A knight approached a torn down house just outside of the city of Gale. It was located on the ruins of the war. So basically no one lives there, besides Val.

The knight entered through the crooked window and crawled through the rubble until she saw a dim light.

There was a completely functional wooden door with a placard on it that said "forgemaster". There was also a small sliding window below the placard.

She hesitantly knocked three times on the door. Then the small window opened and two green eyes could be seen looking through. "Yes?" She gruntly replied with a deepend voice.

"I'm here to forge a weapon. A rare kind." The knight shyly replied.

"Let me see the goods first." Val replied.

The knight proceeded to open her duffle bag and a rusty long sword along with some dragon scales and saltpeter were shown.

"Hmm, the money?" Val continued.

The knight also opened a pouch filled with 50 gold coins.

"Very well. Leave it there and be back tomorrow." Val exclaimed.

The knight nodded, placed the package on the ground and quietly left.

-------------------
Val, or Valerie shin Klautz, is a renowned forgemaster or blacksmith. She specializes in creating special weapons using saltpeter.

No one really knows how she looked besides her green eyes. And she hid her identity for a reason. Secretly, she's simply a 17 year old who've been crafting weapons since she was 10.

She rarely goes outside, hence resulting in her having a clear white skin. Though you can barely see it because of all the dust and saltpeter covering it.

She works underground and no one knows how she really creates the weapons. Some say she uses magic, and some say she uses alchemy.

All the clients know is that the weapon she created are the best of the best. Allowing even the skinniest and unskilled knight to master the weapon easily and become undefeated (an over exaggeration but you get the idea)

Of course, her whereabouts always changes and she never stays in the same place. So only her recent clients can tell where she is.

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"Alright rusty sword. Let's get you back in shape."

She placed the sword on the table and picked up a knife made of sharpened & hardened saltpeter rock. With it, she engraved varying symbols on the sword.

The symbols then glowed bright white before embedding itself in the sword. Then, the sword became brand new. All shiny and sharp fresh from the oven.

She then proceeded to place the dragon scales on a smelter. Normally, they can't be melted at all. But because of saltpeter, the dragon scale can easily be melted. Just a sprinkle of it will do the job.

Afterwards, she placed the sword on the forge and poured the melted dragon scale on it. Using thick goggles and gloves, and two hammers, she began forging the sword.

Thumps and clangs were heard for two hours before she finished.

She dipped the sword in icy water before lifting it up, revealing an elegant blackish purple longsword. She dropped all her equipment to test out the sword.

She picked it up. "Oh damn, this is superbly lightweight." She was proud of herself.

She swung the sword aggresively; right, left, forwards, sideways, upwards & downwards "Nice work me." She tapped herself on the back.

She placed the sword on a sheath before proceeding to take a break.

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Because of the secret nature of her work, she only stayed in ruins and has successfully created and connected major ruins in the Empire of Logard.

She chose to remain anonymous simply because if everyone knew about her, the weapons won't be special anymore.

But her hopes of remaining unknown was gone because tales startes to spread about the forgemaster throughout Verilia. They all want to have a weapon crafted by her.
-----------------
The next day.

The knight returned and saw the sword already placed outside of the door. She unsheated it and took a few swings.

A big smile drew from her face along with some giggles signalling her complete and utter satisfaction of Val's creation.

"Thank you so much forgemaster! You truly are the best of the best." The knight cheerfully exclaimed.

"Go home before somebody else sees you." Val replied, sounding muffled from behind the door.

"I might have some information for you. Don't know whether you'll be interested in it or not." The knight said, wanting to repay Val even though she already paid a hefty amount of gold coins.

"If saltpeter is invovled, then I'm interested." Val responded, opening the small window.

"Rumor has it, that the princess of Grelt is looking for a husband to rule together over the land. Which means, our kingdom will be sending someone there. Since you're vastly interested in saltpeter, perhaps you'd want to sneak into the Prince's party and head to Grelt?" The knight ellaborated.

"Hmm, when does he leave? Not that I'm interested or anything." Val replied.

"Within a month from now I guess. Though I'm not sure exactly when." The knight said.

"Very well, that informatiom is enough. Go now before someone sees you. Oh and if anyone asks about me, I'll be gone for two months. I'll contact you for my next location when I'm back" Val said.

"How will you find me?" The knight questioned.

"I have my ways." Val reassured.

The knight then bowed and left.

