Revolver
Another peaceful day at the weapons research lab. Brown was going through his usual routine when a sudden idea flashed through his mind.
If there's such a thing as electric magic...
What if they could directly convert mana into electricity? Wouldn't that make batteries unnecessary? In other words, a human battery. If they could generate clean energy solely through the power of magic, without investing in facilities for producing or transmitting electricity?
Delivering electricity directly would also drastically reduce losses. This could spark another revolutionary change.
"Pfft... what? Are you serious?"
Brown tried sharing the idea with the others, but Karen shot it down right away.
"First off... there are barely any mages who can consistently cast spells of stable power. And I've never heard of electric magic anyway, so it's probably impossible."
"...I see."
"Don't look so down. It was a fun idea, in its own way."
Human battery. Failed.
"Oh, right. Smokeless powder's stabilization is complete, and production's up next."
"Oh. Nice."
With smokeless powder introduced, they were one step closer to semi-automatic and automatic firearms. Of course, there was still a long way to go.
Back to the main task...
Brown returned to firearm design. For now, bolt-action rifles and metallic cartridges were impractical due to real-world issues. Their complex structures and processes would drive up production costs. But if the buyers were people who could afford high prices—like nobles or merchants with major trading companies?
There might be demand as collectibles or self-defense weapons. He wasn't sure if it'd succeed, but high demand would accelerate production processes and technology. That could benefit future firearm production too, he figured.
For self-defense, a pistol it is...
He scrapped the old revolver design, which loaded primers in the rear cylinder and powder and projectiles upfront. Instead, he started designing a revolver that held six metallic cartridges in the cylinder.
Make the cylinder rotate every time the hammer was cocked.
Add a way to easily eject cartridges by manipulating the cylinder.
And have the hammer cock when the trigger was pulled.
Hmm...
More features meant higher production costs. Brown pondered for a moment.
Let's decide based on demand.
He settled on a single-action revolver. Double-action could come later, once demand was confirmed or costs dropped.
For now, the cylinder would only rotate when cocking the hammer manually. Instead of swinging the cylinder sideways, he designed it to eject and reload by pressing a rod next to the barrel. And the caliber...
Hmm...
Something akin to .45, around 11.5mm.
Time passed, and Brown gazed at his blueprint.
This should do it.
He grabbed the design and headed to the Research Director's office.
"Um... Director? May I come in?"
"...Enter."
The Research Director examined the revolver blueprint.
"So, a revolver...?"
"It's compact for easy carry, and it holds six rounds at once."
"A huge leap from the last pistol."
Previous firearms required reloading after every shot. Compared to that, this had far more capacity.
"Every time you cock the hammer, the cylinder rotates to the next chamber..."
After hearing the explanation, the director began asking questions.
"How do you envision operating this revolver?"
"Rather than introducing it to the military right away, how about releasing it to the civilian market first?"
"Hmm. Go on."
"Yes. Debuting it for self-defense in the civilian sector would give us more flexibility on costs. And building on the production experience..."
The director pondered Brown's response.
"Not a bad idea. Entrust revolver production to a reliable civilian workshop. The empire will handle cartridge production directly... Good. Well done."
"Isn't it a bit worrying how these firearms keep advancing? They might threaten us soon."
"That's ridiculous. No matter how much they advance, they won't threaten our position."
In the Boern Empire's magic tower, the mages' recent hot topic was firearms.
"We have to admit what's impressive, though. They're excellent for disrupting enemies."
"Makes casting magic attacks so much smoother. As a support tool for spellcasting, they're outstanding."
"Exactly. The more firearms advance, the better it is for us mages."
While some were wary of firearm progress, the prevailing view was that they were worthwhile as support tools.
"Just my personal take, but shouldn't magic evolve like firearms? Toward something easier to learn."
"What are you talking about?"
"Haha. Good joke. If that were possible, it'd have happened ages ago."
"True. But take a look at what I've come up with."
One mage spread a blueprint on the table as he spoke.
"Firearms work on the basic principle of gunpowder exploding in the chamber to propel the bullet. Inspired by that..."
He explained, pointing along the blueprint.
"I've modified the magic wand. Trigger an explosion spell in the chamber area, and it launches projectiles like a firearm. Even mages who can't cast properly could..."
"Hmm..."
"Hm..."
After the explanation, he asked,
"What do you all think?"
The mages who'd listened silently spoke up.
"Absurd."
"Pathetic imitation of a firearm."
"Instead of wasting time on this, you should've studied raising your own circles. Sincere advice."
Stunned by the unexpected backlash, the mage faltered.
"A waste of time. I'm out."
"It was amusing, though."
"Keep at it. With that toy."
The mages left the dejected man behind, one by one.
"Um... I think it was a good idea... I'll cheer you on!"
Out of all those mages, only one offered support before leaving. Snapping out of his daze, he resolved himself.
"Fine. Laugh all you want. We'll see if you say the same after I make it."
In the end, he'd just have to build it and prove them wrong. With that vow, he headed back to his station.
Brown visited the workshop whenever he had time to check prototype production. He did the same for metallic cartridge manufacturing. He fixed issues, revised designs, and time flew by. Finally, he could inspect the completed prototype.
"Whoa..."
A hefty weight. Its distinctive shape.
Shh-shh.
The cold feel of steel. Of course, the grips were wood.
Click.
Cocking the hammer rotated the cylinder. And...
Tick.
"Oh..."
There was romance in the revolver.
"...Oops."
About to load cartridges right then, Brown caught himself and inspected every part again. No harm in double-checking thoroughly.
Confirming no immediate issues, the next step was live-fire testing.
He picked up a .45-caliber cartridge from nearby. Flicking open the cylinder revealed the chambers. Steadying his trembling hands, he pushed a bullet in. After scraping against the cylinder and frame, it slid home.
Thunk.
"Ahh."
This feeling. Addictive.
Turning the cylinder, a protrusion at the bottom prevented over-rotation. He'd spotted and fixed that during workshop visits.
"Hmm..."
Thunk. Thunk.
He filled all chambers. Satisfied, Brown cocked the hammer.
Click.
Then he secured the gun to the rest and tied a string to the trigger.
First shot, after all.
He hated letting a mere string steal his first shot, but after seeing cannons explode, Brown always prioritized safety in tests.
Stepping back a safe distance, he yanked the taut string hard.
Bang!
Approaching to inspect visually, it looked fine. Brown cocked the hammer again and retreated.
Bang!
This should be enough confirmation.
Verifying safety, Brown lifted the gun from the rest and cocked the hammer.
Bang!
Recoil brought a rush of exhilaration.
"Ah..."
Before he knew it, he'd fired all rounds.
Finally, he opened the cylinder and pressed the rod next to the barrel hard. Spent casings clattered to the floor, pushed out by the rod.
Smoke drifted from the holes where bullets had punched through.
"How is it?"
Karen, who'd snuck up beside him, asked. Brown just looked at her and nodded.
Revolver. Complete.