Building an empire which the sun never set-Chapter 65: More Weapons

After a month of intense work, Arthur and William successfully completed the establishment of the typewriter production facility, making it fully operational and ready for manufacturing. Additionally, Arthur personally oversaw the creation of regulatory institutions responsible for auditing government investments and expenditures. These institutions were tasked with evaluating investments both financially and scientifically, employing individuals with the necessary technical expertise to provide reports to the government. Recently, these institutions began reviewing all major ongoing and planned government investments. Their first reports were expected within a month, and until these reports were available, all new projects—including major infrastructure, government facilities, and military establishments—were put on hold.

The typewriter factory was set to commence production the following day. With final inspections underway, William focused on overseeing the manufacturing process, while Arthur decided to stay at the palace and use his free time to review reports he had been unable to examine over the past month.

As part of his routine, Arthur woke up early in the morning, went for a run, took a quick shower upon returning, and had his breakfast. He then sat at his desk and began going through the reports sent to him. Among them were reports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Intelligence, detailing the results of the loans granted to increase cotton production in Nefarada. These funds had led to the construction of irrigation canals and the laying of railway lines to transport harvested cotton from fields. Additionally, specialized agricultural tools for cotton production had begun to be sold.

Arthur had structured all investments in a way that would make Nefarada's economy increasingly dependent on Pendrallis. Even the railways were designed primarily for the transportation of harvested cotton rather than for general passenger use. Furthermore, ports had been renovated to accommodate steam-powered ships, ensuring seamless export. Similarly, the loans provided to the Usman Empire in preparation for the upcoming war allowed Pendrallis to infiltrate its economy. Arthur planned to leverage this financial dependency to force the empire to open its markets and, ultimately, to establish institutions that would take direct control of its tax revenues once it failed to repay its debts. This strategy would ensure that the Usman Empire became a raw material supplier and a market for Pendrallis' manufactured goods.

Arthur then turned his attention to the latest reports on the military preparations of the Syvatoslav Kingdom and the Usman Empire. As he read, his expression gradually hardened. The Syvatoslav Kingdom had already mobilized and deployed its forces, establishing strong logistical lines. Their navy in the Black Sea was undergoing similar preparations. In contrast, the Usman Empire had yet to fully organize its military and was severely lacking in logistical readiness. The more Arthur examined the reports, the more convinced he became that Pendrallis would need to intervene in the conflict.

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He then reviewed Syvatoslav's military technology. Following the Battle of the Straits, where Pendrallis had demonstrated the superiority of firearms, all nations, including Syvatoslav, had increased their firearm production and adapted their armies to modern warfare. While they had improved significantly, they still lagged behind Pendrallis technologically. More importantly, their economies remained largely agrarian and underdeveloped. Although some factories had been established in the western regions, they were few in number and lacked proper organization. No country had yet achieved an industrial chain comparable to Pendrallis' iron, steel, and other key industries. Syvatoslav's failure to implement necessary social and political reforms placed them at the lower end of industrialized nations. However, they held an advantage over the Usman Empire due to their centralized military and political structure, as well as their more advanced use and production of firearms.

Given the high probability of war within the next three months, Arthur realized that, despite their technological superiority, Pendrallis needed to further widen the gap and achieve overwhelming dominance on the battlefield. He decided that new weapons were necessary. Pulling out blank sheets from his desk drawer, he began drafting designs. Since heavy artillery had limited mobility, he designed mortars that could be carried by infantry, making them more versatile in battlefield conditions. These mortars varied in size and range: smaller ones would be used for close-quarters combat, while larger ones could provide suppressive fire over longer distances. By improving the mobility and deployment speed of indirect fire support, Arthur aimed to enhance Pendrallis' battlefield flexibility.

Alongside the mortars, Arthur designed a new hand grenade with a pull-pin mechanism. Unlike older designs, which were often unreliable or cumbersome, this grenade was compact, easy to deploy, and highly explosive. It would allow soldiers to clear enemy trenches and fortifications more effectively, increasing the lethality of infantry units in close combat.

For additional firepower, Arthur also developed a man-portable rocket launcher. This weapon featured a simple, reusable tube design, allowing soldiers to launch explosive projectiles with ease. The launcher would be equipped with both armor-piercing rockets and high-explosive variants for engaging infantry and fortified positions. With its ability to provide devastating firepower against enemy strongholds and armored targets, the rocket launcher would significantly enhance the effectiveness of Pendrallis' infantry units.

With the war fast approaching, Arthur planned an accelerated but structured implementation strategy. First, he would order the immediate production of prototypes for the new weapons, which would be tested in controlled environments by elite military units. These tests would assess accuracy, durability, and battlefield effectiveness, with any necessary adjustments made before full-scale manufacturing.

Simultaneously, Arthur worked on securing raw materials and increasing industrial capacity. Existing arms factories would be expanded, and additional production lines would be set up to ensure that the new weapons could be mass-produced without affecting the supply of standard infantry arms. Coordination with logistics and supply chain officials would ensure that transportation of these weapons to the front lines was efficient and uninterrupted.

Finally, Arthur devised a specialized training program for soldiers. The new mortars, grenades, and rocket launchers required different handling techniques and tactical deployment strategies. Training units would be established in key military districts, where officers and select troops would receive intensive instruction on their use. These trained units would then be deployed to frontline divisions to pass on their knowledge, ensuring rapid integration across the army before the war commenced.

With his strategy set, Arthur placed the finalized designs in his desk drawer. The next day, he planned to visit William and hand over the blueprints for production. With his plans secured, Arthur leaned back in his chair, satisfied with his work. He knew that these innovations would help solidify Pendrallis' dominance on the battlefield, ensuring not only victory but also long-term strategic superiority.