Castle Kingside

Chapter 84: Voltech Hand Cannon

The combined aromas of burning charcoal, pastry bread, and savory chicken drifted from a hot stove before escaping as pale fumes through a shuttered window overlooking a nighttime cityscape. Guards and knights in rattling armor patrolled broad roads. They searched Maltens castle district for arson conspirators.

Unlike the chaotic city streets, the kitchen on the second floor of Vogels Enchantments stood quiet. Only crackling fuel and the sizzling of baking poultry could be heard. Although the chicken pie would soon be ready, no one so much as licked their lips. A surgeon and three of the stores resident sorceresses watched a round table instead.

On its oak surface lay a weapon no person from Earth could consider a gun. Comprising a long iron pipe and a wooden stock, the voltech rifle didnt even have a trigger. The firing mechanism was a seal embedded in its grip. Only a mage could operate the device.

But the otherworldly engineering wasnt what captured Dimitrys attention. His gaze fixed onto the voltech rifles auraan accelall enchantments flickering rainbow hues. They melded and fused into one another, coating the weapon in endlessly shifting molten colors. If two gray-glowing dispelia mitts didnt lie at either end, the aura would be fatal to all nearby.

How could something so beautiful be so dangerous?

And yet it was.

An accellal enchantment, no bigger than a finger's worth of cotton strip, killed a chickenthe product of a single vol pellet. To imbue the entire voltech rifle, however, Leona consumed over a dozen. Her doubtless deadly creation resulted from incremental weaving trials.

The goal was to enhance voltech rifles by accelerating their projectiles through an accelall enchantments temporal field. Since Dimitry intended to produce one weapon for every combat sorceress in Malten, he had to be efficient with resources. That was why he initially asked Leona to enchant only the base of the barrelwhere the iron pellet layto minimize vol and money expenditure while reducing the wielders chance of accidental exposure to a lethal aura. To further decrease potential danger, he wrapped a gold-glowing reflectia towelette around the rainbow aura to prevent its hazardous time acceleration effects from leaking into the surroundings.

The result was an enchanted voltech rifle that allowed for safe handling. However, when Angelika fired it, an iron pellet didnt blast out of the barrel like he hoped. It rolled out instead. His new weapon was much weaker than its predecessor.

A result contrary to Dimitrys expectations.

His initial postulation was that accelall allowed nearby forces to act quicker, creating amplified effects once they left the enchantments temporal field. And further experimentation proved that. Candles burned faster, extinguished sooner, and emitted colored light with higher frequencies near accelall. Most important, however, was that their fires radiated unusual blistering heat just beyond the magics area of influencethe amplified effect Dimitry predicted.

His hypothesis was correct.

So why did the voltech rifles iron pellets roll out instead of firing with a sonic boom? They did when Dimitry cast accelall on Angelika back in Waira. What was different?

The problem must have been some other, unknown factor.

Hoping that enchanting the voltech rifle further would fix the issue, he asked Leona to incrementally weave more of the weapon with accelall. The rainbow aura consumed more of the device with every consecutive firing failure. It crawled down the entire barrel, then the stock, and finally the grip. Now, a thoroughly enchanted device lay on the round table.

Stood against the wall, Angelika pumped the neckline of her crimson robe to fan away a nearby stoves overwhelming heat. Her orange eyes studied the rifle. I want to try shooting it and all, but how am I supposed to do that?

Well just cover it up again. Dimitry lifted the gold-glowing towelette they handled all evening. Reflectia kept the enchantment contained before. Why wouldnt it now?

Thats not the problem. Leonas sidewards glance returned to the black, squash-like vegetable she mashed over a marble counter. The rifle is still safe to carry, but she cant fire it anymore.

Why not?

Lying her head sideways on the round table, the youngest sisters messy brown locks spilled over the furnitures oak surface. Emilia pointed to a wooden block planted in the voltech rifles grip. That.

She referred to a core seal. Twisting blue lines, figures, and solidified gel pools ravined its rectangular face. Like the rest of the weapon, it had a rainbow glow.

Although the mechanics that governed seals were unknown to Dimitry, the snoozia canister he bought in Ravenfall revealed their function: they allowed the user to cast a specific spell. However, to do so, the users palm had to touch the seala dangerous prospect when it carried an accelall enchantment.

Dimitry frowned. Im guessing we cant just wrap the reflectia towelette around the seal because itll block it?

Thats part of it, Angelika said. Reflectia stops all magic from passing through. I cant feed vol through it. The only way for me to use the voltech rifles propelia seal is to hold it directly, but now that its enchanted with accelall and after seeing what happened to that chicken, Id rather not.

