Maria arrived at her estate early. She didn't have a carriage but she DID have a wagon for the large amounts of groceries the estate needed, and while the groom who'd picked her up seemed confused and mildly embarrassed he was picking up his lady in such a vehicle, they'd made good time getting back.
She'd had them bring out the target to an isolated part of her estate, away from the road, where she'd done the previous shooting demonstration. It was the less-perforated of the still-perforated armors she'd used previously. She'd have used a condemned criminal if she could, but fortunately all her tenants were well-behaved, and the jails of her lands had not contained anyone condemned to death. So the armor and various bits of wood had to do.
Maria'd had her armsmen hunt a large boar that could be used for demonstration purposes, but unfortunately she had not been precise enough in her message, and it had apparently been immediately butchered for food, and would serve as their lunch. Ah, well. For next time. She'll have to remember for next time. Fortunately, no one was mauled horribly, and now her armsmen had a big boar skull to decorate their dormitory.
Probably just as well, she remembered Yharnam's wild sewer hogs were hard to kill with just a gun. It probably wouldn't have looked well in her demonstration if she could kill it in one shot.
The building for the production facility had been completed, the dirt floor hard-packed by hitting it a lot instead of magic. At least that could get started soon.
Her guests started to arrive around midmorning. For once, the children weren't there to greet them in a crowd, though they could clearly be seen watching from the balconies on the upper part of the manor's entrance hall, doing their best to watch and be quiet on promise of treats. Maria stood in the entrance hall herself, clad in her hunter's garb, wearing the sword gifted to her. It struck that for all the things she'd done, she had yet to use the sword in anger.
Ghirardeli opened the door. Her steward was the most senior of the staff in the estate, and had the most experience save for the head cook. As such, he knew the proper protocol as he opened the door to announce his Majesty King Artorias Stuart, Queen Arianna Stuart, Lord Prime Minister Dan Ascart and Nicol, and their royal highnesses the First, Second, Third and Fourth Princes and their honored fiancées.
Katarina and Lady Hunt were both familiar to him (and of course the former grinned widely and gave her an enthusiastic wave as soon as she saw Maria), and of course she'd met Lady Berg, but this was her first time meeting Lady Susanna Randall. She'd heard the rumors of course, that she was a talented beauty and all that, but honestly those words get bandied about so much Maria figured they were tacked on as a matter of course on anyone they could vaguely be made to fit with. Even Katarina was being called a talented beauty, though the rumors seldom seemed to specify what the talent was. It was a rare rumor that spoke of her sword fighting prowess, though those had started to occasionally be spoken of since the school festival.
Maria studied Lady Randall. She had long, black hair and blue eyes (but that wasn't anything uncommon) as well as a body that contained many aesthetically pleasing curves in the right places, oozing a seductive charm that Maria would have cheerfully wanted in a statue to grace her dwelling. She was generically exceedingly beautiful with a suitably attractive face to match her body. Yes, a very good subject for sculpture, with her seductive smile and large… vials of blood that were tastefully emphasized by her form-fitting dress and revealing bustline.
She was either someone very confident in her power or a courtesan made good. Or both. Maria resolved not to take her lightly.
Well, enough time ogling another woman's chest, easy as it was to do because she presented them so prominently. Maria stepped forward and bowed, hand to heart, to the king and queen. "Your Majesties," she said. "I welcome you to my manor, humble as it is. It is an honor to receive and meet you again for only the second time."
The king smiled. "Yes," he said in his vaguely feminine voice. "The second time. I have been looking forward to speaking with you about this ever since I heard reports of your alchemy presentation with my sons at the school festival, which I was unfortunately unable to attend– " Behind him, Maria said Alan and his twin roll their eyes, while Prince Ian sighed and the First Prince laughed, "– but I understand you were swamped in adventure until now. Very deep swamp, I heard."
"You heard correctly, your Majesty," Maria said. "However, I am at your disposal now, and hope to answer any questions you may have regarding this alchemical development's properties and possible uses."
"Uses beyond filling the night with short-lived stars?" the Queen said.
"Unfortunately, your Majesty," Maria said.
The Queen raised an eyebrow. "How dramatic," she said, looking amused. "Very well, I shall wait to see."
Maria was then introduced to the Prime Minister, who looked like an older prototype of Nicol without the overdone aesthetic refinements. He had learned to smile however, and practiced or sincere, it made him look much more welcoming than his son. "So, you are Maria Campbell," he said as Nicol introduced them. "Much interesting paperwork has crossed my desk because of you."
"You have my apologies," Maria said.
"Not all of them were bad," the Prime Minister said. "My daughter tells me you have joined your signs together. I wish you well on your venture."
Said Sophia was absent because she was inspecting the lofting tubes they had commissioned, the first of which were being finished and prepared for delivery under her eye.
The princes needed no introduction save for the eldest, Prince Jeffery, whom Maria had never met but was instantly wary of. After all, the Marquess David Mason had been one of his supporters, and while he had publicly denounced the man once things were revealed, that was only the logical, politically expedient thing to do. Maria found it hard to believe he would be so ignorant of his underling's actions. He was either the greatest fool out of all the princes (a high bar, given the Third Prince) or the most vile and terrible. Either case was worrying.