"I've got to get my hands on as much saltpeter as possible. And perhaps even learn how to competely master it from the experts directly." Val thought to herself.

"Now the issue is getting on board of the prince's representative party."
--------------
Empire of Longard, a warring kingdom that values brawns over brains. Their main belief is the strongest shall prevail.

Hence resulting in them having the largest army in the realm and constantly battling other states for control.

Their lust for domination is insatiable. And anything that can contribute to victory will be highly appreciated.

Now Val, she doesn't really live in the ruins, it's what she wants the people to believe. In reality, she comes from a wealthy family, known for their unique inventions. The Klautz.

Her parents are great contributors to Longard's weaponery and machinery. Indirectly involved in killing thousands of people. But that's a good thing in the empire.
--------------
Later that night, back at the Klautz mansion. The family gathered for dinner.

"Valerie, I know that you like to work in secret and value anonymity. However, isn't it best if you showcase your work and reveal yourself to the realm?" her father said as they were in between meal courses.

"Yeah Val, why don't you contribute to the Klautz's name and fame?" Her older brother continued.

Sam shin Klautz, the older and admired brother. He owns and manages the Klautz corporation. Having come up with various effective invention, such as: long range bombardment and eagle airships; he quickly rose in ranks and is now close friends with the Prince.

"Okay look.... I might be willing to reveal my skills to the public, but not directly mentioning that I'm the forgemaster." Val slowly responded.

"If, okay, only if, I get to be in the Prince's representative party when heading to Grelt." She continued.

"How did you know?" Her father and brother were shocked.

"You all know I have my ways." Val replied.

"That's actually a good idea. Is it not? She can help increase our reputation and learn a few things from Grelt." Her mom agreed.

"Fine, I'll start introducing you to the company, alright? And I'll need you to come up with something unique so I can introduce you to the Prince." Her brother hesitantly agreed.

"You have three days to invent something." Her dad continued.

"I'll do it in one day." Val confidently replied.

"Good then, now let's finish our dinner." Her mother closed.
-----------------------

The next day

Sam showed the manufacturing factory to Val and then brought her to the meeting room.

"Alright, show me what you got. Here's a blank paper and pencils. Come up with a clever invention." Sam challenged.

"I don't need this because I already made it." Val replied and proceeded to take something from her purse.

"What is it?" Sam was baffled, looking at a miniature musket.

"I call it the musk! No... ket! No...ehm small musket!" Val confusingly responded.

"Basically, it's a smaller and shorter version of a musket. Instead of reloading the ammo from above and opening the barrel, you reload it from below through this cartridge filled with smaller ammunition." Val tried to explain.

"Of course, the range is shorter than the average musket, but it still capable of delivering lethal damage from close range. Think of it as the secondary weapon for the musket." She continued.

"Show me." Sam was sceptical.

"Give me a target." She challenged.

Sam ordered his staff to bring a live pig to the factory. And a few minutes later, outside in the shooting range.

"Do I really need to kill it? Can't I just shoot at that wooden target?" Val asked.

"Nope, you said it was lethal right? I wanna see it." Sam insisted.

"Fine." Said Val.

The pig was tied down so it remained still. Val slowly approached the pig as the others watched from a distance.

She aimed the gun at the pig at relatively close range, probably an arm's length and fired a couple of shots.

The sound was much quiter than a musket's yet...

The pig grunted and stopped moving, then blood spewed out.

Sam quickly approached the pig and saw the bullet holes penetrated the skin and coming out the other side.

"Brilliant." Sam clapped.

"But you really need to name it something else." He said as he tapped her shoulder, being proud.

The inventors and researchers of the corporation are huddled up around Val, asking a plethora of questions, leaving her utterly confused....

A few hours passed.

Val went to her brother's office and leapt herself onto the sofa.

"Urghh....I answered like a thousand questions." Val complained.

"Well you do need to explain how to manufacture the weapon." Sam replied.

"Its kinda hard to explain my innate talent to manipulate saltpeter to them, but I managed to figure out a way to deconstruct the weapon and show them how I made it. You should expect production to hit soon." Val explained.

"Great! And I've come up with the perfect name for it, a handgun." Sam responded.

"Handgun? Sounds a bit off but its also self explanatory. Yeah, I guess we can go with that." Val agreed.

"Oh and the prince also granted you audience, along with me of course." Sam said.

"Nice! When?" Val asked.

"In two hours. So go home, take a bath and dress nicely." Sam uttered.

