Lute, age 13
I had been under the care of the household of the Dragon Continents magic device developer, iya Dragoon, for several months.
In return for the food and lodgingI had taken her as my disciple as she requested.
As my disciple, I had been teaching her about the process of making guns; but, of course, there were conditions.
The three conditions are thusNot to spread the techniques as she pleases, not to misuse it, and to follow my instructions if any problem occurs.
To my conditions, iya exclaid with an honest look in her eyes: [If I were to sohow break these conditions, I will bite my tongue in front of Lute-sama and die].
This girls no good, shes scary
I didnt think she would seriously, honestly swear an oath of suicide.
But on the other hand, this ans that iya would not betray .
However, no matter how shes praised as a genius magic device developer, the work seems to be hard for her.
First, she couldnt make the small parts out of magic liquid tal.
If she poured magic into it it should have beco hard, but the tal sheets she took out was hard on the right side and brittle on the leftshe could only make out-of-balance things like that.
The forms were uneven, and the thickness and strength were also defective.
Maybe she lacked the power of imagination, or maybe so other reason.
I tried having her make cartridges, but it seems that she could not imagine smokeless gunpowder to begin with.
Its not like I told her to simply make cartridges just by stuffing it with explosion magic.
But to tell iya, who hadnt seen nor heard of smokeless gunpowder, to imagine it, transform magic power, and put it into the cartridge, is a mistake from the start.
For now I would start by having her do so classroom learning about the basic knowledge regarding gunsthe difference between the ammo for the revolver and the assault rifle, the purpose of rifling, the strength of tal required for use in handguns, etc.
At the sa ti as iyas classes, I was also coaching Chrisse-ojousama on how to control her magic power.
Ojousamas magic power is about the sa as mine
So if she could rember how to control her magic power she can do what I could.
Excepting the ti used for research, it took about 30 days until I could rember the technique to control my magic power.
It should take about the sa amount of ti to drill this technique into ojousama.
At midday
The Dragon race has their als in the mornings, noons, and evenings.
When in Ro, do as the Romans doojousama and I properly had three als a day.
In the afternoons we would do practice battles to build up ojousamas strength.
Ojousama would get changed into rough clothes, tie up her long hair, and do warm-up exercises.
Firstly, she would make a run around the outer bounds of the iya estate.
Running to build up her body strength.
Ojousama had no body strength owing to being a shut-in.
Which is why she was doing practice to increase her base strength.
After shes done running, there would be unard combat and sword practice.
For unard combat she would do so serious sparring with .
For swordplay, I had her practice swings with a wooden sword and exchange blows with .
This training regint is the sa as the one Gigi-san taught .
(I wonder why Gigi-san betrayed the Vlad house he loved so much)
No matter how much I think about it I wont get an answer unless its from the person himself.
That was another reason why we need to gain strength and return to the Demon Continent.
At night, once ojousamas fatigue is at its peak, she had dinner, a bath, and went straight to sleep.
iya and I holed up inside the workshop and worked on making the sniper rifle.
The rifle we were makingwas a Remington M700P.
To be precise, we intended to make sothing with the M700P as a base.
Firstly, what is a sniper rifle?
Until the First World War, infantry troops would stand in ranks separated by a distance of several hundred ters to 1000 ters and attack using bolt-action rifles (bolt action is a thod of firing guns by shooting one bullet at a ti and reloading by manually operating the bolt (cylindrical part situated behind the chamber) using its handle). However with the appearance of machine guns, these ranks of troops were easily mowed down.
If an infantry troop were to attack a machine gun emplacent the way they have always done they would inevitably turn into a mountain of corpses. So things like attacking at night or digging trenches to allow close-quarters combat beca commonplace. However, with the bolt action rifle, during the ti taken to reload the bolt after shooting they would be vulnerable to attack from enemies.
So rather than guns that need to be carefully aid from a distance, infantry would seek guns that could fire rapidly from a short range.
Then submachine guns (small machine guns that could be used like a pistol) and assault rifles were developed, and the tactic of barraging the enemy with bullets beca mainstream.
However, weapons that could be precisely aid and fired from a long distance was indispensable for eliminating enemy commanders, radio operators, and machine gunners situated a long distance away. So the simple and high accuracy bolt action rifle received attention once again.
The bolt action rifle that was sought for a new role received various improvents and strengthening necessary for sniping.
Thus, the [sniper rifle] was born.
But although theyre all called [sniper rifles], there are various kinds according to target and usage like ones for military use, hunting, and for shooting gas.
For example, for hunting usethe bolt action rifle is lightened and called a [mountain rifle].
The [mountain rifle] is a [relatively lightweight guns having a long range capable of taking down big ga].
