CHAPTER 104: WEAPONS AND PERSUASION

Marcus returned to Valdris with a heavy heart but renewed determination. His real world foundation had crumbled, but that meant he could focus entirely on the approaching crisis without divided loyalties. The textile business was thriving, and today would determine whether his weapon project could become reality.

The warehouse buzzed with even more activity than before. Sara had worked miracles with the production systems, creating additional sewing machines based on his original prototypes. The sound of mechanical operation filled the space as his family and new workers created clothing with unprecedented speed and quality.

"Marcus, you're back!" Sara called out from where she was training new workers. "Our output has doubled since yesterday. We're actually struggling to keep up with demand."

Marcus examined the latest products with amazement. Shirts, pants, and long dresses for women, all created with precision that surpassed anything available in Drakmoor's markets. The quality was so superior that customers buying despite the anti refugee sentiment.

"Sara, you've built something incredible here. This success gives us resources I hadn't even considered."

"Speaking of resources," Sara said with a proud smile, "I've started teaching the new workers. They're learning fast, and we'll be able to expand into other districts soon."

They were creating one product after another: shirts, pants, dresses, all with consistent quality that amazed their customers.

Just then, Temir entered the shop carrying a wooden box filled with metal components. His expression showed both pride and frustration as he approached Marcus.

"Marcus, I couldn't assemble it," he said, setting the box down carefully. "The pieces are precise, but I don't understand how they fit together."

Marcus took the parts he'd designed using knowledge from both worlds and his experience practicing in the modern world. His hands moved with confidence as he began the assembly, but when certain pieces refused to align, he refused to hesitate. He shaved edges with a metal rod, forced parts into place with the butt of his palm, and pulled or twisted them until they finally clicked into position. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he worked, but he kept going as if his life depended on it.

The resistance of the stubborn components only fueled his determination. With each adjustment, the weapon took clearer shape, the skeleton of an idea becoming tangible reality. Temir watched in silence, wide-eyed, as Marcus pushed, hammered, and guided the parts together until at last, the frame of a medieval automatic rifle lay complete on the workbench.

"So much I can do in this world, but circumstances pushed me into this," Marcus thought as he worked.

"Marcus, the weapon and casings are ready. But I am heading back to Lord Hammond's district. I cannot continue working for merchants when war is near," Temir announced.

Marcus caught his shoulder urgently. "Wait, please come. Let me show you what you've made. I need you," Marcus thought desperately. "I cannot build the mind blocking machine without skilled metalwork."

Marcus picked up his stashed gunpowder, bullet casings, and bullets. He filled several cartridges with practiced efficiency and forcefully guided Temir to a clear area behind the warehouse. They head to outside of the city woods.

"Marcus, I understand your enthusiasm, but I can create 200 arrowheads for the city each day. Please let me go," Temir protested.

"You don't understand how much more important this really is. It's actually defending the city." Marcus spoke earnestly while preparing bullets for the crude automatic rifle.

But Temir remained stubborn about pursuing new projects when war was approaching. His traditional mindset couldn't grasp the revolutionary potential of what they'd created together.

Marcus took Temir to beyond the gates in to woods.

Marcus loaded all bullets into the clip and attached it to the weapon, remembering all his training at the modern world job and security course. "Watch this. You see those birds?"

Marcus aimed carefully and fired two quick shots. "Pah! Pah!" Both birds fell from the sky immediately.

"So it shoots birds. Big deal," Temir said dismissively.

Marcus pointed at a tree's large branches and shot without talking. "Pah! Pah!" Two branches cracked at their connection points to the tree, falling to the ground with impressive force.

Temir didn't say anything, but Marcus could see uncertainty creeping into his expression.

Marcus finally spotted a boar at the edge of the forest. This was the real reason he'd brought Temir here. These animals had been terrorizing villagers who tried to forage for mushrooms and pine cones according to recent rumors.

The boar was rushing toward them with obvious aggressive intent.

Temir became agitated. "Marcus, we need to go right now. If he breaks my arm..."

"Pah!" One bullet. Marcus deliberately shot only once through the head to impress Temir with precision rather than volume of fire. The giant boar fell down without creating any noise, killed instantly by the single shot.

"How? No arrow can penetrate that thick hide," Temir said with amazement.

Marcus wanted to exaggerate in order to keep Temir committed to the project. "A marksman like me can kill hundreds in seconds. And if my mission wasn't important, I wouldn't ask you to stay beside me. I care about this city as much as you do."

"We just created that machine. How can you be so good at using it?" Temir asked suspiciously.

Marcus handed him the weapon but didn't show him proper technique, wanting him to fail so he would understand the complexity involved. Temir couldn't hit the tree directly in front of them.

"Like I said, it's my magic. Now, if you're convinced, I need you to create molds for these designs." Marcus pulled out the designs that Celestine had brought.

"What is it?" Temir asked, examining the technical drawings.

"I think it can protect me from Malachar's magic if he ever shows up in front of me."

The papers contained detailed specifications for electronic components that would be nearly impossible to create with medieval technology. But Marcus had been studying the designs, and some elements could be adapted using copper wiring and basic battery principles.

"I guess whatever you say from now on, boss," Temir replied with newfound respect.

Marcus felt relief wash over him. Without Temir's metalworking skills, creating any version of Celestine's mind protection device would be impossible. The rifle demonstration had shown the craftsman that Marcus was working on technologies far beyond anything he'd previously imagined.

"Temir, I need you to understand something. What we're doing here could determine whether this city survives the approaching siege. The weapons we create, the protective devices we build, they're not just innovations. They're the difference between victory and complete destruction."

"I'm beginning to see that, Marcus. Your weapon killed that boar like it was nothing. If we can arm defenders with these..."

"Exactly. But the protection device is even more important. Malachar's greatest weapon isn't his army. It's his ability to control minds and turn our own people against us."

Temir nodded grimly. "I've heard stories about entire garrisons opening gates to him willingly, not even knowing why they were doing it."

"That's what this device is designed to prevent. But creating it requires precision work that only someone with your skills can accomplish."

They spent the rest of the afternoon reviewing the technical specifications and discussing what materials would be needed. Some components could be crafted directly, while others would require innovative substitutions using available medieval materials.

"The copper wire work will be the most challenging," Temir observed. "These tolerances are incredibly precise."

"I know it's difficult, but if anyone can make it work, it's you. You've already proven that with the rifle components."

As evening approached, Marcus felt cautiously optimistic about their weapons production capabilities. The rifle was functional, Temir was committed to the project, and Sara's textile business was generating the income needed to fund their military preparations.

But the mind protection device remained a daunting challenge. Even with Temir's skills, creating functional electronics from medieval materials seemed nearly impossible.

Still, they had to try. In less than ten days, Malachar would arrive with his army and his mind control abilities. Having weapons would help, but being able to resist mental manipulation could determine whether their resistance succeeded or became another cautionary tale about challenging the dark wizard's power.

Marcus gathered the rifle components and stored them securely. Tomorrow he would begin working with Temir on the protection device while coordinating with the Defenders about their guerrilla tactics.

The race against time was intensifying, but for the first time since Celestine had dropped her impossible task on him, Marcus felt like success might be possible.