Chương 631: Chapter 629 – Rune Torpedo.

"So how was the homework?" The sound of metal filled the chamber as Roland posed a question to his assistant.

"Do not remind me, boss. I am going to get a headache. Why do we not focus on this instead?" Bernir shook his head, his eyes somewhat tired from the additional work he needed to do at night.

"Sure, but after we are done, I am going to ask you some questions." Roland chuckled as he heard Bernir complain about having to read his notes.

"Questions? Do I have to?"

"Yes. Now pass it over." Bernir grumbled as he handed Roland what looked like an ordinary pipe. The only real difference was the tip, which had the shape of a nose cone. The other end was open and wide enough to fit several mass-produced spherical runic bombs.

"Boss, what are you even going to do with this?"

"Use them underwater."

"Underwater for what?"

"To hunt some big fish." His assistant had little understanding of what Roland did inside the dungeon, so he kept asking questions because none of this seemed logical to him.

"How is this even going to work, boss?"

"Once the rear is closed, I will add a rune for propulsion, and when it collides with a target, it will explode. It is quite simple." Roland replied while screwing the rear piece into place to seal the three explosive orbs inside. This end was a little longer as it housed something inside. This prototype torpedo was relatively short compared to modern versions, as it did not require an engine section or propellers to propel itself forward.

A small runic battery, hidden in the screwed on part, and a wind rune would push it through the water.

"But why is it so flat? Wouldn't it be better if it were pointed like a spear?" Bernir scratched his head while holding one of the tubes. To someone from this world, it made very little sense. When people went fishing, they used spears, and no one had developed long-reaching underwater weapons.

"There are many reasons. I would need to explain drag to you and hydrodynamics as well."

"Hydro what now?"

"Let us just say that this smooth conal shape is more stable than a simple spear point. It is not perfect, but it will work for what I am planning." Roland examined the prototype in his hand. It was something that could be mass-produced easily, but it still required several rounds of testing. This was difficult because the area lacked any real lakes. He could not perform live tests inside the dungeon, so he needed to improvise.

'I do not need a full pool. Something long and wide should be enough.' After nodding to himself, Roland headed toward one of the unfinished underground rooms. The existing testing facility was far too heavily reinforced for his purposes, and he needed soil that had not been hardened for his next experiment. Bernir followed close behind and wondered what they were about to do.

"Are we going to blow something up again?"

"Something like that. Step away for a moment while I prepare the area." The walls of the room were reinforced with columns and metal, yet the ground remained untouched. It was the perfect place to use earth magic to create a long trench for the next test. He reached out with his hand, and the runes on his gauntlet shifted until the correct spell formed. Roland was not wearing his full suit of armor.

Instead, he used recycled mithril parts to create a gauntlet that allowed him to cast certain spells, including this one that shaped the earth below him. Once the spell took form, the ground began to react. Sand moved in waves as it pulled apart from the center. A grinding sound echoed through the chamber as the soil loosened and shifted. Within seconds, the ground in front of Roland sagged inward and reshaped itself into a long rectangular ditch.

Excess sand gathered at the sides in mounds that would be dealt with later.

'Magic sure is handy when building things. There is no need for excavators, shovels, or proper cement.' Even though he had done this many times, Roland's modern mind still marveled at how useful magic was. It was no wonder the progress of this world focused on spells rather than machines. Hiring an earth mage or using golems was far more efficient than creating manned vehicles.

Still, with Roland around, he could imagine progress moving in a different direction, one that fused the magic of this world with ideas from his old one and produced new solutions that made sense. Once the trench reached the desired depth and length, he cast another spell to harden and smooth the bottom. The spell made the earth firm, yet it was not the same as concrete and would eventually soften after the mana faded.

This was the drawback of using earth magic in construction, although it remained a great help for building homes and structures quickly. Problems would arise if the structures weren't strengthened afterwards. With everything prepared, the final step was to fill the trench with water. As before, the runes on his gauntlet shifted slightly, and a stream of water shot out from his palm. It was a fascinating phenomenon because the water seemed to appear out of thin air. There was a price however.

Mana fueled the process and this world was saturated with that ever-present energy.

