Chapter 24 Getting Scolded for Passing on the Blueprint
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The day after I promised a future to Ethelena, I set to work crafting a new Arcane Gun using the Mithril Ingots I’d collected. The plan was a sniper-type Arcane Gun, designed for physical rounds. I had previously hesitated, thinking Ethelena’s low Physical Attack stat would make handling it impossible, but now that her equipment-capable stats were clearer, I felt confident enough to proceed.
In the game *Beyond the Deep Darkness*, a sniper-class Arcane Gun existed, but it was nearly useless—range was absurd, hitting a maximum of 50 squares, whereas this gun could theoretically reach 150 squares (roughly 1,500 meters). Obstacles could easily block the line of fire, so practical use was limited.
Still, I chose this weapon for one reason: raw power. Mana cost ranged from 50 to 100 per shot, but with a Physical Attack between 40 and 90, the cost-performance ratio was insane. It also had guaranteed penetration, ignoring enemy Physical Defense—a crucial advantage.
Previously, in the 22nd layer, we faced trolls. Beyond that, from the 26th layer onward, golems dominated, including bosses at layer 30. Ordinary golems were manageable, but rare Mithril or Orichalcum golems were formidable, boasting high physical and magical defenses. Even Torakuma might fail against them.
Weapons with penetration became essential, and materials from these layers could be used to craft “golem-effective” arms. Yet among these options, only the sniper-type Arcane Gun suited Ethelena. Other scenarios for such a weapon were rare, perhaps only when countering colossal magical war machines in the heroine route of the original game—spectacular but impractical.
With that decided, I began drafting my design. My *Crafting IV* skill could produce top-tier weapons, but Ethelena’s Gun Aptitude II imposed equipment restrictions. High-power weapons required high aptitude, so I had to design something original: a high-damage, long-range, physically fired sniper gun.
Magic existed in this world, so if reality couldn’t achieve it, magic could. I envisioned the Arcane Accelerator—a magical version of a fictional electromagnetic railgun. It would draw upon the user’s Mana, accelerating projectiles along three rails with eight Spell Formula-based Magic Circles. Each circle doubled projectile speed, ultimately giving a muzzle velocity 256 times faster. Shields activated by Spell Formula would suppress recoil and sound, making it practically stealthy. No gunpowder was used; mana alone powered the shot, dramatically increasing consumption—a flaw, yes, but necessary.
As I sketched notes, a problem arose: the Mithril could melt from air friction during acceleration. Calculations showed that reducing two Magic Circles made the barrel withstand the stress. Mana consumption dropped by about thirty percent, but projectile speed fell to a quarter, reducing overall power.
I considered reinforcing Mithril like Demonsteel or Shape Memory Alloy but rejected it; I’d need Ethelena for layers beyond 21 anyway. Dangerous? Maybe. Boring? Absolutely. I wanted to enjoy moments with her, not just risk our lives. Mithril’s beauty also made it perfect for gifts beyond weapons—hairpins, rings, small tokens.
Pushing thoughts aside, I consulted the City Mayor about Magic Metal research, built circuits for mana flow, calculated part strength, and minimized wasted mana. The result: the prototype Arcane Accelerator, *Elingium*. It was ready—but testing in the yard seemed impossible.
For a reliable test, I knew who to call.
”…So this is why you summoned me?”
The City Mayor’s mouth twitched as she said it, surveying the workshop.
”I haven’t tested it yet. I just wondered where I could safely fire it,” I explained.
”Not possible in the city,” she replied flatly. She flipped through my notebook at high speed, eyes glazing over with every page.
”Tell me honestly—what could make you build such an absurd cannon?”
”Golems,” I answered.
”The enemies you expect with this? Only a mobile fortress, really.”
She stored my notes in her Inventory, muttering. Another “problematic” creation, apparently.
”Do you even know its performance?” she asked.
”Physical stats aren’t finalized yet. I need at least one shot to Appraise it,” I said.
”Ridiculous. You make unknown weapons and then act clueless?”
”Exactly because it’s unknown, there’s no data.”
I could estimate destructive power, but how the world’s mechanics would interpret it remained uncertain.
”Then we’ll test-fire it at the old battlefield northwest of here,” the Mayor decided.
Despite a headache, my Crafter instincts tingled with anticipation.
”…Have you considered how it feels for me to be woken up for a sudden test-fire?” she added, eyebrow twitching.
”I’m sorry,” I admitted.
I had dragged Ethelena from sleep to the test site for *Elingium*’s maiden firing. A sweet, sleepy kiss had passed between us, intense enough that if the Mayor hadn’t been present, I might not have restrained myself. Somehow, I sensed she already understood the shift in our relationship.
”So… what’s this huge thing?” Ethelena asked, curiosity sparkling.
”It’s for the upper dungeon layers. A trump card for when *Lonisera*’s firepower isn’t enough,” I explained.
”Oh… it’s for me, isn’t it? Hehe.”
Her small laugh warmed me. I hoped she realized that whenever I built something, it was for her.
”Anyway, can we stop flirting and actually test it?” Mayor asked.
