Don't Want to Be Ordinary Even Though I'm an Extra Character-Chapter 73: [72] The Dawn of Firearms

-Arkan Lawrence-

I stood in the backyard of the laboratory, staring at the wooden board in front of me—now shattered with a large hole in the center. Smoke still drifted from the muzzle of the Springfield M1903, the rifle I had just test-fired.

Faustus remained stunned beside me, while Rainer, who had just arrived to witness the experiment, narrowed his eyes slightly as he observed the results.

"This... is truly an incredible weapon," Faustus murmured, examining the bullet hole. "I can’t believe something like this can be created with the materials available in this world."

I gave a small smile, though deep down, I knew this was just the beginning. This rifle was only the first step. If I wanted to revolutionize warfare, I had to think even bigger.

However, there was one major issue—the cost of production.

Building one or two rifles was manageable with my personal funds, but if I wanted to mass-produce them, I would need factories, skilled workers, and most importantly, a steady supply of raw materials.

Most of my money was already allocated to other crucial projects—road construction, agriculture, and infrastructure development to ensure my territory’s stability. I couldn’t recklessly pour all my resources into weapon production.

I let out a long sigh.

"The problem now is the cost," I finally admitted.

Faustus turned to me. "What do you mean?"

"This weapon works well, but we can’t just make one or two. If we want it to be effective in warfare, we need large-scale production. And that means we need an industrial facility to support it."

Rainer, who had come after hearing the gunshot while training near the laboratory, finally spoke up. "How much do you need?"

I shrugged. "To start mass production, I’d need at least 100,000 gold coins to build a basic factory. And that’s not even counting worker salaries and material costs."

Rainer let out a low whistle. "That’s... a lot."

I nodded. "Exactly. And that’s the problem."

As the ruler of this territory, I had to make smart decisions. If I recklessly invested all my funds into weapons production, other vital projects would be left unfinished.

The highways were still under construction, the irrigation system for new farmlands was incomplete, and my newly recruited military force was still in the early training phase.

I couldn’t sacrifice my people’s well-being for military ambition.

But at the same time, I couldn’t ignore the importance of defense either. This world was full of threats—both external and internal. If I focused too much on economic development without military strength, I’d only be painting a target on my back for my enemies.

How do I balance everything?

I glanced at the rifle in my hands, then shifted my gaze to Faustus.

"If we can’t go into full-scale production yet," I decided, "then we start small. We’ll produce these weapons in limited numbers—just enough to equip an elite unit to serve as the primary defense force for this territory."

Faustus nodded. "That makes sense. But what about skilled labor? You’ll need people who can understand how to manufacture them."

"That’s right," I agreed. "I’ll recruit the best blacksmiths from various places. If necessary, I’ll personally teach them new techniques."

Rainer crossed his arms. "What about heavy weaponry? Rifles are great, but we’ll also need something that can take down enemy fortifications on a large scale."

A small smirk formed on my lips. "That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking about. I need to decide whether to develop steel cannons or jump straight to mortars."

Faustus frowned. "What’s the difference?"

I enthusiastically began explaining.

"Steel cannons," I said, "use gunpowder to launch iron cannonballs at a target. Their advantage is that they have immense destructive power, perfect for demolishing fortresses or wiping out large enemy formations. But their drawbacks are that they require a lot of gunpowder, are difficult to transport, and need a specialized crew to operate."

I took a moment before continuing.

"Meanwhile, mortars are a smaller, more portable, and more flexible version. Unlike cannons that fire straight ahead, mortars lob projectiles at a high angle, allowing them to strike enemies hiding behind fortifications or trenches."

Faustus rubbed his chin. "So, you’re leaning toward mortars?"

I nodded. "Yes, at least for now. Mortars are more versatile, easier to produce, and don’t require a large crew to operate. Plus, I want my army to be fast and mobile, not just a force that sits behind walls."

Rainer seemed satisfied with the answer. "Then we should start gathering raw materials."

"Exactly," I agreed. "I’ll contact iron merchants to secure high-quality steel. Faustus, you’ll be responsible for gunpowder production and ignition systems."

Faustus grinned. "Leave it to me."

I sighed inwardly. This was going to be a long journey.

After deciding that mortars were the best option, I began drafting plans for the first prototype.

