A Person on Terra, With No Books to Read

"That will get us choked by the neck."

Theresica took the shell from Alfred's hand and observed it carefully. He didn't believe that coming from Earth, with its extensive experience in firearms, he couldn't solve this problem.

"Get me a vernier caliper."

After measuring for a while, he suddenly looked at Mel. "Now, with the power of a partial explosion, is there any metal that can withstand a thickness of 2mm?"

"Uh..." Mel pondered for a moment. "Yes, the crucible for the experimental propellant can. That's D-Series Grade 11 High-Strength Steel. For more certainty, we could use Grade 12 or 13."

"Is this metal expensive?"

"Not at all. Ursus exports it in large quantities. Yan, Columbia, and Victoria all export it, and even Siracusa has it."

Hearing Mel say this, Theresica felt relieved. He motioned for the three of them to come closer.

"Look, the mortar shell tapers towards the rear. We can create a cup-like metal cover to enclose it. This way, the unburnt residue will be contained within this metal cover."

Mel's eyes lit up instantly. "So, we just need to pour out this metal cover?"

"No, that would be too disruptive. The first and second shots would be wildly different."

Theresica shook his head. "Let's improve the bottom support, raise the height of the tail of the barrel off the ground, and cut open the closed firing pin section at the bottom. We can change it into a gate that opens with a rotating handle, allowing the metal shell to drop out directly. This way, we won't even need to move the cannon."

Chapter 82: Interfering War

Alfred remembered that his leader had once told him that the leader's thoughts were so ingenious and fascinating, far beyond their imagination, that it made him unable to stop.

At the time, he hadn't really understood, but now he truly did.

His Majesty had only just arrived at the laboratory, listened to his description for a while, and then came up with a solution – and it was the optimal solution that maximized the use of existing achievements.

A thin metal shell cover!

Good heavens! Such a simple method had helped them solve the problem of the Sarkaz imitation shells being unable to be fired continuously.

What had they been doing for so long?! He had even been quite satisfied that His Majesty hadn't come to bother him!

Alfred thought with annoyance. He suddenly felt that even if the missing Lord Theresis returned, he would probably choose to continue following His Majesty.

"The plan is ready, let's quickly validate it."

Theresica waved his hand to signal. Alfred quickly got up, bowed, and took his leave. Mel, who hailed from Columbia, had already run off.

This workgroup had all the personnel, equipment, and materials. One side was reprocessing a ready-made cannon barrel, while the other was using a stamping machine to create a metal shell that could cover the mortar shell. In less than 20 minutes, two new mortars and 6 new shells were ready.

Theresica did not leave; he waited there, ready to observe the experiment. When Alfred learned of this, he respectfully brought him a pair of earplugs.

"Your Majesty, please wear these."

"No, I'm standing far enough away. Give them to the soldiers who will be firing the shells."

When everything was ready, the experiment officially began.

"Artillerymen, take your positions!"

At the commander's order, the artillery crews, working in pairs, ran to the mortar positions at top speed. They took out the mortars and deployed them.

The mortars were largely the same as before, but the base at the tail of the barrel now had a support that significantly raised the tail of the barrel off the ground.

The installation method was no different from before. The artillerymen quickly called out, "Mortars installed."

"Load!" "Fire!"

A soldier nearby quickly picked up a shell from a wooden crate and, following the mortar loading procedure, lowered the shell from the muzzle. Due to inertia, the shell slid to the bottom, and the slightly extended firing pin smoothly entered the propellant.

"Boom—"

A loud noise accompanied by a slight metallic tremor. Moments later, a cloud of dust erupted on a distant hillside.

"Your Majesty, both the shell and the barrel have been improved, so the existing firing tables are no longer useful."

"Yes, I know that. You don't need to be so nervous."

Theresica smiled and motioned for Alfred to relax. Although this was the focus of the improvement, he was a bit too tense.

"It's normal for new things to have problems. I won't blame you."

As Theresica's words fell, the commander's shouts began again.

"Firing pin unlocked! Eject shell case!"

The soldier responsible for adjusting the cannon desperately turned the crank with his right hand. After 8 turns, the gate, integrated with the firing pin, finally loosened, and a shell case slid out of the barrel.

The waiting technicians immediately rushed over. After a careful inspection, they exclaimed with surprise, "The barrel is clean! All unburnt residue is inside the shell case!"

