Chapter 226: Test!
William replied, "Your Highness, it’s about the cannons. At court, His Majesty permitted northern princes to purchase cannons from you to defend against the reavers. Like you, we face our threat. As the northern shield of the Eldorian Empire, we implore you to consider the kingdom’s safety and sell us cannons."
Selling cannons was part of Simon’s plan. But with the Imperial Army’s order still unfilled, supplying Prince Ravencrest now was impossible.
"His Majesty mentioned this. Naturally, I’ll comply. However, I’m currently producing cannons for the Imperial Army and have no surplus to sell." Simon said.
William smiled. "Your Highness, that’s easily solved. If you lack manpower, why not sell us the cannon technology? We’ll produce them ourselves at home."
William had come prepared with negotiation strategies.
"You jest. At court, His Majesty made it clear the cannon technology must remain with me. This isn’t about trust; reaver spies are everywhere. If they obtain the technology, Ravencrest will lose even its defensive advantage."
William’s eyes flickered. Though he knew it was unlikely, he had to try. "Your Highness, if you sell us the technology, we’ll guard it fiercely. My father offers five thousand fine horses and five million caps s of silver in exchange."
The offer was tempting, but Simon couldn’t part with the technology. Inferior steel would limit their production quality, but sheer numbers could compensate.
"William, it’s not that I refuse. But if the technology leaks, His Majesty will have my head,". Simon said, shaking his head. "Let’s discuss alternatives."
Seeing the approach fail, William pressed on. "Then could you produce cannons for both the Imperial Army and Ravencrest? Since your victory over the reavers, they’ve grown aggressive in Ravencrest, testing our defences. My father and I are deeply concerned."
Simon feigned hesitation.
With iron mould casting now mastered and skilled craftsmen trained, scaling up production depended only on materials.
He also wanted to expand the military workshop’s capacity through these sales. Profit would sustain larger operations, allowing rapid mass production if war erupted.
But Emperor Alaric’s decree took precedence. After a pause, Simon said, "I can supply you one month after delivering the Imperial Army’s first batch. However, you must prepay the production costs."
"One month?" William and Steve exchanged glances.
"That"s the soonest possible. The Imperial Army’s order comes first." Simon said firmly.
Recognising his resolve, William shifted focus. "Then, Your Highness, how much per cannon?"
"Not too expensive. Twenty thousand caps each." Simon said, making an outrageous demand.
Steve spat out the tea he had just sipped.
"Twenty thousand caps? That’s enough to equip four hundred elite armoured cavalry!" He blurted out.
William’s brow furrowed deeply. "Your Highness, this price is far too steep. We cannot afford it."
When discussing the cannon price with Emperor Alaric, Simon had specified that the eight thousand caps was a special rate for the imperial court. He had also discreetly requested the Emperor not to disclose this figure. At the time, Emperor Alaric had agreed.
Thus, apart from the Emperor, no one knew the actual production cost. However, Simon was aware Prince William wasn’t foolish; he must have estimated a reasonable price range.
"What do you believe would be a fair price then?" Simon asked.
"Six thousand caps should suffice, with transportation handled by us." William proposed.
Simon stood up. "Let me propose this: William, you may have only heard of the cannons’ reputation without witnessing their power firsthand. Allow me to show you."
"That was precisely my hope. Please lead the way, Your Highness." William said eagerly.
Simon nodded and escorted William and Steve to the Brambleford’s military camp.
A dedicated artillery range had been established beside the camp, featuring three training cannons as their destination.
Liam was currently conducting artillery drills there. The hasty deployment during the Battle of Dunmere had revealed poor accuracy, with cannonballs scattering wildly across the battlefield.
Had it not been for the psychological shock of facing cannons for the first time, their effectiveness would have been far less impressive.
Post-battle, Simon had tasked Liam with specialised training, teaching soldiers proper aiming, angle adjustments, and ricochet techniques to maximise firepower.
"My Lord!"
Spotting Simon’s arrival, Liam and the soldiers immediately saluted, their armour clanking in unison.
William and Steve scanned the soldiers’ distinctive plate armour, their eyes flickering with interest.
While cannons had played a major role at Dunmere, they suspected these full-body armours contributed significantly as well. The city gates hadn’t allowed close inspection earlier, but now they studied the unique design carefully.
"Isn’t this the young master?" Liam greeted William after saluting.
"Liam." William had actually met Liam more frequently than Simon.
Simon interjected. "Since you’re acquainted, this simplifies matters. Liam, the young master has come to learn about our cannons. Demonstrate a firing sequence for him."
"Yes, My Lord." Liam acknowledged.
Military protocol demanded absolute obedience to Simon as supreme commander here, a rule enforced with iron discipline. Even Lancelot had been disciplined multiple times before falling in line.
William studied the cannon before him with growing anticipation, while Steve’s gaze burned with intensity.
The Battle of Dunmere had made cannons legendary across the Eldorian Empire, overshadowing Simon’s personal achievements, partly due to Darrell’s faction downplaying his role, but also because Simon had deliberately emphasised the weapons to boost arms sales.
Under Simon’s guidance, each cannon now had a four-soldier crew: one cleaner, one loader, one aimer, and one igniter, maximising firing speed.
The crew efficiently loaded and aimed their weapon, leaving only ignition remaining.
"My Lord, today’s target is at two hundred paces," Liam reported.
Simon nodded approvingly. His men understood, for visitors, only the most spectacular demonstrations would do.
The current target was a stone wall specifically built for artillery practice.
"William, you might want to cover your ears. The report is quite loud." Simon advised.
"No need, Your Highness. If we’re purchasing cannons, we should experience them fully." William declined.
The artillery crew exchanged glances that plainly said idiots. They knew exactly how deafening the blast could be; prolonged exposure had already damaged some soldiers’ hearing.
Simon didn’t insist. Maintaining surface courtesy sufficed; these quasi-independent princes were no friends of his.
"Ignition!" Liam commanded, plugging his ears with cotton.
Simon also stepped back as the crew inserted earplugs. The igniter touched flame to fuse.
BOOM!
A blinding flash accompanied an earth-shaking detonation.
"Mother of..."
William and Steve shrieked in terror, stumbling backwards and nearly falling.
"Are you unharmed, William?" Simon inquired.
Both men stood pale-faced. Having seen fire lances on city walls, they’d assumed similar noise levels. Now they regretted their bravado and the humiliation before Simon.
"Fine, Your Highness." Simon managed weakly, while Steve’s legs trembled uncontrollably.
The artillery crew struggled to suppress grins. Liam barely contained his amusement; they’d brought this on themselves.
Noticing their expressions, William seethed internally but maintained composure. "Indeed thunderous, Your Highness. But what of its destructive power?"
"Observe the target." Simon pointed.
Following his gesture, William and Steve gasped. The stone wall that had stood intact moments ago now lay in rubble.
"Your Highness, perhaps the wall was poorly constructed? This doesn’t fully demonstrate the cannon’s might." William challenged.
Simon had anticipated such scepticism. "Then let’s change targets."
He led them deeper into the range until, at four hundred paces, they encountered a line of clay cavalry statues.
"These are modelled after reaver riders, thirty total, spaced ten meters apart. The clay is extremely durable." Simon explained. "Now observe from four hundred paces."
After returning, they watched as the crew fired.
At this extended range against smaller targets, the first three shots missed. The fourth struck home.
When Simon brought them close again, the sight of thirty shattered statues left William speechless.