Ishura - Volume 2 - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Sikma Spinning Ward

Mercantile complexes that clustered several storefronts together were growing in popularity. The building’s interior, covered by a wide ceiling, was illuminated by the warm glow of the lamps now that the sun had set—just in time for the opening of the late-night businesses.

“In our world these are colloquially referred to as ‘muskets.’”

Situated in one corner of the marketplace, a very young boy lined up small firearms before the leading figures of the Commerce Guild.

He was a peculiar boy.

Outwardly, he looked to be around thirteen years old, but his hair was an ashen gray dusted with white. He wore a suit and tie, as if playing pretend grown-up, yet the look suited him, oddly enough.

“To be precise, the term musket was the name given to them when they were developed nine years ago. As of six years ago, they had already been improved with added spiral grooves carved inside the barrel to rotate the bullet, but guns built with this structure are called ‘rifles’ in the Beyond. Given that the name musket has been well-established, this is nothing but useless trivia. However, I believe if you take a look at the newest models’ performance, you’ll quickly understand for yourself."

The attendant standing next to the boy was just as short as, if not shorter than, him. While they did almost appear to be a leprechaun, their whole body was cloaked in a robe, their true form unclear.

The attendant brandished the musket and pulled the trigger. The gunshot rang out, and the distant wooden target board fell to the ground.

“…As you can see, even someone with a childlike physique can fire it. With enough target practice, from firepower, to reload speed and shooting range.… I believe you’ll see this serve as an effective means of attack, superior to someone of the same build wielding a bow. Up until now I’ve limited my dealings to a select clientele, but going forward, I would like to expand our market to those of you gathered here.”

“Hmmm. We wouldn’t need to rely on black market goods from Aureatia merchants anymore.”

“No point in using firearms unless you have a bunch of them, after all. If we could get these new models sold to us wholesale on top of our existing deals, well, we couldn’t ask for anything better.”

“I heard this from a wyvern-hunting friend of mine, but they said that Alus the Star Runner, the one that got Toroa the Awful, uses firearms as well. We can promote ’em by saying you can win against an enchanted sword if you use ’em right.”

“That’s an intriguing idea. Rosclay, Aureatia’s strongest, uses a sword, right?”

“Are you suggesting that with a gun, even those Old Kingdoms’ folks could win against Rosclay the Absolute? That’s gonna sound like a load of nonsense no matter how you try to explain it. Give it up.”

Handling a weapon loaded with live ammunition while standing in front of the masters of the guild—it was a testament to the rapport the boy had built up with them over a long period of time.

“…What’s the main business opportunity, then?”

One among them, a fattened merchant, raised his hand.

“If we don’t have any leads on a market, no matter how cheaply we can buy these weapons, we wouldn’t be able to sell them to anybody. Right now those Old Kingdoms’ folks seem to be all worked up, but I, at the very least, don’t think they really plan on starting a large war. The way I see it, the Old Kingdoms’ soldiers aren’t as skilled as the New Principality’s were. Hell, even they’re smart enough not to waste everything by gambling on a losing battle just because they’ve got numbers on their side.”

“Thank you for that comment. You bring up an excellent point.”

The boy nodded. The question was exactly what he had been expecting.

“Of course, I think there is a business opportunity here. In truth, ever since General Gilnes arrived in Togie City, the population of the Old Kingdoms has been booming. However, taking into account the time and money spent training such a large number of soldiers, there’s no mistaking that the Old Kingdoms’ soldiers are lacking in conventional tactical strategy and advanced coordination. You’re absolutely right.”

His speech was smooth and fluent. The boy had a grasp of the internal conditions among the Old Kingdoms’ loyalists. They were also important trading partners of his.

“However, muskets are, without a doubt, exactly what such an army needs. Wieldable even with a childlike physique, and easier to train with than any other weapon. Additionally, completely unlike bows, whose effective range is decided by the user’s muscular strength and technique, a gun’s power is determined entirely by the performance of the weapon.”

Together with a light click, the young attendant pulled the breechblock and ejected the spent shell casing. This was known as “bolt action.”

“The Old Kingdoms’ loyalists already have strength in numbers. If they collected the newest models, they could gain the upper hand. I believe that to them, this could prove to be a factor that pushes them toward war with Aureatia.”

“Heh, I see,” the fat merchant muttered with a hand to his chin.

“So, you’re suggesting we sell them to the Old Kingdoms under that pretense then?”

“Once again, that’s exactly right. This same logic would apply to Aureatia’s side as well. If Aureatia deployed the same new model of firearms, at the very least, they would lose their dominant position on the front lines. In other words, you employ these new models, and you have both powers preparing themselves for war. Both of these occurrences are would-be business opportunities, and I believe both are not without their uncertainties. Regardless of whether or not war actually breaks out, I’d like you all to take this golden opportunity to sell at a profit while you can. That is precisely why this time, I’ve made the decision to expand my sales to intermediaries, such as yourselves.”

Underneath the lamplight, the guild dignitaries stirred, exchanging opinions in hushed voices.

“The Old Kingdoms are a rather large market.”

“Still, Aureatia’s army already has plenty of archers, and given that they already have quite the collection of guns, they won’t go out of their way to spend time on training with the latest models. If they were going to do it, they’d probably introduce them into one of their commando units first.”

