Chapter 46

When the druid Joseph returned to Nibo Town, it meant that Zhao Mai should set off for Farmer's Forest. The druid's studies were about to begin, and his heart was filled with excitement, as well as a tinge of reluctance.

The reluctance naturally stemmed from the separation of the "Three Musketeers." Due to the rush, Zhao Mai's musket was the only one that had completed all the processes, including polishing, buffing, and protective coating. It was currently on his back, snug against his clothes, giving him a sense of solid security.

Each handmade bullet was crafted by the dwarf's large hands. A specially designed belt held the thirty flat-headed metal shot securely, making them easy to access without hindering movement. This was Green's craftsmanship.

"Whether it's becoming a druid or forging weapons, I can't help much with these things. But if it's about making containers to store small items, I have a lot of experience." Green smiled proudly. "The secret pockets I make can hide playing cards, chips, and daggers without anyone noticing. These obedient bullets are no problem at all."

"If that's the case, I have something for you to do. I hope your caution will bring the greatest reward."

"What is it?" Green asked, somewhat surprised. After more than half a month of interaction, he had figured out that Zhao Mai had many magical ideas and technologies.

"The task I'm teaching you can earn a lot of money, so much that it could swallow your life." Zhao Mai deliberated for a moment and instructed, "No matter how much you earn, you must use most of it to support Sock's gun research. Because only weapons and powerful force can ultimately ensure your safety."

Seeing Green's smile fade, Zhao Mai knew he understood the risk and handed over his method for preparing fine salt.

"Elven alchemical salt, it's that simple?" Green's surprised expression was Zhao Mai's greatest reward. "For hundreds, even thousands of years, the elves have been using such a simple method to earn our money?"

"I don't know how the elves make their alchemical salt; it might be the same, or it might be even more complicated."

"This is a highly profitable business. You trust me with it?" Green frowned. "We've only known each other for less than a month. Aren't you afraid I'll take your method and run off to make money on my own, who would care about the musket then?"

"Salt will definitely get cheaper over time. Even if you run away, what can you do? Can't I just crash the salt market?" Zhao Mai chuckled. "At worst, I can accuse you of stealing the elves' alchemical salt formula, and you won't be able to explain yourself."

"Alright, since you can be cunning too, we can continue our cooperation." Green scratched his head. "I'll never work with a fool again, really, once is enough."

Afterward, Zhao Mai took the opportunity to make a final adjustment to the musket at the dwarf's place and mysteriously handed over a secret formula. "Sock, this is my gunpowder formula and the method for granulation."

The dwarf couldn't contain his curiosity and quickly opened it, reading it several times to memorize it. "I've noticed these past few days that your gunpowder is much better than mine. Of course, it's not as explosive, but it's perfect for propelling the bullet."

"Right, the gun, powder, and bullet are all very important. If any one of them is lacking, it will affect the final power."

"I'll remember this formula and make more and better guns." Sock smiled, his beard forming a crescent moon. "Come and see your weapon; I've finished it."

"Don't be in a hurry, listen to me first." Zhao Mai, seeing no one around, spoke earnestly to the dwarf. "The secrets of the gun can be learned by anyone who can take it apart. But the secret of the gunpowder is different; few can reverse-engineer the formula from the black powder."

"Right, you're correct." The dwarf tilted his head, not quite understanding Zhao Mai's hidden meaning.

"Memorize the formula, and if you have time, invest effort in researching better formulas, but keep it secret, don't tell anyone." Zhao Mai said, "Only this way can we ensure that such weapons don't proliferate. It's like... like the best combat techniques of the dwarves and the best archery skills of the elves. If the goblins and orcs, who are much more numerous, learn and master them, it would be terrifying!"

The dwarf swallowed hard, finally realizing the danger. Knowing the power of the gun, it could easily turn an unarmed weakling—like Zhao Mai—into a killer capable of posing a significant threat to a knight. If the orcs learned the gunpowder formula, they, too, could forge similar weapons.

One or two orcs with crude weapons wouldn't matter, but orcs outnumbered dwarves by almost ten to one. Even with the best musket in the world, if faced with ten of the worst muskets at once, it would still be a death sentence.

"Don't worry, I won't leak the gunpowder formula." He thought for a moment and added, "I won't sell the bullets casually; only the kind and friendly races will get them."

Zhao Mai smiled and hugged the dwarf Sock tightly before going to see his musket.

Since Zhao Mai was about to start his druid training, the dwarf Sock had added a natural style to the gun. After consulting with Green, he followed the sketch drawn by "Mad Rat" and changed the single flip-up blade to two, making it easier to operate by using a forward push catch. Overall, when the blades were extended, the gun's tip resembled an elephant's tusk.

The musket's sights were also carved into the shape of an elephant, with at least the two ears being standard. The weight was finely adjusted to help Zhao Mai adapt quickly. Due to the lack of time, the dwarf had wanted to apply rune technology to the elephant's tusk to make it a magical weapon.

Holding the weapon, Zhao Mai caressed the patterns, and the hidden dwarven script in the vine-like anti-slip pattern read, "Dedicated to my mentor, the guiding light, the source of mithril." He examined it from all angles, unable to put it down. "Such a good gun should have its own name. Sock, do you have any suggestions?"

"How about 'Elephant'?" the dwarf said. "You said my arms are like elephant legs, so I carved an elephant. The design is by Green, I don't know if it looks like one, after all, I've never seen an elephant, I was worried..."

"It can't be called 'Elephant,' that's too common. The most powerful ancestor of the elephant family is the mammoth, strong, majestic, and resilient, the king of the land. I hope to name the gun 'Mammoth M1 Megadon,' or simply 'Mammoth.'"

"I understand what 'Megadon' means, but what's 'M1'?"

"It has no specific meaning, just to make people ask questions." Zhao Mai told Sock, "To gain more people's recognition, you need to pique their interest. Just talking about technology will only appeal to craftsmen. For others, you need to learn how to package it... forget it, keep it simple. As long as you make them curious and keep asking questions, they will hear more about it, right?"

"You're right, why didn't I think of that." Sock chuckled, "A mentor is a mentor."

Thus, after their farewells, Zhao Mai, carrying the "Mammoth M1 Megadon" and a basket of eggs, followed Joseph north out of Nibo Town.

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