Chapter 71. Ah, This is...

"I would like you to state the conditions your country desires."

"Yes."

Steven smiled benevolently.

It seems that choosing Votis as a gift instead of Josh's hammer and anvil, which could have felt strange just by us having them, was effective.

"Her Majesty Louise Zainburg has shown interest in the firearms used in the Anchester Kingdom. Accordingly, the Red Dragon Corps, Her Majesty's direct corps, plans to use guns and cannons on a trial basis."

"Hmm..."

"We wish to purchase 13,000 matchlock guns and 30 siege cannons. We will pay sufficiently for them."

I stated our requirements straightforwardly.

"13,000 guns..."

"The situation in the western part of the empire is rapidly changing, so we hope they can be delivered as soon as possible. Her Majesty is thinking of about one month, or two months including delivery time."

"..."

As our purpose wasn't just to make a purchase, I set an extremely short timeframe that would force the dwarves to deliberate.

Erika, who had been hesitating a bit, interpreted, and Steven stroked his chin as if pondering.

"...It's not that no one has bought guns from us before, but the scale was in the tens or at most hundreds. Moreover, you want them provided within two months, so I'm worried if we can handle that quantity."

He answered after brief consideration.

Perhaps because guns were new weapons by human standards, he didn't raise any issue with the large-scale purchase of guns itself.

This is a good sign.

"Her Majesty said she would spare no support needed. I understand that a lot of alloy is needed for gun production, so if lack of resources is the problem, the Dragonian Empire can provide them."

"...Recently, several mines have been discovered, so we're not short on raw materials. However, processing and manufacturing them takes a lot of time."

I subtly probed for signs of the 'mine depletion' crisis, but Steven shook his head.

Rather, he said additional mines had been discovered, so it seems unlikely that 'mine depletion' will occur anytime soon.

Even if 'mine depletion' does occur, we should be able to quickly notice signs of it as we continue to interact with the Anchester Kingdom, so it seems we can set aside the worry about the dwarves suddenly turning into enemies for now.

Steven turned his gaze to Dominic standing nearby.

"As Dominic is in charge of firearm production in the Anchester Kingdom, we should ask him. Dominic, is it possible?"

"Hmm... Considering the stock we have on hand, it would take about three months to secure 13,000 guns."

Dominic answered after brief consideration.

"Master Dominic, how much can you secure in a month? For training and deployment, we'd like to receive them as soon as possible."

"In a month, it would be about 8,000 guns."

Perhaps because the Anchester Kingdom has been using guns for decades already at the start of the empire campaign, it seems they have quite a stock accumulated.

They must leave some for their own use, so I thought their holdings wouldn't exceed 5,000 guns.

It seems they have more guns than I expected.

"How about the cannons?"

I quickly changed the topic, intending to drag out this negotiation a bit more.

"Including transportation, it's difficult within two months. The maximum amount we can meet within the timeframe is about 20 cannons."

"...Hmm."

Being able to prepare and deliver 8,000 guns and 20 cannons within two months is already remarkable, but I lowered my head with a small groan as if not satisfied.

"I understand there are over hundreds of craftsmen staying in this capital. If capable craftsmen help, couldn't the timeframe be shortened further?"

"...Even if we mobilize all available craftsmen, it's difficult to shorten the time beyond this. How about we deliver the completed amount within the timeframe, and deliver the additional amount a month later?"

Of course, I also know that dwarf craftsmen aren't the type to come running at a single word from the king.

I'm just preparing to confidently take one step further, based on their unexpectedly ready agreement to sell weapons.

"...I think we need time to consider."

Despite Steven's realistic proposal, I didn't stop pretending to ponder, and,

"I understand. You must be tired from traveling from Rainesberg to here, so how about discussing the negotiation again after you've rested? We'll prepare accommodations for you."

"Thank you for your kindness."

The negotiation was postponed to the next day.

"...Hmm, hmm. I see. Jamie, please guide the Dragonian Empire's delegation to their accommodations."

"Understood."

"Dominic, accompany them and have a conversation with the delegation about today's proposal."

"Yes."

Conveniently, Dominic was to continue accompanying us.

This is an excellent opportunity.

My party and I left the audience chamber together with Dominic.

***

"You can stay here."

After hearing the composition of our party, Jamie provided accommodations suitable for each of us.

Those who came as escorts were to stay in dedicated accommodations inside the palace.

Moritz and Erika were each given single rooms, and Anna, as my adjutant, was to stay with me in a large room that seemed to be for two people.

