Chapter 162 - 162 News from the Kingdom of Meizack
Gaster's whereabouts remained unknown as ever, yet the situation had begun to move.
Reports arrived stating that the Kingdom of Meizack had been invaded by the Kingdom of Saturate, a neighboring country on the opposite side of the Kingdom of Merda, and had suffered a crushing defeat.
The Kingdom of Meizack had already ceded territory to the Kingdom of Cascade and the Kingdom of Merda, leaving its national power weakened. To show it had no intention of reclaiming that land, it had drastically reduced its troops on the western front and redistributed them to other directions. In other words, there were more soldiers in the other three directions than before. Despite this state of affairs, the Kingdom of Saturate had initiated the war and achieved a great victory.
And this victory was said to be thanks to a new weapon. Explosions occurred at various points on the battlefield, causing the soldiers of the Kingdom of Meizack to die or be injured, rendering them combat ineffective. The Kingdom of Meizack, pushed all the way to the outskirts of its capital, had pleaded with the Kingdom of Cascade, bringing information regarding the Kingdom of Saturate's fighting style.
With the Kingdom of Meizack's delegation arriving in the Royal Capital of the Kingdom of Cascade, Steve had been summoned by the King and came to the royal castle.
Aside from the King and the Chancellor, only Daphne and Director Holiday were present. The Kingdom of Meizack's delegation was waiting at the guest house for the time being.
The King asked Director Holiday.
"Regarding the weapon used by the Kingdom of Saturate, it is certainly the research of the missing researcher, correct?"
"Yes. Based on the information brought by the delegation, it is likely correct. With no mages confirmed to be present, yet explosions occurring in various places, it is reasonable to judge that the Fire Secret Medicine was used."
The Fire Secret Medicine was, in other words, gunpowder. The King nodded at that answer and looked toward Steve.
"In that case, Lord Archibalt. Can you win a war against a country using such a weapon?"
"Your Majesty, I have not seen that weapon myself, so I cannot say for certain, but based on the fragmented information I have obtained, I believe that if we fight on a rainy day, the enemy soldiers who cannot ignite the secret medicine would not be something to fear. Furthermore, even on a clear day, if we use water attribute magic to wet the secret medicine, it would likely become useless. If that is the case, victory should be possible."
Steve did not reveal his cards regarding firearms here.
"Besides, is it not being researched in our own country as well? If we have that, we should be able to fight on equal terms."
Saying that, Steve cast a quick glance at Director Holiday.
When he learned that Cyril had been recalled to the Royal Research Institute to conduct research there, Steve had gone to meet Cyril.
Regarding the research content, since Steve was also an associate of the Royal Research Institute, Cyril was able to convey the details to him. Consequently, Cyril consulted with him on various matters, and Steve provided that advice.
Although Steve disliked weapons development, if the country was going to seriously pursue research, he had resigned himself to the fact that results would appear quickly.
For the country to seriously pursue research meant that a massive budget would be allocated.
The reason humanity reached the moon, and the reason vaccines could be developed in a short period, was because there was ample budget. Conversely, because there was no budget, even in the modern era, fifty years after reaching the moon's surface, Japan has not yet achieved manned lunar landing despite the development of computers and rockets.
Knowing this, Steve decided that since gunpowder would eventually be created anyway, he would let Cyril take the credit for it.
However, Steve did ask Cyril if he was prepared for the possibility that many people would die due to his own development. In response, Cyril answered that he was prepared. Therefore, Steve conveyed his knowledge of gunpowder to Cyril.
And currently, the production of gunpowder in the Kingdom of Cascade was becoming visible. While it had already been proven at the laboratory level, producing enough for military use required substantial equipment, so they were currently in the stage of preparing to secure the necessary quantities.
Incidentally, the reason the Kingdom of Saturate was stalling right before the capital of the Kingdom of Meizack was that they lacked sufficient gunpowder to launch an attack.
The King answered Steve.
"We are researching it, but it is far from ready for actual combat. Losing the researchers was painful."
He pricked Director Holiday sharply. Director Holiday shrank back slightly, embarrassed.
