I open my eyes, only to feel trapped in both arms. Emilia on my right and Beatrice on my left, both sound asleep. The room is immersed in a deep silence, as if the world is holding its breath in this moment of tranquility.
I look towards Emilia, her face peaceful and serene, with a smile that brightens even the darkest corners of my mind.
She seems so comfortable that I hesitate to wake her and disturb her sleep. I close my eyes for a moment, feeling the warmth of her embrace and the steady beating of her heart, like a beacon amid the night.
The first to wake up is Beatrice, her cuteness filling the room with her magical energy. I carefully detach myself from Emilia and pick up Beatrice in my arms, her small figure contrasting with the world around her.
"Shall we take a bath together?" I ask with a smile, looking at Beatrice, whose eyes sparkle with curiosity and excitement.
She nods enthusiastically, and after a refreshing shower, we head to my office in Irlam. The day begins, and duties await us, but for now, the world is calm.
Otto arrives almost at the same time as me, and we immediately immerse ourselves in the task at hand. The new army suits are on the table, an innovation designed to face the challenges ahead.
"The new army suits are a bit heavy," Otto comments as he adjusts his sleeve, looking at the two metal shields incorporated into them.
Crusch had proposed the change in the army suits' design, and although I initially had doubts, she saw something that I didn't.
In this dangerous world, swords and cutting weapons are the main enemy, and with Rem's help, we incorporated steel parts that provide greater protection.
"At least they offer more protection than before," I reply, observing the forearms, calves, and the area covering the heart. These new suits don't compromise mobility, and Crusch has been responsible for training our soldiers to make the most of their defensive capabilities.
But that's not all. I have also decided to add an additional element, a special steel weapon, a kukri with a hollow design on its back, ideal for catching and deflecting enemy swords.
It's a crucial tool for close-range combat, a safeguard in case rifles cannot be used.
In these six months, although time has been scarce, I have managed to make progress in creating these improvements that could make a difference on the battlefield.
The uncertainty of the future surrounds us like a shadow, but we are determined to face it with courage and preparation.
Destiny is uncertain, but at this moment, in the calm before the storm, we prepare for whatever awaits us, with determination and a deep sense of purpose.
A high-caliber rifle, with bullets loaded with fire lamicta, and a short-range weapon. The designs weren't a problem, as they were things Beatrice had already copied from my cell phone, but the real difficulty was adapting them to the materials of this world.
For a while, I weighed between different types of pistols, but in the end, the prevailing one was a modern firearm.
Of course, with the blueprints, it's easy to manufacture them, but unfortunately, I no longer have any more weapon designs. The ones I possess are old and obsolete. The winning pistol, of course, was the Desert Eagle.
The Desert Eagle, made of steel and high caliber, has the ability to penetrate certain types of armor, at least those not enhanced with magic. It can also cause damage to those that are.
Normally, this weapon would be useless; it's heavy and made of steel, making it unwieldy for an average person. However, in this world where magic is real, mana reinforces muscles and grants people much greater average strength. Additionally, together with Beatrice, we are developing a method of gravity manipulation to decrease the weight of objects.
The design of this project was extremely complicated; manufacturing the springs with steel took a lot of time and experimentation. But today, finally, the first batch of these weapons will be released.
Otto and I head to the factory with enthusiasm. Miklotov is busy in a meeting at the moment, so we must seize any opportunity to progress in our work.
The industrial area is always bustling with activity, with carriages coming and going, and buildings that resemble warehouses, adapted to accommodate all necessary elements.
These constructions are reinforced with steel rods to ensure the stability of the structures, combined with earth lamicta, resulting in durable buildings resistant to any adversity.
"Mr. Marco," greets the factory manager, shaking my hand. "Mr. Otto, it's a pleasure to see both of you."
Upon entering the factory, I encounter my most outstanding creation to date. I conceived it as a project during my time at university, an extremely important machine that simplifies the process of creating precision parts.
The blueprints were extremely complex, and manufacturing each component took practically four months of uninterrupted work, sacrificing hours of sleep.
