I was an apprentice in Ferren

Chapter 117 On the Move

I spent 10 gold to hire a carriage with a levitation spell for two days, and paid another 10 gold to hire a volunteer half-elf apprentice ranger named Karyl as my guide. Inside the carriage, DuPont had turned off the safety on his musket and was practicing loading and reloading.

How outrageous is this damage range of 1 to 12?

匕首的攻击伤害是1~4，棍棒为1~6，战锤则1~8，只有巨斧、巨剑和双手锤这些重型双手武器才能有1~12左右的预期伤害。

Based on DuPont's experience, with his current stats, it's practically impossible for him to master heavy weapons. He's more comfortable using simple weapons like staves, spears, and longswords, which are also quite powerful. This Thunder Gun fires two bullets at once, doubling the damage. With these stats, it can seriously injure a bear with just one shot, let alone a goblin, and with a bit of luck, it might even kill it.

It's no wonder it's a gunpowder weapon; it can even penetrate armor. With such excellent attributes, it doesn't matter if it's a bit loud.

Of course, it's not without its drawbacks. The 5% chance of a barrel explosion seems a bit ridiculous. However, according to the instructions, as long as you maintain it properly, there shouldn't be any problems. Just be careful not to use it when the barrel gets hot, and the chance of a barrel explosion should be much lower.

In comparison, the revolver seemed rather useless, offering nothing except for its rate of fire.

However, this thing has been enhanced with special rune crafting, so it's probably an unconventional weapon made by the dwarves to target enemies like goblins who also nest underground. It's still powerful enough to kill goblins.

Normally, dwarves rarely have mages. Runecrafting is another way for dwarven artisans to use arcane magic, or rather, primal natural energy. Once runes are forged, they will have buffs or magical effects, just like enchanting, but the variety is much smaller than that of enchanting.

Of course, the most crucial point is that this thing is a ranged weapon with considerable power, and it doesn't consume spell slots or require close combat. If the enemy is unprepared, it will definitely be effective for ambushing them.

DuPont's current combat attributes are higher than his mage level, but being able to deal with enemies from a distance is naturally much safer than melee combat. With this, he can also use a musket for ranged support after using up all his spell slots, avoiding the situation of a barbarian going up with a stick to swing at people.

While the effect wouldn't be bad, it wouldn't look very good, especially since I brought a girl with me on this trip. It's better to keep this melee ability as a trump card.

Of course, he could use magic to attack from a distance if he didn't use a musket, but magic is ultimately unreliable. Not only is his magic level too low and his damage low, but spells like Fire Arrow and Cold Ray require hand gestures and aiming. If there are enemies nearby, standing still to cast spells is no different from suicide. Unlike conventional ranged weapons, which allow for both attacking and running, making them more mobile.

More importantly, as a man from Earth, he found it hard to resist such a cool and powerful weapon. Just holding it in his hand made him feel excited, much more so than a wooden crossbow.

The paladin was somewhat bewildered as he watched DuPont observing, playing with, and loading bullets.

Although this thing is indeed quite powerful, gunpowder was invented not long ago, and it was neither safe nor reliable. There were even cases of people blowing off their own fingers due to bad luck.

More importantly, since these things are made by dwarves, they are expensive. A regular musket costs 100 gold, and adding another 100 would buy a +1 unenchanted magic weapon. Basically, only dwarves, the inventors with their sturdy physiques, would use them.

Aside from those drawbacks, this thing can't be used quietly either. It's fair to say that in adventurous environments, firearms are completely inferior to conventional bows and crossbows. DuPont, being a mage, is certainly not a fool. Why would he like this new weapon with so many flaws?

Doesn't he know that older weapons that have stood the test of time are more reliable?
However, seeing DuPont's interested expression, the paladin naturally did not disturb him. He simply reminded him at the beginning where the safety was and to be careful not to point the gun at people, and then watched silently.

Once the carriage slowed down and the driver announced that they had arrived, DuPont put down his musket, unloading the bullets as well. Looking somewhat embarrassed at the previously silent paladin, he said, "It was quite fun. I used it, huh?" "Sure, but remember to wipe off the gun ash after firing. But for you mages who know magic, that shouldn't be a problem," Deva said, taking out four boxes of bullets. "I've only tested it. I didn't prepare many bullets; I'll write a letter and have Yarakh mail some."

"Why do we have to ship it from so far away? I saw someone using it in Whitestone City before."

“It’s a different model. Mine was issued to us graduating paladins by the church. The ones ordinary guards use don’t have any enchantments.” The paladin pointed to the Thunderfire Gun: “These are usually used by guards in the city because they’re so loud that some thieves will know the guards are coming and run away.”

Deva said somewhat angrily, "I once recommended that the captain of White Rock City use heavy crossbows, as they would be easier to hit targets and their power would be just as good, making it easier to catch people. But they completely ignored my advice. At the time, I didn't quite understand, but now it seems they don't want to catch those thieves either. I've already made the guards in Beer Town use light crossbows. If those gangsters dare to cause trouble at night, I'll definitely teach them a lesson!"

Seeing Deva's enthusiastic expression, DuPont couldn't help but tease her: "Although light crossbows are indeed quiet, unless it's a fatal shot, the enemy will still make a sound and run away when hit, right?"

"Huh???" Deva was shocked after hearing this, and after thinking for a long time, she couldn't find a rebuttal: "What you said seems to make some sense."

It has to be said that DuPont felt much more relaxed when he was with Deva, and he could hardly suppress the smile on his face: "This is still good. Normally, gangsters have informants or acquaintances in the security team. As soon as you make a move, they will probably get wind of it. It would be difficult to catch them without purging the mole."

"So I need to catch the traitor hidden within the organization first?"

"Whether or not to arrest you is up to you, but this matter shouldn't be rushed. After all, you've only been here a short time and are still in the process of establishing your authority. I'll figure out a way to help you when we get back."

Upon hearing this, the paladin asked anxiously, "What method?"

"I'll keep you in suspense for now. We've arrived, so let's take care of things at hand first."

Opening the car door, a lush green mountain range came into view. Looking around, the wheat fields were no longer visible, and there was only a small path leading into the mountains.

The guide, a half-elf ranger, gave a simple bow and looked at the two: "The carriage can't go any further. This road is basically a mountain path worn out by villagers and hunters who go into the mountains to collect delicacies or hunt. It's not difficult, but it's not easy either. If you don't have enough stamina, you may not be able to finish the remaining dozen or so miles of mountain road before dark, and even if you do arrive, you may not have the strength to fight."

These words were clearly meant for himself, but DuPont simply patted the storage pouch at his waist: "Don't worry, we don't have any logistical problems. Just lead the way."

The wanderer had no objection, as the money was practically free for him since he didn't need to fight. DuPont looked at the driver with a cold gaze: "We don't know when we'll descend the mountain, but the guide will come back to keep you company after he's finished leading the way. Please abide by our contract and don't wander off before nightfall tomorrow, or you'll be in more trouble than you think."

The driver nodded repeatedly, his face full of flattery: "Don't worry, sir, how could I not keep my promise when the money is so easy to earn? But I will retreat about a mile back for safety, otherwise it would be troublesome if we were ambushed by those goblins if we were too close to here. Just remember to let us know when you come back."

What the other party said made perfect sense, so DuPont naturally didn't say anything more. Just as he was about to set off, Deva asked curiously, "By the way, you rangers also know the Divine Berry Technique, right? Can you conjure one for me to try?"

(End of this chapter)