Ysterday, King Buriek XII already saw the performance of molotov catapult that would replace ballista as an artillery element. As for today, the menu on the table was rapid-loading ballista.

As soon as King Buriek XII arrived at the Weapon Testing Quarter, Grand Commander Keraz immediately handed over a sample of rapid-loading crossbow to him. Wasting no time, King Buriek XII studied it with a curious eyes.

Broadly speaking, the rapid-loading crossbow had the same shape as standard issue crossbow used by Buriek Guard, but it was slightly smaller and lighter. The noticeable differences that could be recognized by naked eyes were it did not have a stirrup cocking for foothold when the crossbowmen pulled the serving cable, and its limb could be folded to each side of the barrel.

The rapid-loading crossbow also had a vertical foregrip, while right in front of trigger cage, a small tube was tightly attached to the barrel. And the most important thing was that it had an optic and wind-reading device to help the crossbowmen increase their accuracy in long range shooting.

“Uncle Keraz, please show me how this crossbow works,” King Buriek XII said as he returned the rapid-loading crossbow in his hand to Grand Commander Keraz.

“At once, Your Majesty,” Grand Commander Keraz then pointed the small tube under the barrel as he continued, “This small tube is a magazine, some kind of container to hold ten ready to loose crossbow's bolt."

In an instant, a question mark popped out on King Buriek XII's forehead as he couldn't imagine how the bolt in the magazine would be moved to arrow track, but he wisely didn't interrupt Grand Commander Keraz's explanation. “I see.”

“When we want to reload the crossbow, we have to press the small button in the vertical foregrip using our thumb, then pull back the serving cable and place it into bolt retention spring.”

Grand Commander Keraz then showed King Buriek XII how to pulled back the serving cable, and as he did it, a bolt was also dragged out from the magazine. Then, right when Grand Commander Keraz placed the serving cable on the retention spring, a crossbow bolt had also perfectly loaded on the arrow track.

"What a marvelous mechanism." King Buriek XII trully admired the loading mechanism on the rapid-loading crossbow, but he also had some doubts. "Uncle Keraz, it seems the serving cable was too easy to pull. So, does this rapid-loading crossbow had enough power to be useful in a combat?"

After a smile, Grand Commander Keraz said, “Your Majesty, this serving cable is not weak at all. It made of elastic steel and to pull it all the way to the retention spring, crossbowmen have to press the button on the vertical foregrip, in order to unlock the rolling wheel on each end of the limbs."

“Really?”

As question mark filled his mind to the brim, King Buriek XII took another sample of rapid-loading crossbow from the table. Then, he tried to pull its serving cable without pressing the button on the vertical foregrip. As a result, the serving cable didn't budge at all, no matter how hard he tried."

"What the…"

“Your Majesty, only a horse can pull the serving cable without pressing the unlock button first."

“I see,” replied King Buriek XII as he wiped sweats on his forehead.

Grand Commander Keraz then proudly continued his explanation, “For a direct shooting, this rapid-loading crossbow is able to penetrate the thickest chestplate we had at 30 meters, light-armored target at 60 meters, and non-armored target at 130 meters.

As for a volley, it will easily rained down an area up to the distance of 300 meters."

“That statistics…" After a slight gasp, King Buriek XII continued, "is far more superior compared to both our crossbow and longbow."

“Indeed,” Grand Commander Keraz proudly replied. “Moreover, with six weeks long of a proper training, a crossbowman will have rate of fire up to 40 bolts per minutes, or two times higher than longbowmen who had properly trained their skill for five years."

“That’s…. a freaking…”

Seeing King Buriek XII helplessly ran out of words, Grand Commander Keraz immediately said, "When I found out the superiority of this rapid-loading crossbow, I also ran out of words like you, Your Majesty."

“I see.”

After he managed to calm his turmoil in his heart, King Buriek XII then fell into contemplation. With a weapons that were so dangerous, but the training time to master it was very short, Buriek Guard's offensive capability would surely soar to the sky.

Not to mention that TF Amethyst would also provide Buriek Guard a better body armor, help Buriek Navy’s upgrade their warship, help Buriek Rider established new combat doctrine, and other various assistance.

After taking a deep breath, King Buriek XII then asked, "Uncle Keraz, how will Buriek Guard adopt this rapid-loading crossbrow?”

"Along with shortsword for elite infantry and long saber for elite cavalry, we will also equip them with this rapid-loading crossbow.

Of course, Buriek Guard will also change its doctrine. We will not fight in the open by using large formations anymore."

“I see.” In a steel determinations tone, King Buriek XII then continued, "I will fully support this transformation, but it must be not easy for Amethyst Merchant to massively produce this rapid-loading crossbow."

Colonel Harper, who so far had only stood in silence while maintained his slight smile, finally decided to join in the conversation. "Your Majesty, Amethyst Merchant have 500 thousand ready stock rapid-loading crossbows, and out of 300 thousand ordered by Buriek Guard, 200 thousand will arrived tommorow."

"I see."

King Buriek XII could not imagine how Amethyst Merchant massively produce the rapid-loading crossbows, but he didn't think about it any further. King Buriek XII then cheerfully began the training to operate rapid-loading crossbow, his new favorite toy.

—

In the new system adopted by Kingdom of Buriek, Duke Phelite occupied the highest position in the executive body as a prime minister. While King Buriek XII was bussy following the reformation on Buriek Guard, Duke Phelite was busy rebuilding Kingdom of Buriek’s economy power.