It's a special machine, a masterpiece that marks a significant advance in the industry: a parallel lathe.
To be able to cut through the metal, it was necessary to follow strategies, which includes the third improvement to the steam engine. The machine clearly can exert enough force to affect the metal, but the problem lies in its continuity.
I need to manufacture electric motors, but electricity remains a field that will require a lot of work and experimentation.
With that, precision parts can be easily fabricated. In a month, I taught the supervisors how to use it, so they are better trained to do it.
It's dangerous, especially because I had to implement safety measures with magic to avoid workplace hazards. Mana crystals that deactivate the machine, but I hope there won't be any problems.
Baltazar was amazed when he saw the machine, of course, this machine is like a blacksmith by itself. Not in the same way, but for the most tedious and delicate tasks.
I need to keep improving everything, I need to keep creating, the more possibilities I have, the better weapons and items I'll be able to make, only this way will I survive in this world.
"Come, I'll show you the first batch of the new weapons," says the man, guiding us along the way.
In special areas, there are soldiers with rifles, ready for any situation. Of course, all the factories are protected with soldiers. This is not Earth; I need to protect every factory from possible damage.
We head up to the man's office, where he shows us a batch of ten pistols.
"We followed the instructions to the letter with your and Mr. Baltazar's guidance, the lathes were a crucial factor, as there were many pieces that we had to discard.
Clearly, it's not an easy task, the measurements of this world are slightly different, so it takes work to make all the parts. Making ten pieces in a month is not entirely bad if we use the plans already made.
Thanks to batch production, it's possible to make more, faster, and more manageable.
Now that they know how to do it, it will surely be easier.
There are already people in charge of making different parts, however, we need more lathes to speed up the process.
Now that we have the lathes, the manufacturing of screws, nuts, and other elements that require millimeter precision will be made in specialized places. At the moment, there are only two lathes, but the production of more of these is already in progress.
"You can request it from the ministry, send a letter, and the minister will take care of it.
These are tasks that I no longer need to do, so I feel quite relieved on this side. I pick up the pistol, feeling its quality in my hands, a sense of power and responsibility overwhelms me.
The bullets, of course, are bullets made with the same lathe. Unlike the rifle, a pistol is much more delicate, so we need the lathe to make the bullets.
That makes more lathes necessary.
"The steel bullets work perfectly," I share, with a mix of satisfaction and concern in my voice.
We have a batch of two hundred bullets available at the moment; however, more are in production.
The bullets were already being produced before. The important thing was always to take into account those production methods. If it weren't for my cell phone, this would have been impossible to achieve so quickly.
It's a slightly heavy weapon, but at the same time, I don't feel uncomfortable. The caliber of this weapon is large, just what's needed to penetrate armor. Bullets reinforced with fire lamicta will have a powerful shot, a power that can change the course of a battle.
I go to the testing range, a small room where weapons are tested.
To prevent damage to the ears from the echo of the weapons, I made something like noise-canceling headphones, although they are just simple pieces of thick fabric placed in the ears.
They don't cancel out much, but they make the experience more bearable.
Otto also wants to try it; he has also exercised with me, although he looks a bit uncomfortable.
"It's heavy, but manageable," Otto says, using both hands to aim.
I adjust Otto's posture, so he knows the best way to use it. We both aim and...
Bang!
I feel the recoil on my shoulders; the power of this weapon is no joke. At the back are sheets of steel, ranging from thin to thick, each one a test of its power.
"This is deadly..." Otto looks at the pistol, noticing that unlike old rifles, there's no smoke coming from the barrel. The fire lamicta don't produce combustion residues; they are perfect for the purpose, and although they are volatile, they are incredibly useful if well controlled.
The manipulation method was made by Beatrice. She discovered that by using mana absorption crystals, the volatility of the fire lamicta can be reduced. To break them without affecting their operation, it was necessary to make steel parts coated with these crystals.
All materials contain mana; the wrong interaction can make them react. Those crystals remove all mana, absorbing it completely.
They have a time of use, stipulated with several tests.
It's still dangerous, but when I can automate the process, it will be more manageable.
