The sun rises above the cold sand within the most of dawn, at the armory, carriages await for crates and crates of many rifles. William counts the boxes, writing the counts.
"I want these by the plaza at 0900. There are 3 more carriages along the way."
Edward looks at him, looking a little worried,
"Uhm... Sir Veilßhän."
"Yes, Edward?"
"The stocks..."
"We're missing 1,500 rifles, are we?"
"Yes, Sir Veilßhän."
"I knew it, the numbers you gave me were off."
"We only have enough for the 1/4 of the town, sir."
"Get me those who have experience."
"Like the woman yesterday?"
"Edward, no"
"I plead to you, Sir Veilßhän."
"No."
"Why do I even bother?"
A scene passes through William's thoughts: "That woman, what was her name again? Vic- something... Victoria! She's got the skills.", he looks back at Edward.
"Actually, Yes, go get her."
Edward lights up.
"Sir Veilßhän!? Really?"
"Yes... Ugh."
"Oh boy, I gotta get some flowers–"
"Edward Brünswick of Goremia!"
"Stop calling me by my full name, William!"
"I will, Edward!"
Büllswerk enters, lifting a crate
"Will ye stop yer bick'rin', ye bast'rds?! Get yer arses to work!"
William scoffs.
"C'mon Edward. Let's get Victoria."
"Yes, Sir Veilßhän."
Büllswerk's eyes widen, surprised.
"What now!?"
"I and Edward are leaving to fetch a supposed recruit."
"Then who's go'n' help me?"
"Jason! Mason!"
"Oh, makes sense."
The Twins arrive and start helping Büllswerk, William unleashes his steed, followed by Edward. They gallop back to the pond where they saw the woman yesterday, a distant crack of a rifle echoes, both look at its direction, surprised. When they arrive, they found an old man shooting down cans with the same flintlock musket they saw Victoria using.
"Sir?", asks William.
"Oh, Mister Veilßhän, what a pleasure."
"We're looking for someone."
"Hm? Who is it?"
"Have you seen a girl named Victoria Hildega-"
"That's my daughter, Sir Veilßhän."
"Oh..."
"And why, exactly?"
"Well-"
Edward cuts in, jumping down from his horse, before grabbing the man's collar.
"I WILL MARRY YOUR DAUGHTER!"
"Edward! Heavens save you from damnation."
The man laughs, very amused.
"Now, Young man..."
His face darkens
"You have to cross me first."
Edward scoffs, looking ready.
"Alright! Then I'll do whatever it takes to get your-"
"Edward."
"I'm sorry, Sir Veilßhän."
The man turns around and shouts.
"Vicky! These young men are lookin' for ya!"
"Who're they, father?"
She exits from a barn.
"It's Sir Veilßhän."
"Ah, these are the fellers I was talking about yest'rday!"
"Ohhh...."
"Hi Mister!"
Edward winks.
"Edward, in the name of God, what did I tell you?"
"But sir..."
"We're here to recruit you and your daughter to teach men how to use rifles, if you agree, I guarantee you safety."
The father's eyes widen.
"Isn't this another aristocratic feud?!"
"It's a revolution, Mr. Hildegard."
"A revolt? For what?"
"Hasn't anyone informed you?"
"The word I received only told me that you're battling the Torrentia."
"That's one part, they're under the King's orders. We didn't pay the taxes, for they were stealing from Rußwäll."
"Why does war justify this?"
"I only need people to protect the town, not us."
"Oh."
"I have my own blade, I have my own rifle, I will protect my own home, and so will you."
"Is this really necessary?"
"I've received messages from scouts."
"And?"
"They're bringing cavalry."
"I see. What really happened?"
"It's too much for me to explain. But Rose and I and have gone sick of their incompetence in ruling Girdenland."
"And corruption too, perhaps?"
"Yes, Mr. Hildegard. Now, if you consent you and your daughter to instruct, the Elisavith and Veilßhän families will be very much glad."
"I-I... I agree."
"Thank you."
"Let's meet at the plaza by 10, Mr. Hildegard."
Both bow to each other. Edward nods to Victoria.
"Later, M'lady!"
William sighs as he gets on his horse.
