Episode 256
“This one’s got a different structure compared to other magic guns, doesn’t it?”
The rapid-fire magic gun Bastian had and the one Wolfgang gave him operated on the same principle: using explosive magic to fire bullets. However, the magic guns used by the Night Killers had additional components inscribed with other types of magic.
“I’m not sure what these parts are for.”
After pondering for a while, he decided to call for help. A few days later, someone arrived at the Valdeck estate. It was Gelion and Fainan.
“Thanks for coming despite your busy schedules.”
Zeke showed them the magic gun and asked for their advice. Gelion, showcasing his craftsmanship, disassembled all three types of magic guns and meticulously examined their mechanisms. Meanwhile, Fainan analyzed the magical activation formula on the bullets.
After half a day of work, they finally completed their analysis. Gelion, looking perplexed, spoke to Zeke first.
“Even as a master craftsman, I find it hard to describe this weapon, my lord.”
Zeke asked, “What do you mean by that?”
Gelion, glancing at the disassembled magic guns, explained, “I believe these weapons are likely modified replicas.”
Zeke was taken aback. “Replicas? So there’s an original somewhere?”
“That’s my guess. To elaborate, it seems like they were made by observing the exterior without understanding the core mechanism, then adding various functions to mimic the original effect.”
“What makes you think that?”
Picking up the body of the rapid-fire magic gun, Gelion tapped it with his fingers. “This one seems designed to be as lightweight as possible for usability, but that makes it dangerous for the user, as it can’t withstand the bullet’s explosion.”
He then picked up the magic gun Wolfgang had given. “On the other hand, this one uses an alloy for durability, but it’s too heavy and costly for mass production.”
He pushed the two magic guns aside and continued, “I suspect these two weapons are experimental models created during the process of modifying the original. They’re highly unstable and lack reliability. It’s like a sword that might break during battle, injuring its wielder, or one so large and unwieldy that even its owner can’t handle it properly.”
Zeke pointed to the Night Killer’s magic gun beside them. “How does this one compare to the other two?”
Gelion, looking even more troubled, replied, “To be honest, my lord, this weapon is truly bizarre.”
“Bizarre? What do you mean?”
After some hesitation, Gelion slowly began to speak. “The structure isn’t vastly different from the other two. It’s built to be sturdier and shoot farther. But…”
When Gelion hesitated, Fainan spoke up. “Master, this weapon contains the power of dark magic.”
Zeke held his breath at the mention of dark magic. Gelion’s face also hardened upon hearing Fainan’s words.
Zeke pondered Fainan’s statement. ‘A dark magic weapon.’
He had considered the possibility since the Night Killers’ bullets were imbued with dark energy. Given the deep ties between Siemens and the Abyss, and the fact that Siemens secretly trained the Night Killers, it was a plausible scenario.
‘This magic gun could be evidence of Siemens’ alliance with dark magicians.’
During the continental war in his past life, the Night Killers had gone to great lengths to destroy these magic guns without leaving a trace, even in death.
Zeke turned to Fainan and asked, “Fainan, what makes you think this weapon was made using dark magic?”
Fainan picked up one of the disassembled components and pointed to the magical activation plate inscribed on it. “This kind of magical implementation defies conventional magical knowledge.”
After a brief pause, Fainan continued, “It’s not a magic formula powered by mana; it’s a summoning formula.”
“A summoning formula? What does it summon?”
Fainan cautiously replied, “It summons dark energy, which is then infused into the bullets.”
Zeke realized how the Night Killers managed to imbue their bullets with dark energy. ‘So they summoned dark energy using dark magic.’
At that moment, Gelion, who had been listening, spoke up. “The reason I called this weapon bizarre is that it’s designed solely for the purpose of killing living beings. The more it’s used, the more the user will be tormented by madness, craving blood until they become a raving lunatic.”
It was as dangerous as a cursed sword that devoured its user’s soul.
Zeke recalled how many knights had lost their lives to this weapon during the continental war in his past life. In terms of its purpose and the war’s outcome, the weapon had been a resounding success.
Zeke asked Gelion, “So, are you saying the originals of these replicas are the magic guns imbued with dark magic?”
Gelion hesitated before shaking his head. “I don’t think so. This magic gun also seems to be a modified version of something else, designed to fire bullets in an even more sinister way.”
Zeke fell into deep thought. ‘If all three are replicas… then Siemens likely holds the original.’
It seemed Siemens had created replicas to show Valdeck, who was then conducting research to further improve them.
‘They probably plan to use the improved magic guns in the continental war. Once the limitations of the magic guns are removed, even ordinary soldiers could stand against knights or magicians.’
Zeke had experienced a future where the Empire unified the central continent, and the Emperor wielded absolute power. What happened after that was unknown to him.
Perhaps Siemens had used their hidden power to overthrow the Emperor, with Abel at the forefront, becoming the new rulers of the continent.
