Chapter 25 First time

TL: Fraiziar

ED: Darknari

The First Time. (Note: its in the raw)

Black powder is one of Chinas four great inventions.

While it isnt something significant enough to require an explanation, it is what is generally referred to as explosives.

It can be made by mixing charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate.

Though cannons can be made of wood, they are likely to explode.

The handling of black powder is complicated, so Im unsure how to properly come into contact with it.

I dont want to die from doing a poor job.

It can be used to launch things like iron, or it can be set into the ground and be exploded using flaming arrows.

Thatll be our main weapon.

I expect its effectiveness will improve when combined with Tetras magic.

But I dont expect it have the ability to cause bloodshed very much.

I wonder how far the crude gunpowder made by a novice such as I can go?

However, the sound and shock wave should have quite the impact.

It may be able to lower the enemys morale, and perhaps could be used to frighten King Ferme before the war.

Will they get scared I wonder?

Or maybe due to him drawing back because of my skeleton remark, its probably impossible for him to be frightened.

Continuing from what I said earlier, black powder is made from charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate.

The first ingredient is no problem, since charcoal can be produced by ourselves.

Although it seems hard to obtain sulfur, since there are a lot of volcanoes in this area sulfur can be found.

Worst case scenario, we can import some from the Kirishian merchants.

Im sure the well informed Kirishians should know of sulfur.

There are two ways of obtaining potassium nitrate.

Either from mining saltpeter or from producing it ourselves.

Since I dont know where saltpeter is buried, this time around we will have to make it ourselves.

The material we will use is the black soil under the cattle shed.

Although the soil from under the cattle shed couldnt possibly be enough, however I plan on getting some from King Rosaith.

Tetra. Can you develop an ignition magic matrix. Within a year. (Almis)

(Note: could also be called square or formation, but matrix sounds cooler)

Roger that. But writing with my blood does not have sufficient magical power. Curse stones it is one of the handy stones for using magic, I want to stock up on magic stones. (Tetra)

Gotcha. Since I dont know what kind of stone is best, for now Ill make an order for all types from the Kirishian merchants. Ron, Roswald, Gram. Will you come with me to where King Rosaith is? (Almis)

My goal of course, was to get the black soil.

Soil is plentiful anyhow, so he should give it to us for free.

I want Ron, Roswald, and Gram to learn how to lead troops.

I must ask King Rosaith to have you mix in.

Of course I want to observe as well if I get the chance.

But before that I need to negotiate with that Kirishian merchant to prepare some high performance horses, bows and arrows, and arrowheads.

I might even purchase some combat slaves if necessary.

-

I see. Tribute. Giving tribute for the protection of your home. (King Rosaith)

Unfortunately, it was a state of emergency. (Almis)

At the moment, Ive come before King Rosaith to request for aid, and I feel like Im gonna die.

But then

Cough, cough. (King Rosaith)

Are you okay? Father. (Julia)

Lying on the futon, King Rosaith was getting his back rubbed by Julia.

Theres no way I can ask a sick person for help!

Here. Some honey. (Almis)

Sorry for the bother. (King Rosaith)

I handed over the honey as usual.

Now then, surely you didnt just come to tell me that information, did you? (King Rosaith)

King Rosaith was grinning. Shaddup you.

I have four bits of business. To start, the first thing is wheat. Please lend us some wheat. (Almis)

Sure. How much? (King Rosaith)

I firmly request King Rosaith for the wheat.

HaThats quite a bit. Didnt you say before that youd have enough? Just how much did King Ferme take? (King Rosaith)

Well, you know (Almis)

There is a different reason why I am demanding so much.

We need some time to strengthen the defense of the village. Which means we wont have enough time for farmwork

Thats why that much is necessary.

You must pay it back in three years. Ten percent interest will be sufficient. And in exchange you have to pay with your methods of making pottery, honey, and paper. (King Rosaith)

You ask too much. You know, I do have the means of negotiating with King Domorgal. (Almis)

As I said so, King Rosaith shrugged.

I understand. It was just a joke. Just choose one. (King Rosaith)

Then

Ill teach you how to make our pottery. (Almis)

Since its the simplest.

I explain the structure of the climbing kiln to King Rosaith.

My second request is that I want cattle shed soil. In large amounts. (Almis)

I dont really understand what you are planning but oh well. Do as you wish. (King Rosaith)

King Rosaith gave us permission with a mystified look.

Next is something I just want to ask but about a yellow stone that burns, are there any? We plan to mine some from a volcano. (Almis)

Unfortunately, I dont know what they call sulfur in this world.

Conversations with children rarely contain the word sulfur after all.

Ah, weve collected some of those stones from near one of our hot springs, its called sulfur isnt it? If so, quite a bit of it can be found in that mountain. Take whatever you like. (King Rosaith)

Is that okay? (Almis)

Sure. Since you always bring us honey. (King Rosaith)

Thats surprising.

Well, I guess its cause they dont have much use for sulfur. Is it not used very much to light fires in this ancient world?

