Chapter 204: Terrifying Power
The iron plate shook slightly. A small hole appeared in the center. The lead bullet had cleanly pierced through the iron plate, which was as thick as heavy armor!
Both Ancestar and Leon looked grim. They both clearly understood what this meant.
Even for Ancestar, his body did not possess the same defensive strength as heavy armor. Unless he condensed his Heart Force into a shield, he could not defend against the attack of this lead bullet. This meant the weapon known as the musket had the potential to injure him.
Leon was even more excited. The lethality of this weapon far exceeded his imagination. This was not a Magic Weapon exclusive to Wizard Apprentices, but a weapon that mortals could use!
Ace did not speak. He used the Lesser Spell Mana-Crystal Shield to create a shield in front of the iron plate, then signaled Leon with his eyes.
Leon leveled the musket in his hand, aimed, and pulled the trigger.
Bang!
As the flint struck, sparks flew, and the lead bullet fired down the barrel. Under the pressure of the rifling, the lead bullet passively spun at high speed, flying rapidly toward the Mana-Crystal Shield.
Almost instantly, the shield shook violently and actually shattered. The lead bullet hit the iron plate behind the shield, embedding halfway into it.
Ancestar was utterly shocked. He exclaimed: “This weapon can actually shatter a Lesser Mana-Crystal Shield!”
Leon was equally shocked. His hand was slightly numb, and he stared blankly ahead.
Ace said to the two: “This is the power of the musket. A single lead bullet at thirty meters can shatter a Lesser Mana-Crystal Shield. Unless an ordinary Wizard Apprentice casts quickly and creates a double-layer Mana-Crystal Shield, they will inevitably be injured or even killed by it!
I will arm the mortals of the territory with this weapon and establish a firearms unit. Musketeers can use muskets to protect the territory and injure or kill ordinary Monsters.”
Leon, recovering from his shock, heard Ace’s words and gradually regained his composure. He bowed respectfully to Ace and said:
“Respected Your Excellency the Archon, this weapon is indeed extremely powerful. However, arming mortals with such a weapon—does it not pose a risk of losing control?”
Leon spoke implicitly. Although Wizard Apprentices were supernatural, they were only low-level supernatural. Muskets could hurt or even kill them, meaning there was a possibility of being overthrown by mortals.
Ace smiled slightly. He was a Wizard Apprentice, and moreover, a Wizard Apprentice proficient in mental control, mental suggestion, and Covenant Magic. He had plenty of ways to prevent mortals from overthrowing him.
Even without using Magic, he could prevent subversion through institutional and ideological construction.
However, Leon also needed encouragement. Ace said to Leon gently:
“The question you raised is crucial. Who controls the army and who leads the army is the core issue. We can manage this effectively through two aspects.
First, we will separate the management of paper cartridges, lead bullets, and muskets, storing them separately. We will strictly manage the ammunition warehouse. Every lead bullet and every pack of gunpowder will be numbered and registered. They can only be carried during combat. Without gunpowder and lead bullets, a musket is just a fire stick.
Second, we must strengthen the training and ideological education of the firearms unit. We will give them relatively superior treatment and strict training, and continuously strengthen ideological education to enhance the firearms unit’s sense of identity and obedience to the territory and the Wizard collective.”
Hearing this, although Leon still had many worries about training and education, the thought of separating guns and ammunition reassured him significantly. As long as the gunpowder and lead bullets were controlled, no one could cause trouble.
Ancestar had no worries. He felt happy inside. This new weapon usable by mortals must have been created using magical means. This weapon represented the infinite possibilities of Magic and the infinite possibilities of the Wizard group.
“Respected Lord Torch-Bearer, can this weapon only be manufactured using magical means?” Ancestar asked.
Ace looked at him and said: “Indeed, I created it using magical means. Without using Magic, this weapon could also be manufactured, but its power would be greatly reduced.”
He added silently in his heart: Given the current technological level, mortals absolutely cannot manufacture muskets capable of defeating ordinary low-level Monsters.
Hearing Ace’s answer, Ancestar said: “Then I think there is no problem. Since we Wizards can create this kind of weapon, we will inevitably be able to create more powerful weapons and create more powerful spells in the future.
Although I am not good at researching Magic, I remember you said that Magic is the primary productive force. As long as our Wizard group always maintains the spirit of questioning you spoke of, we will not only discover and invent more but also solve the Warren Dilemma!
If we have to worry about even this tiny hidden danger, what boldness do we Wizards have to pursue truth!”
Ace looked at Ancestar in surprise. This Knight, who had always strictly adhered to the virtue creed, could actually say such Wizard-style words. It was truly surprising.
Could this be the immense efficacy of the Mental Network? Ace thought.
He nodded to Ancestar, then said to the two:
“There is an even more powerful weapon here, which I call a Cannon. You can understand it as a super-sized musket. With muskets and cannons, mortals will have the power to fight even ordinary low-level Monsters and powerful low-level Monsters!
The task I give you two is this: Ancestar is responsible for convening and selecting suitable soldiers, then training them according to my requirements. I will give you the drill manual later.
Leon, you assist Ancestar in selecting suitable soldiers and building training facilities in the military camp area in the northwest of the city. You may withdraw now.”
The two slowly withdrew. Leon cautiously arrived at the castle’s public hall and let out a long sigh of relief. Finally, no embarrassing mishaps!
Just then, a Wizard Apprentice in the hall was trying to construct a Heavy Water Missile. Although being discovered would result in point deduction, they loved casting spells in the hall!
The spell succeeded, but the aim was a bit off, flying straight toward Leon.
In a panic, Leon threw himself directly onto the ground, narrowly dodging the water missile.
As he struggled to get up, Splat! He fell, and with a Crack!, threw out his back again!
All men of appropriate age in the territory received a notice to go to the Fountain Square to participate in the conscription selection.
“Have you heard? As long as you successfully become a musketeer or artilleryman, your annual Work Points will double compared to now, and you will get a subsidy of three kilograms of flour and half a kilogram of pork every month!”
“More than that! As long as you are selected as a soldier, one year of service counts as two. That means if you are a Freeman, you can become a Reserve Citizen after just one and a half years of service. If you are a Reserve Citizen, you can become a Formal Citizen after just two and a half years!”
Gasps were heard from the surroundings. Everyone knew that only Formal Citizens had the opportunity to become Wizard Apprentices. If they became soldiers, even Freemen could become Formal Citizens in just four years, obtaining a ticket to the supernatural!
Everyone’s eyes gradually became eager. Some women also gathered around, listening to the men’s discussion, envy showing in their eyes.
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