Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 130: Finishing the Monster of the Lake

Daniel is kneeling down and laying against Gwenesphia's back on the end of the tree trunk they're making use of as her shooting bench. She's too small to fire the 'Dragonslayer' safely, so Daniel's shoulder will be the back stop as she does her best to aim from an awkward position slightly off to the side and under the stock of the heavy rifle.

She's trembling a little, since it's a great deal of pressure on her to be the one to slay Rohgattabor for her family's honor, which isn't lacking, but can certainly benefit from the boost. Her brothers, sister, and father are nearby, each still carrying the semi-automatic assault rifles that they're sub-leasing from Aramellianna. It's likely that enough ammo expended by them could bring down the ray-like monster, but the Dragonslayer should be able to do it in one shot. Now that he has learned some lessons, Daniel intends to make high explosive rounds a priority, as well as manufacturing more of the Dragonslayers to prevent the current shortage from hindering them again. As he ponders, he also considers making a 'free sale' version of his weapons, which can afford to be lost control of. He'd likely go with a break-barrel style of rifle with a single-action hammer. It'd be less convenient for the operators of such weapons, but he'd be a little more comfortable with selling them outside of the Fievegal, particularly in countries like Mattarglos, where they have very dangerous beasts and monsters to contend with. The appropriate blacksmiths will eventually figure out the alloys and tempering methods Daniel has had Xyreko use, meaning that cannons wouldn't be far behind rifles of any kind. Ancient medieval cannons were large and heavier than their successors because enough metal can resist the forces and heat. Modern barrels were more efficient in mass because of the discoveries of stronger alloys and better techniques.

The Earthling has toyed with the idea of making even lighter and thinner-barreled rifles using mithril or sharmelkolle, but it feels a little wasteful -and extremely dangerous- to have such a valuable weapon when good ol' steel can do the job plenty well enough.

It hits him that he can solve a couple of problems, potentially, by making a less efficient rifle that can use magical equipment.

And, that idea is to make an electrically-fired rifle.

For now, he is going to act as the backstop for the Dragonslayer's recoil so that the pregnant gatonine, who isn't quite starting to show yet, doesn't take the brunt of the rifle's kick.

"Y-You know, Daniel... I don't mind if one of my siblings were the one doing this..."

"You'll do fine. It's just a bigger version of the rifle you have been using."

"Y-Yeah, but this one... It actually... What if I miss?"

"Let's hope there are no dragons on the other side of the lake then..."

Geirahoel, Reignleif, Ryuogriar, and Hekate all snicker, standing behind Daniel and Gwenesphia to watch over them. Doephluev is seated beside Daniel, staying out of the way but looming around him, as usual. Vaergraes and Senn are also on standby, waiting with Veiranoei, Goelselmo, Treia, and Peiburi. Across from them, relative to Daniel, are Kuboen and Lyrtef, who are protecting their sister.

"Father, when should I attack?" asks a voice that Daniel finds soothing, though it makes some of the gatonines tremble. It's none other than Arachne, the death knight summoned by Vaergraes and further empowered with Hekate's mana.

Gwenesphia's ears pivot slightly to listen, and Daniel replies to the half-spider-like being. "I'd like you to read its movements and intercept any attempts at melee. But, your safety is just as important to me as everyone else, so don't be reckless."

"Of course, Father. I shall remain vigilant."

Daniel looks at the sky over the lake, where Neith is orbiting while watching below. Roeta is under the water, and a large trail of bubbles indicates her movement in the water. Once Daniel revealed the simplistic diving helmet idea, which was easy enough to modify onto the dragon's helmet, she was excited to begin the mission, since Dragons -especially lesser dragons with minimal mana- have to hold their breath to dive. As a mostly-reptilian species, dragons are well-equipped for long stints of low activity, as well as conserving oxygen. She even demonstrated how she intends to swim with her big wings that could only be seen as drag normally; the pink dragon is able to keep them mostly in their 'stored' position at her sides, but then flexes them in a wave-like pattern that creates thrust. It sort of reminds Daniel of how an octopus swims by pulling its body forward with a low profile and then spreading out and using the larger surface area for thrust by pushing backwards. It's not exactly the same, but it's fascinating to watch the avian titan swim, which tickled her even more to impress Daniel.