May 4, 1615 Central Calendar, 08:00

Ministry of Ancient Sorcerous Empire Countermeasures

After Robin’s proposed inspection trip to observe the development progress of the GP designs received express approval from the Ancient Ministry’s leadership, all concerned parties were given notice and proceeded to make their own preparations. Then, when Monday arrived to mark the first day of the outing, Robin spirited away her two apprentices from the ongoing Alpha Edge Project, much to Chief Engineer Astler’s dismay. When he criticized this whimsical decision, Astler was countered by a not-so-subtle jab at the team’s implied incompetence without their presence, forcing him to give his permission.

However, the dissatisfaction still lingered, and while the trio was away pursuing their first agenda, Andreas Birkburn once again visited the Director’s office, this time accompanied by a slightly disgruntled Marco Rossi, the head of the Aerial System Development Facility whose jurisdiction included the Alpha Edge Project.

“What’s done is done. Alright, I can bring myself to accept that last time… and just barely at present. I ask you to consider that the repeated excursions of Professor Calvello and her apprentices can cause delays in the Alpha Edge Project’s development. We’re talking about an important project with extremely short time constraints here, yet every time those child prodigies create something new, they must be taken away to oversee it. Can’t something be done about it?”

Rossi voiced his grievances without ever raising his voice, lessening the pressure felt by Lippin. Still, while his expression seemed stoic in the face of his senior-turned-subordinate’s complaint, Birkburn who watched the exchange could sense the currents of anxiety running beneath his façade.

After Rossi finished, asked him a question.

“How many days to go, Chief Rossi?”

“132 days to go until the promised day,” the Aerial Facility chief answered with a slight narrowing of his eyes.

“…I see.”

In their race to complete the project, the sizable crew of the Alpha Edge Project worked eight to ten hours a day every day of the week, with top priority given by the government regarding all parts and materials required. When the construction of the airframe started on April 16th, the crew made a large red sign, “OUR DAYS ARE NUMBERED,” and attached it to the back wall of the facility to motivate themselves. Each day the wording was changed to mark the countdown until September 13th, the Alpha Edge Project’s “Promised Day.” With the engine completed and the drawing board design worked without fail, Meteos and Walman’s work as designers was in essence fulfilled, allowing them to leave the rest to the other crew members. A wooden mockup was even already finished for the Air Force men to look over one week after the construction started.

For the Alpha Edge Project, there are no Sundays. As Meteos Roguerider and Walman Falkenhausen were exempt from this, naturally there will be eyes looking at them with spite. However, their hidden protectors can cook up one hundred and one reasons to make sure no one will hamper the progress, ranging from accusing a plot to betray the Holy Empire to heresy to even Light Winged Devil worship. In short, if they disturb the children, they die.

Lippin’s view that this leeway can be utilized to harness the child prodigies’ talents in other fields that might need it was, in fact, influenced by Birkburn. However, it seemed that the execution was less than ideal from Rossi’s perspective.

Lippin pursed his lips and sighed softly, “…You’re not wrong, Chief Rossi. I admit that this is the result of us, me especially, in failing to anticipate that their work can be so… prolific.”

“Director, I know you are trying to drive away the Villainess’ evil eyes from our Ancient Ministry, but don’t let reckless decision-making plunge us instead into an even greater peril,” the bespectacled man bitterly remarked.

In his eyes, he sees that his former junior is becoming overambitious in pursuing short-term gains, and most of all, still reckless enough to do so when a time-sensitive task is already in place!

But by coming here to speak to the Director about it, Rossi implied that he himself was getting reliant on Meteos and Walman for the Alpha Edge Project his department is undertaking to proceed smoothly. In addition, had it anyone else, his words could be turned against him, with nasty accusations such as Rossi wanting to keep the young prodigies to his department alone. But Lippin is no sleazy politician, for he is too naïve to be one.

