Chapter 645

Improvements to the Parfe Cargo Wagon
After adding more fine adjustments, we had the general form completed by the day before arriving in Catastie.
Yep. It’s a tank.
Six restraint spider-thread launchers to serve as machine guns, and a single turret for breaking obstacles.
The spider-thread launchers can be aimed from inside the wagon and reloaded safely.
The destruction turret fires a type of explosive demolition round specialized for breaking objects, and it too can be reloaded from inside.
After studying the mechanisms, it seems we can maintain enough airtightness to withstand even a dragon’s breath.
It is, without question, a tank.

“Are there any other parts that might become a problem?”

“Let me think… The biggest bottleneck would normally be development cost, but all materials are provided by you, Lady Lily. We’re merely assembling it. Including equipment testing, we’ll finish mass production before the autumn trade runs.”

As expected of LumiTech—quick to act.
The branch manager is motivated too, even if the armaments themselves are simple, since they’re bringing in magi-science technology.
Even the improvised launch system Lana threw together during our travels had impressive output. It might spark new technological breakthroughs.
It’s only a device for launching things, so the applications I can think of are limited, but engineers will surely find other uses.
I’d like Lana and the technicians to handle everything in that realm.
Complicated technical talk is beyond me.

“And Lady Lily, regarding this cargo wagon… if nobles inquire about it, how should we respond?”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

“Whether we may disclose the wagon’s structure. With your status now, even His Majesty the Duke cannot force information out of you. But if this design is used properly, it can transport cargo safely—if misused, it could cause disasters. Once the structure spreads, your reputation could suffer.”

Hmm, that’s one way to look at it.
But isn’t this level of modification something anyone could do?
When I asked that aloud, the answer was a firm no.
Apparently, unless someone has my level of funds and production capability, it’s impossible.

“The biggest issue is building the cargo section itself. Even if you remove the shock-absorption system—the core of the Parfe-car—and focus on making it lighter, the large size makes it heavy. And normally, cargo wagons are pulled by horses or donkeys. Their long necks make it difficult to protect them with a covering box. To replicate this protection method, they would need to breed and raise cows as strong as Parfes. Practical implementation would take decades.”

I see—so the box is the most important part.
Attacking the draft animal to halt the wagon is a realistic tactic in ambushes.
The box of this cargo wagon is crucial exactly because it protects against that strategy.
Parfes have short necks, which makes the “covering box” method possible.
If someone breeds powerful cows, they could imitate it.
As for putting armor on horses or donkeys—that fell out of use ages ago.
Unless the armor is fully custom-made, it barely protects the neck, and even then, it’s so heavy that stamina drains quickly.
High cost, low return.

“Could we make something similar using a magic-engine vehicle?”

“Possibly. Using a magic vehicle instead of livestock would be cheaper. However, if you’re transporting cargo with a magic vehicle, the current trucks already do the job. And instead of the new launch system, standard magic machine guns are more reliable.”

So in the end, this cargo wagon only works because *I* have Parfes as a new power source.
For defense, we can replenish restraint spider-thread ammunition on the road thanks to the Kiblinki Saltas, but for normal people, a magic machine gun that guarantees hundreds of rounds per magic-stone charge is cheaper and easier to handle.
It seems the question is whether to release the design in the future or not.

“Hmm… then let’s just register it with the Trade Guild. We only combined existing technologies, after all. The materials are the only unusual part.”

“Understood. Once we return to Vardmoi, I’ll discuss it with Lady Alizée.”

This won’t become a major rights issue.
Its range of application is far too narrow.
If made of ordinary wood or cloth, it’s no better than existing wagons—and just as fragile.
If made of metal, it becomes too heavy for normal livestock.
And if livestock can’t pull it, then people would just buy a magic vehicle instead.
So this is really just a “we’ll claim the rights, just in case” sort of thing.
It wasn’t designed as a way to make money anyway, so that’s fine by me.

What do you think about this chapter?