Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 124: Confirming Cooperation
“Even with the lizardmen’s help, the combat strength of commoners can’t possibly compare to that of Holy Knights. For them to withstand the undead’s assault, there must be other reasons.”
Freya keenly sensed that it couldn’t just be the lizardmen and the militia.
Even if the peasants had been hastily trained before going into battle, that was nothing compared to seasoned knights.
Ordinarily, that would be the case—but the Lord of Bianshu Town, Marquis Eisen, was anything but ordinary.
“You’re right,”
Bray nodded in agreement.
“Marquis Eisen invented a powerful weapon that anyone can use. With it, even ordinary civilians could pose a threat to knights—even Holy Knights are no exception.”
He paused, then added,
“Because of this weapon, Marquis Eisen even declared that, even without our support, they could still defend their homeland with their own strength.”
At those words, everyone present showed surprise.
No one knew whether to call Marquis Eisen overly arrogant or overly confident.
The undead were humanity’s common threat, and for two hundred years the Holy Knights had been the key force in resisting them.
Otherwise, the Kingdom of DawnLight wouldn’t have signed the Winter Pact with the Holy Nation of Caleb, pledging to send knights every year as reinforcement.
But Marquis Eisen seemed to think he had no need for them.
“Oh? They believe they can defeat the undead without the strength of Holy Knights?”
Freya smiled faintly—she found it amusing.
She knew that Theresa was acquainted with this new lord of Bianshu Town. So it was this man who had captured her girl’s heart, made her refuse to stay under Freya’s protection, and insist on returning. It seemed he did have some ability.
“What is this weapon called?”
Freya asked.
“A musket.”
“A musket? Is it truly that powerful?”
Even Pope Rayev XXIII grew curious.
But Talenberg frowned deeply, his tone skeptical.
“Bray Gegefer, are you sure you’re not exaggerating? If ordinary folk could threaten knights, the order of the world would be overturned!”
“And what exactly is this musket? You’ve not explained clearly.”
Lemi added in confusion.
“Is it a burning spear? Or perhaps one that spits fire?”
“Well…”
After thinking for a moment, Bray replied.
“It looks like an iron rod. When fired, it makes a thunderous noise, and from the muzzle shoots a lead ball at high speed—powerful enough to pierce armor.”
“That sounds like a ranged weapon. An upgrade of the crossbow, perhaps?”
Talenberg’s brow remained furrowed. He shook his head.
“Still, I cannot believe it could pierce armor.”
To him, it was against common sense. Knights and mages stood at the peak of human power—how could commoners touch that realm so easily?
“Whether it can pierce armor or not… we’ll know by witnessing it ourselves.”
Freya turned to Bray.
“Bray Gegefer, did you bring one back?”
“I did. It’s currently being safeguarded by the priests outside.”
Bray replied.
“In fact, Marquis Eisen is interested in cooperating with our Holy Nation of Caleb. That’s why he permitted me to bring a musket back.”
Because of the past assassination attempt on the Pope by the Old Faction, Pope Rayev XXIII had decreed that no one was allowed to carry weapons into the Grand Cathedral.
Thus, the musket Bray had brought had to be left outside under watch.
“Since that’s the case, let’s step outside and see it for ourselves.”
Pope Rayev XXIII said.
The group moved to an open space outside the cathedral, where Commander Orthorfen was also fortunate enough to witness the power of the musket.
The target was an old set of armor hauled from the warehouse and mounted on a thick wooden pole about ten meters away.
Holding a musket in his hand, Bray explained in detail to the crowd how the weapon was used.
“…and that’s how it works.”
After finishing his explanation, he pulled out two paper cartridges and displayed them in his palm.
“The musket must be used together with these paper cartridges, which contain black powder and a lead ball. Unfortunately, I only brought back two cartridges, so I can only fire twice.”
“I see.”
Freya reached out, picked up one cartridge, and carefully examined it before quickly tearing it open, revealing the lead ball and black powder inside.
“In my opinion, the most important part isn’t the musket itself, nor the lead ball, but rather this black powder.”
“And why do you say that?”
Pope Rayev XXIII asked.
Pinching a small amount of the powder, Freya brought it close to her nose to sniff.
Perhaps because of the stench, she pulled a disgusted face as if about to gag.
“This substance should be highly flammable. Sparks from flint can easily ignite it, which then propels the lead ball out of the iron tube.”
Freya turned to Bray.
“Am I right?”
Caught off guard by the question, Bray froze on the spot.
He had never once considered the actual firing mechanism of the musket. Who knew if she was right or not?
“Probably… yes?”
“All right, enough.”
Talenberg urged.
“Hurry up and give us a real demonstration.”
“Of course.”
Relieved, Bray quickly nodded.
After loading the cartridge, he reminded everyone before firing:
“The sound will be loud, so please step back and prepare yourselves.”
A moment later, the group first jumped in fright at the gun’s blast, then stared in shock at the hole punched clean through the armor.
Especially Talenberg—his eyes nearly popped out of his head.
“It truly is a powerful weapon,”
Pope Rayev XXIII praised in awe.
Commander Orthorfen, meanwhile, fixed his gaze firmly on the musket in Bray’s hands, his expression shifting between light and shadow—perhaps shaken by the threat it posed to the authority of the Holy Knights.
Freya patted Talenberg’s shoulder and whispered.
“Looks like the world really is about to change.”
Seizing the moment, Bray went on:
“Bianshu Town also has a larger version of the musket, called a cannon. Its power is far more astonishing than what you just saw, and its range exceeds even the catapults of the Red Sand Fortress—though it is a bit cumbersome.”
At those words, everyone present drew in a sharp breath.
If the musket was already this terrifying, then what of the cannon?
“And it’s not just weapons. Bianshu Town also produces a miraculous powder called cement. By mixing it with water and sand into a grey slurry, it can be used to fill gaps between irregular stones. After some time, the slurry hardens to incredible strength. The northern city walls were repaired using this material.”
Bray poured out everything he thought important in one breath.
“Oh?”
Lemi narrowed his eyes.
“Even something like that exists?”
No one expected that since the incident two years ago, Bianshu Town would undergo such drastic changes—so impressive that it left them speechless.
It had to be said, their lord, Marquis Eisen, was truly capable.
“Your Holiness,”
Freya decisively proposed.
“Since this Marquis Eisen has the intention to work with us, why don’t we proceed with cooperation?”
“That goes without saying,”
Pope Rayev XXIII agreed.
“Even if he hadn’t invented muskets, the fact that he can ensure peaceful coexistence between lizardmen and humans alone makes him a partner worthy of our Church’s support.”