Empire Ascension: The Rise of the Fated One

Purana Qila, Training grounds, afternoon of April 24, 1557.

Pistols, a compact firearm that can be kept alongside and taken anywhere. It’s easy to aim and shoot due to its smaller size, but the only thing that it lacked was its loading speed.

It is only because of its loading complexity and one-shot limitation that most of the Indian rulers prefer swords over a gun for their safety despite being available in the market. However, history has proven how lethal it could be if it’s kept as a secondary weapon instead of the primary.

This firearm ranged from 6 to 11 inches and can make a perfect hole in a target around 20-30 meters, which even a peasant can aim and fire if given a little day’s training.

Aditya was captivated by the product in the case. His mind raced with countless scenarios where a pistol could shift the tide of battle. He envisioned cavalry charges armed with these weapons, or their use in sneak attacks to turn the tables during a disadvantage in a sword fight. The idea of mass production flashed through his mind, sparking thoughts of revolutionizing warfare.

Though he had once considered developing a revolver, the concept had slipped to the back of his mind—until now. This unexpected gift changed everything. Yet, showing immediate interest would weaken his position in negotiations, a mistake he couldn’t afford. So, masking his excitement, he feigned ignorance at first glance.

Antonio presented the firearm with an air of anticipation, holding it carefully as if it were a prized artifact. "With this in your hand, Your Highness, you can feel assured in any unwanted hostile situation. Despite its size, it delivers enough power to put a hole in anyone who dares challenge your might."

Aditya raised an eyebrow, his tone measured. "Hmm, is that so? What is its effective range, and how about its reloading speed?"

A brief frown flickered across Antonio’s face, but he quickly masked it with a practiced smile. "Your Highness, this pistol is designed for close combat and features a preloaded mechanism. You can prepare it hours in advance and fire when the situation demands. As for range, it boasts an impressive reach of 25 meters. However, if range is a concern, we can modify the barrel size, extending it up to 10 inches to achieve a range of 35 meters."

Aditya’s expression remained neutral, his voice tinged with disinterest. "You didn’t mention the reloading speed."