In terms of identity, Petro. Hughes believes there will be no fakes.

Hathaway's family background is a bit eccentric, not to mention her former uncle, her father Eden. Viscount Bell almost suddenly appeared in Vermont City, and only then did someone pay attention to the history of the Bell family, but it was also unknown, only that it was a very old family in the eastern part of the empire, but Hathaway herself had never met the family's relatives and friends. However, if someone thinks that they can casually call themselves 'Bell' and be able to claim the relatives of the lord, it is a big mistake, especially since the other party is still a magician.

Petro. Hughes was thinking about the purpose of the visitor, the title and the territory, and he was not worried, because it was not a private question. Even if Hathaway really wanted to push it out, it would be strictly enforced in accordance with the procedures of the Imperial Noble Code.

In fact, that Williams. Bell has already revealed that his main concern is the military factory, and that is what Hathaway values the most...... "Interesting, is he interested in the military factory itself, or is he interested in the high profits of the military factory?" ”

Pondering, Petro. Hughes decided to report the matter to Hathaway for her discretion...... As a political officer, he still has a way to contact Hathaway.

"Ahh

Hathaway, who was patrolling the munitions factory at this time, suddenly sneezed. She rubbed her nose, looked at the sky outside the tent, and continued to discuss the development of new weapons with old Fgugu...... The most troublesome thing in developing weapons is the problem of gunpowder, because the Titan world lacks some necessary minerals to make gunpowder, so Hathaway can only solve the problem by means of alchemy, if it weren't for the fact that Cordillera has its own magic crystal ore, so many new weapons, she can't be equipped at all, and she can't use it.

"Hathaway! It worked! "Alia. Forgu suddenly rushed in, a look of excitement on his little face.

"No rules! Call the Marquis or the Lord! Old Vergu scolded.

Alia. Forgu shrugged: "Okay, my lord, I have good news for you, the mortar test shot was successful!" ”

"What?!" Hathaway stood up abruptly, "Did the test shoot really succeed?" ”

Alia. Fugu wrinkled his nose: "Of course it's true. But the range isn't that terrifying......"

"Let's go, let's take a look!" Hathaway jerked to her feet and pulled Aliyah along. Fgu ran out, and old Fgu hurriedly followed.

The idea of the mortar Hathaway had been studied by the dwarven craftsmen for a long time, but the research and development of the magic circle had been delayed for too long, because it had to take into account the problem of range and power...... If the range of the mortar is similar to that of a magic rifle or a bow, then she is too much of a failure, and she might as well concentrate on the blasting bomb.

After hurrying to the shooting range, Hathaway saw a scene in full swing.

"Why is it so lively?" Hathaway raised her hand to direct the workers to Arut. Forgu called.

Hearing the greeting of the lord, Arut. Fgu stepped forward: "My lord, as you can see, the mechanics are rushing to repair the machine, and some people are sorting various materials and maintaining the equipment. ”

"I want to see the test firing of mortars." Hathaway interrupted.

"Yes, my lord." Arut. Forgu agreed, and immediately ordered someone to prepare,

The preparations were quickly completed, and looking at the grass-green mortars on the range, Hathaway's spirit seemed to be in a trance, until Arut. Forgu asked for instructions for the second time, and she reacted and nodded: "You can start." ”

Arut. Forgu gave the order to the range test firing personnel, and with a wave of flag instructions, the test firing began.

Tong! Tong!

After two muffled sounds, two fires flashed in the distance, and the observers immediately reported the test launch...... The firing range is 1500 meters, one misses the target, one hits.

"Yay!" After listening to the test shooting results, Hathaway looked happy and swung her fist vigorously. With this weapon, the long-range attacks of the troops were further strengthened.

"This ......" old Fogu was also shocked, although he participated in the development of mortars, but later his focus shifted to other aspects, and today is also the first time to see the power of mortars.

"What is this? Compared to the magic cannons of ancient times, this kind of power is just ordinary. ”

Hathaway frowned again: "The consumption of cannonballs and magic crystals is too expensive, and using this weapon is more expensive than magic guns." ”

"It's worth burning money, this weapon is too powerful." Old Forgu said casually.

"That's right...... By the way, pass down the order, mortar-related matters are absolute in the military factory, and it is strictly forbidden to spread it! Hathaway ordered.

It's not that she can't believe it, but the dwarves like to drink, in case those guys get too drunk outside and talk nonsense, it's a ** annoyance.

"By the way, how is the maintenance of the mortar?" Hathaway asked.

"It's a lot more troublesome than maintaining a magic rifle."

