The Story Of The Second Son Of The Baron Family [EN]: Chapter 20

Baron’s Family Second Son – Episode 20

It wasn’t a power that could shake the heavens and earth. The range was, at most, a radius of 2-3 meters. The firepower was also strong compared to the range, but a skilled 4th circle mage could generate as much. However, the true power of this grenade wasn’t in its raw destructive capability.

“How many can you produce in a day?”

“If we have enough magic stones, we can make up to two per person. However, to prepare for monster attacks, at least two teams must always be on standby, so it will be slightly less than thirty.”

“Hmm.”

They could create a surplus through advance production. The number could increase or decrease slightly because it was a prototype, not the final product. Moreover, the size of the magic stones also varied. It was impossible to melt them down like iron, gold, or silver and create them into a uniform shape. The amount of magic each one contained was different, so it required the meticulous adjustment of a mage, which took quite a long time.

“Not bad.”

“Since it’s a flame that sweeps a radius of 3m, it will be able to incapacitate dozens of monsters at once.”

While Ild was briefing Duke Zeke on behalf of the mages, the scarecrows that were no longer useful were quickly removed, and the real star of this demonstration appeared.

“Is there anything else to show?”

“Yes. Renil received a separate order from His Excellency the Duke, so he told us he had to show something and asked us for advice to improve the weapon. We thought it was a good suggestion, so you won’t be disappointed.”

Creak- Creak-

A ballista on a huge cart led by Jimmal entered the demonstration ground. It was an outdated siege weapon that had been pushed aside by the trebuchet [a type of catapult] a long time ago, but it was more useful than the trebuchet on the Tera Barrier.

First of all, the trebuchet was too slow to aim at constantly moving monsters. Furthermore, the thick hides of the monsters provided strong resistance to impacts, so even if a decent-sized rock could temporarily stop their movement, it was almost impossible to kill them.

It was only natural that the ballista, which could aim relatively easily even with a short range and shoot sharp metal objects far away, and could be installed on the barrier, was highly valued.

“Unlike before, this is a weapon aimed at large monsters.”

“That’s right.”

I could feel his gaze looking at me and the ballista with interest. How much power would it show? What kind of impact would it have? The pile of cloth, which looked a little smaller than a fist, had shown such a wonderful sight, so it was understandable that everyone was expecting great things.

“Ready!”

I was really busy for a while making this ballista. As Ild said, I went around looking for excellent mages for advice, and I also experienced many failures.

Even now, the remnants of research that I haven’t cleaned up yet occupy one corner of my room, so the amount of magic stones consumed in the meantime was by no means small.

If the majority of mages didn’t think it was worth making, I wouldn’t have been able to bring and use that many magic stones, even if Duke Zeke needed me and I was told that I could use magic stones for personal research – with the condition that it would help defend the Tera Barrier.

Click- Creak creak-

There were many trials and errors. At first, I tried to imbue magic into not only the ballista itself but also the wooden spear that was shot.

But after a few failures, I gave up on the wooden spear because it flew at such a high speed that the magic stone was too easily damaged.

Like the grenade, I tried to wrap it in paper or leather, but the force of impact when fired was too great. However, it was impossible to keep up with the consumption by engraving the consumable wooden spear, not the main body of the ballista, so I gave up without any regrets.

So I focused on the ballista itself. Since it was fixed to the ground, it was easy to withstand the impact, and it was easy to use magic stones. As long as it wasn’t broken, I could shoot it as many times as I wanted, so I could secure a sufficient number even if I used engravings. However, the problem was harmonizing the engraving and magic.

The usage and system are completely different. However, the common point is that it is based on magic power. There was no way that two foods in one bowl would not affect each other’s taste. But just like Jjajangmyeon [black bean noodles] and Jjambong [spicy seafood noodle soup] were created to eat in one bowl, there was no obstacle that could not be overcome with time and effort.

Ejection, and the magic circle containing the power of lightning, were faithful to their respective missions, so even I, who conducted the research, was surprised by the power that resulted.

A magic stone slightly smaller than a fist, not the finger-sized magic stone used earlier, was attached to the body of the ballista. As it was a size that was not easily found, a heavy sense of responsibility weighed on my shoulders, but even if it was heavy, it wasn’t too much. I had the confidence to overcome this weight.

Crackle-

“Fire.”

“Fire!”

The target was a huge log that seemed to be left over even if two people spread their arms wide and held each other. The distance was not far, but in preparation for possible misaiming, thick stone walls were erected in multiple layers behind it, so there would be no innocent victims.

