17 – An Important Day

"It's too tight around my chest." Trish whispered. Together with the others, she wore the official Celestenia royal uniform, which was red and gold. "I-I want to unbutton my shirt."

"Please refrain from doing that." Cecil replied. "There are many people."

"Because they've never met us, they can't measure us, so we're forced to wear existing clothes." Lance explained. "After this, we will get proper clothes."

"So, no one in the military has breasts as big as me..." The female warrior covered her mouth when a female soldier nearby gave her a sharp glance. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

They were waiting in the main royal hall, near a throne encrusted with gold and sparkling stones.

Lance glanced at Eve, who was fiddling with the bottom of her shirt. "It's okay. This won't last long."

"I know." Eve sighed. "But meeting the leader of this kingdom will make you nervous."

"King Cedric Beaumont II is coming!" A soldier shouted from outside, then two others opened the large door.

A man in his late thirties walked in with several male and female guards.

Everyone in the room, including Lance and his friends, pressed their palms to their chests as a sign of honor. The king, with short hair and a thin beard, smiled at them. "Morning, all of you."

King Cedric sat on the throne, then gestured to the aide beside him. The aide opened a roll of paper and began his speech. "Today, at the beginning of winter in the year 893, we will hold the coronation of those who are expected to contribute…."

While the speech continued, Lance's thoughts drifted to his peaceful life in the village. He had to leave everything behind and focus on designing mechs. The young man felt he would miss those times.

"We can return to our village at any time." As if she could read Lance's mind, Cecil whispered. "So, don't worry."

Lance put on a faint smile. "You're right."

After the speech, the aide requested Lance and his three friends to kneel before the king.

"We must defend the kingdom in times of crisis." The king took a sword brought by a female soldier. "So, I'm glad you came to help us. Believe me, we will greatly reward your services."

"Thank you, your highness." Lance and his three friends answered.

King Cedric then spoke in a firmer voice. "I hereby crown all of you as honorable members of this kingdom, Lance Ashbourne, Evelyn Moryet, Cecil Fairchild, and Trish Hawke."

He then touched the tip of the sword to their shoulders in turn. Afterward, Lance and the others stood up and paid their respects to the king.

"Apologize for the brief and probably inappropriate coronation ceremony." The king smiled. "But there are other things I have to attend to."

After saying goodbye, the king left with the others.

Still having to maintain his position, Cecil gulped. "My legs are shaking."

"I feel like peeing my pants." Trish replied.

"Please, don't do that." The blacksmith grimaced.

"Don't talk, guys. The king hasn't left the room yet," Eve chimed in. "Or they'll scold us."

Lance could even detect a slight crack in Eve's voice. It seems the king overwhelmed them.

But for Lance, it was normal. He didn't want to be like the old days, when he was so submissive to his superiors.

Like everyone else, the king and the superiors are only human.

***

To save time, Lance and the others had returned to their large workshop. Various preparations were underway, including building a large forge, test area, and rooms.

"Sorry if I ask you this, boss." Trish said as Lance observed a prototype rifle in his hand. "What's the advantage of this weapon compared to offensive magic or arrows? I can't understand yet."

"Magic takes time to charge. Arrows are the same way." Lance explained while taking a pose like someone shooting at a target. "And the greater the destructive ability of a spell, the longer the charge it takes."

"Are you saying that this weapon can be much faster than spells or arrows?" Cecil joined in. "Despite building and assembling it, I couldn't understand its potential."

"Yeah, more or less. This weapon is superior to those things." The young man lowered the rifle. He was not a marksman, so he was unsure that his aiming posture was correct. "And we hope this weapon has enough force to penetrate armors."

They will use fire powder made from materials different from those on earth. It's got a more potent explosive power. Lance couldn't guess how big the recoil effect would be.

"They're coming." Eve stared at the entrance.

Twenty-five people in uniform entered the building. While some appeared amused, others seemed reluctant.

"There are elves among them." Cecil noticed some of them had pointy ears.

Trish responded. "Besides magic, elves are also experts in long-range attacks."

"Line up!" The oldest-looking man issued commands to the soldiers. He then saluted Lance. "We are ready to carry out this task, Mr. Ashbourne."

"Thank you, sir." Instead of speaking further, Lance instead looked at those soldiers. This time, they displayed a firm expression.

He doesn't know whether they are capable or not. The military brass may have wanted to sabotage Lance.

Meanwhile, Trish's gaze fell on an elf with curly cyan hair. Unlike the others, she left her chest buttons open, showing her massive and beautiful cleavage.

This triggered Trish to look at her chest. "I didn't know we were allowed to do that."

"Pease." Cecil whispered again. "Don't."

Lance cleared his throat to silence his friends, then stepped forward, raising the rifle. "Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. Today we will conduct tests on weapons that may change the war as we know it."