Chapter 354: A Weapon of National Power

A 200-acre rice paddy, located in the prime land near the lake, was soon granted to Mahaan Kifus as his personal estate.

Of course, he wouldn’t need to farm it himself—the city hall had already arranged for a clan of mousekin to serve as his tenants, cultivating the land on his behalf. However, unlike the southern lands under elven rule, where such tenants were little more than slaves, Nagrand did not allow any degradation of personal dignity, even if social status differences between beastmen were inevitable.

This principle was the foundation of Nagrand.

These mousekin functioned more like tenant farmers, hired and managed by the city hall on his behalf, paying rent and taxes according to a predetermined ratio, rather than being his personal serfs.

Mahaan was also granted a two-story wooden residence near Nagrand’s industrial district, along with a generous annuity in recognition of his exceptional contributions. As a knight, he now had the right to represent craftsmen in Nagrand’s internal council, voice his opinions, and enjoy various privileges that symbolized his noble status.

For someone who had never held any significant position, this arrangement left Mahaan Kifus completely overwhelmed. While his knighthood was conferred by an obscure half-elf lord in the northern territories—one that the empire would never recognize—it was still more than enough to satisfy him. After all, in the elven empire, a beastman like him would never have had the chance to attain such status or recognition.

Sir Kifus?

Just hearing others address him this way sent him into a dizzying euphoria, his emotions surging uncontrollably.

Before receiving his title, he had undergone a rushed baptism to become a follower of Xuanyuan, expressing his gratitude through faith.

However, he wasn’t the only one swearing an oath during the knighting ceremony. Harold, Angus, Beck, and other key figures who had followed Wu Qingsong since the days of Orgrimmar were also among the first to be knighted in Nagrand. Meanwhile, Feya became the first female knight in Nagrand’s history.

Yet, despite the prestige of these individuals, the one who drew the most attention was undoubtedly Mahaan Kifus. To many, it seemed as though he had ascended to nobility overnight.

Because the firearm project was still a tightly guarded secret, many people struggled to understand why a mere craftsman had been granted such an honor.

However, the event greatly inspired the other craftsmen brought by Red Moon. Initially, they had doubted Wu Qingsong’s promises, but now they saw a clear path to achieving similar recognition.

Fueled with newfound determination, Mahaan swiftly produced the second prototype.

If the first firearm had been a work of art, then the second was undeniably an industrial product.

Mahaan meticulously refined his design, ensuring that it could be produced by average-skilled craftsmen rather than requiring the expertise of master artisans. This had been a key point that Wu Qingsong repeatedly emphasized.

Following that, he began working on a version of the firearm specifically designed for ratmen soldiers—one that was easy to use yet still maintained effective range and lethality.

Given Nagrand’s current demographics, this would be the weapon destined for mass production.

Wu Qingsong also ramped up efforts to acquire natural saltpeter, reaching out to merchants and smugglers with high-priced offers and samples, urging them to locate natural saltpeter deposits. Simultaneously, he issued substantial rewards within Nagrand, encouraging anyone who could devise a method for large-scale artificial saltpeter production based on his vague memories and suggestions.

This was a desperate but necessary measure.

The ratmen had found some saltpeter deposits in their old cave dwellings, but those reserves were nowhere near sufficient for the widespread deployment of firearms. Without a stable supply, these weapons would remain mere novelties rather than game-changing tools of war.

***

“I need ghost cypress wood and a soulstone.”

The moment Wu Qingsong stepped into the hidden chamber within Xuanyuan’s temple once again, Boulder made this unexpected request.

Without hesitation, Wu Qingsong ordered the ratmen outside to fetch the wood. Ghost cypress didn’t grow in the wastelands, but since it was a necessary material for raising the undead, he had ensured an ample supply was always at hand.

Boulder took the wood and snapped it into small pieces with his bare hands, then began engraving intricate patterns into them using only his fingernails.

Wu Qingsong handed him a dagger, but Boulder ignored it, continuing to carve with his claws.

Observing closely, Wu Qingsong recognized that the carvings formed a magical array.

Some parts seemed familiar—inspired by the techniques used to raise undead—but other symbols resembled those drawn by shamanic priests. Similar imagery had appeared in the parchment Boulder had previously provided, likely related to the Bloodlust spell.

This appeared to be an entirely new magical array, devised by Boulder by fusing necromantic magic with shamanic rituals. His precise, unwavering movements suggested that he had rehearsed this design in his mind countless times.

Despite its complexity, the engraving was finished in no time. At the center of the array, a small cavity had been left—intended for the soulstone.

Wu Qingsong retrieved a soulstone from his pouch, but Boulder handed him the carved wooden plate instead.

“Try it,” the undead said calmly, as if he had accomplished nothing of significance.

Wu Qingsong studied the plate before slotting the soulstone into the designated cavity. Finding no immediate reaction, he opened the chamber door and issued an order:

“Summon Lady Nina and Lady Liuli.”

He had called for Nina because her Silvermoon Light was both a powerful healing force and a deadly weapon against the undead. Liuli had been summoned due to her formidable vitality and rapid regeneration when transformed.

However, after waiting quietly for ten minutes, he was greeted by all of his wives except Ram.

If Boulder had designed this as some sort of powerful magical bomb, this was certainly an ideal scenario for him.

Wu Qingsong narrowed his eyes at Boulder, watching for any reaction. Even when Xiela appeared, the undead remained perfectly composed, as if he hadn’t noticed her presence at all.

“How do we use it?” Wu Qingsong asked.

“Wear it over your chest and recall the state of your body when your ability was first awakened. Adjust your physical condition to match that state.”

That’s it?

Liuli eagerly fastened the crude wooden plate around her neck with a string she had pulled from her clothing. Ling then carefully adjusted the length so that the plate rested as close to her heart as possible.

“Well then, let’s begin.”

Wu Qingsong awakened Nina’s abilities, ensuring she was ready to intervene if necessary.