Still, Maria smiled politely as Alan, after a losing quick game of 'shield, sword, bow' to the Third Prince, reluctantly introduced them. He seemed an empty-headed, foppish prince, which was actually very unhelpful for trying to tell whether he was a fool or a threat.
His fiancé, however, gave Maria a wide, friendly, yet somehow seductive smile. "Lady Campbell, it's so good to finally meet you! We have heard tell of your tales and exploits in the capital. Please, feel free to just call me Susanna," she said with a wink.
…
Oh no, another one trying to recruit Maria as a lover. And in front of her fiancé, no less! True, Katarina had, apparently, never been actually doing that, Maria had just horribly misread the earnest your woman's natural friendliness and complete disregard for proper protocol, but she didn't think that was just the case this time. Especially since she was stroking Maria's arm and licking her lips and seemed to be about to bury Maria's face in her large… vials of blood with an 'overenthusiastic' hug…
There was a sigh, and unexpectedly Lady Berg came between them, the smaller woman placing her hand on Lady Randall's hand and lifting it away from Maria with tired distaste then gently but firmly pushing her away. "Lady Randall, please don't be so forward. Lady Campbell is a proper young woman and does not deserve your blandishments," she said.
Everyone, even Maria, blinked. She was fairly certain even their Majesties stared.
Prince Ian merely beamed with pride.
"Oh my, this is so unlike you, Lady Selena," Lady Randall said. She licked her lips again. "It seems you have grown stronger since being ensnared in that terrible plot."
There was an audible crack of joints as Lady Berg clenched her fist at her side. "You are holding up the line, Lady Randall," she said coolly. "Can we move along?"
Surprisingly, Lady Randall bowed in submission, even as her smile seemed to grow wider as she allowed Lady Berg to press her forward.
"… what just happened?" Prince Alan said as Prince Jeffery laughed, seemingly amused. "You saw that too, right? Or was I imagining things?"
"No, I saw it too," the Third Prince said. "Lady Selena just bossed around Lady Susanna."
"Are we asleep? Is this some strange dream?" Lady Hunt said, sounding shocked.
"Ah, it's nice to see Lady Selena and Lady Susanna getting along so well," Katarina said happily.
"So wonderful… no, I must control myself, I must hold back…" Prince Ian muttered.
Maria worried for this country, she really did. Long may the king reign, because his children certainly weren't ready!
There were others beyond the royals. A tall, broad-shouldered man with a chin so heroic it could probably bludgeon opponents by itself was introduced as General Solcrista, Head of the Royal Guard and by extension the nation's army. A small, broad man who had the build of a blacksmith who for some reason reminded Maria of Lady Cavendish was introduced as Colonel Titanites, who was Master of the Royal Armory. Both looked politely, professionally interested, though her hunter's garb drew some curious stares.
The presentation started in the room where everyone was offered some small drinks and snacks to refresh themselves after their journey, as well as some small sandwiches for those who might have missed breakfast. Katarina got her own large tray piled with sandwiches and snacks, which served to keep her from everyone else's food and got her some amused looks from those who knew Katarina.
Maria stepped forward and placed a small, clear glass bottle where everyone could see it. "This alchemical blackpowder is the root and basis of the weapons that I am about to present to you."
"Weapons? More than one?" the king said, picking up the bottle and turning it over. It was the finest-ground powder Maria had, so if flowed most aesthetically, even as the inside of the bottle got a little darker from the light dusting of powder it got.
"Yes, your Majesty," Maria said. "They are all basic and logical extensions of the properties of this powder. You see, this powder, when set alight, burns into a large volume of smoke extremely quickly."
The king blinked, looking skeptically at the bottle. "That's it?" he said, sounding vaguely disappointed.
"That's all it needs to do," Maria said. "But for reference, what happens when a Fire Magic wielder and a Water Magic wielder convert water in a sealed container into steam? ALL the water." It was something people tried in practical lessons sooner or later. They actually had a specific form for it.
"The container explodes because the steam doesn't fit," the king said. Then he blinked and looked at the powder. "Ah… I see."
"Shall we go outside for me to demonstrate, your Majesty?" Maria said.
They did.
The armor they were using as target practice was examined and declared 'adequate, but below military quality', though they allowed it would have sufficed a century or so back. Maria made a note of it. the existing holes from previous demonstrations had been marked with paint to distinguish them.
"This," she presented, "is the prototype alchemy-fueled weapon 'Gehrman', version 1. It uses black powder and a specially molded metal projectile to attack as far as 60 yards. Its use is not dissimilar to a crossbow, but it offers greater range and greater armor penetration within that range."
The two military representatives looked dubious, and Maria couldn't blame them. Crossbows were considered a weak weapon, as it was slower than a bow and could be protected against by most shields, or even as simple as a wooden board used as a shield.
Katarina had stayed behind to play with the children, and while the Third Prince had looked pained and obviously selfishly wanted her by his side, everyone just sort of shrugged. Lady Hunt had looked like she wanted to beg off as well, but had stayed as Maria had guided everyone to the shooting demonstration area she'd had set up, with its new dirt backstop.
