"Scorpio Ballista, Scorpio Ballista..."
And so, Barnett opened the Army Interface. The Army Interface was further divided into two categories: ranged weapons and melee weapons.
Ranged weapons.
Ranged weapons included bows, crossbows, javelins, large-scale mechanical devices, and a special category, totaling five types.
Special aerial weapons: throwing axes, slingstones, slingshots... "Some really outdated stuff, but why isn't there a musket?" Barnett muttered.
"That firearm won't appear until you trigger a special event quest," the System Sprite explained.
"But gunpowder is just made from saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal—I even know how to make it myself," Barnett grumbled.
"That recipe isn't part of this system, so it can't be integrated. The system won't generate a gunpowder workshop for you, nor will it produce gunpowder for you. Of course, if you have your own gunpowder recipe, you can hand it over to others to produce it—but if you let someone else manufacture it, can you really trust them?" asked the System Sprite.
"…Honestly, no, I can't."
If he handed over the gunpowder formula to someone else for research and manufacturing, and the formula got leaked, leading to enemies gaining access to it, they might even beat Barnett to developing firearms and cannons. After all, his current power was too weak—no talent, no money. Large nations, with their superior resources and manpower, could easily outpace him in developing firearms once they had the recipe. If that happened, Barnett might truly be finished. So, he reluctantly gave up—for now. He'd revisit gunpowder production once he became a sovereign ruler of a powerful nation.
Scorpio Ballista—since the name included "bow" and "crossbow," it should fall under the mechanical category.
Hmm… here's a lever-style trebuchet—an excellent siege weapon! This one can be built!
Ballista—also buildable!
Siege ram… Level-4 mechanical.
Bed crossbow… Level-3 mechanical.
Found it—Scorpio Ballista, also a Level-4 technology.
The only issue was—it required slightly higher prerequisites.
"But how exactly do I research this kind of tech?" Barnett asked.
"Establish a research institute, and then you can start researching," the System Sprite replied directly.
"Research institute?"
So Barnett immediately began searching through the system's building list… and eventually found a research institute tucked away in an inconspicuous corner.
Research Institute: It is said that during the dark Middle Ages, theology reigned supreme. Therefore, research into science and technology was forbidden, and those who attempted it were labeled heretics.
"If you're really going to build a research institute, choose a hidden spot to build it and make sure no one finds out. Otherwise… God will judge you."
…
Barnett rolled his eyes. Then, with a weary sigh, he muttered, "I'm building it."
"Where are you building it?" asked the System Sprite.
"In the basement—right underneath my lord's residence. I'll dig a pit and seal it with a large stone," Barnett thought for a moment and replied.
"Well, aren't you clever with site selection. But, it'll cost more," the System Sprite teased.
"I've got enough gold coins now, and I'm willing to pay whatever it takes. Start construction immediately."
"Total cost: 1,500 gold coins. Deducting now."
Barnett's heart ached—it was painfully expensive. But as a professor from the future, Barnett understood that science and technology are the primary forces of production. No matter how costly it was, it had to be done. The research institute must be built now, and research must begin immediately.
…
With those 1,500 gold coins deducted, Barnett was now flat broke.
After that, he opened the Technology Interface and saw the Scorpio Ballista option marked with the semi-transparent words: "Available for Research." The prerequisite, however, was the payment of 100 gold coins. Barnett couldn't help but want to shout: "What a scam! Everything costs gold!"
"I can still exchange my remaining life span for gold coins, right?" With no better option, Barnett could only use this self-damaging method to convert his lifespan into currency.
"Just a heads-up: researching tech is extremely expensive. After all, science and technology are the primary forces of production."
Hearing the System Sprite say that, Barnett had no more arguments. He curled his lips and waited quietly for the System Sprite's detailed price list.
"To research basic technology: 1,000 gold coins. Intermediate technology: 10,000 gold coins. Advanced technology: 100,000 gold coins. Super technology: 1,000,000 gold coins."
"That's outrageous! Is there any kind of discount?"
"Sorry, there are no discounts or deals of any kind on technology research. Please consider carefully before making a purchase."
"Scorpio Ballista counts as intermediate technology, right? So it costs 10,000 gold coins? That means I'd have to trade nearly three hours of my life just to afford it?"
Barnett winced at the thought of sacrificing his life span, but having lived in the 21st century, he understood all too well: science and technology are the ultimate rulers of everything. In this era, in this world, if he could grasp technological capabilities in advance, he would hold an unshakable position in the future. Worst case scenario, once he earned enough gold later, he could buy back the lifespan he spent. To reap rewards, one must first make sacrifices—a timeless truth.
So Barnett clenched his teeth and declared, "I'll trade my lifespan for 100 gold coins to research the intermediate technology—Scorpio Ballista."
"But the research institute isn't built yet. You can't research the Scorpio Ballista for now. Please wait for the institute's construction to finish."
"All right, I'll wait."
Just as the conversation between Barnett and the System Sprite ended, Barnett approached the military camp. Right at that moment, he noticed several Viking warriors walking out from the camp, one of whom was holding a rope. At the other end of the rope was a woman—her looks were fairly decent.
