Konbini Ossan Volume 4 Chapter 21 — High-Frequency Blade
“That’s… the weapon you’re talking about?”
Marceline’s voice was filled with doubt.
Well, that was understandable. The magic tool I’d taken out looked like nothing more than a flat sheet of metal.
“This metal plate is made from thin steel. It’s been imbued with the same skill as the earlier sword — and sharpened along the edges.”
I handed the plate to Marceline-dono. It was a long, narrow parallelogram, its three sides honed into edges. The remaining side, unsharpened, had several holes drilled along it.
“I see. If I channel mana into this, it’ll cut as sharply as the sword from before?”
“Yes.”
“But as it is, it can’t be used as a weapon.”
“Correct. That’s why it attaches to this hilt.”
From my storage pouch, I pulled out another magic tool — a peculiar one that was only the hilt of a sword. A luminous magic stone was embedded near the guard.
After taking the plate back from Marceline, I slid it into the hilt’s slot by the guard, then pulled the trigger beside it.
The holes in the plate locked firmly into place.
“This hilt’s magic stone stores mana and supplies it to the blade. Once it does, the plate activates its skill and begins vibrating.
…
That way, even soldiers with low mana reserves can use the weapon effectively.”
“I see. If the blade breaks easily, then you simply design it to be replaceable from the start.
…
A sheet of steel with an edge is far cheaper to make than forging a full sword. Each soldier could carry several of these plates.”
It seemed Marceline had grasped the usefulness of this magic tool.
“In the future, I plan to let each scabbard carry around ten of these plates. I call them ‘High-Frequency Blades.’ When a blade breaks, the user can pull the trigger to eject it.
…
Then, by sliding the weapon back into the scabbard, a new blade automatically attaches.”
With that mechanism, blade replacement would be quick and easy — no special training required. Even an unskilled soldier could manage it.
“Hmm. But there are still a few problems.”
Marceline began listing the flaws of the High-Frequency Blade.
“First, the issue of soldier proficiency. If a soldier doesn’t strike with the blade properly aligned, it’ll snap before it even cuts.
…
Such a delicate weapon isn’t suited for troops with little training.”
That was a fair point. Most soldiers weren’t swordsmen — many were farmers or merchants before being drafted.
Which was why they were typically issued thick, durable blades instead.
But I’d already considered that, and added another function to the blade.
“In that case, I’ve given the blade an additional feature besides vibration.”
I stopped the blade’s motion and let it drop to the floor.
To Marceline’s surprise, the plate twisted midair, automatically orienting itself so the edge pointed downward. It landed neatly, stabbing straight into the ground.
“W–what was that?”
“I’ve imbued it with the skill «Landing».”
«Landing» — a skill often possessed by rabbit-type, bird-type, or cat-type monsters.
Put simply, it allows the user to adjust their posture for a clean landing. The essence isn’t in the landing itself, but in the automatic posture control it provides.
It reduces impact by instinctively shifting body position to the ideal angle — that’s its true effect.
So what happens when you give such a skill to a thin, fragile blade?
The blade automatically adjusts its angle to minimize impact stress — in other words, it naturally positions itself for a perfect cut.
I’d actually used this same skill on various knives and blades back when I was working as an adventurer.
After explaining the mechanism, Marceline let out an impressed hum.
“Hmm… that’s quite a groundbreaking skill. For trained knights, it might throw off their sword control. But for unskilled soldiers, it compensates for their lack of technique. In fact, I’d want every weapon issued to soldiers to come with it, not just this High-Frequency Blade.”
“I’m glad to hear that you’re pleased.”
I hadn’t expected such high praise. The response was even better than I’d hoped.
However—
“But even so, it’s still no good. We can’t issue this to the troops.”
Marceline still wasn’t ready to approve.
“And why is that?”
“It’s simple. On the battlefield, showing a weakness — like your blade breaking — is far too dangerous, Otsugi-dono.”
That, too, was a sound argument.
When two soldiers face each other in combat, the moment one’s weapon breaks, even the most inexperienced fighter understands the opportunity that presents.
This kind of obvious opening has huge consequences in battles between untrained combatants.
The instant an enemy sees the High-Frequency Blade shatter, they’ll rush in.
Trying to parry while replacing the blade — even if it’s simple in design — would be impossible for most soldiers.
“Yes, I understand that as well.”
Which was precisely why—
I had brought along one more proposal.
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E/N:
How many proposals do you have, Ossan?! 😭 And wtf is that blade, a gun or something, with replaceable blades like bullet mags? Goddamn! Stay tuned!
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