Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Arms Negotiations with the Dwarves
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"Please tell us the conditions your country desires."
"Yes."
Steven wore a kindly smile.
Choosing Botis as a betrothal gift instead of Josh's hammer and anvil—items that might have struck them as oddly out of place given what we already possessed—had clearly paid off.
"Her Majesty Luise Zeinburg has taken an interest in the firearms used by the Kingdom of Anchester. To that end, she plans to equip her direct legion, the Crimson Dragon Legion, with rifles and cannons on a trial basis."
"Hmm..."
"We wish to purchase 13,000 matchlock rifles and 30 siege cannons. We'll pay in full, of course."
I laid out our demands plainly and directly.
"13,000 rifles..."
"The situation on the Empire's western front is changing rapidly. We'd like delivery as soon as possible. Her Majesty is hoping for production within one month, including delivery, for a total of two months."
"..."
Since simple purchasing wasn't my goal, I'd set the timeline aggressively short to force the dwarves into deep consideration.
Erika translated after a slight hesitation, and Steven stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"...We've sold firearms before, but never in quantities larger than dozens, or a few hundred at most. And with delivery requested in just two months, we're concerned about whether we can handle that volume."
After a brief moment of reflection, he replied.
Perhaps because firearms were still a novel weapon even by human standards, he didn't object at all to the idea of a bulk purchase in principle.
A good sign.
"Her Majesty said she won't stint on any necessary support. I understand alloy production requires substantial resources—if raw materials are the issue, the Dragonia Empire can provide them."
"...We've recently discovered several new mines, so we're not short on raw materials. The problem lies in processing and manufacturing, which take considerable time."
I subtly probed for signs of an impending 'mine depletion' crisis, but Steven shook his head.
With new mines opening up, it seemed unlikely they'd face depletion anytime soon.
And even if it did happen, ongoing trade with the Kingdom of Anchester would let us spot the signs early. At least for now, I could set aside worries about the dwarves suddenly turning hostile.
Steven turned his gaze to Dominic, who stood nearby.
"Dominic handles firearms production for the Kingdom of Anchester, so we should consult him. Dominic, is it feasible?"
"Hm... Factoring in our current stock, it'd take about three months to secure 13,000 rifles."
Dominic replied after a short deliberation.
"Sir Dominic, how many can you prepare in one month? We'd like to receive them as early as possible for training and deployment."
"In one month, around 8,000 should be possible."
The Kingdom of Anchester had been using firearms for decades by the time the Empire campaign began in the game, so it made sense they had a substantial stockpile.
I'd figured they'd need to reserve their own usage quota, so probably no more than 5,000 spares—but apparently, they had more than expected.
"What about the cannons?"
Wanting to drag out the negotiations a bit further, I quickly shifted topics.
"Including transport, two months is tight. Within that timeframe, 20 cannons would be the limit."
"...Hmm."
Preparing and shipping 8,000 rifles and 20 cannons within two months was already impressive, but I let out a small groan and bowed my head as if dissatisfied.
"I'm told there are hundreds of artisans right here in the capital. If capable craftsmen lent their aid, couldn't we shorten the timeline further?"
"...Even mobilizing every available artisan, it's hard to cut it down more than this. How about delivering whatever's completed within the deadline, with the rest following a month later?"
Of course, I knew dwarf artisans wouldn't come running at a king's mere word.
I was simply preparing to push a step further, emboldened by their unexpectedly agreeable stance on the sale itself.
"...We'll need some time to consider."
I kept up the pretense of pondering, even at Steven's pragmatic proposal.
"Understood. You've no doubt accumulated fatigue from the journey from Rainesberg. Why not rest and recover, then resume discussions tomorrow? We'll prepare lodgings for you."
"We appreciate the hospitality."
The negotiations were postponed until the next day.
"...Mm, very well. Jamie, guide the Dragonia Empire delegation to their accommodations."
"Yes, sir."
"Dominic, accompany them as well. Discuss today's proposal with the delegates."
"Yes."
Perfect—Dominic would be sticking with us.
This was an ideal opportunity.
My group and I left the audience chamber with Dominic.
"You'll be staying here."
Jamie had arranged rooms tailored to our group's composition.
The escorts were housed in dedicated palace barracks.
