Pump-action Shotgun (5)
"Did you hear about that?"
"Which one?"
The knights, enjoying a brief respite like a shower of rain during training, paused as one of them wiped sweat from his brow with a towel and spoke up.
"They made knight-exclusive firearms."
"?"
The others expressed confusion at his words.
"Ah, before that... I think I've vaguely heard that it was under discussion."
Aura not only enhanced physical abilities but also boosted the durability and power of armor and weapons. This allowed knights to surpass ordinary humans, which was why the empire invested heavily in training them. It had also been confirmed that certain knights could enhance the durability of firearms with their aura.
"...Yeah, I've heard of it. But... wasn't it scrapped because of the limitations of the firearms?"
Another knight chimed in, as if he had heard something similar.
"It was at first. But haven't the firearms advanced too?"
"Hmm."
"True..."
Firearm technology had progressed rapidly. From muzzle-loaders, where powder and shot were rammed in separately and ignited with a slow match, to breech-loaders that chambered unified cartridges from the rear.
This enabled faster reloading. And now, magazines that fed cartridges automatically. Reloading and firing rates had increased dramatically compared to before.
"Seems like quite a few people were interested. Based on these advanced firearms, knight-exclusive ones were developed and just deployed in combat."
"Already in actual combat?"
"Interesting."
They began taking interest in the knight-exclusive firearms. Other knights resting nearby joined in the conversation.
"Do you know what they look like? Like the new rifles being issued?"
"Not sure yet. I didn't hear the details."
"Probably similar to the guns supplied to the Northern Front?"
"That... double-barrel shotgun?"
"Personally, I prefer the rifle design."
"I've heard the double-barrel shotgun has way more firepower. They say it can take down mid-grade beasts too..."
"...Looks like break time's over. Back to it."
As time passed and training resumed, the conversation couldn't last long. But that short exchange during the break started spreading the word that knight-exclusive firearms had been made.
"Knight-exclusive firearms have been developed—anyone know more?"
"Something like that came out?"
"First I've heard."
"I did hear about some knight blowing up his gun before..."
"That's where it started."
"?"
More and more knights grew interested. But some took a negative stance.
"The bullets can't hold aura, so what's the point of calling them knight-exclusive?"
Bullets couldn't be infused with aura. It negated the knights' advantage of enhancing weapon power with their aura.
"They say it boosts firepower a lot."
"Boost it all you want. How much power can a bullet without aura really have?"
"I agree. Knights are meant to swing aura-infused swords, shattering enemy lines or holding the defense. Using guns like common soldiers is embarrassing."
"Right. Those not proficient in aura might need it, but masters should focus on drawing out aura's true power. Getting interested in guns is just hiding weak skills, isn't it?"
"Hmm..."
For these reasons, some knights viewed the knight-exclusive firearms negatively.
"Not sure yet."
"The attempt isn't bad, but let's wait and see."
Others stayed neutral.
"More weapon options can't be a bad thing, right? Knights not mastered in aura could boost their combat power like soldiers."
"Hmm. I'm curious how these knight-exclusive guns perform."
"Honestly, I'd like to try one myself."
Some were positive.
"Didn't they say it was deployed in combat? Let's wait for the results."
Their common curiosity: how would these firearms perform in real battle? They wondered what evaluations those who tested them in the field would give.
The commanders and knights returned to the barracks and began their report to their superior.
The commander first announced that the necromancer capture mission had succeeded.
"Necromancer... a headache."
It was a small territory, but even accounting for that, the civilians had been massacred in a single day. Only those who escaped early were among the few survivors. Everyone else had become zombies.
To civilians with few means of resistance, they were especially threatening. They spread like a plague, and failure to suppress them early or neutralize the necromancer led to uncontrollable damage.
If this had happened in the capital...
'Terrifying.'
Shaking off the stray thought, the superior continued.
"So the necromancer..."
"Capture successful. Currently detained."
Held in the barracks prison, under watch, to be handed over to Intelligence later.
"Understood. Next item."
Finishing the paperwork, the superior asked.
"How were the knight-exclusive firearms?"
One of the knights who had used them stepped forward. They had returned the ammo, weapons, and gear.
"As with the Northern Front cases against low-grade beasts, they showed excellent power against regular zombies. Even against special specimens, they were effective or superior for suppression."
"Hmm..."
"Especially the knight-exclusive rounds' power. The corpse golem..."
Past reports noted corpse golems were hard to suppress due to regeneration and immense strength.
Regular knights or mages had to steel themselves to face them. Knights especially, forced into close range, faced greater risk.
A moment's lapse could mean severe injury from a corpse golem's attack. But the test firearms and exclusive rounds greatly reduced that risk.
"Thanks to the firearm's range, we struck without entering danger zones. And the exclusive rounds' power allowed quick suppression..."
"...Intriguing."
That was the knight's explanation to the superior.
Knight-exclusive firearms: effective. Suppressed low-grade beasts without much effort. As ranged weapons, handled tricky close-range foes easily.
Knight-exclusive rounds: reduced risk against tough foes, with superior power. Enabled suppression of difficult enemies without heavy losses.
"...That's all."
"Understood. Good work. You're dismissed to rest."
The superior returned the salute, watching them leave the office.
"Hmm."
The test of the knight-exclusive firearms and rounds could be called a success. Reporting this up would likely get positive reception for adoption.
Next, the necromancer issue. Gazing at the documents, the superior pondered.
Meanwhile, the knights back at the barracks.
"Necromancer and zombies. Must've been tough."
"Not really."
"Oh ho."
Others gathered around them.
"Weren't there lots of special specimens? Though, the necromancer hadn't been around long."
"Plenty. Spore-spreaders, mutants, even a corpse golem."
"Corpse golem... hmm."
"And it wasn't hard?"
The others voiced doubts.
"Were the mages exceptional?"
"No. Only holy knights and knights entered the territory."
"Well..."
"Holy knights carried it?"
"Nah, same level as us."
"...Heard knight-exclusive firearms were deployed. Related?"
"..."
Silence at the last question.
"Heard some details. First combat deployment. How were they?"
Instead of answering, the knights closed their eyes briefly. Memories of the shotgun battle replayed.
"It's spreading anyway, no point hiding. So..."
"...Ho."
"...Indeed..."
"Mm..."
"...Wait, you were the ones testing them?"
A bit of commotion, but they showed even greater interest in the knight-exclusive firearms now.
"The empire's getting rowdy inside."
A necromancer turning a small territory into hell in one day. A black mage attempting to assassinate a noble and his relatives over grudges. Many incidents erupting. And suspected behind them...
"The Demon God Cult. Right?"
"Yes. We suspect the Demon God Cult."
The necromancer's testimony, traces at scenes—all pointed to the Demon God Cult.
Externally, war with demons. Internally, Demon God Cult movements.
"Headache. Figure out their goal."
"Yes."
The Intelligence Director replied to the Emperor.
"Unsettling."
The unfolding events felt like precursors to a major crisis. The Emperor rubbed his forehead in thought.