Akatosh pull himself inside the wagon, he was the first to enter before the leader's party came. Staying at the rear sit, three adventurers secluded themselves at the front, but he didn't bother.
Relinquishing their stuff, they felt awkward to have someone traveling with them, a strange and silent person. They all thought they're the only ones who aboard the wagon, but they were wrong.
He was used to this kind of things and as they set in motion the wagon was stable good for napping, but brought out the book and continue pooling his knowledge on the papers. Still wearing his cloak hiding the armor, the claw-gauntlet however was stuff in his bag this time he asks Barry to make the claw-gauntlet left-handed.
Tapping the quill, he was struggling with the design of a shell. An armor-piercing high explosive shell or APHE to be short.
"Funny now, what should I choose. Oh well… the heck with it. I'm going for the impact fuse since this is not in modern times. Sheila told me about protection magic, it may last long but depends on the force it had to received. She told me that having strong magical energy can withstand a large force such as fireball, lightning, or any high-tier offense magic. The downside of this… having weaker mana won't help you survive incoming large assault but may deflect minor magic."
"As for the fuse as far as my knowledge exceeds there are three types, if I'm correct the first one would be the time fused, second would be the proximity fuse. But I'm going for the third one, the impact fuse or contact fuse." Akatosh says drawing a blueprint, and after minutes of the extensive sketch, the drawings came together. A cylindrical-like drawing containing a 'pressure cap' at the top, next to was a spring that would press down the needle igniting the detonator exploding the shell.
"I could make the shell to 100-200 mm, but time will tell. As for the armor-piercing well let's just go with pure metal."
Time flows minutes turn to hours, the three people began to converse themselves about youth and adventure. Confident they were as a silver rank, a shepherd by two gold tier adventurer; they knew this quest would be a fluent one.
Akatosh quickly notices their mellow confidence and by far overconfident would bring devastation not to mention the caravan holds a fortune and merchant goods. After witnessing them Akatosh returns to his work.
"Procuring black powder is common but finding oil and gas or looking for a substitute might be hard considering that I don't know how to extract oil or create a gas. The only thing that I know about fuel is the old way, that is steam. However, diesel, gas, and nuclear energy are way beyond my reach, but this will do."
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As he was thinking of another invention he suddenly thought about other missing parts, "I forgot… I need a 'primer'. The thing that initiates the powder propellant propelling the shell or bullet." Scratching his head. "Ahh… I think I have to find a substitute for this primer, haa… this suck dude."
After filling pages of his book, he stuffs back to his magic bag. With time to spare, he brought out the map of Vashkeil. It would seem to say that they would arrive at the bridge through nightfall.
Calculating. "Dragons lake huh... three days. I'm might arrive there at three or four." Akatosh thought intently examining the map.
The librarian receptionist told him that to reach 'Dragons lake' faster traveling the outskirts of Dolvadish is one way. He also told Akatosh that a village was there good for restocking supplies. But the only thing that bothers him was the rumors.
It has been said that bandits suddenly vanish near that place, only to be replaced by something. The story says that foul magic was behind this occurrence. People saw corpses of brigands and bandits float through the river. Even then the innkeepers say that adventurers sent by the guild still didn't make contact for the last two weeks.
Examining the map. "This place is near the borders of elves, 'Dolvadish' to say." He sighs. "Well, I'll see when I get there."
As for the three adventurers, they couldn't help but be curious about this strange man more, so they were hooked by Akatosh's sword tucked by his side. They can't help if that thing is a weapon or a staff blade.
Still gathering information through the map, one of the adventurers finally spoke to him. "Umm… pardon me, sir." The young man says to Akatosh.
After listening to the man Akatosh slightly roll the map and say. "Yes, is there something the matter?"
"N-Nothing really… we were just curious about your things." The young man said.
They are young, younger than him. They were teenagers in age than him shifting college twice.
"You mean this?" says Akatosh holding the Katana.
"Yes… we were wondering if that is a sword or a staff." The other female mage responds.
"It's but a simple sword." Akatosh reply, unsheathing his sword.
"Can… can we take a look." the other young man implores.
And in his reply. "No."
"Ahah… I'm sorry then."
"That's fine." Akatosh reply
"You seem to be an adventurer; what class are you in or what rank are you in." The man wearing a leather tunic says.
"That I'm not, just a traveler from afar." Utters Akatosh returning the map.
"I see." The man in leather armor responds.
"So where are you heading at." Says the lad in chain mail.
"Dragons Lake."
"Dragons lake!" Exclaimed the three of them
"Yes, what about it."
"You haven't heard the rumors." The female mage said.
"Yes, I heard that story. There's just thing I want to visit. But enough of that you all should be more prepared as an adventurer when escorting merchant goods. Being overconfident might lead to demise." Says Akatosh straightforward.
Upon hearing his heed, they all went silent ashamed by his words. As for the leader of the party, a slight smile he reveals. Realizing this man ain't just a traveler after he had witnessed Akatosh's weapons and the way his words ran.