[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-reborn-king":3,"chapter-the-reborn-king-the-reborn-king-chapter-405":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Reborn King",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1101012,1437,"Chapter 405: The Creation of Gunpowder","the-reborn-king-chapter-405",405,"\u003Cp>\"What do you think, Your Majesty?\" One of the men hired by the academy said with an excited tone as he showed the completed formula for gunpowder. The testing device was a crude barrel with a lead ball stuffed into the end. It was inaccurate and weak compared to a normal rifle or cannon, but to Alfred it was the start of a new era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His smile was hard to hide as he carefully picked up a bit of gunpowder between his fingers. \"Magnificent.\" It was the only word he could think of. He always knew that creating the formula for gunpowder would come before the creation of the musket; he just never expected it to come so quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s all thanks to Your Majesty’s prior information. Without it, I couldn’t imagine how long this would take.\" The man sighed, but his joyful mood was evident. In the back of his mind, all he could think about was the reward promised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Make sure you record the exact ratio for its creation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All ready done.\" The man reached into his bag and handed over a sheet of paper covered in black dust. Although the page was dirty, the writing was still easy to read. Alfred nodded with satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the musket?\" Moving onto the next task he had ordered, he watched as the smile on the man’s face vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is harder. Each component requires perfection, and every failure we are required to craft a new one.\" He lamented over the many failures they had experienced, \"Just creating a barrel is hard enough, let alone the firing mechanism.\" The man shook his head in annoyance, \"We still need time and resources for this, but it will be done. With the gunpowder created, we will have an easier time now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alfred smiled and looked at the gunpowder once more. Even if the musket would take a while, he could at least make primitive forms of bombs with it. \"You and your team have done good work. I’ll prepare a small separate reward for this.\" Seeing the man’s mood shift dramatically, Alfred smiled and walked away. \"Focus on the musket. I will deal with producing the powder form now on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man nodded and watched as Alfred walked off in deep thought.’I need to start trading sulfur with Ivan.’Sulfur had been the main concern. Whilst the Empire had a small amount of it, it was nothing like the Selisian, who could easily get an abundance of the resource. ’Hopefully, when Sasha sets sail, she will find a land that produces it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking through the halls of the Obsidian castle, Alfred looked around, falling into thought once more,’Maybe I should share the discovery with Ivan? No, not yet. But how will I explain the sulfur?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whilst having his closet ally strengthened would be a good thing, Ivan’s ambitions were something he couldn’t control. What was stopping his ally from turning his direction once he got his hands on the weapon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaking his head, he stepped outside and was blinded by the sun. A large carriage escorted by numerous soldiers waited for him and getting in, Alfred leaned against the window and watched the sights as he rode back to the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>------------------------------- -- -- --\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The journey was short between the obsidian castle and Brookhaven, and once in the palace, he walked through the halls towards a man he had forgotten about. Letting himself in, he saw Dimitri casually reading a book. Although he had left for a while when the Silesian Empire was reformed, he had been sent back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty.\" Dimitri’s thick voice cut through the air as he carefully closed the book and stood up, bowing towards Alfred, \"What do I owe the pleasure?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please sit,\" Alfred said warmly and took a seat opposite him. \"It isn’t a lie to say that our two Empires are friends, is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right now, we are friends. When the children grow, we will be united through marriage and eventually blood.\" Dmitri said as a matter of fact. After returning to his cousin, he knew that Alexei and Ivan wished to keep a tight relationship with the Ammary’s. Although they would milk all the benefits they could from it, they wouldn’t do anything that would jeopardise it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alfred watched Dimitri, and, hearing his earnest words, gained an idea of the value the alliance they shared held. ’Ivan’s has already talked about the continuous marriage of our dynasties to keep the alliance lasting a thousand years, but I know his ambitions for his family are to have the Empire belong to the Brantovs.’ Alfred chuckled at the idea,’That will only be possible when we are both long dead, there’s no need to worry.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know, Dimitri, when I showed you the printing press, at first I never planned on telling you how to create one. Of course, you would eventually figure out how to, but I expected this to take a few years to perfect.\" Alfred paused and leaned forward. \"However, that can easily change now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dimitri’s eyes widened in shock for a second before he leaned back. Reaching over the table, he opened a silver case and pulled out a large cigar. Clipping the end of it, he lit it with a small match and slowly smoked. \"I’m sure this isn’t coming from the good of your heart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course not, give and take. I will tell you the blueprints for the device. In return, I want sulfur and a lot of it.\" Alfred also leaned back in his chair. The two looked at each other with a stern expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May I ask why?\" Dmitri casually asked, taking another long pull of his cigar. The sound of it burning hummed in the silent room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No. That’s the condition. You can never ask what I need it for.\" Alfred reached over and grabbed one of Dimitri’s cigars. Cutting the end, he leaned forward and waited for him to light it for him. Dimitri watched for a second before doing as Alfred wanted. Alfred took a deep inhale, letting the strong herbal taste in his mouth dance around before blowing out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although it was rare for him to smoke, when he did, he couldn’t help but notice the difference between the products on Earth and here. Unlike on Earth, where cigars could have a variety of subtle tastes depending on where they were produced, the ones he tasted on Gaia were very herbal. It was obvious why. Only the Silesians and Slathans smoked them on the continent, as the two places had similar agricultural conditions for producing the luxury goods. Cigars only became a normal product for the nobility in his Empire after the alliance was formed between the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m sure Emperor Alexei would be interested in the blueprints. As you have said, we have tried to recreate it, but we can’t. After all, an explanation isn’t the same as a blueprint.\" After a minute-long silence, Dimitri finally spoke. \"How long will we need to provide sulfur. Whilst we use it, it isn’t that important compared to what you are offering.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I would like five years, but this can obviously change depending on the quantity shipped.\" Alfred brought the cigar to his lips. Letting the smoke sit in his mouth for a second, he had a satisfied expression on his face before blowing out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dmitiri tapped his foot and fell into thought. Whilst the deal seemed advantageous to the Silesians, he knew that Alfred had a plan for the sulfur, something that he knew Alexei and Ivan would want. His mind instantly went to a weapon, knowing they used it for that, but without proof, he couldn’t say anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll send word to Alexei. I’m sure he will accept.\" After thinking about it for a while, Dimitri could only agree. In the long run, like with the printing press, whatever Alfred created may be passed along to him once again. All he could do was wait and hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alfred stood up and held the cigar in his mouth. Reaching out his hand, he smiled. \"We have a deal?\" Dimitri looked at the hand before him and smiled. The alliance with the Ammary’s had only seen Silesia get stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For now. Let’s wait until I get word.\" Dimitri grabbed the firm calloused hand in front of him and shook. The two stared at one another as the room filled with smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll write up a contract. Let’s hope Alexei agrees.\" Pulling his hand away. Alfred took another long drag of the cigar before squashing it on the table. Stepping out, he brushed his hair to the side and walked through the halls with a satisfied smile to Issac’s office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Write a five-year deal for Alexei. Five years of Sulfur deliveries for the blueprints of the Printing press. Tell him we can work out the exact details in the future. Send it to Dimitir once finished.\" Issac didn’t ask and just nodded, grabbing another piece of paper. Stepping out of the office, Alfred couldn’t help but feel excited for the future.\u003C\u002Fp>",1513,"2026-06-03T11:17:48.775Z","2026-06-03T11:17:51.401Z",1,"novelbin.me","9abaad99cbbcf6e09040949283c63321ea0655cd6c169edbefa3b442037090a0","the-reborn-king-chapter-406","the-reborn-king-chapter-404",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-reborn-king-cover.jpg"]