Magic revolution of a Young Noblewoman Starting Over ~ The Executed Villainess restores her Ruined Family ~ Restraint? Prudence? I'm more interested in magic tools than that! - Chapter 14
Magic rifle
”Ehm, that’s, uhh…”
Having suddenly been asked about the magic stone, the swordsman stuttered.
I continue speaking.
”The magic power inside this magic stone isn’t stable enough. Because of this, the output is unstable, and the magic circuit is overloaded and breaks. Most likely, last time’s and this time’s failure was caused by using this magic stone.”
”No way…”
The customer was speechless.
My expression showed that I was annoyed from the bottom of my heart.
”Our magic armaments are optimised to use our processed magic stones. We should have given you this explanation when you purchased it.”
”Come to think of it, I feel like I heard something like that…”
”Why’d you switch the magic stone with another?”
”Th-, that’s the thing. It’s because the genuine products here are very expensive.”
Seems that’s why.
”In order for the magic tool to exhibit its best performance, and for the magic stone to last as long as possible, we take the time and effort to stabilise the magic power of our workshop’s magic stones, which is a costly process. By any chance, when you exchanged it with one from another shop, did your magic sword not drop in output and sharpness?”
The swordsman pondered my question.
”… now that you say that, the reach got shortened, and I feel like the sharpness also worsened.”
I nodded.
Our products may be expensive compared to other shops. However, the [reason for the high price] is simply because of its [performance and quality]. I’d be glad if you would think of that.”
”Uh, sorry!!”
As I smiled at him, the swordsman deeply bowed his head.
☆
”Well then, we look forward to seeing you again.”
Once the repair was done, I sent out the smiling customer.
Sighing once, the workshop chief, Duncan, addressed me.
”Is that alright?”
”What is?”
Returning the question to him, Duncan gave me a complicated smile.
”You repaired it for free, and even gave him a new magic stone. Wasn’t that unnecessary?”
”This time, it doesn’t matter. If that man spreads the correct understanding of magic armaments and reputation amongst his fellow adventurers, then it isn’t very high for a public relations’ expense. We’ll treat the magic stone’s cost as part of my development expenses, so the workshop won’t be troubled.”
”Is that so.”
”Yes.”
I nodded at Duncan with a smile, who was pouting.
Compared to right at the beginning, I wonder if we’ve gotten to know each other better?
With that flow, I begin talking to them.
”I understand the true ability of the workshop in its current state. I think you’re all doing well with the conditions you’ve been given.”
Duncan, Roland and Jack’s faces seemed to say [what?] with question marks floating above their heads.
”And so, I’ll ask you once again. Everyone, please lend me your help in developing my new magic armament.”
When I deeply bowed my head, the three confusedly nodded their heads.
☆
”Is this… a crossbow?”
Seeing the complete plans spread out across the counter, Duncan knit his eyebrows.
A crossbow is a type of bow which shoots short, fat arrows made of steel called [bolts], using a leaf spring installed horizontally in a wooden pedestal as the bowstring. It is the ancestor of the so-called bow gun.
”What made you think that?”
I asked, and he tapped a spot on the diagram.
”It has a trigger. However, I can’t see a place to knock the arrow or the bowstring. Besides… what’s this pipe for?”
”That’s called a gun barrel. The pipe is loaded with lead bullets, which take the place of the arrows, that are shot out via magic and hit the enemy. These weapons look like crossbows at a glance, but in fact are completely different and new weapons.”
”A new weapon?”
”Yes. Crossbows are a type of [bow], but this is a completely new type of weapon called a [gun]. What we’re making this time is a [rifle], which even every soldier will carry and use.”[1]
I looked down at the diagrams I’d drawn once again.
What was drawn there was unmistakably a [gun] from the Earth within my dream.
Overall length is 1m. It was a [rifle], with the gun barrel supported by the left hand, the gunstock held against the right shoulder, and the index finger of the right hand pulling the trigger.
In shape, it was like a shortish matchlock.
”How’s it different from a normal bow or crossbow? What kind of merits does it have?”
”The bow excels due to its rapid-fire nature, but requires a corresponding amount of training in order to use. Crossbows don’t need as much training in order to use, but require considerable strength to pull the bowstring, and since it takes time to load it, its fire-rate is considerably inferior.”
While explaining, I motion drawing a bow, and then afterwards pose as though knocking a bolt in a crossbow.
”However, if it’s this rifle, you can get up to five shots from one magic stone by simply loading it from the muzzle, allowing for rapid-fire, and the aim is also simple. Speaking extremely, but even a child like me can quickly change into someone with excellent marksmanship skills in a short time.”
”Oi, oi, that’s amazing, but… recruiting children to hunt monsters or fight wars is just…”
Duncan hesitated.
Seeing that, I smiled.
”Of course, just now, that was just an example. What I was trying to say was, [If we succeed in developing this weapon, it will dramatically increase the range and offensive ability of infantry who have been relying on swords and spears]. To put it simply, I’m thinking of selling this weapon directly to His Majesty the King.”
”The King? Is that even possible??”
Surprised, Duncan and the others exchanged glances.
Right. Even if we are nobles, we’re no more than one of many count Houses. By all rights, it would be an unthinkable story to expressly ask for his time personally.
However this time, we’ve been granted an audience for their own purposes.
As to how we use that opportunity, there should be some room for us to express our wishes.
——— such as, for example, presenting to them a magic tool I developed.
”Due to certain circumstances, Dad and I will be having an audience with His Majesty the King, three weeks later. Some time during that period, I intend to present a demonstration of my own skill. If the demonstration goes well…”
”A huge order will come in from the country!!”
Excited, Duncan shouted out, interrupting me.
I nodded at him.
”Exactly. If it goes well, the workshop’s financial situation could be restored.”
TL Notes:
[1]kinda counting your eggs before they hatch, huh? It’s a bit odd to hear her be this aggressive about her magic tool’s future, but that just reminded me that she’s simply that intent on making this a big thing. ↩