Chapitre 76: Micah - 7.2
After all my overwork, I managed to assemble fifteen pylons. By the end of the week, the smiths and I had stored a nice, even five hundred pieces of ammunition to supply twenty-five firearms. The results blew the quotas out of the water. Despite the delays from my tinkering with improvements, some of those adjustments reduced material costs and innovated resource efficiency.
The firearms' cost reductions came from reusing materials from the debris left in the city. I managed to supplement the crystal supply with some artificial ones created in the wake of the Allrquin's spell, which had transmogrified the land around the world cork.
In addition, the transmogrification provided me with many elements, both known and unknown to me. I extensively sorted the different types into a rough hypothesis of their potential. Suffice to say, my bracelet is now full of a menagerie of reagents and materials.
Planning for the city left me perplexed. Upon the suggestion of Master, I sent word to the council, requesting an architect to be sent to Aetherhaven. Until they arrive, I spent most of my days helping install the weapons on the ramparts of the perimeter wall.
I stood on the ramparts, demonstrating to the wardens how to use the newly forged firearms.
"These are not your standard ballistae or crossbows," I began, holding one of the firearms up for all to see. "They require caution and care. Each shot counts."
The wardens gathered around, eyes fixed on the strange new weapons. I could see a mix of curiosity and skepticism in their expressions.
"First, load the ammunition here," I explained, pointing to the breech. "Then, channel a small amount of your mana into the pylon to activate it. The amplification crystals will do the rest, firing a concentrated beam of mana at your target."
One of the wardens, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, raised his hand.
"What if we do have spells?" he asked, his voice gruff but curious.
I nodded. "Good question. These weapons are designed to work with or without constructed spells. If you do have any formal education, weave you magic into the surface of the pylon, it will absorb your spell and amplify it. The result projected out the same way as the beam, but with your personal effects!"
"That being said, if you have exhausted your mana, this firearm is your best friend!
Simply load the ammunition, add the powder, and ignite the wick. The wick will set off a blast from the powder and launch the projectile out of the hole in the front, straight through the nearest hill."
I had wardens set up a series of targets on the hills outside the city.
"Now, let's see some practice shots. Aim carefully and be mindful of your surroundings. If there are any friendlies beyond your target, remember this demonstration."
The wardens took turns firing at the targets, the air filled with the hum of magic and the occasional crack of a successful shot. As they continued, their confidence grew, and in turn the practicality for these weapons in an actual siege.
After several hours of shots, the sun set behind the verdant hills, and I retired to my workshop to find Uncle waiting for me.
"You can't keep pushing yourself like this, Micah!" Uncle Ulysses shouted, his face flushed with frustration. "You're going to burn out!"
"I don't have a choice!" I shot back, my voice tinged with anger. "There's so much to do, and not enough time to do it. The city needs these defenses before the next assault, and Torin knows when that is."
Uncle Ulysses shook his head, his expression softening slightly. "I know you're trying to help, but you need to take care of yourself too. If you collapse, what good will you be to me?"
I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of his words but also the pressure of my responsibilities. "I just... I have to make sure everything is perfect. Leave me to my work, Uncle."
He stepped closer, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Micah, you're doing an incredible job, but you need to trust others to help you. You don't have to carry this burden alone."
I looked away, my anger dissipating into a mix of exhaustion and guilt. "I do. I am the only one here that knows this stuff. Can you parse the syntax for absorption circles? Do you know the ratio for sparkfire powder?"
Uncle Ulysses nodded, his grip on my shoulder firm but lacking the usual comfort. "No. That is your specialty. I am here to supply whatever you want, and that includes emotional support. I am your uncle. I am family. Please, let me help."
I sighed, feeling the tension slowly build in my body. "You're wrong, Uncle. Please... just leave."
I showed him the door, and stood expectantly, averting my gaze until I saw his feet walk past. I need this. This is my burden, and I will carry it solemnly. Knowledge is my power and I will use it extensively for the benefit of Master's city.
I struggled for hours drawing out different wards and maps for future Aetherhaven, but I kept crumpling my efforts into a stack on top of the empty potion vials. I must wait for the arrival of the council's response.
I shifted my attention to helping with the temporary lodgings. Most of the survivors were cramped into long communal spaces, with only few having private residences. The strain on the population was worn on everyone's faces as they walked the streets. The trauma from the attack and the fatigue from the fallout needed to be addressed for everyone else to continue their lives.
The wardens and I managed to spread the populace out into twice as many buildings by the end of the week. After finishing another of the constructions, I saw a gryphon carriage land just inside of the city walls.
A boy, around my age, stumbled out dropping many rolls of large papers across the melted street. Dangling from his neck, he wore a weird compass on a necklace. He tugged on the cloak of one of the wardens who was carrying some of the ammunition for the firearms.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone