"Young Master Shenglun, you didn't bring us here just to tour the armory, did you?" Yagelin asked.
"Haha, clever. That's right—since you will be my right-hand assistants from now on, you'll need further arming and training," Shenglun pointed to the various newly forged weapons hanging on the wall. "I was observing your battle earlier. Yagelin, you use a bow and arrow, right? Ordinary arrowheads have limited lethality, but what if we integrated explosive charges into them?"
"Explosive charges? What are those?" Yagelin asked, confused.
"For those of you accustomed to cold weapons, creating an explosion usually relies solely on magic. But mixing certain substances together can also produce an explosive effect no less powerful than a magical attack," Shenglun explained proudly.
"I don't quite understand either. Is there really a weapon that can rival magic?" Kouwei interjected as well.
"Talk is cheap, let me demonstrate it for you right now." Shenglun took a specially made bow and arrow down from the wall and handed it to Yagelin.
"This is...?"
"Let's go to the testing ground downstairs." He led everyone out of the R&D building and out into the open. "Shoot this black arrow at that target over there, just as you normally would." Shenglun pointed to a stone dummy ahead.
"Alright then." Yagelin skillfully nocked the arrow and drew the bow. Once she took aim, she decisively released the string. The sharp, swift arrow struck like lightning, and the instant the arrowhead hit the stone dummy, a massive explosion erupted. The entire solid stone statue was blown to pieces in an instant, leaving the surrounding area scorched black after the scorching blast wave hit.
"This is?!" The female knights cried out in shock.
"How on earth was this accomplished?!" Yagelin stared in astonishment at the bow in her hands; such power was in no way inferior to a magical strike.
"I formulated sulfur and nitrate extracted from the mines, then mixed them with the unique heavy oil refined here. By embedding a fuze inside, it triggers an explosion upon impact." Although Shenglun explained it from a physics perspective, it was still complete gibberish to everyone.
"In short, it's an explosive device made using materials readily available in this world, and these special arrowheads must be fired with a special bow as well. Therefore, this weapon belongs to you from now on," Shenglun said with a smile as he presented the explosive bow to Yagelin.
"Such a valuable item... Thank you so much, Young Master Shenglun~!" Yagelin excitedly gripped the bow tightly.
"I will also provide suitable power-weapons for the rest of you. I am in urgent need of capable hands right now, and those who are loyal to me will surely have a boundless future ahead."
"Yes! We swear ultimate loyalty to Young Master Shenglun!" the female knights responded in unison.
Afterward, everyone returned to the R&D room once more. Shenglun provided each female knight with new weaponry suited to her individual style. Holding all kinds of divine weapons that far exceeded this world's technological level, everyone was overjoyed.
"B-but I only know some simple fire magic, and I don't know how to fight..." Bushini spoke up timidly.
"One of my adages is never to mock the weakness of others, nor to underestimate your own strength. Even the weakest person has talents that others do not possess. Well then, the distribution of weapons is complete, and there will be opportunities to practice in the future. Captain Gutie, you probably still have to return to Father's side to report back, so I won't delay you any longer. We can manage on our own."
"Since Young Master Shenglun is safe and sound, I shall take my leave now."
"Mhm, see you later." The two groups parted ways at the armory.
"Next, I still need to stay here to discuss some matters. Go get yourselves familiarized with the new weapons," Shenglun said with a smile.
"Understood, Young Master Shenglun. We will remain nearby to guard your safety at all times," Kouwei saluted in reply.
Afterward, Shenglun met with the Chief to continue discussing confidential topics, while the seven female knights were sent outside to keep watch and train on their own.
"I understand. Then we shall proceed according to Prime Minister Leiyan's wishes," Mobalin said with a devious smile. "The future empire will be an even stronger empire. Unifying the world is just around the corner."
"No. Even with victory in our grasp, we cannot afford to be careless," Shenglun looked out the window and replied with a solemn face.