Chapter 256
Chapter 256
"This structure is a bit different from other magic guns, isn't it?"
The operating principle of Bastian's rapid-fire magic gun and Wolfgang's magic gun was the same.
It was the principle of firing bullets using explosion magic.
However, the magic guns used by the Knight Killers had several other parts engraved with different magic attached to them.
"I'm not sure what these parts are for."
After contemplating, he decided to call for help.
And a few days later, someone visited the Valdek main house.
It was Gelion and Feinan.
"Thanks for coming when you must be busy."
Zeke showed them the magic gun and asked for their advice.
Gelion demonstrated his craftsmanship by first disassembling all three types of magic guns. Then he carefully examined the operating principles of the magic guns.
Meanwhile, Feinan analyzed the magic drive formula applied to the bullets.
After exactly half a day passed, the two finally finished their analysis.
First, Gelion spoke to Zeke with a troubled expression.
"Even though I'm a craftsman who handles weapons, I'm not sure what to say about this weapon,Sir."
Zeke asked Gelion.
"What do you mean by that?"
Gelion spoke while looking at the disassembled magic guns.
"In my opinion, these weapons seem to be modified copies."
Zeke was surprised by those words.
"Copies? Are you saying there's an original somewhere?"
"That's what I think. To explain in more detail, it feels like they were made by copying just the exterior without knowing the operating principle, then adding various functions here and there to achieve similar effects."
"What made you think that?"
He picked up the body of the disassembled rapid-fire magic gun and tapped it with his fingertips while speaking.
"This seems to have been made as light as possible for versatility, but in this case, there's a risk of seriously injuring the user because it can't withstand the bullet explosions."
Then he picked up the body of Wolfgang's magic gun and continued.
"On the contrary, this one seems to use an alloy to increase durability, but it's too heavy and expensive to mass-produce."
He pushed aside the two magic guns separately and continued his explanation.
"In my opinion, these two weapons might be experimental pieces created during the process of modifying based on an original. That's why they're extremely unstable and difficult to guarantee safety. To compare it to swords, they're like swords that could break during battle and injure their owner, or swords made so large and crude that even their owner can't properly wield them."
Zeke pointed to the Knight Killer's magic gun placed beside them.
"How about this one compared to the previous two?"
Gelion spoke to Zeke with an even more troubled expression than before.
"To be honest,Sir, this weapon is truly bizarre."
"Bizarre? What do you mean?"
Gelion contemplated before slowly opening his mouth.
"The gun body itself isn't structurally much different from the other two. It's made to be more durable and capable of shooting further. However..."
As Gelion hesitated to continue, Feinan, who was beside him, spoke up.
"Master, this weapon contains the power of dark magic."
At the mention of dark magic, Zeke held his breath for a moment.
Even Gelion, who had been cautious with his words, stiffened at Feinan's statement.
Zeke pondered Feinan's words.
'A dark magic weapon.'
Since magical energy was imbued in the bullets used by Knight Killers, Zeke had also considered this possibility.
Given the deep connection between Jiemens and the Abyss, and the fact that Knight Killers were secretly raised by Jiemens, it was an entirely possible scenario.
'Perhaps this magic gun could be evidence that Jiemens has joined hands with black magicians.'
This explained why the Knight Killers were so adamant about destroying these magic guns without leaving a trace, even as they died during the continental war in his previous life.
Zeke slowly opened his mouth towards Feinan.
"Sir Feinan. Do you have a reason for thinking this weapon was made with the power of black magic?"
Feinan picked up one of the disassembled devices from the magic gun and pointed to the magic drive plate engraved on it.
"This method of magic implementation completely deviates from common magical knowledge."
Feinan paused briefly before speaking again.
"This isn't a magic formula that operates on magical power, but rather a type of summoning formula."
"A summoning formula? What does it summon?"
Feinan cautiously said.
"Through this summoning formula, it summons magical energy and infuses it into the bullets."
Zeke realized how the Knight Killers were able to imbue bullets with magical energy.
'So they used the power of black magic to summon magical energy.'
At that moment, Gelion, who had been listening, opened his mouth.
"I called this weapon bizarre because it was made solely for the purpose of killing living beings. The longer someone uses this weapon, the more they'll suffer from madness, crave blood, and eventually become a raging lunatic."
It meant it was as vile as soul-devouring demon swords.
Zeke recalled how many knights' lives this weapon had taken during the continental war in his previous life.
Looking at just the weapon's purpose and the war's outcome at that time, it had achieved sufficient success.
Zeke asked Gelion.
"So you're saying this black magic-imbued gun is the original that the copies were based on?"
Gelion contemplated before shaking his head.
"I don't think so. This magic gun also seems to have been modified from something else. Modified to fire bullets in an even more sinister way."
Zeke fell into deep thought at Gelion's words.
'If all three are copies... then Jiemens most likely has the original.'
It seemed Jiemens had made copies and shown them to Valdek, and Valdek was now conducting research to improve them.
'They probably plan to use the improved magic guns in the continental war. If the limitations of magic guns are removed, even ordinary soldiers could sufficiently face knights and mages.'
Zeke had returned after experiencing a future where the Empire unified the central continent and the Emperor wielded absolute power.
