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To be honest, as a captain, I’m not that busy.

I’ve trained the crew well enough so the dreadnought can run smoothly without my constant involvement.

So, all I have to do is make ‘decisions.’

My only duty was to hear reports of the daily issues on the ship, and then to make decisions based on those reports.

In other words, I had some ‘free time.’

“Hmmm….”

So I decided to use this idle time to organize my thoughts a bit.

It was about determining which direction I should head in the future.

Because although I had created numerous devices thus far, my skill levels in craftsmanship and engineering still stagnated at level 3.

It was high time I pushed into level 4.

“…”

Sure, I’m definitely strong enough right now.

Compared to my previous phases, I’ve grown to the point where I surpass the strongest in the Academy and am approaching the ranks of the strongest in this world.

Considering my growth trajectory, I had become strong enough to be shamelessly ambitious.

‘…But.’

However, I still felt inadequate.

I know I need to grow stronger to defeat the demons, so I long for more power.

That’s why I’m searching for ways to raise my levels of ‘craftsmanship’ and ‘engineering thought.’

I’ve been stagnating for quite some time now.

‘What could the conditions be?’

Thus, I pondered.

What exactly are the conditions for raising my levels of craftsmanship and engineering thought?

Initially, I thought I just needed to make a lot of equipment.

Whatever equipment I made would grant me experience points necessary for craftsmanship and engineering thought.

But when I built the dreadnought recently, I became certain of something.

I wouldn’t be able to level up this way.

For when I constructed the dreadnought, the experience points I received were a complete 0.

‘This won’t work. Simply replicating modern technology won’t help me.’

Hence, I concluded that the answer lay in ‘magic engineering.’

Just as I borrowed the mana circulation system of the blue dragon into my body, I would proactively utilize the principles and mechanical structure of this world to create weapons or suits.

In fact, the slowdown in the experience points for my skills began when I focused on replicating modern firearms.

“Let’s get started.”

So I decided to return to my roots and update my body.

Transforming from a simple battery to a powerful and long-lasting one.

“Ed… do you really have to do that again?”

“Please, Master.”

Thus, I summoned Elena to the captain’s office.

To remove the mana stones in my body and implant emerald mana stones instead.

Emerald mana stones have a much higher mana compression rate than regular mana stones, and since they can be finely crushed, I could set up my body more efficiently.

“Phew… let’s begin.”

With that, I received a ‘link’ from Elena and used her telekinesis.

Just like before, I began to cut into my body with a scalpel.

– *Puhwack!*

Perhaps because it had been a while, my surgical skills were a bit rusty.

I accidentally cut into areas I shouldn’t have or ruptured tendons and arteries, among various mishaps.

Fortunately, Elena healed me each time, allowing me to get through it safely.

– *Tap… Tap… Tap…*

So I began to extract my existing mana stones.

I removed all 37 mana stones scattered throughout my body.

Now, I was left with a body indistinguishable from an ordinary person’s.

“Phew… I’ll start again.”

Then, I began to implant the prepared emerald mana stones.

Currently, I had 127 emerald mana stones ready, which corresponds to three times the amount of the regular mana stones.

In other words, the amount of mana I could hold increased threefold and my mana transfer rate improved as well.

‘Three times the existing mana capacity… then I can use ‘that.’’

Thus, I’d be able to unleash a more explosive shot.

Gathering a massive amount of mana in the giant mana stone at the center of my chest to blast a destructive beam.

Just like Iron Man’s Unibeam.

‘In the past, I couldn’t use it because I had to exhaust all my mana. But with the emerald mana stones…’

It would be possible.

I’d have about 60% power left after firing the Unibeam, making it more than sufficient.

It was three hours into the surgery as I contemplated the Unibeam.

“Thank you for your hard work, Master. I appreciate your help as always.”

I had finally completed the major operation of implanting 127 emerald mana stones.

Elena replied with a disgusted expression at my words.

“Ugh… I can tolerate it because it’s you. You’re the only one who would show off their guts to me.”

“Ehehe, thanks!”

“Well then, I’m off! I have my own work to do.”

Once the surgery was over, Elena headed out of the captain’s office to continue her own research.