I look towards the overseer, giving him the go-ahead and indicating to continue with the manufacturing.
The short-range deficiency we have must be replaced. I know not everyone will have the possibility to have a short-range weapon, but at least I must give each captain one.
With the current size of the army, it becomes a vital necessity.
For this war, any addition can mean either defeat or victory. In every bullet we manufacture, in every pistol that is loaded, lies the hope and determination of our people.
The lives of all the people of Irlam depend on the outcome of this war.
Each weapon is a step forward, a whisper of hope in the darkness of the impending war.
We are ready to face whatever is necessary because we know that in our hands, these weapons are not only instruments of destruction but also of protection.
This time, the army is preparing to face its own kind, a reality they had never had to confront before.
Tensions and questions fill the air as Otto, and I return to the headquarters. Soon, we will have the crucial conversation with Miklotov.
As my mind sinks into these reflections, the communication device begins to vibrate, pulling us out of our thoughts. We stay alert, ready for whatever is about to come.
Miklotov greets us and wastes no time in beginning to outline the situation. His demeanor betrays concern, and his voice carries an uneasy tone.
"The situation is more complex than we imagined. There seem to be strange movements among my fellow high-ranking officers. Something doesn't add up," Miklotov mentions, taking a sip of his tea.
I can't help but put into words what I already know for certain.
"The Witch's Cult..." I affirm with conviction.
Miklotov's eyes widen, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. He has come to the same conclusions as I have.
"So, you suspected it already."
I nod determinedly. I have confirmed my suspicions, especially after Roswaal's words. The cult seems to have a much greater influence than we anticipated.
As they are infiltrated into the kingdom's structures, the struggle will be more challenging than we predicted.
Miklotov continues with his explanation. He speaks of Costuul, a semi-human city, and its methods of combat.
The demihumans, resilient beings with diverse abilities, are a force to be reckoned with, but their animalistic nature can be both an advantage and a disadvantage on the battlefield.
The gravity of the situation cannot be denied. I express it without hesitation.
"War is imminent," I state plainly.
An ironic smile appears on Miklotov's face as he picks up a letter, a symbol that we are engaged in a dangerous game where the pieces are being displayed and the stakes are high.
Uncertainty and tension hang in the air. The game has begun, and the pieces are in motion.
Suspense grips us as we venture into an uncertain future, where the shadows of the Witch's Cult lurk around every corner and war looms like an imminent storm.
I nod slightly, feeling the weight of destiny on my shoulders at this crucial moment. Miklotov's words resonate in the room, and the urgency of battle looms like a dark shadow over my heart.
"So, I will do my best to delay it as much as possible, a month, I'd say that's all I can do," Miklotov begins to jot down notes, his voice filled with determination. "My colleagues also desire the battle, so you must understand that there will be formidable enemies."
The tension in the air is palpable as I absorb every word, every promise, and sacrifice. I need information, precise details to forge my plan, a plan that no one expects, a hope amidst the chaos.
"If you can get a list, description, and abilities of the most dangerous individuals, then I would appreciate it," I add.
Hope flickers in my eyes as I contemplate the possibility of change, a twist in my destiny. My hands tremble slightly, not out of fear of death, but out of uncertainty about the path I must follow.
I have a plan, a plan that no one expects. The perfect way to end this and show that no one should mess with Irlam.
The fire of determination burns in my eyes, a spark of courage amidst the darkness. I close my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to find calmness within.
I cannot afford to doubt, I cannot let fear undermine my purpose.
"I will take care of what I can, I will send the letter to the kingdom, and then we will begin," I declare.
He nods, accepting the burden placed upon him, the fate of my land rests in his hands. I hang up the device with determination, leaving in the air the certainty that I will do everything possible to protect my people.
Otto sighs, understanding the gravity of the situation. Now that we've decided what to do, we must get to work. The urgency hangs in the air, a constant reminder that time is running out.
"Organize a meeting; let's strategize once and for all," I instruct.
Otto immediately gets to work, searching for the people we need. Beatrice looks at me with concern, her eyes reflecting the fear that I cannot afford to feel.