Zeke, resting his chin on his hand, asked Gelion, “Do you think there’s a way to improve this weapon using conventional methods?”
Gelion looked troubled by the question. After a moment of thought, he replied, “Honestly, my lord, this isn’t my area of expertise. Perhaps my master could, but not me.”
A skilled craftsman like Golyn, who could handle various devices, might be able to create a different kind of magic gun. However, Gelion was a soul blacksmith, specializing in crafting weapons that contained the user’s soul. He wasn’t accustomed to dealing with such complex weapons.
Fainan, who had been examining the rapid-fire magic gun, spoke slowly, “If the weapon’s sole purpose is to fire bullets, it might be possible to replace the magical activation formula with something else.”
“How so?”
“One idea is to inscribe force magic on the activation device to propel the bullets, and inscribe grease magic inside to minimize friction, allowing the bullets to travel as far as possible.”
Zeke frowned at the suggestion. “That would still require two types of magic. Gelion, would the production cost be manageable?”
Gelion quickly calculated and shook his head. It would be more cost-effective to hire a second-circle magician to create scrolls with simple attack spells.
Then Zeke had an idea. “What about using gunpowder in the bullet’s explosive section to propel it?”
By filling the bullet with gunpowder, commonly used in cheap fireworks, and igniting it, the bullet could be propelled by the resulting explosion.
Gelion shook his head. “Gunpowder is too dangerous. It could accidentally explode while being carried. Plus, if you have to ignite it manually, the process would be too slow, and you might be killed before you can fire.”
While it might be cost-effective, it lacked safety and speed, reducing its value as a weapon.
Zeke nodded in agreement with Gelion’s assessment. ‘If it’s just about propelling with gunpowder, it might be better to have magicians cast fireballs. Bows or crossbows would be faster.’
There were many limitations to improving the magic gun. Then Zeke remembered something.
He recalled the spears the Dark Elves had thrown from their wyverns during the overturned tower incident. He retrieved a spear from his inventory.
“Take a look at this.”
Fainan and Gelion examined the Dark Elf spear with interest.
“This is… quite a unique weapon.”
Observing their reactions, Zeke asked Fainan, “Is there magic on this as well?”
Fainan shook his head. “No, the spearhead is designed to explode upon impact, scattering sharp fragments in all directions.”
“Is it possible to create something like this without magic?”
Gelion, intrigued, examined the inside of the spearhead and explained, “The spearhead isn’t made from typical metal but seems to be shaped from melted minerals. It looks like they left the inside hollow and filled it with something else during production.”
“What did they fill it with to cause an explosion?”
When Gelion hesitated to answer, Fainan shared his thoughts.
After hearing Fainan’s explanation, Zeke nodded. “That would certainly cause an explosion.”
Zeke pondered quietly, his eyes suddenly lighting up with a flash of inspiration.
“Could this actually work?”
He quickly sketched a simple blueprint on a piece of paper and showed it to Gelion.
“Gelion, do you think we could construct the body of a magic gun like this?”
Gelion examined Zeke’s design, running calculations in his head before nodding in agreement.
“Yes, this should be entirely feasible.”
“Great. I’ll arrange for us to use the workshop here, so please go ahead and build it. Lord Feynan, could you assist with the calculations?”
With that, Zeke, Feynan, and Gelion put their heads together to draft a new design.
A week later, Zeke requested a meeting with Wolfgang.
Wolfgang was inspecting the armory factory within Canus and had instructed Zeke to meet him there.
Zeke made his way to the factory where Wolfgang was conducting his inspection.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Inside the massive factory, artisans were tirelessly hammering away, crafting weapons without pause.
On one side, blades were being forged, while on the other, they were being cooled, then loaded onto carts to be transported elsewhere.
There, the blades were sharpened and fitted with handles, gradually taking the shape of swords.
Wolfgang, no longer resembling the hunter Zeke had first met, was dressed like a northern lord.
Clad in thick leather with wooden buttons and a cloak made of animal fur, Wolfgang exuded an air of authority and stubbornness, his presence commanding respect.
As he tested the balance of a newly forged sword, Wolfgang noticed Zeke approaching.
“Sir Zeke! Come over here.”
Setting the sword aside, Wolfgang approached Zeke, warmly clasping his shoulder.
“I’m curious to see what wisdom the knight of Haeju has devised.”
“Would you like to see it now?” Zeke asked.
Wolfgang grinned broadly. “Absolutely, let’s head outside.”
Together, they moved to the open space behind the factory.
Wolfgang instructed his attendants to set up a suit of armor fifty paces away as a target.
Watching the attendants scurry about, Wolfgang turned to Zeke.
“If your new magic gun can pierce that armor three times in a row, I’ll be convinced.”
Even from a distance, the armor’s thickness was evident.
Without a word, Zeke set down the long leather bag he had slung over his shoulder.
He slowly opened the bag, revealing its contents.
Wolfgang’s eyes widened in surprise.
“What is this…?”