Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 166: Conversations of the Nighttime Watch

Daniel sketches a new design for his railgun in the dim glow of a magic lantern while he sits next to Neith on watch. The current design is sturdy, and it should hold up against more abuse than the first one he made. However, something he overlooked with that first prototype and the improved official version is the magic crystals; he is unable to arm anti-magic rounds in the railgun as it stands.

The lead shielding he'll require around the magic crystal will make the weapon significantly heavier, but it might be worth it to make projectiles that can disable magic defenses and pierce the target.

That also means he'll need to redesign the rounds, though, to ensure the magic-nullification of barriers and other magic spells doesn't allow deflection of the piercing part of the bullet.

He might also be able to create especially destructive rounds by figuring out how to make a dual-action round that keeps two fissionable materials apart until impact, during which the massive velocity brings the two parts together upon impact, spiking reactivity. It wouldn't be a fully atomic explosion, but it would be a rapid discharge of radiation, heat, and vaporized metals that likely will expand thousands of times their own volume in an explosion.

"Daniel, I often wonder what Earth was truly like," murmurs the grey dragon. "Between the videos, the things you are able to concoct, and how you handle this world... It still remains a mystery to me."

The mechanic from Earth laughs lightly. "For all the thousands of years of our history, something like ninety percent of the technological advancements of our world were made in only the last hundred years. Implements of war were always being produced to be on the cutting edge, but that doesn't mean luxuries were neglected. When we can get more magic artisans, I'd love to really branch out and try to make life not only bearable, but enjoyable for as many people as possible. But, as I've said many times, there were no great monsters threatening countries requiring a bullet that ignores magic sent forth at lightning speeds. Just humans with improved armor and weapons of their own."

"Would... you go back?"

The human chuckles again. "I had the opportunity already. But,... For as much as I lost in convenience and luxury, I gained much, much more here. So... No. I don't think I'd go back."

The grey dragon studies the human for a moment. He finally teases, "What if the Empresses and Queens went with you?"

Daniel remains quiet for a long time, thinking. He can name several off the top of his head that would beg him to visit, at a minimum, and at least two who have no lingering attachment to Zenkon other than the inner circle.

"I wouldn't chance it," replies Daniel. "For every weapon I've managed to replicate here, there were ten more on Earth each with ten kinds of devastating ammunition custom tailored to virtually every possible need. And, the means of spreading information are unparalleled. If anyone expressed even a little magic, and it was taken seriously... There would be nowhere we could hide for long. I'm the weakest human in the world here on Zenkon, so there's no real benefit to studying me, other than curiosity. That would be the exact opposite on Earth. Longevity, magic power, self-healing... There are many groups that would stop at nothing to steal that power."

"That wouldn't be possible," replies Neith confidently. "Not if there truly is no magic on Earth. In fact, there are only a few ways to transfer magic from one user to another on this world, let alone 'steal' it."

Daniel shakes his head. "Something we haven't talked about that there is no concept here of yet is DNA. I may not know how magic relates to nuclear forces, but if DNA is the key to a person possessing magic, those people would do everything to find it. If it's something atomic, the same thing. It would be too valuable to ignore, and they would absolutely find where magic comes from or die trying."