"Ooh, these are really pretty!" Sophia said, gushing over the Gerhman Pistol version 1 and the Gehrman Rifle version 2 in Maria's dorm room.
"I can't sell them to you," Maria said. "I need them for a demonstration."
"Demonstration? Are you trying to sell these things to the less-pretty-than-Nicol boys, but not to me?" Sophia actually seemed offended by that. "I am offended!"
"The king and the Royal Guard, actually," Maria said.
"Okay, I take it back," Sophia said. "Go. Go and take all that good royal souls. I give you my blessing."
"Your blessing is appreciated," Maria said dryly.
"How much are you gouging them for?" Sophia asked.
"I plan to start at 5000% and work my way down," Maria said.
"Hmm…" Sophia murmured. "Need an investor for that?"
"Probably," Maria said, "But should you wait for some kind of return in your first investment before putting souls into another?"
"Ugh… that's fair, I guess," Sophia said. "What about the knightly covenants?"
Maria blinked. "What about them?"
"I've heard father teaching Nicol about how Sorcier is protected," Sophia said. "The knight covenants, while having independent chains of command, are formally part of the nation's army in time of war, and are part of maintaining internal security in peacetime. They actually spend more money on equipment than the Royal Guard, in volume if not in quality of enhancements. Most of them are private purchases by individual knights, but each covenant has its own stock of arms for any levies the knights raise from their lands as well as things like giant crossbows and such. If you have something you can offer the knightly covenants, they'll be even better customers than the kingdom!"
"Would the king not object to someone else having access to these weapons?" Maria said.
"If they didn't say it's forbidden, then it's not," Sophia said. She grinned. "In fact, hearing that some covenant was interested in buying these weapons would go a long way towards convincing the king to buy his own. After all, if someone's going to have these weapons already, than he should have them too. Of course, his would need to be better than what you'll be selling the covenants, juuusst in case. After all, your subject having better weapons than you is a good fay for a king to stop being king."
"Something like a weapon that can fire multiple shots before needing to be reloaded?" Maria said dryly.
"Yup!" Sophia chirped.
"You just want one for yourself," Maria said.
"Can I not do my noble duty AND get what I want at the same time?" Sophia said, fluttering her eyelashes innocently. "I mean, theoretically, that's how it's supposed to work after all."
"And do you intend to lay claim to the concept of a pre-loaded rotating cylinder?" Maria said. "I did think of it myself as well, after all."
"But not the idea of having the cylinder automatically rotate when you trigger the firing mechanism," Sophia said. "But don't worry, I generously give the concept over to you. We're friends, after all. Just as long as you know I want one of these… revolvers when you start making them, and I get to me a partner in whatever you set up to make these alchemical weapons."
"Revolver?" Maria said.
"Sure! The cylinder's going to revolve, right? Actually, if you make it so that the cylinder can be taken off the weapon, it's make both reloading easier AND allow you the option of carrying multiple cylinders you just need to swap to be ready to shoot!"
Maria blinked and considered it. Several enthusiastic concept drawings from the two of them followed.
They were late to dinner.
Two days later, Maria had another commission for the blacksmiths of Estus. One was for their final concept of a pistol with a revolving cylinder that was both moved by the trigger action and could be removed for easy reloading and replacement, another for a long barreled rifle version. This time she remembered to have cleaning rods made sized to the barrel. Due to the design, the bullet and powder would be loaded directly into the cylinder, with no brass cartridges, and would require a small bullet than the break action pistol. The bullet was longer to maintain sufficient mass to pierce armor, which required a new bullet mold, and made rifling more essential. . Instead of spare cartridges, she had spare cylinders made. Sophia had proposed connecting the hammer and the frizzen so that one action cocked both, as well as adding as adding a priming powder reservoir to the frizzen itself so that one motion reloaded the priming pan with powder, and had sketched out how such a system would work. She also proposed changed to the pistol's grip, changing it from the curved horn-lie handle Maria was familiar with to a grip that was at an 80 degree angle from the barrel, to prevent strain on the wrist and for better recoil absoption.
