I copied some of the frame gear trainers at the workshop and asked everyone else to train with them when they were free. I made eight machines in all and lined them up near the wall of the playroom. It is a true arcade machine. Well, it is the same kind of thing.
　The two players who were surprisingly good at adapting to this were Yumina and Linse. I'm not sure if it's easier for those who are good at magic to get used to it. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
　The image of the frame unit was "programmed" so that it could be viewed externally. Rosetta integrated the information from the two units as a third party's point of view and "programmed" it into the air. It would be easier if the frame gear could be "programmed" to move as well. It might be possible with a huge amount of magic and tremendous input, but it's taking 200 years to get to the Paula level of the bear at Lean's place. I don't want to do it.

'Wow, I've lost!

　The unit on the far right opened and the wolf beastman, our deputy commander, and Norn-san jumped out from inside. From the unit beside it, the fox beastman, Nicola-san, also the deputy commander, comes out.

''It's different from your own body, so you should take that into account when you move. If you're dodging with your senses, the slightest deviation can be fatal.
Boo-hoo. I'm not that fat.

　I was watching on the external monitor and I saw you take Nicola's halberd to the side. I tried to duck with a piece of paper, but I guess the difference between my size and the plane was the difference between winning and losing.
　The playroom is open to all the knights from evening to night after training on the days of the week. I thought I needed a break from time to time, and if I have fun, I'll do my best in training, well, it's just a reward for me.
　A frame unit has also joined that playroom. Everyone quickly became enthralled with the never-before-seen playthings and began to compete with each other.
　I didn't mention the frame gear, of course. I'm sure they think they're playing with it as a plaything, but I don't know what they'd look like if they knew it was actually military training. But for now, I'm okay with that. If they get used to it from playing, that's all that matters to me.
　When I was thinking about this, Rain, the leader of the group, came into the playroom. I've been thinking about this for a while now.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one. Let's fight, fight!
Hey. You were supposed to call me Lord Commander.

　Norn gives a big wave to Rain who comes in. The contrast between Nikola's frowning eyebrows at that is interesting.
　While smiling at the two of them, Ms. Rain comes toward me.

''Your Majesty. Mr. Orba, the trader, would like to see you, Your Majesty.
Oh, there you are.

　I guess they brought the steel that I asked for. Now we can start mass production of the frame gears. That said, though, the pace of mass production is one piece a day. It'll take about three months just to get enough for our Order. The sooner I start working on it, the better.
　When I went to the reception room, Olba-san, who was sitting in the chair, stood up and tried to greet me, but I restrained him from doing so and sat down on the sofa in front of him.

'I've brought you the steel as promised. Here are the specifics. We'll start with five carriages, and we'll deliver the rest in succession.

　I looked over the paper Orba handed me. It listed quantities of steel, copper, silver, and a small amount of gold, mithril, orichalcon, baboon kane, and so on. That's quite a lot, isn't it?

'You brought this much? There seems to be a lot of them.
The items His Majesty has taught me are all very popular. I'm grateful for the fact that every time I took them to any country they sold well. In return, I have been kind enough to offer you a little extra.

　That's how much they sold. The trade merchants' business route is scary. It will spread very quickly through trade between merchants.

Well, there are some merchants who imitate the same kind of products and start selling them, but the first to sell this kind of thing is the first to sell it.

　I guess that's about it. Well, anyone can copy a hula-hoop or a kendama or something like that, and it would be more profitable to sell it first.

But that's an awful lot of steel, what are you going to use it for? Are you going to build an iron castle?
Hmm, well, that's a secret. Ah, yes, Zanuck, the dressmaker, would like to talk to Orba about it. He wants to make a big sale of uniforms and baseball caps to be worn at baseball games.
"Ho-ho. That's also interesting. The baseball-related stuff has been off the charts so far, you know.

　With Orba, who said he was going to a business meeting with Mr. Zanak, I headed to the training area where the steel was brought in.
　In order not to interfere with everyone training, I signed to receive the steel from the merchant corps that was waiting in the corner, and then transferred all the steel that had been loaded on the carriage to the workshop.
　I've already sent the mass-produced frame gears to the Workshop, so Rosetta will be able to begin mass production of them.
　However, it's hard to call it a 'mass production type frame gear'. When I asked Rosetta what the official name was, she said

"FG-09, sir.

