Weapons Development Must Continue
Weapons development must continue.
"Oh... that's definitely groundbreaking."
Luna Karen said this as she listened to the explanation of the mortar.
"It's much simpler to operate, and it doesn't expose the artillery crew..."
What John Brown had explained to her was the 81mm mortar—or even smaller ones. They were sized to be operable by human strength alone. Far simpler to handle than the existing muzzle-loading cannons or the breech-loading direct-fire guns under development. Of course, the artillerymen's perspective might differ slightly. But it allowed firepower support with minimal personnel.
Scale it up, and it could provide even greater firepower to friendly forces.
"The key to this weapon is ultimately the shells. I'll research them with the juniors..."
"Oh, right. And there's also something called grenades..."
"Oho..."
Luna Karen, pondering how to make them, said to Brown,
"Thanks for the great ideas, Brown."
"No big deal. I'm the one who's grateful."
"If we get it done, it'll be a way to suppress the enemy far more efficiently."
Brown faltered at her following words. Noticing his reaction, Karen asked,
"...What's wrong?"
Her purple eyes scanned his facial expression.
"Nothing. Anyway, I remembered something I needed to do."
Brown quickly excused himself.
"Why that look on his face..."
Karen could only mull over the fleeting expression she'd glimpsed just before he left.
"...No way."
He recalled memories from his past life. Unusually, those memories contained detailed information about weapons.
Before he could even wonder why they surfaced, word came that the department was being disbanded. Pushing aside his doubts, he drew on those memories to design the matchlock musket to preserve his cushy department life. After all, that previous department gig had been sweet.
Fortune smiled when he met Luna Karen, who had developed gunpowder. Thanks to her, they made matchlocks and cannons, earning recognition for their achievements. And even now, her help enabled the creation of various weapons. He was always grateful to her, considering their meeting a stroke of luck.
'The department got busier than before, and eventually changed.'
He got promoted, and life in the new lab assignment was good. Later, he received acknowledgment and rewards, immersing himself not just in weapons but in technological development.
'Around this time, I met McCallson too.'
The first impression wasn't great. But his talent was exceptional. A genius who could implement anything after a mere explanation of structure and principles. This allowed the reuse of magitech techniques, elevating their technology.
With Karen and McCallson, every project went smoothly.
'Though cannons did explode sometimes.'
No major issues arose, so let's move on.
In any case, the work brought plenty of recognition and rewards. He even got a bit intoxicated by it once.
Of course, he knew weapons would kill many people. But was that a big deal? Thanks to weapons development, the Imperial Army's casualties were far lower than before. As an imperial citizen, he didn't dwell much on how many enemies died.
They were the enemy, after all. He wasn't hypocritical enough to shed tears or regret over their blood. Seeing the Imperial Army's survival rates, he figured that was enough.
This was a world of mages and knights, anyway. Fail to block magic, and countless lives ended. A single sword strike from an aura-wielding knight claimed many too. That's why he had no regrets about developing firearms. He believed weapons' advancement provided a sure countermeasure against them.
He tried not to regret it. Tried not to care about the resulting casualties.
But enemy nations developed firearms too. Started using them.
Weapons he'd created might one day target the Imperial Army. Imperial citizens might die by his inventions.
Of course, developing even stronger, more efficient firearms would counter that. They'd already made bolt-action rifles incomparable to matchlocks or percussion caps, and distribution was underway. Cannon development progressed too. Steam locomotives sped up resource transport, enabling greater production.
But enemy nations would continue weapons development. The further ahead they got, the more enemies would follow.
[It'll be a way to suppress the enemy far more efficiently.]
Karen's words from moments ago. Literally, mortars could effectively suppress enemies—with few personnel, safely, and simply.
But if this technology leaked to the enemy... they'd gain the means to efficiently suppress his side too.
If that happened...
Clap!
Lost in dark thoughts, he felt depressed. And like it or not, they had to accelerate weapons development now. Of course, more people would die because of his weapons.
What could he do? That's what weapons were.
But without weapons development...
'Far more would die than in any war.'
Battlefields claimed countless soldiers. But what if demons invaded the human realm?
Nations unable to resist would perish, and many would die to demon assaults—royals, nobles, soldiers, civilians. Regardless of status or occupation. Masses would perish.
If human wars were for dominance or profit, the war with the Demon Realm was for the continent's survival.
Humans couldn't mix with demons or share the continent. Demonic energy spreading from the Demon Realm's emergence threatened humanity's existence.
Regrettably, he couldn't prevent the Demon Realm's appearance. He didn't fully grasp this world's story. His knowledge of future events stemmed from his friend's tales—broad strokes, but not fine details.
'Can't stop it, but can prepare.'
He knew roughly how this world would unfold. Couldn't halt events, but could prepare. No telling when, but he'd save more lives than weapons claimed.
"Phew. Alright."
Clap.
He muttered after slapping his cheeks again. He'd panicked at Karen's words, but now his resolve was firm.
Weapons development must continue. To minimize losses in the war with the Demon Realm.
He turned to head back to the lab from the backyard.
"Karen?"
"Ha... haa... Brown. You're here."
Luna Karen, flushed and catching her breath, looked up at him.
"Something wrong?"
"After our talk earlier, I got worried..."
Karen straightened up.
"Maybe you're concerned about the casualties from weapons..."
"Not that, so don't worry."
"But... are you really okay?"
She still wore a worried expression.
"What about you, Karen?"
"Me... I haven't thought much about it. Just..."
"Just what?"
"Nothing. Hehe."
What was she about to say? He wondered, but she changed the subject, so he didn't press. As they chatted and returned to their seats, McCallson looked at him and spoke.
"Idiot. Worrying about that now..."
"Fuck off."
"...Take a look at this."
He handed over a paper. It depicted armor, but complex.
"What's... this?"
"The powered armor you mentioned last time."
He recalled mentioning it before. It had seemed difficult then.
"Is this the blueprint?"
"Yeah. Found records of prior research. Referenced them for this design... but implementation looks tough. Even basic functions would be hard, and there's the magic stone issue..."
"Well, magic stones."
In the future, magic stone supply would improve. Ignoring that, negatives abounded, but stones were solvable.
"This is intriguing. How does it work?"
"Enhanced armor stronger than existing ones, assisting the wearer's movements..."
"The enemy has surrendered."
One of the allied forces' commanders, Olive von Well, said to his subordinate.
"Confiscate their weapons."
"Yes, sir."
Enemies using firearms were dangerous opponents. But ambushing them at close range from hiding left them unable to resist much.
Thus, they subdued them with minimal losses. In this situation, they captured the firearms. He'd heard the Boern Empire was supplying firearms to the allies. But operational use would take time. This capture accelerated it. Since enemies barely used them, ammo and powder should be plentiful.
'Lucky break.'
Smiling at the unexpected haul.