Of course, just fairly decent—not anything spectacular.
"Hey, what are you guys doing?" Barnett jumped down from his horse, strode over, and patted the Viking warriors on the shoulder, looking all friendly and approachable as he asked.
"Reporting, Chief! This woman claims to be the daughter of the chieftain from a wiped-out tribe. Says she has a secret to tell you—seems pretty convincing—so we were planning to take her to see you," one of the warriors responded respectfully upon recognizing their leader.
Barnett nodded and said to them, "Alright, head back into the camp. We've won the war, and I plan to stay here with you for a few days. I'll deal with this woman later."
Barnett, of course, had other business in the military camp. So he didn't bother with the woman for now.
Speaking so nobly, Barnett didn't even blink—completely ignoring the fact that he came to the camp only because he had nowhere else to stay.
Ding-dong.
Just then, a system notification sounded in Barnett's ear.
"You have gained a new attribute: Silver Tongue.
Silver Tongue: +5% Popular Support. Can be stacked with Morale Boost and Charisma stats. Also increases Shameless attribute by +1."
"What's this 'Shameless attribute' you mentioned?" Barnett asked the System Sprite while casually chatting with the Viking warriors.
"Well, think about what you just said to those warriors—and why you really came to the camp," the System Sprite replied, clearly unimpressed.
"Hey System Sprite, can you grant me one request?"
"What request?"
"Show me your true form—so I can punch you in the face."
"Tch, for all you know, my true form could be something mighty and majestic, like a dragon."
"Even so—I'd still punch you."
And so, Barnett decided to stay in the military camp. The so-called Viking camp wasn't much—just a cluster of traditional longhouses. Eating and sleeping all happened inside, like a giant dormitory. Four longhouses formed a small square courtyard, where the soldiers gathered and trained. There were archery targets, giant stone locks for strength training, and racks holding axes. Sometimes, under their captain's guidance, the troops would engage in sparring or formation drills to maintain or improve combat effectiveness. Over time, their combat experience stats would naturally rise.
Each camp had five or six longhouses like this, and there were similar military camps in all four directions—north, south, east, and west—around the town. The town of Byard had nearly 2,000 soldiers in total, distributed around the perimeter, guarding the settlement.
When Barnett walked into the southern camp, the Viking warriors inside were mid-sparring. Each team of warriors had been split in two, led by elected captains. They held wooden practice axes and small training shields, shouting fiercely as they clashed. Nearby, a squad of crossbow-wielding militia were lined up at the range, taking turns for target practice. Occasionally, the loud roars from the sparring Vikings distracted the crossbowmen, who turned their heads to watch the howling melee spectacle.
Noticing their chief approaching, some sharp-eyed Vikings immediately recognized him. One tried to greet Barnett—but forgot he was still "on the battlefield"—and got taken down by a wooden axe from his training opponent. The poor guy had no choice but to dust himself off and, according to protocol, be considered "killed." He jogged off to the edge of the training field to cheer on his comrades, grumbling all the way.
Seeing all this, Barnett called out, "Don't mind me—carry on with your training! I'll drink with you all tonight!"
Barnett's Intermediate Charisma ability, combined with his Silver Tongue, got the Viking warriors fired up. They let out even louder howls of "Awoo! Awoo!" and threw themselves into training with renewed intensity.
A while later, under the arrangement of a Viking captain, Barnett and his royal guard knights settled their lodging. The knights were spread out across several longhouses on unused bunks. While the Vikings maintained a bit of discipline in battle, they were much more casual outside of it. Military discipline, especially in small tribes, wasn't exactly a priority. It's just sleeping—anywhere's fine. Just grab an empty bed. Not enough beds? Then whoever's slowest can go bunk with the horses in the stable.
As dinner time approached and the day's training ended, the Viking warriors roared with laughter as they gathered inside the longhouses, guzzling mugs of malt beer, gnawing on roasted meats brought by local hunters, tearing into bread and smoked sausages, singing, dancing, showing off strength, even brawling… Every longhouse turned into a chaotic celebration.
Barnett's personal guard—his knights—were, after all, also Vikings. So they quickly blended into the atmosphere, celebrating alongside their fellow countrymen.
As for Barnett, the outsider, he too adapted at an astonishing pace. It was as if he were a true Viking himself, moving freely from one longhouse to another, drinking and chatting with every Viking warrior, lightening the mood wherever he went. His quick wit and eloquent banter flowed endlessly, drawing hearty laughter from the warriors and winning their admiration.
When the warriors had finally had their fill of merrymaking and were preparing to turn in for the night, a few Viking warriors pulled Barnett aside in a mysterious, almost conspiratorial manner. They led him to the door of a secluded storage room. Once they opened the door and gently pushed him inside, they promptly shut it behind him and walked off laughing heartily.
Barnett, feeling somewhat baffled by the whole thing, took a moment to steady his gaze—only to see the very same young girl from earlier that day, the one the Viking warriors had tied up and tried to take to his residence…