SWNOVELXO Chapter 148
Chapter 148 – Proof of Progress (8)
“That’s quite the power.”
“Depending on the situation, it’s likely more effective than most low-level magic.”
When gunpowder weapons were first introduced to them, the Kingdom of Baruk strained its limited resources to invest heavily, seeing the potential that these could replace mages on the battlefield.
Naturally, the details of gunpowder were state secrets, and the artisans who crafted gunpowder and cannons were treated with great respect, gaining a sense of pride.
This pride naturally transferred to the artillerymen operating the cannons, who considered themselves the flower of the battlefield, replacing those precious mages. It wasn’t wrong, so commanders clamored for more cannons and gunpowder.
“What?! We have to garrison in the Northern Region, in the city of the Barbarians!?”
“We’re not fighting the Barbarians. We’re heading there to stop the Black Monsters that are appearing.”
Amidst this, an order was issued to an elite unit of the Northern Artillery Brigade. The unit was to head north and fight alongside the Barbarians.
‘What does that even mean?’
From the commander who received the order directly to the lowest-ranked soldiers, everyone tilted their heads in confusion. Most of the delegation spreading rumors had died on the way back, so the news about the Arin Tribe hadn’t fully reached the lower ranks.
“How curious. Could it be that our kingdom has formed an agreement with one of them?”
“Come on, they’re just trying to curry favor with those seeking an audience.”
The commanders of the artillery brigade gathered and exchanged views. Even Lucas, the brigade commander acting as the overall leader, shared this sentiment.
“It seems it’s not that straightforward. I heard from Rihar, the royal mage, that we are not going to protect them or be treated courteously. We’re dispatched to fight side by side as equals.”
“Does that even make sense!? They’d be frightened stiff at the sound of a cannon!”
Lucas relayed what he heard from Rihar to his subordinates, but they reacted with disbelief. To them, the tribes of the grasslands were still just Barbarians.
Deeply rooted prejudices and perceptions are not easily changed without seeing things firsthand. The common practice of dispatching troops and garrisoning them was aligned with the treatment of vassal states.
“Is that really true? But the commander and the mage both seemed to imply they were different from ordinary Barbarians when talking about them.”
Although Lucas had slightly more information to go off, his doubts had not yet transformed into certainty, and finally, he set off with his troops on their mission.
“From here on, we’ll take over the escort.”
“Th-this is unbelievable.”
“A bird has turned into a person!”
And with that, their perceptions began to change little by little from the moment they first met the Arin Tribe.
Rihar, who was accompanying them, merely watched with a faint smile.
“What a proper city this is.”
After marching, Lucas and the artillery brigade arrived at Village 2, where Chieftain Balun resided. They were astonished by the sight of the city and village.
With sturdy walls and tall castle walls, everyone’s eyes widened in amazement.
The internal structures differed entirely from the other tribes, who lived in nothing but tent houses or shacks; architects had built a variety of facilities and houses using blocks.
“I keep telling you. They are different.”
“Indeed, they are definitely different.”
Lucas agreed with Rihar’s words, who was grinning slyly. The astonishing aspect was not only the appearance of the castles and buildings. The eyes of the residents living here were clear and bright, filled with vigor.
Seeing men and women of all ages reading posters and sharing information was even more shocking, with soldiers who had laughed at the Barbarians suddenly feeling meek in this exotic and mysterious landscape.
“It’s a relief we weren’t attacked on the way. I heard that the artillery brigade needs to have nearby escorts to fight properly.”
“That’s correct. Targeting and firing takes quite a bit of time, so it’s essential.”
‘What an unusual situation.’
Having met the great chieftain, Balun, who led all this, Lucas politely greeted him, acknowledging the rumors.
Balun, and the Arin Tribe, were entirely different from the Northern Barbarians they had known.
“I’m very curious about the legendary power of the artillery that I’ve only heard of. Since we’re on the same side against the monsters, let’s observe and discuss how to employ the cannons.”
“That’s entirely possible.”
‘Yes, we still have our cannons.’
However, brigade commander Lucas did not give up hope just yet. Though taken aback by their unexpected appearance, there was still a symbol of developed civilization that the Arin Tribe lacked.
He was confident that once they demonstrated the power of the cannons, they would be astonished and impressed.
“Everyone, keep your spirits up and show them a perfect display. We’re no longer the ones being surprised. Now it’s our turn to impress them.”
Lucas urged his subordinates to prepare for the cannon demonstration. With a resounding roar and destructive force, he aimed to lift the morale that had been feeling deflated.
‘What in the world is going on?’
The majority of soldiers were dumbfounded watching the Arin Tribe transporters stack stone blocks to create a massive, thick stone target out of nothing on the open plain.
