第１９４７堀：荒野試験開始 (Part2)
"That’s exactly right. For that matter, Firia and the others have driven it, too. Hivia, Narjia, and Wazfi have all managed to pilot it."
"Wait, you’ve let them drive it that much?"
"Well, they are part of the development team, aren't they? So they’re capable of handling the basics. Surprisingly—or perhaps it’s only natural—Narjia was the most skilled of them all."
Ah, come to think of it, Big Sis Narjia is quite talented at crafting magic tools and enchantments, isn't she?
If that’s the case, I suppose it’s no wonder she’s good at this, even if I’m not sure whether this kind of vehicle technically classifies as a "magic tool."
"Now, we’ve chatted quite a bit, but if Hiiro doesn't start driving soon, nothing is going to get finished, is it?"
"I know, I know. Alright, initiating the test run for Ship One."
With that, Hiiro decides to get down to business.
That said, the way you pilot this land battleship is fundamentally no different from a naval warship.
The only difference is that the entire thing can be operated by a single person.
The steering and the weapons systems are separated—or rather, they have to be, otherwise, the accuracy would plummet.
Unless you’re a monster like Big Sis Yayui, you can’t handle all the systems effectively at once.
Ah, well, since there’s no one else on her level, we’ll just operate them separately as usual.
For now, I’m focusing solely on steering.
"Engine start. All stations, report status."
"Engine running without issue. Readings are normal."
"Hull, armor, and interior are all clear."
Right. There are personnel assigned to check every section of the battleship—not just the engine—and their reports are coming in now.
We’re making sure not to overlook even the slightest imperfection.
Since this is the first time we’re using this weapon, there’s no telling what kind of trouble could arise from a missed detail.
Well, we’ve cleared the first stage.
"Engine, increase output to operational range."
"Roger, increasing output! Reaching operational range in 3, 2, 1, 0! Output increase complete, no issues!"
"All hands, brace for movement impact. Ship One is commencing movement."
As Hiiro says this, the operator relays the message.
"All hands, message from the bridge. Commencing movement! Everyone, brace for impact!"
This "movement impact" is just a way of saying, "Sit down while the vehicle starts moving."
It’s dangerous to have people suddenly thrown off balance while they’re busy with maintenance or other tasks.
"All stations, bracing complete."
Good, it seems everyone has secured themselves without issue.
"Speed 10, accelerating to a maximum of 50. Launch."
I report the speed here so the operator can relay it to the crew.
"Speed 10, max 50. Launching, everyone brace!"
Confirming the operator’s repetition, I push the accelerator lever forward.
It’s not placed at my feet like in a car; honestly, sudden starts and rapid acceleration are impossible with a giant like this.
Besides, Big Sis Firia and the others mentioned that they designed it so anyone could stop it in an emergency.
It’s true—if the controls were at your feet, they’d get in the way if the floor was damaged or if someone fell over.
Having them up here makes it easier to hit the brakes.
While I’m thinking about that, the land battleship gradually begins to move.
"Speed 10 reached. Continuing acceleration... 15... 20..."
We’re picking up speed.
Inside the land battleship, there’s no vibration at all, thanks to the magic barrier-based cushion system in the undercarriage.
It’s incomparable to a carriage.
Oh, and while it might be a stretch to call it a hotel, there are accommodations inside where people can sleep.
Soldiers have to spend days at a time in here, after all.
We’ve even secured space to house civilians in the event of an emergency.
"Maximum speed of 50 reached!"
Oh, look at that, I’ve finished the scheduled task before I knew it.
"Maintain speed of 50 for 30 minutes. Monitor all measurements strictly."
"Understood."
Now we’ll gather the data for travel at speed 50.
By the way, we haven't set a specific course.
It’s a wasteland, after all.
There’s no point in building a course, and paved roads wouldn't give us the data we need from the wilderness.
Incidentally, it seems that if we encounter large boulders, the ship uses its magic barrier to automatically nudge them out of the way.
Though, if it’s as big as a plateau, we’re going to hit it.
"Hiiro. Try crashing into that plateau."
"No way."
I’ve heard that even a land battleship would get wrecked by that.
"It’s fine. The crew will survive. I want to see the extent of the damage."
"Do that with an unmanned ship, then."
Seriously, leave Hiiro and the rest of us out of those kinds of durability tests.
The people who build these things are always craving the most extreme data.
Well, I suppose data from the edge of destruction is more valuable than data from a safe, boring zone, but still.