Left alone again, I folded my legs to begin mana synthesis to reap the benefits of the surgery.

I wanted to feel the differences throughout my body.

– *Gooooooooo…*

Absorbing the mana from the surrounding atmosphere, feeling every movement within my body.

It certainly felt different from before.

It felt as if the heat of high-proof alcohol was flowing through my veins, the delicate sensations of mana became more vivid.

It felt like the strength had returned to my previously numb fingers.

I definitely felt it was worth updating my body.

“Now, all that’s left is…”

Updating the suit.

Since the specifications of the battery had changed, I needed to reconfigure the suit to match those specifications.

I began to tweak the power supply and mana control systems of the suit.

Along with that, I installed an embedded device that could fire the ‘Unibeam’ from the center of my chest.

In other words, I added a control device that enables elemental conversion of the Unibeam according to the opponent’s weaknesses.

Just to prevent any accidents like shooting a fire Unibeam at a target in the water.

“Hmmm….”

Afterward, I opened the status window to check the experience points of my skills.

I wanted to see how much experience I gained from this major surgery.

However, the result was extremely minimal.

Disappointing considering the effort, but I decided to focus on the fact that I gained experience.

Because recently, I hadn’t seen any increase in experience at all.

“…Hmm?”

Just then, a thought flashed in my mind.

Recalling how I hadn’t utilized the emerald mana stones much, I found the answer to my lack of experience points.

“Was it the materials that were the issue…!”

Materials.

Recently, I hadn’t been using a variety of materials.

Most of what I made was from iron, and I supplemented what was lacking with magic formulas.

Despite the abundance of various materials in this world, I hadn’t utilized most of them.

“Right… I was only using things from Earth… with the deficiencies supplemented by magic formulas.”

Why hadn’t I realized this?

Material engineering is undeniably a branch of engineering.

To create any equipment or item, one must understand what materials are appropriate for the task, the properties of those materials, and their respective advantages and disadvantages.

If we think about it, the rise of warfare among humanity likely began with the processing of iron in materials engineering.

Considering that, I reflected on this expedition.

Here lay one of the three magical zones of the world that humanity had never conquered, the ‘Sea Wall.’

What kind of minerals might be inside that wall?

Could there be ultra-rare minerals like ‘emerald mana stones’ as in the days of the dwarves?

If such existed, I could level up much faster than expected.

As I continued to think, excitement rose within me, and my body buzzed with anticipation.

I might be able to escape this eternal level 3!

– *Knock. Knock.*

At that moment, someone knocked on my door.

When I ordered them to come in, Gric entered with a tense expression and whispered to me.

“Her Highness is calling for you.”

“…”

Yeah, I guess the time has come.

It’s time to plan how to deal with the second prince, Ian.

I quickly put on my coat and left the captain’s office.

***

“It’s almost time. Are you fully prepared?”

In the princess’s private chamber.

I politely responded to the princess that all preparations were completed, as she pointed to the map on the table with a grin and continued.

“Well, as you know after countless discussions, Ian’s conspiracy will take place here. That means we have about 30 minutes left.”

“…”

Ian’s conspiracy.

It was nothing less than a plan to turn me into a puppet.

Luring me to the sea and leaving me near death, then using the demon church bishop to take control of my mind.

The bishop from the Demon Church, which was population-based in the darkness of Clendor, apparently had an advantage in mental attacks.

“Are you sure you can handle this alone?”

However, I decided to fully expose myself to Ian’s plan.

I would willingly step into the trap he set for me.

Because the moment he reveals his true intentions will be the only opportunity.

It would be my chance to secure evidence that he had been playing tricks on me.

“I’m fine.”

Thus, I readily volunteered to play the bait.

Given the connection between him and the Demon Church, to uproot the demon congregation in Clendor, I first needed to unmask the bishop disguised as a member of the Salvation Church.

– *Gugugugugugu…!*

“A sea monster has appeared!”

And just then, that moment arrived.

The moment when I, called the strongest underwater fighter, faced off with the bishop of the Clendor Demon Church.

– *Click.*

I equipped my sturdy suit which had been newly upgraded and awaited to confront my foes.

 

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