The artilleryman then reset and locked the firing pin and fired again. The barrel remained clean this time as well.

"Thanks to Your Majesty's suggestion, we were able to complete our goal in one day."

Alfred's eyes held unconcealed excitement, but Theresica did not look particularly pleased.

"We've exploited a loophole by coincidence this time. Our actual technical level has not improved at all. We still need to continue experimenting with the composition of the firing section to be able to fire directly like the original Ursus shells. However, we'll use what works for now. I want to equip each platoon with two mortar fire teams."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will follow up on production and personnel training."

"Mm."

Just as Theresica was about to discuss further, a messenger ran over.

"Your Majesty, the Banshee says there are diplomatic matters that require your personal decision."

Theresica didn't think much of it. Lately, with the increased interaction with refugees, small diplomatic affairs had become more frequent. Thinking this, he left the armory directly. However, upon arriving at the council hall, he realized how terribly wrong he was.

The people who had arrived were not refugees at all, but the personal guards of the Lateranian Pope, Lady Sicilia, Ursus Speaker Vitt, and Kazimierz's Russell, along with an elderly Caprini wearing heavy Lateranian-style attire.

Theresica hurried to greet them. In such a situation, it was indeed a bit inappropriate for the Banshee to handle it alone. However, the attire of everyone present today was quite casual and ordinary, and they hadn't brought any escorts, making it seem as if they had all agreed to meet secretly in Kazdel.

"I never imagined I would welcome so many distinguished guests one day. This is truly my honor."

Theresica smiled politely and gestured for everyone to be seated.

"May I ask why you have all come here?"

"Respected Your Majesty, we wish to know your views on Laterania."

Vitt was the first to speak. Although the others remained silent, their gazes were all fixed on him, seemingly eager to know his answer. It appeared Laterania had been making significant moves recently, provoking so many people.

"Laterania and we are still mutually peaceful nations. Although there are some minor skirmishes, they will not escalate to the national level."

Theresica began to speak offhandedly, fabricating a story. Now was precisely the time for Laterania to cause trouble, and these people coming to him were undoubtedly interested in Sarkaz's combat capabilities, wanting to borrow some lives.

This is the most desperately needed thing in Kazdel right now!

"Don't you think the Witch King's reach is too long?"

Russell said at this moment, "Moreover, Siracusa is your friend. Can you bear to stand by and do nothing?"

This guy can actually sit here and talk to me. It seems Laterania has pushed her to a very difficult position.

Theresica thought to himself, then turned his head to look at Lady Sicilia. Although she had tidied her appearance, the bloodshot veins in her eyes were impossible to conceal.

"Lady Sicilia, if Siracusa has a need for military supplies, we will prioritize providing them to you."

"Can you send troops to intervene?" Lady Sicilia looked at him anxiously.

"This... I'm afraid I truly cannot."

Theresica put on a sorrowful expression. "As you all should know, we are currently forming foreign legions. The reason for doing this is that we shed too much blood in the last war. We ourselves do not have sufficient troop reserves, and everyone is unwilling to fight anymore."

Everyone looked at each other. They had also done their intelligence work and indeed had not heard of Kazdel implementing any mandatory conscription measures; it all seemed to be voluntary enlistment.

"But if Laterania annexes Siracusa, Kazdel could very well become the Witch King's next target!"

Weirdleaf persuaded, "Please reconsider. You could provide the foreign legions to Siracusa."

"That's a good idea." Theresica smiled and nodded. "Lady Sicilia, you can directly recruit the foreign legions belonging to Siracusa here, and I can arm them for you first."

Upon hearing this, the hope that had just appeared in Lady Sicilia's eyes faded again. What was the use of her recruiting these foreign soldiers? Who would command them? They would have soldiers but no generals!

"Siracusa lacks professional military command talent. I'm afraid you will need to deploy Kazdel's foreign legions directly."

This problem was voiced by Russell. To this, Theresica also smiled and said, "They are currently fighting some rather strong bandits in the desert. If we were to withdraw them, who would we replace them with?"

After a long roundabout discussion, Theresica refused to budge.

Russell then stood up and pointed to the Caprini, introducing him, "He represents another faction within Laterania."

He humbly stood up and bowed, "If my master can replace the Witch King, then Laterania will forge peace with all nations."

