Black Onyx - Forgotten Magic

Chapter 120: Age of Gunpowder

Making up his mind about exterminating the Spider Cave, Gerald took the blueprint to the town blacksmith.

The guy looked in confusion at the blueprint in his hands. He could understand the form, but not the purpose of the item he was supposed to make.

Usually, he received orders to make a few tools for the farmers, maybe a horseshoe, or a sword on occasion, but never something like this.

"What's wrong? Are you unable to make it?" Gerald asked after watching the ever-changing facial expressions of the blacksmith.

The guy smiled awkwardly and scratched his head, "That's not it It's just that I have never made anything like it before It will probably take a few tries to get it right, so it might take a while."

"How long are we talking about? A few days, a few weeks?"

"Hmm, well, I have a few orders already, so after I finish those" The blacksmith hesitated as he wasn't sure of it himself.

"I see" Gerald took out a money pouch and handed it to the blacksmith.

Seeing the generous amount of money he received, the man's face lit up and he quickly bowed saying, "Sir is extremely generous! Actually, I just remembered the other orders aren't so important, so I'll get to work on Sir's tool immediately!"

Seeing this Gerald nodded in satisfaction, "I'll not be wasting any more of your time then! I'll be back in a few days to pick up my stuff, see you then!"

After the words left his mouth, he left the place.

Later, after visiting a store, Gerald left Freka with a bucket and a pot in hand. His target was once again the Spider Cave, only this time he visited the other side where bandits used to hide.

After a few long 'jumps' he arrived at his destination and entered the cavern. It was not long before he found what he was looking for. Bat excrements, otherwise called, guano.

He scraped off the top layer and went for the older stuff, near the bottom of the pile. He collected a bucketful of the dark-brown earth before leaving the cave again.

Since he required water for the next part, he went towards the closest source, which was a small stream connecting to the river further downhill.

Filling the pot with water, he made a small campfire and heated the water to a boil. Next, he placed a few layers of cheesecloth inside and dumped the guano on top.

After mixing it for a few minutes, the stuff inside became like a brown sludge, so he lifted the cheesecloth and let the liquid slowly drip through, keeping the solid material behind.

What was left was a murky dark orange liquid that was then boiled again until almost all water evaporated.

As for the reason why Gerald didn't use magic to do so, it was because he couldn't be bothered with it and it was also easier to do it this way.

He removed the last bit of water manually and what he was left with was a fistful of dark powder.

It was the potassium nitrate, also called saltpeter, although it still had quite a few impurities. But all of that would be easily solved once he got back to the capital and refined it further in his lab.

Although it was quite boring going back and forth between cities, Gerald considered it a good opportunity to train and become better in his magic utilization.

It was already afternoon when he arrived back home, and the butler came to welcome him and served him some warm, delicious food, that Gerald gladly accepted.

After the meal, he closed himself in the lab once more and dissolved put the saltpeter and then put it trough a few filters, until all that was left was an almost clear liquid.

After drying it out, he finally got the most important part of making gunpowder. The pure white powder of potassium nitrate.

Getting his hands on the next substance, sulfur, was a child's play. It was widely sold in many shops as it was often used in regulating the soil's PH.

Although people didn't exactly know why, when sulfur was added, plants usually grew healthier and stronger. As such it was in wide use by farmers.

Lastly, charcoal was the easiest of them all to get. Gerald collected some from the fireplace in the mansion and then got to work.

He knew the ingredients but not the ratio for the best gunpowder, so he made a few different mixtures and tested them out.

Soon a few small explosions sounded out in the building as he tested out his primitive firecrackers. Choosing the combination that made the best explosion, Gerald combined the rest of the ingredients according to the ratio.

Lastly, he stored his gunpowder in a watertight leather pouch and stored it in his pocket. Now, all that was left to do was wait for the blacksmith to finish making the weapon and the Broodmother would be history.

But then he suddenly remembered that he didn't order any ammunition, so he visited one of the blacksmiths in Aurabla and ordered a few dozen iron balls.

They were relatively easy to make, so he could come and collect them the next day.

With nothing more to do, Gerald went back home to rest after a long day.

Qiona was a good student and she already learned the entirety of the book that he left her, so it was about time for him to step up and fix any possible misunderstandings and answer any questions she might have.

The following day Gerald spent a few extra hours educating Qiona on the topic of magic. Surprisingly, he found out, that she was gifted with a talent for two Elements. It was the one all Elves had, Wind, and an extra, being Water.

Being naturally talented, combined with a thirst for knowledge and perseverance in her studies, she advanced almost as quickly as Gerald himself.

"You now have a basic understanding better than most young people But only theoretical knowledge is not enough! It's time for you to try your hand at real magic, so you can experience everything I have taught you."

After his speech, Gerald took a small glass of water and tainted it with ink.

"Here, this is your test. You have to remove half of the water inside, using only your mind. But be careful, the liquid has to be crystal-clear and not contain any ink."

Qiona gasped, "What? But that's impossible! They are already completely mixed together!"

Gerald pinched her cheek and berated her, "Impossible? Is this what you think after all my guidance for the last few days? And I even though you were a smart one"

He shook his head and pulled the glass closer and took another, empty one.

Turning his gaze to the murky water, drops of clear water rose from the inky liquid and dropped into the empty glass. A minute later, the entirety of the liquid was separated from the dry pigment of the black ink.

"Still think it's impossible?" he smiled lightly. "You need to know that your sight can be deceived, and your mind will often play tricks on you, so don't let it!"

Gerald then took the glass of water and poured it on the ink and pushed it back to Qiona with a smile, "Now go back to work you little imp! When I get back I want to see you separating the water from the ink!"