The young director recoiled from Rossi’s tone, “I know, but I won’t even give such approval if I don’t trust in your and your men’s abilities, Chief Rossi.”

At those words, Rossi stared at Lippin before turning his head slightly to give Birkburn beside him a side-eye. Feeling a gaze on him, the real schemer between the higher-ups immediately interjected with a placating tone and a sheepish grin.

“Gentlemen, to be fair, I don’t think anyone here will be able to foresee all of this from happening. A pair of children? Coming out of nowhere and joining our ranks with sheer talent? It’s like a miracle, don’t you think? So, instead of trying to put the blame… or strike underhanded jabs at each other, why don’t we use this chance to think about finding a solution, how to strike a balance and harness their talents to the fullest? Hm?”

Rossi’s gaze lingered from behind his glasses even though he reluctantly nodded and let cooler heads prevail. After a moment of tense silence, he was the first to speak.

“What about you, Chief Birkburn? Do you have something to share?”

“Yes, actually. A solution for a more efficient use of our talented members. After considering the situation at hand, it might not be such a far-fetched idea to organize a collaborative effort. The four Development Facilities could work in tandem… with Professor Calvello and her apprentices at the center of this coordination.”

As Lippin nodded in thought, Rossi frowned. “Your proposal makes a lot of sense, but who in their right mind will accept that wholeheartedly?”

“Aha, I know you might think that,” Birkburn chuckled. “Of course it will not be as blatant as placing literal kids to order everyone around. There will be someone who can be appointed to nominally assume leadership of the coordination. However, considering the talents that the child prodigies possess, it’s inevitable that they will take a major role. As you said, Chief Rossi, so we’ve established that my proposal is sound in principle, now we’re just haggling over who will assume leadership if it comes to pass.”

“H-haggling…? What? No, wait…” Rossi stammered a reply. It didn’t even occur in his mind until Birkburn’s almost accusation jolted him.

While Rossi sat in his chair with a stunned look, Birkburn smirked and turned to face Lippin, continuing his proposal.

“…Then, it can lead to the establishment of a cross-functional team, a sort of task force where members from each Development Facility collaborate closely with the children. This way, their insights are incorporated from the inception of ideas, reducing the need for them to be brought away from any active task after the fact.”

“I can see the practicality of Birkburn’s suggestion, Chief Rossi,” Lippin said gently to his senior-turned-subordinate. His voice carried an undercurrent of earnestness. “But you seem to have your own reservations. Are you concerned that utilizing their talents in that way might be perceived as… unorthodox?”

Rossi’s lips tightened, his brows furrowing slightly. “It’s not just about perception. Even after seeing them firsthand, a majority of our personnel, experienced and skilled as they are, still not amused that they had to wholeheartedly accept the guidance of individuals who, well, are children.”

In the first place, there was an underlying skepticism born of tradition and pride that prevented all of the Ancient Ministry’s personnel from accepting the notion of entrusting significant responsibilities to Meteos Roguerider and Walman Falkenhausen, mere children by their standards. The idea to recruit the pair was conceived by the secret department, but due to its nature, as far as everyone else in the Ancient Ministry was concerned, it was Lippin’s crazy idea that he shared with a handful of his subordinates. Birkburn had ordered the secret department agents under his command to monitor the children’s well-being and if the push came to shove, kill anyone who had the intention to harm them. And recently there was more addition to the protection squad, showing the increasing vested interest in keeping the children alive from those who lurked in the shadows.

Andreas Birkburn was thankful to the others for harboring that sentiment. By acting early, making a move so that Meteos and Walman who were already under the protection of his secret department’s men, be placed under the Ancient Ministry’s higher-ups’ oversight, by the time the others had an epiphany and try to monopolize their talents for advancing their own interests within the MOASEC’s internal politics, it will be too late. Of course, it will be hypocritical of Birkburn to say that he did this purely without an ulterior motive, but let him be a sinner if it means serving the greater good.

