Chapter 280 - The Magic Weapons of the Human Empire
Nathan Evenhart:
Professor Sinclair had explained the mechanics of wartime weaponry, but unfortunately, it was useless to us. The minerals used and their functionality were based on technology from the other continent, though nobles still enjoyed collecting these relics from the last war.
She stepped down from the small stage, and the nobles began moving among the exhibits. We were only in the first section of the display, but some people were already heading to the next ones. I left my group of friends behind and walked over to where the professor stood.
"Professor Sinclair," I called as I approached.
She turned to look at me and smiled.
"Well, if it isn't Lord Nathan Evenhart."
"You can just call me Nathan, professor."
She was adjusting a plaque near the Crystal Cannon.
"That would be disrespectful to your status. We're not in the academy right now."
I moved closer to the cannon, examining it.
"Could you explain in more detail how this thing works?"
She made a thoughtful expression before answering:
"Hmm… There's not much to say beyond what I've already explained. It's a cannon like any other, but adapted to fire a special type of ammunition made from a magical mineral found in a volcanic area called 'Surtur's Horn.' This mineral is highly unstable and prone to explosions due to its high concentration of magical energy. The dwarves turned it into projectiles, and when fired, the resulting explosion is devastating."
She hesitated for a moment.
"Beyond that, you know I'm not authorized to say. This is restricted to military briefings."
I sighed, already expecting that she wouldn't tell me much. But truthfully, I was more curious about the other continent.
"Are these dwarves from the Theocracy?"
"That's right. The Theocracy is a union of small nations…" She paused and widened her eyes. "Ah, no, you got me! You're trying to pry classified information out of me."
She laughed, and for her sake, I decided not to push further.
I had been researching the Human Empire lately, but most of the information was restricted to war councils. Even as a high noble, I didn't have full access. Only military families and the royal families were permitted to obtain more detailed knowledge. My family only had information regarding the borders—anything about the other continent was extremely limited.
Maybe I could ask Adrihna about it, since she was the daughter of a military duke from the Elven Kingdom, but I hesitated to take advantage of our friendship. She had already done so much for me while I was growing up. More than just a magic instructor, she was a friend and was still helping me with my elven citizenship.
I caught up with my friends. I spotted Kinue and Melina; the two of them were observing an exhibit while an attendant—a military consultant, judging by his uniform and armband—explained:
"This is called an 'Explosive Arrow.' It's a type of ammunition from the Theocracy that mimics a mage's power."
"What do you mean, mimics a mage's power?" someone asked.
The man pulled one of these arrows from his storage bracelet. It looked like an ordinary arrow, except for the darkened tip.
"These arrows are crafted from a magical mineral that detonates when fired from a bow or crossbow. The power comes from the mineral embedded in the tip, which reacts to magical energy."
Nearby, illustrations depicted the weapon's function. We had already studied this special arrow once in a military class about the human continent, but seeing it again was a bit nostalgic.
My cousin suddenly grabbed me by the arm, as rough as ever, but I didn't mind—it was just her way.
"Here, Nate, look at this," she said, pointing at a massive war hammer.
Another staff member, responsible for the item, approached.
"This is a hammer forged by the dwarves. The head contains a special mineral that generates vibrations upon impact with the ground. Against armor, it can cause considerable damage."
"Is it like an enchanted relic?" Chloe asked.
The staff member took a moment to consider before answering:
"The term 'Enchanted Relic' refers to ancient magical treasures created by a civilization that mastered mana in ways we don't yet understand. These weapons from the Theocracy are called 'Magic Weapons' because they rely on special minerals and specific forging techniques—not on mysterious enchantments."
We continued exploring the exhibition. Most of the displayed items were standard weapons—helmets, axes, and armor. Even so, the idea that the True Humans had developed ways to counter mages was fascinating.
Think about it: if only one in a thousand people is born a mage, that single person could take on the other 999 alone—especially if they were a fire mage. But what if those 999 had bows with explosive arrows? Who would win?
That was the reality of the Red Border War.
Now, imagine applying that same principle on a military scale, with weapons like Crystal Cannons. Explosions everywhere.
And the scariest part? That wasn't even the full extent of it. The kingdom had clearly hidden even more advanced information and weaponry, allowing only a fraction of its military arsenal to be put on display.
We followed the path leading to an area with a small stage where a live demonstration was taking place.
"So, this is how a soldier of the Human Empire operates," the presenter announced, holding up an explosive arrow. He nocked it onto a bow and aimed at a distant target dummy.
"Aim… and fire."
The arrow soared through the air, striking the dummy and erupting into a massive fireball that charred everything around it.
