The lightning dissipated, and Ave hefted the crossbow, with the golden hair on her head swaying in the wind, feeling somewhat like "invincibility is so lonely."
Hagrid had a brainstorm and discovered that a swordsman is truly a rubbish profession.
No, to be precise, this isn’t even a proper profession.
No organization, no path, no deity of belief, just those who have practiced swordsmanship for a while and haven’t passed the knight’s exam claiming to be swordsmen.
But Hagrid saw the future.
He wants to change his occupation to an arbalist.
He has a hunch that traditional skills practice might soon be abandoned by the era, the future is about fighting with equipment, and changing to an arbalist now will put him ahead of 98% of the people.
Damn it! He is truly too smart!
"Sheriff, how many gold lions did you spend on this crossbow? Is there any entry threshold for purchase?"
As for this ancestral knight’s sword, it’s better to put it back home for offering.
"This is a prototype, the general version for sale is priced at 80 gold lions and doesn’t have the function of full magic power release."
Ave said, "But you don’t have to buy it yourself, just wait. Soon, Baron Gledin will probably innovate your equipment."
If Pure Maiden’s letter isn’t lying, it won’t be long before the Empire falls into a state of intertwined internal and external war. Ximu Town, as a border town, will naturally be the first to encounter enemies, so military innovation is necessary.
Hagrid couldn’t believe his ears, "This thing will eventually be distributed to us for free?"
"That’s great, then I’ll go organize crossbow training right away!"
Hagrid was overjoyed, running was unnecessary now! Gathering all his subordinates and setting up a shooting training camp was the key; the guard team recruited by the baron was almost all people who failed the knight’s exam and weren’t skilled in using bows and crossbows.
Leaving this remark, he sheathed the sword and ran down the hill, all joyful.
Once Hagrid was out of sight, Sister Bi’an and Rowena reverted back.
"What do you all think?"
Ave was asking about the result of full magic power release. Although she was mentally prepared, she was still shocked by the power of the crossbow. If this thing gets mass-produced and deployed on the front lines, the combination of priests’ and knights’ protection would be as flimsy as paper.
Sister Bi’an looked at her proud ’Red Rose,’ then looked at the scorched earth left by the electromagnetic crossbow shot, her face immediately fell, "I spent several months and used many rare materials to forge the Red Rose, yet it’s surpassed by your trial model made in just one afternoon!"
Rowena also commented, "The power of full magic shooting can match my slicing array, just the cost of making those traps and scrolls adds up to several hundred gold lions, and it takes several days to set up..."
Reluctantly admitting, but at least in terms of power, the full magic shooting of the electromagnetic crossbow is even more terrifying than the full-strength strike of high-tier Transcendents.
At this moment, they truly felt the arrival of the magic technology era that Ethan talked about.
The birth of a high-tier Transcendent is built on extraordinary talent among thousands, plus persistent effort and massive resource accumulation, while theoretically, with the advent of magic technology, everyone could potentially achieve comparable power to high-tier Transcendents through equipment.
"Not long later, high-tier Transcendents will exit the stage of history."
Rowena held a pessimistic view, "Need to figure out a way to make more money before that."
"Exit the stage of history? Why do you think that?"
Ethan questioned in confusion.
"Purchasing magic technology equipment is much faster than upgrading, and as long as you have money, anyone can buy a set of equipment to arm themselves."
Rowena estimated that if hit directly by the full magic crossbow shot from earlier, even if she didn’t die, she’d be severely wounded. Considering this is a beginner version and magic technology has infinite potential for progress, she feels the future for Transcendents is bleak.
"But for Transcendents, the benefits brought by magic technology will be even more apparent, just the mode of combat will change."
Rowena quickly urged Ethan, joining Old Sen Magic Technology was undoubtedly one of the wisest decisions in her life — Ethan’s mind was unusual, she had no idea where his ideas came from.
"High-tier Transcendents themselves are equivalent to magic power stations. Take Sister Bi’an, for example, we can completely design a set of magic tech equipment tailored to her fighting style, not only to make her adapt to combat in various dangerous environments but also to exponentially enhance her combat power."
Rowena sat up excitedly, almost ready to dance, "Can I do this too? I’m an Astrology Guild certified Great Mage, specialized in my own slicing magic! Can it truly improve several times?"
She’s been stuck at the Great Mage stage for nearly ten years, long lost hope of entering the Saint realm. Even the scholars of the current Astrology Guild haven’t become Saints in their lifetime.
If Ethan’s magic tech equipment can boost her combat power several times, she definitely has the confidence to arm fold with a real Saint.
Very well, the era of Great Mages is emerging again!
Ethan said, "I’ve already thought of a suitable magic tech equipment for Sister Bi’an, but it requires waiting for the right opportunity; the knight’s magic source comes from belief, and although the oath-breaking influence has been eliminated, it’s currently difficult to get promoted in rank."
To solve the problem at the root, a new belief or an existence that can replace the Master of Knights is needed.
Ethan was inspired by mythological legend.
Mentioning knights, he can’t help but think of the Stone Sword.
That’s how legends appear; perhaps, that’s how gods come to be.
But how to perfectly replicate the Stone Sword, remains one of the problems he needs to tackle.
Ave decided, "I’ll go discuss purchasing a batch of electromagnetic crossbows with Baron Gledin, and you, Mr. Heisenberg, having been missing for so many days, should go check on your Magic Scroll Shop. If you don’t return soon, those addicted to ice arrows will go mad."
"In that case, Sister Bi’an, why don’t you come with me to Fireplace Bay as a guest Master Forger at Old Sen Magic Technology Store."
Sister Bi’an was startled, "Even if I wear a mask, I’ll still be recognized, right?"
She stroked her red bangs, in the Empire such hair color is rare, her parents aren’t red-haired, and during her time at Neseriel Sanctuary many suspected she wasn’t from the Empire.
This kind of thing is actually common, the Empire’s child wanderers have always been a big problem; often someone takes in an abandoned infant and raises it.
Reasons vary, some do it to raise them as servants, others teach them to steal, rob.
She was lucky not to end up with such parents.
Rowena coughed lightly, knowing it was time for the hero to appear, "Such times call for us seasoned Great Mages, I, who master more than ten transformation magics, am a Super Great Mage, how about it? Want me to help you with a makeover? Guaranteed no one’s going to recognize you, just 20 gold lions, fair pricing, no deception!"