Chapter 241 - Quite a show(2)

Giving the two Guards a simple training on how this huge Ballista is operated, the Trainer approached the ballista once more and gestured for the lady to go on the other side, specifically near the man. Raising his two gesturing fingers (On one hand.) And hovering them near an eye as a hint, pointing those fingers towards the Ballista after, it was made clear that he wants them to pay attention. This time however he didn't speak a word since he was clear that no one here but the other trainer in the crowd, understands him.

Reaching for a Crate of ammunition around 5 meters behind the Ballista standing 2 feet tall on the right, he grabbed one out of the Crate carrying 30 and proceeded to mount it on this wonderful piece of weaponry.

The Ballista itself is 4 meters long, so the Ammunition or best described Arrow it can support in order to provide a good distance accompanied by a deadly blow, is only 1.5 meters long! Considering the Ballista's length, that sounds small right? Well not neccesarily, handling a damage from a human sized arrow isn't no easy task.

The arrow's body itself is 6 inches thick with an Iron head spanning 12 inches wide! If this large Arrow is weighed, it would measure around 5 Kilograms! It is so large yet it can reach 200-300 meters far! 30 of these Ballistas sent in the battlefield would turn the tide as each one could claim at least 3 victims if shot in a bundle! The Ballistaguards can contribute their damage and flee the battlefield for all Pameres Kingdom cares, the damage they would deal 300 meters in advance would be more than enough.

Fenderik (The Trainer), placed the arrow gently on the Ballista. Even trying as much as his body could allow, to slow down his process so the two Guards watching on the other side can observe better.

The finger thick rope stretching a meter across the swing arms can't hold the arrow at the current position, so it has to be stretched now while the Arrow stands over it.

This is a two Guard job because while one pulls down the rope, the other can hold the arrow steady until it is appropriate to put it behind the string. So he tapped the Arrow first, gesturing the lady Guard to hold it steady while he uses the winch at the bottom of the Ballista.

Some of you likely have no idea what a winch is! Well to pull a Ballista's rope back it requires a unique technique. One can't hop over the Ballista and arm pull it. No no, the winch is this toothed circular mechanism which allows the Guard to pull down the pouch of the Ballista with the drawstring as an aid.

The pouch is the little spot in between the swing arms, and is pulled by the drawstring using the wrench at the bottom of the Ballista, that's how it works. The Trainer bent down and started rotating the wrench, the 6 inch handles surrounding it made it a lot easier but it still took some good strength.

Every rotation kept releasing clicks, it hurt the ear for those who have sensitive ones but most could ignore it if they wanted too. Each click could only provide half an inch of pulling though, rather slow but he is demonstrating after all. At battle, it would be pulled down quicker no doubt!

After a few rotations, he gestured for the lady Guard who was holding the arrow, to place it on the pouch. Now the Ballista can hold it worry free, it won't fall down. Since the winch mechanism is toothed, the pouch won't go up no matter what unless there is some kind of malfunction or the drawstring is cut.

She placed the arrow over the pouch and patiently awaited for a further command, her next task however is very simple and it shall be specified after. The male Guard had it very hard to catch up, its not that he is dumb it is just that he is very nervous which necessarily cut down his perception and logic by half!

The Trainer tried to bent him down to use the winch but no luck no matter how much he tried to communicate, so he grabbed the Guard's shoulder and with a bit of force he bent him down and placed his hands over the 6 inch winch arm, repeating. "Gelem!" Several times after!

The Guard finally cooperated and pulled the pouch down in around a minute! Seeing the speed, the trainer couldn't help but compliment. He raised two thumbs up along the way several times, that at least helped this Guard calm down and concentrate. This speed is perfection for a Beginner, he didn't even damage any Ballista part.

Now the pouch is pulled exactly 135 centimetres down, the Trainer even used a rope to measure it. The whole thing can't be pulled all the way down for two reasons, the swing arms aren't too wide for that and the Iron head requires some space to avoid any backfires.

Knowing for sure that the Ballista is ready, Fenderik turned his attention towards King Zar and frictioned his left palm over his right quickly, trying to tell that the Ballista is ready to shoot! King Zar just gave a simple gesture, allowing for Fenderik to shoot.

How will the arrow be shot? Well, as simple as a snap! You have no idea how literal I mean that! The Trainer pulled out an Iron Dagger from his Leather Scabbard, and kept swinging it down a foot near the drawstring of which pulled the pouch down.

The drawstring itself, is nearly as thick as the rope stretching across the swing arm. Why is it a bit smaller, well it has to be cut! They can't risk not having the capability to cut the drawstring right away.

Being able to catch up easily, she looked at King Zar at first and wanted to clarify. "My King, he wants to shoot the arrow. Shall I proceed?" They just can't randomly shoot a deadly arrow, further acknowledging has to be assured.

Knowing that this shot won't cause any damage since it is shot at an area where people don't usually walk through, a.k.a to the north east far to the Clear Lands, mostly towards the way of Bale Town. He gave the Command to proceed. "Cut the string!"

"Yes Sire!" She firmly spoke up like any true Guard and pulled out her Iron Sword, that's the only thing Ballista Guards are equipped with except for some light armour. Appropriate to escape a battle scene faster!

With one swing, she cut through the drawstring and send the 5 Kilogram Iron tipped Arrow flying towards the sky granting it utterly terrifying speed! The pouch went up so fast, that the arrow escaped quick enough for no eye to capture. It was nothing but a flash!

This fine piece of weaponry can launch arrows or bolts faster than any arrow or crossbow ever could! It has the capability to slice a limb off! This will indeed prove useful if another battle is to approach Pameres Kingdom, they don't need any Fire Controllers to do half of the Contribute anymore.

"Amazing! Simply amazing!" King Zar murmured once he noticed that that 1.5 meter long arrow is nowhere to be seen! Giving the sky a quick glance, he only saw a small dot flying swiftly across the sky! "I'd like to see King Xakro try us now!" He even felt convinced that this fine weaponry can give his own father an end! Even he as a slightly more powerful Electus has no chance of avoiding a shot travelling this fast. Any 100 meter range would give him an end!

Ordering a Guard after, "Grab an Arrow and hand it to me!" The Guard of course executed the order in a blink of an eye, what logical reason would he have to disagree?

Seer became a bit curious even though he almost figured it out, "What do you need an Arrow for?" A good option would be that the King wants to try out the Ballista himself, but no.

"I will take it at the Blacksmiths later, we can't depend on any domain to provide us with the Ammunition, we will need to be our own heroes." He does have a point here, they would need to wait 1-2 months if they order ammunition from the Zamerians, in two months they can be as good as invaded. Pameres Kingdom has more than enough Blacksmiths to fit in crafting some Arrows.

Looking at the lady in the group, he ordered. "Shoot another one!" The rest of the ammunition can be used today as much as he cares. No domain is ready to attack Pameres Kingdom, especially an Army sent by King Xakro. They likely don't even know that his Army lost the battle!