On a not-so-bright, cloudy winter morning in Baron Gene's domain, Ryan was still resting in the master bedroom, while the maid Olica had already woken up. Struggling to get out of bed with trembling legs, she changed into her maid's attire, prepared in advance.
She felt her body brimming with magical energy once again.
Olica tied her waist-length black hair with a headpiece and a hairband, changing into a fresh set of maid's clothes. Taking advantage of Ryan's slumber, she quietly approached the bedside, allowing Ryan to lean on her.
Olica, with her severely damaged soul, knew she could only cast spells by relying on Ryan to supply her with mana. Through this method, she could gradually use magic to repair her soul, as she possessed no magical power of her own.
In the bedroom, the crackling flames echoed as the dark elf softly called out, "Master~ Master? Wake up, today you're going to see the dwarves test their latest cannon."
"...Yes, today is the day for the dwarven cannon test." Ryan slowly awakened, burying his head in the dark elf's bosom, "Olica? How are you feeling?"
"How else could I feel? Very comfortable..." The dark elf blushed, with Veronica recently focusing on the wizard's tower, Olica was the one who spent nights with Ryan, naturally tending to his needs.
After a morning kiss, Ryan got up and changed his clothes, suddenly asking with interest, "By the way, Olica, what are the siege weapons of the dark elves?"
"The thousand-pound siege crossbow, master." Olica helped Ryan wash up, adding, "This powerful siege crossbow is blessed by witches from the Hekate Coven, capable of immense destruction. Anyone hit by it would be left either dead or severely maimed."
"Can you make crossbows like the dwarves?" Ryan joked.
"The technology to make these thousand-pound crossbows has long been lost, master~" Olica said helplessly, holding Ryan's hand from behind, "Perhaps the high elves still possess it, but we, the Druchii, do not. All our thousand-pound crossbows are closely guarded and only brought out for war. Besides... many believe that hydras and black dragons are sufficient for sieges."
"Alright, I'm off to inspect the cannons. Would you like to join me?" Ryan got dressed and prepared to leave.
As usual, the dark elf preferred not to leave the castle.
Stepping out, the witch Teresa was waiting at the door with her purple wand, dressed in a purple robe over black leather attire. Seeing Ryan emerge, she commented in a strangely amused tone, "Finally decided to come out?"
"Oh, please, dear Teresa, I need time to get up too." Ryan responded helplessly, "Aren't you coming to see the cannons with me?"
"Yes, I've seen plenty of Nord and Empire cannons, but I've never seen dwarven heavy cannons," the witch expressed her interest, "It's said that the most powerful dwarven cannon can rival even forbidden spells."
Thirty minutes later, at the chosen test site in the wilderness.
Four dwarven heavy cannons were lined up, with a fifth, stranger-looking cannon mounted on a large wagon. This cannon had four smaller barrels arranged side by side.
Dwarven engineer Dugan Ironhand emerged, touching his now thick and smooth beard, dressed in custom-made dwarven attire, complete with a feathered round hat, hands crossed over his chest, looking up proudly, "I've crafted four dwarven heavy cannons and one organ gun for you, my baron, living up to expectations."
"These cannons nearly bankrupted me, costing almost seven hundred gold crowns, my dwarven brother. Do you understand?" Ryan touched the heavy cannon, satisfied with its solid build and massive barrel.
"Ah, dwarf-made goods are indeed pricey, but rest assured, baron. Our cannons are far superior to those made by the Empire across the mountains. Their cannons often burst or misfire, while ours are guaranteed to be problem-free!" Dugan boasted, touching the cannon affectionately, "You get what you pay for, my friend."
Gunpowder represents the pinnacle of dwarven martial achievement. Touching the black barrel, the dwarven engineer felt a deep connection and solace.
Without a doubt, the advent of gunpowder has changed the course of warfare. Having witnessed the power of Empire cannons, Ryan now owned dwarven cannons, known for their greater power and range but at a higher cost.
With these cannons, future wars would be entirely different. Unlike large trebuchets, dwarven cannons were more portable, equipped with large wheels for easy transport by horses or humans, a significant advantage over cumbersome trebuchets.
"A team of four to five dwarves will manage everything from loading to firing a cannon, able to fire every five minutes," explained Dugan Ironhand. "And we dwarves are also warriors, ready to fight if enemies approach. However, my baron, I must emphasize, it's better to let us fire cannons than engage in close combat."
"Rest assured, Bretonnia has the strongest knights in the Old World to protect your flanks," Ryan nodded, confident in the combination of Bretonnian knights and dwarven artillery.
"What is this?" Teresa approached the special cannon behind the heavy ones, curious.
"This is the organ gun, miss," the engineer beamed about his prized creation.
"The organ gun?" Ryan examined it closely, intrigued by its design resembling a musical organ.
