Fertilizer (3)
"A letter has arrived from the delegation."
The Stonegart Kingdom began reading the letter sent by their delegation.
"As expected... the Empire isn't handing over their technologies easily..."
"Just rumors flying around—no wonder I'm dying of curiosity."
The delegation had failed to gain access to the Empire's technologies. In contrast, the letter was filled with information about the rumors swirling around the Empire.
"They're using firearms far superior to the ones they've made public?"
"They say even compact ones work fine for self-defense... huh."
"It's not just weapons, either... apparently, they're researching another type of engine beyond steam engines."
Rumors claimed that the new firearms introduced in the Empire's north had enough firepower to handle mid-grade demonic beasts. There were also whispers of small self-defense firearms being produced. And on top of that, research into new power sources.
"It's maddening—rumors everywhere, but securing the actual tech is impossible."
"So... what the hell are these technologies?!"
The contents of the letter only fueled the dwarves' curiosity without satisfying it.
"Why not... approach the man who came up with these technologies directly..."
Suddenly, one dwarf voiced an idea.
New power sources and firearm technologies—all centered around one young man.
A figure who had appeared out of nowhere, churning out revolutionary innovations. John Brown. The Stonegart Kingdom had gathered intelligence on him as well.
"Right... let's lure him in. With wealth, honor, booze—he's bound to bite...!"
The other officials began nodding in agreement.
"Spot on. If we promise tech support and research investments without holding back..."
"Dwarf beauties too!"
"Hmph... humans have peculiar tastes in beauty. They can't appreciate the charm of dwarf women."
"? I don't get it..."
"Why on earth..."
"That's not the point! Contact the delegation immediately and have them approach him..."
The idea of wooing John Brown gained momentum—until then.
"That could... spark diplomatic friction, couldn't it? I'm concerned..."
One official raised a worry.
"...True. The risks might outweigh the gains."
"Considering our trade with the Empire, this approach could be dangerous."
Stonegart Kingdom and the Boern Empire traded not just scarce resources but engaged in all sorts of exchanges. Breaking the current relationship wouldn't benefit the dwarves. And so, the discussion circled back to square one.
"In the end, to get the Empire's technologies shared..."
"We'll have to offer our own in return."
The dwarves had plenty of independently developed technologies. Unpublished, of course—but releasing them to the world could spark another wave of innovation. Assuming ample magic stones, that is. Even so, steam engines had already overcome some barriers. These technologies remained undisclosed for now, with access restricted to select dwarves.
"Headache-inducing. We need to figure out how much to share with the Empire..."
The dwarves began deliberating on the extent of technologies to share.
"Magitech weapon technologies..."
"The Boern Empire, developing firearms independently—would they even accept them? Plus, without improved magic stone yields, commercialization's impossible."
"Sharing advanced mechanical golem tech from existing golems..."
"...Hmm. From the Empire's view, industrial technologies might be more useful..."
"Alloys! Rune engraving on weapons!"
"Sharing mana airship tech..."
"..."
"..."
"Sharing tech is good, but what about collaborating with their engineers? From the Empire's perspective..."
"Indeed... if the right people come to utilize the shared tech..."
"But showing all our cards to the Boern Empire isn't wise. Some restrictions, then..."
After lengthy discussions, the Stonegart Kingdom sent a letter to their delegation.
"That's how it is."
"As expected."
Tech sharing and engineer collaboration between the two nations. But they aimed to extract maximum benefits during negotiations.
"...Guess we'll have to meet them first."
"Hmm... let's plan it out, then."
"Right. First off..."
After thorough deliberation, the dwarves exchanged glances.
"Let's go. Time to settle this."
The destination: the meeting place with Boern Empire officials. Soon to become their battlefield. A clash over technologies between the two nations. No weapons or magic—just words and psychological warfare deciding victory or defeat.
Hero of Stonegart Kingdom, or traitor? The outcome of the talks with the Boern Empire would determine it.
Their beards trembled with each step, but their eyes burned fiercely. The dwarves marched on with resolute expressions.
"This... came from the fertilizer plant?"
Luna Karen lifted the bottle with trembling hands as she spoke.
"...Yes. Have you already tested it?"
"For now, whether it functions as gunpowder—but yes. This fertilizer should definitely suffice as a gunpowder ingredient."
"Oh."
The verification was complete. No longer would gunpowder production be dictated by mining yields.
First, we need to stabilize ammonia yields.
