Chapter 72
Dominic observed Viktor's sketch from the side with slight discomfort.
While the Dragonian Empire operated a small number of cannons, they had no connection with guns.
To Dominic, the idea that someone from such an empire would suddenly draw a new gun structure sounded preposterous.
He was just quietly observing because he had a good impression of Viktor, but he was pondering how to speak in a way that would minimize disappointment for Viktor, who was expecting a good reaction.
"...Huh"
However,
As Viktor's drawing gradually took shape, Dominic's gaze became increasingly perplexed.
"The important parts are this hammer and the cover of the powder pan. The hammer's structure... is made like this, to allow for flint replacement."
As Dominic had devoted his life to firearms research, he could roughly understand the operating principle and structure just by looking at the conceptual drawing Viktor had drawn.
"When the trigger is pulled, this hammer strikes here, opening the cover of the powder pan while creating sparks, and these sparks ignite the powder in the powder pan."
"..."
"For this, strong force must be applied to the hammer, and the cover of the powder pan must be precisely manufactured. If even one thing goes wrong, there's a high chance of misfire."
The intention to create sparks by scratching with spring force was similar to the gun Dominic had developed, but the method was different.
"This method is relatively simple in structure, but it was difficult to produce due to the need for precise processing. However, seeing your work, Master Dominic, I think you could certainly do it."
"...Hmm."
Dominic didn't want to admit it, but the gun Viktor had drawn was an intuitive and simple method that he could immediately envision how to design the interior.
After seeing the drawing, he felt almost foolish for not having thought of such a structure himself.
"...I think it can be configured this way. I've named this operating method 'flintlock'. What do you think?"
"May I see it for a moment?"
"Yes."
After Viktor finished his explanation, Dominic demanded the drawing, not realizing his tone had become strangely sharp.
Viktor handed over the drawing and watched with a smile as Dominic stared at various parts of the drawing as if trying to bore holes in it.
A moment later.
"Ah, how time flies... I seem to have kept someone tired from long-distance travel for too long. How about resting at your lodgings today, and we can have a detailed discussion tomorrow?"
Dominic essentially dismissed Viktor while keeping his gaze fixed on the drawing.
"That's fine. Then I'll see you again tomorrow."
Instead of reacting to such rudeness, Viktor bowed his head and left, and,
"Hah..."
As soon as Viktor left, Dominic immediately brought tools and parts and spread them out on the desk.
-Clang! Clang!
"If I just adjust the tension of the hammer, the angle of the cover well..."
He disassembled the wheellock gun he had been making and started assembling it, referring to Viktor's drawing.
"..."
Dominic had been preparing to mass-produce firearms with a much more complex internal wheellock mechanism.
Because Viktor had explained the principle and parts in detail, he was able to create a prototype reproducing the operating structure in just two hours.
"Is it done?"
He pulled back the hammer of the prototype and then pulled the trigger.
-Click. Thud!
"Hmm."
Although no sparks flew because he hadn't inserted a flint and had only applied enough tension for it to just work, the reproduction of the action itself succeeded all too easily.
He entered into full-fledged work with fire in his eyes.
-Clang!
"...That was too strong."
-Clang!
"The cover broke. Hah... I'll have to re-heat treat it."
He continued to attempt to reproduce the flintlock structure, changing the spring tension, the angle and material of the powder pan cover, the shape of the hammer, and so on.
He was completely immersed in the experiment, and his hand movements became increasingly precise as he went through trial and error.
After about 6 hours like that.
He was able to get his hands on a fully functioning flintlock prototype.
Dominic prepared for a test fire by putting a slightly smaller amount of gunpowder in the barrel.
He fixed the flint wrapped in leather to the hammer, put gunpowder in the powder pan, closed the cover, then fully cocked the hammer.
"Hah..."
After aiming the gun, he took a deep breath and pulled the trigger.
-Bang!
"...Oh."
The gunpowder ignited successfully.
"Oh..."
Dominic marveled and at the same time thought of Viktor who had shared this method.
As Dominic had been researching the existing method using springs and clockwork, he could tell that it would have taken a long time to come up with this new structure of striking the cover with flint on his own without Viktor.
He thought it wouldn't be right to show this gun, which was close to a new weapon, to others, but he felt he must show it to Viktor who had directly handed over this structure.
He continued to improve the gun for perfection, and when the morning sun rose,
"..."
After wiping the grease from his hands, he headed towards Viktor's lodgings.
---
The morning after visiting Dominic's workshop.
"General, did you sleep well?"
As I got up from the bed, Anna's flat voice greeted me.
She was already dressed in uniform, standing by the bedside next to me.
"You could have slept comfortably..."
"My eyes opened on their own. It might have become a habit already."
Before I could properly open my eyes, she held out a basin of warm water in front of me.
"...?"
Slightly surprised, I looked at Anna, and she was smiling softly.
"You seemed very tired, so I prepared this."
"...Anna. I appreciate the thought, but you don't need to do things like this."
Disregarding my refusal, she put down the basin and then handed me a towel.
"You'll probably have to meet with Anchester Kingdom officials today, wouldn't it be good to make a neat impression?"
"...Right. Thank you, Anna."