During the Edo Period sulfur was used instead of matches a lot.

Fourth, could we watch the military training of King Rosaiths army? (Almis)

I see. Measures against King Ferme? I dont mind. If its just watching, that is. (King Rosaith)

Is it okay if I watch with my comrades? (Almis)

Sure. (King Rosaith)

Okay, we all got permission.

Julia. You go guide them. (King Rosaith)

Ka~y! (Julia)

-

How is it? This is my countrys army. (Julia)

Before my eyes a thousand men are training in ranks.

At a glance, it seems this corps is heavy infantry.

Similar to the so-called phalanx.

But

Y~eah, is this skill level considered high? (Almis)

Im not sure since Im an amateur, but frankly they dont look all that strong to me.

In the first place, a phalanx needs a strong force of unity and a powerful fighting spirit.

That cant be gained from a bunch of conscripted soldiers.

Ahaha. Its as you say. The same thing was said by the Kirishian merchants who visited before. As for this, weve been unsuccessfully trying to imitate the military tactics of Kirishia. From what Ive heard, the Kirishians dont have a king but rather everyone goes into politics. Thats why everyones morale is high, and whenever they have free time they train and get stronger. But in my fathers country, these soldiers are from two years worth of conscripting so (Julia)

I see. In that case it cant be helped.

It may be a bit bad that the Kirishians are so advanced.

The drop in quality from indiscriminate imitation is blatant.

Over there is where we are training archery. (Julia)

Looking at the place where Julia pointed towards, I saw about 200 men training by firing arrows at targets.

Those guys arent people brought in from the draft. So their morale is high. (Julia)

Since archery is a more advanced skill, huh.

Conscripted soldiers wouldnt necessarily be able to use them right away.

How about it? Gram. Could you beat them? (Almis)

With the distance of that target I could hit it with my eyes closed. I dont know how experienced they are at shooting arrows so I dont know if id win or not but Im confident. (Gram)

And over there are the Imperial Guards. They are the elites you know. (Julia)

Julia pointed her finger to about fifty men having a mock battle.

Those are the elites? Rons or Roswalds movements seem more precise to me though (Almis)

I used to do a bit of kendo.

I was taught by the orphanages director. (Self-styled Four Steps, validity unknown).

Looking at what was before me, I noticed a lot of unnecessary movement.

Of course, there might be a difference in technique.

The technique I taught Ron and Roswald was kendo, which has been studied and perfected in Japan over a long period of time.

On the other hand, these people are all probably swinging their swords using a self-taught style.

Since I see no uniform movement at all.

Therefore its obvious that the Ron and Roswald who know kendo would be stronger.

But thats not where Im concerned.

Its physical ability.

Its blatantly obvious that these guys were less physically fit than Ron or Roswald.

Arent these guys slacking in their training? (Almis)

Hey hey, dont just say whatever you want. (???)

A voice came from behind.

When I turned around, I saw a large man with a huge scar on his face.

He was pretty young. And smelled of liquor .

Who are you to be deceiving our familys princess? (scar man)

Hey, Bartolo! What are you saying! (Julia)

Julia blushed, shouting in complaint.

I dont really know what you mean by deceiving, but my name is Almis. Are you the person recognized as the general of this country? (Almis)

Thats right. The king entrusted me with the army. (Bartolo)

Thats amazing.

He barely looks to be in his thirties.

Is he that talented?

Hes a drunkard though.

Maybe it was because he saw my surprised expression, Bartolo placed his arm on my shoulder in an overly-familiar way.

You smell of liquor, get away from me.

You know how King Ferme recently attacked our country, right? (Bartolo)

Yeah, I heard. It seems to have been a crushing defeat. (Almis)

King Ferme attacked with 500 soldiers while King Rosaith fought with his 1000 troops.

After King Rosaiths defeat, he was deprived of much of his grain.

And because of that defeat the responsibility went towards the head of the general (literally, not figuratively). So I was placed in this position. (Bartolo)

Bartolo said happily.

Anyways, did you say our familys soldiers are weak, eh? (Bartolo)

Well yeah. At least thats how it seems to me. (Almis)

I answer honestly.

Then, lets find out, eh? You and our soldiers (Bartolo)

Thats not necessary. (Ron)

Ron interjected.

Theres no need to fight our leader. Ill do it. Since, sadly, Im the weakest out of all of us. (Ron)

Ron said while patting the hilt of his sword.

Maybe when Ron said out of all of us he meant out of me, Roswald, and Ron. Gram doesnt count since hes an archer.

Sounds good! I love high-spirited guys. Lets do it right away. (Bartolo)

-

Youre kidding me (Bartolo & Almis)

Those same words spill from both Bartolos and my mouth.

Bartolo probably thought that Rons strength was a lie.

And I thought that the weakness of Rosaiths soldiers was a lie too.

No, I think Ive somehow gradually understood that the lie was Rons strength.

In front of my eyes, the ten men who challenged Ron to a rematch were downed with surprising swiftness.

