Hello again! I Nigto Zed would be the one hosting this chapter again. Ok, so there I was, resting after another "training" session with Strix. And what I mean by resting, is that I am currently standing approximately 10 meters away from a makeshift, iron target silhouette, in my hands, a holy grail for me; a 45-100 prototype, yes a 45-100 not a 45-70. I'll tell you all the detail later, but I have to say, it has been one of my dreams to design my own gun (Technically) and then use it. And so I did. I raise it to my visor's level and lined up the rear and front sights and once I'm ready (My hands being as steady as a rock) I pulled the trigger.
A satisfying bang sounded and reverberated out from the makeshift range on the edge of Oblivion and into the city. From how Kragg slightly flinched I can tell that he's still not used to the loudness of gunfire (Also maybe because 5 prototypes blew up on his face). Just as I opened the break-action of my revolver to take out the lone single spent shell inside (For additional safety that we learned from the explosive experiences we had) Chief Koor came and check on us trying to look natural as he possibly can be, though I can tell that he was sent by Queen Lira, probably worried sick.
Now, if you're wondering how I ended up with a revolver, let me tell you. It started 3 days after Elia's part of the story. I was winding down and was bored to hell cause, well, the things I do to cope with things aren't really available, like gaming, watching Youtube vids, anime, and other stuff. And so I turned to the only entertainment that didn't need much technology, and so I requested for writing materials. And my volunteered attendants Cil and Sayu (Who I tried to convince that I can manage on my own every time I got the chance, but they still stubbornly just continued with their self-imposed roles) provided me with something close to what I had in mind. A roll papyrus and what I can only call as reed pens (I asked one of the Heroes that reincarnated alongside me later on, and they said it's actually called reed pens).
The reed pen is made from a marsh stem that has been cut to have a pointed end on one side, the hollow stem allowed for the ink to flow to the pointed end and be used as a pen. I actually prefer a pencil but they still don't have that. With that in hand, I started drawing. I won't say I'm the best artist there is, just like many otakus before me, who tried their hand at drawing, I'm more on the mediocre spectrum of the ones that tried perusing the passion. What I first put into paper was a rough sketch of an S&W 500 Magnum, one of my favorite revolvers in the world.
Even if it's a really rough sketch I kinda gathered some attention to myself. First, it was just Cil and Sayu gawking at my unfinished sketch, asking questions while they did which I answered absentmindedly. The questions being, "What is it that thou art Illustrating Gr- I mean John?" which I answered with, "A weapon." and the other being, "What kind of weapon?" which I answered "A gun." with the 'you-know' tone like it was common knowledge which was obviously not for Gaia. They asked a lot more questions but that was the only thing I remembered.
Soon, it was not just the two that were watching me draw, there were at least 6 more people that have their heads looking over my shoulder looking at the gun that I'm sketching. And when I finally noticed this, I got a little startled, I was too focused on drawing that I didn't feel that I was being watched, and they all looked very interested in my drawing that I can practically feel the flood of questions just waiting to burst through. And one of those people was Kragg, he was also the one that took the initiative and basically interrogated me while the others listened.
He had the same questions that Cil and Sayu had, but also it seems like he suspected that I have a reasonable amount of knowledge about the thing I sketched and asks me about how it works and the principles behind it. And he's not wrong. My father sometimes hunted back on Earth and of course, he brought me along. And being a hunter means that you should know your weapon. Add to that fact of him liking action movies so much that we literally have a library of them, and you can expect that I would turn out as I am now.
Who is that 'me' really is, you ask? Well, when I was 13, I asked my dad to help me with a project that I have been meaning to do, it was almost a dream too. I asked him to help me make an S&W 500 Magnum, an airsoft one. He told me that he would, on one condition. I would need to contribute at least 65 percent of the preparation in making it, which is to say, I basically need to know almost every detail needed for the gun before we even started.
