Firearms Support
"Life's been pretty sweet these days."
"You too, huh?"
Boern Empire. An upscale restaurant in the evening.
Factory owners clinked their glasses as they chatted. Their faces were full of leisure.
"Haha. Probably most folks in business feel the same."
"Not everyone. Those who didn't invest in machinery? Their stomachs must be in knots."
"Eh, none of our concern. Besides, weren't they the ones laughing at us back then?"
With the advent of steam engines, magitech had spread to the private sector. Some poured investments into it without hesitation, while others scoffed and called it a waste of money.
These men were the former. They'd paid a hefty price, of course—using every coin they'd saved and taking out loans to boot.
"When we took out those loans, when we made the investments... I second-guessed myself a ton. But looking back, our judgment was spot on."
"Damn right. That's what let us seize these opportunities."
War had broken out between kingdoms. The bigger the war, the more supplies it demanded. The Boern Empire had jumped into that market.
They'd outsourced production to the private sector: percussion cap muskets with unrifled barrels, plus other military goods the coalition needed. Even foodstuffs. Civilians produced them, and Boern bought them up to trade with the coalition.
Money started flowing into the private sector again. The biggest winners? Those who'd invested heavily in steam engines and machinery.
"Steam locomotives, right? Thanks to them, we're getting supplies faster than ever."
Transportation had advanced too. Now they could receive materials quickly and in bulk for production. Shipping the finished goods was another matter, but more rail lines would solve that.
"I'm thinking about investing in more production equipment while the iron's hot..."
"I'm skeptical on that. Orders will drop once the war ends..."
The two diverged. One leaned in and said,
"Come on. When opportunity knocks, you grab it with both hands."
"...I'll watch and wait."
The other pondered cautiously.
"Hmm..."
He sighed, straightened up, and muttered,
"Whatever. For now, let's enjoy it. When else will we rake it in like this?"
"Couldn't agree more."
They clinked glasses again.
"The empire's economy is growing rapidly."
"Good news."
The Boern Emperor murmured in response to his minister. Trading military supplies with the coalition had kickstarted steep economic growth. It wasn't just money—diplomatic gains, expanded influence, resources. War was tragedy for those in it, comedy for those far away.
"How's the firearms replacement going?"
"Security is tight, and it's proceeding smoothly."
Percussion cap muskets and matchlocks were being swapped for bolt-action rifles. The Weapons Research Lab was developing other arms too. Once those were ready for imperial forces, Boern would grow even stronger.
"And those involved in tech leaks?"
The emperor moved to the next item.
They couldn't fully stop leaks. Early firearms had already spread widely. Manpower to prevent it was limited, so the empire focused on smokeless powder and advanced firearms. Early powder and guns? Not so much.
"Most leakers are in custody; we're rounding up the rest."
They came from everywhere: military officers, production helpers, even academy professors.
"Their treatment..."
"It'll be done."
No executions. But they'd wish for death.
"Next: the coalition seized allied firearms."
"Right. Any tech assessment?"
"Yes. Better than matchlocks, but inferior to our percussion caps."
Good—they couldn't catch up yet.
'Not without someone like John Brown. Catching up fast would be impossible.'
The lab's early team was stellar too: Luna Karen refining powder quickly, McCallson with his mechanical genius.
'Outstanding talent.'
The emperor pondered commendations. Then the minister continued.
"Next item. Beyond flintlocks and matchlocks, other weapons for coalition support..."
"Hold off on those. Watch the situation. Cannons need more thought; other firearms risk leaks."
Cannon firepower was immense—trading them required caution. Post-musket firearms? Even more so. Leaked tech trades differed from secure ones. The emperor handled more with his ministers.
"Fairn Empire's espionage—our response?"
A thorny issue. The Heyrn war had warned others; spies vanished. But Fairn persisted—distant, similar weight class, cocky.
"Prepare war! Retaliate hard!"
"War demands caution."
Fairn was no pushover. Prep would take time. Boern risked other entanglements too.
"Send a warning first."
No war entanglements. Keep trading supplies. If Fairn ignored it? Act then.
"Decide based on their moves."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
What would Fairn do? The emperor drummed his fingers, pondering.
The coalition struggled against allies. Early on, it was even—they won some, lost some, pushed forward. But allies got Fairn firearms first, tipping the scales.
Knights in heavy armor charged through bullet storms, sweeping lines. Mages supported safely from afar. But enemies had knights and mages too, now with guns—coalition soldiers fell to their fire.
"Casualties are heavy."
"We won't last like this."
"Find a way!"
To cut infantry losses, they dodged fights. But they couldn't flee forever.
Some commanders ambushed. Effective at first—up close, coalition held the edge. They captured guns and supplies. But limits hit; enemies adapted, ambushes lost punch.
"Can't lose more ground. Hurry..."
The line retreated again.
"Hold here."
The spot was defensible—better than open fields. Lose it? Back to plains, unfavorable gun duels.
"If we fall here..."
Commanders gathered.
"Max out archers. Covers our gun shortage."
"Cavalry to flank and encircle..."
"Snipers too..."
"Captured ammo and powder's low. Won't last."
"Mind the mages..."
"Ambush infantry..."
They formed defenses using terrain.
"How long can we hold?"
"...As long as possible."
No guarantees.
"Allies' position?"
"Three days out."
Next clash: three days.
As anxious commanders revised plans, good news arrived.
"Boern's firearms and snipers have arrived!"
"...Finally."
At last, the coalition had matching guns and marksmen. They could fight on equal footing.