“Prepare to fire!”
In any case, the cannons were all in position, aiming at the target. Countless spectators gathered to see the royal army’s cannon demonstration, and a tense Lucas and the artillery brigade began firing in unison.
‘You never get used to the body-shaking sound.’
As they fired cannonballs blasting flames, Lucas discreetly glanced at Balun and the residents beside him.
The cannonballs created strong shockwaves, shattering the targets they had prepared and kicking up a cloud of dust, and though it wasn’t as impressive as he hoped, most of the residents watched with wide-eyed astonishment.
“Haha! Look at them! They’re all shocked with their mouths hanging open!”
“Quick, bring more ammunition! Let’s shoot until they fall over in surprise!”
Having successfully elicited the desired reaction, the royal army’s artillery brigade continued the firing demonstration, drenched in sweat.
“Hmm, could it be a bit underwhelming?”
“Yeah, compared to the siege chariots they showcased, it’s pretty… small. It’s a cute size to begin with.”
Yet amidst this, there were those watching casually with folded arms, who shrugged and scoffed at the kingdom’s cannons, calling them disappointing.
Having participated in the real-time strategy simulation campaign with Junyoung, they found it hard to believe just how powerful the “real cannons” of the Galactic Federation were.
*
“Over there, that’s the Development Headquarters!”
“Wow, it’s huge.”
As Shun and the Arin warriors, under Junyoung’s control, crossed the wasteland together with the Federation’s soldiers, they finally spotted the large base they had aimed for.
The headquarters for the expedition team, preparing to develop the planet, hurriedly sent equipment and troops to escort them after being astonished by their miraculous return.
“Wh-who are these people?!”
“Wait! They’re our allies. Thanks to them, we managed to get rid of the Ruckers and made it here!”
Rodwell stepped forward to protect and explain to the astonished soldiers seeing the Arin warriors.
Thanks to this, the Arin Tribe was able to complete the campaign and enter the Development Headquarters. However, clearing Stage 1 of the campaign didn’t mean the game was over yet.
“What on Earth! What’s that giant iron cart?!”
“Look at that! An iron lump is flying through the sky!”
The items from a sci-fi-themed game were overwhelmingly astonishing to the Arin warriors. The massive equipment, which couldn’t even be compared to the personal gear the soldiers were carrying, particularly drew their attention.
‘The world is immense. What kind of being can be the Guardian Deity that exists throughout this vast world?’
This was a moment when the vision of warriors who had spent their lives only in their hometowns, including the grasslands, dramatically widened. They realized that in this vast world, unimaginable events were happening daily.
Yet amidst that, there was one significant point: even while their vision was expanding, their faith in the beings that guided them deepened.
This aspect intrigued those investigating the Arin Tribe as well.
“Is that what they call a cannon? One that fires cannonballs?”
“Can I take a look?”
At that moment, an opportunity arose. A siege chariot was activated to eliminate approaching enemies near the Development Headquarters.
The Arin warriors gasped, watching the behemoth of a chariot move at an incredible speed, and once it aimed its gigantic cannon barrel at the enemy, they gasped again in shock.
“I still can’t forget what I saw back then. Thunder was fired, and lightning caused a massive explosion, turning solid ground into a giant pit.”
Afterward, the Arin warriors spread the word about what they witnessed to the surrounding residents.
The tales they shared were captivating, and naturally, many people became enthralled by their adventure stories.
“Unbelievable. How could such a cannon exist? Even if it was made, the gunpowder involved… I can’t even imagine.”
“Really? They said it wasn’t gunpowder, but some other force being used to shoot the cannonballs.”
When Balun held up a book vividly documenting their stories, a once smug Lucas shook his head in disbelief.
According to the kingdom’s common sense, it was absolutely impossible.
‘What a nonsense. Is their reaction so lackluster because they believe in that legend? Darn it. Their imagination is something else.’
Lucas sighed, understanding that the residents’ reactions were less than he expected.
If they truly believed in the monumental cannon barrel and its monstrous power, the artillery they had showcased probably appeared tiny in comparison.
“Anyway, we’ve sufficiently demonstrated the power of the cannons. We have a fortress we’ve made to the north, which is under constant attack from enemies. We need your help there.”
“We’ll gladly assist.”
In any case, the cannons brought by the royal army were still significantly powerful for the current bugs. Agreeing with Balun’s suggestion to send the artillery brigade north, Lucas and the kingdom’s artillery unit departed Village 2, heading toward the nearby portal.
Utilizing the astonished portal, the royal army artillery brigade became the first united force set to battle against the bugs up north.