifications to reach its final version.

There won’t be a better battleship than this.

“Hahaha. The Empire’s battleship, I’m looking forward to it. Very well.”

Thus, Ian readily accepted the Princess’s proposal.

The joint training between the Empire and the Great Clendor Empire would take place in a month.

Clendor would undoubtedly achieve victory.

“Then I understand that the joint training will be conducted in a month.”

At last, Ian stood up from his seat and reached for a handshake with the Princess.

The Princess smirked slightly as she accepted his hand, and they exchanged smiles, gazing into each other’s eyes.

***

Meanwhile, in Edgar’s territory, the number of workers was steadily increasing.

Now with 112 construction wearable robots operating,

a large workforce was necessary to not only operate the steel mill but also the shipyard.

“…This is enormous.”

Consequently, the financial outflow was no joke.

To smoothly manage thousands of workers, issues of food, clothing, and shelter all had to be resolved, and to extract 21 hours of labor while allowing them to sleep just 3 hours, he had to circulate a large number of mental recovery scrolls and fatigue recovery scrolls to rejuvenate them.

All of this was the financial bleed occurring in an attempt to construct the battleship as quickly as possible.

“Even with support from the royal family, I didn’t expect it to be this costly.”

With his earned money, along with the substantial support from Elmar Territory,

and the royal support, he was undertaking an enormous endeavor.

Yet the funds were already dwindling.

Since the mass production systems for mining technology and agricultural technology had yet to be established, costs remained high.

Thus, Edgar was seeking a revolution in both mining technology and an increase in agricultural output simultaneously.

With the labor revolution achieved through construction wearable robots, he aimed to transition the entire territory into a mass production system.

“Once the battleship is completed, there will be surplus goods.”

The shift to a mass production system.

That meant there would be a dramatic increase in supply.

Currently, he was engaged in an enormous business that surpassed the era of battleship construction, consuming all available food and resources, but eventually, everything produced in factories would accumulate as surplus.

‘I must find a market.’

When that time came, he would need to find places to sell them.

For example, to an island nation, Clendor, located near the southern part of the Empire.

He would arrive with the battleship shouting, “Open up, you bastards!”

Then follow up with, “Aren’t you going to greet me? I brought some good stuff; don’t you want to buy?” to find buyers.

“What a gentlemanly idea.”

Indeed, this was a thought proposing imperialism.

However, there was no choice for the sake of development in the territory.

To build the fortress city he envisioned to prepare for demonic threats, this method was the most effective.

He planned to eventually expand this fortress city to accommodate refugees.

As a result, he would end up being able to protect even the people of Clendor.

“Lord.”

At that moment, Gric came to visit Edgar.

He had come to deliver a letter addressed to Edgar.

Receiving the letter, Edgar smiled faintly.

It was from Isabella.

“Um… Lord.”

As Edgar wore a small smile, Gric addressed him.

When Edgar looked at him, Gric carefully spoke up.

“How about moving your office now?”

“…? Why?”

“Well… Since you’re building a steel mill, doesn’t it seem too shabby to call this your office?”

The container box that Edgar used as a temporary office.

In truth, this place exuded more of a workforce office vibe than a lord’s office.

Among various machines scattered about, there was only a water dispenser and one desk.

“It’s okay. I’m comfortable here.”

However, a clean, polished place wasn’t Edgar’s style.

A workshop filled with a strangely addictive smell of soldering suited Edgar better.

“…?”

It was a genuine comfort that Edgar seemed to feel in this place.

With that, Gric bowed respectfully and withdrew.

Despite possessing so much wealth, his respect for the lord—who shared it all with the people of the territory and refrained from indulging in luxury—naturally grew.

“…Tomorrow is already here.”

Meanwhile, Edgar was reading the letter sent by Isabella.

It stated that they would meet at midnight in the back mountain of the academy, where they had last met.

Tomorrow would be the day her repressed feelings would be liberated after 49 days.

“I’d better work hard today.”

So Edgar decided he would accomplish as much as possible today.

With the final construction of the Dreadnought battleship not far away,

he had to move busily in time for the joint training day.

Finally, Edgar changed into work clothes and stepped out of the container box.

 

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