The crowd gasped in awe as the presenter quickly extinguished the flames with water magic.
Then, he held up a small blue crystal.
"This is a special mineral. It's how Imperial soldiers defend themselves while advancing in battle."
He placed the crystal into a small box attached to his belt and called for an assistant. A woman stepped onto the stage, raising a bow with an explosive arrow aimed directly at him.
"Don't be alarmed, everyone… I've trained for this. Or maybe I haven't. We're running low on ammunition," he joked.
The assistant fired. At the moment of impact, a semi-transparent blue barrier flared to life around the presenter. The explosion was intense, but when the smoke cleared, he stood there unharmed—though the shield was visibly cracking.
"Pretty cool, right? This is an 'Energy Shield,'" he explained. "It functions temporarily and consumes one of these blue crystals. Once the crystal is depleted, the shield disappears. It can withstand magical attacks, though obviously not the most powerful ones. It works similarly to magical barriers created through seals and enchanted equipment, but the difference is that the Human Empire has managed to integrate this technology directly into their soldiers. They can move freely across the battlefield and, upon sensing an incoming attack, simply press a button on their belt to gain temporary protection against weaker magic. For example, fireballs cast from a distance might have little to no effect."
Some people applauded the explanation. Athena and I watched with fascination, though I already knew the goddess was scheming a thousand different ways to use that technology in combat with her psychotic strategist mind.
The border was pure chaos because of these inventions from the True Humans.
Among a thousand of our soldiers, only one was a mage. Since I constantly interacted with the high nobility, I was always surrounded by mages, which created the illusion that our entire society was composed of them. But the truth was—they were rare.
In the end, real warfare came down to our army of ordinary humans against theirs, equipped with these special weapons.
"We can't exactly demonstrate the Crystal Cannon due to the destruction it would cause," the presenter joked. "But trust me, it's powerful enough to create a devastating explosion."
He then picked up a sword.
"This blade was forged using a special volcanic mineral."
As he swung it, the blade glowed with a warm yellow hue.
"This mineral allows the sword to heat up like a forge, but without melting the metal, making it easier to cut through armor."
Next, someone tossed him a shield.
"This shield is made from impact-absorbing metal," he explained, striking its surface with the sword. He began hitting the shield with increasing force before turning toward a training dummy brought in by his assistant.
"Watch closely."
He raised the shield, and with a sharp sound—like a muffled clap of thunder—a wave of pressure burst outward, sending the dummy flying along with the wooden structure supporting it.
"A soldier of the Human Empire wielding this can absorb impact and then release that stored power explosively against their opponent," he explained, stepping forward to show the shield up close to the audience.
"The mineral used in this shield is said to be extracted from a towering mountain."
He then returned both the shield and sword to his assistant, who carried them off the stage.
Nearby, Professor Sinclair watched the demonstration, appearing to have been responsible for opening the event and now assisting the other historians.
Is she going to take the stage?
I observed as she climbed the stairs and walked to the center of the platform.
"These two continents share something special," she began. "In each of them, there are humans with unique abilities. On our continent, there are those born with the ability to wield mana, becoming mages. Meanwhile, on the continent ruled by the Human Empire, some individuals can harness something known as Aura."
A murmur spread through the audience. Among the nobles present were merchants and diplomats, so for many, this level of detail was new information.
"Aura is the 'mana' of the True Humans," Professor Sinclair continued. "Just like mana, only a few are born with the ability to use it. However, Aura is the embodiment of life energy, unlike mana, which grants elemental power. What Aura does is enhance physical abilities drastically, granting superhuman strength by enveloping the user's body in an external layer of energy—almost like an armor. It is similar to how mages channel mana into their bodies, but even more potent. Some of the most feared warriors on the enemy's side are known as the infamous Aura Swordsmen."
As she spoke, a small group of staff members carried more weapons onto the stage.
"The greatest advantage of the True Humans is their technology," Sinclair explained. "Even though not all of them can use Aura, their common soldiers are incredibly lethal thanks to the weapons you've seen today. This gives them a vastly superior number of combatants compared to us."
Faces in the audience tensed, confusion and unease evident in their expressions.
"But don't worry," she said with a confident smile. "We have defeated them in every attempt they've made to invade our continent. After all, we have powerful mages. What their soldiers require complex weaponry to achieve, a single mage of ours can accomplish with a simple fireball, reducing everything to ash. And, of course, we must not forget our mage knights mounted on Asalon horses. They soar above enemy armies, casting spells from the skies. Our aerial dominance ensures the sovereignty of our continent."