For a lightweight gun to fire a heavy bullet, the recoil is severe.
But rather than the recoil, the fact of having to lug a heavy gun while trekking on a mountain is considered, so the gun was made lighter.
As for the case of shooting gasga rifles do not co with a magazine, and it had a unique shape because it was specialized for use in gas, no consideration was put into making it easy to carry.
Which is why although the ga rifle can shoot with accuracy, it does not have any practical use.
There is no instance in which a ga rifle is used for sniping as-is.
Then, for military usemilitary and police [sniper rifles] were designed with a shape that was easy to be carried, and had a reasonable weight though not as light as mountain rifles, it is a gun with good balance. Normally, when you say [sniper rifle] you would an the military/police use ones.
The gun I was making this ti was also a military/police use sniper rifle.
Anyway, there were also cases where an automatic rifle, that had a lower accuracy than a bolt-action rifle, were chosen for a military troop.
The reason is that while a bolt-action rifle can only shoot single rounds at a ti, an automatic rifle can fire 2, 3 shots between reloads, giving it a higher adaptability (for example when having to deal with several terrorists simultaneously).
However, the automatic rifle reloads automatically after firing. At that mont, the vibration from the parts moving inside interferes with the firing and this makes its accuracy lower than that of the bolt-action rifle.
Because I made the AK-47, I had the option of making the semi-automatic sniper rifle SVD Dragunov that was officially adopted in the forr Soviet Union.
The Dragunovs internals were made based on the AK-47. With the scope included, it weighs 4.3 kilograms, which is light for an automatic.
There was an automatic rifle called H&K PSG-1 that weighed 8.1 kilograms.
But this ti, since we aim to rescue master and madam, there was a possibility that either one or both of them would be used as hostages.
In that situation, if we could save just madam, master could be free to act to free himself.
So I needed a high accuracy sniper rifle that had an allowable error of less than 2 cm in 100 m and 6 cm in 300 m, and so I used the M700P as a base.
The M700P is a high performance sniper rifle intended for use by police and army special forces made based on the hunting rifle M700 by the Arican small arms maker Remington LLC. The M700P had a long barrel and high accuracy. It was a bolt-action rifle for use by police special forces and in hostage rescue scenarios requiring certainty within the first shot.
Its specs were as follows.
Caliber: 7.62 mm x 51 NATO rounds
Overall Length: 1662 mm
Barrel Length: 660 mm
Rounds per Load: 5 rounds [Inner box Magazine]
Its a sniper rifle well suited for our purpose.
Firstly I started making the core with the rifling carved onto it.
The sniper rifle requires a higher accuracy than the AK-47.
I had to do all the production work carefully.
Concentration is important.
. I feel a bit tired. I think we should stop here for now.
Then after a few hours of work, I ended at a suitable point, and went to the room given to for a late night sleep.
I laid down on the bed, and as I closed my eyes I quickly fell asleep.
This is how I spent my day nowadays.
In the afternoon, ti for the unard combat practice.
At the courtyard, ojousama and I were having a mock battle.
Ojousama, in rough garb with her hair tied, was lunging at with all her strength.
She was of course using body strengthening to support her body.
I easily avoided her right straight by circling around sideways.
I stopped her with a left jab, and kicked her with a right side kick.
[tsu!?]
Ojousama guarded for the kick at a dangerous mont.
But she lost to the force and rolled down onto the ground.
Ojousama, your attacks are too sloppy. You shouldve moved to anticipate the opponents next move. If its just hitting each other even a child could do it. Hurry up and stand.
Ojousama supported herself with her hands on the ground, breathing roughly, and made no sign of moving.
Not minding that, I started to hurl insults at her.
Seriously HOW long are you FUCKING going to lay down there? Get a hold of yourself MAGGOT!
Ojousama, still breathing roughly, raised her face with a difficult expression.
You are this worlds lowest lifeform. Youre not a demon race. Youre not even worth trash scrounged from amphibians! What is it? If you dont like it then show your guts!
Ojousama picked herself up while gritting her teeth and braced herself.
So you can stand! Youve got guts. Ill work you to the bone as your reward. Ill work you till you drop dead! Ill work you till you have to drink milk from your ass!
Hey!
I turned my head toward the angry voice, and there was one of ojousamas childhood friend, the Demon race, Centaur clan Karen Bishop there.
Standing behind her is a maid carrying a large travelling bag that looks to be hers.
Karen squared up her shoulders and stepped up to , her ponytail swinging.
Lute! Youre a servant! What the hell are you saying to Chrisse! I dont really get what it ans but I know its sothing bad!
!? Welco, Karen-sama! It looks like the letter safely
As I was about to give Karen a warm welco, the owner of the place iya popped a vein and angrily interrupted .