Although it was embarrassing as I had never employed a servant separately or had an adjutant do such things, I couldn't just throw away what she had already prepared.
"I'll be waiting in the next room. Are you going out right away?"
"I was thinking of moving as soon as I'm ready, but I'm not sure about Miss Erika and Mr. Moritz. I'll have to go out and check later."
"Understood."
I finished washing my face, and Anna left my bedroom carrying the basin and towel I had used.
As I was about to change back into the uniform placed beside me and leave the bedroom,
-Knock knock.
"You may come in."
-Rustle.
"General, Master Dominic Smith has come to visit."
"Is that so?"
Anna brought the best possible news.
"He asked if you could go to the workshop with him."
"Hmm, I'll go out right away."
"Understood."
I left the room with Anna.
"Oh, Viktor. I'm sorry if you were sleeping. There's something I really want to show you, so I got a bit impatient."
"Haha, it's fine. If Master Dominic is moving this early in the morning, it must surely be something amazing."
Dominic was waiting for us in front of the room.
The ceremonial attire that looked the same as what he was wearing yesterday was soaked with sweat and oil in places, and his face was also smeared with metal dust and oil-like substances, as if he hadn't wiped it all off.
The back of his hair wasn't pressed down at all, and there was a slight hint of fatigue in his eyes, suggesting he might have stayed up all night.
"Amazing thing... I'll correct that to amazing design. I made a prototype according to the drawing Viktor showed me yesterday. I thought it would be right to show it to you first, since it's an item made with the concept you provided, so I came."
At this much more proactive attitude than I had expected, I smiled genuinely.
He must have surely recognized the value of the structure I provided.
"To do that in just one night... Indeed, I think it was right to show it to you, Master Dominic. You said design, but I just spoke as I thought. I think Master Dominic's skill in actually making this is amazing."
"...Thank you for your kind words, but I'd like to have further conversation in the workshop. Let's go quickly."
"Hmm, hmm. Alright."
We followed Dominic, who was walking almost at a run, towards his workshop.
"This is the prototype I made. I confirmed that it works normally when fired with only gunpowder, without a bullet."
"..."
He brought the gun placed on the desk and showed it to me.
It was a flintlock musket with very high completion considering it was made just by looking at my simple drawing.
I carefully grasped the musket.
"It took a long time to make it alone... but once we start proper production, we'll be able to make it incomparably faster than the method I was researching."
"May I try operating it?"
"Of course. I've wiped off the gunpowder well, so nothing will be fired."
After cocking the hammer, I aimed the gun at the air and pulled the trigger.
-Click!
"...So this is how the finished product feels."
"It's not fully improved yet, but only work for process optimization remains... The completed item won't be much different."
He received the gun back after I finished checking its operation.
After fiddling with the gun for a moment,
"...Viktor."
"Yes."
"May I ask why you told me about this?"
He raised his head and asked me.
"Although the Anchester Kingdom is said to be a friendly nation to the Dragonian Empire, this isn't technology that should be shared just because it suddenly came to mind. It's stronger in bad weather than the existing matchlock method, and there's no need to carry a spark."
"..."
"You said the technology was lacking, but the Dragonian Empire has more craftsmen and capital. Rather than telling me like this, it would be natural, at least in terms of weapon development, to develop it directly even if it takes money and time."
That question was closer to asking as Prince Dominic Smith rather than as a dwarf craftsman.
"What do you think?"
As this was the question I had been waiting for,
"Technology..."
I began with a small smile.
"What I provided was just one drawing and a bit of explanation, not technology."
"...?"
"In the end, it wasn't me who developed this firing method, but you, Master Dominic. Isn't that right?"
He made an expression as if looking at something strange, but the corners of his mouth were trembling slightly.
"This was only possible because it was you, Master Dominic, who has extensive knowledge about firearms even among dwarves."
"...What do you mean?"
"I don't intend to ask for anything special separately. However, if you wish to show 'goodwill' because my idea was helpful, there is something I'd like to request."
As if trying to digest my words, he sat down and lowered his head.
I also sat quietly in front, waiting for his answer.
"...What is this request? If you're asking for this new structure of gun to be produced, that's impossible."
He opened his mouth after a few minutes.
Feeling burdened, there was tension in his voice.
"I hope that matchlock guns can be produced in-house in the empire as well. If I were to say, it would be like technology sharing."
"Matchlock gun technology...?"
"I'm not asking for all the underlying technology. It's closer to wanting you to share some of the trial and error gained from producing and using firearms for decades."
As my explanation continued, his expression gradually relaxed.
"Hmm... Is that really all?"
"It would be nice to invite dwarf craftsmen to the empire, but isn't that realistically difficult?"
"..."
He tapped his fingers on the desk, pondering, and then,
"As Viktor's contribution is by no means small, I'll think about it a bit more and let you know."
"Alright."
The conversation concluded with him saying he would think about it.
I had no anxiety because I believed in dwarf pride.
And a few hours later, in the negotiation that was held,
"We wish to dispatch our craftsmen to the Dragonian Empire to share technology related to firearms."
"...Dominic?"
"...!"
He surprised everyone with his groundbreaking proposal.