Volume 2 Chapter 18 (2/2)

When she opened one, a shotgun emitting a silver brilliance was there.

”First off, here is Kuina's shotgun. The Curtana EDS-03. From being made of only mithril, it is now made of an alloy that is composed of three rare metals: mithril, orihalcum, and adamantite. It's heavier but it's also far stronger. This is more durable and should be able to endure firing fully automatically. But due to issues with its internal mechanisms, firing fully-automatically in quick succession will risk it of breaking down. After firing it in full-automatic mode, I ask you restrain from doing so again right away.”

”Thanks, El-chan! I'm happy I can fire it again like that.”

”I've enchanted it with [Explosion]. By just applying magic power to the gun, the shells it will fire off will have that effect. In the moment the shell scatters, [Explosion] will activate and cause the pellets the shell is composed of to travel at a faster and stronger rate.”

That's interesting, I thought. Like so, the shell would be accelerated only after it had been fired so, despite increasing the shell's firepower many times over, it would have no impact on the gun's barrel and would thus not increase the recoil.

”Amazing! Like this, Kuina will be more powerful.”

”But Kuina, if you apply too much of your magic power to gun all at once, it will break. So you need to gauge it. I'll help you practice later.”

”El-chan, you're the best!”

Kuina tried to hug Elder Dwarf once more but it would seem Elder Dwarf had learned so she held out her right hand and placed it on Kuina's forehead to stop her.

Kuina flapped and swung both of her hands in protest for a while but gave up in the end and separated, disappointment visible in her face.

”There is no need to hug me; this is my job. Now then, Elf. I have also completed your anti-materiel rifle. Here it is, the Durandal EDAM-01.”

Elder Dwarf opened the other case and stored there was the large high-powered rifle whose purpose was to shoot even through armored vehicles.

However, it was different from ordinary anti-materiel rifles which were known to have long gun barrels as this rifle only had about half of that length.

”There are three main points where this rifle is improved. First, is that the gun barrel is only half of its usual length, allowing better maneuverability as well as making the gun lighter. In that regard, the bullets fired will follow a less straight trajectory, have less closed space to traverse, have less time to burn, and have less firepower. But then, that is where your virtual barrel made of wind comes in.”

”That works. I have always been using the virtual barrel from the start so having a shorter barrel isn't an issue.”

It was a feat only Ancient Elf could accomplish. Even the High Elves couldn't do as much since they lacked the same mastery over wind to fully realize a gun barrel.

”I thought as much given that it's Elf. The second point for improvement focuses on improving the gun's strength and durability by simplifying its recoil mechanism. So be prepared for the recoil. In addition, I have further increased its strength while also making it lighter by changing the materials the rifle is made of with the same alloy of rare metals as that of Kuina's shotgun. Its bullets too are now the same mithril bullets which have more than twice the power of an ordinary bullet. If you couple all that with the simplified recoil mechanism, expect extreme recoil so once again, be prepared for it.”

If a human were to fire off such a rifle, it would result either in the rifle flying off or, in an attempt to hold down the rifle with his body, his bones being broken by it.

”This too isn't much of an issue. I negate the recoil with my wind cushion, anyway. …so far, we've only talked about the gun itself, haven't we?”

”Mhm, completely about the gun's mechanisms. I've also enchanted it with [Rotation] and [Acceleration]. By putting some of your magic power into it, the bullets will rotate and traverse at a very high speed. It will travel in a straighter trajectory and have a higher piercing capability.”

Those were simple but great enchantments. And precisely because they were simple, it was possible to apply two of them.

For the sniper Ancient Elf, there was no better gun. It was so not just because Elder Dwarf had the skills to be a master blacksmith, a genius one at that, but also because she was able to pay careful attention to the abilities and personalities of her companions thus enabling her to make weapons that perfectly matched their owners.

And through it all, she never became conceited. That, without a doubt, was one of her best qualities.

”Elf-chan, Kuina wants to try out the new shotgun right away!”

”Me too! I want to know just how much this little one has grown!”

The two, in their excitement, struggled for breath.

”Master, I feel the same as these two. I'd like to go to the [Crimson Cavern] to test their new weapons and to also level up our new companions. May we?”

”Why, that's a great idea. Shall we go, everyone?”

”Let's go!”

”Roger, master.”

”I'm looking forward to it!”

And like that, we decided to go to the [Crimson Cavern] along with our newest members, the newly created Dwarf Smiths and High Elves.

I had also decided on one other thing. I wanted to reward her for her major contributions to building the city, to improving our fighting force, and for whatever else.

When the might of the new weapons are displayed in our upcoming hunt, I would give Elder Dwarf the thing she most desires.

”Master, why are you looking at my face like that? Is something wrong?”

”Nothing… but now that I think about it, has there been no improvement in the development of your own weapon?”

”I've just finished a prototype but I still can't show it yet. Once I do though, I'm sure master will be astonished. I may be weaker than Kuina or Elf for now… but after I've finished it, I'll be equal if not stronger than them.”

Elder Dwarf smiled from ear to ear as she declared so.

Her innocent face was so cute, I absent-mindedly brushed head.