Sparring
"Stonegart Kingdom has always stood with the Empire..."
"Haha... The Boern Empire likewise holds Stonegart Kingdom in high regard... and thus..."
The delegation and the bureaucrats began their negotiations. They exchanged formal smiles and pleasantries, but beneath the surface, calculations flew thick and fast. How could they turn this to their advantage? How could they minimize their losses?
"As you know, Stonegart Kingdom has been trading resources, including those for the Empire's new weapons..."
"And the Empire has traded resources that Stonegart needs in return—mutual benefit, wouldn't you say..."
The probing exchanges continued. The delegation emphasized the importance of the resources they traded to the Boern Empire. But the Empire pushed back.
"The technologies Stonegart Kingdom has shared with the Empire so far..."
The delegation brought up the technologies the kingdom had shared, arguing that they would mature the Empire's magitech capabilities and trying to seize the initiative.
"They've been a great help. In return, the Empire has shared steam engine and firearms technologies..."
The Boern Empire had already shared steam engines and firearms tech with Stonegart Kingdom. Of course, the advanced core tech for firearms was excluded. And that's exactly what the dwarves were after.
"Other kingdoms have acquired those too..."
They protested, but it fell on deaf ears.
"No, it's different. The Boern Empire has officially transferred those only to Stonegart Kingdom. Besides, hasn't Stonegart's tech leaked to other countries as well?"
More back-and-forth followed. But there was no progress. They couldn't even broach the main topic—just endless probing, repeating old arguments.
Unlike the relaxed bureaucrats, the delegation's faces grew darker. This drawn-out style didn't suit the dwarves' temperament from the start. And the Empire's officials already knew what they wanted, putting them at a disadvantage right out of the gate.
"Damn, this is suffocating. I can't take it."
Finally, one dwarf couldn't hold back.
"You already know what we want, right? Cut the meaningless talk and get to the point."
"..."
The Empire's bureaucrats smiled thinly at his words. One leaned forward and said,
"Very well. Let's do that."
"I hope the Empire and Kingdom's relations remain strong going forward."
"...Heh."
The negotiations concluded. Bureaucrats bid farewell with gracious smiles; the delegation responded with hollow expressions.
"It was a pleasure. Enjoy the rest of your stay in the Empire."
The bureaucrats called after the departing group.
"..."
"We got played."
"At least we got joint research on firearms tech, and support for..."
"Those 'new technologies' they shared? Just unfinished prototypes."
The outcome was this: Swept up in the bureaucrats' rhetoric, the delegation agreed to share the kingdom's core technologies. In exchange, they got what seemed valuable to them: alchemy tech they lacked, machines and vehicles using steam engines, petroleum as a power source, and joint research on electricity.
But these were all nascent technologies.
Of course, from the Empire's perspective, they held great promise. If research panned out, the applications were endless. But for now, they were merely in the early stages. Meanwhile, the technologies shared by the kingdom were fully mature. The Empire's own tech would refine and advance further thanks to them.
"Sigh."
"At least the firearms tech..."
"Yeah."
"...But it's weird. We've heard rumors of even more advanced firearms beyond these."
"..."
They had secured a promise for basic rear-loading firearms and cartridge tech.
"First, we'll report the results back home..."
Of course, the rear-loading tech shared with them was rudimentary. Unaware of that, the dwarves returned with smiles. Meanwhile, the Empire's bureaucrats...
"Not a bad deal, if you ask me. What do you think?"
"Better than good. Damn, we need to accelerate these technologies..."
The magitech minister who participated in the talks was buzzing with excitement.
"Ahh... Some techs are hard to use without better magic stone yields, but most can go straight into industry. With this, we can make more precise products, improve quality and productivity—not to mention right now..."
"Calm down a bit..."
"Haha, sorry for the spectacle. In simple terms..."
Composing himself, the minister spoke.
"We came out ahead. Big time. The Empire's production base will advance leaps and bounds."
"Oh..."
"I've got work to handle, so I'll be off. Damn, combat golems that vicious... And the other stuff the Empire's researched is way beyond... Spreading this to other engineering societies and departments..."
A few days had passed since knight-exclusive firearms saw real combat. But few had seen them firsthand—only those in the operation. Explanations from them fueled growing skepticism without direct confirmation.
"So where can we see one?"
"Weapons Research Lab, they say."
"Damn, knowing that doesn't help. Can't get inside. Driving me nuts."
"When's deployment?"
"Beats me."
"Tch. Knights should stick to swords..."
"Yeah, relying on guns... But missing the sight of corpse golems dropping to gunfire stings."
"If it performed well, it'd be rolling out fast. No buzz means the answer's obvious."
"Hm..."
Whether positive or negative, interest in firearms was rising among the knights.
"Firearms, huh..."
One of them walked the path to the Weapons Research Lab. His official business: commissioning cavalry firearms. His real intent: inspect the knight-exclusive ones up close. At the entrance, a guard approached.
"Identity check, please."
"Hm. Here."
"State your business."
"Commissioning firearms for cavalry use."
He masked his true aim with the cover story. As the guard scrutinized his ID, his eyes widened.
"Sword... Master…?"
One of the Empire's rare Sword Masters. Meeting the guard's mutter with a quiet gaze, he overwhelmed him without a word.
"...May I enter?"
"Uh, y-yes, go... in..."
Retrieving his ID from the stunned guard, he strolled inside. Then, his eyes caught a woman.
"Hup..."
"Hm..."
Hasn't had systematic training.
Her swordplay was sloppy. Wide swings exposed openings. She put excess force into strikes. But her eyes burned with focus. And something emanated from her.
...Can't look away.
Forgetting his original purpose, he stood watching her.
It wasn't her looks—though striking. He was content with his wife and home. No, seeing her raw form sparked curiosity: with proper instruction, how far could she go?
Hmm...
More than that, the faint aura lingering at her blade tip. Weak, but unmistakable aura. A bit more polish, and she'd awaken it fully.
Hmmm...
Watching her, a desire stirred in him.
A little correction...
He didn't know when, but helping her would elevate her to great heights. Now, he stood before her.
"Who... are you…?"
She paused mid-swing to ask.
"Draw your sword."
"Y-yes? Huh?"
His blade surged at the flustered woman.
Clang!
"Urgh..."
"Not like that! Don't chop—deflect!"
"Wh-what..."
Skreeee!
"…!"
The intruder suddenly attacked, offering advice. She couldn't comprehend, but his words helped.
"Don't just stand there!"
No time to freeze—his next strike came.
Cling! Crang!
"Again!"
Kiiing!
"When do you attack?!"
Clang!
"Get up."
"Kuh..."
Kiiing!
"Wrong! Smaller motions!"
He parried or dodged her strikes, pointing out flaws.
"Excess force slows your follow-up!"
Baffled still, she absorbed his words, trading blows.
"Hah! Good enough. Well done."
"Huh?"
"Oops. Not why I came."
Sheathing his sword, he headed deeper into the lab.
"...Hah... What the hell was that..."
Serena Arwin muttered at his retreating back.
Whoosh.
"Oh..."
Though abrupt, the spar taught her much.