As for Lippin, having talked about this opposition with Birkburn many times, he looked like he had swallowed a bile before clearing his throat and addressing Rossi in front of him.

“Alright, Chief Rossi, but let us be pragmatic for the good of the Ministry, and, well, for the greater good of the Holy Empire and humanity. Is that alright with you?”

Birkburn, the cheerful yet conspiratorial man whose involvement was the real source behind these developments, nodded in agreement to support the Director. Rossi’s skepticism began to wane as he listened to the reasoning. After thinking about it, he finally sighed and nodded.

“Alright, then. Let’s give it a chance.”

Lippin beamed, looking at his senior with a grateful smile. However, Rossi wasn’t finished. He cleared his throat and continued with a serious tone of voice.

“But let’s not forget the reality we’re facing. The Alpha Edge Project’s deadline is strict, and I’m worried that any more deviation from our schedule could have serious consequences. As much as I’m willing to explore new avenues, you all must remain realistic.”

With those words, he once again asserted his point. But once again, what’s done is done.

After Rossi left his office, Director Lippin requested Birkburn to conduct research about his earlier proposal.

…………

08:00

MOASEC, Ground System Development Facility

While the men in charge were having discussions and laying out plans for the ever-unpredictable future, Robin and her two apprentices first visited the Ground System Development Facility’s outdoor firing range as the opening agenda of their inspection tour. In response to the request, the Light Weapons Development Group ordered the teams that already produced results to present them to the creator of those weapons himself, as much as it is hard to believe.

Several MOASEC personnel have been assigned by their respective superiors to join them as a team. From the General Affairs Department, Daguva; Arthur Arkland from the Magic Technology System Development Facility; and from the department in charge of their first destination, they assigned a man named Emre Senturya. One of Robin’s close friends, this blonde-haired man greeted the team’s arrival with a friendly air before showing them around the range.

Even though Emre had been aware of Robin’s apprentices, and even worked as one of the engineers who developed the GP-13 design himself, this visit was the first time he met the youngsters in person. Amidst the lull between breaks of test firing the completed prototypes, he found himself having talks with Meteos, the kid who created the whole GP package. The white-haired boy’s small smile as he commented on the tested firearm’s performance showed that he was pleased with the results despite his absence during the construction phase. As the weapons have been tested under extreme conditions during the presentation with the Imperial Army and passed, this demonstration mostly serves to calm Meteos’ anxiety about whether his creations will work or not while not under his oversight.

As the last GP-12 “Rapier” prototype machine pistol was finished being test-fired, they exchanged words again before the test proceeded to the next gun.

“Looking at the results so far, I say it’s not bad for designs that are almost a decade old,” Meteos said, referring to the Rapier and all the GPs in general.

“What in the world does that even mean? Nobody cares about how old they are when they outperform our existing equipment so hard that it’s not even funny, rookie,” Emre dryly remarked. He didn’t know what was exactly inside this child’s head when he said that line.

“Well, that might be true, but within that decade, surely there should be a lot of improvement to be made. It’s just that I don’t have the time to revisit the designs myself now that I have a duty at the Alpha Edge Project. But without the exemplary effort of you guys, we won’t be here at all.”

“Heh, heh, well… the notes that came with the drawings help a lot.”

“Mister Senturya, if looking at my designs can inspire someone to make something better than these, then I will be a happy man—I mean kid,” Meteos said with a slight smile.

“……So be it, I’ll see what we can do about it.”

Emre let out an almost inaudible scoff. There is something that he found to be amusing and terrifying in equal measure when meeting the face behind those ferocious weaponry in person. So ferocious in fact, that it made the Imperial Army who has a tendency to revere the Ancient Sorcerous Empire’s relics over anything else, turned on its head and fell in love with these firearms that still looked like they belonged in the mundane world.

“Ah, yes, it just occurred to me. What do you guys tell the Army about the designs, by the way?”

At that question, Emre’s face twitched.

