Isekai Online Game Developer

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“Hmm… it shouldn’t be a liquid, right?”

Alken pondered as he stared at the bubbling cauldron.

Months into making a gun.

The key was in creating explosive bullets.

And since it seemed to explode upon pulling the trigger, the explosion was likely triggered by a localized physical shock.

Ultimately, if he could create a substance that would cause an explosion inside the bullet, he could consider it a success.

The problem was, he had no clue what that substance could be.

“Not a liquid, and containing gas… it’s impossible without magic. So, it must be solid.”

The more he researched, the more he wondered if it was an impossible task.

However, every time he felt that way, he recalled Riot’s interview.

– “In my view, this game is more real than reality. The world of ‘Hidden Attack’ is no magic; it’s a brutal reality.”

He clearly stated that magic was not used.

Meaning, it was something that could be created without magic.

“But Riot only created an illusion; how could he know if guns could be real or not?”

Thinking from another angle, Riot was indeed an Illusion Mage.

But how could he be sure if guns could be made in reality?

Alken shook his head and resumed his alchemy.

Regardless, he had a strange feeling that it might just work.

There was a powerful sense of determination.

As an alchemist, he wanted to show his pride.

“If it’s neither a gas nor a liquid, then it must be solid. And… powdered form would be the most useful. That way, the surface area is larger, leading to a bigger explosion.”

That idea stemmed from the notion that dry powder ignites more easily in air.

Finer particles tend to carry flames better.

It was an instinct honed by Alken’s long experience in alchemy.

In modern terms, it would be called science, but Alken was edging closer to the answer purely from experience.

Then one day.

“Not this combination… Hmm…”

While researching various combinations, Alken had just powdered yet another new substance he created.

Beside him, a cauldron bubbled with all sorts of ingredients.

“Will this work…?”

With a sigh, Alken scooped out a little of the powder.

Over the course, he had created several substances that caught fire or caused small explosions.

But those were only minor reactions.

They lacked the explosive power needed to create a gun.

Even trying to condense them into a small bullet yielded the same results.

Thus, after his seventy-ninth attempt.

As he noted the composition in his notebook, he planned to step outside.

Experiments were safer outdoors, as explosions wouldn’t cause property damage.

But then—

“Ugh, huh… huh… huh…”

Suddenly, as Alken was about to sneeze.

“Phewchoo!”

With his sneeze, the powder scattered everywhere.

At the same moment—

Boom—!

With a tremendous noise, Alken’s house exploded.

“Whoaahhh—!”

Fortunately, he was wearing a robe imbued with protective magic that he had bought long ago for an exorbitant price, so he wasn’t seriously injured.

It was an essential item for alchemists.

A ringing in one ear persisted, but that was of little concern.

“I-I did it… I actually did it!!!”

He had succeeded in creating Gunpowder.

“W-well, I did it, but…”

But as a price, everything, including his house, was blown to bits.

“Crap.”

But since he succeeded, it was fine.

A moment later, Alken began collecting fantasy game artifacts from the smoldering remains of his home.

As long as he had the material compositions and the game, everything else didn’t particularly matter.

In truth, he didn’t have much to begin with.

Alken instead headed to the house of a fellow alchemist he often played games with.

He planned to stay there for a few days to refine the materials and create the gun.

“But what will I do with it?”

Before leaving, Alken pondered.

He wouldn’t kill anyone, and selling weapons recklessly would violate international law.

“Let’s think about that later.”

It was a headache of a problem to tackle right now.

Whatever happened, it was certain that alchemy would become a promising profession.

Just that thought made Alken feel a little better as he skipped off to his friend’s house.

However, Alken’s worries and happiness wouldn’t last long.

“Is there an alchemist who caused an explosion near Poho Forest here?”

A short while later, the Frank Kingdom army arrived at the house where Alken was staying.

“Y-yes?”

“So, you are here. You need to come along.”

“Eh?!”

And just like that, Alken was taken away by the kingdom’s soldiers.

The situation was simple.

A resident heard the explosion and reported it to the guards, but there was no one around.

Because Alken had been boasting around town about making guns, the guards had received information about him being the alchemist trying to create them.

And after some investigation, they tracked down Alken’s hideout.

“You’re the alchemist who creates guns, huh?”

Surprisingly, it was the King who ordered that he be brought to the castle.

The King was also a user of ‘Hidden Attack.’

He enjoyed blowing off steam with intense games after enduring stress from the Empire.

Moreover, the King of the Frank Kingdom had slightly different thoughts.

What if he could truly possess a ‘gun’?

And if an army wielding guns was formed?

Then they could easily subdue the knights swinging their swords.

Thanks to international law, life had improved.

But still, the long-standing grievances of the kingdoms remained.

Most likely, if the King was given the chance to swallow the Empire, he’d do it without hesitation.

“Yes, yes, that is correct.”

Alken lowered his head and replied, trembling.

Ordinary folks like him seldom met royalty.

He had to succumb to fear without understanding the situation.

“Lift your head.”

“Th-that is…”

“Lift your head.”

Alken, still in a lowered position, did as told.

“Is it true that you created a gun?”

“I-I haven’t made a gun, but I did create the substances that form the bullets.”

“Then the reported explosion would be that.”

The minister beside the king nodded.

The royal family had been secretly investing efforts into gun creation.

Thus, news about someone like Alken reached the King’s ears.