Next, the Chancellor asked Steve.
"Your Excellency seems to have devised a way to exploit the weakness of the Fire Secret Medicine just by hearing about it. However, if there are no mages and the weather is not rainy, what do you think ordinary soldiers should do?"
"It depends on how the Fire Secret Medicine is used, but first, it would be best to stop the current mainstream tactic of massed formations. If the spacing between soldiers is wide, the enemy will be confused about where to aim, and the damage from a single attack can be minimized. After that, if weapons come flying, they should take cover. Since the blast wave generally spreads upward and sideways, keeping one's body low will prevent injury. It would be troublesome if it were brought into a city."
"Indeed. If the secret medicine is brought into a city and used there, in addition to direct casualties, the costs to deal with the next attack will skyrocket."
The Chancellor nodded.
Even in the modern era, asymmetric warfare is troublesome because the burden on the defending side is immense. Enormous budgets are spent to prevent terrorist attacks.
"Furthermore, if we consider the possibility of the Fire Secret Medicine being dropped from balloons, we should possess means to attack from the sky."
During World War II, Japan's anti-aircraft guns could not reach the American bombers. As a result, they were bombed unilaterally. Steve's grandfather's brother also thought that if Japan had possessed anti-aircraft guns that could reach higher altitudes, he might not have died.
Nowadays, those who dominate the sky hold absolute power, much like Laputa in Gulliver's Travels.
It was an unwelcome conclusion for Steve, but he felt the Kingdom of Cascade was heading that way.
The Chancellor naturally considered this as well.
"So, if we possess means to attack from the sky, countries lacking means to attack objects in the sky will be unable to win."
"Well, that is how it will be. However, with the hot air balloons currently under research, it will be difficult to carry such a large amount of secret medicine. Therefore, we cannot expect results that would annihilate enemy armies or cities."
Steve did not realize it himself, but his displeasure had shown on his face. The Chancellor noticed this and felt it was a bad sign. He decided to end the topic there.
The King also sensed the atmosphere and changed the subject.
"As for our country, if the Kingdom of Saturate harbors ambitions to invade neighboring countries, we must crush those ambitions. Abandoning the Kingdom of Meizack is easy, but if the Kingdom of Meizack is destroyed, next our country will share a border with the Kingdom of Saturate. Originally, we would like to coordinate with neighboring countries to oppose a country possessing such terrifying weapons, but if neighboring countries obtain the Kingdom of Saturate's research results, that too would be troublesome. Therefore, this time, our country alone will support the Kingdom of Meizack while attempting to secure Humphrey Gaster, who is likely in the Kingdom of Saturate, and destroy the research results. Lord Archibalt, can you do it?"
The King implicitly conveyed that if the Kingdom of Saturate were left alone, the Kingdom of Merda would also fall victim to its venomous fangs. Steve understood this intent. Being a sister-loving brother, Steve nodded at the King's question.
Daphne watched Steve with a worried expression.
In her heart, she was worried about Steve fighting an enemy possessing such terrifying weapons.
On the other hand, the King's true intention was that it would be fine if Steve were defeated by the enemy's weapons. Currently, the Royal Research Institute has completed the secret medicine at the laboratory level. If that is the case, there is a prospect of countering the Kingdom of Saturate even without Steve. Rather, if Steve cannot even defeat such a new weapon, they would have to conduct politics while tiptoeing around Steve's mood. Well, that is maintaining the status quo.
Furthermore, if Steve eliminates the threat of the Kingdom of Saturate, it is a benefit to the country. Therefore, once Steve agreed to deploy, the King felt there would be no loss regardless of the outcome.
Thus, the Kingdom of Cascade decided to support the Kingdom of Meizack and fight the Kingdom of Saturate.
After the meeting ended, Steve and Daphne walked side by side down the corridor of the royal castle.
Worried, Daphne asked Steve if he had any plans.
"Your Excellency, do you have any strategy against an enemy possessing such terrifying weapons?"
"Well. First of all, since an action to trigger the explosion is required, if the enemy makes such a move, we can teleport away. Or, we can store the weapon in subspace using Storage Magic. Although, I have not seen the actual weapon yet."