And as for how I understood the concept of 'knowing' details like that, for me, it was being able to draw a complete blueprint of it, and so, I studied to do so. Took me months of studying photos of blueprints, and then trying to recreate them from memory (I chose to challenge myself and I was a bit cocky back then). In the end, we were able to finish the gun but we followed the designs I made which were based on the real thing, and found ourselves in a dilemma. We don't have proprietary airsoft cartridges for it and there's also nothing in the market even close to what we need. So in the end, I was not really able to use it in any game. But it still made me happy. So to answer the question probably being thought right now, yes, I'm a gun nerd.
Back to my situation with Kragg, I happily gave him answers to his technical questions but using analogies that would help him understand it better than if I used modern terms. From "What does this weapon do?" which was answered with "It launches projectiles like a bow or maybe a crossbow." To, "How does it specifically function?" which was once again answered with "Here, is a cylinder containing 5 things that act as a string and arrow. And here is the trigger that moves this one, which is called hammer. And that would make the 'string' be released and launch the arrow through here, which is called a barrel. It helps the arrow gain stability and also range." I pointed at the parts that I was explaining the functions of.
When I finished explaining and no more questions came, I looked at the Dwarven Blacksmith and only saw him nodding as he observe my drawing. I didn't understand at first why he was doing that, but then, he asked a question that made me understand. "Art thou able to make a detailed illustration of how this weapon is able to function?" Came Kragg's question. My first reply was "Eh?" before the question finally sink into me, which I followed up with a hurried, "Y-yeah. Yeah! I can!" and so that's where it began, some of the SiegeFrames that were also watching me draw also offered their help, them being fellow craftsman with Kragg in different fields of mediums.
At first, I wanted to recreate the S&W 500 Magnum but then decided to up it up and also make my own design, how did I manage this you wonder? Well through Isekai protag haxs of course! Just kidding. When me and my father finished the S&W 500 Magnum airsoft gun, I started to become obsessed with drawing blueprints of guns, well specifically bolt-action rifles and revolvers (They have fewer parts than a semi-auto pistol or an assault rifle so yeah. I'm a bit lazy). I drew dozens of them, from modern to World War 2 era ones. And with that in-depth knowledge of how they work and also their pieces, I tried mishmashing some of them to create a whole new thing.
And the outcome? The revolver in my hands at the at the moment… And some metal fabrication equipment. See, Kragg and the others who volunteered had to make many pieces of equipment like lathes, mills (Not the one used for grains), some drill press, reamer bits, rifling buttons, and even a deep hole drill, for us to actually be able to start on the project. And that in itself was an endeavor because all I was able to provide them with was information on the concept of what they do and their basic functions, so they had to make it from the ground up with just those basic things. Though to my shock, they managed to finish most of them within a week and a half time frame (With only the deep hole drill being the one incomplete cause it's more complicated than the others).
Now, going back to the present, one and a half weeks from that time and also after all the misfires, explosions, and shrapnel picking from Kragg's and my finger joints and adjusting the design to solve those explosive problems, I am ready to load all of the gun's chamber. With a bit of excitement and nervousness, I filled all 5 chambers with rounds, locked the break-action, and pulled the hammer back. Once I was ready, I pulled the trigger once again.
The fire that spits out of the barrel that is aligned with the lowermost chamber of the revolver was enough to make the excited part of me grow a little more as the metal ring came almost right after the flash. Elated that nothing exploded, I moved to the other target and tried the double-action feature of the revolver, and pulled the trigger without pulling the hammer back, again, nothing but recoil and the sound of the target getting hit. And so I continued, another target, another trigger pull, then another then another until I hit the fifth one and spent the last round.
To tell you the truth, if I still have lungs and is required to breathe, I would be panting a little from pure excitement alone. And so I turned to the Blacksmith as I took the spent shells from the chambers away to tell him what he just literally saw. "It works, It works!" Came my words, a little over-excited, and with an enthusiastic nod, the Dwarven Blacksmith agreed. "It does! Indeed!" And like a duo of high school girls kya-ing as a heartthrob passes by, we squealed. The result? Chief Koor stepped a few steps away from the two of us, looking disturbed and creeped out, his Frame communicating all of that even without having a face.