Arut. "Actually, cleaning up the shells is the most dangerous and ultimately necessary," said Vergu. These shells are much more expensive than bursting shells. The wagons where they were stored were modified, the outer planks were coated with a thick layer of moisture-resistant paint, and the inside was filled with grass and cotton wool to fill the gaps between the shells. These guys are very unstable, they will explode when they encounter open flames, and they will explode when they encounter friction...... Therefore, when we transport it, we are extremely careful, and the warehouse is also set up separately, so as not to damage other items in the event of an accident. ”

"Arut!"

Hathaway patted the young dwarf on the shoulder, "I can see you've been too nervous lately!" I have to say that half of the success of the mortar test is due to you! You are working on this work with all your heart, and now that the mortar can be mass-produced, you should also take a proper rest for a while, and it is also a combination of work and rest. ”

"That's not necessary, I'm completely fine." Arut. Vergu said dissatisfied...... His displeasure was not so much that he complained about Hathaway, but that he felt that she had underestimated her body.

"Of course I know, you're the strongest dwarven warrior."

Hathaway had a warm smile on her face, "I'm proud of you!" I believe that in the near future, you will become an excellent specialist in weapons building and create weapons that are more powerful than mortars! ”

Arut. A proud smile also appeared on Fugu's face: "Thank you, sir!" I won't let you down! ”

"Your Excellency, Your Excellency Administrator Hughes has something to report to you!" Iona hurried over with a communication crystal.

"Oh?" Hathaway raised her eyebrows slightly, took the communication crystal, and the people next to her immediately withdrew a certain distance, at this time, they all know how to advance and retreat, unless it is Hathaway's summoning, they will not come close.

"How can such a thing happen?!"

After listening to Petro. Hughes's report, a sneer appeared at the corner of Hathaway's mouth: "Let him wait slowly, tell him, I am patrolling the territory, if he is critical, he can go to me." ”

After saying that, she ended the communication, and her face became a little gloomy.

……

Black Forest! This is the Black Forest!

When I looked up, I saw that the thick branches, which had lost their color, completely blocked out the sunlight. The woodland is covered in dark shadows, with only a few sparse rays of light casting on the ground not far away.

A soul bird suddenly scurried across the trees, and a terrible howl rang out in the sky. The woods seemed to come to life suddenly after this cold cry. A cyan fox poked its head out of the grass; A swift hare scurries back into the ground; The fox impatiently shook off the grass stalks that had been attached to his body during the long hunt; A pair of tree badgers climb the branches with agility.

The Cordillera City Guards had sent a dozen scout squads into the forest for a long time, and they hadn't found anything but the insane silence, and if it weren't for the occasional critter, the scouts would have suspected that they were in the territory of death.

The ground that had just rained was a little muddy, which slowed the movement of the horses, and some stubborn little ones simply stopped when they got impatient, and refused to take a step forward no matter how much their master urged them. But that's not the scout's biggest headache, as after a spell deep into the jungle, the sense of direction begins to blur and the surrounding scenery becomes very familiar.

"Captain! Look! ”

Corick said as he pointed to a string of horseshoe prints in the mud ahead, "It seems...... We've been going around this place in circles! ”

"Kirrick!" The captain rushed up, "You should say, we're going around in circles in this damn place!" ”

"What now?" Corick grabbed the greatsword in his leather bag, and to be honest, he wasn't scared, but the place made him a little nervous.

The team leader looked around, and he took a low sip, "Damn it!" There isn't even a single conspicuous reference in this forest! ”

"Yonier!" The squad leader called out the name of one of the soldiers, "Shoot the arrows and see where the rest of the squad is!" ”

"Yes!" The soldier, Jonir, took his bow and arrows, and with a piercing whistle, a rattling arrow with a windbreaker rose into the air.

Soon, another rattling arrow rose in the woodland to the left of the team, followed by the right, and then several other positions.

The squad leader frowned, "What the hell! We have been on the right path, and those traces ahead are certainly not ours! ”

As soon as the squad leader's words came out, the scout team already sounded the sound of blades unsheathed!

Curric's broadsword was pointed diagonally at the ground, and he scanned around vigilantly, and soon, the sensitive warrior finally noticed something unusual.

"Captain! Over here...... Isn't it too quiet? There are no birds and beasts, no sunlight, no sound. ”

The squad leader nodded, shook his head again, and pulled out his weapon, "It's far from the border!" There should be no enemy situation, stay vigilant, and continue to move forward in a straggler formation......"

Kirrick's eyes widened, and the sharp arrows that pierced the captain's neck splattered with a rain of bright blood. R1152