Pump-Action Shotgun (2)
"Pfft."
The knight chuckled as he gazed at the shotgun. Being an 8-gauge pump-action shotgun, it was quite large. And if they attached a greatsword to it, it would get even bigger. However, for these men with builds rivaling a loader's, even this seemed a fitting size.
"This is pretty good, isn't it?"
"Yeah... it's not bad."
Another knight replied, pulling back the pump action. With a puff of smoke, the spent shell ejected.
"For reloading..."
Brown handed the knight a speed loader as he spoke.
"Hmm..."
It was clear the length of the speed loader made loading tricky.
I should shorten it to half the length.
The number of rounds it could load at once would decrease, but reloading would still be easier than before. Plus, it would be much more convenient to carry.
While the knights fired the shotgun, Brown jotted down improvements for the firearm.
"Next... let's test the knight-exclusive rounds."
"Heh heh. Looking forward to it."
The gunpowder developer. The gunpowder expert. And someone skilled in manufacturing ammunition and shells—Karen was at his side, preparing the knight-exclusive rounds.
"Here you go."
The knights took the rounds with significantly boosted power.
"Ah, that... are you sure Aura really enhances the firearm's durability?"
"Yes. I've confirmed it myself."
"Aha..."
Click.
"Hup..."
Their Aura enveloped the shotgun.
Bang!!
"Hm. We can crank it up more."
"..."
Bang!!!
"Just a bit more..."
Boom! Boom!!
As the power increased, Karen's expression filled with shock.
"Pfft."
"We could boost it a little more."
"...From here?"
The knights shouldered the guns again, wrapping them in Aura.
Brown quietly watched them. Karen had been fidgeting anxiously for a while now.
It's gonna blow...
By her calculations, the gun should have exploded already. It was only holding together thanks to Aura, but who knew when it might give out. Karen quietly voiced her concerns to Brown.
"It wouldn't be strange if it had exploded ages ago..."
"...Pardon?"
He was wearing earplugs, but Brown understood her.
Kaboom!
At that moment, a gunshot rang out.
"..."
Brown silently eyed the knights' shotguns. A faint Aura shimmered around them. Contrary to Karen's worries, they looked perfectly fine.
"Hmm."
The knight worked the pump to eject the spent shell.
Brown turned back to the targets. They'd fired buckshot and slugs respectively. Being soft lead rounds, they wouldn't penetrate metal targets as tough as knights' medium plate armor. To compensate, they'd need copper-jacketed rounds or armor-piercing ones...
"Eh."
The metal target wasn't penetrated. It wasn't some pushover that lead could punch through. It matched the hardness of knights' medium plate.
But it had cratered around the impact point. Severely so.
It can't penetrate, but the power...
The lead slug couldn't pierce medium plate either. But the shock would transmit for sure. No matter how monstrous knights' physiques were, they couldn't shrug this off. For now, it seemed sufficient. To go further, they'd need more preparation.
Time-wise, and safety too.
The shotgun was holding thanks to Aura, but if it blew, it'd be a disaster.
"We could boost it just a little more..."
"We'll wrap up the knight-exclusive round tests here."
"Hm? Oh..."
"For safety reasons, let's prep more and continue next time."
"...Understood."
The knights set down their shotguns, inwardly disappointed at Brown's words.
"Now, the greatsword... how does this attach?"
"To the bottom of the muzzle..."
He'd also newly developed a bayonet compatible with the bolt-action rifle. More complex than the standard greatsword, it could double as a dagger and lock in more securely. But since the knights weren't using bolt-action rifles, they weren't familiar with attaching it yet. Brown demonstrated for them.
"Oh."
"Hm."
They swung the bayonet mounted under the muzzle this way and that. They walked to the targets, stabbed the scarecrows, thrust into the ground to check the secure fit. They even swung it wrapped in Aura.
"Hmm... feels like a spear."
The testing knights evaluated the bayonet.
"But why a greatsword?"
Some questioned the name.
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"Wouldn't a longsword fit better? Haha."
"Too long for a shortsword... maybe longsword is right..."
Brown was taken aback by the question.
It's a greatsword—why question the name?
But he recalled its origins from his past life's memories.
...From the English word? Hypothesis that 'dagger' became greatsword. Or...
A sword worn at the waist?
As he prepared to explain, he noticed the swords at the knights' waists.
Those are the greatswords...
"I'll correct it to bayonet."
Afterward, the knights ran more tests.
"The bayonet could help in a pinch, but the shotgun's length is still an issue. Shortening it more might be good."
