The Strongest Gun Magus: I Cast Bullet!-Chapter 84: Gun That Shoots Money

The emerald on the gun shattered together with the wood of the tree Reynard aimed at. Several shards hit Reynard’s face and chest, and if not for his Spirit Armor, he might have lost an eye. Or both.

’The safety rules are written in blood...’ Reynard thought, shuddering at the mental image.

He glanced at the target tree—his aim was true, and the shot hit it with expected results—then examined the reinforced gun.

The Spirit Reinforcement was gone together with the emerald, but to Reynard’s relief, the barrel itself didn’t crack or bend. The spirit protection held just enough to protect the gun, even if it overloaded in the process.

’Either I need to reduce the caliber, or put more capacitors. Shit... This emerald cost me fifty gold pieces. If each shot takes a similarly-sized stone, I might as well throw grenades instead.’

Reynard turned the smoking revolver in his hands, imagining where he could physically put additional capacitors. The current surface of the barrel was already all covered in runes except for the gemstone socket.

’I can probably increase the surface, but it will also increase the working surface of the spell and make it require more energy. Maybe I should shorten the barrel instead? But then the precision will suffer. I guess I can make a compromise... The price worries me more. In theory, I can try using my own mana to fuel the spell while I shoot, since I don’t need the Spirit Reinforcement to work all the time. But then I won’t be able to shoot as easily while supporting several spells.’

Reynard had a sinking realization that with all his recent expenses, the money he got from Amelia and from the Order of Winter was also dwindling.

There was still a lot, but his recent experiments with gemstones were expensive.

Reynard clenched his teeth, feeling that he was close to a true breakthrough.

He had it in his mind already: if he could spend several more months discerning the secrets of the Lore of Fire, he might be able to replace Boom Powder with an explosion spell. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

In his heart, Reynard felt that it was the best approach. Initially, he made guns to use physics to his advantage and overcome the time and mana restrictions of casting spells.

He reached a restriction of reloading, but broke that by making more guns and then making revolvers—plenty of them.

He reached a restriction in destructive power, but broke that by using more explosives in ammunition and in grenades (thrown bombs).

But now Reynard hit the resource restrictions of making ammunition. If he could break that restriction, and those that come after... would he eventually break all limits?

Reynard smiled at his fantasies.

’Yes, this is worth experimenting for.’

***

It took several more weeks for Reynard to polish the design. He didn’t make more than a single enchanted revolver, due to how expensive shooting from it was, so it got a unique name from him—Hoard.

Its somewhat bulky surface had six sockets for gemstones. Based on their size (and larger gemstones were exponentially more expensive), Hoard could shoot once or twice per gemstone before its magic would give up, together with the stones.

Around that time, Reynard decided to name his golden gun as well, just so it wouldn’t feel too lonely. Now it was the Golden Gun.

Or, in short, GG.

***

In summer, Darland celebrated its Day of Freedom.

Many centuries ago, Darland was a part of a large Empire, where powerful magi ruled their provinces as lords. The chronicles of that time were very sparse, as writing was barely used back then. Even the name of the Empire didn’t survive.

The more literacy spread, the more powerful various magi became. One by one, they rebelled, tearing the empire apart into small independent pieces. Most of them were only the size of a single city.

Since then, these assorted city-states called themselves (their) Own Cities. Darland and Valkenburg were both such city-states.

Most of the Own Cities celebrated their own Days of Freedom or Days of Independence on various dates.

It was one of the biggest celebrations of the year. Even the Orders of Winter and Snow paused their hostilities for the day to celebrate a little. The rich people hosted large dinner parties, and both orders were going to hold parades that would carefully avoid the territories of their enemies.

Therefore, it was not surprising for Amelia to appear at some ball or a dinner party—she was definitely a fancy woman. And still, when Reynard asked for a meeting with her, he didn’t expect to get an invitation like that.

"A dance party at the mayor’s mansion, and you want me AND my Julia to appear as your friend? I thought you wanted to stay hidden from the orders, Miss Amelia!" Reynard spoke into the Repeating Bird.

From the other side came a husky chuckle.

"Oh, please, don’t think that you are too low for this event, Mister Faust. You are a magus of high power and some reputation... Infamy, even. Just as ’your Julia’."

"That’s not what I have problems with! Well, that too. I don’t know how to dance..."

"It’s simple—dancing is almost the same as fighting, and fighting is almost the same as dancing... You will get it in no time."

Reynard choked on air.

"No, it’s not! Miss—"

She laughed again. Amelia sure seemed to be in a good mood today.

"No, it’s not. You are absolutely right, dancing and fighting have absolutely nothing in common. And dancing rarely ends with someone’s death... Rarely, but not never." Amelia lowered her voice. "Still—will you come? I would be... very... glad to see you two at the event. As strange as it sounds, it can be our best opportunity for a private meeting soon."

Reynard stared into the ceiling of his room, willing heavens, God, gods, Loremasters, and whoever else to grant him some strength of spirit. And patience.

"Of course. I will trust your judgement, Miss Amelia. Just tell me, is there a dress code and should I bring a gift for the host?"