You Will Die

Finally, it’s done! I’ve been working each and every day from morning until night to do this. It just wasn’t the same as it was with magic. With forging I could continue working without draining my energy anywhere near as quickly. While the first model took me two days to complete, it only got faster and faster from there. Now, finally after five days, I’ve seemed to have made a model which was pretty good.

From its design to its functionality, it was so sturdily built it would even cause Flint to shudder if he were able to see it. This thought caused me to start feeling down again. I would have liked to show him what was essentially my magnum opus. I wonder what face he would have made after looking at the thing.

Anyways, there was one more thing to this weapon which made it far stronger than normal. The standard rifle had a red jewel embedded into it. This crystal had obviously been a magic crystal, one with the fire element attached to it. I had yet to test it out, but the last one I tried had shot with massive power. It was using a wind crystal instead but it still ripped a path through the trees.

However, while its power was exactly what I wanted, it’s durability happened to not be. After it had shot, it shattered in my hands from recoil, taking the crystal with it. I couldn’t secure another wind crystal for myself, but I managed to bargain for this fire one instead. I still needed to test this one out, but after everything, I really hoped it would work. The gemstones weren’t exactly the cheapest and I needed to finish up quickly so I could move onto the next target faster.

I was still unsure of what I wanted to test it on, however. With fire, if I shot it at the trees it could easily get out of control. While I didn’t care that the forest would be caught on fire, it would draw too much attention to my presence. I guess I could just use a glass bottle the previous owner had left in the house. It would be less dangerous at least.

I placed a glass bottle at least 50 meters in front of me. First I needed to test how the gun shot without the fire crystal’s power. It appeared that the only way I could get the magic crystals to work with the gun was to tap it beforehand so that it would activate. While it meant not every shot could be packed with the overwhelming power of the gem, it also allowed me to shoot normal bullets in other situations.

Aiming for the bottle, I relaxed myself. I wasn’t a great shot, but since I had at least some experience with this kind of thing, for the moment I knew I was the best gunman in this world. This idea also helped give me some confidence in my shooting. I pulled the trigger, my shot aligning with the bottle.

Just like a rifle should, it shot the bullet out with a great speed towards the bottle. As it connected with the bottle, it shattered into pieces with a loud crash. There were now jagged edges lying out like a puzzle in front of me. It could shoot like normal but with a speed decrease compared to my world’s guns. This made it seem closer to a portable cannon. Now for the real test.

I went and placed another bottle, this time quite a bit further. I was slightly concerned about the effect the fire gem would have. Going back into position, I aimed for the general vicinity of the bottle. Being further, it seemed like it was going to be even harder to hit. But since I was testing out the effect of the crystal, at least I didn’t have to hit the bottle with precision.

Tapping the gem, I steadied my aim for the ground around the bottle. Firing off the round, the bullet sped out of the barrel with a fiery aura encompassing it. As it connected with the ground close to the bottle, instead of just lighting a fire, it instead blew up into a blazing explosion.

A fear set in. What if someone saw that? Thankfully, the apex of the explosion fell just short of reaching the top of the walls. While this had caused me to exhale in relief, the subsequent sound which went raging felt as though I was listening to the sounds of large beasts in the night. Paired with this mess, the field had also caught on fire and was getting dangerously close to the forest.

I needed to get out of here quickly before someone came to investigate the area where the noise came from. First I needed to take care of the fire that was close to setting the trees alight. I grabbed the remaining fifteen bullets I had prepared ahead of time and also grabbed a small blanket.

I made my way close to the fire and beat it with the blanket. For a moment it too caught on fire, but I was able to stomp it out before it could get too big. After taking care of the fire, I made my way into the trees so I could use them as cover.

In five hours it would become time for me to sneak into the Capital to meet with the recruiters. Until then, at least I could prepare my words and myself in this forest. I watched a battalion of guards reach the site of the explosion shortly after my escape. Seeing this, I crept further into the woods, making myself unknown to them.

There were a couple of animals in the forest while I travesered my way through it. Most had been small but there were larger ones too. One which resembled a lion perfectly had been stalking me for a while. I dealt with it ahead of time by using three bullets and shooting into the direction I heard it. With a slight squeal I knew it was either dead or dying.

This had caused most of the animals to steer clear of me and instead loot the remains of my kill. I guess it was fine since I wasn’t planning on doing anything with the corpse anyways. It seemed like forever before the sun started to set.