After settling down from our excitement, we rechecked the revolver and the shells (It's not just the revolver itself that we were having problems with) for any hidden damages, to our joy, there was nothing. The Blacksmith turned Gunsmith asked if he can try firing the revolver to which I answered with a yes, making him cheer like a kid, as I watched Kragg try to imitate the stance I was in when I was firing the gun, Queen Lira came along checking on us, seemingly having lost patience with her husband not reporting back. Seeing me unharmed (Not like when we tested the first prototypes) she calmed down and gave me a happy smile as a greeting.
And so, I also gave my greeting. "Queen Lira, good morning." Which she answered in kind. "Good morn John. It seems that thine crafting has borne fruits, and thine efforts met with satisfaction." Came her words, her face showing me a delighted smile. Being praised I let out an awkward laugh, a bit embarrassed. Not a second after that we heard bangs and metal ringing indicating that Kragg has started firing.
We all watched the Blacksmith firing the revolver and his visor gleaming with joy (Still kinda weird to me but whatever, I also kinda did that). After he fired the fifth and last round, he then proceeded to follow the same steps I did when I finished which was taking the shells away, once done he walked up to me and the Queen and handed me the revolver while keeping the spent shells. After that, he started shaking my hands like he wants to rip them off.
"I am really thankful O young John! Allowing one such as I, an old Dwarf to come and see and be among those that crafted such wonderful weapon!" he said as he shook me and my hands. He's been saying that for the duration of the project and I was starting to get used to being shaken around by him (Please notice the sarcasm), though in all honesty, it made me glad that I am actually able to give back to these people than be just there and take everything that they give. If I have a face I would be smiling.
After almost a minute of Kragg shaking me and my hands, he went off back to his workshop cheering and saying that he'll prepare his materials for the next one. Worried that he would start to mass produce my revolver (Not that I mind, but am worried that he might change the balance of power in this world), I looked at Queen Lira hoping that my worry can be conveyed by my Frame. She gave me a giggle as she motioned for me to follow her back to the center of the city, she then assured me. "Worry not O young John. Kragg knoweth the implications of the weapon that thou have designed. Let the old Blacksmith have his fill for this new piece that he had come to discover."
Trusting her words, I let it not bother me. As we were walking back, I took the opportunity to sightsee, knowing full well that the tour I had was not the definitive version of it. As I did, I noticed an area with beaten-up weapons and shields all around it displayed for everyone to see. My walk slowed as I observe the area, wondering what it was for, but it soon came to me; it was a cemetery of some kind for Siegeframes. Having noticed me looking at the cemetery far away, the Queen started telling me its history.
"Ah, fascinated by the greatness of thy kin?" She asked first to which I nodded at her, she then continued. "That is the resting place of the ones that fought so that we can have this home. Many of those markers does not have the vessels of the ones that perished, however, their weapons or replicas of them let us remember those men and women." With a nod, I internalized this information as my respect for the SiegeFrames increased. When I was ready to continue walking, I saw a familiar figure. Her golden blonde hair swayed at the breeze that surprisingly blew even though we were deep underground, her lithe figure walking deep into the cemetery. It was the Elf that I rescued. And with that, I was once again rooted in place.
Once again, like the keen Queen she is, Queen Lira understood why I didn't follow her when she thought that I was done admiring the place. "Ye have still not gathered the courage to speak with the young Elf?" I nodded at her question. I've tried to talk to her many times in the weeks that passed. She mostly locked herself in the room the Chief's wife provided for her so she wasn't really hard to find. I would stand at the door trying to knock at the door, but no matter how much 'Bravery' I put in my hands and my non-existent heart. I was not able on any of those days that I went to that door to knock on it.
I didn't know what was stopping me, whether it be my shyness, my cowardliness, or my guilt. And it really frustrated me. I want to apologize, to say sorry that I wasn't able to save her friend, but I couldn't. Even now, with her in full view, I couldn't bring myself to even make a single step towards her general direction. I stayed there for like 30 more seconds just looking, and thankfully the Elf didn't turn our way and only focused on the grave in front of her. Only becoming more frustrated with myself, I decided to just follow my earlier plan to go back to the city.
