Chapter 20
Rifles, gunpowder, and... “The Empire has detected the Kingdom's espionage activities.” “...”
The spy report was rotten from the start. The king of the Heyrn Kingdom clutched his head.
“Any results?” “We've obtained the manufacturing methods for cannons and matchlocks. But... we still don't have the formula for the gunpowder required to use these weapons...” “Sigh. The core is missing.”
According to the information gathered so far, these weapons were ultimately useless without gunpowder. Even if they managed to produce the new arms, how could they put them to use without the powder recipe?
After a moment of silence, the king spoke. “Can't we make it ourselves?” “We're trying, but no significant progress yet...” “Hmm...”
Compared to the provocation against the Empire, the results were dismal. Gripping his throbbing head, the king asked, “How do you think the Empire will respond?” “We assess it will end with a warning. The Empire won't want to break the long peace.” “That's some relief, at least... You're dismissed.” “Yes.”
Left alone, the king let out a sigh.
“Haa.”
Nothing was going as planned. The gap in economic and military power with the Empire was widening once more.
The Empire had dramatically boosted its naval combat power with cannons on warships. This allowed them to escort merchant ships without mages, stabilizing maritime trade.
Of course, this could be solved by simply assigning mages to escort merchant vessels. But mages weren't just anyone who could cast spells—they needed to output combat-level firepower, and such mages were rare elite personnel capable of battle magic.
Hiring them just for merchant escorts was too expensive. Mages themselves didn't prefer shipboard duty either; long periods at sea were grueling. Force them, and they'd abandon the kingdom without hesitation.
'They're the type who would.'
Even reluctantly assigning warships for escorts led to unacceptable troop losses.
Merchants chose safety over risk. Rather than brave pirate threats for eastern trade, importing goods via the Empire was far safer. Eastern products were now traded through the Empire, and trade losses were mounting. With many eastern goods essential not just as luxuries or spices but for mage research and potion-making, there was no helping it.
On top of that, reports indicated matchlocks could easily boost an ordinary soldier's firepower. The Empire was steadily distributing these new weapons.
Of course, the Empire's combat examples with matchlocks and cannons were limited to pirates, barbarians, or bandits. No cases against proper regular armies. In chaotic battlefields tangled with mages, knights, and cavalry, would these new weapons truly shine? The king could only hope the Empire's innovations were overrated.
“Hmm...”
To calm his burning frustration, the king gazed out the window. Bare winter trees seemed to mirror the kingdom's plight.
'If only we had matchlocks and cannons...'
The king stared blankly outside.
“Even better than before.”
The Research Director muttered while reviewing the first test report.
The percussion cap rifle vastly outperformed the matchlock in range, accuracy, and reload speed.
It exceeded even the specs in the proposal. Sure, there were still improvements needed, but it was clear this would soon replace matchlocks.
'John Brown. Hmm...'
The matchlock alone had been enough to boost soldier firepower, yet in under a year, he'd developed a version addressing its flaws.
'Creative and diligent, too.'
Beyond weapons—his main field—he'd even conceptualized a steam engine. Everything he devised was revolutionary.
The lab's other members weren't slouches either. Luna Karen, who developed the essential gunpowder for guns and cannons, and Kyle McCallson, showing design talent. They were excellent, but John Brown was in a league of his own.
'How far will he go...'
She looked forward to how his ideas would transform the Empire.
Meanwhile, Brown had just finished the second test of the new weapon.
“Oh... it definitely performs better than the matchlock.” “Right?”
Karen said, eyeing the targets. Brown agreed.
The percussion cap rifle, with Minié bullets and rifling, greatly improved range, accuracy, and reload speed over matchlocks.
Plus, rifling trapped powder residue. Old matchlocks fouled the barrel with soot and buildup, narrowing it over shots and making reloads harder. Rifling kept the barrel cleaner longer, boosting accuracy—a double win.
'In my past life, they started with straight rifling.'
Knowing the info let him skip unnecessary steps—like cheating on a test with the answers. If tech caught up, he could reach AR-15 or AK levels, but...
'Too soon for that...'
For now, steadily advancing with secured tech was best. Brown was satisfied with the rapid progress.
As he organized his thoughts, Karen spoke.
“Hmm. The percussion cap still needs work. Maybe I made it too insensitive...”
Recording results, she noted misfires once every five shots. Swapping caps worked, but it'd be a battlefield issue.
No big worry, though. The sensitive powder was intentionally dulled for safety; tweaking ratios would fix it.
“It's good enough now. We can fine-tune the mix step by step.” “Hehe.”
Brown brushed the barrel with a rod as he replied. Powder from the rifling poured out the muzzle.
'Gunpowder needs upgrading soon, too.'
Current powder resembled past life's black powder—low burn rate left residue, soot, smoke. Military reports mentioned visibility issues in squad fire. Smokeless powder was needed.
'It'll keep guns cleaner longer, too.'
Brown glanced at Karen scribbling notes.
“Think you could improve the powder's performance?” “How?” “Less residue in the chamber, less smoke.” “...Yeah, that's a flaw. I'll research it.” “Thanks.” “No biggie. Hehe.”
As they talked, McCallson approached.
“Stinks in here.” “Yeah.”
Not long after the second test shots, smoke lingered, making the air acrid. McCallson rubbed his nose and said to Brown,
“Huh. Anyway, check this out.” “What?”
Brown eyed the model McCallson held.
“Made a simple prototype based on the steam locomotive principles.” “Oh, let's see.”
It felt like a stripped-down essence of a steam engine.
“Alright, light it up.”
McCallson lit a candle.
“Can't you pre-boil it and demo?” “No! The process is key!” “Uh, okay...”
Soon, the boiler heated, bubbling. The piston moved, wheels turned.
“Oh.” “Wow...”
The model crept forward. Brown and Karen watched in awe. This proved steam-powered vehicles worked.
“Aaah... we did it...”
McCallson shrugged, shoulders rising.
“Yeah. Wow. Good work.” “Gotta announce to the academy. Spread this achievement...”
He seemed excited.
“Aaah, gotta go announce now...”
Enough to leave the model behind.
“Hey, take the model.” “Whoops, forgot. Ow, hot!” “Whoa, careful.”
Enough to grab the hot parts. Brown and Karen watched him go, model in hand.
“He's pumped.” “Yeah.”
'Steam locomotives would speed up logistics big time.'
That alone would accelerate the industrial revolution.
'McCallson'll handle it. For now...'
Improve the percussion cap rifle and caps. Once done, rifles would roll out to Empire troops in earnest.