Chapter 198: Taking on Bigger Projects

Chapter 198: Taking on Bigger Projects



The success of the M2 machine gun sparked a newfound momentum on Akarios Island. The dwarves, elves, and humans had seen what their combined effort could achieve, and now, with their confidence bolstered, it was time to move on to bigger projects.

The next morning, Vincent gathered with Queen Velara and Princess Elara in the forge once more. This time, however, the forge wasn't filled with the usual clatter of forging weapons. Instead, it was quiet.

"We proved that the M2 machine gun works," Vincent said and continued. "Now it's time to step it up. We'll be tackling more complex systems today. Javelin missiles, fragmentation grenades, vehicle parts-everything that can give us an edge in this war."

Queen Velara nodded, her arms crossed as she watched her blacksmiths, who were now preparing the materials needed for the next phase of the project. "You've proven that your technology, combined with our craftsmanship and their magic, can create something effective," she said, gesturing toward the elves. "But first, explain to me what a missile is?" "I second that," Elara chimed in. "Please do tell, Sir Vincent."

"Well, how will I explain this to you simply without confusing you?" Vincent murmured, rubbing his chin as he considered how to bridge the gap between their worlds.

He took a deep breath and began, "A missile is a weapon designed to be launched at a target, usually from a distance. It uses a propulsion system, like an engine, to travel through the air. What makes it different from, say, an arrow or a cannonball, is that it's guided. That means it can adjust its path mid-flight to hit a specific target, no matter how far or fast it is moving."

Queen Velara raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "So, it's not just about power-it's about precision."

"Exactly," Vincent nodded. "It's a combination of speed, accuracy, and destructive force. The missiles we're designing will be able to lock onto enemy targets and strike with devastating force. They're usually armed with explosives, but we can enhance them with your magic and dwarven craftsmanship to make them even more effective."

"And the propulsion system you mentioned? How does that work?" Elara asked, her curiosity piqued.

Vincent gestured to the materials laid out in the forge, including metal casings, engines, and guidance modules. "These engines are fueled by a chemical reaction. When ignited, the fuel burns and creates a high-pressure exhaust that propels the missile forward. It's the same principle as any fire-based weapon but much more powerful and controlled. The guidance system uses technology to steer the missile mid-flight, ensuring it hits the right target." Elara's eyes gleamed with understanding. "So, with the right enchantments, we could make these weapons more accurate and resistant to interference."

"Exactly," Vincent confirmed. "And with dwarven steel reinforcing the casing, the missile can withstand harsh conditions, impacts, or attempts to destroy it before it hits the target."

"I see the potential," Queen Velara said, her skeptical expression softening slightly, "but we'll need to see a demonstration in action. Only then will we truly understand how these weapons work on the battlefield."

Vincent nodded, fully expecting this. "Of course we can show it to you. We will have a man firing a javelin missile at one of the vehicles that were about to scrap and demonstrate its full capability," Vincent finished, motioning for one of his engineers to begin preparations for the test.

One of the engineers nodded. "It's possible. We'd need to tweak the guidance system, but with the right enchantments, it should be able to process the information in real-time." "Let's get to work then," Vincent said, clapping his hands to get everyone moving. "We'll build a prototype using this concept and test it against some magical barriers."

The forge soon came alive with activity again. The dwarves reinforced the missile's casing, embedding it with their strongest metals to ensure it could survive the intense energy of magical defenses. The elves, led by Elara, worked on the intricate enchantments that would allow the missile to adapt to magical energy, while the humans adjusted the guidance system and warhead to handle the delayed detonation.

Hours passed as the groups worked side by side, with occasional glances exchanged between the elves and dwarves. The rivalry from earlier had subsided, replaced by a focused determination. This wasn't just about proving their worth anymore; it was about survival and giving their combined forces the tools they needed to stand a chance.

By the end of the day, the enhanced Javelin missile prototype was ready. It looked similar to the first one on the outside, but everyone knew that inside, it was a completely different

weapon.

Vincent gathered the group back at the test range for another demonstration. This time, they had set up magical barriers—thin, shimmering walls of energy that pulsed with elven magic. The target stood beyond them, another old vehicle that would serve as the missile's victim.

"Let's see how well the enhancements work," Vincent said, signaling to the soldier who had fired the first missile.

The soldier took his position once more, this time holding the enhanced launcher. He locked onto the target, his finger hovering over the trigger.

"Firing," he announced, and the missile shot into the air once again, its trajectory similar to the last test. But as it neared the magical barrier, the missile's movements shifted. The enchantments began to take effect, allowing the missile to adjust mid-flight. It twisted slightly, moving almost as if it could sense the barrier in front of it.

With a sharp hiss, the missile passed through the shimmering magical wall, unhindered by its energy. The delay mechanism activated just as planned, and once it was inside the barrier, the warhead detonated with an explosive force greater than before.

The blast echoed across the field as the vehicle was obliterated, leaving nothing but a crater

where it once stood. The barrier shimmered briefly, then vanished, completely overwhelmed by the force of the explosion.

Velara watched in silent awe, her eyes tracking the missile's flight and subsequent destruction of the target. She stepped forward, running a hand through the dissipating magical energy.

"It worked," she said softly, turning to Elara. "Your magic allowed it to bypass the barrier without setting off an explosion too soon."

"This is getting more interesting," Vincent said, as if already imagining a fleet of modern weapons modified with magic.