Seeing that I'm ready to walk again, the Queen kept pace with me as we walked in silence, me processing my feeling of frustration, Queen Lira kept quiet as if giving me time for myself. It wasn't that long when I realized that we were back to the main parts of the city and only a few more minutes of walking to Kragg's workshop. As we continued with our walk, like always, people greeted me and the Queen, some of them were formal about it, while some were casual but I noticed one thing as I returned back their greetings; they did it in their own ways. From a small bow (And thankfully not a grandiose one) to a nod of their head, these SiegeFrames did what they deemed necessary to show respect for me and their Queen.
It was fascinating to see, everyone showing their true feelings without reservations. It's like a paradise, like how many authors, filmmakers, and other artists depicted in their works, a hidden paradise of peace.
As we continued greeting the people, Queen Lira spoke to me. "A fair scenery is it not?" She asked gently to which I answered with a nod. It's true, it's beautiful. "Some of them were mine Enemies. For some, I took the lives of their families. While others did not agree with mine actions back in the war. Though we have found a way to forgive each other. We have found a way to understand each other. It has taken us a long time, however, we have eventually found a common ground and from there, build the foundations of our relations giving way to forgiveness. It was not easy, however, it was worth it. Speak thine heart and ye shall be heard, though it may not be today, but it shall come. Ye shall be heard." She continued.
I was stunned by what she said. I just realized that she noticed my frustration and dilemma, also I kinda thought to myself that everyone in Oblivion were allies with each other back in the war, but I was wrong. I almost stopped walking when I realized that but forced myself to move along to not to make it awkward. I took a closer look at the people of Oblivion looking for anything other than respect, but nothing. The feelings they're showing are just pure, not mixed with anything malicious or bad. This brought me back to a cultural tradition of the SiegeFrames, a tradition that I first felt weirded about but soon came to understand.
"Challenge of Vengeance," I said to no one in particular, to which the Queen nodded her head understanding that I made the connection between her remarks and the attitude of the people around us. "Indeed. A tradition brought upon by our sins and guilt. A challenge that can be initiated by both the guilty to rid themselves of sin and guilt, or by the one wronged so that they can gain relief and justice by revenge." She continued for me. "A choice of the guilty to surrender himself for judgment, or the hurt to dirty their hands even more than they already have. Or both to forgive each other, and find peace." Queen Lira finished.
"And everyone here chose peace," I said to myself. It was the only conclusion someone can make. "No," Was the answer before she continued on. "They have come to that decision after many bouts. They have come to see that their souls have grown tired of drawing blood, be it of their enemies or their brethren. And so, they have come to see that their sufferings will only be ended, by ending the battles they thought they so desired."
"Close but no cigar aye…" Came my words after hearing Queen Lira's answer to my assumption. Probably hearing an unfamiliar sentence, the Queen raised an eyebrow but didn't ask further, looking like she wanted to decipher the meaning herself. After the exchange, we found ourselves outside Kragg's workshop where the sound of forging can be heard which worried me a bit.
An hour passed after that in which I tried persuading the Blacksmith to not produce more revolvers only to fail and also come to know that the craftsmen that helped me make my gun are also trying to study it and reverse engineer it to make their own renditions while the Chief's wife watched in amusement. Finally realizing that the moment I gave and showed them the blueprints of the revolver, they started to try to make their own designs, I gave up with a groan. As I went to a corner to sit down and groan at the stubbornness of Kragg and his colleagues, the door of his workshop opened.
Golden blonde flowing long hair and sky blue eyes. It was the same features that I thought, I would only observe from far away like earlier, from a distance where she won't hear anything I say in normal voice volume, and possibly never coming any closer. But there she was, standing at the door, scanning the room for someone. She swept her gaze from one corner and continued to the other, disregarding the Blacksmith that stopped working, and only stopped when she spotted the Queen, missing me who was on the opposite side of the room she started her sweep. I felt relieved that she didn't direct her gaze at me but at the same time, I felt bad, guilt still lingering and gnawing at me. Guilt of being not able to help her and now being relieved that she didn't confront me the moment she opened the door.
As I was busy with that though, she approached the Queen and stood probably 3 feet in front of her as if afraid that she'll offend her if she came any closer. With eyes that are looking at the ground instead of the eyes of the person she wants to speak with, the Elf spoke. "I… I would like to ask for a favor." Came her words.