Fertilizer was now a strategic material.
"That's not the point right now—could you tell me about the processes for making this fertilizer?"
Karen pressed Brown eagerly.
"Ammonia combined with... nitric or sulfuric acid..."
"...!"
"So how did you source the ammonia? Urine, right?"
"Not urine—the process produced it, from what I heard."
Karen's eyes widened. Her violet irises sparkled brightly.
"How on earth? Do you know the specific process?"
"Well..."
Brown explained what he'd learned at the fertilizer plant.
"Haha. Gunpowder from fertilizer. Haha. Ha."
After hearing the explanation, Karen began sporting an ominous smile.
"Ah, uh..."
"Gunpowderproductionwon'tdependonresourcesanymoreMrBrownisn'tthisamazingifthisisrealwemeanmakinggunpowderfromtheairwowtheworldisamazingalchemyistrulyincrediblemakingtheimpossiblepossible..."
"P-Please calm down..."
"Wecansmakegunpowderthanbeforewiththiswhatwecandoisinfinitefromtheairbreadandgunpowderthisis..."
She's not usually like this...
Brown was flustered by this new side of Karen. He opened his mouth to calm her.
"Please calm down. Yes, I agree it's revolutionary. However..."
"?"
"The ammonia from this process is still unstable... and yields are low..."
"Ah..."
At Brown's words, Karen quickly composed herself.
"So... commercialization isn't feasible yet... oh."
Realizing her earlier behavior belatedly, Karen blushed.
"Forget that happened."
"...Sure."
Brown nodded.
"Ahem. Still more to verify..."
Karen swiftly excused herself. Staring blankly at her retreating figure, he promised to forget but kept replaying her earlier demeanor—until someone spoke up.
"What were you two talking about?"
"...Ah."
It was McCallson approaching.
"Never seen her like that before."
"It's nothing."
"Hmm."
McCallson stood blankly for a moment, then sniffed repeatedly.
"Ugh, the stench... As a fellow noble, I beseech you—maintain some dignity."
He pinched his nose and scolded Brown.
"...You picking a fight?"
"I'd have to get past it first."
Brown belatedly checked his own smell. He'd thought it gone, but the fertilizer plant's lingering odor clung to his clothes.
"...Went by the fertilizer plant."
"Who told you to poke around useless places."
"Ha. Ha. Yeah."
"Spray some perfume. If you don't have any, I can lend you mine."
McCallson returned to his seat. Brown desperately wanted to hurl the fertilizer bottle at the back of his head.
Ah. Gave it all to Karen...
With nothing in his pockets, the fertilizer toss remained a plan. He needed to report to the Research Director.
Scribble scribble.
While touring the fertilizer plant, discovered a method to increase gunpowder production...
Tech isn't complete yet, but the potential...
Brown began drafting his report.
"Gunpowder... from fertilizer."
"Yes. Once the tech is complete, gunpowder output will exceed previous levels..."
"Haha. Well now. In that case..."
The Research Director, lost in thought, spoke up.
"Understood for now. But peculiar. Finding a way to boost gunpowder from a fertilizer plant."
At her words, Brown felt a slight stir.
"How did you come across this?"
What do I say?
Brown pondered before replying.
"I heard from Karen that gunpowder ingredients overlap somewhat with fertilizer ones. So I visited the plant to explore sourcing gunpowder materials and learned about the ammonia production process."
"I see... hmm..."
The Research Director pondered again.
"Good work. You're dismissed."
"Yes."
After Brown left the office, the Research Director murmured.
"He really is... peculiar."
"What do you mean?"
"Brown. The more I see, the odder he gets. Like..."
Grimacing briefly, she dismissed it.
"...It's about time."
At her secretary's words, the Research Director glanced at her hair. It was rapidly returning to its natural color.
"Indeed. Thanks."
"Understood."
"Not much longer now."
"..."
She would soon return to the imperial palace. Then prepare to inherit the throne.
The Research Director role had started as mere amusement. But she'd grown interested in their creations and the Empire's changes because of them. She'd only provided minor aid like budgets and personnel.
But this life was ending soon. Back to the stifling palace for succession prep.
"Kinda regret it..."
"Um..."
An unexpected visitor arrived.
"Th-the... documents..."
Her hair was still golden. And Brown saw it.
"Sorry. Should've knocked, but..."
"Hmm. Come in."
Brown squeezed his eyes shut and entered the office.