The Shooting Practice

And thus with the new equipment, Ernest summoned from his tyrant system, the efficiency and productivity of the dwarves significantly increased. In just one day, with all the parts being forged and shaped in the workshop, they were able to produce ten M1 Garand and 100.30-06 Springfield cartridges and ten M9 Beretta with 100 pieces of 9mm round.

The same day, Guilhem, the head of the workshop, delivered the finished product to Ernest at the open field where the ten soldiers and Alwin, the former human representative, were waiting.

"Sir, this is the ten M1 Garand that we've successfully produced. Please take a look." Guilhem said as he waved his right hand while the other one was pulling a cart.

Ernest turned and faced Guilhem who was pulling a cart filled with new M1 Garand. At first glance, Ernest was satisfied to see that Guilhem was able to produce 10 guns and 100 ammo per day. Considering the lack of technology and techniques and the knowledge in metallurgy, it was an impressive feat. Maybe the machine he bought from the system helped them in the difficult part of the process of creating a gun.

He grabbed one M1 Garand from the cart and inspected it. After a little observing, he concluded that it was the same as the summoned one. As expected of the skills of the dwarves. They were able to do what they just said, the moment they learned the inner workings of a certain technology, they'll be able to produce it.

Just by thinking of it, Ernest realized the uses of dwarves when he introduced industrialization.

"This is perfect, just as I expected." Ernest praised, "Looking forward to seeing the others."

"Your praise is not needed, sir Ernest. You have given us new knowledge, we should be the one thanking you."

"Knowledge is meant to be shared." Ernest quoted, "Even if I have this knowledge and don't share it, it's useless. I believe that sharing knowledge within your circle of trust unlocked unlimited possibilities. If you have a suggestion with the current design, feel free to let me know." Ernest said.

Guilhem gasped in awe at the deep, meaningful words of Ernest.

"I will, I've been thinking a lot about the innovative design of the M1 Garand."

"That's good to hear. To be honest, there's a lot of variety of guns…"

"What? Really?" Guilhem interrupted, "If you will introduce one please let me know sir Ernest!" Guilhem's eyes sparkled enthusiastically.

"Okay okay…" Ernest accepted and faced the ten soldiers he called to this shooting practice.

"So this man standing before me is the best you can suggest."

He glanced at the knights in front of him who were standing straight and lined up perfectly. Their body looks thin as if they haven't eaten for days, making him have a doubt about them being the best.

"Unfortunately, they were in this state due to the food shortages happening in the Kingdom of Crentis. As you have known about the economy of our country, it's as steep as a cliff. Those Empires are taking our crops for themselves..." Alwin said, infuriated while expressing his words.

"I see...you just have to eat and you'll return to your original physique." Ernest approached his new soldiers. Scanning them, Ernest realized one thing.

"Wait, aren't you the one who escorted me and Sophia?"

The one soldier who received the question stood straight and saluted, "Yes sir! The name is Mike sir!"

"Okay Mike," Ernest scanned his appearance, "Is that a scabbard? Why are you carrying that?"

"Sir, because we are going to practice and show our skills, sir!"

"Hmm," Ernest nodded his head, "Can I see your sword."

"Yes sir! But this is just a spare so it'll have a blunt blade and have a dent on it." Mike handed him the scabbard.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to judge it." Ernest assured as he received the scabbard. He pulled out the blade and gave it to Guilhem.

"Guilhem."

"Yes sir?"

"I want you to melt this iron as additional resources."

"Yes sir!" Guilhem received the sword and put it on the cart he was pulling.

Mike was befuddled at what Ernest did.

"Sir? Why are you going to melt it? Even though it was just a spare, that's my only weapon…"

Ernest ignored Mike's inquiries. He glanced at the knights again.

"All soldiers, I want you to give your sword to Guilhem here. I'm going to teach you something new that will change your current mindset about warfare."

The soldiers were confused but they gave their swords anyway.

Seeing that all swords were all accounted for, Ernest started.

"Everyone before I start I want to thank you all for coming here. As the leader of the party, I am happy. So now you might be wondering why I ordered you to give your sword to Guilhem and why are you here right? The answer to that is simple, I'm going to teach you new things that will flip your mindset on new warfare that I'm going to introduce to you."

Ernest paused as he showed them the M1 Garand. For the soldiers, they looked like a long piece of cylindrical wood. They wondered what he was holding.