Maria decided she wanted Sophia Ascart at her side making guns with her forever.
Maria would never cease to be awed at the abilities of these blacksmiths. Rather than protesting it couldn't be done, they had taken to it eagerly as a challenge. They were also apparently calling a clockmaker they knew for some of the smaller bits. One had pointed skeptically at the frizzen mechanism, citing concerns about being easily broken, and Maria had insisted the feature be kept, but if they could find a way to make it more robust she would add a bonus. While many things had been lost since the time of myths, knowledge of smithing had not been one of them. Smiths in the capital apparently had access to great mechanical hammers and presses and stamping machines and devices that could fold metal like it was paper. Even this smithy had a special lathe that used titanite-tipped tools to shave away metal like it was wood. Well, hardwood. Because of the changes to the frizzen, she was told the thing would take a little longer to make.
Tentatively, Maria made some indirect, discrete inquiries about whether the smiths would be amenable to being hired and working for her privately. The response was surprised but well-concealed, discrete willingness trying not to get its hopes up. Not ALL the smiths, of course. But some who seemed to like her challenging commissions, of wanting to make something new, not just town staples like knives and nails and wire, some of the younger ones, journeymen, who wanted their own shop…
Maria left the smithy feeling thoughtful.
Days passed by and became weeks. Maria learned more and more Ashinago and Gerudosa. Their quantities of gunpowder increased, and Sophia and Maria began to plan out what sort of display they would arrange for Countess Ascart's birthday. They settled on a number of nightflower bursts equal to her age, and Maria was then let into the secret of the number of Sophia's mother's years upon this world, which had her impressed. Fortunately, with some testing, they found they could load more than one color charge into the lofting tube, provided they were cut down for weight, allowing them to launch two bursts at the same time. That was a nice, successful test, and of course they tested with a few more times to make sure they got it right. And there were much rejoicing.
It was around this time that security and discipline issues started creeping up.
The nightflowers were clearly visible from Raven's Nest, and while she'd done tests and demonstrations before for the Princes and Lord Claes, these tests were done at dusk and there were multiple launches, meaning they were more visible and that there was more to see. The workshop workers had family and homes to return to in town, or wanted to go to the tavern for a drink with their friends, and so they had found themselves being questioned intensely about the nightflowers. Maria coached them all on the need for secrecy, especially of the alchemical mixtures, and to just say it was some magic their lady was working on.
This worked, surprisingly. Apparently the mayor, who ran the inn-and-tavern, had gotten to expelling people who asked too hard or didn't accept the answers they got. Maria knew the rumors would have already started, and so she directed her armsmen to be extra vigilant in guarding the manufactory. Her estate was too big to really prevent even a moderately determined person from sneaking inside, but had key areas lit at night to ensure that anyone trying to sneak inside somewhere important could be spotted, and Sophia acquired a lock for the storage room. It actually meant the lock was stronger than the walls and door, and Maria added 'making more secure storage facility' to the things they'd need to have built once they had income. Her funds would have noticeably dropped after all this, were it not for a sudden infusion of anonymous souls that just been added to her account at the royal bank. She had no idea who it was from, as there were no letters or demands, but after speaking with her banker and learning that the reverse couldn't suddenly happen, Maria opted to let it go for now. If some person decided to give her money out of nowhere and ask nothing in return, who was she to question their generosity?
A month after he last set foot there, the King of Sorcier once more graced Maria's estate with a visit. Once more, he was not alone. He had brought the Queen, the Prime Minister and his assistant Nicol, the princes, their fiancées, General Solcrista, and Colonel Titanites.
However, this time Maria's wasn't alone either.
"Sophia?" Prime Minister Ascart exclaimed in surprise as they were once more welcomed into the entrance hall. "What are you doing here?"
"Hi Daddy," Sophia waved. "I'm here about an investment opportunity with my prospective partner. Don't mind me, carry on."