How rude! A demon race saying sothing like that to the genius of all geniuses Lute-sama! Guards! What are you doing! Hurry up and kick this insolent one out! How did soone like this get inside my estate!
Calm down iya. Shes ojousamas friend, the Centaur Karen Bishop-sama. I already told you that I sent a letter to explain our current situation and asked her to co, right?
. Shes Chrisse-sans friend, huh. Truthfully, I think shes a lovely person. How do you do Karen-san. My na is iya Dragoon, Lute-samas number one disciple. Feel free to relax and think of this place like your own ho.
M, too.
Once I scolded iya, she beca friendly as if she was a different person.
Karen was also surprised at her change in attitude and beca nervous.
Karen cleared her throat and turned to once again.
Anyway, While you are fugitives, but what the hell are you saying to your master Chrisse.
Well, that was just part of training.
Training?
I already have ojousamas consent. Its a spartan military training. I would never say sothing like that to her otherwise, right, ojousama?
[Yeah, its just as Lute-oniichan said.]
Ojousama wrote on the mini blackboard and showed it to Karen.
[Karen-chan, thanks for specifically coming for . Im very happy to see you again after so long.]
Youre taking the words out of my mouth. I was surprised when a letter arrived at my ho after I heard you went missing. It had a na I dont recognize, but it was written in Chrisse-chans handwriting that I know very well.
Karen stepped up to Ojousama and hugged her.
Really, Im glad youre alright. Not only , but Barnie and Muir were also worried when we heard Chrisse went missing.
The two were hugging each other, being glad for each others safety, almost like sisters.
So ti ago I asked for iyas help to write a letter addressed to Karen.
I had actually wanted to send letters to the other two, but for all three of ojousamas friends to receive a letter and have them move at the sa ti would stand out too much, so it cant be helped.
After discussing it, I decided to send a letter to Karen, who was most acquainted with military matters.
Her family runs a large weapons and armor business.
Not just selling them, they practically do all kinds of work on them.
Karens family has their own rcenary army, and they are dispatched to various places with weapons and armors. It seems that they using their products on the battlefield to spread word of their brand, which promotes business. Furthermore after the battles, they would be able to make improvents from feedback on suggestions and ease of use regarding the weapons etc.
Having that kind of family situation, and consequently receiving strict military training, I decided to entrust her with calming the others down.
The fact that I called her to the iya estate in the Dragon Continent is also for no other reason.
It is to let her know about our situation, for new intelligence, and to inform her of our safety.
I asked ojousama, [wasnt it forbidden to ask the help of another family in a family dispute?], but she said that it was okay, because its not like we were asking her for direct help. Therefore I was able to send the letter to Karen without hesitation.
Karen tore herself off of ojousama, and rubbed the tears in her eyes.
Its also good that Lute is safe. Really, thanks for protecting Chrisse.
Not at all, its the obvious thing to do as a butler of the Vlad house. Then, Im sorry to ask this imdiately after you just got here, but can you tell us about the current situation?
Well, since the weather is nice and all, why dont we have so tea at the courtyard.
As iya raised her hand, the maids have already arranged a table, chairs, a parasol, tea, and tea cakes at the courtyard, as if they had been prepared beforehand.
In under three minutes, a small but fashionable spot had been erected at the courtyard.
Temporarily stopping the unard combat practice, we listened to Karens story while sipping on the tea.
According to the news Karen brought us
It seems that after master was captured, they put on a magic prevention collar to seal his magic and sold him as a slave.
She knew that he was sold not to the Demon Continent, but so other continent, though she didnt know where.
Madam was locked up at the top of a tower in the Vlad castle.
She also had a magic prevention collar put on her, and was not able to escape on her own.
The castle seems to be occupied by the Vampire houses head, the eldest son Pylkknen Vlad and the second son Ravio Vlad.
They were being loud about plundering masters business and even unreasonably resorting to violence to unfairly lower wages, so they faced considerable resistance from the workers. Thanks to that, the business seem to have beco stagnated.
rry-san and the other surviving servants escaped and hid in several places, but since they had little fighting power they were unable to do anything.
Now that they dont have master, the difference in power was overwhelmingly against them.
Moreover, there were several of the Vampire houses magicians besides Pylkknen and Ravio standing watch at the castle. Because of that, they couldnt do a thing.
The only blessing within the misfortune is that they guaranteed madams safety
As she was their only prisoner, if they sohow got her wounded or killed, rry-san and the other houses with relations to the Vlad house wont stay silent. They couldnt protest about matter of master and his brothers, but madam is another matter entirely. If sothing happens to her her relatives wont stay still.
