Petroleum
“...Here’s the report.”
“Hand it over.”
The senior officer eyed the report passed to him by his junior. It was from the team researching whether aura could be infused into bullets.
“Still at it, huh? It’s pointless anyway.”
Even arrows couldn’t hold aura. That had been confirmed long ago. They’d kept researching just in case, but there’d been no real breakthroughs. He’d all but forgotten about it. The fact that a report had come in meant the tests were still ongoing.
“This time’s a bit different. It’s just...”
“Don’t tell me it actually worked.”
“Not quite, but...”
“Then there’s no need to read it.”
The senior officer moved to set the report aside.
“There was a result, though. It might be worth a look...”
“What’s it say?”
“Infusing aura into firearms improves their durability.”
“Hmm...”
The senior officer began reading the full report at his junior’s words. It mentioned packing in more gunpowder to boost firearm power, and even suggested custom firearms for knights...
“Not a total waste. Got it for now.”
The senior officer remained skeptical.
What’s the point of giving guns to knights?
Guns fired once and were done. Knights charged into enemy lines with aura-enhanced bodies to shatter formations—or countered enemy knights trying to do the same to their own.
Knights were melee specialists from the start. Reloading in close quarters was impossible. More firepower wouldn’t change that. The infantry rifles already packed plenty of punch.
“Next item. How’s firearm distribution going?”
“Slowly but steadily. We’re optimizing production processes...”
As he listened to the next agenda, the senior officer pondered.
Still, better to report it up the chain.
“We’ve confirmed other nations copying our firearms and steam engines.”
“Is that so.”
The emperor spoke at his minister’s report.
“How far along are they?”
“They can produce basic firearms and cannons. But gunpowder and steam engines are still in R&D.”
“Hmm...”
“After seeing our battle results, they’re accelerating development. The Fairn Empire in particular is investing aggressively.”
Other nations, having reviewed Boern Empire and Heyrn Kingdom battles, were rushing firearm and cannon development. Gunpowder research slowed them, but they’d catch up eventually.
“The good news: they haven’t figured out percussion cap rifles. They’re focusing on matchlock improvements.”
Thankfully, the percussion cap rifles—which hadn’t shone in major battles—remained unknown. Drawn to incendiary rounds, they’d overlooked the low-volume percussion caps.
“Threatening, but maybe not all bad.”
The empire had poured fortunes into arming with guns and powder. Rivals refitting would cost them dearly too. And Boern was already eyeing bolt-action rifles.
Once production scaled, they could swap. By the time rivals matched current guns, Boern would be on the next gen.
“Keep watching them.”
“Understood.”
No nation would challenge Boern Empire’s hegemony. The Fairn Empire bore watching, though.
“Steam locomotives developed successfully too, I see.”
“Excellent. Another revolution in logistics and supply.”
The magitech community welcomed steam locomotives.
“Maybe I’ll take one to a resort next time.”
“Sounds good.”
“Beats weeks in a carriage. Can’t wait to ride one.”
“Thank them. They revived magitech.”
“Can’t just leech off their wins forever. Once steamships are done...”
Not everyone approved.
“Tch. What’s the big deal?”
“Yeah, steam trains? Overhyped.”
“With enough magic stones, we’d have beaten those smoky contraptions ages ago.”
“If only we had magic stones...”
Magitech had changed too fast lately. Steam was replacing old tech.
Some resisted.
“No need for magitech to chase this.”
“John Brown and Kyle McCallson sparked it. Propping up youngsters too soon...”
“Right. Nothing special about them.”
“Air’s gotten filthier since steam. Why obsess over it?”
John Brown and Kyle McCallson, envy’s targets, chatted elsewhere.
“What if we could fly?”
“No magic stones? No flying.”
“Possible back when we had them?”
“Of course. Don’t underestimate magitech. We built test airships.”
“How’d they go?”
“Test flights worked, but magic stones cost a fortune per launch. Then supplies dwindled, and it faded.”
Luna Karen, listening nearby, chimed in.
“What about gunpowder for flight?”
“That’s not quite flying.”
“Oh... hehe.”
Brown pondered. With engines and fuel oil, planes were feasible. Cars, tanks too. Others would develop them.
We have petroleum, but...
Petroleum existed. But distillation tech? Engine tech? Unknown.
If someone developed it...
Brown scanned the lab.
“...Why that look?”
“What look?”
“Tch. Same face when you dump work on us. Busy. Find someone else.”
“...Okay.”
Disappointing.
Distillation... alchemists?
But Karen was swamped with gunpowder tweaks.
Hmm...
Brown eyed juniors.
“Um...”
“Ah, Mr. Brown. Still mulling your cannon improvements.”
“Breech-loading too. Any advice?”
“Haha, I’m swamped. Good luck.”
Everyone seemed busy. Brown smacked his lips.
What now?
Two paths: shelve it for pistol design, or hunt talent himself.
After a moment, he approached Karen.
“Hey...”
“Brown? Smokeless powder’s nearly done.”
“Really?”
“Hehe. Tweaks left, but test batches ready. Wanna see?”
“Sure, just a sec...”
Nearly sidetracked. Brown refocused.
“Any tech for distilling petroleum?”
“Hmm... not sure?”
Karen pondered.
“Not my field, but the alchemy lab’s probably on it.”
Alchemists researched everything, including petroleum.
“Might not be your angle, but worth checking.”
“Oh.”
Alchemy lab.
Answers on fuel there?
“Where’s that lab?”
“Wanna go together?”
“Perfect.”
Brown left with Karen.
“Oh... you. Brown, right?”
A graying middle-aged man stopped them. Familiar face.
“...Magitech researcher?”
“Haha, long time. Heading out? If to magitech, walk and talk?”
“Ahaha...”
Acquaintance from magitech visits. He liked Brown, chatted warmly.
Worth asking?
Brown inquired about petroleum distillation and engines.
“Hmm... Tried when seeking magic stone alternatives. But steam’s here now, haha.”
Recent research, sidelined by steam.
“Then...”
“Alchemy lab commissioned petroleum work. Not sure now.”
They parted for the alchemy lab. The researcher called after.
“If going, tread carefully. Cut steam funding killed petroleum support—they might not like you. Haha.”
Oof...
Not promising.