There were countless barriers preventing our continent from outright overwhelming the other—despite having humans capable of conjuring flames, controlling water, or manipulating the elements with devastating force.
After all, it seemed simple, didn't it? Gather an army of powerful mages, mount them on flying steeds, and march through the skies straight into enemy lands.
But reality was far more complicated than that.
There weren't nearly enough winged horses, and the few that did exist could never sustain such a long journey. Their wings would simply fail under the freezing currents that swept across those lands. The intense cold would paralyze their muscles, freezing their wings solid and making flight impossible. And even if they somehow managed to cross, what would they be? An isolated elite unit against an entire continent.
At some point, their mana would run dry. And then, they would be slaughtered.
By sea, the situation was even worse. The two continents were separated by a treacherous stretch of water—a vast, deadly reef, and beyond it… the Cursed Sea. A liquid fury where waves rose like walls and storms materialized from nothing, swallowing entire ships without a trace. Sailing through it was nothing short of tempting fate itself.
And then, there was an even greater problem—the other continent had superior numbers. Nearly ten times more soldiers. Nearly ten times more civilians ready to take up arms.
Unlike us, they weren't as dependent on mana to wage their wars. With their vast deposits of rare minerals, they had mastered the art of crafting magical weaponry—artifacts capable of devastating battlefields without requiring a single mage.
It wasn't just a difference in power. It was a difference in endurance.
Wars aren't won with grand explosions of magical might. They're won through attrition.
And the other side… was built to endure.
For generations, both continents had existed in this stalemate.
I let out a deep sigh, pushing those thoughts away.
Tonight was just a celebration.
I needed to set these concerns aside… and try to enjoy the event.
"Please, continue ahead. There is a section featuring spells, grimoires, and enchanted relics further along," the presenter announced.
***
I was admiring some beautiful paintings as I walked through the corridors.
"Nathan!" a voice called, grabbing my hand. "Come with me, I want to show you something," Kinue said, pulling me along.
Wait… I get it now. Are they using this as an excuse for some kind of date?
Cylla was probably with my mother and aunt, busy with her surveillance mission, so I felt at ease leaving them alone for now.
I was led into a dimly lit room, where only certain objects were illuminated. The atmosphere was darker, likely to protect the delicate, ancient paintings displayed here.
"It's a little dark..." I commented, following the faint pathways of light formed by the crystal lamps.
"I know..." she said before locking her arm around mine. "C-can we walk like this in here?"
I noticed she asked with a hint of embarrassment.
"Of course..." I tried to sound natural, though I was also feeling a bit nervous.
A small silence settled between us before Kinue rested her head on my shoulder.
"Can I… stay like this with you?" she asked softly.
"Of course, Kinue," I replied, gently stroking her head. Her ears twitched slightly in response to her emotions.
"Can I give you a kiss on the cheek?" she asked, leaning closer to my face.
"That's not his cheek, that's his mouth!" Chloe's voice suddenly rang out behind us.
Kinue jumped back in shock, her face turning bright red.
"Ch-Chloe!" Kinue stammered. "Were you following us?"
"Of course I was," my cousin said smugly. "No skipping ahead. I'm always watching..."
Chloe moved to my other side, locking her arm around mine as well.
"Come on… the two of us, then…" she said, walking forward. "Let's both give him a kiss on the cheek."
Kinue nodded shyly, and the two of them leaned in.
"Hey! What's going on here?! I leave for one second, and this happens?!"
I heard the voice—but to them, it must have sounded like nothing more than frantic meows.
"C-Cylla…" I murmured, watching as the gray cat darted toward us, stopping in front of me and flashing her little claws.
"No betraying me, Nathan!" she declared. "You still owe me a kiss on the lips, just like you gave them! And I've been patiently waiting for the day I become human!"
I was in a complicated situation.
"What's she saying?" Kinue asked.
"She's just meowing angrily at us," Chloe replied.
I glanced at them.
"Better if you don't know…" I said.
"She's always so jealous," Kinue muttered.
My cousin seemed to agree.
"She's very possessive, don't you think?" Chloe added, raising an amused eyebrow.
Cylla leaped in front of her, pointing her paws accusingly.
"I'm just protecting my husband! You husband thieves!" Cylla declared.
"Aww, you're so cute when you meow," Chloe cooed, petting her—completely oblivious to the little gray cat's furious outrage.
I decided to change the subject, guiding them toward other artworks.
At some point, I'd have to sit them down and explain that, technically, I was already married to Cylla.
I wanted to tell them, but that would mean revealing that I first met her as Sisika. And that would mean explaining the Celestial Eyes. And, inevitably, the shadowy figures… and the prophecy about the future.
