Firearms Demonstration

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

"How many years has it been since I last came back? More than ten years, I suppose?" Bathed in the fading sunset, the old knight gazed towards his hometown, Alden Town.

Beside him, his attendant chuckled, "Haha, Lord Schroder must be impatient to return?"

"Just a moment ago, I was quite excited. Suddenly, I thought besides those occasional correspondences, I wonder if anyone else remembers me around the neighborhood." A strange melancholy surged in the knight's heart, and his horse seemed to sense his master's thoughts, gradually slowing down.

The young attendant reassured, "After all, it's been more than ten years. Even if they don't remember, it can't be helped. Besides, now that you're back for good, there's plenty of time for them to accept you again."

"You're right, Joyce. There's no use being sentimental. Let's face it properly. Giddy-up!" The knight dispelled his inner sadness, flicked the reins, and the horse trotted merrily once more.

"What about you, following an old man like me to this countryside place? Do you regret it?"

"Not at all. I still have much to learn from you! I won't leave until I've completely emptied your chest of hidden knowledge."

"Oh? We'll see about that..."

...

"Sir Bryce, or rather, Captain Bryce, went with Lord to tackle the pirates and hasn't returned yet." Bryce's neighbor reported.

"Thank you."

After thanking them, Schroder turned to his attendant and said, "Looks like the pirate problem here has resurfaced! Well, let's first go back to the old mansion and tidy up. We'll visit again after Bryce returns."

And so, they walked towards Schroder's old mansion.

Along the way, Schroder surveyed the streets of his hometown. He hadn't paid much attention in his hurried arrival earlier, but now he noticed how neat everything had become. Even though the basic layout hadn't changed much, it had become remarkably tidy, with occasional "trash bins" placed at intervals, presumably for public garbage.

Regardless of anything else, in terms of cleanliness alone, it might even rival the Royal Street in the capital.

"Hmm? What's that? 'Boiled Water Shop'? What's that for? Is it a unique shop here?" Attendant Joyce noticed a shop he had never seen before.

"I have no idea. I don't remember such a shop ever existing." The old knight was also puzzled.

Just then, they noticed a troop coming over the floating bridge. Upon reaching Alden Island, instead of heading towards the town's main street, they turned and disappeared down another small path.

"Hmm... Looks like the outcome of the pirate expedition isn't promising." The knight and his attendant exchanged glances, both thinking the same thing involuntarily.

...

"That's how it was. Your grandfather cleared our debts and sponsored me to study in the capital. Later, he even recommended me to join the Northern Legion at Long Ridge Fortress."

In the castle hall, Sir Schroder Knight concluded his introduction.

"So, you returned to Alden Town for...?"

"Once a person gets older, they think of settling down like fallen leaves, so I resigned from my military position and returned to my hometown."

Sir Schroder's words touched Paul slightly. Yesterday's failure had dampened his excitement as a transmigrator, and now he wondered if he could ever return to that "hometown" he remembered.

"Your family has shown great kindness to me. I heard about your father's fate and feel deeply saddened. Please allow me to join your ranks, to avenge the old Count and contribute to the peace of our hometown."

Speaking of the old Count, a look of sorrow and anger crossed the old knight's face. The Count had praised his health in his letters, and now he was suddenly gone, damned pirates.

Bryce exclaimed happily, "Lord Schroder has rich military experience. His joining will surely help us recover from yesterday's failure."

Giving Bryce a displeased glance, Paul noted his lack of caution. How could he casually reveal military secrets in front of outsiders? It seemed there was a need for stricter secrecy education in the army.

However, he did need a commander familiar with the current military system. Bryce and his men were loyal, but dealing with pirates seemed to be their limit.

"Sir Schroder, you are welcome to join my army." Paul stood up and extended his hand to the old knight.

Schroder shook the young Count's hand and said, "Due to reasons you probably already know, I cannot openly swear allegiance to you. However, time will prove my intentions."

Paul understood and didn't want to use feudal-era methods of personal attachment to ensure loyalty in his army.

Accompanied by everyone, Sir Schroder visited the family cemetery to pay respects to the long-sleeping old Count. Afterwards, he requested to review the current military forces of the estate.

In the afternoon, four battalions assembled on the camp parade ground. Sir Schroder was greatly impressed by the speed and posture of the soldiers' assembly.

"These soldiers are excellent. Even His Majesty's army can't achieve such quick formations and synchronized steps."