Moritz and Erika each got single rooms, while Anna—my adjutant—would share a spacious double with me.
"All the furniture is sized appropriately, so make yourselves at home. If there's any discomfort, please ring this bell to summon assistance."
"Thank you."
Once Jamie and the attendants withdrew, only our group and Dominic remained outside the room.
"Sir Dominic."
"Yes."
"You mentioned earlier it would be fine to visit your workshop. Would now be all right? The rifles I've seen before weren't purchased directly from the Kingdom of Anchester, so they were poorly maintained and lacked precision. I'm sure the ones in your workshop are entirely different."
Dominic grinned at my words.
"...Haha. Aren't you tired from the long trip?"
"I'm fine. What about the rest of you?"
"What will you do, Sir Moritz? Since Sir Dominic speaks the Empire tongue, if you stay, I should remain in the room too."
"I need to organize some documents, so I'll stay here."
"...Then I'll stay too!"
"..."
Moritz and Erika would remain, while Anna nodded with her usual expression, signaling she'd join.
"Just the two of us, then."
"Very well. Follow me."
We set off for Dominic's workshop.
"Since you're overseeing it all, I assume you know firearms best of anyone. Could you perhaps share proper maintenance methods or troubleshooting tips? I'd like to pass them on to my subordinates back in the Empire."
"Of course! It's my duty to explain everything thoroughly so you can use the items that pass through my hands effectively."
"Thank you."
Dominic and I walked to the workshop in cheerful conversation the whole way.
"Making small parts like springs isn't easy, but rifling the barrel must be the real challenge. Is that why you can't prepare 13,000 right away?"
"Exactly. We have metalworking equipment, but it still requires hands-on finishing. The bullet and barrel need to mesh perfectly for peak efficiency, so barrels demand even finer processing than other components."
"Still, the Kingdom of Anchester—famed for metalwork—can meet the quota in a few months. Not just us; no other dwarf kingdom would even dream of matching it."
"Haha! You're right."
I kept the mood friendly between us.
Early matchlock rifles had relatively simple structures, but I doubted anyone without prior knowledge could whip them up and mass-produce them overnight.
Starting from scratch would involve trial and error on spring tension, materials, and more—terribly inefficient.
The dwarves knew this too.
They'd agreed amiably to the sale, but if we demanded manufacturing techniques or blueprints, they wouldn't yield easily.
It was old enough not to qualify as cutting-edge, yet no solid replacement tech had emerged.
"Here we are—my workshop."
"Oh..."
So, I'd been thinking.
What if matchlocks stopped being 'new tech'? Might they share more freely then?
As long as 'mine depletion' didn't strike, the Kingdom of Anchester would remain our ally going forward. Their growing stronger would benefit the Empire too.
"Is this for securing the metal?"
"Right. I hear the Empire has similar fixtures, but not as precise as ours."
As Dominic and I toured his workshop, chatting,
"This is..."
"Recognize it?"
I approached a metal assembly on his desk, intricate with gears and springs intertwined.
"May I ask what this is? I think I've seen soldiers carrying rifles fitted with something like it..."
"Sharp eyes. This is a component for the rifles I'm preparing for mass production."
"Is it all right for me to see this?"
"It has over 20 internal parts. You couldn't replicate it from a glance."
As expected, it was the wheellock firing mechanism.
I nodded at Dominic's proud response.
"Only Anchester dwarves could manage this... I hate to admit it, but it rings true. I've never heard of the Empire producing machinery this complex."
"Well, mass production still has many hurdles. It's several times costlier than current rifles, and the process is far more intricate."
Dominic fiddled with the mechanism.
The game mentioned elite dwarf units wielding wheellock rifles, so I knew they were transitioning from matchlocks as in Earth's history.
The difference now was,
"...With this level of craftsmanship, it just might work."
"Pardon?"
I knew a more efficient, simpler alternative feasible at their tech level,
"Could you fetch pen and paper? I've studied designs using flint and springs before. No chance to mention it in the Empire due to lack of expertise, but with your skills, Sir Dominic, I think it's viable."
"...Hmm."
I had no intention of hiding it.
To nudge them toward thinking, 'Matchlocks? Sure, we can share those.'
"...Heh."
I took the pen and sketched a rough outline.