Chapter 163 - 163 Siege of the Meizack Kingdom Royal Capital
Gaster was in the Royal Capital of the Saturate Kingdom with Nils. He was continuing his research there. He had been granted the title of Viscount and had become a noble. Nils, meanwhile, was a Baron.
The two were working on developing even more powerful gunpowder at the research institute provided by the nation.
The reason for this was that the spy network originally built by the Saturate Kingdom against the Meizack Kingdom had, along with the cession of territory, become directed against the Kingdom of Cascade. There, His Highness Alex had obtained information that Gaster was developing new weapons. When this was reported to the home country, a reply came back: "We will send a teleportation mage; use it to abduct them." And so, the two were abducted from Gaster's research institute in the Saturate Kingdom by executing that order.
However, the Saturate Kingdom highly evaluated Gaster's research content and chose to welcome him with favorable treatment to conduct research, rather than forcing development through coercion.
At first, Gaster and Nils were worried about what would happen, but once they realized their safety was guaranteed as long as they continued to produce research results, they decided to continue their previous research.
The two were taking a break, drinking tea at a table. Inside the room were escort knights. Nils moved the cup away from his mouth and spoke to Gaster.
"Gaster-san, I thought I might be killed once the gunpowder was completed."
Nils said this while looking at the escort knights. The knights were now familiar with them, and such conversations would not be reprimanded in any way. On the contrary, the knights were taking care not to upset Gaster and Nils.
"Then the research would be over. But there is always room for improvement in anything, and other nations will see this power with their own eyes and conduct similar research. That is why there is no option to kill us."
Gaster quickly first taught the Saturate Kingdom the method of making matches. Then, he revealed that the gunpowder research had already reached the point of exploding. From there, he improved the power and increased the completion as a weapon.
The existence of Gaster and Nils was indispensable for these things, and the Saturate Kingdom did not kill them but instead strengthened their protection, setting up a system comparable to that of royalty.
"Well, once they see that power, they have to acknowledge our value whether they like it or not."
"With such a great achievement in the first real combat, I would have liked to see the results with my own eyes if possible."
"Next is the defense of the Meizack Kingdom Royal Capital. Shall we apply to accompany a teleportation mage to confirm it on site? If the enemy is holding out in the castle, there should be less danger watching from the rear."
"Yes. I want to see how to destroy things like city gates and castle walls. It will take time for additional gunpowder to arrive, so let's apply. Seeing that might give me ideas for improvements."
News of the results of the previous war with the Meizack Kingdom had reached the two. Gaster trembled at the report that bombs made by putting gunpowder and small stones in a tube and exploding them had exerted tremendous power and defeated the Meizack Kingdom army. He thought he would probably leave his name in history as the first person to make gunpowder on the continent.
In fact, later historians would record Gaster in history books. However, at this time, many things invented by Steve were being put into practical use by the Kingdom of Cascade's Royal Research Institute, so he tended to be buried. As a side note, students in later times would struggle to memorize the sheer number of inventions from this era. However, due to Steve's proposal, the method of recording was also standardized, making it easier for researchers in that field to look back.
The standards created in the Kingdom of Cascade during this period continued to be used as a foundation even after subsequent revisions. It would be laughable if people today knew that Steve, who possessed abilities outside the standards, would later be called the "Father of Standards."
Gaster agreed to Nils' proposal and instructed the escort knights to ask the King for permission to confirm the battlefield.
"I want to see them blow up an enemy city gate in actual combat, not just an experiment."
Imagining that scene, Gaster chuckled. In combustion experiments, he had confirmed the power of explosions many times, but there were things that could only be done when there was no opponent. The distance between the bomb and the city gate was exactly that.
While preventing attacks from the enemy, it became important how to transport the bomb to the city gate.
"If we use a catapult to throw it, we would need to control the timing of the explosion. How about calculating the landing time in advance and deciding the length of the fuse? No, the fuse might go out while throwing."
Gaster began thinking about the siege battle in his head. Knowing that it would be useless to speak to him now, Nils turned to the work of separating the raw materials for gunpowder.
Nils also separated the raw materials for the gunpowder used in actual combat from ores, just like for research. Nils, whose magic power was average, could not mass-produce it.
The Saturate Kingdom was currently advancing research on reduction reactions, etc., but unlike the Kingdom of Cascade, basic research was immature, so it was said that it would take time to put it into practical use. Therefore, they were simultaneously searching for a Separation Magic user.
For this reason, the Fries Holy Church saw an increase in orders for chemicals used in magic aptitude tests, and their finances became prosperous.
Nils left the room with one escort knight.
And again, another knight went to the King to obtain permission to watch the battle at Gaster's request.
The King of the Saturate Kingdom permitted the observation with the accompaniment of a teleportation mage. Thus, it was decided that Gaster and Nils would watch the defense of the Meizack Kingdom Royal Capital up close.
The siege weapons invented by Gaster were also hastily prepared and transported to the troops attacking the Royal Capital.
Gaster and Nils headed for the battlefield in a horse-drawn carriage. The teleportation mage had never been to that land and could not teleport.
Inside the carriage, Gaster was in high spirits. He was excited to be able to see with his own eyes how the weapon he invented would be used.
