Chương 180: The New Bayonet

Under West Hayden's technical guidance, the Magic Blast Furnace initiated its very first production run of molten steel. The operation ran continuously from noon straight through to the following morning, when the first batch of high-performance steel ingots was finally pulled from the forge. Without losing a second, Li Qinwu picked out a fresh steel ingot and handed it over to Tie-Ouk to forge a prototype bayonet.

Li Qinwu had long completed the designs for both the new bayonet and the upgraded rifle, with all necessary casting molds and machining tools prepared well in advance. The project had simply been waiting on a source of high-performance steel. True to expectations, West Hayden returned shortly after with the completed prototype in hand. The result was a formidable blade featuring a single-edged sword-bayonet design with a blade length of 45 centimeters.

Even unattached to a firearm, soldiers could comfortably wield it as a combat shortsword or trench knife. Li Qinwu had deliberately specified such an extended length for two primary reasons. First, early black-powder firearms suffered from limited rate of fire and heat capacity, making hand-to-hand bayonet charges an inevitable reality on the battlefield. A longer reach provided a distinct tactical advantage during chaotic close-quarters combat.

Second, it served as a vital psychological deterrent against cavalry charges. During a previous engagement, shorter bayonets had failed to intimidate approaching warhorses, allowing enemy cavalry to crash directly into the infantry square and trample several soldiers. To permanently resolve this vulnerability, Li Qinwu designed the 45-centimeter blade and ordered its surface polished to a mirror finish.

When presented in formation, the blinding wall of mirrored steel would project an imposing wall of death capable of breaking the nerve of both horses and riders alike. Li Qinwu immediately subjected the prototype to a series of rigorous destructive tests. The high-performance steel not only dramatically enhanced edge retention and blade toughness, but also enabled an upgraded mounting mechanism on the rifle barrel.

Older short-bayonet models, limited by material strength, relied on a simple circular socket slipped directly over the muzzle. While structurally durable, that design rendered the bayonet useless as an independent utility knife, as soldiers couldn't grip the round socket handle safely. The new bayonet featured an ergonomic hilt and handle assembly.

Soldiers could draw and wield it as a heavy combat knife or lock it into a dedicated mounting lug positioned directly beneath the rifle muzzle—utilizing a heavy-duty under-barrel locking mechanism modeled after the classic Mauser design. Satisfied with the test results, Li Qinwu deemed the weapon fully combat-ready and authorized immediate mass production. Next, rifle production needed to be brought up to speed.

The upgraded rifle design retained the overall form factor and breech-loading mechanics of the Model 1819 Hall flintlock rifle, but transitioned from a smoothbore configuration to a rifled barrel. Thanks to the superior strength-to-weight ratio of the new high-performance steel, the rifle's overall weight was reduced by roughly one to two pounds. However, mass-producing rifled barrels required a continuous, high-torque power supply to operate precision rifling machinery.

At present, the Alliance relied primarily on waterwheels and ogre-powered gear arrays to drive industrial lathes. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Waterwheels provided limited torque that fluctuated unpredictably with seasonal water flow. Ogre-powered gear setups were exceptionally stable—an ogre would sit at a heavy crank, turning it steadily for ten minutes in exchange for a single potato—but the Alliance currently possessed only a single ogre family.

Their numbers were far too small to support scaled factory production, and using their immense physical strength for manual cranking rather than land clearing and heavy construction was a waste of labor. Li Qinwu realized it was time to bring steam engines onto the agenda. The Alliance was ready to launch its own full-scale industrial revolution. Stepping out of the Industrial Zone after testing the bayonet, Li Qinwu walked alongside West Hayden's translucent blue soul-form, which drifted quietly beside him.

"I've finished constructing the Magic Blast Furnace for you," West Hayden said.

"Next, assign me a group of Red Goblins. I will teach them how to engrave magical runes. In the meantime, purchase more specialized equipment.

"Once those Red Goblins are capable of independently etching runic arrays and crafting wands, my obligation to you will be fulfilled. After that, I expect you to fund my research as agreed!" Li Qinwu nodded in agreement.

"Fair enough. That matches our prior deal. But out of curiosity—what kind of research do you actually plan to pursue?" The pale blue spirit flickered slightly before letting out a soft sigh.

"I'll start by resuming the research I was conducting at the Society. Specifically, perfecting magical prosthetics—and then finding a way to achieve 'magic-neutralization.'"" What do you mean by 'magic-neutralization'?" Li Qinwu asked. The two delved into a discussion as they walked. At the Magic Society, West Hayden's research had focused on neurological magic systems—specifically, brain-machine interfacing techniques.

One of his successful breakthroughs involved crafting artificial limbs using high-magic materials and linking them directly to human neural pathways, allowing amputees to fully regain motor function. However, high-magic materials were prohibitively expensive and only functional when operated by mages. Because the components required high internal mana conductivity, only individuals with rich mana reserves could drive them.

West Hayden's goal was to adapt the technology to low-magic or non-magical materials, creating prosthetics that ordinary citizens with little to no magical talent could use.

"When I was a boy," West Hayden recalled quietly, "my father took a seasonal job at a Magic Tower factory during the farm off-season. A heavy piece of machinery collapsed and crushed both of his arms.

"My family was poor; we couldn't afford a high-tier healing mage. The doctors had no choice but to amputate his hands. From that day on, my father was a broken man.

"To watch such a strong, proud man slowly wither away into a shadow of himself... Ah. That's why I want to develop a low-magic alternative—so that anyone who loses a limb can walk and work again." Li Qinwu listened in silence as the old mage recounted his past. Once West Hayden finished, Li Qinwu spoke up thoughtfully: "Even if you succeed in neutralizing the magic requirements, your design won't achieve widespread adoption on the open market.

I can tell just by listening that this is cutting-edge, high-complexity technology. No matter how hard you try, manufacturing costs won't drop to zero.

"Nobles and wealthy mages will simply buy high-magic prosthetics. Meanwhile, the working class—who suffer the vast majority of industrial injuries—can barely feed themselves on farm wages. I doubt they could ever afford even a 'low-magic' prosthetic on their own." West Hayden fell silent. Deep down, he had always known this truth. Even a low-magic prosthetic still required processed magical materials and delicate runic engraving by certified mages.

Under a market system, the unit cost could never drop low enough for commoners. The spirit let out another quiet sigh, a shadow of self-doubt creeping into his mind. Noticing his crestfallen expression, Li Qinwu smiled reassuringly: "Fortunately for you, you're in the Alliance now. If you successfully develop a low-magic prosthetic, I will integrate it directly into our state healthcare system—distributing it to disabled citizens for free or at a nominal cost."

West Hayden looked at Li Qinwu with a complex, unreadable expression.

"You... you care for your subjects more than any 'benevolent king' in the human realms. Are you truly just a goblin?" Li Qinwu shook his head calmly.

"It's simply good policy. Caring for the people builds societal cohesion.

"By the way... have you ever considered weaponizing your research? A system that allows the mind to directly manipulate physical hardware sounds like the perfect foundation for power armor.

"What's power armor, you ask? Well, power armor is..."