“Uh… we didn’t tell outright that you made them, but once the Army men caught someone hinting that the GPs’ creator is the same person as the one who invented the magic torpedo, they were not amused, initially…”

Even if the MOASEC continues to downplay his identity as a measure to dampen the hard-headed Imperial Army’s outburst, the patents of the GP designs submitted to the Imperial Bureau of Intellectual Property clearly bore his name in them. It’s only a matter of time until everyone finds out about it, for better… or worse.

At least, the MOASEC and those interested in him are the best backup possible for any inventor.

Meteos raised a slender eyebrow, along with a slight quirk of his lips. “Oh. I’m not going to be hanged by disgruntled Army officers because they felt mocked by a smartass snot-nosed brat, am I?”

“By the gods, no!”

“I jest, by the way.”

“Gah…! That ain’t funny,” the blonde grumbled. “But just in case when you finally get to meet them in person, I’ll warn you this, they can be incredibly condescending.”

“Small wonder why they are the unluckiest out of the three, then. But their resentment and state of affairs are like a neverending devil’s circle. Therefore, let’s see that the GPs will be completed and the Imperial Army receive something that can please them.”

“Yeah… let’s do that.”

As they continued to be engaged in a conversation, the test proceeded to the pre-production model of the GP-13, an automatic rifle that the development team dubbed as “Longsword.” With the official designation of 7,62mm Rifle M15, Meteos voiced no objection regarding this nomenclature. If anything, he thought that there was a pragmatic aspect to it, a decision to not add anything extravagant that would reveal the Longsword’s nature would help obfuscate the other countries for as long as the time permits.

The staccato of the Longsword’s gunfire echoed, sending bullets downrange at a rate of fire that was unprecedented for a typical infantry rifle. After the tester reloaded and slapped the gun’s charging handle in preparation to open fire, he switched to full auto and let it loose once again.

“She’s a baddie!” the tiger beastman who fired the Longsword hollered, eliciting laughter from the surroundings while some other Ground Facility crewmen went to check the armor-plated goblin-shaped dummies that were the targets.

This particular Longsword model, built using stamped sheet metal with wooden stock and handguard, utilized more magically-treated iron bamboo alloy in its construction to keep its weight around 4 kilograms, making it similar to the long-barreled bolt-action M1591 rifle it intended to replace. As a comparison, the earliest prototype that used an all-steel construction weighed 4,7 kilograms. Even though it slightly increased the production cost, this measure was generally viewed as an improvement due to the gun still maintaining its robustness. In addition, some parts in the early prototype that had to be designed relatively thin to save weight, such as the cocking handle tube and the receiver, can now be designed with proper thickness. Finally, as the demonstration showed, they had no problem in whacking an armor-clad dummy with its magazine during close-quarters combat as the goddamned thing is… Teutonic.

Listening to the explanation made by the Ground Facility crewmen, Meteos made some notes to himself.

“What are the drawbacks that you find?” he asked.

“…Haha, your gun’s recoil is brutal. It kicks like a mad horse, even for the most muscular among us,” Emre’s words were met with laughter from the Ground Facility crewmen (who are mostly macho men anyway). “It’s accurate in single-shot, but it’s impossible to aim in full auto. Sorry, kid, we just can’t.”

The silverette waved off his apology, “No need for that, I was here to receive feedback and improve however I can, anyway.”

The guy who tested the Longsword earlier came closer and attempted to cheer the boy up.

“Roguerider, isn’t it? I got to give it to you, this is one heck of a gun that you made, rookie. Emre is overexaggerating, a scrawny like him just can’t handle your gun’s manliness!”

“What the heck!? Why me?”

“Oy, language!”

“Ah, thank you, good sir. But to help reduce the recoil, I have thought of several improvements to be incorporated on the gun.”

“That’s grand,” a senior Ground Facility crewman commented. “But why not save it for the debriefing?”

“Alright.”