As night fell upon the unsuspecting Capital, the normal guards at the gate had once again fallen asleep. Seriously, after that explosion earlier in the day, you’d think they would be more vigilant at least tonight. But I didn’t want to complain further as this was the perfect opportunity to sneak in.

Sneaking in, I waited in a shadow somewhat close to the gate. With my new clothes it made sitting in the shadows easier than it would’ve with my old clothes. I could see everything in front of me which was illuminated by moonlight. Like clockwork, a suspicious man came walking into the lit area.

With him were four people who were fully armed and at least twenty people who were unarmed. They were probably new recruits they were guiding. Well this was perfect. I attached a knife to the end of my gun before making my entrance.

I could’ve carried it separately, but this would be far more efficient as I needed at least two hands to fire the gun. They wouldn’t fear the gun since they wouldn’t know what it was, but it’s quite easy to understand blades. Especially the sharpness of them.

Sneaking my way up to them, I watched as they walked carelessly around. It was as if they were asking to get caught. When Allirea had mentioned how unorganized they were, I didn’t think they were this bad. It was probably because of this carelessness that they had gotten Flint and Allirea killed.

The thought made me want to shoot the stupid guide right here and now, but doing so would only hurt my goal more. I snuck up on the man in the lead as he turned his back to me to speak to the recruits. Using the chance I had, I got behind him and brought the knife on the end of my gun to his neck.

The feeling of the cold steel against his delicate skin had caused him to stop speaking. His team had readied their weapons but realized they couldn’t do anything without me being able to kill the man I had at knifepoint first. Realizing this, they slightly lowered their weapons so that my hostility would lessen.

“What do you want, man?” He nervously questioned.

“I want you to bring me to your leader.” I coldy responded.

“Are you a mercancery or something?”

“Not at all.”

“Seriously, I would rather die than let you kill them.”

“I’m only here to make a deal with them, but if you’re not interested in helping me, I can easily dispose of you and try someone more willing.” I brought the knife closer so that it started cutting into his neck.

“No, no, wait! I’ll take you! Just don’t kill me.” He pleaded.

So he really was all talk and no action then. This revolution seemed worse and worse the more I saw it. Well at least I’ll get to meet the leader. Wait, did he say them?

“What do you mean by them?” I asked sharply.

“What do you mean? We don’t have a leader but instead six people who make decisions for us.” He explained hastily.

“I see. Well, whatever. Hurry up and take me to them. As for the rest of your team, have them come to your hideout or whatever a couple minutes after we leave.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll do that.” He motioned to his team to follow my order.

He began leading me to where I wanted to go, my blade still at his neck. I made sure he wasn’t guiding me in circles by paying attention to the areas we were walking through. At least it seemed he valued his life enough to not even make an attempt at doing that. After four minutes of walking, we finally reached the base.

It was sad how close the base was to the meeting area. It made it so that it was barely hidden and instead almost anyone could find it. It was surprising how no one had found this place. Almost too surprising to believe.

“Go in there. You’ll be able to meet them.” He told me.

“No, you open the door for me and introduce me to them.” I replied, bringing the blade closer to him once again.

Following my words, he opened the door. It seemed it really wasn’t a trap. There were people who looked to be of importance inside. He walked me in and the sight of us had caused the people there to start panicking.

“This is ummm….what’s your name?” He asked.

“Damn it.” I pushed him aside and spoke instead. “I’m Hibiki. I used to be a slave to Flint and his family but then he set me free. I would like to join the Revolution and be the face of it.”

“What are you doing?” The pine green girl concernedly wondered.

“So you brought him here? It’s because of you that we’ll all die to this demon!” One of the important members yelled at her.

It seemed only those in charge got seating while those who worked under them got the floor or had to stand. It was annoying to see something like this when it was a revolution based on equality. At least I assumed it was about equality.

“What makes you think you can take such an important position?” Another seated member asked.

“Well to start with, I’m not an idiot like you.” I replied, my anger slipping through.

“My word!”

“Second, I have a weapon which could easily turn the tide of battle in our favour.” I showed off the gun.

“What is that contraption?” Another asked.

“It’s a gun and I invented it. It can fire projectiles at high speeds and even has a magic crystal attached. If it can be mass produced, it can easily turn the tide of battle.”

“How would we do that?”