"This is your new weapon."

As he declared that, a mixed reaction was created from their faces. Some were shocked while others were confused.

"Sir? But how can that piece of wood will…" Mike inquired.

"Who gave you permission to speak?" Ernest interrupted, his voice was heavy and cold enough to send chills on their spine.

"When I am speaking I don't want you interrupting me. You speak when you are ordered to speak, that is what soldiers are. If you are acting on your own without the order from the higher-ups, the organization will fail. Questions will be entertained later. Is that understood?"

Everyone equally gulped at his words, this was the first time they see that side of Ernest.

Beads of cold sweat trickled down their foreheads.

"Sir yes sir!" They saluted again, not trying to gain the ire of their leader again.

"Now where was I? Ah...okay this new weapon is a semi-automatic rifle. Of course, you don't know those words but just etch it on your brain, it'll be useful in the future. This weapon is a long-ranged weapon, instead of charging towards your enemy you will just have to wait and fire those who are charging at you. So, what do I mean by that? Let me demonstrate it for you."

Ernest turned to his heel and faced the target dummies that were prepared beforehand. With the M1 Garand in his grasp, he aimed the gun and fired one shot.

*Bang.

Everyone except, Ernest and Guilhem reflexively covered their ears as soon as the deafening sound roared.

"What just happened?" Mike muttered and looked at the target dummies. His eyes widened, there was a small hole in the sternum part of the armor plate.

Ernest fired again and shot three target dummies skillfully. The knights now seem to have a grasp on the power of this new weapon.

"Now, I know that it confuses you so let's try a live target." Ernest exchanged a meaningful look with Alwin, indicating him to bring something.

Alwin bowed and headed somewhere. As he returned, he brought a live boar with him.

"I already fired four times, meaning I only have one bullet left. What I want to show you here is the power of this rifle." Ernest glanced again at Alwin whom he then released the boar.

The boar ran away, the distance widening.

"Can this weapon kill? Here's your answer."

With one bullet, Ernest breathed in and steadied his arm to the point it was not shaking a little, then with experience and knowledge on how to shoot a moving target, Ernest confidently aimed to where it was potentially heading.

"Current speed of the target, 15 kilometers per hour, distance 160 meters, wind velocity 7 knots south-southwest, bullet speed 853 meters per second, and a margin of error three millimeters. I can do it."

After muttering some calculations, Ernest fired the M1 Garand.

*Bang.

And just as he expected, the boar headed towards the calculated path and had its own head explode from the incoming bullet whose speed was two times the speed of sound.

The soldiers behind him were amazed at his shooting skills. His lips curled to a joyous smile.

He turned around and faced his soldiers who would be the first rifle squad.

"So that's how it works. You will not charge at the enemy, the doctrine is now found and killed. The moment you find your enemy at a distance, you aim the gun and fire at them undetected. They'll never know what hit them. As much as I hate to say this but you'll no longer be able to use your swordsmanship skills unless your weapon is jammed. Care to try it?"

"Yes sir!"

And so the ten soldiers grabbed their own M1 Garand. Ernest taught them how to insert the clip on the bullet chamber, reload, take aim, and fire.

There were some troubles at first where they weren't able to land a shot because of the recoil, the deafening sound, and the lack of knowledge about variables needed to consider before firing. But Ernest believes that if they just practice just like that, they'll be able to master it in no time.

Ernest approached Alwin.

"I want you to gather more soldiers that we can train. Coordinate with Sophia if you have to."

"Yes sir." Alwin bowed his head.

"And you Guilhem, you can return to your work now. Sorry if it took long despite your busy schedules."

"Not at all, Sir Ernest. In fact, I'm happy that the guns I created were working."

"You'll have to increase the number of guns produced before the city lord takes notice."

"Yes sir!"

Upon receiving their new set of orders, Alwin and Guilhem left the field. Leaving Ernest and the ten soldiers behind.

"Okay as for the ten of you, shooting is not just your practice regimen. I want you to strengthen your constitution by following the sets of training I have in this list." Ernest showed a parchment containing a set of exercises such as running, push-ups, sit-ups, jogging, et cetera. "As for your meals, I'll discuss it with Sophia about that. That's all. We're staying here until the end of dusk so get a move on!"

"Sir yes Sir!"