Recoil aside, the Ground Facility crewmen and the Imperial Army generally viewed the Longsword to just have a lot of things right as a general infantry weapon. It embodies the advanced technology they were craving, yet does not compromise too much to keep them able to kill an adversary that is primarily comprised of monstrous magical creatures. The Longsword was so close to being approved for mass production, in fact.

In a meta sense, there is an otherworldly weapon that has the same caliber as the Longsword called the Type 64 battle rifle, which belonged to a certain victim of the Civilization Annihilation Game. Even though the Milishians did not know it yet, the Longsword will turn out to be a hilariously superior gun in comparison. A product of contradicting decisions that is stupidly expensive, firing less powerful ammunition, and an overcomplicated construction that made it a nightmare to field strip and maintain, the Type 64’s place of origin likes to jerk about its accuracy but in everything else, the gun is just garbage, even when compared to a relatively dated design (in Meteos’ perspective) that is the Longsword.

Continuing the test, the last design available to be reviewed was the GP-14, a machine gun that sounded more like a cloth ripping than a gun when fired.

BBBBBBBBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR…!

The GP-14 “Broadsword” is another design that the Imperial Army views with a favorable opinion, mostly in how it boasts an exceptionally high rate of fire. While yes, it means that it wastes more ammunition, it also matches what they were seeking: a squad-level firearm capable of neutralizing a Nosgorath-like monster with how it fires a lot of bullets in a couple of seconds, especially deep inside ancient ruins where their usual monster interception strategy will not work.

A portion of the Imperial Army’s higher-ups viewed it as more or less a stopgap; a way for them to unlock the path to the monster-infested ruins where they can recover powerful Ancient Sorcerous Empire’s relics. Meanwhile, another group viewed that despite it being a challenging weapon to use, the Broadsword is deadly when used right. Debates between these two factions have been ensuing since its introduction, waiting for a scenario to happen where the Broadsword can show its worth.

After finishing the demonstrations, the group headed back to the Ground Facility’s main building for debriefing and rest before the next agenda.

…………

12:14

MOASEC, Ground System Development Facility

The debriefing was deliberately kept short, after which Meteos and Walman were brought by Robin to walk around the Ground System Development Facility's main building, dragging Arthur along with them. This was a result of the request made by Meteos, who wanted to see the ancient relics that the Ground Facility possesses.

"In conclusion, although it's for different reasons, both the Longsword and the M1591 kick like a mule."

"Well, it's not like everyone is angry that you fail—I mean, cannot make it easier to handle. It just means a gun that felt generally the same to them but with more advantages. Isn't the Army had lived with it for some twenty years?" Walman shrugged.

"Maybe they are too fixated on the fact that it is able to fire fully automatic," Meteos chuckled. "Considering no handheld infantry rifle in the known world performs like that, maybe that's the reason I can get away with it?"

"......Maybe?"

During the inspection and the debriefing, suggestions on how to reduce the recoil also flowed in from the other crew members. Someone suggested a detachable bipod, looking at the Broadsword as an example; there are some who didn't mind making the gun a bit heavier; Arthur on the other hand viewed the gun as still too heavy and was more interested in talking about materials engineering to make it lighter, but did contribute in suggesting an improvement to be made on the stock; and so on, and so forth. One thing that's clear is that they will never suggest any caliber less than 7,62 mm, lest the Army will hang them all for real.

On the other hand, recoil seemed to be not an issue with the GP-12 Rapier, a machine pistol that used the same roller-delayed blowback mechanism as the Longsword. The Army at the moment is likely to be more displeased than happy with the increased complexity that comes with gas-operated firearms, and Meteos wanted to pump out as many solutions that are not necessarily perfect, but can uplift everyone to a decent power level. But looking at how eager people anticipate the Longsword as a service rifle, Meteos felt a bit sore in not being able to come up with an ideal automatic rifle within this era's technological and doctrinal constraints.