"Stop gawking over Miss Victoria, Edward. Let's move, we have others to recruit."
"Yes, Sir Veilßhän."
Edward also seats himself.
"I hope the Del'Fuente arrives today."
They gallop back to the Veilßhän manor, where Rose awaits.
"William."
"Yes, Rose?"
"Get off that horse, you're talking to a lady."
"Pardon me, Lady Elisavith."
He gets off his horse.
"Well, any word from the Del'Fuente?"
"I've talked to the Earl's daughter, Resotta."
"The one who wears gold?"
"The Cuirassier, yes."
"I admire their grace and all, but their impracticality in modern combat makes them utterly useless nowadays."
"They reached out to me."
"And?"
"Well, they want you to teach their cavalrymen how to use rifles."
"It's been over 70 years since rifles were made, and yet they have no idea?"
"Their place, Övskadtin, is well isolated, much like us. You just happen to be connected to everyone."
"How many will I teach?"
"Only 5 men, Resotta's personal guards."
"What about the Cuirassier herself?"
"Yes, she needs your help too."
"Oh boy."
"Anyways, take us to the plaza."
"Hop on, Lady Rose."
"Care to assist me?"
Edward rolls his eyes.
"Lovebirds, are you?~"
William snaps at him.
"Dare bring that up, I will personally bring you to the gallows."
"Sorry."
"You better silence."
"Yes, Sir Veilßhän."
All ride on their horses all the way to the plaza, where many line up to get themselves a rifle, many are unfamiliar with such firearms, most are farmers, others are bakers, only a few know how to wield one.
William gets off his horse, looking at the forming crowd.
"Form a line!"
The dispersed crowd straightens. He goes up a wooden stage at the center.
"This is not a giveaway! We're distributing firearms in terms of defense!"
A man speaks up, confused.
"And what are we gonna defend ourselves from?"
"The Torrentia might ransack Rußwäll after a disagreement! We are preparing in case they want to cause another feud! I didn't want Rußwäll to be in danger, neither did Miss Elisavith!"
"Can't it be settled in diplomacy?"
"The Veilßhän has tried to negotiate to Torrentia, yet they chose a feud!"
"Why are we dragged into this?!"
"The Veilßhän and Elizavith will face the Torrentia! We are arming you in case of defense!"
Rose also steps up on the stage
"It's been 78 years since the last noble bloodshed in Rußwäll. I didn't want to end that peace, but those devils in blue cannot keep their thirst!"
"Lady Rose is right, we didn't want you to be in this, as much as possible, you keep yourselves away from danger!"
"All the men! Line up!"
They start the distribution in a single-file line, every family will have at least a rifle.Edward goes up to talk to William.
"Sir Veilßhän, Victoria Hildegard has arrived with her father."
"Go forth and talk to them."
"Yes, Sir Veilßhän."
"Move it."
Edward returns to Victoria and her father.
William looks at Rose.
"Yes, William?"
"Rose, how are we facing these?"
"By the blade, unto death."
"Why shall it be nigh?"
"It is time. We had enough of corruption!"
"Perhaps, Yes."
"The Torrentia never knew mercy."
William goes down the stage, going towards Victoria and her father.
"Thank you for accepting the recruitment, Sir Hildegard."
"You're very much welcome, sir Veilßhän."
Victoria looks at her father with a frown.
"But it's burnin' out here, Father!!"
"Oh, sweetheart, I didn't even tell you to go here."
"Wait, what?"
"Why are you here?"
"For that man ove' there."
Edward waves at her.
"Your mother is not proud of you, Vicky."
"It' always been like that."
Her father sighs. William approaches Edward.
"Go tell them what to do, I see the Del'Fuente."
"Yes, Sir Veilßhän."
William walks away, hopping onto a horse with Rose to meet the incoming Del'Fuente.
A lean, masculine woman waves her saber at them, she has short platinum hair, wearing a cuirass plated with gold platings in the shape of suns.
"What a day it is to meet you, Sir Veilßhän, Lady Elisavith."
William nods.
"Welcome to Rußwäll, where nobles treat commoners with grace."
"Such a nice town it is."
"Thank you, Lady Resotta."
