Under Fire

"Ready!"

The runes charged in a cascading surge, each cylinder coming alive with a deep, resonant hum. Arcs of excess energy lashed through the air, an electrical storm spilling beyond the material’s limits.

"Aim!"

The prototype’s ceramic insulation plates began to crack beneath the electromagnetic strain. The reinforced metal framework groaned as it struggled against the growing forces.

"FIRE!"

In an instant, the capacitors struck down on the rails, completing the circuit.

The aluminum rails erupted in blinding white light as an enormous torrent of energy tore through them. Lightning crawled across the zircon tipped shell as it raged along the rails.

The air around it detonated in a thunderous shockwave, sending the sands of the Red Plateau rising skyward. Dust and debris blasted outward as the weapon screamed. The frame convulsed and gave way. The ceramic plates shattered into pieces, and the ends of the rails curved violently outward.

Shiro and the others watch as the bolt soared through the air like a streak of brilliant white light.

Should probably prioritize Earth ruins on the rails, ceramics and frame to increase durability. Then we can add a secondary cooling system with Ice and Wind runes between shots. Real capacitors too at some point.

Shiro turned to the others to speak but stopped himself. Their eyes wide as they bounced between the flying shell and the broken cannon.

Azura staring sure, makes sense since this is her first time seeing it. But Geraltavin and Johnaquil should be used to this by now.

He went back to watching the bolt as it made its descent in its ark. Had it not been glowing like a falling star, it would be beyond his eye's range of sight.

Guess it's our farthest shot so far but at a 45 degree angle, we're sacrificing ‘time till impact’ for range...

Shiro thoughts faded as lightning began striking the ground again and again from the bolt, each discharge coming faster as it descended.

"It's not bad or anything. Still a lot of waste to give a simple Electro Sphere more..."

"Shhh! Shh! Shh!"

Shiro silenced Azura as he stared at the magic going off. The previous roles of awe had become reversed.

The spell released as the zircon tipped bolt cratered the ground. Electricity erupted from the impact point, blooming outward in a perfect sphere. Arcs of lightning raced across the surface area of the ball as it expanded.

That's a spell! What good is a rail cannon when spells do that?!

"Mmmmh. I GUESS, this is your first time seeing magic."

"Huh? Yeah. But would that spell not just kill everyone? That is a massive electric discharge!?"

"For you! And for someone without a Talent, it would be fatal. But demons, or those with Talents, are naturally more resilient to magic. The actual impact was the most powerful part of the strike."

I guess that explains why Talents are so valuable. It's the difference between being an NPC or a player character...

"... Do Talents help with physical resilience?"

"Not unless it's in the specifics of the Talent. Otherwise, you wouldn't have anything inherently as you would with access to Magic and magic resilience."

And that would explain why many still use bows and swords even as casters.

“What is your Talent…”

As he went to reply, Shiro stopped himself. Azura had been glaring at him for a while now, but only then did he notice.

“Are you upset?”

Her eyes widened, her vertical pupils narrowing into sharp slits as they fixed on him like a snake about to strike.

Before she could take his life, Geraltavin and Johnaquil came to Shiro's aid.

"Alright. Show's over. I need two drinks, a meal, and then a bed."

"Could not agree more. Once we are all rested, then we can discuss resources and preparations for the next prototype."

"...Fine! Go start packing up."

I don't know why It feels like I almost died there, but I'm pretty sure I owe those two my life.

"Shiro, no rest for you. You still have meetings with more nobles to attend to today."

Is it too late to let her kill me?

As Shiro made his way to help pack up, a loud explosion came from the city.

"What was that?"

"I'm not sure. Did you do anything?"

"No, there's no way the heavy rail cannon launched anything towards the city."

"Not what I meant."

"Huh? Oh, like? Hey!"

Bells began to ring from the city.

"We're under attack! Guards, pack this up quickly! Shiro, Geraltavin, Johnaquil; to the carriage, now!"

In retrospect, I probably should have taken it more seriously when the literal 'Spymaster' had to leave for an emergency and told us to go back to the city.

"SHIRO, NOW!"

"Coming!"

He began to make his way to the carriage. On the way, he stopped to pick up the light rail cannon and a bag with simple bolts and capacitors.

"Stop. Why are you getting a weapon?"

"To defend myself?"

"You're not authorized to carry any weapons."

"Really? Fine. Seems like a bad idea, but sure, I guess."

Shiro dropped the light rail cannon, along with the bag of bolts and capacitors, back onto the ground.

He made his way towards the carriage and joined Geraltavin and Johnaquil on the inside as Azura closed the door behind him.

"I guess we know what emergency Gris had to go deal with."

"And from the looks of it, it's likely he wasn't too successful with it. You two really should have stopped when he left."

"I wanted to stop at midnight!"

"Hey!.."

The carriage door opened once again. Azura had gone back to retrieve the cannon and bag.

"Did you... Ouch."

Azura tossed the two items with unnecessary force at Shiro.

"Don't make me regret this!"

She then slammed the door closed and began driving the carriage back to the city.

"I guess I gained some trust."

The two men gave Shiro a look meant to convey something, but its meaning was lost on him.

"... Is that a no?"