This morning, Duke Phelite and Julia would attend milkfish’s production presentation. Once the two arrived at milkfish’s hatchery facility, Kubo Yamazaki, the Headchief of Aquaculture Research and Development Group immediately welcomed them.

After a slight bow, Kubo cheerfully said, “Prime Minister Phelite, Asisten Headchief Julia, welcome to our humble hatchery facility."

Wasting no time, Duke Phelite returned Kubo’s bow and said, “Ser Kubo, I heard a lot of your great achievements and exploits. It’s a huge honor for me to meet you."

“Prime Minister Phelite, the honor is all mine.”

Seeing the two oldmen before her took their time in an empty flatterry, Julia immediately said in a flat tone, “Headchief Kubo, please start the presentation.”

“As you wish, Milady.”

Without delay, Kubo then took his guest to a big hatchery pool, where a 80 cm long milkfish swimming leisurely.

“What a huge milkfish,” said Duke Phelite.

Kubo smiled before saying, “This eight years old female milkfish was captured fourteen months ago in a nearby coastal water, and now it’s ready to produce 3-4 million eggs.”

“It's an insanely huge number of eggs."

“Actually, it’s not that huge, as this hatchery facility already secure a few hundred similar female milkfish.”

Aqua culture was new territory for Duke Phelite, so in an instant a big question mark appeared in his forehead, “With that hundred million of milkfish's eggs, how will this hatchery handle it?"

Kubo casually replied, “Well, the detail is rather long and boring, but in summary ARDG will be able to handle the hatchery and nursing phase with a surviving rate of 70% easily. The problem is that ARDG doesn't have enough land to build the growing-out facility.

Out of the hundred million milkfish fry we produce, we can only raise about five millions and release the rest into shallow coastal water.”

"I'm sorry for my rudeness, but I had to condemn every action in throwing away a massive source of food." Complicated emotion torned Duke Phelite's mind as he recalled how Buriek’s people suffered food shortages for years. 'Even though it's only finger-sized fish, if the amount is hundreds of millions, it will be sufficient to feed Buriek's people for a while.'

At the same time, Kubo, who didn’t realized Duke Phelite’s inner thougth casually said, “The main purpose of Aquaculture Research and Development Group is to provide best variety of freshwater and saltwater seedling.

Therefore, when we have a surplus of seedling, we will release it into nature and let them to fend for their self.”

“I understand.” Duke Phelite painfully managed to reply. Then, after taking a deep breath he continued, “May I presume that the growing-out facility will be built in Kingdom of Buriek?”

Julia, who had been silent for a while answered, “Yes, to be precise, it will be built in a group of empty rocky islands, located 5 km to the north of Buriek Continent.”

“May I know the reason why we choose these lifeless islands?” Duke Phelite asked curiously.

Kubo happily explained, “The growing-out facility that we will built basically is artificial deep canal with flowing water from and into the sea. This canal will also support the ecosystem for various seaweed, algae, rotifers, brine shrimp, and other small marine culture that will provide enough food for the main product.

In short, we will turn this empty rocky island into giant canal network. And milkfish is only a starter project. In the long run, we will also include king crab, giant lobster, oyster, cockles, salmon, grouper, and snapper.”

“I see.” Duke Phelite nodded three times vigorously before continuing, “And where is the processing facility for the final product will be built?"

Julia immediately replied, “For Buriek Continent’s market, we will build it in the closest coastal city. As for Amstell Continent’s market, we will build it in Sandhur Region. Actually, we already started the construction for processing facility in Sandhur Region.”

“Lady Julia, may I know the projection on harvest cycle, quota of production, and the marketing price?”

“From hatchery to harvesting, it will take about 2 years, but we will schedule the harvest cycle on a monthly basis.

As for the selling price, we will produce as much as we need so even commoner family of four with only one adult working force is able to afford it.

Meanwhile, Amethyst Merchant’s high-class restorant will turn it into high-end product specifically design for noble families or other wealthy buyer.”

“I see.”

Duke Phelite calmly replied, but inwardly he couldn’t help but admire Amethyst Merchant capability in targeting low-end, mid-end, and high-end market from one production facility.

After visiting hatchery facility for other marine culture, Julia then took Duke Phelite to a lunch. The menu they enjoyed were milkfish curry soup, grilled milkfish roll, sourdough bread, and apple yougurt. And even if in many past occasion Duke Phelite had enjoyed various delicious dish that Amethyst Merchant could offer, the milkfish set he just enjoyed still amazed him deeply.

After downing the last gulp of his apple yougurt, Duke Phelite cheerfully turned his gaze towards Julia. “Lady Julia, as usual, every dish offered by Amethyst Merchant's chef is always remarkably delicious."

After a super rare charming smile, a steel determination flashed in Julia's eyes, “I’m glad that this menu set is up to your taste.

In three years, we will make sure every ordinary family in Kingdom of Buriek will be able to afford it as a daily menu.”

“Wait…” as his eyes widened, Duke Phelite asked, “Lady Julia, is this delicious menu set is one of milkfish mass products?"

“Correct, and Amethyst Merchant already prepared hundred of menu set at the same class and will give it to every tavern owner in Kingdom of Buriek for free."

“I see.”

As his heart was shocked until its deepest corner, Duke Phelite recalled Julia's words when they met for the first time.

At that time, Julia flatly said, ‘Kingdom of Buriek is a weak link in TF Amethyst’s defensive network. The Kingdom is weak economically, also doesn’t have food stability, basic industry capacity, or minimum military capability to protect its national interest.

But together, step by step, we will change it, and I will put my life to ensure its people prosperity.’

And now, Duke Phelite was once again convinced that Julia was dead serious with her words.

*****