"That is a nice giant bathtub, boss." Bernir commented on the finished product. The trench was one meter wide, two meters deep and twenty meters long. Many people would see the entire effort as a waste of time or resources, but Roland always had a reason for everything he did.

"You can take a swim in it after we are done if you want."

"Ha, I would rather not. So do you want me to put this thing in?" Bernir was eager to place it inside, but one thing was missing.

"If you simply place it in the water, it will sink. First, we need something to launch it from." Bernir blinked.

"Launch it? Boss, this isn't a ballista, you're making a… what did you call it? A 'tor-pedo'?"

"Torpedo. And yes. I need something stable to fire it from. Once we have that part figured out, we'll try tossing it." Roland reached for a crate in the corner. Inside were several metal rods and joints that could lock together. There was no need for welding or smithing because the parts were designed to connect. After a few adjustments, he had a tripod that stood about a meter tall with a small square top that allowed the torpedo to rest on it. This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval.

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"This should do it." Bernir eyed the tripod uncertainly.

"So… we just put it on there and hope it shoots straight?" Roland shook his head.

"Not exactly." He knelt and adjusted the angle of the platform so that the torpedo would glide forward without sinking immediately or bouncing off the water's surface. The first test involved only basic forward propulsion, and the explosives inside were turned off for the time being.

"Let us not waste more time then." Soon the first test began, and the first problem appeared at once, since the torpedo was not buoyant enough to remain steady in the water. He had expected this, and after several changes to its length and the amount of air inside, he achieved a perfect balance. He added additional runes along the sides to give himself limited control of the underwater projectiles. In the future, creating a simplified guidance program was probable.

However, for now, he needed to use his multiple minds to make every calculation and adjust the way the torpedoes behaved.

'I could implement a simple mana pattern system to guide these later, but first I need to create a universal guiding method.' One of the limiting factors when building devices like this was the runic software within them. In a sense, the torpedo functioned as a golem shaped like a cigar and powered by the limited wind runes it carried. Other smiths had never created anything like this, so he had to design it from the ground up.

Fortunately, Bernir was no longer his only assistant, since Sebastian was now always present, and when it came to developing new runic software adjustments, he was becoming quite skilled. To some, this would seem excessive. If he could produce magical effects on his own through his armor and other external tools, why would he create guided explosives that required additional materials and time? But Roland valued preparation above convenience.

His mana reserves were not unlimited, and bombs like these could be made from lesser materials. Even deepsteel could briefly sustain a tier three rune, which was enough to trigger an explosion. This research was also necessary for his long-term plans. He was beginning with torpedoes, but rockets were also possible. Not everyone could use magic, and he remained concerned about the safety of the people close to him. The technologies he developed could support not only himself but others as well.

Once he finished this work, he could begin designing airships and even submarines. Much of the world remained unexplored, and he could be the first one to reach new places.

'I could just sponsor an expedition instead, best not to push my luck…' Roland was not a very adventurous person, and the thought of encountering underwater leviathans and getting eaten was not his cup of tea. For the time being, he focused on his work. Once the torpedo was zipping back and forth and could be guided with ease, it was time for the next stage of the plan.

"That should be enough, place one of the targets at the end Bernir, then go behind the blast shielding. Let us see how strong this thing is."

"Aye, boss, just be careful!"

"I am always careful." Bernir chuckled at that reply as he remembered a few experiments that had gone awry. He placed the new model on the firing platform and quickly moved to a safe distance. Once he stood behind a thick slab of steel and put on his safety goggles, it was time for the test.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Wayland." Elodia smiled at one of the armored guards. The man greeted her and stepped aside to let her through the entrance gate. For a moment, she glanced at the entrance of the rune shop. A few adventurers were standing outside, looking at the various weapons on display.

"How time flies." She hummed to herself after going inside and wondered if she would encounter her husband today. His schedule was always hectic, so she did not get to see him as often as she wished. To make things worse, her recent work at the new school required a great deal of her attention.

"He makes it look so easy…" Her role was that of Headmistress. She was the leader, and although she could probably ask for more funding, she wished to limit herself to what had been given to her at first. This was the first time she had been placed in a leadership role. She had a lot of experience in managing and selling, but not in making all of the decisions herself. It was one thing to manage what a person was given and another to decide how everything should be shaped.