Judging from how Bartolo had spoken, he should have had considerable confidence.

Which means that the basis of his self-confidence in the training of the Rosaith soldiers is appropriate.

Therefore, they arent weak.

Which means the only remaining option is that its just Ron who is too strong.

No, maybe its just that our villages specs are too high.

Since certainly, Ron is the third strongest from our village (counting me and Roswald), but that doesnt mean you can conclude that he was strong.

In fact, there is something I have been wondering.

Why have we never gotten sick?

In our village everyone was a weak child from the start, it wouldnt have been funny if someone died from disease in the first year. However, there wasnt even one death.

No, that has to be from our effort and good luck. (Note: denial much?)

The biggest mystery was about the fields.

Every year I expanded the fields, and plowed them.

Right now we are plowing fields 1.5 times the size of the original fields.

Despite the workforce being nothing but children.

And we even had time left over for studying and practicing martial arts.

Thats just weird.

Maybe its normal I thought, but after all its weird. Its strange. Its abnormal.

Suddenly, I saw Julia laughing next to me.

She must have been holding her laughter back.

At my glance, Julia turned towards me and adopted a more effeminate demeanor.

Sorry about that. The fact that you were surprised was funny. You werent aware, were you? (Julia)

What do you mean by that? (Almis)

Heehee, very well, Ill enlighten you. Hey, Roswald-kun, Gram-kun, Im borrowing Almis for a bit, okay? (Julia)

Saying that, Julia began pulling me away.

-

What is it? (Almis)

Truth is, I also possess divine protection. In fact, quite a lot of them. (Julia)

Julia laughed mischievously.

Also?

My handiest blessings are probably [Divine Protection of Perception] and [Divine Protection of Clairvoyance]. The former allows me to observe the divine protection of other parties. The latter is a divine protection that lets me see far away places. In truth, I found you after playing around with clairvoyance in the forest. I wanted to come meet you since it seemed to be very interesting. Thats why I called out to you with a butterfly. (Julia)

This is pretty sudden

But it was a long standing mystery as to how Julia had found our village.

This clears up one mystery.

And, as for my divine protection? (Almis)

Geez. You sure are impatient. (Julia)

Julia let her face become a little slack.

Thats right. If I had to give it a name, it would be [Divine Protection of a Great King] I guess (). The ability depends on the number of people who trust in you, the ability of that person would grow if its a man than physical ability and if its a woman than sorcery talent. And then, those who also swear absolute loyalty to you, even without a divine protection of their own their abilities will increase. Its something like that. Its an amazing ability isnt it? (Julia)

Loyalty huh.

I never intended to be sworn to though.

Thats unexpected. Are you not surprised? (Julia)

I have been aware of the divine protection. Though I didnt know that it spread even to my surroundings. (Almis)

Incidentally, I dont know the conditions either.

Well, I guess Ive gotten used to strange things like this happening.

So, why are you bringing this up now? (Almis)

What Julia wanted to talk to me about wasnt such a insignificant thing right?

In truth, I sorta thought itd be interesting to just keep silent and watch you try to figure it out yourself. But you know, you still havent realized so (Julia)

Julias words cut into me for a moment.

Soon, I wont be able to meet with you. Today is the last time. Fathers death, its coming soon. So I decided to get married while my father is alive its necessary that I bear a child. Thats why I cant meet you anymore. (Julia)

Julia was crying.

Thats why I am explaining to you now. Since there wouldnt be any more chances to explain. Aaaah, I wanted to see a bigger reaction you know~ (Julia)

Julia said with a bright voice, laughing while in tears.

Before, I refused when my father told me to quickly find someone. (Julia)

Saying that, Julia got closer to me.

Approaching with tears in her eyes.

!! (Almis)

Julia pressed her lips against mine.

Julias tongue entered my mouth.

She kissed me with a lot of force.

Unable to reject her, I remained as I was.

After what felt like forever, Julia and I separated.

There was a string of saliva between our lips.

From here on youll probably get married to various people, right? Since you are cool and strong, and you have the calibre of kings. Im sure a lot of girls will make a move on you. And you are too kind to refuse them. I also wanted to be part of your harembut unfortunately it seems impossible. But at least I can leave behind this memory. (Julia)

Julia turned her back towards me.

The memory that I was your first kiss. (Julia)

Julia ran away.

Damnit!! (Almis)

I slammed my fist into a tree.

Julia completely had the air of dejection and loss.

Is this okay?

But for now since she forcibly took victory for the scramble of my first kiss, she has one win and one defeat.

It has become difficult to gradually reply to all her thoughts.

Perhaps, it may become impossible to answer them all.

I should diligently look over all her thoughts.

From now on, please treat me well.

Her thoughts are very likeable so I want more of them.

By the way, the Rosaith soldiers that were dissed by Almis, had a higher skill level and morale compared to Adernia Peninsulas standard.

They were the imperial guard so its a matter of course.

Almis standards had become a little strange since he was too accustomed to his divine protection.