My fingers stroke her head, trying to convey reassurance, although deep down, I know this battle will be different.
I cannot die, or at least, my soul cannot.
The certainty of my immortality does not comfort me at this moment. The real struggle lies not in my fear of physical death but in my ability to plan, to make decisions that will save lives.
The lack of save points leaves me vulnerable, without a safety net in case of error.
If I'm caught in a point of no return, I would find myself with my hands tied.
The sense of uncertainty, the fear of death, those things don't really affect me. What affects me are the save points. They don't give me time to plan, to think things through.
I sigh deeply, accepting the reality I face.
The best strategies, the most careful plans, all of that is called into question when the ability to respawn after death isn't fully available to me.
I would have made better decisions if that were the case, created better strategies, and I would have a much easier life.
The miasma takes hold of my door, making me weaker.
But I don't have time to lament, I can't afford the luxury of doubt.
The weight of responsibility settles on my shoulders as I prepare for the impending battle. No matter what I lack, I will use every resource at my disposal to protect my people, to secure the future of Irlam.
But well, I must act with what I have, it doesn't make sense to overthink.
With determination in my gaze, I rise, ready to face whatever comes. No matter the lack of save points, I will forge my own destiny in this battle.
At this moment, I feel like my strength has grown explosively compared to what it was a few months ago.
Both physically and magically, I find myself in a superior state.
I feel like I could stand up to Julius, not physically, but magically, I believe I have an advantage.
My chances of survival are much higher now. However, something deeply troubles me: the fact of facing increasingly formidable enemies.
"If only Betty could assist you, I suppose..." Beatrice comments as she settles on my lap. I'm in front of the typewriter, preparing the letter I will send.
I can't afford to stray from the subject; I need this letter to be detailed and compelling. Once I finish it, I place it in an envelope. At that moment, Otto arrives and informs me that everyone is ready; it's time to set our plan in motion.
I rise with Beatrice, and we leave the place.
I hand the letter to Otto to take care of sending it. As we move towards our destination, I observe the place we're heading to a space designed for our meetings and strategies.
The lighting comes from dim lamps and a few candles, creating an atmosphere that seems taken from another era, contrasting with the rest of the facilities.
The place doesn't produce echoes, making it ideal for long and confidential conversations. We are about to delve into a world of secrets, strategies, and crucial decisions.
The suspense hangs in the air, like a tension that builds up and threatens to explode at any moment. Every word, every action, will carry significant weight in this critical moment.
Our fate is looming, and my mind is filled with thoughts.
Will we be able to face what is to come?
Crusch, Luan, Alsten, Helena, and Otto are the people I need right now. We need to organize the strategy perfectly. We sit down and clear the decorations from the table, replacing them with a map, the best one we've had to date, upon which we will base our plan.
"Good morning, everyone," I address each of them, noting that they are ready for what lies ahead. "As you may know, the kingdom of Costuul wishes to intervene in Irlam."
I begin by explaining in detail the information about Costuul, the possibility that it is a plan of the sages, the movements of the Witch's Cult, and the imposing demihuman army they have gathered.
"Costuul has quite heavy artillery, so we must consider constructing structures capable of withstanding their attacks."
Additionally, it is in Costuul where Crusch's cannons were manufactured. Although she provided the materials and the plans come from the Karsten family, there is no doubt that they will be used.
This is certainly not an easy war.
Costuul's advancements against the weaponry of my world are notable. This is the first major enemy I must face if I desire for Irlam to achieve the explosive growth I crave. The defeat of Costuul is imperative, no matter the cost.
"So, now that the threat is clear, we must plan how to face it," I take a quill and begin sketching my proposal. It is crucial that we come up with the best plan possible.
"Currently, technologies only allow attacks from specific points. Costuul lacks the ability to climb the mountain, especially with heavy loads. This would be a clear disadvantage for them, so their most likely strategy will be to surround it."
"But even so, Costuul's soldiers could try to ambush us," Otto warns.
Crusch intervenes, pointing to the part of the forest that is not yet connected to the map.