"I have my personal guards, I want you to teach them."
"Well, what are we waiting for?"
Resotta Del'Fuente, the Countess of her nobility, who lives far into the freezing north, from a place with little to no modern technology, they live as if it was still the Hålßhenian era, cavalry, cuirasses and all.
They return to Veilßhän manor, where a shooting range was prepared, the elite guards line up while William hands out the newest bolt-action rifles.
"These are bolt action, not lever."
Resotta rolls her eyes.
"I perceive it clearly, Sir Veilßhän. No need for such words."
"Listen— These rifles use these 7.62 cartridges, do not use anything but these."
Manuel, the leader of the Elite guards raises a hand with a sweaty look.
"And what if we accidentally load one not as such?"
"It will get jammed, it might get stuck in the chamber, and you are basically useless."
"Hey! We have our sabers!"
"Not when your enemy is pointing a Rancher at you." (Rancher is a large revolver)
Resotta raises an eyebrow.
"How can we be useless? Hm, Sir Veilßhän?"
"These days, guns are also being used by most nobility."
"Even the Torrentia?"
"Yes, Lady Del'Fuente."
"Well, show us how it's done, then."
William aims at the target, the wind passes by for a moment before he squeezes the trigger, the bullet flies, hitting the wooden board, just slightly off the bullseye.
"You next."
He points at Manuel.
"Oh heavens guide me... well—"
He aims, takes a moment with a deep breath. The silence hands heavy, but he couldn't bring himself to fire.
"I swear... I cannot pull it."
"How come?"
"Sir Veilßhän, it's stuck."
William flicks off the safety.
"Lesson one, check if the safety is off! Manuel, fire!"
Manuel aims again, fires, and stumbles back a little bit too much.
"You are not familiar with the kick of a rifle, are you?"
"Yes, Sir Veilßhän."
Erinyo steps in, smiling boastfully.
"Let me show you, Manuel!"
He snatches away the rifle and aims.
"Just watch—"
It accidentally discharges, sending Erinyo to the ground.
Manuel Snickers in pride.
"Fool, do not bring yourself up here if you don't even have the knowledge of such!"
"I will bewitch you when I die, Manuel!"
"Lady Resotta, He speaks of heresy here!"
Resotta chuckles, amused by her guards.
William snaps back.
"GET BACK TO YOUR LINES! YOU ARE NO DISSARAYED CHILDREN IN THE STREETS!"
The two scramble back to their places.
"Good—... Victoria! Mister Hildegard!"
Edward guides them inside the range
"Victoria, Mister Hildegard, this is Lady Resotta Del'Fuente, and you know how this goes."
Resotta shakes Mr. Hildegard's hand.
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Del'Fuente."
"Well I appreciate that!"
Victoria looks around, setting her eyes on the new rifles.
"Father, are we goin'a use these to teach 'em guards?"
"Yes, Child."
"Int'restin'."
William approaches Resotta.
"Lady, do you mind getting a seperate lesson?"
"I do not."
"Well, off to another spot then, grab any rifle."
Resotta chooses something similar to the guards'
"I'd consider this one fit for me."
"Oh... Sure."
"So, where's the 'safety' thing in here?"
She fumbles the rifle around.
"Be careful not to point it at others, Miss Resotta!"
"Pardon me."
He points at the switch.
"Ah, there it is."
She flips it and aims.
"Lady Resotta, hold it—"
He grabs her by the hips to adjust her stance.
"S-Sir Veilßhän?!"
"I know, but that's the only way."
"There is another!"
"I was merely helping you."
Goes back to aiming.
"Now, don't hold it like that!"
He grabs her hands and starts adjusting her grip.
"Is not Lady Rose going to kill you with this proximity between us?!"
"I'll be fine, she knows what I'm doing, You're the one embarrassing yourself, Miss Del'Fuente."
"Still, Sir Veilßhän!"
"Now go!"
For the last time, she aims, and fires, the shot was a little off, but she handles the kick just fine.
"It seems that— what's that sound?"
"It sounds like gunfire, Sir Veilßhän."
"Bastards."
The Torrentia has arrived.
- End of Chapter 2.