The End of Peace
The Weapons Research Lab's public achievements were few in number. Given that it was a newly established facility, this was entirely understandable. Yet those achievements were revolutionary enough to send shockwaves through multiple fields. Even the steam engine, which seemed utterly unrelated to weaponry, was one such example.
"Steam billowed out, and the stagnant time of magitech began to flow once more..."
"Ah, magitech, passed down only in records... it's advancing again, isn't it?"
"The revival of magitech... our destiny... it will be achieved through the steam engine..."
Magitech truly entered a new golden age. Research into the principles of steam engines and improvements in their efficiency led to their adoption as a higher-level alternative to magic stones in magitech applications. These technologies spread to the private sector and began being used across various fields, playing a major role in boosting the Empire's productivity.
"But... is it really fair to call it magitech if it doesn't use magic stones?"
"?"
However, could magitech without magic stones truly be called magitech? As more people raised this question, the academic world plunged into chaos.
"Drag that bastard out! What does he think our foundation is?!"
"We're not using magic stones anymore—shouldn't we establish something new?"
"This is a denial of our essence! Let's make sure he never sets foot in academia again!"
"There's no reason to call it magitech anymore! How long are we going to cling to the old ways?!"
"Magitech is still alive and well—that's an undeniable fact. Even if steam engines are replacing magic stones, it's ultimately just swapping out the power source. Aren't we overhyping steam engines? If magic stones become abundant again, steam engines will lose their place overnight. That's reality, an unassailable truth that you all must understand..."
To resolve this situation, one scholar proposed an idea.
"How about we just split the academic field in two? Magitech and steam engineering."
"Pfft, I hope that was a joke."
"Splitting academia in half? There's something wrong with your head."
"Why don't you crawl into a steam engine boiler for a bit? It might be just the thing to fix your mind."
If academia split, the Empire's funding would be divided as well. So they tried to unite for the moment, but...
"...Actually, that's not a bad idea."
"Yeah. Let's force the generational shift all at once."
"Let the old fogeys cling to their useless magitech."
"...You're serious?"
"You've lost it."
"Not just funding—even research on steam engines and magitech would be inefficient if divided! We have to prevent a split at all costs!"
"Think rationally. Simply dividing us wouldn't benefit anyone."
"Kehahat, might as well split. It'll be interesting to see if steam engineering can advance without magitech."
"We have no knowledge to share with traitors. Good luck achieving results with that overflowing confidence of yours."
Magitech began to fracture. The atmosphere grew increasingly heated, seeming impossible to contain.
"The Weapons Research Lab has announced a new research achievement!"
Until word of that arrived.
"What is it?"
"A steam-powered vehicle."
"Oho... let's take a look."
"Laying iron tracks... and running along them..."
"Powered by a steam engine..."
"Hmm... the theory seems solid..."
"If the output holds up, it could carry massive loads over long distances...?"
As if their quarrel had never happened, they turned their full attention to the concept of the steam locomotive. The Weapons Research Lab had preserved peace in the magitech academic world.
Time passed. The winter chill grew fiercer, snow piling up on the ground, trees, and rooftops of buildings.
"...The magitech academic world is currently pouring all its interest into research and design for the steam locomotive."
"Is that so? Good to hear."
"That's their reaction? underwhelming."
"Well, if it works out, great."
"Hmm. You could use some reflection on how the steam locomotive will transform the Empire."
I have a rough idea already.
As someone with memories of his past life, John Brown had a pretty good guess. He scratched his head and asked McCallson,
"So, when do you think we'll see the steam locomotive?"
"Trials as early as summer, and with rail construction and rollout, they're estimating about a year."
"Alright. The sooner, the better."
"I'm looking forward to it too. Not just for logistics—mobility constraints will drop dramatically."
After his conversation with McCallson ended and he was sorting documents, Luna Karen approached and spoke up.
"Mr. Brown. Shall we head to the arsenal now?"
"Oh, time flies. Let's go."
Today marked the completion of first-batch production for the percussion cap rifles. He needed to stop by and check, so Brown left the lab with Karen. His escorts came along, of course.
Hmm...
The arsenal was in full swing producing the remaining firearms, with guns and supplies stacking up in the warehouse.
"That's quite a lot."
Karen murmured as they toured the interior.
"It'll only grow from here."
Brown replied while inspecting the rifles. And rightly so—this arsenal alone was being equipped with steam engines and machinery. Once installation wrapped up, they'd churn out guns even faster.
Things were definitely going well. Production was smooth, distribution too. But something began nagging at Brown.
In the end, these are lethal weapons.
Memories of his past life had given him knowledge of guns and cannons. At first, he'd thought leveraging that knowledge would let him stay in a cushy department. He'd even felt a small thrill at the ripples these weapons might create.
But as things progressed smoothly, the thought he'd tried to ignore grew louder: countless people would die because of the weapons he'd designed. It wasn't a pleasant feeling.
"Hmmm..."
"Something wrong?"
"No, nothing. Just thinking. Shall we head back?"
Brown left the warehouse with Karen. On the way back to the Weapons Research Lab with his escorts, he tried his best to push the worries aside.
The first batch of rifles was distributed to the military. They began testing immediately, and the results came back quickly.
"Shooting tests confirm that range and accuracy are vastly superior to matchlocks."
The results were satisfactory.
"Damn... I want one."
"We'd love to field them too."
"Stick to your matchlocks. Opportunities go to those who didn't rely on them..."
"I see it differently. Wouldn't expertise from matchlocks make us better at these?"
"Greedy much? Other units need to advance too."
"Heh. Handing these to barbaric outfits still arming infantry with spears and bows? No way. We'll take the matchlocks off your hands—gain experience first."
"The capital defense force, guarding the Empire's most vital point, deserves them."
"If you lot see frontline action, the Empire's already done for. Better deploy to the borders..."
"Sigh. This won't resolve it. How about a duel?"
"Typical of spear-and-bow rabble—brutish as ever. The percussion cap rifles are ours..."
While the military deliberated deeply on who should wield the rifles, the imperial conference hall discussed a different matter.
"We need to reach a decision on the Heyrn Kingdom soon."
At the Emperor's words, the ministers began voicing opinions.
"A warning should suffice. We must consider breaking the peace."
"A mere warning lets them off too easy—they've crossed the line. Punishment is necessary."
"Agreed. If we stop at warnings, other kingdoms will eye our new technologies. We need a clear example for them too."
The Emperor pondered as he listened.
Shattering 42 years of peace weighed heavily, but Heyrn Kingdom required a firm response. After much thought, he spoke.
"..."
Time flowed on. The snow blanketing the fields melted away, new buds sprouted, and spring arrived. Imperial forces marched, trampling the fresh growth as they moved toward the border with Heyrn Kingdom.
Heyrn Kingdom had grasped this intelligence.
"The Empire has made its decision."
The king murmured, gazing at the declaration of war. Despite the option of a surprise attack, they'd sent a formal declaration. The Empire was that confident in this war.
"Prepare for war with the Empire. Mobilize all available forces to the border."
The king issued orders to his ministers, then stared out the window for a long while. He could only hope the kingdom's army would hold off the Empire's—and that their new weapons were overhyped.