The mountainous terrain had the largest mountain on the neutral continent. This mountain was called Mount Dorf. On this mountain lives a mountain race called dwarves, they live inside the mountain. Due to the fact that since ancient times they had at least 4 rulers per century, they fought all the time for the best territories on the mountain. There have been many cases over the centuries.

The weakest country could find a new way to use one metal common among their land and become stronger than others, then find a new way to create weapons faster, and so on. Because of all these things, they didn't really communicate with the outside world, but they were very belligerent and rarely had peace.

But now, it was a rare time of peace. 4 on the count. There are now 4 countries in the current world, but one of them is the most powerful, the others, fearing his capture and their unification, are allied, each helping the other in the war against Deros. Even though the union is fragile, it saves them from death. But they never trust each other enough.

It would not be superfluous to say that in comparison to the outer world they are 2 or even 3 steps ahead in the development of technology, especially in the military craft. Each of them is looking for new technologies, investing at least and more than 40% of the total income of the country. At the same time actively send spies to find out if rivals have new technologies. After all, if they are, they will immediately attack, regardless of having the peace treaty. But if the country manages to make itself first, and then share the technology with the people of the union, it will get advantages when Deros collapse. Of course, it's in case if this technology can only be created with the help of what only their land has.

But alas, this is not to be.

They were able to come up with new technology, and the scientists of Deros who came up with it immediately reported to the management.

...

The next day they went to their lab. Caves are usually dark, but they can see in the dark and don't worry about it.

- Sir, come in.- said the man opening the door to another person. The person who opened the door wore glasses and was about 50 years old. His name was Eruhito, he was the head of this research. If you look at them, they seem completely normal, but they are lower and all their things were made to fit their size.

- Well, show me what you've done. How strong is it and how inexpensive is it?

- We have prepared several copies. We called this weapon a mini-cannon, it will shoot steel balls, even better if they are soaked in poison beforehand.

- The name is too long, come up with a shorter one. But first, show it in action.

- Yes, we have already given one soldier to get acquainted with it. He already knew enough to shoot accurately.

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- Great, where is he?

-In a shooting range specially created for this weapon. He's in the next room.

- Then lead the way.

When they entered the room, they saw a soldier who was firing a mini cannon at an iron target that was 300 meters away.

- *Bam!*- there was a loud sound, but it didn't hit the target.

-Oh, Mr. Eruhito, it's good to see you.

- Hello soldier, how are the checks going?

-This weapon is something, its limit without runes is 200 meters, it's incredible.

- What!?-the leader shouted - If this is the case, then be sure that Deros will reward you generously, but what is his power?

- Its power is comparable to a crossbow arrow, with a rune for piercing.

- Show me in practice, so that I can be sure that this is true.

- Of course - Having said this, the soldier began to load the weapon. Opening the bag, he poured gunpowder out into the muzzle of the weapon. And then he put a finger-sized steel ball in there. He aimed and…

- *Bam!*- There was another loud noise. It hit the plate at a distance of 200 meters and left a small dent there. Such a dent would seriously damage the armor, and probably even kill the owner if it hit the head.

-*Clap**Clap**Clap**Clap*, well done, I will personally make sure that you are rewarded for this. My people have already checked the materials, they have confirmed that it can go into mass production and we can be sure that this will be our key to winning the war. The king himself will give you a decent reward for this, be sure. At least 4 mines, be sure.

- Thank you, sir.

-No need for formalities, I'll probably go report to the management about it, work hard and modify these models as much as possible.

- Yes sir!- everyone answered.

- Oh, and also, I'll take one of you to present this weapon yourself, eventually, I don't know all the details. Which one of you can come with me? -As soon as he said that, the scientists looked away, not wanting to be the ones to go.

After some silence, finally, someone answered.

-I can go,-Eruhito said.

- All right, let's go.

…

Dwarves value good scientists more than armies themselves. And they can be sure of the safety of their families and themselves. If they come up with good technology, they can even be rewarded with ore mines. The higher their technology is valued, the better the mine with the best metal is given. The current owners of the mines, overwhelmingly, were either scientist, or their ancestors were scientists. Of course, the state took part as their tribute, but they bought the rest at favorable prices, prices also depended on how important the technology they created, giving them a discount that would slowly fall after a while. It was created so that there would be a stream of scientists exploring every aspect of their lives, and so that they would receive a decent fee for it.

According to Eruhito's calculations, they will have a massive war for the unification of the mountain in a year or two.

…

When the leader and Eruhito came to the royal palace, he sent this message, especially emphasizing that this information is incredibly important. After 2 hours, there was finally a meeting with the ruler and his trusted people.

- What is the information? -The king of Derosa asked

- What scientists have come up with is a weapon with huge potential.

- How effective is it? -When the king said this, he turned to the scientist, allowing him to speak

-The resources required for mass production are within reasonable limits, combat power is high, and the time spent on training soldiers should not exceed six months. The range is twice as high as that of a crossbow.

- Incredible, and the compactness?

-It has the shape of a stick with a curved end, a little more than a meter long.

-Hmm, does it have the potential to be used in covert operations?

- No, because we use gunpowder, it is impossible to make it soundless without great effort.

- Gunpowder? Isn't that a threat to the soldiers? What if the weapon explodes?- The Minister of Military Affairs intervened in the conversation.

- We created it from strong metal, but its service life still needs to be checked. So far I can say that it will work for at least a few months.

- I see, then I will trust you in this, but keep in mind that if they suddenly stop working during the war, you will be responsible.

-O-of course.

- I'll send people to check your weapons, I hope you don't mind? The king asked.

-Of course not, Your Highness.