It would be easier to wait until Cylla became human. Then, I could explain everything properly.
We left the dimly lit area and continued through the exhibition, admiring the other treasures. Most were true historical artifacts—ancient coins, jewelry, works of art, luxurious carpets, taxidermied animals, continental maps signed by prominent figures, and even old crowns from when the duchies were still independent kingdoms.
I walked alongside Kinue and Chloe while Cylla paced anxiously, darting back and forth between my aunt, my mother, and us. She clearly didn't trust my two companions very much.
At some point, we caught up with our friends.
"We're heading to the section with spell scrolls and military records," Edmund announced.
"You'll be impressed by my duchy's weapons," Viktor added, leading the group.
We followed them, while Princess Melina seemed utterly fascinated by the scrolls and ancient documents.
I watched her, wondering how involved she really was in the fact that her family had their own assassins.
To me, she just seemed like an overly shy girl—hardly the heir to a deadly organization.
Then again… to outsiders, I probably seemed like nothing more than a wealthy farmer.
"Do you like ancient documents?" I asked, trying to start a conversation.
She flinched slightly but responded,
"I do… My mother always forces us to read tons of boring things. But over time, I guess I started enjoying organizing documents…" She lowered her head, embarrassed. "A princess probably shouldn't like things like that, though..."
I smiled.
Damn… she seems so normal. It's hard to believe she's connected to a family of assassins.
We continued forward until we reached a more crowded hall.
Many nobles stopped to observe the exhibits while staff members explained their significance.
A long line had formed for the military scrolls room.
"Ah, I found something from our duchy," my cousin said, pointing to a display case. The items had been intentionally mixed, organized by type rather than origin.
"Look, the plaque says this was a treasure from a battle in a storm," Chloe commented.
My eyes narrowed as I recognized the sword on display.
The blade of one of the True Humans who had nearly killed me. A reminder of the night I found Cylla in chains.
Of course, my family hadn't put our greatest treasures on display—no scrolls containing powerful spells, no grimoires, no trace of my sword, the infernal chain, or my mother's massive seed. Just rare artifacts and artwork, the typical possessions of an agricultural duchy.
I stared at the sword for a long moment. That night had changed my life. It was the night I found Cylla… and when Sisika found me.
"It was also the night we first started interacting..." Athena suddenly spoke from beside me. "How fun, this little display of war spoils."
We kept walking until we came across a painting of a familiar throne.
"That's the throne room," Kinue said, recognizing the artwork.
"That's one of the Everhart Kings, our ancestor," Chloe added.
I stopped, analyzing the image. The throne room was rarely opened—considered sacred, access was limited. Even fewer were allowed into the Hall of Kings, an even more sacred place. Not even the maids were permitted to clean it—only Martha. The steps and the throne itself couldn't be cleaned with magic.
Once, I was given the task of cleaning that place, and I had to scrub everything with a bucket and cloth, carefully ensuring I showed the proper respect. That hall had been preserved by our family for over two thousand years. Even my own bedroom had housed many heirs before me. Everything in that place was history.
"What's this in the painting?" Kinue asked, curious.
She had never been inside the Hall of Kings. Only Chloe, my aunt, and I were allowed in. Of course, Martha as well, when she cleaned. Anyone who wasn't an heir could only enter under my aunt's supervision.
The painting depicted an ancient Everhart family. Seated on the throne was an elderly man, a baby on his lap. Beside him stood a beautiful woman with long black hair.
"I don't know what year this painting is from. The ones on the wall have an explanation with the year and the family members' names, but there's nothing here," Chloe said.
"Look, that woman appears in this other painting too. I think the king sitting there is that baby," Kinue pointed out. A large glass case protected the paintings. "Weird… that woman doesn't look like she's aged a single day between the two paintings."
We stepped closer.
"I think she must be the old king's wife, and the baby is her son. So she was an Everhart queen," I said, trying to analyze it. "The names were listed on the walls back home… I vaguely remember them."
We continued moving, observing other paintings of our family, then those of the other dukes.
"Come on!" Viktor called to our group. "The scroll and grimoire room is open now! Let's hurry before it gets too crowded!"
The others started moving ahead. I let them go first, then quickly turned back to check the painting of my ancestor.
I compared the two portraits, a habit I had developed due to my own unique dilemma—a constant need to look for specific details in people's faces.
And in doing so, I noticed something surprising.
In one painting, her eyes were brown.
In the other…
"Blue eyes..." I murmured. "The same shade as mine. You were a user of Special Eyes..."