“Impressive. For a mere alchemist to achieve what scholars in the castle couldn’t. Alchemist, you shall work in the castle.”

“Y-yes…?”

“I’ll spare no support. Create the gun. I will reward you handsomely.”

And just like that, Alken found himself a royal scholar overnight.

With a hefty salary, warm meals, and a place to sleep.

There was no reason to refuse.

Thus, after several weeks of researching in the castle, Alken became relatively accustomed to life there, making friends among the castle inhabitants.

Previously, as a commoner from the countryside, he couldn’t even utter a word.

After getting to know a few people, he was finally able to converse with the noble folk of the castle.

And just a few weeks later, Alken decided to ask a colleague about something he was curious about.

“By the way, why does His Majesty want to create guns? Is he a huge fan of ‘Hidden Attack’?”

“Ah… you’re from a common background, so you don’t understand at all. Well, you’ll find out soon. It’s obviously for ‘war.’”

“W-war?”

“Yeah. Can you catch a sniper with a dagger in ‘Hidden Attack’? Of course, with a gun, you could easily kill the Empire’s knights.”

“Which means…”

“He’s planning to take revenge for all the insults endured. His Majesty thinks ‘Hidden Attack’ brings a new wind.”

“W-wouldn’t the Illusion Tower sit idly by?”

“Originally, wizards have no interest in political matters.”

Had Riot truly not anticipated this when creating the game?

Considering his interview, that didn’t seem likely.

And that night. No, ever since the nights that followed.

Alken found himself plagued by sleepless nights full of worries.

Reflecting, it became apparent that war was indeed inevitable.

Perhaps the order of the continent might shift as well.

And if that were to happen, many lives would be lost.

Even without having experienced war, Alken knew that much.

“Because I created the gun…”

Many people would die.

Imagining that future made it unbearable for Alken.

“That’s…”

After a long night of contemplation, Alken made a decision.

He simply couldn’t bear the thought.

“Hmm? Where are you off to so early in the morning?”

Alken left the royal capital at dawn.

“I need materials. I have to get them urgently.”

“Hmm, looks like you pulled another all-nighter researching.”

The guard let Alken pass without any suspicion.

After all, it was common for a commoner like him to run around gathering materials.

However, this time, Alken ventured out of the capital and over the mountains, running even farther.

Unnoticed by anyone.

He didn’t even use a carriage. Surely, he’d risk getting caught otherwise.

He simply wanted to be an ordinary commoner.

Doing alchemy reasonably and enjoying games in his spare time.

He couldn’t bear the thought of countless people dying because of him.

He ran tirelessly for days toward Trinity.

*

“…so you came to find me.”

“Yes, that’s right, Lord Riot. Wizards are thoroughly neutral in matters like these. And since you created ‘Hidden Attack,’ I thought you might have something in mind.”

Having listened to Alken’s story, I leaned back in my chair.

It was expected that someone would eventually create a gun.

After all, the imperial family was also deeply invested in research.

But in this world, basic science had hardly progressed due to magic.

I had anticipated it would require a long time to create a gun without magic.

And indeed, that was the case. The royal family was utterly clueless on firearms (I couldn’t help with the scientific principles either).

It might have been pure coincidence.

Alken accidentally making Gunpowder.

No doubt, he stumbled upon the combination of substances without even knowing what elements they were.

“Hm…”

If a single kingdom monopolized firearms, it would create a massive issue.

If firearms were developed in secret, a significant war would surely erupt later.

The only thing that could counter it might be the royal family’s magic, but their level didn’t match Trinity’s.

“War will definitely occur. That much is certain.”

It was unexpected how quickly the research into firearms was advancing due to someone like Alken.

And of course, I didn’t desire war either.

Could it be that the nature of human affairs is so unpredictable?

But I had already considered this situation.

“Then does the Frank Kingdom possess firearms?”

“Not yet. Creating the gun itself and the bullets. And like in ‘Hidden Attack,’ knowing how to pull the trigger to make the bullets launch forcefully… we have learned quite a bit.”

“Hmm, within the bullets are the bullet pellets made of iron, Gunpowder, and a fuse, right? Ah, Gunpowder is the explosive substance Alken created, and I named it, while the fuse is the section that ignites inside the bullet. I’m not too sure about the details. When the bullet is discharged, a small flame ignites the Gunpowder, leading to a larger explosion.”

Once I got to that point, Alken appeared to have an epiphany.

“If we can make that, then creating a gun would be easy.”

“Y-yes. So, in the kingdom…”

“Then yes, they could wage war.”

“I don’t want that. I can’t bear the thought of people dying because of me…”

“But it’s unavoidable now. Someone will eventually create it.”

“Well then…”

I hesitated for a moment before speaking.

Seeing Alken’s limbs were so skinny they seemed little more than bone and tendon suggested he was under considerable psychological stress.

Did Einstein, prior to his achievements, also agonize knowing that many would die because of them?

He might have chosen not to create, just like Alken.

Yet, another fact remains that many advancements came thanks to Einstein.

Ultimately, it depends on how it is used.

“Create here. The gun. And sort out the Gunpowder as well.”

“Y-yes?”

“Then let’s distribute it to each nation. So every country can possess firearms.”

“Whaaat?! No, what do you mean by that…?”

Alken jumped up in shock at my response.

But there was no alternative.

“Don’t worry. What you fear won’t come to pass.”

Soon after, a revolution began in the world.