Hearing the old knight's praise, the young Count puffed out his chest proudly, momentarily forgetting the recent defeat.

"Though they lack in morale."

"Well... most of them are new recruits, and we had an unfortunate start. However, we have a powerful secret weapon. Let's demonstrate it to the entire army now, for the first time."

He then addressed the soldiers, "Attention! At ease."

"Soldiers, do not be disheartened by yesterday's failure! I have brought our newly developed secret weapons for a demonstration. With these, we can definitely redeem ourselves. First, let's demonstrate the hand grenades. Grenadiers, step forward!"

As soon as the words fell, a team of soldiers carrying packages ran a sufficient distance ahead of everyone, forming a line facing thick wooden stakes already planted in the ground. These soldiers were clad head to toe in thick cotton clothing.

First, they took out bamboo fire tubes (similar to ancient Chinese fire lances), opened the caps to ignite the fuses, then retrieved from their packs strange-looking cylindrical objects, presumed to be the grenades mentioned by the Count, each with a prominent wooden handle and a thin rope wrapped around it. After undoing the ropes, the soldiers firmly grasped the handles.

Upon the young Count's command, "Throw!"

The demonstrating soldiers immediately lit the fuses on their objects with the bamboo fire tubes. After burning for a moment, they vigorously threw the objects towards the wooden stakes.

The "grenades" thrown exploded between the stakes, creating loud bangs. Some exploded upon impact, while others detonated mid-air, scattering fragments and enveloping the stakes in thick smoke.

Those unfamiliar with the new weapon development were startled by the explosions but soon realized that the booming sounds they often heard during new recruits' training were caused by these devices.

A soldier in heavy armor inspected the stake area to confirm no unexploded ordnance remained. After signaling it was safe, Paul ordered the formation to disperse, allowing officers and soldiers to inspect the effectiveness of the new weapons.

Covering their noses against the pungent smell, the group approached the stakes and observed how the explosions had embedded fragments (mainly iron nails from the grenades) deeply into the wood. They marveled aloud that if used against a crowd, anyone lightly clothed would suffer severe injuries, and the thought of anyone unlucky enough to be hit in the face was too horrifying to contemplate.

Sir Schroder sincerely praised, "These will be very effective against makeshift recruits. A few of these thrown their way will scatter them instantly."

"Next, let's demonstrate the second weapon. Even a farmer who just put down his hoe can effortlessly kill a seasoned warrior." Paul clapped his hands loudly, drawing everyone's attention, then added with a smug tone, "Prepare to be amazed."

Two thick iron plates were fixed on the ground, and two soldiers carrying matchlock guns stepped forward, immediately capturing everyone's curiosity.

The soldiers halted ten meters away from the steel plates and, following practiced procedures, retrieved small bottles of gunpowder. After filling the breech with gunpowder from the bottle, they inserted a lead bullet, ramming it tightly into the gun barrel with a ramrod.

Lastly, they secured the burning end of the match to the serpentine head of the gun lock, preventing accidental ignition with the breech cover.

"Aim!"

Upon command, the soldiers aimed their guns at the iron plates ahead, assuming positions reminiscent of crossbowmen aiming.

"Fire!"

The soldiers closed their eyes and pulled the trigger. As the triggers were pulled, the breech covers opened, allowing the serpentine heads to rapidly strike the priming powder in the breeches, igniting the gunpowder inside the barrels.

"Boom!" A burst of fire and smoke erupted from the gun barrels. Everyone followed the line of sight indicated by the gun barrels and witnessed two horrifyingly large holes on the iron plates.

"Oh...!!!" Those not involved in the new weapon development were left dumbfounded. Someone muttered, "Is this... magic?" A small lead ball had pierced through a thick iron plate.

The terrifying power of the firearms stirred immense waves in everyone's hearts, especially Sir Schroder, with decades of military experience. Initially impressed by the grenade's power, witnessing the firearm in action left him aghast.

Having trained in martial arts for decades, in a one-on-one scenario with similar weapons, he was confident of handling a dozen ordinary people. However, against opponents armed with firearms, even a child with a bit of strength could easily defeat him.

Suddenly, he realized something and turned to ask, "My Lord, please strictly control the use of these weapons. Otherwise, it could lead to unforeseen chaos."

The young Count chuckled, saying, "Of course, Sir Schroder. I wouldn't want someone unexpectedly creating a large hole in my chest."

(End of Chapter)