If madam died it certainly would go beyond the limits of what can be settled as being a family dispute.
It will be a war to pay back blood with blood.
Of course, it was sothing they did not want. Therefore they guaranteed madams safety.
Furthermore, it was also the sa reason why they searched every nook and cranny for ojousama.
If they had ojousama, were madam to pass away for so reason they could use ojousama as a new hostage to protect against rry-sans attacks.
Karen grit her teeth sorrowfully.
I want to do sothing to help if I could, but another family cant interfere in a family dispute. Im sorry I cant do anything besides providing information.
Not at all, this is helpful enough. But is it really alright? If its forbidden to interfere in a family dispute, doing all this, though its only providing information, would also count.
Ojousama had already said [its okay], but just in case, I tried asking Karen.
In response, she put on a wicked smile.
Im only making sure that my dear friend is safe and have a chat with her. If she sohow got intelligence from that, thats not my problem, right?
In other words, it seems like this doesnt count as [lending a hand].
I dont know what standards they were using, but if its no problem then so be it.
Karen-sama, thank you very much. Thanks to you I was able to get accurate information on the situation. This way, one of the strategies I thought up seems to be usable.
Hoo, what kind of strategy is that?
I had the daughter of a military family who had rcenaries in their employ, Karen, listen to my plan, and asked for her opinion.
The contents of the plan is simple.
Get inside the castle with a small number of people using the escape route we used when we fled the castle.
et up with madam, and then leave the castle.
anwhile, in order to draw the eyes of the castle guards, I want to have rry-san and the other servants do sothing flashy as a diversion. Though they have little fighting power, they should be able to do sothing once.
If they did that the Vampire house head would be on the lookout and dispatch the magicians after them. As a result, the castles defenders would be shorthanded.
Karen folded her arms and considered the strategy.
.. I see. Its a simple plan, but its more realistic than gathering a force and assault the castle, but isnt it hard to rescue Seras-san just with Chrisse and Lute?
Having her point that out, I frowned.
Certainly, our fighting power is not enough to infiltrate the castle.
I wasnt intending to include ojousama in the infiltration team. I was going to have her assist during our escape.
Then can you do it alone, Lute? Not being a magician and all.
U, ummm
iya, who had been silent, raised her hand.
With a red face and bleary eyes, she announced.
Then I, Lute-samas number one student, shall serve as your partner! Im confident that I can attentively help you out like a lover, like a wife, like a faithful servantnay! Even more than that!
No, iya is no good. Even though youre a B-minus ranked mage, you dont have good reflexes, do you? I certainly cant take you along.
Uguu!?
She collapsed as if she had taken an arrow right to the heart.
However she is totally non-athletic, I tried having her practice with ojousama once, but she beca nothing but a burden.
At that ti I cut her off from practice since we had no ti and she was being a hindrance.
[So how about we hire so adventurers from the Guild?]
That is absolutely a no.
I swiftly rejected ojousamas proposal.
Theres no way I could include so adventurer so untrustworthy person in this important plan. In the end, they were no more than outsiders employed using money. If any problem happens
The bitter trauma from when I was tricked by fake adventurers went through my mind.
As I wanted rry-san and the others to act as diversion, I cant include them.
In the first place, they had already been seen by the Vampire house, and were under observation.
I cant have them help with an undercover surprise operation.
I at least wanted one other capable person for the castle infiltration.
At least a B-minus ranked magician, and soone I know that I can trust. If possible, soone who had learned magic, and was good at handling a handgun, that much goes without saying.
No way soone like that exino, there is one person like that.
My fiance who grew up together with at Elle-senseis orphanage, Snow!
If my fiance Snow, whos studying at a magic school were here, this discussion would be over sooner. If I were to go et her right now it would take over a year to go there and back. I guess its impossible after all. Hm? whats wrong iya? You look pale.
iya started to sweat like waterfall with a pale face.
No, actually how should I put it, well
iya mumbled, stumbling on her words.
Rather than iyas response, Karen reacted to my remark.
Lute has a fiance? I didnt know that.
My childhood friend who grew up in the sa orphanage with . I never had the chance to talk about her, sorry. But I wonder if she could conveniently appear. Please reach her, o my voice! Sohow
LUTE-KUN!!
The mont I raised my hands and jokingly offered a prayer to the heavens.
Seemingly having waited for the mont, a young girl appeared from behind a tree planted in the courtyard.
Her silver hair tied in a ponytail. A bishoujo with dog ears, a tail, skin white as a field of snow, and breasts that you could tell was big even from under her clothes, approached with tears in her eyes.
I miss you. I miss you, Lute-kun!
My fiance Snow who should have been studying magic at a school in the Fairy Human Continent was for so reason standing before my eyes.
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