Once we'd made our way to the 80 meter line, I'd repeated the process for loading the arquebus, once more taking aim at the dummy. Nelwynn and Cordell stood a fair distance back, covering their ears the entire time. Once I'd lined my shot, I pulled the trigger, sending the iron shot whizzing into the armor.
*BANG*
Once more, the loud noise of the gun rang out, smoke once again billowing from the barrel. Once again, I went to observe the effects of this shot. The result was similar to the shot at 50 meters, however, this one had only fully pierced the front of the armor, embedding the shot into the backplate. As I'd suspected, the arquebus, while powerful, is extremely limited in its capabilities.
Once again, I'd made my way back to the firing line, this time the 100 meter line. Repeating the loading and firing process. Once again, pulling the trigger yielded a roar from the gun, along with its smoke, while the shot flew through the armor. I'd repeated this process once more before I headed forward to view the results of firing from 100 meters.
Upon inspection, one shot had pierced the frontal plate, however it had only left a small dent in the back plate this time. The second shot did not pierce at all, instead only impaling the front plate. From this I could only imagine that at maximum range, the shot would at best, dent the armor. Nevertheless, I'd made my way to the 120 meter line, and proceeded to fire on the dummy.
With the two shots I'd fired from this line, my theory of only being capable of denting the armor was correct, though the dent was impactful, it would not be capable of incapacitating an armored knight. However, I'd little time to complain over such results, as being capable of ranges up to 100 meters was enough for my satisfaction. As Cordell stated, crossbows had an effective range of 80 meters, however, at their maximum range, the results of the crossbow would at best be comparable to the results of the arquebus at its max range.
The result would be the bolts either bouncing off or denting heavy armors. The crossbow would still be deadly at ranges of up to 50 meters, however, it would pale in comparison to the arquebus. The crossbow would especially pale, compared to the volley fire of 200 arquebus guns, with their roars being more than enough to frighten horses, whom were still not used to their loud roar.
After testing was completed, Cordell and Nelwynn were in awe of the power the arquebus possessed, though Nelwynn did complain about the loudness produced, stating that the entire kingdom would here one of them being fired. Of course, I could not help but tease Nelwynn, and make my proclamation to both her and Cordell.
"When these are fired for the first time, in combat, their roar will sound through the world. Their shots will shake the very foundations of this world. While those who dare to stand against these guns, will quake in fear of their power."
Though Nelwynn was unaware of what I'd meant, Cordell's face was in shock. What I'd said was equal to saying, "These will take over the weapons, and any who fight against these weapons will face only one result. Defeat. Annihalation." had I made such a proclamation before the production and testing, Cordell, and any other would've written me off as a madman by this point. However, after witnessing firsthand, the power of this weapon, Cordell knew this to be the truth.
The age of kings and queens, of knights and mages, was drawing to a close with the production of these weapons. While Cordell, being a mage, would be lying were he to say he did not fear such, he was fully aware of my intentions. That I had no desire for the absolute destruction of magics, rather that the existence of such had intrigued me. That I had but one desire, to see the abolition of slavery, and enforcement of will of the people. The destruction of the monarchy, though as Cordell would later discover, I had no wish to create a nation like the Republic of Rorvik, where only a handful of wealthy and powerful ruled, but rather a true republic.
A republic where the people had full control of their governance. An absolute democracy, with a system similar to that of the CNT-FAI of the Spanish civil war. A system where the people, the villages, would be in control of their lives, their towns, as opposed to some feudal lord. Though even Landyn was aware that such a system would be far from perfect, He was also aware that perfection is impossible, though a goal that should always be strived for.
The three of us now seized the destroyed armor, bringing it back to Alan for inspection. On our arrival, Cordell's mother once again greeted us.
"Ah, how was that thing your father made for your firend, Cordell?"
Cordell took a moment to answer, being mindful of what words he'd choose, as to state the true power of the weapon would risk drawing unwanted attention.
"It worked quite well, mother. After testing it, we've come to return the armor father allowed us to use for its testing."
Following Cordell's statement, we'd made our way to Alan's forge. Of course, Alan too asked us our thoughts on the weapon. This time however, our response was not verbal, rather, we simply handed him the armor before I'd returned the question.
"You tell us."
After Alan took not of the armor, seeing a shot embedded in the front and rear of the armor, he was in shock. However, upon notice of the hole left over from the shot that completely pierced the armor, his mouth fell agape.
"Did that weapon do this?!?"