"I will dispatch personnel to assist them in assassinating the Witch King and completing the coup," Russell said. "But this will take time. We must ensure that the army dispatched by the Witch King does not return for a short period."

However, the current problem was that the Witch King's army was advancing like a hot knife through butter. If any internal problems arose, they could smoothly return and quell the coup.

"Kazdel only needs to assist Siracusa in holding back the Witch King's army to allow the coup to be completed."

Weirdleaf looked at Theresica, awaiting his answer.

After a moment of silence, Theresica spoke, "I am not a farsighted person. I have never believed Kazdel is in any danger at present, and Sarkaz has had enough of the pain of war. If I dispatch troops to Siracusa to fight the Lateranians, I'm afraid my position would become unstable."

"If the matter is successful, my master will surely offer a reward!" the Caprini said.

"Siracusa will offer a price that satisfies Kazdel!" Lady Sicilia also guaranteed.

Both offered their sincerity. After the matter was concluded, the Caprini would provide Kazdel with the production technology for a basic spellcasting unit. Siracusa, on the other hand, announced the abolition of tariffs on Kazdel's goods. Furthermore, all material consumption for Sarkaz operations in Siracusa would be borne by Siracusa.

Theresica sat in his seat, feigning a conflicted and struggling expression, appearing distressed for quite some time before finally saying.

"Please wait a moment, everyone. I need to consult with the responsible official in charge of military affairs."

Everyone nodded repeatedly. The fact that he might concede meant there was hope for Sarkaz to intervene in this war!

Chapter 83 Wendigo Returns Home

Theresica went to a side parlor. The members of the Military Committee had already arrived as notified by the Banshee, and they had heard every word of the conversation that had just taken place.

"What are your thoughts?"

"Your Majesty, whether to intervene in Siracusa's war is your decision to make."

The committee members paused before continuing, "But you must be careful. We are going to fight on foreign soil. If they brand us as invaders, it will be troublesome."

"And the Lateranians! Those guys, who knows what dirty tricks they have up their sleeves!"

They all spoke one after another. After listening to their opinions, Theresica did not rush to leave. He leaned back casually in his seat, contemplating.

The Witch King of Laterania. He had heard of him through various channels, especially with increasing frequency lately.

This individual, though a leader of a nation, is also the strongest in Leithanien. He once single-handedly crushed the vanguard of the Gaul Empire. Now, everyone says his Originium Arts have become increasingly miraculous, even capable of reversing Leithanien's day and night.

No matter how you describe him, Theresica directly equated him to a nuclear bomb. However, that's not a terrible thing, because she also has such human nuclear bombs at her disposal.

But if Kazdel helps Siracusa, will it cause the Witch King to leave his tower and directly intervene in the battle?

To prevent the Witch King from preemptively attacking Kazdel's regular forces, the Bloodfiend Grand Duke would likely have to be placed in a leading position. But if that happens, the Witch King's entry into the battlefield would be inevitable.

When gods fight, mortals suffer. How many of Sarkaz's regular forces will be left then? What kind of relationship do Siracusa and Kazdel have that warrants me working so hard?

Theresica shook her head. It wasn't worth it, so the specific timing of Sarkaz's involvement needed to be re-evaluated, and Lady Sicilia's emotions also needed to be considered.

Besides that, there was Ursus.

Leithanien is located south of Ursus, so close to its crucial grain-producing regions. Now that it's so strong, has this vast military empire not reacted at all?

Despite being the strongest among the arrivals, he completely avoided mentioning sending troops and instead tried to persuade Sarkaz to dispatch their forces.

Ursus could directly profit from Siracusa. For survival, wouldn't Lady Sicilia give them money?

If an army group were sent to the border for an exercise, the Witch King would surely consider it, but Ursus didn't do that.

This is subtle. It seems the new emperor has not yet completed the consolidation of the country. He is likely worried about a backlash from the old nobility, and the grain-producing regions are indeed important.

'It seems I can ask for something from Ursus.'

Theresica was calculating when Shining, standing beside her, reminded her, "Your Majesty, you've been here for 30 minutes."

"No rush, let's wait a bit longer," Theresica narrowed her eyes.

The council hall was silent. Everyone sat there lost in thought. The snacks and drinks served by the attendants were untouched.

Only Lady Sicilia was truly anxious, eagerly awaiting Theresica's decision. The others were more focused on calculating their own gains and losses.