“Well you would need me. I’m the only person in the world who knows how to make it.”

“How do you know?” The one who yelled first questioned.

“Well I’m quite confident for a number of reasons. But the main one was that I invented it like I said earlier.” I replied with a slight snark.

“You insolent---!” He stood up and started to reprimand me.

Cutting him short a bullet went flying right past his head, showing off the power of the weapon I wielded in front of them. There was a chance I could have hit him, but it would’ve proven my point anyways. The sight of this had caused the man to fall back into his chair and quietly sink.

“So, now that you understand, are there any questions?” I asked.

“How would we even get the funds to get such weapons?” One of the remaining people who had yet to speak questioned.

“Do you have any allies?”

“We only have allied with the kingdom of Pieron. We have a spy who can link us to them.” He answered while pointing to the blonde woman who had been sold with me.

I guess she had gotten out too. Well it was either that or she had been bought by a member of the rebellion and this was her plan all along. I couldn’t really figure her out when I spoke to her all that time ago. While I’d like to catch up, that would have to be done later. Good thing I still had quite a bit of money left over.

“I’ll provide you three hundred silver to start with, after which you can get more money from Pieron.” I explained to the inquisitive man.

“T-three hundred!” He exclaimed at the number.

“That’s right. Anything else?”

“How can we know you won’t betray us?” The man who was shrinking in his chair a moment ago asked.

“Huh? Why would I show you all of this and speak with you if I planned to betray you?”

“It’s a long ploy to find all our members. If you want to prove to us that you’re really with us, kill this noble trash.” He pointed to a man tied to a wooden post in the building.

Looking in the direction he was pointing, I saw a familiar person with glasses. It was the same noblemen who had bought my diamonds. He was trying to say something but his mouth was gagged. It seemed he recognized me.

I walked in front of him. His loud shouts were only noise against the item muffling him, but if he kept going it may have become obvious that he knew me. If the others realized he knew me, all this work might go sideways.

“I’m sorry.” I whispered to him in a tone only he could hear.

Bang! With a shot his head exploded with the force of the bullet. While the gruesome display had caused murmuring between everyone, it seemed the person who had asked me to do such a thing still had something to say.

“Why didn’t you use the crystal?” He questioned, trying to verify if I hadn’t used it out of sympathy.

“You idiot. If I used that this whole place would be turned to ash.” I explained.

“Yeah right.”

“You hear the noise outside earlier?”

“Yes I did.”

“That was all thanks to this. Now I can blow us all up starting with you, if you really insist.” I mocked.

The mocking had caused him to stop speaking. Finally it seemed as if everything was settled. With this I would be able to take charge. But there was just one more thing.

“Does anyone know how Flint and Allirea died?” I called aloud.

“Well.” The man who guided me here began but stopped as his team joined him.

“Go on now.”

“I may have been seen speaking to them.” He spoke quietly.

The anger I had held to him started bursting. I was barely able to keep it back, but I really wanted to kill him right here and now. But if I did that, I would lose any trust I had gained here. If I lost the trust I worked so hard for, all of this would have been for no purpose. Damn it.

“Get out of the Capital now! You and your team are removed from the rebellion!” I screamed at him.

“What?! You can’t do that!” He responded with his team chattering behind him.

“I am the leader now, and I can.”

“What can I do to stay?”

“If you come back with one gold, you will be allowed to stay.” With that amount of money I may as well never see this man again.

“O-one gold? There’s no way I can get that!”

“Then never come back!”

“If I leave now then the mad mage could kill us!”

“Don’t care! Get out or die, hurry up and choose.” I responded while pointing the gun at him.

With this action, he gathered the other armed members who had been with him before and left the premises. If I see him ever again outside of a situation like this, I would kill him. If only I had asked that in private. That way I could easily kill him without anyone realizing it. The fool mentioned at least something interesting.

“What’s this about a mad mage?” I asked the girl with pine green hair.

“Uhh, well. There’s apparently been a mage who has been testing on prisoners in Clauffer’s estate. We don’t have much of a description of them but we’ve been calling them ‘The Mad Mage’.”

I know what it’s like to be a prisoner for that stupid noble. Being tortured and experimented on just isn’t right. If I can stop this Mad Mage then I know that I can rest easier. Also, with the rebellion I can finally remove that name I despise so much. Clauffer Von Verse, you will die with this revolution.