While Daphne's chest felt like it would burst with anxiety, Steve, the person himself, remained calm. A considerable amount of time had passed since he learned of Gaster's research content, so he had ample time to make up his mind.
Additionally, as preparation, the firearms were already complete.
Steve remembered that he had not told Daphne about this. Although it is the most important secret of the Archibalt family, he reasoned that its existence would be revealed if used in actual combat, so he decided to show it to Daphne, who was worried about him.
"Would you feel reassured if I said I have considered other countermeasures?"
"Depending on the countermeasures, but if I know it is not just a matter of improvisation..."
"If you can promise silence, I will show you."
"I understand. Even if I am tortured, I will not speak."
Since Daphne made the promise, Steve teleported to their residence with her.
Christina was standing before them. Used to their sudden returns,
"Welcome back. Oh my, is the Royal Guard Knight Commander accompanying you?"
she greeted.
"Where are Bella and Nancy?"
"At the shooting range."
"Thank you. We are heading there too."
"Are you going to show it to the Royal Guard Knight Commander as well?"
Christina knew it was the most important secret, so she was slightly surprised that they were showing it to Daphne. There was also a bit of jealousy, as if asking, "Do you treat us, your wives, the same?"
"A weapon utilizing the research of Humphrey Gaster, who went missing in the Kingdom of Saturate, a neighbor of the Kingdom of Meizack, was developed. And they invaded the Kingdom of Meizack. His Majesty has decided to help the Kingdom of Meizack. That is why I am being dispatched. So, you see."
Steve explained the situation to Christina.
Christina immediately understood that Steve intended to go with Bella. She also realized that since the combat details would be reported to the King, the existence of the firearms would likely be revealed anyway.
Since it would be revealed regardless, she reasoned that showing it to Daphne now would not be a significant loss.
Daphne was led by Steve to the shooting range built within the residence grounds.
As soon as they approached, the sound of automatic rifle fire could be heard.
"What is that sound?"
"This is our new weapon."
At the shooting range, Bella and Nancy were conducting shooting training using automatic rifles. The recoil from firing 5.56x45mm bullets was significant; while Nancy could suppress it, Bella's impact points scattered due to the recoil.
"I'm back. I brought guests."
"Welcome back, Master. Is it alright to show outsiders?"
Nancy held the same question as Christina. Therefore, she was also told that they would be fighting the Kingdom of Saturate.
Hearing this, Bella understood that it was her turn to act.
"Steve, this is too much for me."
Bella returned the automatic rifle with strong recoil to Steve.
"Bella has good eyesight, so a sniper rifle should be fine."
Steve had also developed a sniper rifle. Since the distance at the shooting range was too short for that, he had been having Bella use it outdoors. Although called a sniper rifle, it was a huge thing capable of sniping targets three kilometers away. The scope was also made by Steve's magic, and Bella had already reached the level of being able to snipe a deer 3.5 kilometers away.
"Your Excellency, is this the new weapon?"
Daphne pointed to the automatic rifles held by Bella and Nancy.
"Yes. It is a weapon that fires steel bullets at high speed. What the two of them are holding now can fire continuously. There are also smaller ones and guns for shooting distant enemies. Bella, show her firing the Revolver."
"Understood."
Saying that, Bella took out the Revolver from the holster at her waist and began firing at the target. After firing all six rounds, she ejected the empty casings from the cylinder.
"Amazing. I can barely catch it with my eyes, but I wonder if even the knights of the Royal Guard can do that."
"However, if the opponent is wearing thick metal armor, small guns will have their bullets blocked. That is why having this does not guarantee absolute victory in war. Well, we are also making big guns, so they can easily pierce through normal metal armor. Besides, if someone wears armor that heavy, moving would be difficult for them too. They might not even be able to ride a horse. Do you understand now that if we attack from outside the enemy's new weapon's effective range, we will not be hit?"
"Yes. More than enough."
While answering that way, Daphne was thinking about how they would be able to protect His Majesty if this spread. Her worry for Steve instantly vanished.
Thank you always for your typo reports.