"The furniture sizes are all adjusted, so please use them as you find comfortable. If you have any inconveniences, please ring this bell to call for assistance."

"Thank you."

After Jamie and the attendants finished their guidance and withdrew, only our party and Dominic remained in front of the rooms.

"Master Dominic."

"Yes."

"You said earlier that it would be alright to visit your workshop, would it be okay to visit right away? The guns I've seen weren't directly purchased from the Anchester Kingdom, so they were poorly maintained and lacked precision. I think the guns in your workshop would be completely different items."

Dominic grinned at my words.

"...Haha. You must be tired from the long journey, are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine. How about the rest of you?"

"What will you do, Moritz? Since Master Dominic can speak the imperial language, if you don't go, I think I should stay in the room too."

"I need to organize some documents, so I'll stay in the room."

"...Then I'll stay too!"

"..."

Moritz and Erika ended up staying in the room, and Anna nodded with her usual expression as if to say she would come along.

"Just the two of us will go."

"Alright. Please follow me."

We set off towards Dominic's workshop.

"Since Master Dominic is in charge of overseeing everything, it's safe to say you know the most about firearms, right? Could you possibly tell us about proper gun maintenance methods or how to deal with malfunctions? I want to inform my subordinates when we return to the empire."

"Of course! As you'll be handling items that have passed through my hands, it's my role to explain everything thoroughly so you can use them well."

"Thank you."

Dominic and I walked to the workshop, chatting amicably the whole way.

"It's not easy to make small parts like springs, but the most difficult work is processing the gun barrel, isn't it? Is that why you can't prepare 13,000 guns right away?"

"That's right. We have equipment for processing metal, but it's not something that can be done without any hand contact. Since the bullet and barrel need to fit well together for proper efficiency, barrel production requires more precise processing than other parts."

"Still, as the Anchester Kingdom is renowned for metal processing, isn't it possible to meet the quantity within a few months? Not just our empire, but other dwarf kingdoms probably wouldn't dare to attempt it."

"Haha! That's right."

I maintained a good atmosphere with him.

Early matchlock guns using matchcords are relatively simple in structure, but in my opinion, they're not something that someone without background knowledge can just whip up and mass-produce.

If starting production from scratch, there would be many trial and error processes in many areas such as appropriate spring tension, materials, etc., which is very inefficient.

The dwarves must know this too.

Although they readily agreed due to their favorable attitude towards sales, if asked for production techniques or blueprints, they probably wouldn't agree so easily.

While it's been too long since development to be called new technology, proper alternative technology hasn't been secured yet.

"Here. This is my workshop."

"Oh..."

So, I thought.

If this matchlock gun is no longer new technology, wouldn't they be more willing to give up the technology?

As the Anchester Kingdom will continue to be an ally in the future unless 'mine depletion' occurs, it's good for the empire if they become stronger.

"Is this where you fix the metal?"

"That's right. I know there are similar devices in the empire, but they're probably not as precise as what we use."

While looking around his workshop with Dominic and talking,

"This is..."

"Do you recognize it?"

I approached a metal lump on his desk with springs and metal parts complexly fitted together.

"May I ask what this item is? I think I've seen some soldiers carrying guns with this fitted..."

"You have a good eye. This is a part for a gun I'm preparing for mass production recently."

"Is it alright for me to see this?"

"There are over 20 parts inside. Just seeing the exterior won't be enough for you to replicate it, so it's fine."

As expected, this was the driving part of a wheellock gun.

I nodded at Dominic's proud answer.

"Are you saying this is possible because you're dwarves of the Anchester Kingdom... I don't want to admit it, but it's probably true. I've never heard of such a structure being produced in the empire."

"Well, there are still many stages left before mass production. It's several times more expensive than existing guns, and the manufacturing process is still complex."

Dominic fiddled with the driving part.

As elite dwarf units using wheellock guns were mentioned in the game, I knew they were trying to transition from matchlock to wheellock as in Earth's history.

Now the difference is,

"...With this level of technology, it might be possible."

"Pardon?"

That I know of another efficient and simple method that can be made with this level of technology, and,

"Could you bring me a pen and paper? I've researched a structure using flint and springs. I didn't have a chance to mention it in the empire, and the technology was lacking, but with your skill, Master Dominic, it might be possible."

"...Hmm"

That I have no intention of hiding this.

So that the dwarves might think, 'We might as well share matchlock technology.'

"...Huh."

I picked up the pen and sketched a rough shape.