I grabbed a sheet of paper and sketched out a simple design. The mortar would need to:

Have a short barrel with an elevation angle of 45° to 75°.Use iron shells filled with explosive powder.Be light enough to be carried by two soldiers.Fire projectiles up to 500 meters.

"I’ll need the best blacksmith to make this," I muttered.

Faustus suddenly spoke up, "What if we invite a blacksmith from the Imperial Capital?"

I stared at Faustus. "Do you have someone in mind?"

Faustus smiled. "There’s one man—Heinrich Bronzefeld. He’s a renowned blacksmith, known for his expertise in crafting heavy weaponry. If we can bring him here, he could be a great help."

I sighed, watching how confident Faustus was in his recommendation.

"Heinrich Bronzefeld, huh?" I repeated, trying to recall if his name had appeared in Destiny Warrior.

Faustus nodded. "He’s considered one of the best blacksmiths in the empire. His craftsmanship in heavy weaponry is highly respected—some nobles even pay a fortune to acquire his creations."

That’s the problem.

I couldn’t just bring someone that famous into my territory. This wasn’t just about skill—it was about security and stability.

Right now, I was still building my power from scratch. The region was still recovering from the chaos left behind by Baron Darren. If I suddenly attracted someone with a high status, it could draw unwanted attention from the empire—or worse, from other nobles curious about what I was planning.

I preferred working with hidden talents, people who could grow with the territory, rather than outsiders who might become threats in the long run.

"Faustus, I understand your reasoning," I finally said, meeting his gaze. "But we can’t just bring someone like Heinrich here. He’s too famous. If he comes to this land, we’ll attract attention we’re not ready for."

Faustus frowned. "But isn’t that exactly the kind of talent we need? Don’t we need the best?"

I gave a small smirk. "Yes, but we also need the right person."

I turned to Rainer, who had been silently listening to our discussion. "Do you know of any skilled blacksmiths who are more... humble? Someone not tied to major nobles or the imperial military?"

Rainer folded his arms, thinking for a moment. "There are a few I remember from my time as a mercenary. They’re not famous, but their skills are top-tier. One name stands out—Gunnar Stroud. He used to be a royal weaponsmith in the southern territories, but now he works in a small village on the western border because of... personal issues."

I raised an eyebrow. "Personal issues?"

Rainer nodded. "Rumor has it he was betrayed by a client who falsely accused him of forging defective weapons. But his work was flawless. Because of the accusation, he lost everything—his forge, his reputation, and nearly all his assets."

I smiled inwardly. Interesting.

"So, he’s talented, but currently has no place to grow?" I asked.

"Exactly," Rainer confirmed. "If you can convince him, he might be willing to join you."

I tapped my fingers on the table, thinking quickly.

Someone like Gunnar was far more valuable for this project than Heinrich. He wasn’t famous, he had a personal drive to prove himself, and most importantly—he likely harbored resentment against the system that wronged him.

That kind of determination could turn him into an irreplaceable asset.

"Alright," I finally decided. "We’ll go meet him."

Faustus looked a little disappointed, but he didn’t argue. "Fine, if you’re sure about this."

"I am," I said firmly. "It’s better to build our strength with people who have something to fight for."

Two days later, Rainer, three guards, and I set out for the village where Gunnar resided.

The journey wasn’t easy. The roads were poorly maintained, and we had to pass through bandit-infested areas.

But I had complete faith in Rainer when it came to security. Since joining me, he had grown significantly—his spear skills had improved, and he could now stabilize his Force more efficiently, allowing him to increase both speed and power in combat.

When we finally arrived at the small village, the atmosphere was grim.

Old, worn-down houses lined the dusty roads, giving the place a sense of abandonment.

"This is it?" I asked, scanning the surroundings.

"Yeah," Rainer replied. "His forge is at the end of the road."

We walked toward the small forge—a simple building with a rusting roof. A thin column of smoke rose from the chimney, a sign that it was still active.

I knocked on the large iron door.

Heavy footsteps sounded from within, then the door creaked open slightly, revealing a broad-shouldered man with a thick beard and piercing eyes.

"What do you want?" he asked in a deep voice.

I gave a small smile. "Are you Gunnar Stroud?"

He narrowed his eyes, studying us. "Who’s asking?"