’Master Michael is black?’

’There are black people in this world?’

Baron instinctively reached for his gun, but remembering he was there to ask for a favor, he instead presented the revolver with both hands and explained the reason for his visit.

But he still felt this was a bit of a long shot.

’It was a well-known fact that black people were great shots, but when it came to actually making guns... that was another story entirely.’

Besides, his revolver was one of the best in the world from 1955, and it had even been enhanced with an Enchantment by Master Bagins.

’Would the materials and assembly be so advanced as to completely overwhelm Master Michael?’

"Hey, kid Feinan, you’re not one of those Racial Knights, are you?"

Michael eyed Baron suspiciously. "The way you’re looking at me is pretty disrespectful."

Baron’s expression didn’t falter. "Master, you’re mistaken. I love fried chicken, watermelon, and grape juice."

"I love ’em too!"

Master Michael said cheerfully, inviting Baron inside. Baron then sent Lewis’s Attendant on his way.

’It wasn’t that Baron was being prejudiced, but the Workshop’s decor was stereotypically black.’ Sheets of large, animated newspapers were hung like wallpaper over racks of swords, guns, and polearms.

The pictures featured scantily-clad women, quite risqué by this world’s standards. A few lines of text at the bottom hadn’t been trimmed, revealing them to be advertisements for brothels in various major cities.

’Only an organization like that, desperate to make a buck off what’s between a man’s legs, would have an aesthetic so ahead of its time.’

There were three doors in the room, and Michael led Baron through the one on the left.

Weapon racks in this room held numerous Firearms, their barrels of varying lengths. Baron noticed that most weren’t the flintlock or percussion-cap models he had imagined.

Michael explained that he had meticulously inscribed firing Alchemy Array Patterns inside these Firearms. This allowed the fired Alchemy Bullets to reach a muzzle velocity of up to 0.6 Pri per second (approximately 900 meters per second).

Michael took the broken revolver and examined it. "A revolver... an old-fashioned piece. A bit outdated. The only thing it has is an Array inscribed in the chamber to withstand the pressure from an Alchemy Bullet."

"The materials are nothing special, though... I have to give credit to the Alchemist who worked on this..."

’Does that mean he can fix it?’

Seeing that Michael wasn’t surprised by the double-action mechanism of the revolver, Baron realized he might have underestimated the capabilities of this world’s science—no, Magic... no, that wasn’t right either... its blend of magic and science.

Master Michael held up a finger. "I can fix it, but I’d recommend replacing some of the Alchemy Materials. Using a harder material like Dwarf Fire Steel could keep the barrel from corroding so easily. It’ll only take two days."

"In that case, I’d like you to modify this one, too."

Baron took out his other, undamaged Colt. As he handed it to Michael, he added a request, "I also have an idea for something. I was wondering if you could try to build it for me."

"As long as the pay is good, sir," Michael said proudly. "I could mass-produce the Armor of a Prole Golden Lion Knight for you if you wanted."

’Good thing money is the one thing I’m not short on right now...’

Baron thought of the dozens of Gold Coins sitting in his Soluble Ring, an amount an ordinary person could never hope to earn in a lifetime.

’I wonder if Master Michael will recognize these as the Gold Coins the Iron Thorn Gang lost.’

Shaking the stray thought from his mind, Baron’s expression turned serious. "Master, have you ever tried combining a gun and a sword?"

"A gun and a sword combined?" Master Michael was taken aback. "What kind of idea is that?"

He didn’t immediately grasp what Baron meant.

A small smile touched Baron’s lips as he pulled a rough sketch from his coat—something he had drawn back at the Yan Nan Church. A screenwriter, to help the cast and crew better understand a script, sometimes has to draw things out. Even if their artistic skills are lacking, they can usually get the main idea across.

Michael took the drawing and studied it, his brow furrowing and relaxing in turn. His entire figure was shrouded in the room’s shadows, and his dark skin made it impossible for Baron to read his expression.

The drawing showed a revolver with an extended barrel. A locking mechanism was designed above the barrel to hold an Alchemy Sword flush against it, which could then be swung out at a critical moment.

’Tossing your gun aside to draw a blade after a firefight is too cumbersome. It would be ideal to switch instantly between ranged and melee combat without sacrificing the handling of either weapon.’

’For instance, I could lay down suppressing fire, and then with a flick of my wrist, two Long Sabers would swing down from the barrels.’

’Ranged to melee in an instant.’

’Blades in hand, ready to cut you down.’

As Baron thought about it, he suddenly recalled that night in Baron Camberra’s underground palace in Mundra. The small blades embedded in his revolver barrels had allowed him to form larger blades from condensed blood and Fire.

They had been a huge help in that fight.

’If that’s the case, why not turn a temporary ability into a permanent feature?’

Since the Undead Knight’s Mad Blood had damaged one of his guns anyway, Baron decided to seize the opportunity to make this idea a reality.

This was, after all, one of the main reasons for his visit.

"This is..."

Looking at the drawing, Michael, who had never seen such a concept before, felt a thrill at its novelty. He couldn’t help but begin turning over the possibilities of its construction in his mind.

Baron said nothing, simply waiting for Michael’s response. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

’If this doesn’t pan out, I have a backup plan,’ Baron thought. ’Move the blade from above the barrel to below it. It might not look as good, though. It’d be too much like a bayonet.’

While Baron was lost in thought, Michael finally finished his review. He put down the drawing. "It’s possible, but..."

"But what?" Baron asked, assuming Michael was about to jack up the price. He prepared to haggle.

"But it might take some time."

Michael pointed to the drawing. "To properly balance the weight of the barrel and the blade while ensuring sufficient strength, I think the most suitable material would be Snow Pattern Steel."

"I can pay extra. Can you get it done faster?" The threat of the Iron Thorn Gang was looming, and Baron wanted to get his hands on the finished weapons as soon as possible.

"It’s not about the money."

’The problem is you don’t have it,’ Baron thought, playing the straight man in his head.

Michael shook his head and continued, "The supply of Snow Pattern Steel in Fude City has been cut off. The trade caravan from Far North Suluka won’t arrive for some time, so we’re completely out."

"How long?" Baron asked.

"A month at the earliest, maybe two."

’A month... By then, I’ll probably have fled from Fude City to Steel City, or from Outer London to Inner London.’

Baron said, "Isn’t there anywhere else that has Snow Pattern Steel? Other Alchemy Workshops, for example?"

"Well, there is..." A troubled look appeared on Michael’s face. "But I don’t think you’d be able to buy any, Mr. L."

’Because the metals are an Alchemy Master’s lifeblood?’

Baron asked, "Where?"

"The Iron Thorn Gang. They’re in charge of escorting the trade caravans, and their signature Iron Thorn Crossbow Arrows are forged from Snow Pattern Steel."

The Iron Thorn Gang... Baron thought of the Silver Arrows he had used to chip away at the wall in Mundra. ’It seems I’m just fated to keep running into this gang,’ he thought wryly.