Frondier's bracer wasn't something he bought.
It was created with the help of many people.
Teacher Binkis from Constel, senior Edwin, and even Sybil's father, Daud. Of course, Sybil herself must have been a great help too, given her personality.
However, the reason they were able to create this bracer was entirely due to Frondier's 3D blueprint.
A 3D blueprint that replicated Elodie's bracer exactly.
‘From Hitchcock's perspective, this is no different from a blueprint leak.’
He didn't breach security and steal it, nor did he copy it by placing the product next to him.
However, that blueprint was already inside Frondier's workshop.
Hitchcock would never have imagined this scenario.
After a moment of thought, Frondier opened his mouth.
"I cannot reveal its source."
He couldn't reveal his Weaving skill, nor did he want to involve Teacher Binkis or others.
If he said he didn't know, his words could be used against him later, leading to a more difficult situation.
Therefore, Frondier's decision was this.
"...You can't reveal it?"
"Yes, it's a secret."
It was better to focus Hitchcock's suspicion on him alone. This way, he could prevent the people around him from getting involved.
More importantly, even if he suspected, Hitchcock wouldn't be able to uncover Frondier's secret right away.
"...I understand. The original purpose was about the 3D map anyway. Come this way."
Jeremy, regardless of his thoughts on the answer, simply nodded and continued the tour.
Even if Frondier didn't reveal the source of the bracer, he was still worth bringing to the company. He seemed to have judged so.
"If you go through the hallway that connects from here, you will reach the 1st Research Institute."
As they walked, they came to a wide space with passages leading to various buildings. Jeremy led the way towards one of the passages.
"Since it's a research institute, I assume you pay a lot of attention to security. Have you taken any precautions?"
"Of course, we have. We have already taken appropriate measures for Mr. Frondier as well. This company has security magic installed at regular intervals. It automatically determines and records who entered, when, whether they were invited, and whether they are qualified to enter the building."
Indeed, Frondier's sixth sense also read the presence of mana in each space. But it was so faint that it was similar to the level of small animals like birds.
The security magic must have put considerable effort into magical engineering. By utilizing magical engineering, the same amount of mana could be used more efficiently. It's just that its purpose would be limited.
As they passed through the hallway, the atmosphere changed noticeably. Above all, the employees' attire changed. It seemed like a place where only researchers stayed.
Following Jeremy's guidance, they entered a research lab. Inside, several people were already waiting as if they had been expecting them, and an empty space occupied the center.
Upon confirming Frondier's face, one of the people inside approached.
"Welcome. I am Paul, the head of the 1st Research Institute."
Paul offered a handshake to Frondier, and Frondier accepted it.
"Did Jeremy explain things to you?"
"Well, all I know is that it's related to the 3D map."
Paul turned around and approached the panel in front of the empty space within the research lab.
"We are currently researching the commercialization of the 3D map you showed us, Mr. Frondier."
"Commercialization... you mean making it into a product?"
"Of course. Maps aren't just needed during wartime."
That was certainly true. Maps were used at all times. Especially in this world with monsters and limited human territory.
"If the 3D map is completed, citizens will be able to check the elevation of unfamiliar paths. Particularly in the case of forests or valleys, flat maps are easily misread when traversing them. Until now, we have essentially relied on the feet of those who have already been there. That's why, even with a map, it's not entirely reliable."
"It will allow for more comfortable and safe travel."
"Yes, and we will make a lot of money using that as demand."
Paul laughed, throwing in a lighthearted joke.
"First, would you like to take a look?"
"I'm not sure if my looking will be helpful."
Naturally, Frondier didn't create the 3D map using the concepts of machinery or engineering. It would undoubtedly be a completely different concept from the products Hitchcock was making.
"Haha, don't feel pressured. We just want to get help from various perspectives."
Saying that, Paul operated the panel. Then, lights illuminated the empty space from all sides.
‘...This is a hologram.’
Frondier recognized it at a glance. He couldn't not know. He still vividly remembered Quinie's 'prank'.
When the scene of him defeating Belphegor was revealed to all the citizens of the Empire, his vision went dark.
The hologram he saw then. What unfolded before Frondier's eyes bore a similar resemblance. It was definitely the method that would first come to mind when thinking of the word '3D'.
The hologram created buildings, trees, mountains, and rivers on the floor. The quality was quite high. It was incomparable to Frondier's 3D map, which inevitably used only black symbols due to the use of the Obsidian.
‘It's not created too close, and at this size, it can be sufficiently utilized as a map.’
Frondier nodded and said.
"It's excellent. Isn't it usable as it is?"
Frondier couldn't see any particular problems. He created his map with just the Obsidian, while this was a culmination of all sorts of technology. It was much easier to see.
"That's right. There's no major inconvenience in viewing this one."
"Then what's the problem?"
"How big do you think this map actually is?"
At that question, Frondier examined the 3D map again.
Maps naturally had to be viewed more broadly than reality, so everything was smaller than in real life.
By looking at how much smaller the forests, buildings, etc., were, one could roughly estimate the size of the area represented by the map.
"...Roughly, it seems to cover about the size of a small village."
"That's right. It took us over a year to implement this one village as a hologram. We recorded and verified everything one by one, striving to make it as similar as possible."
From there, Frondier guessed what Paul was trying to say.
"...It takes too long. To make the entire Empire this size, we would need over a thousand sheets."
"That's right. But if we make the scale too small, it becomes no better than a flat map. Furthermore, in urgent situations like war, troop deployment and routes need to be reflected immediately, and there's not enough time to prepare for that."
This hologram, while nice to look at, was hard to consider a typical map. At best, it could be used as a guide map for a specific region.
It would be helpful for theme parks or famous tourist spots, but it was unreasonable to cover the entire Empire.
"Moreover, after the Empire's victory in the war against Manggot, it is moving to expand its territory to include that area. Expanding this map to match that plan is nearly impossible."
"...Structures that have changed due to the war would also be a variable."
"That's right. Although the damage is minor, there are collapsed barriers and damaged villages, and there will be a process of rebuilding roads."
Hitchcock wanted the 3D map they created to be reflected in real-time.
Just like the one Frondier had shown at the Imperial Council meeting.
"What do you think, Mr. Frondier? About this 3D map."