"The lower and middle parts of the mountain are infested with mabeasts, not only Wolgarm, but another species has recently appeared as well. The only safe area on the mountain is the place where we have found opportunities to extract iron, an area that the army guards jealously."
Luan speaks up and points to the mountain.
"They have that knowledge, and they also know the area affected by the great mabestia, the black serpent," Luan marks an X on a part of the mountain. "They won't expect us to install artillery in that area, and we can use the mabeasts to our advantage. We just need to manufacture more anti-mabeasts crystals. Roswaal is the only one who knows how to produce them and has made several at our request. If we use them, we'll gain a crucial advantage."
Alsten points out a problem.
"The biggest obstacle will be transporting the cannons to that location."
At that moment, Beatrice and I exchange a look, and our minds create the same idea.
"The hot air balloon," we say in unison, with a determination that is felt in the air.
With that, we have the possibility to transport it; it's just a matter of adapting it. Within a month, perhaps we can fix the whole place.
"Then, we must set up a base on the mountain," I look at Otto. "You'll speak with the Ministry of Construction, have them focus on this."
With Luan's idea, we have the possibility of launching a surprise attack, not only with artillery but also in the way we attack, using flanks that they don't have.
"I believe it's also important to secure the back part of the mountain," Luan points to the end of the mountain, the place that connects with Gusteko.
"I agree with Luan. I believe the Kingdom of Costuul has a way to traverse Gusteko. If they attack us from the rear, Irlam would be in trouble," Crusch asserts, showing concern.
Setting up a military base in that area also seems like a priority. I've been avoiding expanding beyond Roswaal's mansion; for some reason, the mabeasts are stronger and more aggressive there.
At this moment, any miscalculation could put us in danger.
"An excellent idea," I look at Alsten, who is the most knowledgeable about positioning soldiers. "You will be in charge of organizing the soldiers; you're the best for the job. I don't know everyone as well as Alsten does, so his role is critical."
"As you command, General," a quick response, as expected.
"To win this war, it won't be enough to just hold out. They will outnumber us, and we'll barely have enough to hold our ground," Crusch points to the peak of the mountain.
Then I know it, it's the plan Crusch and I had already discussed.
"We'll attack Costuul's castle with bombs, kidnap the Viscount of Costuul, and that will end the war. Until then, we just have to hold out."
It's a risky strategy, but it's the best way to end the war quickly. If I die, I just have to go back and plan it better. They have no way to win.
I smile, watching as the plan begins to take shape.
"But... who will go?" Luan asks, staring at me intently.
It's clear that I'll go; at this moment, our fighters are few. Emilia must stay; the few healing mages will be under her command. Besides, she's the last line of defense. What I don't know is if she'll be able to kill.
I doubt it.
These people aren't necessarily evil; they're just innocents caught in conflicts of interest. There's nothing noble about this, nothing that can be considered good.
"Me, and..."
Crusch is afraid of heights, she's not suitable for this mission.
It's evident that Beatrice will go with me; she'll control the balloon and keep it protected. The dilemma lies in choosing the third member of the team. Luan has considerable potential, but her training isn't quite there yet.
"I'll go," Crusch raises her hand. "General Marco, Miss Beatrice, and I will form the team, we don't need more people."
I sigh, if she says so, I have no choice but to believe her.
"That's settled then, our objective is to kidnap him."
Yes, I can hasten with Murak while Crusch distracts them. Kidnapping him shouldn't be a problem; I'm sure he'll seek refuge in the castle, from what I've heard about him, he sounds like the typical coward.
Alsten and Crusch will have to take care of military organization; unfortunately, I don't know much about that. The art of war is different; we're fighting against swords, and the numbers are different too.
This is not my job; I must focus on training and inventing, that's what I am, and that's what I'll do.
"Then, each one assumes their responsibility, the strategy is established. With the map already drawn, everyone is clear about the role they'll play. The military will protect Irlam while Crusch and I head to Costuul in the balloon. I need to complete the gravity meters at all costs; without them, the transportation work will be very complicated."
I look at Beatrice, trying to convey my intentions.