Leona looked back, a rare smirk on her face. The worst part is that Angelika wouldnt make anywhere near as delicious of a pie if something went wrong.

Oh, shut up.

The scarlet-haired woman giggled. I was just kidding.

Yeah, yeah. Angelika glanced at the rainbow-glowing rifle, then leaned an arm onto Dimitrys shoulder. So, Mr. Surgeon. What next? Any more bright ideas?

Try as he might, nothing else came to mind. Not right now.

She clicked her teeth. Cant win them all, I guess.

Dimitrys hand reached to massage his forehead as the realization of failure sank deeper into his stomach. He had high hopes for empowered voltech rifles. They would have made combat sorceresses like Angelika more efficient, improving their ability to dispatch heathens and uphold Maltens safety. His friends safety. Dimitrys safety.

But that didnt mean his efforts were pointless. Further experimentation at another time could reveal the answers he sought. And, even if it didnt, accelall enchantments would doubtless improve the capabilities of non-magic weapons like flintlock muskets and cannons once he produced them. The research remained worth pursuing.

Angelika stretched and yawned. Can I disenchant my rifle now? Itll be hard to guard you if it just rolls out iron pellets.

Sure. He inhaled deeply. We can try again when were less busy.

Wait. The quiet word escaped Emilias mouth.

Looking over her shoulder while dicing something, Leonas orange eyes opened wide. Did you figure something out?

Not yet, Emilia said, but I think were close.

Her words rekindled Dimitrys hope. His appreciation for the girls competence intensified by the moment.

Angelika ran up to Emilia and hugged her from behind. What is it? Whatll make me the strongest sorceress in Malten?!

Enchanting the seal was a good idea. We just need to figure out how to activate it. It might be possible.

Are you sure? Leona asked. A busy man like Dimitry cant waste his whole day here.

Itll work. Emilia paused. Probably.

Dimitry sat back in his chair. Can you explain?

She pointed at the carved wooden block entrenched in the voltech rifles grip. The coil runs vol through the manipulator until the coalescence is charged. But the transducer doesnt release the energy right away. Accelall slows the process further. Thats why propelia was weaker than usual when we fired the voltech rifle. Probably.

Dimitry tried to grasp her thoughts but failed.

Wait, Angelika said. Why does accelall slow the transducer?

Although Leona continued cooking, her distracted gaze indicated that she focused on the conversation.

The onslaught of new vocabulary confused Dimitry. Im not sure I follow. Can we take it one step at a time?

As if trying to calm a hyperactive mind, Emilia took a deep breath. Then, she pointed to random spots on the core seal. The coils can only transport so much vol through the manipulator. I can try making the rails wider, but itll lead to more exhaust, and not all the magic will be coded. And theres still the problem with the transducer

Although the girls lips continued to move, Dimitry could no longer hear their words. Either two days without sleep exhausted him, or Emilia gave poor explanations. Perhaps a combination of the two.

He glanced at Leona.

As if understanding his plight, she smiled, set down her chopping knife, and strode into an adjacent room. There was a metal canister in her hand when she returned. Her scarlet hairsmelling of perfume sweet and creamyfell over Dimitrys shoulder when she leaned in. I may not be as knowledgeable as an inscriber like Emilia, but Ill explain to the best of my ability.

Leona pointed to a solidified pool of blue gel on top of the canisters core seal. This is the coalescence. It stores vol coded to a spell. Sinkia, in this case. Her fingernail, covered in uneven pink nail polish, traveled upwards. These two rails are the transducers. They drain the vol from a full coalescence and release it as a spell. Emilia thinks that the accelall enchantment somehow slows that process down, weakening propelia.

Dimitry stroked his chin. From what he understood, the coalescence was the magic equivalent to a battery or a capacitor. It filled itself with vol before the transducers transferred that energy to the outside world.

That makes more sense. How about all of this? He pointed to the swerving blue lines and figures beneath the coalescence.

She brushed her radiant, scarlet hair behind her ear. Those are the manipulator and the coils. The manipulator codes vol into a specific spell while the coils transfer it from your palms core to the coalescence. Does that make sense?

What she spoke of were essentially circuits with added steps.

Dimitry glanced at the patient woman. She may not have been a proficient warrior like Angelika or a genius like Emilia, but she was someone of equal importancea natural teacher. It does. Thank you.

Youre very welcome. Leona placed the canister onto the table before returning to the kitchen counter.

Dimitry leaned back into his chair, studying the devices core seal. While the coalescence and transducers functioned as magical batteries, based on what the sorceress said, they didnt transfer their energy as fast as an electrical circuit. There was a noticeable delay.