"Sophia!" Katarina exclaimed, rushing forward to hug her friend. "You're here! The only one missing is Keith!"
Maria made a note to tell the Third Prince his smug smile was much too unsubtle.
After offering everyone refreshments and Katarina running off to play with the children much sooner, to everyone' amusement, Maria began. She placed the two newest prototypes, along with four loaded cylinders and one empty cylinder on the table where everyone could see it. "This is Gehrman version 2 Revolver Pistol and the Gehrman version 3 Revolver Rifle," Maria began. "They were redesigned with assistance from Lady Sophia Ascart. With the design changes since my last presentation, the current weapons can now shoot six separate shots before reloading, while maintaining penetrating power and, in the case of the rifle, improved accuracy over long distances."
The Third Prince blinked. "Sorry, did I hear that right? Sophia helped design this?"
"Yes," Maria said. "With her contributions, this new prototype is at least 3 generations improved from the last prototype I showed you. They can be reloaded swiftly, and with practice, I estimate they can shoot as much as 18 shots per minute. Possibly even 24."
"Dung pies," Prince Alan exclaimed. As everyone turned to stare at him, he grimaced and looked aside. "Sorry. That was amazement, not denial. Seriously, 24?"
"As a current theoretical upper limit," Maria said. "18 or even 12 seems more doable. However, that depends on how many cylinders one has prepared."
She demonstrated, using the pistol to show how the entire cylinder could be swung out and replaced completely, and how the primer reservoir built into the frizzen would allow you to make those shots with. She also demonstrated the flintlock mechanism, which removed the need for a lit slowmatch that could be an early-ignition hazard.
"Is there an alchemical reason it needs to be a spark generated by a flint and steel?" Lady Randall asked after her demonstration. "Or could some sort of flame-generating Magic Tool do so as well?"
Maria blinked at the question. "There is no reason why the primer cannot be ignited by another mechanism," Maria said. "This flintlock system is merely the most reliable mechanism for doing so we could integrate into the weapon. Theoretically, any Fire Magic wielder could send a spark into the touchhole to set off the powder charge.. You could even do so by sticking a red-hot metal needle into the hole, but such is risky, unreliable, and with the recoil likely to be highly injurious. At this time I am unfamiliar with the mechanics of Magic Tools and thus I am ignorant as to how they could be integrated into the design of the mechanism."
Lady Randall nodded, looking thoughtful before her gaze returned to being intensely sexually aggressive.
The outside demonstration area had improved, with Maria having had an actual firing range built, with little wooden rods that measured out the distance in regular increments. Once more, Maria demonstrated both the rifle and the pistol, demonstrating they were meant for different ranges, and then asking if anyone wanted to try.
This time it was the Colonel whom she taught how to operate the weapon, demonstrating how to swing out and change the cylinder, how to fill the frizzen with priming powder. Maria made a note to make some kind of reloading device that would precisely dump priming powder into the reservoir with a simple press of a button in future. For now she would be making use of a funnel and a premeasured paper packet of primer.
The Colonel's grouping wasn't as tight as the General's, but he confessed he'd never been good with a crossbow anyway.
The General hefted one of the cylinders. "We'd need a lot of these," he said. "A LOT."
"They can be refilled," Maria said, "However, I acknowledge that it would take too much time to do so in a battle. In a siege, it would likely be viable to have a dedicated reloading station just behind the using these weapons to keep them supplied with cylinders… oh. You mean because people will keep losing them. I'm afraid I have no solution to that. Putting them at the end of a chain is unviable due to them needing to revolve."
"People always lose things," the Colonel said dismissively. "What's another thing?"
The General pursed his lips, but didn't argue.
"Well, I must say Lady Campbell, this is quite a thought-provoking demonstration," King Artorias said. "It has given me much to consider."
"Thank you, your majesty," Maria said. "We look forward to selling out alchemical weapons to the crown as well."
There was a beat.
"As well?" the king repeated as the General and the Colonel turned to look at Maria.
