The gunpowder Lakeheart Town sold abroad looked much like military-grade powder. It consisted of blackish-gray granules that could be ignited to produce an explosive report and even propel projectiles. But it had been deliberately degraded: the saltpeter purity was intentionally lowered, using crudely extracted earth saltpeter; the charcoal came from a jumble of sources, including rice husks, straw, and even rotten wood. Different proportions of adulterants were mixed into every batch—sometimes ground Pepper powder, sometimes wood ash, and occasionally shell powder or talc. These additives did not affect the basic combustion and explosion, but they made the burning residue smell strange and its composition chaotic, enough to lead anyone trying to analyze it down the wrong path.
More deviously, the gunpowder formulas Lakeheart Town exported were never exactly the same. Anyone trying to reverse-engineer a "standard formula" would only become more confused the more they experimented.
The military-grade powder used by the Northwest Legion was an entirely different system. It used high-purity crystallized saltpeter, purified through multiple rounds of leaching and recrystallization; willow charcoal made from specific tree species; and precisely proportioned Sulfur. The three ingredients were mixed according to the optimal ratio determined through repeated testing, then granulated by a wet process, dried, and sifted. In the end, they became evenly sized cylindrical granules. This granulated powder burned steadily, concentrated its power, and was less prone to dampness. Its range and accuracy far surpassed those of powdered gunpowder.
The complete production process was classified as the highest level of secrecy. The saltpeter purification workshop was located deep within Area 51 and directly supervised by the Government Affairs Council. All materials entering and leaving were registered by number, and even the workers operated in separate stages. Some only handled saltpeter washing, while others only handled charcoal production. No one knew