The war council, held deep within the heart of the kingdom's military encampment, was a grand affair, gathering the most influential lords and knights from across the land. It was a place where strategies were forged, alliances were tested, and the fate of the war was decided. But despite his contributions on the battlefield, Jack Thompson found himself excluded from these high-level discussions. As a foreigner and an outsider, he lacked the status required to join the ranks of the kingdom's elite strategists.
Instead, Jack remained at Lord Aric's camp, waiting anxiously for news. He had seen the flaws in the kingdom's military approach firsthand, and he knew that without a new strategy, the war would continue to grind on, costing countless lives.
When Lord Aric returned from the council meeting, his expression was grim. The other nobles followed in his wake, their faces etched with frustration and weariness. It was clear that the meeting had not produced any groundbreaking solutions to the stalemate on the battlefield.
Lord Aric wasted no time. Upon returning to his tent, he immediately called for his closest advisors, including Jack. The tent filled quickly, with men eager to hear what their lord had to say.
Jack entered the tent, his mind already racing with ideas. He could see the tension in the room, the weight of the unresolved conflict hanging heavily over everyone present. Lord Aric stood at the head of the table, his brow furrowed as he surveyed his advisors.
"The council was… less than productive," Lord Aric began, his voice laced with frustration. "The king's general is determined to continue with traditional tactics, despite the clear limitations we've encountered on the battlefield. We need fresh ideas—new approaches that can give us an advantage."
He turned to Jack, his eyes narrowing as he addressed the outsider. "Thompson, you've shown resourcefulness before. What would you suggest in this situation?"
Jack took a deep breath, knowing this was his chance to make a difference. "My lord, the problem we face is that our current methods are too rigid, too stationary. The enemy knows our tactics and can counter them effectively. We need to introduce something that disrupts their expectations—something powerful, but mobile."
The room grew quiet as the advisors listened closely. Jack could feel the weight of their skepticism, but he pressed on.
"I've been thinking about the limitations of our magic users," Jack continued. "Right now, we rely heavily on stationary magic circles to defend our positions. These devices are powerful, but they're only effective in fixed locations. On the battlefield, we need something that can move with our troops, providing heavy firepower wherever it's needed."
Lord Aric's interest was clearly piqued. "And what do you propose?"
Jack stepped forward, his voice steady as he outlined his idea. "I propose we create a new kind of weapon—a Magic Cannon, or as I like to call it, a 'Magic Howitzer.' It's essentially a portable magic circle, condensed and mounted on a mobile platform. With this, we could deliver the same devastating firepower of our stationary devices, but with the ability to reposition and adapt to the flow of battle."
The advisors exchanged glances, some nodding in agreement while others remained uncertain. Lord Aric, however, was focused entirely on Jack.
"Explain how this Magic Cannon would work," Lord Aric demanded.
Jack nodded, eager to delve into the details. "The core of the Magic Cannon would be a scaled-down version of the existing magic circles, powered by smaller Source Crystals. These would be carefully calibrated to generate concentrated energy blasts—similar to what our mages produce, but on a much larger scale. The cannon would be mounted on a wheeled platform, allowing it to be moved across the battlefield as needed."
He gestured to the maps on the table. "Imagine being able to bring that kind of power directly to the front lines, to target enemy fortifications or to repel advancing troops. The mobility of the Magic Cannon would allow us to outmaneuver the enemy, striking where they least expect it."
One of the advisors, a grizzled veteran named Ser Brandel, leaned forward, his expression skeptical. "And what about the Source Crystals? We're already stretched thin trying to power the existing magic circles. How do you plan to fuel these cannons?"
Jack had anticipated this question. "It's true that the crystals are in limited supply, but we could use smaller, more refined crystals for these cannons. The idea is not to replace the existing magic circles but to supplement them with something more versatile. By focusing the energy into a smaller, more concentrated form, we can achieve similar levels of power without draining our resources."
Lord Aric rubbed his chin thoughtfully, considering the implications. "And you believe this could be done? How long would it take to develop such a weapon?"
"With the right resources and a dedicated team, I believe we could have a prototype ready in a few weeks," Jack replied confidently. "But it's not just about building the cannons. We'll need to train crews to operate them, to understand the nuances of the magic involved."
The room was silent as the advisors weighed Jack's proposal. It was a bold idea, one that could potentially shift the balance of power on the battlefield. But it was also risky—there was no guarantee that the Magic Cannon would work as intended, or that it would be ready in time to make a difference.
Finally, Lord Aric nodded, his decision made. "We'll pursue this, Thompson. You have my permission to begin work on the Magic Cannon immediately. I'll allocate whatever resources you need to get it done."
Jack felt a surge of determination. This was his chance to truly make an impact, to bring something new and powerful into the world that could save countless lives. He bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you, my lord. I won't let you down."
Lord Aric turned to his other advisors, his voice firm. "In the meantime, we'll continue with the preparations for our next engagement. But know this—if Thompson's Magic Cannon works, it could change everything. We must be ready to capitalize on that advantage when the time comes."
The meeting concluded with a renewed sense of purpose. As the advisors dispersed, Jack lingered for a moment, his mind already racing with the possibilities. The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but for the first time, he felt like he was on the verge of something truly revolutionary.
As he left the tent, the weight of responsibility settled on his shoulders. The success of the Magic Cannon could mean the difference between victory and defeat—not just for Lord Aric, but for the entire kingdom. And Jack was determined to see it through, no matter what it took.