"I'm satisfied. Sling it over your back, and it won't hinder sword swings much. It's not as long as a bolt-action rifle, so it's fine."
"We need to think about how to carry the speed loaders too..."
"Wrist guards or thigh holsters for speed loaders..."
"Or make the bayonet longer..."
They discussed questions and fixes while testing.
"Hold on... what? Yes, I'll note that for revision. Ah, how's the weight?"
"Not a big issue."
"Ah... right."
It's heavy though...
Brown was puzzled but convinced himself looking at their builds. By the time he'd noted all the improvements, the sun was setting.
"Haha. Can't wait for the improved shotgun. See you next time."
"Yes. Take care..."
The knights walked off, regretfully eyeing the shotguns.
"Ha..."
"First, let's check the guns..."
After the knights left, Brown and Karen inspected the shotguns they'd used. Despite firing rounds packed tight with gunpowder multiple times, they looked intact.
"...This is weird. No strain at all, even after those rounds that should've blown it up..."
Karen muttered, checking the gun.
"...Yeah. Aura is something else."
Aura could reinforce guns. He'd heard it from knights before, but this was his first time seeing it firsthand.
It really boosts the firearm's durability.
Now he could make high-powered firearms like in games or movies, spraying powerful rounds. He didn't know when, but they'd shine when the Demon Realm invaded the human world.
Test how much pressure an Aura-reinforced chamber can take, then next...
Brown began pondering knight-exclusive firearms again.
"Isn't the flintlock musket manufacturing method enough?"
"The Boern Empire already has tech for even more advanced firearms, doesn't it? Besides... hasn't that tech already leaked?"
Boern Empire officials were dealing with the delegation from the Stonegart Kingdom.
"That's not something we can decide right away. Let's take it slow..."
"Hmm. Isn't Stonegart Kingdom the Empire's closest ally? And we're prioritizing trade of alloys, steel, wrought iron, and other metals that the Empire needs. Isn't that enough?"
Stonegart Kingdom. A technological powerhouse. Where most dwarves lived. Though an island nation, it was rich in resources. And its metallurgy was unrivaled anywhere.
Mages who handled mana, knights who wielded Aura—they all bloomed with talent in mines, steel mills, forges, and workshops.
Steel and alloy tech, smelting techniques. Even magitech engineering.
The vast majority of its people, its talents, were obsessed with everything metal and tech-related. Tools. Armor. Weapons. What came from their hands was top-quality.
"Still, steam engine tech to our kingdom..."
The Boern Empire official was struggling against the dwarf delegation.
Steam locomotives. Various firearms. Steam engines and machinery. And newly researched tech.
All required steel and alloys.
The Empire's tech couldn't meet demand yet, so trade with Stonegart was essential.
"This isn't to disgrace the Boern Empire. Tech advances through sharing, right? Think how fast Boern Empire and Stonegart Kingdom could progress together!"
The speaking dwarf's eyes gleamed with madness—pure greed for technology.
"It's not something we can decide now, so a meeting..."
"Damn it! How much has Stonegart given up? We've cut deals with other nations to trade exclusively with Boern Empire. Just a little tech exchange..."
The dwarf's greed was evolving into obsession. Not for diplomacy or money, but pure tech fixation. The official, facing this type for the first time, was flustered.
"Ah... uh... um..."
"Phew. Good work."
Another official grabbed the struggling one's shoulder and pulled him back.
"Watch closely. This is how you handle dwarves."
The veteran official stepped forward, his experience etched in wrinkles on his forehead.
"The Boern Empire values its ties with Stonegart Kingdom above all. But this needs more discussion. How about we share a drink and talk it over?"
"Hm..."
"Ever tried the Empire's pride, Verko whiskey? Oak aroma, full-bodied depth, syrupy finish on the tongue. Long journey—let's loosen up with a glass first."
"Fine."
Dwarves had another interest: booze. The seasoned official knew how to handle them.
"Hmm..."
On his way home, Brown spotted dwarves and officials heading to a tavern. These dwarves' attire differed from typical ones.
Rarely, he'd encounter dwarves on the street. Most wore practical work clothes. But these were dressed elegantly.
"Must be from Stonegart Kingdom."
His escort said to Brown.
"How'd you know?"
"Ran into them a few times as a mercenary."
"Aha..."
Suddenly, another question popped into Brown's mind.
"Unlike dwarves, I've never seen elves. Know anything?"
"Ah... well..."
The escort hesitated before answering.
"I hear they vanished when the World Tree burned..."
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