Even Zeke didn't know what happened after that.
Perhaps Jiemens had revealed their hidden power, put Abel forward, and overthrew the Emperor to become the new ruler of the continent.
Zeke pondered while resting his chin on his hand, then spoke to Gelion.
"In your opinion, is there a way to improve this weapon through normal methods?"
Gelion made a troubled expression at his words.
After thinking briefly, Gelion spoke.
"To be honest, Sir. This isn't my field. Though my master might know."
It seemed like Golin, who skillfully handled various devices, could possibly make magic guns in a different way.
But Gelion was a soul blacksmith, specialized in creating weapons that contained the user's soul.
He wasn't familiar with handling such complex weapons.
Feinan examined the rapid-fire magic gun further before slowly speaking.
"If the purpose of this weapon is just to fire bullets, it might be possible to replace it with a different magic drive formula."
"How so?"
"What comes to mind immediately is engraving force magic on this drive mechanism to propel the bullet, and engraving grease magic inside to minimize friction and send it as far as possible."
Zeke frowned at those words.
"That alone requires two types of magic. Gelion, would the production costs be manageable?"
Beside him, Gelion made a quick calculation and shook his head.
Rather than making such artifacts, it would be cheaper to hire a 2nd Circle mage to create scrolls with simple attack magic.
That's when Zeke had an idea.
"What about putting gunpowder in the bullet's explosion part and detonating it?"
It seemed possible to launch bullets using the recoil by filling them with gunpowder commonly used in cheap fireworks and igniting it.
But Gelion shook his head.
"Gunpowder is too dangerous. There's a possibility it could accidentally explode while carrying it. Plus, if you have to light it directly, it would be too slow - you could die before firing."
While it might be cost-effective, it couldn't guarantee safety, and its slow speed reduced its value as a weapon.
Zeke nodded at Gelion's words.
'Well, if we're just using gunpowder propulsion, it might be better to just have mages throw fireballs. For speed, bows or crossbows would be better.'
There were many limitations in improving the magic guns from various aspects.
Then Zeke remembered something.
He recalled the spears that Dark Elves had thrown from above while riding wyverns at the Inverted Tower.
He took out a spear that he had stored in a corner of his inventory.
"Take a look at this."
Feinan and Gelion examined the Dark Elf spear that Zeke took out with interest.
"This is... quite a unique weapon."
Watching their reactions, Zeke asked Feinan.
"Does this have magic on it too?"
Feinan shook his head.
"No. When the spearhead receives impact, it's made to explode from the inside, sending sharp fragments in all directions."
"Is it possible to make something like this without using magic?"
Gelion also examined the inside of the spearhead with curiosity while explaining.
"The spearhead itself doesn't seem to be made of ordinary metal, but rather shaped by melting minerals. During the manufacturing process, they seem to have hollowed out the inside and filled it with something else."
"What was put inside the blade to cause an explosion?"
When Gelion struggled to answer, Feinan shared his thoughts.
Zeke nodded at Feinan's answer.
"Indeed, that could cause an explosion."
As Zeke quietly contemplated, his eyes suddenly lit up with an idea.
'This might work?'
He brought paper, drew a simple structural diagram, and showed it to Gelion.
"Gelion, could you make a magic gun body like this?"
After examining Zeke's design and making various calculations, Gelion nodded.
"This is definitely possible."
"Good. I'll ask to borrow the workshop here, so please make it according to this. Sir Feinan, please help with the numerical calculations."
Zeke, Feinan, and Gelion put their heads together and began drafting new designs.
* * *
A week later, Zeke requested a meeting with Wolfgang.
Wolfgang was inspecting a weapons factory in Canus, and he replied asking Zeke to meet him there.
Zeke headed to the factory where Wolfgang was conducting his inspection.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Inside the massive factory, the resident craftsmen were constantly hammering away, making weapons.
While one side hammered sword blades, another side cooled them, and completed blades were loaded onto carts and moved elsewhere.
There, as they sharpened the blades and attached handles, the swords gradually took shape.
Wolfgang wasn't dressed like the hunter from the first day, but rather like a northern lord.
Wearing thick leather clothes with wooden buttons and a cloak made of animal fur, Wolfgang exuded the intimidating presence of a lord while looking experienced and stubborn.
Wolfgang, who had been testing the balance of a produced sword by gripping and swinging it, noticed Zeke approaching.
"Sir Zeke! Welcome."
He put down the sword he was holding and approached Zeke, warmly gripping his shoulder while speaking.
"I'm curious what wisdom the knight of the sea has come up with."
"Would you like to check right now?"
Wolfgang grinned at Zeke's words.
"Good, let's go outside."
Wolfgang went with Zeke to the open space behind the factory.
He had his servants set up armor suitable as a target fifty paces away.
While watching his servants' busy movements, Wolfgang said to Zeke.
"If you can pierce that armor three times consecutively with the new magic gun, I'll acknowledge it."
Even from a distance, one could tell the armor's thickness was considerable.
Zeke silently lowered the long leather bag he had been carrying on his back.
Then he slowly opened the bag's lid.
Wolfgang was surprised to see what was inside.
"This is...?"