Chapter 13

The morning after our arrival. It is decided I’m going to make some new weapons to be used by the villagers. Since most of them have no combat experience, it must be something quick to train a small militia with, and effective enough given our constraints.

Taking all of this into consideration, I immediately begin to make a first crossbow prototype.

The harder part to get it right, is the firing mechanism. It must be simple and easy to make copies of. It will be the only part made of metal, and the rest will be molded wood.

Heating up the forge. I take the previously prepared steel, and begin making prototypes of the mechanisms.

The small firing pins and trigger need to fit perfectly and be useable. Something harder than it looks, and that takes large amounts of concentration.

As I’m in the tenth prototype. I hear a knock on the door.

“Come in!” I shout, not being able to take my eyes from the lumps of metal in front of me.

“If any of the Kingdom’s blacksmiths saw this, they would be crying tears of blood.” Says Aida with a laugh while she too focused on my work.

“Don’t you have work to do as well?”

“Not much really. What we could stock of medicines, was already done. And Elder Zaina is too busy going around to really teach me anything.” Aida said as she got comfortable.

“So, you just got here because you have nothing to do?”

“That is rude! I also made something for us to eat. It’s no good if you tire yourself out before the battle.”

From the wooden box she was carrying, came out some nicely made sandwiches. It was clear she spent some good time preparing these.

“Fine. A little break won’t kill us.” I said as I sat beside her.

“Why are you on this side?”

“Just because.” Which prompted her to place her head on my shoulders with a smile. After a few moments, she continued.

“I heard things got pretty bad yesterday.” She said as she grabbed a sandwich for herself.

“Yeah. I got a little out of control.”

There was no way about it. Things got way over my head and I blew up. I consider myself lucky I haven’t pushed any of that on them. It would be unfair to them.

“It must have been hard on you, right. I wish I was the one who killed him though.”

“Why would you want to do that?” I asked her incredulously.

“Because I then could pretend that this person was the one who took my birth mother.”

Way to make a merry conversation Rhea. Good job.

“I don’t think getting revenge is a good way to live. I’d rather get the hard-working, serious Aida, rather than the bloodthirsty barbarian Aida.” Which actually prompted a little laugh coming from the girl.

“You don’t take me for someone capable of being a barbarian?” She said to me while making a mischievous face.

“Oh, you would be great at it. Aida the peerless warrior! The bards would shout. Your accomplishments resonating far and wide.” I said in a mocking tone.

“Ok. I get it. No big quests for revenge and glory for me then. You meanie!”

Laughing at her antics was actually a nice way to forget about all the shit that was happening.

“I do want to live you know. To live without being afraid, for myself and all of us.”

“Well. I do hope I can help you guys with that. A promise way over my head is still a promise though.”

“I know you’ll get us through this.” She said as she once again put her head on my shoulder. This girl just smells so good.

“I wish I had all that faith.”

“You don’t need to. I’ll have faith for both of us then.”

After we finish our food, and sit for a while in comfortable silence. She gets up and starts preparing to leave.

“I probably need to get you working then. I’m also going to check if the elders need me for something.”

“Thank you for coming. And for everything else.”

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“It’s nothing really” She says as she pulls me for another kiss on the cheek.

“Take care.”

Welp. That was something all right. Time to get back to work then.

Making a satisfactory firing mechanism. I begin to take some wood and strings from my spatial storage for the rest of the crossbow.

This part is relatively easy to do since I’m using wood magic to guide the process. The material then takes shape like a lump of clay to the desired format.

Using magic to mold the components, has one big advantage in being able to make the whole thing out of a single piece of wood without any kind of joinery whatsoever. Eliminating structural weaknesses.

The last in the molding process is to guide the internal fiber structure to its optimal configuration.

I guess the whole process of wood molding took no more that 45 minutes. I believe I can reduce it further trough sheer repetition once I settle for a final design.

Of course, I didn’t forget to put in a lever mechanism for quick reloading. Which is one of the things I have to further test.

After I finish putting the string. I marvel at my own creation. Exiting the forge, I go to the small barracks structure we have built last few days together with the wall.

There I see something like twenty villagers being instructed by Raja.

“Hello Rhea. These people here is everyone I got for now. I intend to further train them so they at least can help man the walls.”

She then shows me the selection of women chosen. Most of them young, but a few older looking ones as well.

“Hello everyone” I address the crowd.

“I guess everyone already knows me, so introductions are unnecessary. For the next few days, I will be providing you weapons in which you will train with.” I then point to the crossbow in my hands.

“This here is the weapon you will all be using. A crossbow. I’ve actually came here to do some tests on this prototype. If it works, you all will be getting one the next few days.”