That meant a voltech rifles core seal applied propelia to the iron ball piecemeal. The spell didnt transfer the forward force all at once. While the delayed transfer of energy didnt prevent the bullet from flying full speed in a typical situation, their situation wasnt typical. Anything inside the accelall enchanted barrel experienced more time, and therefore any outside force acting on the iron ball within would be weaker.

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That was why they had to enchant the core seal with accelall as well as the barrel. If they didnt, the magical battery would release its energy too slowly, causing the bullet to roll out of position before it could receive the full brunt of propelias forward force.

Did Emilia figure that out already?

Dimitry glanced at the quiet girl with messy brown hair sitting across the round table. Although he wanted the seventeen-year-old genius to work for him before, he needed her now. She was irreplaceable. But that was a process he couldnt rush. Emilia would have to accept his offer of her own volition.

Hey, Angelika said. Why is everyone quiet all of a sudden?

Leona pressed a slender finger to her lips. Let them think.

Now there are two damned geniuses. Guess Ill just wait this one out. She glanced over her elder sisters shoulder. Hows the food coming?

Itll be ready soon.

Dimitrys gaze returned to the voltech rifles core seal, whose patterns of lines and swerves differed from the canisters. He had to enchant it with accelall while somehow making it safe for a combat sorceress to touch. His eyes traveled down the seal. From the transducer to the coalescence and across the combined coil and manipulator mesh.

He had an idea.

Cautious excitement rose within Dimitry. Hey, Emilia.

The girl looked up.

Dimitry pointed to the upper portion of the seal, which functioned as a battery. The coalescence automatically pumps coded vol into the transducer when its full, right?

She nodded.

And the coil and manipulator merely code the vol and transfer it from the users palm to the coalescence?

Yes.

I was wondering if we could split the core seal into two. If we enchant only the coalescence and transducer with accelall, theyll still release the spell quickly. We can keep the coils and manipulator unenchanted and somewhere Angelika can holdperhaps on the grip. That way, she can transfer vol into the seal while not coming in contact with accelall.

Emilias mouth creaked open. That wont work, but her voice trailed off, and her orange eyes shot across the ceiling as if painting a masterpiece with laser vision.

Did you figure something out? Angelika blurted. She shook her younger sisters shoulders. Please, tell me youve figured something out!

Leona carried a bowl of mixed vegetables. Instead of bothering her, help me set the table.

Emilia, youve got an idea, dont you? If you make this Church crap usable with accelall, Ill do whatever you want for a month. No, two! Three!

Dimitrys eyes furrowed. Church crap?

Core and circuit seals are Church inventions, Leona said. We dont even know all the calling signs, let alone how to produce inscribing ink.

Calling signs? Inscribing ink? Dimitrys budding thoughts scattered when Emilia jumped out of her chair and dashed out of the kitchen. Wheres she going?

Shell be back. Leona lowered a metal tray upholding a piping hot chicken pie. She sliced the round pastry and set it onto plates. I hope I didnt make you wait hungry for too long.

Angelika cleared the room of magical goods and pushed three of the four chairs around the dining table close together, leaving extra space for the fourth. Dimitry, youll have to sit right next to Leona and me.

I dont mind, but why?

When Emilia returned, she carried a warped block of wood in one hand and a satchel of clanging tools in her other, which she dropped beside her plate. She nibbled pie in between brief woodworking sessions. Her table manners were likely the worst this medievalesque world had ever seen.

You can do it, you absolute monster! Angelika shouted with mouthfuls of food. Inscribe that seal!

Like a snapping turtle, Emilias head shot forward with every bite to preserve her hands for carving work.

Leona poked a silent Dimitrys shoulder. Arent you going to eat? Did you want something else?

As if that was the issue.

Winter gales cut across a sparse forests canopy, rustling the leaves of undressing trees with every pass. The trunks of mighty oaks stood upright, and yellow grass carpeted the soil. Only occasional patches of barren dirt dotted the withering greenery, often beside the husks of recently deceased stone beasts. Unlike the territory west of Maltenthe direction most heathens invaded fromthe land north of the citys walls remained fertile.

Aside from black midnight skies and teal clouds, three things stood out in the dark green expanse: the half-moon hovering overhead, a gold-glowing experimental voltech rifle in a combat sorceresss arms, and the crawling devil corpse by her feet.

Like a cross between a giant daddy long legs and a crab, two of the heathens six cottage-height legs lay shattered. Bright blue goo spilled from its spherical core. Equally blue engravings swerved and circled and intersected across its carapace and legs. In some ways, its body resembled a far more complex seal.

