Episode 255
Bang!
The sound of gunfire echoed once more from beyond the forest.
Zeke followed Jaken into the woods.
Amidst the trees stood a middle-aged man, aiming a peculiar-looking magical gun towards the forest’s edge. Dressed in rugged attire reminiscent of a gamekeeper or hunter, this man was none other than Wolfgang Valdeck, the head of the Valdeck family, responsible for producing half of the continent’s weaponry.
The gun he held was shorter than the one Aeren had wielded, yet longer than Bastian’s.
As Zeke and Jaken approached, Wolfgang raised a hand.
“Shh.”
He then gripped the magical gun, holding his breath in concentration.
In the ensuing silence, Wolfgang pulled the trigger.
Bang!
The gunfire shattered the forest’s stillness once more, and steam rose from the gun’s barrel, likely due to the heat.
Lowering the gun, Wolfgang let out a wry smile.
“This isn’t going as planned.”
He turned to Jaken.
“Go fetch what we caught.”
At his command, Jaken rode swiftly into the forest.
Zeke dismounted from Bucephalus and approached Wolfgang. Before he could greet him, Wolfgang tossed the magical gun to Zeke.
Clank!
Zeke caught the hefty weapon.
Without preamble, Wolfgang asked, “What do you think that is?”
Though Zeke was familiar with magical guns, he considered the fact that they hadn’t been introduced to the world yet and chose his words carefully.
“It seems to be a new type of weapon. Pulling the trigger appears to launch a small projectile.”
“Anything else? Speak your mind.”
Zeke examined the gun closely. In his past life, magical guns had mostly become decorative playthings for nobles after the war. The Night Killers had destroyed their guns before dying, leaving little to study.
The gun Wolfgang handed him seemed like an early version of those used by nobles for amusement.
‘Bastian’s was short and rapid-firing, sacrificing accuracy for convenience. Aeren’s was long, enhancing accuracy but unable to fire rapidly.’
Wolfgang’s gun seemed to combine the best of both.
Zeke mimicked Wolfgang’s earlier stance, shouldering the gun and aiming beyond the forest.
His keen senses quickly identified the gun’s flaw.
Lowering the weapon, Zeke remarked, “This frame might not withstand the projectile’s force.”
“Impressive,” Wolfgang acknowledged.
Just then, Jaken returned, carrying something on his horse.
Thud!
Jaken dropped the half-destroyed carcass of a reindeer to the ground.
Wolfgang knelt to inspect it. The body was a mess, as if a giant had struck it with a hammer.
He gestured for Zeke to join him.
“What do you think?”
Zeke, aware he was being tested, played along with Wolfgang’s questions.
He examined the mangled reindeer closely.
“It seems it was a glancing hit, not a direct one.”
“What makes you say that?”
“If it were a direct hit, the impact would be below the heart, not above the left shoulder.”
Wolfgang nodded at Zeke’s assessment.
Standing beside Zeke, he turned to Jaken.
“Take this back to the castle.”
Jaken promptly loaded the reindeer and rode towards the castle.
Wolfgang addressed Zeke.
“Let’s walk to the lake. I’ve set up a camp there where we can warm up.”
Zeke led Bucephalus alongside Wolfgang.
Snow lay thick along the lakeshore.
Wolfgang exhaled a cloud of white breath.
“Zeke Draker, it’s my first time meeting you in person.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, sir,” Zeke replied.
Wolfgang chuckled.
“I see why Arthur likes you. You’re quite adept at hiding your emotions.”
Wolfgang referred to Arthur Draker with a familiarity that suggested a close relationship.
Though their meeting was brief, Zeke sensed the northern roots in Wolfgang’s straightforward demeanor.
‘With a mine in the north, the Valdeck family might have originated from there.’
The two walked in silence until they reached the camp Wolfgang had set up.
“Make yourself comfortable.”
The makeshift camp, with its few tents, resembled a temporary hunting lodge.
Wolfgang fetched firewood, kindling a fire in the brazier.
As the flames grew, he warmed his frozen hands.
Once he felt the warmth, Wolfgang removed his hunter’s hat and sat down.
“Ah, that’s better.”
He placed a kettle on the fire.
As steam rose, he produced a rough cup and some coffee grounds, brewing a strong cup.
“Have a drink. It’ll warm you up.”
Zeke accepted the cup. Accustomed to tea, the dark coffee was unfamiliar.
Taking a sip, Zeke grimaced.
‘Why drink something so bitter?’
Wolfgang savored the bitter coffee.
‘Tea is better,’ Zeke thought, but he drank it anyway, enduring the bitterness.
After finishing his coffee, Wolfgang spoke.
“Arthur mentioned you’re taking the advanced knight exam.”
Zeke nodded, setting his cup down.
“That’s correct.”
Wolfgang took a deep breath.
“Arthur’s a lucky man. One of his students is already a black knight, and another is taking the advanced exam before turning twenty.”
He drained his cup, set it aside, and picked up the magical gun.
In a swift motion, he aimed it at Zeke.
Zeke instinctively prepared to defend himself.