Everyone then looked with attention as I fiddled with the mechanisms. Raja graciously provided me a few arrows to test with.

By the way, arrows are one of the few things we don’t lack. As this being a village of hunters, they’re used in great quantities as is.

Cocking the mechanism, I prepare to fire at the straw target at a distance.

Pressing the trigger. You could hear a “twang” sound as the arrow flew with unbelievable amount of force towards the center of the target.

That I used a little bit of magic to guide the arrow is something they don’t need to know though. But even without it, the aim seems to be correctly modelled.

“I never seen such powerful crossbow. Usually, they’re way weaker and unwieldier than this” Said Raja besides me with astonished looks.

“It still needs a few adjustments, but I think it’s almost ready for mass production.”

“And you think you could make them in time?” She questioned me.

“I think that 30 of them in two days, if I forego a bit of rest, is doable.”

“Don’t forget they need to be trained in their use as well. So, if you can supply them as you make them, it would be ideal.”

“Sure thing. I just need someone to come and get them at least.”

“That can be provided.”

I then proceeded to empty a quiver into the target as I corrected a few mistakes.

The lever mechanism I implemented, will greatly speed up reloading, and allow weaker people to use these weapons.

“I don’t know where you came up with these mechanisms. But this is the kind of thing that could make you a noble. Or more likely just get killed.” Said Raja, in a contemplative tone.

Just how rotten can this Vulpis Kingdom really be? Dammit.

“Does everyone have spears? I suggest we also train them in it.” I said while finishing up.

“We can make wooden spears. Do you think you can provide simple spearheads?”

“That’s easy enough.” I said while I contemplated on my packed schedule.

“Do so. We both have a lot of work ahead of us.” Said the always serious second in command. Somehow, I can very easily visualize her in butler clothes. She’s no Sebastian though.

Now late afternoon. I once again return to the forge so I can work a bit more.

I really wish I could make some enchanted weapons for these people, but I have absolutely no time for that. I do intend to spend the rest of the time making some magic traps though.

Thinking of magical artifacts. I suddenly remember the slave submission collars that we’ve taken from the bandits.

Taking them out of storage. I immediately feel the slimy, dark mana on it. It actually feels a little repulsive to me.

Inspecting them closer, reveals an embedded piece of metal with a few simple runes.

Firstly, I get a bit befuddled by how such simple runes could have such big effects, but then I notice something.

For all their simplicity. They don’t seem to de-convert the mana after passing. It just sucks in all atmospheric mana without regard. This seems to give it an immediate boost, making such simple artifact so powerful.

The problem comes that all this mana has no proper release. Making the mana overflow transforming it into this polluted mana emanating from it.

The whole system of usage is different it seems. Wholly concentrated in quick and powerful returns disregarding the stresses this puts on the system, and the whole dark mana pollution it generates. This thing, if I would compare to something, is like a large polluting kerosene engine with no filters, put in a smallish car that can’t handle its load.

I imagine such artifacts also don’t have much shelf life. The mana stressing the runes in odd ways.

Now I know what mother meant when she told me people had given up on proper mana for quick results. This whole thing is atrocious.

The last step, is trying to dispel this dark mana with the ways mother taught me.

With a bit of concentration, the threads of dark mana began to dissolve. The very runes inscribed on the collars dissolving into light.

This could actually provide a viable way of fighting regular mages. In theory of course. The problem would be to actually focus enough into a mobile target potentially hitting you. A fool’s errand in any day of the week.

As I finally get rid of the last of the collars. Once again, my doors burst open with great force. I ought to install a better lock.

“Rhea! I heard you made a cool weapon for the village. Let me pla… test it” Said the buffoon of an elf excitedly looking at the weapon in the workbench.

Was she really going to say “Play”?

“Sure thing. Let’s go outside and I’ll teach you to use it.”

I then went with her and explained her the mechanism and fired a shot to show off. Her eyes lighting up like a kid on Christmas day.

She then proceeded to fire a few shots herself. All with unnerving precision. What are you? Le***as?

“This thing is amazing! You got to make something for me!”

“That’s OK. If we have a bit of time, I’ll make something special for you.”

“Really? I knew I could count on you!” Said the excited Layla, as she grabbed me into a hug and twirled me around.

“Fine, fine! You’ll crush me you gorilla woman!” Which drawn further spinning and laughs from her before she finally released me.

“It’s getting late. Let’s go home, Aida must be making dinner already.”

I actually intended to work more. But I guess burning myself out won’t make such a difference.

Getting home, dinner was standard affair. With Layla relaying to me the results of the scouting they did today. At least for now, there was no sign of further activity. Let’s hope it keeps this way for a while.

Tomorrow is back to work. The whole village is focused on passing on this trial. Let’s just hope these bandits are no big deal for them.