Thump-

A cheerful firing sound. Along with that, I could feel the magic reaction and realize that the firing itself was successful. Also, magic power still remained in the magic stone attached to the ballista, so it was expected that it could be fired at least a few more times. Finally, the result was as good as the process and did not disappoint my expectations.

The blade of the huge wooden spear penetrated the log, which was more than 2m thick, and electricity crackled visibly outside the log before being engulfed in flames.

Certainly, with that level of penetration, it would be enough to penetrate and electrocute even if it was protected by the thickest leather. If it was a vital point, it could be killed in one blow. It was a great improvement compared to the existing ballista, which was half-embedded.

Others also seemed not to have expected it to show this level of performance, and after some time, they began to applaud one by one. Duke Zeke was not only applauding but also had a deep smile on his face, so I could tell at a glance that this demonstration had produced a sufficiently successful result.

#

“We are willing to purchase magic stones at a fair price, and we are willing to actively help Draghnil Territory if the Magic Tower needs help. Also, if there is any noise around this deal, we promise to make sure that no complaints come out of our side.”

Evan, the aide to the Magic Tower Lord, headed to Draghnil Territory without delay after the conclusion of the meeting. There was no point in wasting time.

No one would dare to openly oppose the Magic Tower, but you never know what might happen. In particular, merchants who were blinded by money were likely to intervene even if they were wary of the Magic Tower. That’s why they offered conditions that could be considered unconventional for a mere Baron.

“I appreciate the offer, but…”

However, Baron Draghnil smiled wryly at this offer and could not hide his negative feelings. Evan, realizing that someone had already reached out, asked urgently.

“Where is it? If there are any unavoidable circumstances, we will resolve them. As you know, there is nothing on the continent that the Magic Tower cannot resolve.”

If a deal had already been made, they could either threaten or negotiate to divert the supply from the deal target to the Magic Tower. If there were unavoidable circumstances, the Magic Tower could resolve most of them. However, the words that came out of Baron Draghnil’s mouth were beyond Evan’s expectations.

“How can I sell His Majesty the Emperor’s gift for money? I cannot do such a disloyal thing. Moreover, since I have already decided where to use it, I cannot reverse my decision.”

“Then please tell me at least where it is, or what it is for. If it is not something that requires magic stones, the Magic Tower will resolve it.”

“Since you seem to have heard the news, you probably know that my second son is on the Tera Barrier. The magic stones that His Majesty the Emperor bestowed were also thanks to the mine that my son discovered.”

“Of course, I know. Isn’t he a promising talent who reached the 4th circle before he was even twenty years old? I am also watching him with interest.”

Renil Draghnil.

Why wouldn’t he know that name? He was the most talked about person these days, and as he was the son of the deal target, Evan did not spare his praise, but a thought flashed through his mind.

‘……Could it be?’

And as always, ‘could it be’ became ‘as expected’.

“The Tera Barrier is a very dangerous place. It broke my heart that I couldn’t do anything for my son in such a place. As far as I know, magic stones have endless uses for mages. I am just glad that I can still do something for my son now.”

Sending the magic stones to the Tera Barrier meant returning the item given by the Emperor back to the Emperor, in a way. In that case, the Emperor’s interest would not cease, at least while sending it to the Tera Barrier. It was not a bad choice for maintaining the status quo.

‘What an idiot!’

According to the report received from Wonder, the expected amount to be mined from the mine discovered this time was truly enormous.

Even if it was only a fraction of that, it would be more money than the lord of this small territory could ever touch in his lifetime, but he decided on the disposition so quickly. If he was the greedy, or rather, ordinary nobleman that Evan knew, he would not have been able to make a decision even after weeks or months of deliberation. It was all because Baron Draghnil’s priority was peace.

“Have you informed the Imperial Envoy of this decision?”

It was not too late yet. Even in his panic, Evan desperately shouted, remembering that the Emperor’s envoy was still staying in the territory. If the envoy did not yet know this fact, there was still enough time to persuade the Baron.

“I haven’t told him yet. It wasn’t an easy decision.”

“Then please listen to me for a moment longer…”

Squeak-

“I felt like I was hearing my story, so I couldn’t help but show my face even though I knew it was rude. Please forgive my rudeness.”

At that time, the door of the reception room opened, and Baron Dove, the Emperor’s envoy, whom Evan never wanted to see, entered. Even though the reception room was not small, an awkward tension was constantly emanating from the two, making it feel suffocating.

Baron’s Family Second Son – Episode 20 – End