落とし穴１５５堀：とびたい (Part1)
Pitfall 155: I Want to Fly
I Want to Fly
Side: Taiki
"Hmm. What should I do?"
I had been muttering that to myself for a while now as I wandered into the park in Weed.
The reason for my dilemma was...
"Should I try designing an airplane myself? Or should I bring in a specialist..."
Yes, it was about the Birdman Contest in Weed that we had just discussed.
We had informed Zargis and the others of the event and its outline, and since the only other participants were Yuki-san’s wives, we had disbanded on the spot.
Teaming up was free. You could build your own team if you wanted.
"Yuki-san and Taizo-san are both starting their own teams, it seems."
Well, I knew that for those two, riding in a plane designed by someone else would be no fun at all. I felt the same way—I wanted to build my own unique aircraft.
"But then again, I’m a complete amateur when it comes to design... I can only see a future where I crash."
On top of that, there wasn't much preparation time. Only one month.
Normally, you’d go through multiple prototypes and flight tests to get it right, but I didn't even have that much time.
"Time is finite. Hmm..."
With my level of skill, I’d be lucky to finish one machine, let alone have time for adjustments.
In that case, should I rely on Zargis?
If I asked him, he’d probably team up with me, but... that would make it Zargis’s plane, not mine.
As I was agonizing over this, I heard a voice.
"Taiki-sama?"
"Oh, isn't that Taiki-sama?"
"Hm?"
I looked up at the very familiar voices to see Airi and Soel standing there. Both of them were my wives.
"Why are you here?"
I had expected them to be in Ranks, acting as regents for the throne while I was in Weed.
Well, it wasn't like they needed to hold full authority. Thanks to Yuki-san, traveling between Ranks and Weed was easy. Because they could return immediately in an emergency, I had left them in Ranks.
So, why were they here?
"Ruth-san told us to come here for a bit of a breather."
"I am here in the capacity of Queen Airi’s guard. Though, I also thought I might take the opportunity to look at the shops in Weed and apply what I learn to our own city planning."
"Ah, a vacation, then."
If Ruth said it was fine, then it must be. Besides, Airi aside, Soel’s purpose was beneficial for Ranks. He must have sent them off gladly.
"Yes. By the way, Taiki-sama, didn't you say you were planning to spend the day playing with Yuki-sama and Taizo-sama?"
"Now that you mention it, I did hear that. So, where are those two?"
"I hadn't told them yet. Or rather, something just came up..."
As I started to say that, it hit me.
That’s it! I have my own companions!
I didn't have to join Yuki-san’s group; I could form a team with just my own acquaintances!
And since no one in this group knew anything about aircraft design either, I would be the one to draw the blueprints.
...This was it. This was the only way.
"What’s wrong? You suddenly went quiet."
"Was there a problem?"
"No, I was just thinking."
"Thinking?"
"What were you thinking about?"
"Well..."
I immediately explained that I was going to hold the Birdman Contest with Yuki-san and the others, and that I wanted to participate with my own team.
"Is that so? In that case, I will cooperate as well."
"I feel the same. Creating a tool to fly through the sky without using magic—that is wonderful. If it can be put to practical use, it would be an incredible achievement. It would mean that even ordinary people could fly!"
"That’s true. I’ve always wanted to fly in an airplane once. Was it the Wright brothers? I want to see the world that those people who never gave up on their dreams saw."
"Airi is right. Even just following in the footsteps of those who never gave up on flying under their own power, as you taught us, Taiki-sama, would be meaningful enough."
"Thank you, both of you! Alright, then let’s head back to the castle immediately and get the Royal Guard to help with the development!"
"Yes. If it’s about technology for flying, I’m sure Ruth-san will cooperate too."
"Indeed. This is a matter of national interest!"
I see. It certainly was a matter of national interest.
If I pushed that angle, even the stubborn Ruth and the Chancellor, Dando, would nod in agreement.
And so, with the backing of Airi and Soel, I managed to get Ruth and Dando to agree and secured permission for aircraft development, but...
"So, Your Majesty, regarding this airplane you want to build—what kind of materials do you need, and how much?"
"Indeed. There are limits to the budget we can provide. I hope you are aware of that."
I could feel the skepticism and suspicion radiating from Ruth and Dando.
Well, it was natural; if you suddenly say you’re going to build an airplane, people aren't going to believe you.
"Building a plane that doesn't use magic—that is certainly possible. Yuki-sama showed us the real thing, after all."
"It’s not just that; there’s the aircraft carrier used to operate that air power. Having seen something like that, I wouldn't say it’s impossible to fly, but I find it hard to believe that Your Majesty possesses that level of development capability."
"Exactly, Dando."
"I hear you loud and clear—you two don't trust me. I don't need a massive budget. Besides, we aren't talking about building a jet fighter here. It’s a glider. Even a propeller plane is probably too much."
That’s right. I wasn't trying to build an engine-powered propeller plane. That’s not what the Birdman Contest is about. The goal is to fly using human power.
"What do you mean by that?"
"In short, this contest is a challenge for people who are essentially amateurs with a bit of knowledge. If you want to develop a proper flying machine, the state should budget for it. But this is just a hobby."
"In that case, isn't it meaningless?"
"Dando-san. It is not meaningless at all. It is the accumulation of efforts like this that leads to success."
"Airi-san is right. If we succeed in developing our country’s original flying machine through this opportunity, we could possess air power just like Weed, couldn't we? Moreover, the people participating in this development aren't just Yuki-sama and Taizo-sama, but also Comet-sama, Narjia-sama, and Zargis-sama—the greatest minds I know of, all competing against each other. To dismiss that as a mere hobbyist gathering... is that really appropriate for those entrusted with the future of our nation?"
"..."
"..."
Oh, Soel delivered a powerful blow. People like Ruth and Dando, who are made of nothing but common sense, are weak against such sound logic.