"I don't do dresses by the way." Val said before leaving.
--------------------

2 hours later.

"Let's go Val!." Sam exclaimed as he hopped on thr Klautz carriage.

Val came rushing down their mansion, wearing a doublet and long pants with boots, normally worn by men. You guessed by now, she's a tomboy girl, uncommon in the realm but not unknown.

She entered the carriage hoping that her brother would comment on her apperance. But Sam just looked at her and didn't mind it.

"Let's go." Sam ordered the driver.

"So you don't mind my appearance?" Val asked.

"Well I did tell you to dress nicely but didn't specify. So yeah, that looks good on you." Sam said.

"The prince also doesn't care about how you look." He added.

The ride took an hour long and from the carriage window, you could see the immense castle structure. The height reached the clouds and there were airships surrounding it.

The gates were triple-layered, each with different types of guards. Soldiers patroled the walls and grounds. It was basically a fortress.

From the gates to the castle grounds took a further 15 mins of riding. Then they arrived at the front door where the prince stood by.

The Klautz got out the carriage, bowed and approached the Prince.

"The Honorable Klautz Family!" An announcer said as they walked up the stairs. The ten then guards saluted them.

"Welcome to the Royal castle Val!" The prince greeted. "Sam's been coming here long enough so he knows his way around." He added.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Val replied.

They then entered the castle where pillars of marble could be seen erected as high as the eye can see.

There were also about twenty servants at their service. Ready to adhere to their needs.

"So do you want to eat or showcase the invention first?" The prince asked.

"Whatever Your Highness wishes would also suit me." Val replied.

"Alright, then let's head to the weapon's range first. I really can't wait to see it myself." He said.

They headed to the courtyard where various things have been set up for the handgun testing. From wooden targets to live animals, everything was prepared.

"Alright Val, show me what you got!" The Prince said.

Val took out the handgun from her bag and loaded it with ammo. "If I may demonstrate how the loading mechanism works." Val asked.

The prince agreed. There were also a few other notable inventors and researchers from noble families, much like the Klautz, equally curious.

Val took out the handgun, which looked signicantly different from the normal muskets. The most notable difference is the bottom, it now has a compartment to store a few bullets. While the normal muskets were long horizontally to increase the range and firing power, the handgun was short and looked like a boomerang but much sharper edges.

She then went on to explain the handgun as she did to Sam.
------------------------

The day turned to night and Val just finished explaining everything to the royal researcher and inventors.

The prince then invited the Klautz to dinner and there he offered Val to become a part of his representative party to Grelt.

"....you can showcase the handgun and make it as a special gift for the princess." The prince added.

"Are you sure? This will only draw attention to our kingdom." Sam commented.

"That's exactly the plan." The prince answered.

Sam and Val didn't comment any further.

"Good, with that said, we sail in 5 days." He exclaimed.

"I can finally get my hands on pure saltpeter and learn from the experts directly." Val thought to herself.

-----------------------------

8 days later, at the queue waiting to enter the Kingdom of Grelt's castle.

"Urghhhh, how much longer do we need to wait?" Val mumbled.

"We have just two more guests before we present ourselves to the royal highnesses." Sam said.

They awaited by their royal carriage, guarded by mounted knights and musketeers.

"The municipality of Norm just entered my lord, it shouldn't be much longer." The carriage driver said.

"Alright, let's rehearse what we're going to say to the queen and princess." The prince said while taking out a bunch of small notes from his pocket.

"So your majesty will do all the greetings and formalities, then I'll move forward and present the handg---" before Val could finish speaking, a loud boom was heard coming from the castle.

Then, the ground shook and glasses shattered around them.

"Protect his highness!" The knight captain yelled as the guards formed a circle around the carriage.

People were running and the Grelt military were rushing to the castle.

Meanwhile, the three were shaken but could still maintain their calm. Perks of getting used to loud explosions.

"We're damn sitting ducks here. We need to get out of here!" Sam suggested.

"Driver, can we turn back?" The prince asked.

"No milord, the road is filled with people run---" before he could finish his sentence, he was shot from above.

Then the carriage in front of them exploded.

"GET OFF THE CART!" Sam yelled as he pushed the prince and Val of the carriage.

Then, a few seconds later, their carriage exploded with Sam still inside.

The prince, Val and the guards were blown back due to the shockwave....and for Val, she was thrown, went through a window and landed on a table, destroying it hence rendering her unconsious.