Alan said while pointing to the cavity in the armor. The three of us nodded, with Alan looking back at the armor, stunned by what he saw. Though he was not there to witness the weapon in action, he knew that the weapon was far more powerful than any other he'd made. After noticing his expression I'd asked him in a calm tone if production of the remaining guns was still feasible for him.
"So, do you think you can continue the production of the remaining arquebus rifles?"
Immediately he looked back, taking on a more serious exlression, with a tone of excitement in his voice.
"Of course I can! I must say though, the effects this weapon had on this old armor is amazing! This was one of my best pieces way back when you know!"
Hearing his words brought a smile to my face. With the knowledge that the armor we used was of superior quality, I was now certain that even against the royal army, 200 of these guns would be more than sufficient in achieving victory. I'd let out an eager thanks to Alan and the woodworkers for their laboring on the arquebus.
"I'm quite happy to hear that, I must thank you, along with the woodworkers for the effort you've all put into these weapons."
Hearing my thanks before he'd asked me a question regarding my plans on receiving the weapons upon their completion.
"Anyways young lad, how exactly do you plan on carrying all these weapons? You'd need a few carts to transport them, especially those larger models you want to have made."
Hearing this caught me offguard, as even I was aware that transporting the large quanitities of guns would be unfeasible, even if father permitted us to use the cart. The Xanadu guns would require horses or a team of infantry to pull it along, as it was far too heavy for any carts. Quickly, however, an idea sparked in my mind. I could utilize my students to obtain and carry back the guns, thus I'd begin the process of arming the populace early, giving an initiative in our favor once the civil war ignites.
"About that, I'll be having some of my friends stop over to pick up the weapons as they're produced, if such is acceptable? I can provide them with a means of verification if need be."
Hearing this, Alan let out a perplexed look.
"Normally you'd require a royal seal in order to receive someone else's product, though I imagine you've no royal seals?"
"No, as you're already aware, I'm of the merchant class."
Alan rubbed his chin before an idea clicked in his mind.
"Ah, how about those designs on those wooden sheets you'd given me before? No one else has brought forward such ideas, thus I'd be left with little choice but to believe them to be acting on your behalf."
"I can produce a few additional copies of the schematics for them then."
On hearing this, both Alan and I had shaken hands once more. While Cordell remained at his family's smithy, Nelwynn and I made way to find the students from yesterday. We'd located one of them, a young man with a brownish hair and crude hemp clothing, I'd remembered the young man as Cal, an earnest and hardworking student of mine, who'd hailed from one of the local commoner families.
After introductions, I'd made my request of him.
"Cal, I don't suppose you can gather the other students at Alan's smithy to pick up some products for me? I'll be leaving Traer tomorrow, and am unsure of when I'll next be back."
Cal looked at me surprised on hearing my request. Quickly retorting with a level of confusion.
"Alan's smithy? I know where that is, but usually his goods are rather expensive. What was it that you needed us to pick up?"
Hearing his indirect acceptance, I'd let out a wide smile.
"You'll find out when you go to pick them up. Your family owns a stable, correct?"
"Yes, why?"
"I'll need you to store some of the products there, if you don't mind. There should be about 200 small pieces, and then a handful of larger pieces."
On hearing the number of weapons I was sending him to receive from Alan, his eyes widened further.
"200?!?! I thought you were a merchant, 200 pieces from Alan would cost a small fortune!"
Hearing his shock, I'd let out a chuckle before responding.
"I'd saved up for a while, and it did cost me quite the fortune. However, I've still inadequate means of receiving and transporting them. If you'd like, I still have some leftover, and could compensate you for the troubles?"
Cal looked at me with anticipation upon hearing promise of compensation.
"How much compensation? Did you need them hauled to your village or did you just wish for me to store them?"
"I would need you to store them, though I can perhaps take 50 back to Lodroestein, with my father's permission. Of course, you and the other students may keep one of the weapons as additional compense, however you'll not be permitted to use them without training, thus I'd like for you and the other students to make preparations to travel to Lodroestein so that I may train you how to use them."
Hearing my request, Cal let out a mild groan. Not that I didn't understand that I was asking an extreme amount for him, his family oft needed him to aid in working thier stables and fields. Thus making his absence somewhat detrimental for his family. Seeing this, I'd added on to my statement.
"I've a greater coin to spare, use it to help your family as needed. I'll only need you and the others to stop by for about 1 week out of every two months for training."
Upon hearing that he'd be granted a greater coin, Cal's eyes lit up, before he eagerly nodded, accepting the deal.
"Very well, I'll get your stuff from Alan, and I'll see about getting the others to travel out every now and then to train with the weapons you'll be letting us have!"