Magic revolution of a Young Noblewoman Starting Over ~ The Executed Villainess restores her Ruined Family ~ Restraint? Prudence? I'm more interested in magic tools than that! - Chapter 31
Reverse engineering
That magic tool, it was something very similar to something in my memory.
Though I say that, the owner of that memory is not [Leticia].
It’s something that belongs to Miyanohara Mizuki, who’d been born in the other world.[1]
There were several things related to this device in her memory, but the one from within that had the biggest impact, was the real — or more precisely, restored — thing that I saw.
☆
Back when Mizuki was in high school, her geeky brother invited her to come with to Yokosuka[2].
His goal was to see the [Mikasa], the only battleship in existence in Japan.
Built at the Vickers shipyard in the UK, the battleship later took part in the Russo-Japanese War’s blockade of Port Arthur and the Battle of the Yellow Sea, among others.
In the Battle of the Sea of Japan, which became the final, deciding battle, she took the lead as the flagship of the Combined Fleet, defeating the Russian’s Baltic Fleet in a side-by-side battle head-on. Her distinguished service led the Japan Navy to victory.
After being decommissioned, the ship went to ruin after the war and was restored with the help of many people. She was then preserved as a memorial ship.
When she visited Mikasa, Mizuki went around in the warship, and was fascinated by a machine that was being displayed in the communications room.
There, lay a restored [Type 36 Wireless Telegraph].
Using a switch called a telegraph key that goes beep, boop boop… striking a Morse Code signal, it was that communications device.
The key figure in the shadows of the Battle of the Sea of Japan, was undoubtedly this communications device.
The Baltic Fleet got close to Japan, and while the navy chased in that direction with bloodshot eyes, the auxiliary cruiser [Shinanomaru] discovered the enemy fleet early in the morning and telegraphed the message, [Enemy fleet in sight], using this machine.
Afterwards, the cruiser [Izumi] took over contact with the enemy fleet, and also kept reporting the enemy’s position and course using this communications device, leading to the previously mentioned Combined Fleet destroying the enemy fleet.
For Mizuki, that communications device was shocking.
It was a time when the blessing of electricity was only just beginning to become widespread amongst the people.
There was no internet, let alone television.
In an era where it could be said that the tests for radio prototypes had only just begun in foreign countries.
Victory in the battle which Japan wagered its fate upon, had been brought about by the [information] that the tiny telegraph key produced.
That fact, and the domestically-produced communications device that had been the world’s best at that time that was right before her eyes, shook Mizuki to her core.
☆
Right now, right before my eyes, is without a doubt a communications device with the composition of that [telegraph key].
It seems there’s no doubt that the communications device uses magic power.
The problem is———
”Onii-sama, do you mind if I ask something?”
”Nah. What’s up, Letty?”
”This Mistreel line, do you know where it was connected?”
When I asked that, my brother looked at the knight beside him.
”Frank, the one that confiscated this magic tool was you?”
”Yes. It was me.”
The knight Frank who nodded, came right up to me and got down on one knee.
”?”
”Leticia-sama, thank you so much for protecting us the other day. For me to express my gratitude directly, it is an honour.”
The knight Frank said so, smiling.
”Uh, uhm… you’re welcome?”
Due to the sudden words of gratitude, my tone turned to that of a question.
”As for Ojou-sama’s question just now, this line had gone along the wall, and extended to the roof.”
”The roof…”
I began to ponder.
Had this line extended to the ground, it could have been a wired transmission.
If so, then it would have been possible to trace the line and immediately identify the person with whom the duke was communicating.
However, the knight Frank said this line [extended to the roof].
In other words, this communications device is for wireless use.
It’s not easy to identify the destination of the signal.
”At the end of this line that extended to the roof, what did it look like?”
”Uhm, I think… right. Atop the roof was something like a wooden frame that it wrapped around.”
Frank the knight, mentioning important information as he recalls it.
I then hastily asked him yet another question.
”That frame, was the line wrapped around it randomly? Or did it seem to have some sort of intention behind it, being wrapped in a way like it was drawing a figure?”
”Uhm… I don’t know if it’s fine to call it a figure, but I think it was wrapped along in the shape of a circle, triangle, or square.”
”That’s it!!”
Being quite excited, I shouted out unconsciously.
”Letty, by any chance, did you figure out something about this magic tool?”
As my father asked me that question, I nodded and thought for a bit.
”Yes. I don’t have conclusive proof, but most likely.”
”Amazing. I didn’t have a clue what this was.”
Father was surprised.
Next to him, my brother asked a question.
”And so, what is this magic tool?”
”… I think it might be some kind of [communications device].”
”Communications device?”
”Yes. A magic tool that can exchange information with similar devices in distant locations, like how a beacon works.”
””A beacon…””
Following my words, everyone present was stunned.
The first one to open their mouth, was Graham-nii-sama.
”So what do you mean? Is there a possibility that the Duke Oswell, using this magic tool, was exchanging information with a foreign power!?”
My elder brother muttered with a pale face.
To that question, my father replied.
”I can’t be certain, but if so, then that would explain why the enemy was able to attack on the day of the incident, at that place and timing where His Majesty and His Highness were both present.”
”Letty, are you certain in your judgement that this is communication equipment?”
Hearing my brother’s words, I hesitated.
This magic tool is definitely, nine out of ten, communication equipment.
However, if I were to declare that that is so, how should I do it?
I can declare so because I know [this thing]’s true form from Mizuki’s memories, but that’s not the case for other people.
I need solid evidence.
”Onii-sama. This magic tool, is it in a usable state?”
”No, no matter how I press the switch, or turn the dial, it didn’t even give the slightest response. Since there’s no movement of magic power, I think it’s either out of magic power or disconnected…”
”can I open this box?”
When I asked my brother, he looked at the Judicial Ministry official.
”Understood. I shall be your witness.”
The young Judicial Ministry official nodded.
”Alright. Let’s open the box.”
Thus, we decided to open the mystery magic tool’s box.
☆
”Is this… a magic circuit?”
My brother tilted his head.
I nodded.
”It’s a wooden circuit board. It’s not made of resin like our Family’s, so it’s awfully big.”
”Looks like the Mistreel lines have melted.”
Just like my father said, the lines on the circuit board were nearly melted completely from what their original shape was.
I trace the line from the magic stone, and came up with a conclusion.
”It’s a self-destruct device.”
””Self-destruct device?””
My father and brother asked back at the same time.
”Yes. This red button on the back is the self-destruct switch[3], and pushing it sends a powerful flow of magic power, destroying the circuit board. ——— most likely, when the Second Knight Order came to raid, in order to hide this device’s function, they destroyed it.”
Hearing what I said, Graham-nii-sama made a bitter face.
”𝚂𝚑𝚒𝚝. So, we really can’t use this device as evidence, huh…”
My brother was frustrated.
To that brother of mine, I smiled.
”No, it’s fine. This magic tool can be properly used as evidence.”
”Huh? But this circuit board is broken, so we can’t use it as evidence.”
”I’ll fix it.”
”” Huh?””
My father and brother’s eyes widened.
”I know how it functions, and the parts other than the circuit board are still in good condition. With this much, I should be able to restore it.”
”Are you sure you can fix it?”
I nodded at my father, who asked that in surprise.
”Yes… Just who do they think they are to pick a fight with us. Let’s show that duke our Family’s — the Ainsworths’ technological prowess!!”
TL Notes:
[1]it’s weirdly refreshing to hear the MC call Earth the isekai ↩
[2]it’s a city in Japan ↩
[3]classic colour scheme ↩
it’s been too long since I got a 3k+ chapter… and it had historical facts and names too… I’m so tired…