The organ gun, with its four smaller barrels, was explained by Dugan: "Compared to heavy cannons, the organ gun has a shorter range, less power, and less accuracy..."
"So why bother making it?" Teresa frowned, puzzled.
"…Hear me out, beautiful witch miss," Dugan laughed, his tone slightly mocking but not offensively so. Dwarves, known for their stubborn pride, value promises and are quick to retaliate, not excelling in diplomacy. However, some, like Dugan, had a knack for speech compared to their kin.
"The organ gun, despite its shortcomings, offers greater area coverage and simultaneous firing power unmatched by heavy cannons," Dugan continued. "Properly used, its volley can decimate enemy ranks, something a cannon cannot achieve."
"So, we place cannons at the back and organ guns slightly forward?" Ryan grasped the strategic implications, "The organ gun can quickly destroy approaching enemies, maintaining effectiveness with proper protection."
"Exactly, my baron. You have a talent for command," Dugan nodded.
Satisfied with the cannon test, which obliterated stone houses used as targets, Ryan noted the sheer destructive power, rendering trebuchets obsolete.
"That's expected. Trebuchets are nearly outdated for us dwarves," Dugan boasted, "Rest easy, my baron. Tell us where to fire, and we'll hit the mark."
"Deal!"
"Deal!"
Ryan and Dugan shook hands, concluding a productive morning.
Returning to the castle, Teresa remarked, "I didn't expect you to convince dwarves to make cannons for you. Do you know how difficult they are? Outside of the royal city, I've hardly seen dwarves in Nord."
"Dwarves rarely leave the mountains, and Nord's harsh climate is hardly appealing to them," Ryan replied with a smile. "Even I can barely stand Nord, let alone dwarves."
"So, I've come here, and frankly, I like this place, Ryan." Walking beside him, Teresa admired the transition from dirt to stone roads within the baron's domain. "It's just a bit hot in the summer, but otherwise, it's quite nice."
"Really? I thought you wouldn't like it here, especially given your recent mood," Ryan noted, his comment carrying a hint of meaning.
"Of course! It would be even better if you could make Veronica and her stuff disappear. And since when does she have the funds to build her own wizard tower?" Teresa clenched her teeth, her forehead creasing with frustration. "Tell me, Ryan, is her...that valuable?"
"???" Ryan looked confused. "I'm not sure what you're referring to."
"…Never mind, Ryan. I want my own wizard tower too!" Teresa's eyes sparkled behind her black butterfly-patterned glasses. "Build one for me, too."
"Building a wizard tower requires money, my lady," Ryan retorted. "I'm nearly broke after funding those cannons. This year's taxes have mostly gone into that project."
"So, you have money for Veronica's tower but not mine?" Teresa's frustration was evident, her brow furrowed deeply. "You can't fool me. Veronica's tower is the most luxurious I've seen recently, costing nearly two thousand dinars...or gold crowns here, right? Where did she get all that money? Isn't it all from you?"
"The money wasn't mine; it was hers, stored with me after our successful mission in Marienburg against the fallen hunters," Ryan explained the source of Veronica's wealth, then added, "Building her wizard tower was entirely her doing; I merely provided the location."
Teresa's grip tightened on the reins, her dissatisfaction clear.
This should all have been mine! The wizard tower and his love!
I was here first!
Recalling her mother's teachings, Teresa composed herself, "Then, could you allocate a piece of land for me too?"
"Sure, but you'll have to pick it yourself," Ryan agreed. "And with two towers already near the castle, it might be best to choose a more distant location."
"I understand."
Upon their return to the castle, Ryan was greeted by an unexpected visitor.
It was the half-elf Estel, wearing a deer hide cloak and wood elf robe, with a recurve bow on his back and a shortsword at his waist. "Good afternoon, Ryan."
"Good afternoon, my friend, Estel. What brings you here?" Ryan dismounted to shake hands with Estel, noticing another half-elf standing beside him. "And who might this be?"
"This is my friend, Dace," Estel introduced. "He's a ranger who previously worked for the Woodland Council, undertaking tasks like clearing corruption, eliminating malevolent tree spirits hostile to elves, and other secret missions."
"Pleased to meet you, Lord Ryan Macado. I've heard of your great deeds," Dace, cloaked in dark green with a hood concealing his face, greeted Ryan. "It's an honor to meet you."
"The honor is mine, Mr. Dace," Ryan responded warmly, while internally questioning the secrecy and internal cliques hinted by Dace's attire.
"I'll be direct, my lord," Estel sighed, somewhat embarrassed. "Dace and I... would like to serve under you. Would you accept us?"
"This…"
"Updated! Vote for me, please!"
___________________
(Support with power stones, comments or reviews)
If you guys enjoy this story, In support me on Patreon and get access to +200 advance Chapters
Read Ahead
Patreon.com/INNIT