"Excuse me, then..." Helena seems a bit uncomfortable, she looks at us timidly.
Her role is fundamental for our plan; her task will be to devise the advertising campaigns.
"What campaigns can you create based on what we've discussed?" I ask, waiting for her response.
Helena shows her sketches, specifically four letters.
"This is the information, both the advertising campaign and the rumors we will spread."
The first one seems to be an advertising campaign.
"Join the army! Get an excellent salary thanks to your determination and effort. You can aspire to the highest, and that's only possible in Irlam."
"Do you have an idea, but lack funding? In Irlam, we support your project and help you fulfill your dreams. Your invention belongs to you, so start growing. Grow in Irlam, where you won't be oppressed by selfish interests."
"Join the army that defeated the witch cult and the great white whale. Make sure to be great and gain recognition, in Irlam everything is possible, without having to yield to powerful people."
"The last ones, following your recommendation, will be transmitted as subliminal messages," Helena smiles, understanding my plan.
"The greed of evil people joining with the witch cult is a sin that is not forgiven in Irlam. It's crucial that we stay united against this external threat."
"Activity of the witch cult has been spotted near Costuul. Caution is advised when entering and leaving the city. Sincerely, Ministry of Irlam."
"Irlam is determined to eradicate the witch cult and terrorist entities. Nevertheless, we will demonstrate our strength and solidarity with all races, values that set us apart from discriminatory practices in different cities."
Clearly, Roswaal confirmed to me that the cult is involved. With Miklotov acknowledging it, there is no other option but to use strategies to convey the information.
This month, we'll focus on sowing doubt both in Irlam and beyond its borders, visually and audibly.
The collective mind is fragile, manipulable, and for the good of Irlam, we must take advantage of it. However, we're not lying.
Everyone looks towards Helena, trying to grasp the concept. She looks at me, and with my nod, she begins to speak.
"Subliminal messages are like secret signals hidden in images, sounds, or words; they can influence our minds without us realizing it," Helena directs her gaze to her notes. "They are methods of mass manipulation."
It seems she's not entirely comfortable with it, but upon hearing what we've said, she understands that it's necessary.
"At this moment, our image is high but fragile. We will use this method to convey a sense of security in Irlam," I rise from my chair. "We must master all fields, both war and image, and also information. Any mistake, any miscalculation, will lead us to ruin."
Changing people's perspective will be hard work, but this is just the beginning. If I can sow doubt with this, then I can change the perception of the sages too.
"They believe they are playing with us, but we will prove them wrong," I declare. "Let's get to work; we have no time to lose."
Everyone stands up and performs a military salute, including Helena.
"As you command!" they all reply in unison.
They all depart to carry out their tasks, leaving only Crusch behind. It still feels uncomfortable for me to treat her as inferior; from my perspective, she's still Crusch Karsten. The problem is that it only works that way for me.
Even though she puts in all her effort, it must be uncomfortable for her as well.
"This strategy looks good," Crusch says as she looks at the map and then closes her eyes. "It's tough, this life is quite difficult."
Crusch sighs, opening her eyes and staring at me intently.
"This world seems to hide many secrets, secrets that you both know and don't know."
It seems she knows that I'm hiding something. The curious thing is that I never gave any signs of it. Throughout the time I've spent with her, I've realized how perceptive she is at seeing certain emotions, especially with her divine blessing.
There are things I can't hide from her, but Crusch, to avoid conflict, doesn't ask.
"When the time comes, I'll tell you," I say as I put my hand on her shoulder. "For now, we must focus on what's to come."
I can't tell anyone; any action they take with this information will be reflected in the Book of Wisdom. Only Otto can serve for my plan, which is why I haven't made a move myself.
The uncertainty about what Otto will do still lingers; what he does with what I told him will depend on him.
It's the only way to escape, to bet on him. I take Beatrice's hand and leave the place, breathing in the fresh air. It's time to move on, and I must continue with my work.
"Let's go, princess, we have work to do," I say.
Beatrice smiles, looking ahead. "It was about time, indeed."
We both head to the laboratory, where our work begins.