The world did not change overnight.
It cracked.
Slowly. Quietly. Like stone under heat.
Blendi knew this kind of change well. It was never announced by victory banners or treaties. It began in workshops. In whispers. In experiments that failed ten times before succeeding once.
The system chimed again as dawn crept over Krujë.
Not a warning.
An invitation.
[Technological Threshold Reached]
Prerequisites Met
Stable Economy
Centralized Authority
Foreign Awareness
New Branch Available
Early Gunpowder and Shock Weapons
Blendi stood inside the lower forge district, the air thick with smoke and iron dust. Sparks leapt as hammers struck glowing metal. Men paused as he passed, bowing instinctively, not out of fear but recognition.
This place had changed.
Not cleaner.
More purposeful.
Lady Mira walked beside him, parchment tucked beneath her arm.
"You are certain?" she asked quietly. "Gunpowder is unstable. Dangerous."
Blendi nodded.
"So was fire," he replied. "Once."
Technology Interface Expanded
[Experimental Technology Tree]
Tier: Transitional Warfare
Available Projects
Black Powder Refinement
Shock Grenades
Primitive Hand Cannons
Fortification Reinforcement with Powder Charges
Risk
Explosion
Sabotage
Knowledge Leakage
Reward
Technological Leap
Enemy Shock
Doctrine Shift
Golden text appeared beneath the list.
(Early adoption carries high risk but grants overwhelming advantage)
Blendi did not hesitate.
"Begin with black powder," he said.
[Project Initiated]
Black Powder Refinement
Lead Engineer Required
Lady Mira raised an eyebrow.
"You already chose one," she said.
Blendi turned toward a man standing near the far forge.
Older. Scarred. One eye clouded.
"Master Petrit Doda," Blendi said. "Former Venetian siege engineer. Exile."
Petrit stiffened.
"You remember me," he said slowly.
"I remember value," Blendi replied.
[Engineer Assigned]
Petrit Doda
Trait: Obsessive Perfectionist
Engineering Rating: A
Loyalty: Conditional
The system chimed softly.
[Warning]
Engineer Loyalty Not Absolute
Risk of Knowledge Leakage Detected
Blendi accepted it.
Progress always carried a blade.
The First Explosion
Three days later, the forge shook.
Stone cracked.
Men screamed.
Blendi was already moving before the alarm finished ringing.
Smoke poured from the lower workshop.
The system flashed red.
[Critical Event]
Experimental Detonation
Casualties: Minor
Infrastructure Damage: Moderate
Petrit Doda emerged coughing, face blackened.
"It worked," he rasped.
Blendi looked past him.
A barrel lay shattered.
Inside, black residue coated the stone.
Blendi knelt.
Touched it.
The system responded.
[Technology Progress Update]
Black Powder Refinement
Progress: 18 percent
Stability: Low
Potential: Extreme
Lady Mira arrived moments later.
"This will not stay secret," she said.
Blendi stood.
"It does not need to," he replied. "Only unclear."
Internal Sabotage Detected
The system did not wait long.
[Alert]
Internal Threat Detected
Location: Supply Chain
Nature: Deliberate Contamination
Blendi's eyes hardened.
"So," he murmured. "The first traitor shows his hand."
Investigation Begins
The espionage interface flared.
[Counter Intelligence Activated]
Suspect Pool Narrowed
Access Level Required
Workshop Authorization
Supply Access
Primary Suspect Identified
Name: Father Niketa
Title: Ecclesiastical Advisor
Traits: Traditionalist, Foreign Sympathizer
Hidden Affiliation: Unknown
Lady Mira inhaled sharply.
"He advises three noble houses," she said. "And writes weekly to Rome."
Blendi nodded.
"Bring him."
The Confrontation
Father Niketa did not deny it.
He stood calm beneath the torchlight, hands folded inside his robes.
"You invite damnation," he said softly. "Fire that kills without honor. Weapons that turn men into ash."
Blendi looked at him for a long moment.
"And you invite chains," he replied. "Wrapped in prayer."
Niketa smiled faintly.
"The world will punish this."
Blendi nodded once.
"Yes," he said. "That is the idea."
Judgment Choice Triggered
[Internal Threat Resolution]
Options
Execution
Exile
Forced Service under Watch
Golden hint appeared.
(Forced service unlocks religious influence control)
Blendi chose carefully.
"You will live," he said. "And you will serve."
Niketa's eyes widened.
"You will write sermons that bless unity."
"You will silence resistance."
"And if you lie," Blendi leaned closer, "the fire you fear will teach you truth."
[Resolution Confirmed]
Forced Service Enforced
Religious Influence Subsystem Unlocked
Foreign Information Leakage Reduced
Rewards Cascade
[Achievement: Fire Without Fear]
You pursued forbidden technology despite internal opposition.
Rewards
Technological courage bonus
Future innovation risk reduced
Enemy doctrine confusion increased
[Hidden Achievement]
The First Spark
Rewards
Early firearms unlock accelerated
Engineer loyalty increased across all workshops
Innovation prestige increased
Nation Status Update
Technology Tier: Transitional
Gold Reserves: 6,100
Monthly Balance: Strongly Positive
Elite Units: 860
Internal Stability: High
Foreign Awareness: Rising
Espionage Control: Improved
Eternal State Route Progress
28 percent
Blendi stood alone in the forge long after the fires dimmed.
In his hand, a small clay sphere filled with black powder.
Primitive.
Crude.
Revolutionary.
"This," he said quietly, "is how legends end."
The system pulsed once more.