Cavalry Carbine
"Brother…"
My brother, Kael Espada, is a really good person.
Of course, all of my family are decent people, but Kael is especially down-to-earth and not authoritarian.
But….
"Times like these really make me embarrassed…"
The Second Prince of the Espada Kingdom, writhing like a caterpillar in front of everyone.
At that disgraceful sight, the eyes of the territory's residents carrying materials and the soldiers on guard duty all focused on us.
I sighed and issued orders to the knights who had escorted Kael.
"…First, untie him. There are too many eyes watching."
"Yes! Your Highness!"
The knights approached, untied the tightly bound ropes, and released the mana restraints.
"Even mana restraints?"
-Woong.
As soon as the restraints were released, Kael's suppressed mana surged.
"Y-You bastards! Did you think I'd just obediently do paperwork here?! I'm going back to the capital right now!"
Free at last, Kael fumed as he stood up.
Around him, his characteristic purple mana flared up, and a full-fledged Acceleration magic circle began to unfold.
"Accel—"
But before his casting could finish.
-Thud.
Elisa, who had his mana, used Magic Circle Destruction magic to dispel the circle Kael was deploying.
"…Huh?"
Kael turned his head in astonishment and stared at Elisa.
"You have traveled a long way, Your Highness, the Second Prince."
Elisa, with her usual expression, lightly held her skirt and greeted him according to the kingdom's etiquette.
But upon seeing her, his face turned even paler than when he first woke up.
"He's scared again."
Kael doesn't know that Elisa is a witch.
Within the kingdom, only Father, Rowen, Roxanna, and recently Seria have figured it out.
But Kael has instinctively feared Elisa since childhood.
Perhaps it's because of his talent for magic.
It senses something that can't be explained by the difference in their Circles.
A witch's mana inherently suppresses a mage's mana, like a superior version.
At similar levels, the witch's mana has a slight edge.
After all, a witch's rank is determined solely by the amount of mana in her heart, not by Circles.
"Eek…! Elisa…!"
Kael flinched and stepped back hid behind the back of the guard knight next to him.
I approached him and spoke in a gentle voice.
"Brother. Face reality. Rowen and Father sent you here. If you use magic and run away, you might really end up in prison."
"*Gasp*…!"
At the word "prison," Kael's shoulders flinched from behind the guard knight.
"Besides, being the acting lord of Karon means you have power and can handle money freely—it's a total sweet deal. With your brilliant mind, you'll finish the handover and be able to slack off in no time."
"D-Don't lie! This is the front line…!"
"…That's true, but."
"And you're trying to run back to the capital! You're dumping all the work on me!"
"Yeah. Busted."
"Ugh…."
Kael clutched his head in frustration and bowed.
"Can't be helped."
I lightly ignored him and gave orders to the knights.
"Take him to the office. Hold him tight from both sides so he can't escape."
"Yes! Your Highness!"
The knights approached quickly as trained and firmly grabbed both of his arms.
"No! Let go! I said let go! That's an order!"
"I'm your superior here."
"…Aaaagh!!"
Kael's pitiful voice echoed through the castle as he was dragged across the floor.
I watched him recede and instructed Elisa, who stood beside me.
"Elisa. You go with him and make sure the handover is done properly. I'll go to the workshop."
"Understood. What should I do if he tries to escape?"
"Hmm… It'll be fine. He's not completely irresponsible. If he really tries to run, just seal the entire office."
"Yes, understood."
Elisa gave a polite bow and walked toward the office where Kael had been dragged.
"I should get to work too."
Arriving at the workshop, I sat at the workbench and spread out the blueprints.
Actually, it was embarrassing to call it a workshop.
It was just a makeshift building next to the forge, with a desk and some materials thrown in.
But there was no better place to focus entirely on work.
"First, I should make soundproof earmuffs."
I took leather from a shelf and spread it on the workbench.
It was the leather from the wyverns Seria and I had hunted on the outskirts of the territory recently.
had specially asked the cooks to give me the hides, which I then had the blacksmiths tan and brought here.
leather is durable."
Moreover, as a byproduct of a magical beast, it has excellent mana affinity, making it great for inscribing magic circles.
I placed both hands on the wyvern leather spread on the workbench.