Were the two related? Perhaps the Church developed and designed voltech equipment with heathens in mind. After all, nature and the environment fueled human creativity unlike anything else.

While intriguing, Dimitry discarded the thought.

There were more urgent matters at hand.

He glanced at the weapon Angelika held. Every time he wondered how well it would perform, anticipation and excitement rose and erupted within his chest. Sometimes he envisioned the iron pellet bursting out at supersonic speeds. Other times, the bullet would feebly roll out of the barrel like it had all night. He didnt know what to expect.

However, one thing was certain.

The long and twisting core seal the resident inscriber made was a world first. It ran from the voltech rifles grip to the base of its stock, the accelall enchanted coalescence and transducer out of sight. Uncertain how it would function, Emilia recommended conducting the first firing experiment outside Maltenfar from prying eyes and ears.

Although the decision broke Leonas heart since she had to stay behind to mind the store, the youngest sisters judgment was for the best.

It was too early to reveal accelalls existence to the public, especially when its rainbow-colored enchantment resembled that of a Churchs heathen barrier. Dimitry had to introduce it carefully. Tactfully. But first, he would confirm the weapons effectiveness.

Angelika held up the voltech rifle. A reflectia towelettes golden aura entombed most of its surface. Only the unenchanted muzzle and exposed manipulator and coil mesh lay exposed. She examined it. Are you sure this thing is safe?

Sat on a nearby boulder, Emilia shrugged.

I hope I dont lose an organ or something, the combat sorceress mumbled.

Along with anxiety and uncertainty, Dimitry felt unease asking a teenager to test a weapon with dubious safety. Cant you activate the core seal from far away? Like Leona weaves enchantments? Itll be safer.

Emilia shook her head. The seal has to touch her palms core.

He frowned. In that case, let me shoot it first. Just in case.

Stand back, surgeon. Angelika smirked. If you hurt your delicate hands, whos going to run your hospital? Taking on danger is my job. Ill handle this.

Are you sure?

She waved him away. Yeah, Im sure.

Dimitry took several hesitant steps back. If anything feels off, get rid of the voltech rifle.

What are you, my mom?

No, but he was old enough to be her father. Just promise me.

Fine, fine.

Emilia fixed her gaze onto her older siblings crimson robe. Good luck, sis.

Angelika struggled to grip the blue engravings. How the hell am I supposed to hold this thing?

Channel the vol into the ends of the elongated coils rails, Emilia said. Otherwise, it wont work.

Ow!

The accumulated nervous energy within Dimitry erupted all at once, making him stride forward. Are you alright?

Relax. Angelika shook her hand. Its just a splinter.

Sorry, Emilia said. I rushed the smoothing.

Unsure if his gut feeling was that of relief or impending doom, he stepped back once more.

Angelika rolled an iron pellet into her rifle, retrieved vol from her crimson robes pocket, and aimed at the crawling devil corpse a meter away. You guys ready?

Heart racing and with locked breaths, Dimitrys gaze focused on her weapon. The test could result in anything from tragedy to triumphant success. In the latter case, it was best to lower the risk of tinnitus from a sonic boom. Emilia, cover your ears.

Why?

Ill explain afterward.

Kay. The inscriber pressed her hands to the sides of her head.

Dimitry did the same and inhaled deeply. Ready.

Angelika rolled her shoulders and adjusted the voltech rifles barrel towards her targets spherical stone core. Her hind leg, full of energy, continued to tap the ground restlessly. She took a deep breath.

Propelia.

A loud crack echoed through the sparse forest.

Although the sonic boom was weaker than when he cast accelall on Angelika in Wairas cache, that did nothing to quell Dimitrys dopamine rush. The iron pellet didnt roll out the barrel like before. It reached supersonic speeds.

He succeeded.

Emilia glanced at Dimitry, her mouth ajar. The sound. Why? How did you

A victorious grin spread across his face. Stop by the cathedral if you want to find out. But for now, lets go see the damage.

The girl trailed behind him.

When they joined Angelika, all of three of them studied the unfortunate targeta downed crawling devil that sustained additional gaping wounds on either side of its spherical stone core.

But the bullet didnt stop there: its momentum was too great. The iron pellet buried itself in the nearby soil.

Angelika snapped out of her stupor. Did you guys see that? That was insane.

Emilias gaze traveled from the heathen to the hole in the ground, and finally to the gold-glowing voltech rifle in her sisters hands. My turn.

Nope. Angelika loaded another iron pellet. We have to save vol for the night of repentance.