To give himself a consolation prize and to further familiarize his friend with the Ancient Sorcerous Empire business, he requested the Ground Facility to show him interesting relics. As a token of gratitude, Harley Hendrickson granted his permission, gave them temporary Clearance Level 3 ID cards, and ordered his men to bring a number of relics from the hidden storeroom to a designated place in the facility. Emre Senturya was also assigned as a supervisor.

"Here we are," Emre announced as the group reached their destination, a secluded but well-maintained warehouse surrounded by trees and shrubbery. During the rather tense trip, the two boys were ordered to wear a blindfold before boarding a car that deliberately took a confusing route as a security measure.

After confirming their ID cards with the scanner, the large metal doors slid open with a faint hiss, revealing the dimly lit interior.

"Woah..." Walman gasped in admiration as soon as he laid his eyes on the racks, stands, and tables holding a collection of not only weaponry believed by to be used by the Ancient Sorcerous Empire in the past, but also weapons from the chaotic Warring Kingdoms period. Ushered by the adults, he immediately bolted to the nearest weapon stand with his silver-haired friend in tow.

Despite the sorry state of the Ground System Development Facility's own Ancient Sorcerous Empire relic excavation effort, the displayed equipment still spanned a wide array of shapes, sizes, and designs. Racks lined the walls, holding Light-Wing Sabers and what looked like polearms and even magic staffs. Stand-mounted displays showcased among them a magic shield that Meteos recognized as custom-made. And on the tables in the center were ranged weapons surrounding something hidden underneath a gray cloth, most likely the most prominent relic among them.

"Hey, look. It's a repeater crossbow," Meteos pointed to a black item sitting on the table.

Emre chuckled, "Ah, yes. That one is from the Third Milishial Emperor's era. You can recognize it because it used a pistol grip, unlike the ones from His Majesty the Emperor's era like that one over there."

Across the ancient, but not the Ancient, weapon, there were other recognizable weapons.

"Mister Senturya, don't tell me those are ancient weapons too."

When everyone looked at the rack pointed by Meteos, they facepalmed.

"What are they doing here?" the blonde wondered, walking closer and picking one to show to everyone. It was a gun.

Seeing it and a number of other foreign guns amidst the display, Robin nudged Arthur beside him with a conspiratorial tone.

"Looks like the Ground crewmen are compensating for their lack of ancient relics with those."

The bird beastman was not amused, glowering at Robin's sly expression, "Stop making fun of other's misfortune, Robin."

Meanwhile, Emre hummed to himself, "These things aren't even Milishian weapons. But eh, whatever. You see, while I don't know much about this one's exact origins, this item was brought to the First Civilization Area by a first-generation Herzlander who fled the civil war back in their homeland."

Pausing, he briefly nodded at Walman. As part of his ancestry was told through the gun, said brunette boy paid attention to Emre's explanation with gleaming eyes.

"This gun is called the Flammengewehr 70, or FG 70 for short. As you can see, it's also a breech-loading bolt-action rifle similar to our M1591, but it's based more on the Muish design, where instead of using an enchanter, this gun uses a firing pin that passes through the cartridge made of paper to strike something called a percussion cap at the base of the bullet to ignite it. There is no such thing in our guns. An enchanter striking the base of the cartridge is enough to ignite the propellant with its spell component and launch the bullet from the barrel."

Manipulating the bolt to show its mechanism, he continued. "This one is a modified version from the original, though, so its firing pin was replaced by a custom-made enchanter to allow it to fire magical cartridges. The original's name would be something along the lines of 'needle rifle,' I think?"

"Zündnadelgewehr," Arthur pointed out with a perfect pronunciation compared to Emre's. "But during the Mu Civil War the Southern Army and Magicaraich mercenaries called the gun Leichtes Perkussiongewehr 70 or 'Light Percussion Rifle 70' as a disguise. Flammengewehr is a postwar name."

"Uh, yeah! That," Emre sweatdropped.

"What are the differences between its original firing pin and the enchanter, by the way?" Walman asked.