Wolfgang, still aiming, asked, “What do you think would happen if I pulled the trigger now?”
Zeke tried to discern Wolfgang’s intent.
‘He wouldn’t actually try to kill me here.’
He spoke slowly.
“I think it would miss.”
“Are you sure? Even if it misses, half your body could be blown away like that reindeer.”
Zeke replied, “Conversely, the weapon might explode, causing you significant harm.”
Wolfgang chuckled, lowering the gun.
“Is this really your first time seeing a magical gun?”
“It is.”
Wolfgang shook his head, extracting a magical bullet from the gun’s chamber.
He tossed it to Zeke.
Examining the bullet, Zeke asked, “Is this what the gun fires?”
Wolfgang nodded.
“Yes. The bullet contains powdered mana stones and is enchanted with an explosive spell. Pulling the trigger activates the spell, propelling the bullet.”
He tapped the gun.
“But it’s tricky to control and ridiculously expensive. How much do you think one bullet costs?”
“Ten gold, perhaps?”
“Even with enchantments, it doesn’t go below fifteen gold.”
Fifteen gold was roughly a month’s living expenses for an average commoner.
Leaning back in his chair, Wolfgang mused.
“I believe this magical gun could revolutionize the continent’s future. I’ve been obsessed with improving it for years, but progress is slow.”
He tossed the gun to Zeke.
“Find a way to improve this magical gun, and I’ll write you a letter for Arthur.”
Zeke felt a sense of dread.
‘Improve the magical gun?’
In his past life, these guns had become mere toys for the nobility.
Whatever future Wolfgang envisioned for this weapon, Zeke couldn’t see it.
‘I can’t believe this is the test.’
It seemed like an excuse to deny him the advanced knight title.
If he did come up with improvements, Wolfgang would gain a powerful weapon for the price of a letter.
‘This is a headache.’
Regardless, the test was set, and Zeke had to deliver results.
He nodded at Wolfgang.
“Understood. However, I’m not well-versed in this field. May I seek help from my colleagues?”
Wolfgang laughed heartily.
“Of course! Feel free to do so. I’ve instructed the family to provide whatever you need, so take your time.”
Zeke stood, holding the magical gun and bullet.
“I’ll return soon, sir.”
As soon as Zeke stepped out of the tent, Wolfgang, left alone, poured himself another cup of coffee and muttered to himself.
“I’m curious to see how Arthur’s youngest son will turn out.”
His expression was that of a hunter setting a trap and waiting for his prey.
Returning from the hunting grounds to the main castle of Valdeck, Zeke was shown to the guest room.
The first thing he did upon entering the opulent room was to disable any surveillance devices that might have been installed.
Feigning the act of removing his gloves, he activated his magic reflection skill.
Crackle!
The moment he used the skill, the magical lights flickered.
Startled, the attendants outside rushed into the room.
“Oh, my apologies. I took off my gloves out of habit,” Zeke said, pretending ignorance as he put them back on.
In what was essentially enemy territory, Zeke meticulously checked for surveillance devices. Only then did he place the magical gun Wolfgang had given him on the table and pondered deeply.
‘If I ask Lord Hades, he might create an improved mechanism. But if that happens, who knows how the future of the continent will change.’
A weapon as powerful as magic and more efficient than arrows in Valdeck’s hands meant Siemens could arm themselves with it.
Handing a new weapon to the enemy just to pass the advanced knight exam was a foolish move.
Zeke contemplated ways to pass Valdeck’s test without allowing improvements to be applied to the weapon.
He took out the magical gun Bastian used from his inventory and examined it alongside the other.
‘The material of the body is the same type. It’s not ordinary iron. Is it an alloy mixed with other metals?’
If it was made of an alloy, the cost of the magical gun itself, not just the bullets, would be significant.
After some thought, Zeke reached out to Richmond.
‘Richmond, what are you up to?’
Richmond responded immediately to Zeke’s call.
‘Master! I’m currently collecting samples with Duradura in the specimen room!’
It seemed he was wandering around the undead labyrinth of the Hoshigar research lab.
“Duradura? You mean a Dullahan?”
Richmond, much like his master, lacked creativity in naming.
Muttering to himself, Zeke instructed him.
‘In the lab, there should be weapons from Siemens assassins who fell to the ghost soldiers. Grab one and get in touch.’
Zeke planned to compare the magical gun used by the Night Killer unit, which Aaron was part of.
A few hours later, Richmond sent a message that he had found the Night Killer’s magical gun in the lab.
Zeke summoned him immediately.
“Huff, huff. Is this the one, Master?”
Richmond had hurriedly fetched the magical gun from the lab after being in the labyrinth.
Zeke took the gun and nodded.
“Yes, well done. Go back and continue your sampling.”
He promptly dismissed Richmond, sending him back to the lab.
Alone again, Zeke examined the rusted Night Killer magical gun and the bullets infused with dark energy laid out before him.
Picking up the magical gun, he scrutinized it closely.
After a thorough inspection, Zeke discovered something in the Night Killer’s magical gun.