Chapter 1983 - 537: Sage Time_3

"The rotary-pull bolt action not only solves the gas sealing problem, but also greatly increases the rate of fire and convenience of reloading. Its effective range can reach up to six hundred meters, and even at a tight parade formation, it can send shivers down the spines of massed enemies up to a thousand meters away."

This is nearly the maximum combat distance for light weapons.

When machine guns finally took the stage of history, firing squads turned into trench warfare, and it actually became rare for troops to fire back and forth across such a long distance.

After all, by that time, nobody would willingly stand as a target for others to shoot at.

"Haha, that truly is something to look forward to."

Edward nodded with enthusiasm, his face full of delighted surprise.

However, he was a monarch with experience in the crucible of war, and after his initial excitement, he quickly realized a practical issue.

"But Colin, although this gun is excellent, I found that it has significant drawbacks."

"Oh?"

Edward raised the rifle again, pre-aiming in the direction of the fallen prey, and spoke with one eye squinting.

"Even at three hundred meters, it's still challenging for a Transcendent like me who's honed his marksmanship skills, not to mention the Duchy's recruits. Without the eyesight and arm stability of a Golden Knight, this rifle's range advantage cannot be fully utilized."

If soldiers cannot see the enemy, then the rifle's range, no matter how great, becomes pointless. This weapon is sophisticated, but changing the structure of warfare immediately may still be difficult.

He wasn't referring to the massed ranks of armies, but the Transcendents standing behind the military formations—those individuals are the real threats!

If the Campbell Duchy and the Ryan Kingdom are destined for battle, he must not only plan on breaking the enemy formations but also find ways to deal with their Transcendents.

In terms of the number of Nobles, the Ryan Kingdom far surpasses the Campbell Duchy. After all, they are the Land of Knights, while the Campbell Duchy is merely a "paragon" of the Land of Knights.

"If human eyes can't see clearly, then give the rifle an 'eye'.

Luo Yan seemed prepared, offering a premeditated solution with a smile, addressing the issue Edward had just raised.

"Perhaps you've seen a telescope before. We just need to mount a precisely calibrated monocular telescope on top of the barrel, and a wild rabbit at three hundred meters will appear as clear as if it were at your feet."

Upon hearing this, Edward immediately came to his senses, his eyes widening with a trace of joy.

"By Saint Sis, you truly are a genius!"

"You're too kind, I learned from experiences at the Gutaf Kingdom."

Luo Yan smiled subtly, lowering his voice as if reciting enchanting spells.

"The Lizardmen often engrave special crosshair scale markings on their scopes as assistance, and with proper training, even ordinary people lacking Extraordinary Power can snipe a Demon Beast with Fine Steel Level strength, or a Bronze Level Transcendent several hundred meters away!"

The casual tone cast a cold shadow into the sweltering forest.

Thinking of a battlefield filled with such rifles in the future, Edward felt a slight tremor, yet couldn't suppress the ensuing fervent joy.

Fine Steel Level nearly reaches the pinnacle of Adventurer strength!

If a rifle with a production cycle of less than three days can easily take out an Adventurer or Knight with decades of accumulated strength...

The Knights' longstanding dominance on the battlefield will be completely rewritten in this moment!

And he sees more than just that.

If weapons capable of sniping Bronze Level Knights can be crafted, surely weapons to defeat Fine Steel Level, Silver Level, and even Gold, Platinum, or Diamond can be developed!

If ordinary gunpowder isn't enough, then use Alchemy Magic Potion. If pure metal can't penetrate armor, then develop Magic Devices!

Once this line of thought opens, the industrious Campbell people are sure to find a way!

Thinking of the perhaps not so distant future where even Mortals possess the power to slay the divine, Edward's fingers gripped the rifle with such force they turned slightly pale.

Luo Yan continually observed his expressions, eyes filled with a slight intrigue.

Though Edward is considered among the most sagacious monarchs throughout the Aus Continent, and even surpassed those Nobles from the Holy City in ambition, it's hard to say if he truly possesses the courage to change destiny.

Fortunately, Edward's response did not disappoint the Demon King; his enterprising ambition once again overcame cautious conservatism.

He smiled and slung the hunting rifle over his back.

"If only Magic could be attached to the bullet."

Surprised to hear it from the mouth of an "NPC", Luo Yan paused slightly, then chuckled.

"That's a pretty good idea."

As for some time ago, the Great Graveyard was already doing this...

...

The melodious horn echoed through the forest at sunset, signaling the end of the day's competition. The Royal Guard entered the forest to search for lost guests, while the triumphant hunters stood on the perimeter, flaunting their trophies.

It truly was a bountiful hunt.

Just Duke and Prince Colin alone bagged three robust Red Deer, six plump Wild Rabbits, one tusk-flaunting Wild Boar, and a Black Bear whose large stature resembled a small mountain.

This Black Bear is not an ordinary animal, but a Demon Beast possessing Fine Steel Level strength.