Gaster spoke to Nils.
"Compared to the steam locomotive, the carriage is indeed hard to ride."
"I have never ridden a steam locomotive."
"I see. Then, once the gunpowder research is finished, shall we study steam engines next? It would be good to have steam locomotives in our country."
Gaster was already calling the Saturate Kingdom "our country." His heart belonged to the Saturate Kingdom citizens.
"I look forward to it. I have only heard about steam locomotives in stories."
Steam locomotives were still not common among commoners in the Kingdom of Cascade.
In particular, the place where Nils was born and raised had no railways, so he had never seen one.
"But―――"
Gaster continued.
"Neither bombs nor steam locomotives leave a name in history for being the first to use them. Always, only the person who invented them leaves their name in history. The person who laid the railway and the carpenter who built the castle will not be known by name."
"Yes. I haven't heard any reports about who used it first this time either."
Nils understood Gaster's words. It was a common trick question in quizzes: "Who built Osaka Castle?" The answer is "The carpenter," but if asked who that carpenter was, you wouldn't know the name. However, everyone knows the name Toyotomi Hideyoshi. That is what Gaster meant.
And if bombs were used in the siege battle, that fact would also be recorded in history. He considered this battle an event to convey Gaster's greatness to future generations.
That was why he was in high spirits.
Thus, the carriage headed toward the Royal Capital of the Meizack Kingdom.
While the Saturate Kingdom prepared, Steve and Bella were at the Meizack Kingdom Royal Palace, where the enemy was approaching before their eyes. Here too, Steve was feared, but it was because Steve was Sherry's younger brother.
Steve was the one who broke into the Royal Palace and suppressed it, but at that time, he had transformed into Sherry. Because of that, a personal cult of Sherry had arisen. The memory was fresh since it happened very recently, and it was thought that if one was Sherry's brother, they would have similar abilities.
In reality, they were not similar at all; it was Steve's ability.
And that memory of terror was deeply engraved in the King's mind. The King bowed low and conveyed his gratitude for Steve's assistance.
"Thank you for this reinforcement. If the younger brother of the Queen of the former Merda Kingdom is here, we can rest assured."
"Our Majesty also believes that the stability of neighboring countries is in the national interest, so it is natural. We cannot leave a country that launches an unjust invasion war just because they developed new weapons."
The King reacted to the word "new weapons."
"Yes. Regarding that new weapon, our army was severely damaged. They say it explodes if you get close. Is there any countermeasure?"
"Of course, we have prepared."
Just as Steve replied, urgent news arrived at the right timing.
A knight entered and whispered to the Chancellor standing behind the King. Due to the urgency of the content, the Chancellor interrupted the conversation between the King and Steve.
"I apologize for interrupting. We have received a report that the Saturate Kingdom army has begun marching toward us."
"I see. Then let's end the greetings and go to intercept."
When Steve said that, the King said he would assign the deputy commander of the Royal Guard Knights Order as a guide.
"I assume you are not familiar with our country, so let us attach Christoph Dressel as a guide. He is the deputy commander of the Royal Guard Knights Order, so he can protect himself."
The King had nominated the deputy commander of the Royal Guard Knights Order. As befitting the deputy commander, he had a muscular build and looked like he could beat a bear with his bare hands.
Although called a guide, the purpose was to monitor Steve and Bella. If they said "monitor" straight out, it would offend them, so they used the word "guide."
"Then, let's start immediately."
Steve signaled to Bella, and Bella, who had been waiting behind, stood next to Steve.
"Dressel-san, come here too."
"Yes."
Dressel went to stand next to Steve when he was called. He did not know what Steve would do and was fearful.
Once Dressel arrived, Steve teleported the two of them to the castle wall.
Dressel, whose scenery had changed in an instant, was confused. He knew of teleportation magic, but this was the first time it had been used on him.
"Is this on top of the castle wall?"
"Yes. We will intercept the enemy here. Bella, do it."
Steve said that and took out a sniper rifle from the subspace. He handed it to Bella.
Bella set it up on the castle wall.
"My range. But the castle wall is a bit in the way."
When Bella lay down, the edge of the castle wall blocked the view.
"Then let's shave it off. Dressel-san, may I shave off a little of the castle wall?"
"Very well, but what is that?"
Dressel pointed at the sniper rifle. It was something he had never seen before, and he did not know what kind of tool it was.
"It might be better to show you than explain."
Steve said that and stored the castle wall in front of Bella, securing the view.
Bella aimed at the enemy through the scope.
"I see them."
Steve also took out a telescope and confirmed the army of the Saturate Kingdom marching forward.
"They brought siege weapons. And the pots in the back are probably gunpowder materials. Bella, aim for those pots."
"Understood."
Saying that, Bella aimed at the pot Steve indicated. Then she pulled the trigger.
A roar ran across the top of the castle wall. At that sound, Dressel's eyes widened.
Ten seconds later,
"Got it."
"Excellent."
The bullet fired by Bella perfectly pierced the pot. After that, a fireball rose at that location.
"Was it the type that explodes when exposed to air?"
Steve said that, and Dressel had many things he wanted to ask, but his head could not process what was happening before his eyes, and no words came out.
Thank you always for your typo reports.