CHAPTER 393: CHAPTER 322 ASSASSINATION! THE WORLD’S FIRST MATCHLOCK GUN_3

Byron immediately nodded with a smile and agreed, also setting aside the worries in his heart for the moment.

Worrying about the revival of the Old Gods every day is like worrying the sky might fall; it’s all groundless fears. The only thing he could do now was to improve his own strength and that of his companions, ready to face all changes with his fists. With his Blood of Transformation, Violet had already accumulated two-thirds of the 666 prerequisites required for her promotion; becoming a Witch was just a matter of time. He was already looking forward to the girl’s three Demon Monster forms.

The Swarm didn’t understand what they were talking about but was also pleased to see Byron proceed on the nonhuman path with even greater fervor.

He laid a hand on Byron’s shoulder, saying, "Byron, although you have followed me for the shortest time, among my disciples, you are actually the one I value most. I have always regarded you as my trusted disciple and successor. Child, I believe that with your talent and the unique resources at your disposal, one day, master and disciple will achieve immortality together..."

Before he could finish, SQUEAK—! A sharp screeching sound suddenly came from within the Swarm’s chest.

All Black Witches from the "Book of Giant Insects Sect" knew that this was the essential "Black Sorcery·Agile Heart" for going on adventures:

"Cultivating a quite special parasite that lives in one’s own heart. It possesses senses and intuition far beyond that of humans, especially in the face of life-threatening danger, it can provide early warning for its host, even more acute than an Adventurer’s wild intuition."

Byron instinctively looked over when he heard the sound and slightly tilted his head.

A bullet radiating intense Supernatural Aura had come flying from a small hill west of the port city, a great distance from the docks, arriving in an instant.

Carrying a wild airflow, it grazed his ear, shearing off a strand of hair by his temple, and incidentally burst open the Swarm’s head beside him!

CRACK!

The head, still wearing an encouraging smile, like a watermelon smashed by a heavy hammer, splattered brains, Bone Crusher, and scalp everywhere.

If Byron had not turned his head just then, that mighty bullet would have struck his own head!

Not good, an assassin! At least a Third Order elite sniper!

Byron immediately realized that the bullet was meant for him. It was just that the Swarm, his "teacher" who seemed to value him greatly in the eyes of others, was hit as collateral damage for being too close, bearing the brunt in his stead.

Byron’s first reaction was to whip up a strong wind, pushing Violet forcefully towards The Golden Deer docked at the shore.

At the same time, the bullet that had just blown up the Swarm’s head, carrying a bright orange-red flame trail, made a sharp turn and came hurtling back towards him.

With the world’s fastest hand speed and a well-honed Sword Drawing Technique, Byron drew his sword like lightning.

CLANG!

Accompanied by a metallic explosion like a cannon firing against an armored war chariot, a silver bullet wrapped in red flames was skillfully deflected by the slanted, rime-frosted blade.

Even with the support of the Flow State realm, using his full strength to deflect the massive kinetic energy of the bullet, Byron couldn’t stop himself from retreating several steps with a THUD THUD THUD. It seemed this was not a simple bullet but a close-range shot from a small-caliber cannon.

Immediately feeling a mix of shock and anger, he looked in the direction from which the bullet had been fired, a murderous glint in his eyes. This assassin is not only a sniper of at least Third Order Musketeer rank, but the firearm in his hands is definitely no ordinary piece. Who exactly wants me dead, to use such a high-level assassin straightaway? Which of my enemies have I failed to eradicate completely? This is far too dangerous! Just wait, I’m going to kill your whole family!

The next moment, he had his answer. Information about that very bullet automatically appeared in his [Nautical Logbook]—the world’s first musket lead bullet ever fired!

So it’s him! Byron’s expression turned stern. He guessed the identity of the assassin and the mastermind behind the scenes just from a name. Because that very famous Sacred Relic·The World’s First Musket had once belonged to the Strait Fleet of the Kingdom of Hightins.

Even though the assassin’s hiding position far surpassed the sixty-meter observational limit of the logbook, Byron was already as familiar with the artifact’s capabilities as if they were his own family heirlooms.

The earliest matchlock gun—the Serpentine Matchlock Gun. Before the invention of the Flintlock Gun, it used a slowly burning match rope for ignition, hence the name matchlock gun. Typically, a linen string or cloth strip is immersed in a strong liquor or vinegar solution containing saltpeter for twenty-four hours, then removed and dried to act as the slow-burning match rope. The earliest matchlock guns were also very simple in construction, consisting of the barrel, stock, serpentine firing mechanism, match rope, and bullet.

However, its capabilities are not so simple.

One: The First Bullet. The first time it is fired each day, its flight speed is forcibly increased to three times the speed of sound, and it will inevitably trigger a headshot effect. Like many weapons that must draw blood when unsheathed, it is ferocious and will not rest until it blows up a head. Only after being bloodied can it be recalled.

Two: The First Matchlock Gun. It can only fire one bullet at a time, but the fired bullet can dodge in the air at will according to the shooter’s intent. Not until it has attacked at least ten times, or struck ten different targets, will its power gradually decrease, eventually exhausting its kinetic energy. Even though it lacks the automatic aiming of the Sure-Hit Spear and requires the shooter to aim, it is still an extremely difficult weapon to contend with. Embodying the power of weaponry evolution throughout history, it is far more formidable than an ordinary Third Order Middle Sequence Transcendent.

And now, as the York Party had inherited all the legacies of the Kingdom of Hightins, it was no longer a question who would come after him with such a deadly weapon.

It must be you, The Kingmaker Warwick! This old man is truly insidious. Just two days ago he was praising me to my face for my discernment, yet the moment he turned around, he stabbed me in the back. According to the timeline, he must have sent out the assassin just over a month after I took over as Governor. Apart from killing one of your Tax Officers and using you as a human shield once, becoming a reluctant hero for the Royalist Party, where else have I offended you?

CLANG!

Quick of eye and deft of hand, he deflected the incoming bullet once more.

Fortunately, Byron was well aware of the Mandate of Heaven and weaknesses of each of the Sacred Relics officially declared by Hightins. Although this knowledge was originally only available to the heir to the throne, his cousin Edward had been completely transparent with him. As the mastermind behind countless mishaps and a wily advisor, Byron knew more secrets than that straightforward man.

Such as the historical Mandate of Heaven of The World’s First Musket:

Starting from the Serpentine Matchlock Gun, individual firearms completely changed the style of warfare over thousands of years, leading to the firearms revolution. The user, in this life, can no longer use swords or any other melee cold weapons; otherwise, they too will surely die by the sword. No matter who uses this firearm, their close combat ability will be a significant weakness. This was his chance to kill!

Byron decisively shouted, "This assassin was sent by The Kingmaker Warwick! He clearly cannot stand the possibility of His Majesty’s immortality. He intends to kill us directly to delay or even interrupt the emergence of the Blood of Immortality! The time to show our utmost loyalty to His Majesty has come! Teacher, please aid me! I will deal with this most dangerous bullet."

While shouting, Byron stepped back, placing himself in front of his respected teacher to shield him.

"Warwick? Right, it must be him!"

The Swarm, who had just taken a bullet for him, had already recovered. Upon hearing this, he immediately felt that this speculation was completely logical. He wasn’t a fool like Byron, the "foolishly loyal King." Being loyal to Edward IV was none of his business, but anyone who hindered his pursuit of immortality deserved to die.

SQUEAK—!

Instantly, he exploded into a dark cloud of countless black locusts, swarming towards the direction where the shooter was hiding.