　And that's what they said. Well, I guess it's no use, since it got sent off before it was officially put into practice. Still, it's certainly hard to call it that, so we should give it a name. Hmm, "Gray" because it's a gray fuselage... well, that sounds like an alien...
　I think we should call it Chevalier. It means "knight".
　For now, Rosetta will be able to do the mass production and Flora will be able to handle the fuel.
　After parting ways with Orba and the others, I finally got comfortable and was relieving the stiffness in my shoulders in the courtyard when I heard the sound of footsteps running up to me from behind.

''Winter Night Aaaaah!
Guffaw!

　I almost turn around and get a strong tackle on my side. Ouch!
　The assailant leans on top of my fallen body, grabs me by the chest and pulls me in tightly. Look who it is, it's Sue. When did you become Brunhild?
　The blonde Duchess of Ortlinde looks at me blankly, her eyes lifted.

''Winter night! I want my straw to be your wife too! Let's get married!
What?

　What are you talking about all of a sudden, this kid! I thought he was joking, but his eyes are serious. This is a kid with more energy than Yumina. He'd even travel long distances to fix his mother's eyes.

''You like younger people, don't you, Winter Night! The maid, Sheska, told me. Then Warawa is the youngest. No problem!
What the hell did that stupid maid tell you?

　Sure, everyone you're engaged to is younger than you, though! But Yae is one year old, Else and Linse are two years old, and even the youngest Yumina and Lou are four years apart!

That's enough, miss. His Majesty is perplexed.

　Mr. Raym appeared from somewhere and pulled Sue off.
　So Mr. Raym was here too? Well, I see. There's no way he'd come from the royal capital of Belfast alone, no matter how much it takes.

''What on earth is going on? I can't see the story.
As a matter of fact, I've been approached by Miss Soucie about a marriage proposal.
'A warrior never marries anyone but a winter's night! No!

　A marriage proposal. Well, that's steep again. No, wouldn't that be impossible in Sue's position? As I recall, Sue is 11 years old now, and people in the royal family get engaged and decide on a partner by 15? Youmina's 12 and she's engaged to me, for starters.

And who's with you?
"His Royal Highness Prince Zaven, First Prince of the Kingdom of Linier.

　Linie? As I recall, it's a country just across the ocean, north of the Liefreys empire. It's the southern country that divides the largest island in the west, Parnier Island, into two parts. It's always in a skirmish with the Kingdom of Paloof in the north, or something like that. It's a country that trades not only with Leafs, but also with Belfast and Regulus.



''If you just listen to the story, it doesn't sound like a bad match.
You are not! I don't want to marry a man who is a stranger to me!
What did His Royal Highness say?
I haven't responded yet. It's not a bad deal for the country.

　Well, hey, he's a prince of a country. I guess this match-up is a possibility if you're thinking of bringing Belfast and Linier closer together. It will be a political marriage.

''But I'm surprised that Mr. Reim has also brought Sue here. Does the Duke know about this?''
I know. It's in the form of a left letter. But since your daughter has flown away.... And since I, personally, am against this match-up, if you don't mind...
Disagree? Why?

　The first prince would be the future king. If you marry there, you'll be the future queen, and the Dukes of Ortlinde will be related to you. I don't see any reason to oppose it.

"Prince Zaven's reputation is not very good. Especially in relation to women. According to the information from Belfast's intelligence unit "Espion", several Linier noblemen's daughters and castle maids have been taken into custody. So it is widely rumoured that even now, in his thirties, he cannot succeed to the throne.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait! I'm over 30! You're that far away!

　Isn't this a problem? You're too far away from each other for any amount of time. No, when I was in the other side of the world, I would see a wide range of shows and things like, "Age difference marriage! The guy is 30 years younger than me! But that's like a man in his 50s and a woman in her 20s or something, and what about a 30 man who gets an 11 year old wife? Or is that even possible in this world!

Is that it? We'll just get engaged for now, and when Suu grows up, he'll get a wife...
'No, sir. She wishes to marry at once. I understand you were introduced to Lady Lucy at a goodwill party at Prince Lefries.
No strawberries!

　Wow. Maybe it's not my place to say, but I'm kind of pulling back. A pedophile prince? No, if he's messing with other women, isn't he a pedophile? That doesn't seem to make him a complimentary figure, though.

''So, Fuyao, please, please, let me have a strawberry. You don't have to be the same as Yumina-sama. It's just a matter of keeping them by your side. Can't you, Fuyu night?

　I stood there, unable to pull Suu away from me as she clung to me tightly. At least from what I've heard, I don't think Sue would be very happy if she were to marry. But when you think about Belfast, this is not a problem that I can do anything about on my own.

''Let's talk about it for now........''

　To the Duke, His Majesty the King, and my potential wives.