"Yes, as well, your majesty," Maria said. "You see, I have already received an order for one of these revolvers to a noble who… well, I shall respect their anonymity. They were quite impressed at my demonstration of it, you see."
"You would sell these to weapons to someone besides the crown?" the General said sternly. The Colonel for his part looked horrified, as if imagining the grand, sweeping changes to the future of war being used against Sorcier.
Maria tilted her head. "Was I not supposed to?"
"This is a state secret, surely!" the Colonel cried. He was possibly imagining rank upon rank of barely trained foreign levies armed with these weapons marching against Sorcier.
"In my experience, every other Marquess seems to know state secrets and is sacrificing children in the basements to get them," Maria said. The Third Prince at least snorted at this, and Prince Alan actually chuckled. "However, as this was never declared a state secret by his majesty, I took that as permission to seek others interested in purchasing my new alchemical weapon. The lady in question has already placed an order, and her friends know as well, as I have also demonstrated the weapon's capabilities to them. They're currently a bit reticent, but I am still hopeful."
The Colonel and the General looked aghast. Even Prince Ian was frowning slightly at Maria, and the First Prince for once looked uncharacteristically serious.
Maria would never have caught it if she wasn't watching for it, but she saw the Third Prince blink, then glance at Sophia. His eyes widened slightly in realization. And then, with mischief in his eyes… he said nothing.
Perhaps this nation's future wasn't so hopeless after all.
"I apologize if this comes as a surprise, but we needed a way to defray the costs of research and prototyping, and so decided to offer some of the lesser, slower versions for sale to other nobles and knightly covenants to defray costs," Maria said. "Rest assured that with one sole exception, all others will be receiving prototypes without the rapid fire feature shown here to the crown."
"Oh?" the King said, face neutral. Was that a good sign? "And what WILL they be getting?"
Maria reached under her coat and drew out the modified Hunter Pistol, officially the Gehrman version 1 Pistol, that she had started carrying in a hip holster. Some people blinked as they realized she'd been armed with one of those this whole time. Lady Hunt for one seemed horrified.
+1 Insight
"This and the long barreled rifle version are what I intend to offer to those not of the crown," Maria said. "It was a single shot, and instead of a cylinder it has metal cartridges–" she drew out one of the cartridges from her pocket, "– that can be quickly removed and replaced. I was hoping to start a new fad in hunting weapons. Boars, maybe."
"You didn't show us this," the kind said slowly. He waved at the target. "Perhaps a demonstration as well?"
Maria obliged, making an effort to do the reload slowly. As a hunter, she could slap in a new cartridge and be ready to fire in five seconds, but she took her time. She even taught the king to do it, and this time he'd seen it done enough times that he could intuit adding priming powder, lowering the frizzen and cocking the hammer.
"I see it addresses the reloading issues previously discussed," the King said, returning the pistol to Maria.
"Yes, your majesty," Maria said. "It was with Lady Ascart's help I was able to present the much improved version for your consideration, which is why that is what I showed you."
"Hmmm…" the King said. He was silent for a long, long moment.
Maria did not hold her breath. Simply waited.
"Well, if any of my subjects wish to spend their souls on this, then that's their business," the King said. "The six-shots, however, will be reserved for the crown's forces and those with our approval only. Any who possess them would need to be trusted, after all. How soon can you begin production?"
Maria was glad Sophia did not react. She was glad she didn't react, not even with a sigh. "I am unsure. I would need to graduate the Academy first, to devote my time fully towards it. Three months after graduation, at the least, to have production facilities for even small scale production. A year before I can give an accurate estimate of monthly production rates for the weapon itself. Longer, if there are delays in resources. This is just an initial estimate, however."
"I see," the King said. "Well, I wish you good luck, Lady Campbell. You shall hear from the crown soon. Now, I believe you have lunch for us?"
She did. She'd really have to find a new place to host lunch once the bathhouse was built…
As they made their way back, Sophia sidled up to her father. "Daddy, do you think I could get permission to own a six-shot?" she said innocently.