"Unless you are using a raw unpurified fire magic stone as a propellant, which will most likely explode the gun anyway, then good luck trying to fire a standard magical cartridge without an enchanter. On the other hand, an enchanter is basically just a firing pin with a spell component on it, so it can fire a non-magical cartridge just as well."

"Which means in theory an M1591 can do what Emre just mentioned, provided it's a correct ammunition," Arthur added.

"Huh, interesting."

After placing the FG 70 back on the rack, Emre reached for another foreign gun.

"Now, the Magicaraich needle rifle's adversary in the Mu Civil War is this, the Fusil Type 74 which was adopted shortly before the war broke out. Unlike the needle rifle, this one fires metallic non-magical cartridges. Not much that I can say other than it's a lighter, shorter, and overall a more superior weapon."

Moving on, Emre picked two guns that were noticeably less advanced than the previous Civil War-era guns.

"These two are magic flintlock muskets that the Navy's Regional Fleet confiscated from the pirates. This one in my left hand is Parpaldian, while this one is Leiforian. Both possess 17,5-millimeter caliber barrels, but since Parpaldian magic stone purification is more advanced than Leifor—third best in the world, in fact, the Parpaldian one can fire twice as far as the Leiforian one. In addition, Leifor's low-quality fire magic stone causes their gun's service life to crater."

"Ouch."

Meteos shook his head in amusement. Even decades before their destruction in the hands of another certain victim of the Civilization Annihilation Game, this "Sick Bird of the Far West" will never not be the butt-monkey of the known world.

"Ohohoho! Now, this one is my favorite! I present you, Torkian heavy magic long gun!"

What Emre picked up with a bit of difficulty was a weapon that was neither bolt action nor flintlock. Instead, at the base of the barrel of this weapon above the trigger, there is a strange mechanism consisting of a circular yellow stone surrounded by a metallic ring, where a short tube can be seen jutting out of it, slightly canted to the right. The weapon itself must be around two meters in length.

"What in Saoirse's name is that?" Walman exclaimed.

"This is a gun like the ones used by the Kingdom of Torkia's elite royal guards! Its bullets are propelled by neither magic stone nor gunpowder, or anything that produces explosions. Instead, this mechanism here is a magic array," Emre pointed to the metallic ring and the circular yellow stone assembly. "Before pulling the trigger, a gunner channels mana from a backpack filled with usually lightning magic stones, if we're talking about Torkia, through a cable that connects to this tube over here. It powers the array and converts the mana into a propelling force to hurl the bullets! Well, it's cumbersome and you need a stand to fire it stably, but boy, this weapon is so over-the-top I can't help but like it."

"It's like the magic long guns of the Warring Kingdoms period," Meteos commented. "In a way, it's also a surviving relic from a bygone era."

"Yep! But the difference is that the Middle Lands version didn't need all that backpack and cable, since it's mostly the elves who use their own mana reserves to propel the bullet using wind elemental magic."

With a fond smile still plastered on his face, Emre placed the item back on the back. It was time to proceed to the primary showcase, the one that Meteos wanted to see.

"Hey, lend me a hand, will you?"

Helped by Robin and Arthur, Emre pulled away the sheet covering the item in the center, revealing what lay underneath.

MINISTRY OF ANCIENT SORCEROUS EMPIRE COUNTERMEASURES Research Data

THE RIGHT ARM

The M15 rifle (official designation 7,62mm Rifle M15), also known by its nickname Longsword, is a self-loading rifle capable of semi-automatic and full-automatic fire, developed by the Light Weapons Development Group based on the GP-13 design created by Meteos Roguerider in the 1600s.

Specifications

Mass: 4 kg

- Length: 1.025 mm

- Barrel Length: 450 mm

- Cartridge: 7,62×51mm

- Action: Roller-delayed blowback

- Muzzle Velocity: 800 m/s

- Maximum Firing Range: 1.000 m

- Feed System: 20-round detachable box magazine