“Well, I wouldn’t be sure about that. Their current combat strength may be enough for the Old Kingdoms, but there’s a chance they could introduce the newer models as a precaution against Okahu. There’s always a chance they decide to replace all their guns at once, isn’t there?”

The boy looked from face to face. In addition to the new-model muskets laid out on the floor, he had already prepared to move a stock of ten thousand additional units. He was confident his negotiations would be successful.

“When all is said and done, we are only selling weapons wholesale. As far as which power should serve as your market, I entrust you all with that decision. What I can say for certain is that there is not much time to delay if you want to turn a profit from this opportunity. The situation is sure to change in a big way, so…”

“…I’ll take six hundred units.”

“Well, someone’s raring to go, aren’t they? Why, I’ll take two hundred, myself.”

“Spare us the snide comments. Just watch us sell a thousand of these things.”

“Thank you very much. I look forward to doing business in the future as well.”

Leaving the remaining negotiations to his attendant, the gray-haired boy left the scene. The remaining deals would all close favorably without him saying a word.

Up until nine years ago, the weapons known as “guns” hadn’t existed in this world. However, with the chaotic era of the True Demon King now over, these new weapons were experiencing an explosive growth in popularity.

…I’d like to employ other elements to blow hostilities wide open, aside from the new gun models. One more push should do it.

The boy left the warmth of the lamplights and walked out to the dry riverbed. The nights of the Sikma Spinning Ward were plenty bright, but they were still nothing compared to the luminance of the world he once knew.

I need some more new developments. There is still room for progress to be made… This world has possibilities.

Any profits earned from his firearm deals were nothing more than a single part of preparation for his goal. What he aimed for was a much more long-term prosperity for many more people.

“Yo.”

A voice came from the darkness of the dry riverbed and in walked a man with a large build.

He was dressed in dingy clothes, wholly different from the wealthy merchants’ moments prior. With an intimidating machete attached to his hip, he was cloaked in a threatening aura. One look made it clear he was some sort of bandit.

The young boy opposite him wasn’t even accompanied by a bodyguard. He appeared to be nothing more than a petite child.

He turned his gaze to the bandit and smiled.

“…You’re right on time, Erijite.”

“Whatcha mean? This is a deal with the master, after all. Didja think about what I said?”

“It shouldn’t be a problem at all.”

The boy sat on the ground, thick with weeds. Exactly as when he had been meeting with the merchants, he didn’t ingratiate himself with the man. In contrast to the age suggested by his outward appearance, he left an impression of wisdom and maturity.

“However, this is all assuming that your band of thieves is able to get it done under the conditions I’ve set. In the last dispute, two people died, which I believe makes exactly four deaths total. Do you think you can do it?”

“Yeah, we’ll steal Toroa the Awful’s enchanted swords. If you’ve finished preparing the connections on your end, then we’re ready to move whenever. We want to get recommendations to join the Old Kingdoms’ folks. No matter how many enchanted swords we can get our hands on, we’re still nothing but common outlaws.”

“Understood. I’ll work things over with the Old Kingdoms.”

“…We’re counting on you. You’re just about the only one who understands guys like us.”

It was believed that Toroa the Awful was dead.

The world was entering an age where even champions could die. In such a case, the truly powerful needed to have a means to ensure their continued survival. Weapons. Connections. Strategies.

“Erijite. Here.”

The boy tossed a small item to the large man. It was a prototype he had kept secret during the earlier business negotiations.

“…What’s this?”

“We’ve recently developed it. It’s a low-caliber gun. Once the chaos of war dies down, then it’ll come time to carry firearms for self-defense, you see. I’m sure with your skills, you’ll be able to use it well.”

“Heh, a bit careless, don’t you think? Should you really be handing a weapon to an outlaw like me?”

“…That doesn’t concern me. Equality, on the other hand…”

The young boy smiled.

“Soon, we will enter an age where everyone is equal.”

A majority of the manufacturing industry in this world consisted of domestic handicrafts that relied on skilled artisans. Artisans with expert Craft Arts could construct even the most complex of mechanical goods. However, the highly advanced manufacturing techniques needed to produce guns in large quantities and under the same specifications were still unknown.

There was no one who had successfully discovered where in the world the Gray-Haired Child’s production facilities were or how he was manufacturing his goods.

Others spread rumors that he was importing his goods directly from the Beyond.

He was a visitor, after all.

…If Erijite is successful, then there will be a large number of enchanted sword wielders joining up with the Old Kingdoms. Once that happens, I should have created enough of a catalyst to spark the fires of war.

What truly lay at the end of all this was not a war.

It was ruin itself, spreading death far and wide, and leaving nothing but devastation in its wake. No one—not Aureatia, nor the Old Kingdoms’ loyalists, nor even the Gray-Haired Child—knew of the encroaching calamity. It was on a scale exceeding any and all estimations.

On second thought, there’s one more move to make.

Guns. Enchanted swords.

By granting the Old Kingdoms’ loyalists the final piece, they would open hostilities with Aureatia.

But his true objective lay beyond even that.

There were twenty-six days left until the disaster’s arrival.