Chapter 47
Even after the relationships were realigned, the knights visited the lab several more times.
"The firepower could be ramped up even further."
They even tested shells with boosted firepower designed specifically for knights. The weapon they cooperated with for this was a single-action shotgun prototype made long ago.
"Hmm... Not bad, but..."
"What if we designed a bayonet for mounting on the gun like this..."
They even made revision requests while looking over the shotgun blueprints.
"Hmm..."
In the end, the finalized shotgun design looked like this.
A pump-action shotgun with a wooden stock. The barrel was wrapped in heat-dissipating fins. A bayonet could be attached to the front of the underbarrel tubular magazine. There was a device at the magazine well to secure a speed loader, allowing for rapid reloading. The knights would be able to swiftly suppress enemy soldiers with this.
For now, this sets the direction...
Shotguns were decided as the dedicated firearm for knights in the short term. But if other firearms were developed later—perhaps even customized versions for knights. Like heavy machine guns, for instance. Brown imagined just how far he could push the knights' firepower. Of course, it would take time.
"Hmm..."
After his conversation with Brown, McCallson kept pondering. Armor with enhanced durability and the ability to boost a knight's physical capabilities even further. Powered armor.
Of course, it might not be necessary for knights who had reached a certain level of mastery. But if it could elevate the combat power of low-rank knights, it would undoubtedly prove a major advantage.
It's impossible for now, but still...
His thoughts on powered armor wouldn't leave McCallson's mind. The place he headed to was the library of the Magitech Academy.
All the magitech technologies researched up to now were gathered here. Perhaps it could even solve McCallson's dilemma.
McCallson entered the library and headed underground.
"Halt. Authorization is required beyond this point."
As expected, security was tight. But McCallson had obtained prior approval. He'd asked the Research Director, and if that failed, he'd worried where else to go—but surprisingly, it was approved quickly.
"...Confirmed. As for the materials inside..."
After checking the authorization document, the guard explained the precautions and opened the sealed iron door.
"Mm..."
McCallson, now in the restricted access area, looked around. The documents and books visible here were all core magitech materials, drawing his interest. But with limited time, he shook his head, refocused, and began examining the interior.
Magitech weapons... this section, I suppose.
Massive mana cannons powered by magic stones. Giant magic barriers operated by magic stones. And various other books on magitech weapons utilizing magitech technologies lined the shelves.
As McCallson scanned the book titles, one caught his eye.
On Magitech Weapons and Magitech Armor
That must be it.
McCallson pulled the book from the shelf and began reading.
It was written during the chaotic height of the war with the Demon Realm. From magitech weapons similar to current firearms to proposals for mobile weapons powered by magic stones as their energy source.
Firing one shot consumes a high-grade magic stone...
An absurd magic stone consumption rate by today's standards, but the book was filled with intriguing content.
"Hm."
As he turned the pages, he finally found what he was looking for.
Research on Magitech Armor for Superior Beasts
Protecting knights from superior beast attacks, further enhancing combat power...
Magitech armor designed to counter superior beasts. It featured thick plating without skimping, using magic stone power to assist the wearer's movements. It was also designed to protect against magic used by superior beasts or boost combat power.
The final line noted that with the Demon Realm's disappearance and superior beasts vanishing, the need diminished, halting at the concept stage. But McCallson gleaned hints for his design direction from it.
...Still, it'd require higher quality and quantity of magic stones.
Regrettably, even the estimated magic stone usage in the concept assumed superior-grade stones wouldn't last long. Even stripping some excessive functions, mass-producing it with current magic stone supplies was impossible.
Maybe I should draft a design anyway.
Even if mass production was out of reach, adapting the basics for a new design was worth trying.
He commissioned a prototype of the designed shotgun. Then, time passed, and what arrived was a bolt-action rifle.
"Oh..."
It had been quite some time since he'd designed the bolt-action rifle. Rumors had circulated that magitech was being reused for prototype production, and more time had passed since then. Finally, he could inspect the bolt-action rifle prototype.
Brown examined the bolt-action rifle. It had basic sights, but no zeroing adjustment. But this was just a prototype. He'd confirm functionality first, then refine it later.
Next, Brown gripped the bolt handle, flipped it up, and pulled back, exposing the chamber.
It was too early to load the accompanying ammo. Functionality check first.
He pushed the bolt forward again and pulled the trigger. ...No striker release sound.
"Huh?"
Upon rechecking, he found the striker wasn't engaging with the trigger. Several other issues needed fixing too, so Brown noted the revisions and sent the rifle back. A few days later, an improved prototype arrived.
Brown worked the bolt back and forth again, then pulled the trigger. The cocked striker released with a click. He tested it repeatedly—perfect operation.
Good... next...
Now to load ammo. Brown pulled the bolt handle back again and pushed a round into the chamber. This bolt-action rifle had no magazine, similar to early German bolt-actions.
Ammo seats fine...
Brown pushed the bolt forward. The striker's rear protrusion allowed visual confirmation of loading.
He closed the bolt, locked it, and pulled the lanyard connected to the trigger.
-Bang!
As expected from the simple design, no issues. Brown approached the rifle again and pulled the bolt handle.
The bolt retracted, extracting the spent case. Unfortunately, no automatic ejection.
"Ah."
He'd designed an extractor claw to grip the case, but forgot the ejector to fling it out.
Need to add that too...
There were several other fixes: narrow the chamber neck where bullet meets case, add zeroing adjustment, and include a magazine.
Since production was feasible now, he planned to make it as refined as possible.
Time passed. Leaves flaunting vibrant colors carpeted the ground, only for melting snow to cover them. Faded leaves became nutrients for new-growing plants. Meanwhile, kingdoms receiving aid or forming alliances fought back against the magic beasts. Soon, more and more succeeded in conquering the beasts' forests.
"We let it slide before, but this time we'll protest..."
"We trusted them as allies, only to get spectacularly betrayed."
Relations between kingdoms were redefined. Allies became enemies. Enemies became allies.
"Now's the time to declare war..."
"We condemn the Kingdom of Silben's actions, and thus..."
Eventually, in the sweltering summer heat once more, war broke out between the Kingdom of Pikke and the Kingdom of Silben. Silben, having suffered relatively little from the beasts, held the early advantage. But other kingdoms sided with Pikke and joined in.
"Damn it, why of all times..."
"The alliance will start with our kingdom, then take revenge on the others!"
"...We need allies too..."
Meanwhile, in the Boern Empire.
"Steam locomotives have started running."
"Logistics will speed up even more."
"And not just that—people can travel much faster than before..."
"Heard the weapons lab developed a new gun?"
"What is it?"
"Something called a bolt-action rifle."
The Boern Empire had no need to intervene in the kingdoms' war. It simply observed, calculating the profits to be gained.
Moreover, good news kept coming from within the empire. Steam locomotives, new types of weapons. The economy continued its steady upward trend.
"Things are going well."
"Yeah. Good times."
The empire's mood was upbeat.
Until one piece of news arrived.
"We've confirmed firearms being used in the war!"
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