I drew up my mana and inscribed a magic circle.
"Transmutation"
-Woong.
The mana flowed in and instantly cut the wyvern leather.
It took the form of a leather helmet that covered down to the ears, like something World War II fighter pilots might have worn.
Then, all that was left was to inscribe a soundproofing magic circle on the part covering the ears.
"Should I try it on?"
"Oh."
When I put on the helmet, the loud hammering from the forge next door became almost inaudible.
At this level, even if the Gorani scream their heads off, my eardrums won't burst.
Plus, since it's made of wyvern leather, it should provide some head protection.
"This earmuff-helmet combo should do."
I set the finished leather helmet aside on the workbench.
The next item to make was the carbine — a rifle for the cavalry.
I spread out a new blueprint I had pushed aside on the workbench.
The existing magic musket An-16 used by the infantry is an optimal weapon for forming lines and ranks.
But the barrel is too long, making it cumbersome to handle on the back of a swaying beast.
For mobility and use in chaotic combat, something shorter and lighter would be better.
I brought over a pre-assembled musket and placed it on the workbench.
Then I once again drew up my mana and inscribed a magic circle.
"Transmutation"
-Woong.
The mana enveloped the entire firearm and began to transform it according to the form I had in mind.
First, I shortened the long barrel by nearly half.
This would reduce the effective range accordingly.
But since cavalry would use this in close combat or suppressive fire just before a charge, not for long-range sniping, it shouldn't matter.
Next was changing the shape of the stock.
Because cavalry must hold the reins with one hand.
So that the remaining hand can easily handle the gun, the shoulder rest was shortened, and the grip area was carved deeper and rounder.
I picked up the finished carbine with one hand and swung it around, testing the aim.
"Definitely lighter and easier to handle."
Thanks to the shortened barrel, the center of gravity was near the grip, so aiming with one hand didn't strain the wrist.
"The name…"
I should call it the An-24 Carbine.
Why 24?
Because the disposable shotgun musket I made last time was the An-23.
Anyway, if I imagine riding those crazy Gorani while wearing the soundproof leather helmet and holding the An-24, charging forward?
"Even I would be scared and run away."
Imagining the newly equipped cavalry in my head, it wasn't cool, but it was reassuring.
"At least they're on my side."
I set the finished carbine aside on the workbench.
Now that both prototypes were complete.
I should make 32 more of these before Elisa finishes the handover with Kael, and prepare to leave for the capital.
One week later.
In front of the main gate of Karon Castle.
Finally, the day had come to be freed from this damned Karon and return to the capital.
Still, thanks to Kael resigning himself and cooperating from the next day.
The departure preparations went smoothly.
Alongside my carriage heading to the capital, Seria and the 32 knights of Margrave Kraus were lined up.
Seria had decided to leave Karon in the hands of her subordinates and accompany me to the capital.
The knights of Margrave Kraus, who had sworn their oaths, were also coming along.
The problem was….
-Bweeaaaaaah!
-Kiiyaaaaaa!
"Eeek?! Wh-What are those horrible magical beasts…! Ian! We need to deal with them quickly!"
Kael, who had come out to see us off, spotted the Gorani riders and, his face turning pale, began to draw up his mana.
"Brother. Wait! Don't use magic. They're not monsters."
"N-Not monsters?! Then what are those things making those weird noises if not monsters!"
Kael was horrified and deployed a soundproofing magic to cover his ears.
"Brother. Then you won't hear my voice either."
"What? I can't hear you. Ian!"
"Haah…."
I brought my mouth close to his ear and shouted, infusing mana into my voice.
"I said they're not monsters! This is the new cavalry I created!"
"Aaaaaagh! My ears! What? That's the cavalry?! Are you out of your mind!"
Kael stared in disbelief at Seria and the knights sitting atop the Gorani.
The knights, thanks to the soundproof helmets I made, looked calm.
"Anyway! We're leaving! Guard Karon well! Elisa, let's go!"
"Yes, understood."
Saying so, I boarded the carriage with Elisa and put on the leather helmet.
-Bweeaaaaaah!
-Kiiyaaaaa!
With the Gorani's screams, we departed for the kingdom's capital, Laver.
"I can't wait to see the faces of the local nobles when they see this sight."