Slowly, exaggeratedly, Maria went through the motions of loading the gun with black powder, ramming in the bullet, lighting the match, cocking the hammer, and finally shooting from 60 yards. The smoke stung, and she really wished she knew how to make smokeless powder, but that was for some other dark soul to discover. Then she cleared the barrel and reloaded as quickly as she could, then shot again. And again. And again.
After six more times, Prince Ian, apparently realizing Maria's intent, used his Earth Magic to drag the target the 60 years towards them.
Five new holes were scattered all over the target breastplate, as well as one dent too far to the side that showed a ricochet. Maria chided herself for her poor shooting a grouping. There were also three holes and two dents in the backplate that was added to it. The Master of the Armory let out a long whistle and exchanged looks with the Head of the Royal Guard.
"With modification," Maria said, "a weapon such as this can shoot a larger projectile faster, while maintaining accuracy. According to the mathematical progression we calculated, it would be simple to have a weapon that could go through an armored knight and at least one other knight behind him." She presented the weapon, holding it with both hands. "Do wish to test it yourself?"
The two older military officers exchanged looks, and Maria was amused to see them play a quick three rounds of 'shield, sword, bow', with the General's clenched-fist shield beating the Colonel's two-fingered bow.
"I accept your invitation, you ladyship," the general said in a surprisingly smooth, educated voice. "Show me how to use this weapon."
As Prince Ian returned the target to the backstop, Maria talked the General to the steps of properly using the weapon in his hands, such as never pointing it at himself or anyone he didn't want dead, how the barrel had to be cleaned before pouring down the powder, packing down the powder before adding the bullet (and making sure the bullet was pointed the right way around for best effect), explaining the reason for the bullet's cup-like shape, adding the priming powder, how to aim, cocking the hammer, and finally firing.
The hole he made in the armor was decently centered.
"Like shooting a crossbow, but with a greatbow's recoil," he said as Maria took the weapon, and he listened as Maria cleaned it, explaining about fouling and build-up in the barrel.
"It's slow," the Master of the Royal armory said. "Slower than a bowman."
"But it goes farther," the General said. "Easy to use, too. Anyone who knows how to use a crossbow can use this, and crossbowmen train fast."
Maria coughed. "I personally feel that this is currently too slow to be a battlefield weapon. The current configuration requires one be standing to reload it, and the reload process is long and involves multiples steps."
"Are you seriously looking down on your own weapon?" Prince Alan said incredulously.
"I am simply pointing out its weaknesses," Maria said. "However, it have devised a new design that should mitigate some of these difficulties, especially the speed of reloading. Unfortunately, the prototype for that has not been finished yet."
"When will it be finished?" the Third Prince said.
"In five days or so," Maria said.
"Then I suppose I will be looking forward to your hospitality in a week's time, Lady Campbell," the King said.
"As you say, your Majesty," Maria said.
The other 'weapons' were much more straightforward. One was a pottery jar, just big enough to hold in your hand, filled with black powder, sealed with wax and with a long fuse. It looked so much like the charges they'd used for the festival Prince Alan and this twin backed away warily.
Maria had placed it next to the much-abused armor, lit the fuse and had run like dogs were after her, diving into a trench she'd had her people make ahead of time. The sight of the armor being reduced to twisted metal raised several eyebrows, which she hoped was merely understatement.
The next one had involved their prototype lofting mortar, filled with black powder, compressed down with a rag, and above the rag a double handful of large, heavy metal nails were poured, packed in. Lacking armor to perforate, they'd used some wooden boards sunk into the ground as a wall and propped up by more dirt. Maria loved her new staff, she really did. As soon as she had an income, she was giving them a raise.
She carefully laid the lofting tube to point at the wall from twenty feet away, lit the fuse and ran for the nearby trench.
The charge going off was alarmingly loud and Maria wished she'd had time to test this beforehand as she used light magic to clear the deafness in her ears. Thankfully, when she looked up, the lofting tube was still intact.
The same could not be said for the wooden wall, which was… well, removed, as if it were a bridge, castle, dragon or inconvenient god, leaving only little stubs poking out from where they had buried the boards to hold them up. The boards had not been week.
Maria stood, dusted herself off, and walked calmly to her visitors, who were staring in shock. Some were trying to clear their ears.
"These are all, of course, still experimental prototypes," Maria said, "And are currently a little too unsafe for practical battlefield use. However, it would be simple for me to make the next iteration of development designed to be more reliable and safer to use."
"Would those also be ready next week?" the King asked.
"Unfortunately not, your Majesty," Maria said. "Even if it were, I would wish to test it first to ensure the material is up to the task, lest it explode violently and kill all spectators."
"Sensible," the Queen said, looking pale. "Give the young knight more time to ensure her weapons won't kill us, Artie."
The king frowned, but nodded. "Next month, then. I would not wish to embarrass you by forcing you to show us something that was insufficiently prepared."
Maria thought back to the improvised shot from the lofting mortar. "You are most generous, your Majesty."