CH 186

Chapter 186 – Return & Preparation

The return trip to Erichburg was smooth. There were no monsters in the Sorel Mountains that could catch up with Grande, who was flying at high speed. However, since it was a little late to depart from the other side, Grande seemed to have taken the flight a little more seriously.

Even so, we arrived at Erichburg just before the sun went down, so we made it just in time. The area around Erichburg is relatively safe thanks to the fact that it has become the headquarters of the Liberation Army, but the gates are closed at night. Well, even if the gates are closed, Grande and I can still get in whenever we want. Both in terms of authority and physically.

“Welcome back.”

“Yeah, I’m back. There wasn’t… much danger.”

“Liar.”

“It hurts.”

Sylphy greets me and pulls both of my cheeks while glaring at me. She could tear my cheeks off when she gets serious, no joke, so I’m sure she’s just taking it easy on me.

“Welcome back.”

“Yeah, I’m back.”

While I was being pinched on the cheek, Isla hugged me and looked up at me from my chest. I patted her head, which was in just the right position, and she squinted her big eye pleasantly.

She’s so small, but she’s older than me.

“I’m glad to hear you’re all right. How did it go with the saint?”

A horned demon, who was smiling with a big smile on her face, asked me such a question from a little distance away.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.”

“She didn’t attack you like an animal, did she?”

“No.”

I was about to be pushed down. It’s almost, though.

“I mean, I’m glad that you’re happy to see me safe, but we’re running out of time, so I’m going to cut the pleasantries a little bit short.”

“””Eehh?”””

The Harpies, who were waiting for their turn to come out now, started booing loudly. There are more than ten of them, and if each one of them were to give her own story, it would take up the whole day, wouldn’t it?

☆★☆

There is not much to discuss at this stage of development… and it would be much more efficient for me to spend the time I have to spend on discussions on the production of equipment and leave the other adjustments to Sylphy and the others.

However, it is not only making things that I have to do.

“It makes a very loud noise, so those who are sensitive to sound should be careful… okay? Then I’ll shoot.”

After saying that, I pulled the trigger and fired a bullet.

The sound of the gunshot echoes continuously as if it is tearing through cloth, and the bullets that continue to be fired cleave the armored targets lined up on the shooting range in a single sideways flash. This machine gun, called Small Moustache-san power saw, has a very short firing interval.

Yes, what I have to do is to teach the proper people how to use weapons from “the other world” that do not exist in this world.

“This weapon is an extension of the bolt-action rifle. A machine gun ― what is a machine gun, you ask? As you can see, it is powerful enough to tear an opponent to pieces, regardless of whether they are wearing armor or holding a shield. The ammunition used is exactly the same as the bolt-action rifles everyone else is using.”

Saying this, I pull out a rifle clip from my inventory. In this case, it might be better to call them machine-gun rounds rather than rifle rounds.

“This thing fires bullets at a tremendous rate of 1,200 rounds per minute. But, of course, if you keep firing bullets at such a high rate, the barrel will heat up and become a terrible mess, so you have to replace the barrel frequently. You still need a spare barrel, though.”

Saying this, I opened the hatch next to the air-cooled barrel cover and pulled out a heavy barrel.

“It’s hot!”

I almost got burned and hurriedly put it back inside the barrel cover. I should have worn gloves.

“What are you doing?”

The captain of the riflemen, Jagira, who was watching the scene, smiled wryly. Her ears were flattened down, and I was impressed by the way she kept the noise down. A Beastman is helpful in so many ways. I still have an earache, though.

“I mean… that’s a hell of a weapon.”

Jagira looked at me with a flattened ear and a grim expression.

“Is it too powerful to use against humans?”

“Hmm, well…”

Jagira nodded at me. The rest of the riflemen had the same look on their faces.

“Yeah, well, it’s reasonable to think so. Bolt action rifles are just an extension of bows and crossbows. They are tools for individuals to kill individuals, and I think they can be called ‘weapons.’ In contrast, this machine gun, I believe, is a ‘weapon’ designed to allow a small number of people to overrun and mop up a large group of people unilaterally.”

Jagira and the others listened to my words with serious expressions on their faces. After confirming this, I continued.

“I think this kind of weapon, including bolt-action rifles, is something that should not exist in this world. A battle using this weapon would no longer be a battle, but a one-sided violation. But I will still put it on the battlefield and let you use this weapon to kill your enemies. Because it is absolutely necessary.”

What will be needed in the battle ahead is the mobility of the airboard. However, mobility alone is not enough. You need to have enough offensive power to stop the enemy in its tracks. It must be an offensive capability that can inflict certain damage without taking advantage of the overwhelming force of the enemy.

“Sylphy and Danan will tell you about the riflemen’s mission in the future. But in order to accomplish that mission, this weapon will definitely be needed. So you will have to learn how to use it.”

“I understand. How about all of you?”

The riflemen nodded in response to Jagira’s question.

If there is such a thing as hell in this world, Jagira and the rest of the riflemen will be along for the ride. If possible, I would like it to be just Sylphy and me. I think there are some extenuating circumstances since Jagira and the others were coerced by us.

“What are you talking about? Come on, tell me what you’re doing with that thing.”

“Yeah.”

I replied to Jagira’s voice and began teaching her how to load ammunition, change barrels, and so on.

I’m going to recommend them to leave before they use it to attack the Holy Kingdom army, but I’m sure it will be useless… bombs blew up thousands of people and hurt the Holy Kingdom army in the territory of the Merinard kingdom in many other ways. Anyway, I’ll do my best not to cause any damage to the riflemen who handle this thing due to outbursts or accidents.

It would take an omniscient and omnipotent God to save an enemy who is approaching with a weapon. If it were a game, it would be easy because the enemy character just falls down and disappears in a flash, but… it’s just not possible. Good grief.