"Worf!"

"Oh, Agni, you are back." She smiled as she saw the dopey expression on the big wolf who was lying in his stable-sized dog house. He was nibbling on a large piece of meat that he seemed to have cooked with his own flames.

"So, if you are here, that means that your master is also…" For a moment, she perked up at the thought of her husband being home and ready to have dinner with her. With a happy stride, she moved forward, but once she took a few steps, something unexpected happened.

"Huh?"

"Woof!" Agni heard it before she did and stood at attention as the ground beneath them rumbled for a moment. She instantly turned in the direction of Rastix's laboratory. This time, it did not seem to come from anything he was doing but from underneath.

"…" With a sigh, she quickened her pace and moved toward the house. She hurried to the communication device through which she could speak to him.

"Is everything fine down there?" She pressed the button to connect, and after a few moments, she heard his voice through it. Her husband was coughing a bit.

"Ah… everything is fine, honey, I just miscalculated a few things…"

"A few things, hm?" She rolled her eyes at the response. While everyone around them believed Roland was a genius beyond question, she knew the truth. There were many times he failed, but his true brilliance came from the hard work he poured into everything. Whenever he faltered, he would adapt and try again. He was not perfect, had many character flaws, and could barely remember the time of day, yet all of this was what made him special to her.

"Yeah… just a few things, you do not need to worry about anything."

"Sure… when you are finished, why don't you come up and have dinner with your wife for once?"

"Dinner? Ah, sure, I will be up in a moment."

"You better be." She replied with a little smirk on her face and set her bags aside. At least in situations like this, he could be trusted. Whenever he made a promise, he would keep it. With the smile coming back to her, she started humming again. She couldn't wait to tell him what happened at school but also wondered what he had been up to for the day.

"Are you sure you did not just hear things? It is not unusual for a few monsters to wander off their usual paths. Maybe it was only chasing someone." A group of adventurers stood at the entrance to a forest. With them was a fifth person who did not seem to belong to their party. He was an older man with an eyepatch over his left eye and a worn, rugged face. On his right side, he carried a badge from the Adventurers Guild.

"We were not mistaken. Look. What do you see?" A man in heavy armor spoke and pointed toward the trees.

"… I do not really see anything."

"Exactly. Since when has this place been so empty of monsters? Does that not seem strange to you?"

"Now that you mention it…" The older man nodded and stepped closer. His equipment was light, and a hunting bow hung over his shoulder. Beside him stood a large ashen wolf, one that was being bothered by someone.

"Hey… can I pet it?" Before he could check whether the four adventurers were telling the truth, the only woman in the group asked if she could pet his companion. He refused at once.

"No, you cannot."

"Aww…"

"Leave the man alone, Syl. Let him work." The long-eared woman pouted, but he paid her no attention. He moved forward and knelt when he noticed something on the ground. The hunter pressed two fingers into the dirt and activated some kind of skill. A yellow flash spread toward the forest, and everyone waited.

"Hey, what is he doing?" The question came from a hooded man with two daggers strapped to his sides.

"What does it look like, Heister?" Replied the well-armored man.

"Like his fingeri…" Before he could finish, an old man in a robe smacked him on the back of the head.

"It is a special huntsman skill. With it, he can sense far into the distance by reading the vibrations in the surroundings. Be quiet and let him focus." Everyone fell silent. The hunter closed his remaining eye and concentrated. The forest felt still, far too still. There was no rustling, no distant chittering, not even the faint cry of birds. Then he sensed it, a massive tremor as if a swarm of monsters had been released. A deep vibration rolled through the soil and even caused a few pebbles to jitter.

"There it is again!" The woman exclaimed, sensing that something was wrong. The rumbling intensified for a moment, yet an odd phenomenon unsettled them both. The ground shook beneath their feet, but no sound rose from the distance. Neither the hunter nor the other adventurers could understand what was happening. Then, as all the tremors gathered into one heavy thump, everything fell silent.

"Hm? It is gone?" The old man rubbed his unkempt beard in confusion. He felt nothing at all. Every trace of vibration had vanished as if all the monsters had been wiped out in a single instant…