”Uh!? Y-yes, City Mayor!”
”…Take your time,” she said, relaxing slightly, a faint smile on her face.
Ethelena, cautious, sat beside *Elingium*. I began explaining its use.
”…If I lie down like this, my clothes might get dirty,” she noted.
”Ah, I’ll lay down a sheet,” I replied, quickly spreading a blue tarp.
She assumed a prone position like a sniper, frowning slightly.
”What’s wrong? Something uncomfortable?” I asked.
”…It’s squishing my chest. Feels tight lying face down,” she admitted.
I couldn’t help but glance. Though obscured by clothing, the soft pressure of her form was captivating.
”I’ll design something custom next time,” I promised.
”Please… I’ll let you do other things too, but wait until tonight,” she whispered, voice soft but potent.
Her words carried a quiet, dangerous charm.
”First shot, ready?”
”Yes. Mana charging now.”
”Mana charged. Let’s fire!”
Ethelena’s mana flowed smoothly into *Elingium*. From the grip to the mechanism, and then along the rails, her energy activated six acceleration Spell Formula Magic Circles.
”Magic Circle deployment check.”
”Check complete!”
”Defense and sound-suppression barrier check.”
”Check complete!”
”Target set: stationary, 1,000 meters.”
”Target confirmed!”
I knelt beside her, while the City Mayor took position behind her for safety. Once I confirmed she was fully within the barrier, we continued.
”Final safety check.”
”Check complete!”
A nod from the Mayor gave the green light.
”Fire.”
”Firing!”
The moment Ethelena pulled the trigger, a tremendous shockwave and deafening roar struck, even beyond the barrier. She held the prone position, but the recoil still scraped the ground beneath her.
”…Target status?”
”No hits confirmed yet.”
Peering through binoculars, the target remained standing. The ground around it, however, was gouged as if struck by an enormous force.
”Sorry, missed.”
”No worries. It’s a test; scope adjustment is pending.”
I quickly Appraised *Elingium*.
Arcane Gun – Prototype *Elingium*
Physical Attack: 200
Mana Consumption: 250
Range: 2,500 m
Speed: –30
Movement: –5
Special Abilities: Penetration III, Required Physical Attack: 20
Even I flinched. Ethelena’s mana barely carried one shot before fatigue set in, yet this weapon could potentially kill high-level ogres or trolls with a single hit depending on placement. The minus to Speed likely caused the miss; next, she would try a Precise Shot. The recoil she couldn’t absorb was due to insufficient Physical Attack.
”Somehow, this feels way more exhausting than *Lonisera*.”
”Well, it consumes fifty times the mana of *Lonisera*.”
Kneeling, she inspected *Elingium*. The rails were too hot to touch; I’d need a cooling solution. The chamber was fine, efficiently converting her mana into projectile power. The grip absorbed most recoil, keeping her safe—no cracks, no warping. The rails, however, had slightly deformed from heat. A quick adjustment with *Crafting IV* restored initial accuracy, but for perfection, adding Orichalcum and Adamantite seemed necessary. Research into a three-metal alloy would be ideal.
”Second shot—ready?”
”Yeah. I can handle it. Your girl’s tougher than she looks.”
Blushing, Ethelena’s voice carried a shy confidence—her hesitation about expressing feelings had melted since yesterday’s confession. I made a mental note: a proper date together was overdue.
”Prepare. Use Precise Shot this time.”
”Got it.”
She assumed the prone sniper position again, the Mayor right behind her. Smoothly, she fired.
”Target… obliterated.”
”Barely grazed, yet took the whole thing down. Incredible.”
”This is strictly forbidden for human targets,” the Mayor remarked.
Unlike the first shot, the target was gone—probably a near miss, but the impact was devastating. Indeed, against humans, this weapon required legal restrictions.
”So, the blueprint can be submitted, yes?”
”Not just confirmation—an order. But with the Mayor, it should be manageable.”
She nodded, turned on her heel, and departed, pausing briefly to smile back.
”And… it looks like you two are officially together. Congratulations.”
Hearing congratulations from someone who’d looked out for us, a warmth rose inside me.
”Thank you,” I said.
”Will you have a wedding?”
”We’ll register the marriage. If Ethelena wants a ceremony, we’ll do that too.”
”W-what!?”
”When it happens, you’re invited,” I added.
And with that, the City Mayor finally left.
”Why do you casually talk about weddings, Tatara, you idiot,” Ethelena teased, wrapping her arms around me.
”Let me be an idiot, if it means feeling this happy about the girl I love,” I replied.
”…Seriously, you’re hopeless,” she said, laughing.
Her laughter made me smile naturally.
”Think my taste for heavy meals was a bit off?”
”Then we’ll add a stroll date too.”
”Seriously, Tatara, you’re such an idiot,” she laughed again.
We spent the day smiling, relaxed and carefree.
Still, a complaint arrived: even using my blueprint, others couldn’t replicate the weapon. Unbelievable.
Notes:
• Torakuma – Sturdy, serious-looking man; skilled fighter and tactician; reliable ally guiding the protagonist.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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