Then why are you wasting it?

Wasting it? She smirked. This is training.

You hypocrite. Let me try! Emilia lunged at her sister.

Angelika thrust out her knee to use as a shield. Youll have your chance later.

Dimitry watched in horror as the two wrestled over an object that barely contained a lethal accelall enchantment. Can you two stop? If that reflectia towelette comes off, youll

Then tell her to go away!

Its my invention! Emilias voice was louder than ever.

And its my rifle!

The cantering of an approaching horse ended their squabble.

Someone in glowing armor rode the beasts back. The red and gold breastplate hinted it was one of Maltens knights.

Dimitry stepped in front of the girls. He didnt know the warriors intentions, but the cry of a collapsing sound barrier and two sorceresses fighting over a glowing gun in an otherwise quiet nighttime forest would undoubtedly attract unwanted attention. Attention that inspired too many questions.

He took precautions. Both of you. No matter what they ask, dont tell them about accelall. If they find out were using a Church-like enchantment in secret, I doubt any of us will be any better off.

It wont be that bad. Angelika pointed to a large cloth draped over the horses back. Thats the Kuhn familys heraldic banner on the caparison. Its probably Valter.

The name was familiar.

Emilia nodded. Hes cool.

Still, dont tell him anything, Dimitry said. Ill do it when the time is right. Understood?

Wasnt going to, anyway. Angelika lowered her rifle.

The well-dressed steed trotted closer. When it stopped, the broad-shouldered knight riding on top sheathed his heathen blood-coated rock hammer into a layered sack beside the horses torso. He lifted his helmets visor to reveal a handsome face tarnished only by the scar cutting across its cheek.

Emilia bowed. My lord.

Valter smiled a benevolent smile. Vogels, Jade Surgeon. Is all well?

Seeing the youthful man in person jogged Dimitrys memory. Valter visited the hospital for a plague cure back when it was a small church full of modified preservia blankets. The knights mannerisms were gentler than that of his father, Marquis Richter.

Were fine, Angelika said. How about you? Kill anything today?

Just crawling devils trampling the coast.

More than last month again?

Im afraid so, Valter said in a troubled tone. His eyes shifted to the weapon in Angelikas hands. Is that a voltech rifle in a reflectia sack?

This? Its a Angelikas voice trailed off.

Its a failed experiment, Dimitry said. We were trying something new.

Ah. Is it more of that magic father told me about? Valter dismounted the horse with one swooping motion. He said you possessed spells that could uncover lies and tame aquatic demons. I didnt believe it at first, but I havent seen a fishman in over a week. Am I wrong to believe that thunderclap I heard is yet more of your magic? It came from your direction.

Emilias head tilted. Tamed the aquatic demons?

Angelika elbowed her sister.

Although Dimitry could have easily deluded the knight, it was wise not to. The unnecessary lie would hurt his reputation once everyone learned of the modified voltech rifles supersonic capabilities. Yes, that was us.

I may be a fool when it comes to magic, but I too am interested in the Jade Surgeons wizardry. Would you demonstrate it for me?

Unfortunately, it isnt ready. Its still too dangerous.

Is that so? Valter stepped on the heathens corpse, disassembling its fragmented remnants with a steel boot. Was it your thunder that pierced the crawling devils shell? It seems quite powerful.

It is powerful, but we cant properly control it yet. Dimitry appealed to the knights chivalry. Until we figure out how, I dont want to risk these young sorceresses getting hurt by accident.

I would never suggest otherwise. Valter stroked his horses nose with a gauntlet reflecting the moons green light. Im confident Mira and Her Majesty would be delighted to learn of your thunder rifle bag. Do you think itll be ready by the summit?

What summit?

Theres one on the third evening before every night of repentance, Angelika said. Mom goes every month.

Valters eyes furrowed. Everyone involved in the citys defense attends, including myself. Since you are the new court doctor, I thought surely you would as well.

Dimitry stroked his chin. That was only two days from now. If he didnt reveal the Voltech hand cannon at the summit, Valter would instead. The loose-lipped knight already blabbered about aquatic demons to an unknowing Emiliahe wasnt the type who could keep a secret.

But maybe that wasnt a bad thing. Maybe Dimitry could use the mans disclosing nature to his advantage. If he planned carefully, the aspect of the rifle that garnered the most suspicionits Church-like rainbow auracould become a boon that solidified his position as a religious authority instead of his downfall. And Valters praise would only help.

Peoples perception lay in the way he framed the new invention.

Dimitry smiled. The thunder rifle bag will certainly be ready by then. Look forward to it.