Arthur met Klein’s gaze but remained unreadable. "I’m not entirely sure myself," he said evenly. "But enough with the questions."
Klein hesitated, clearly wanting to press further, but Arthur had already moved on.
"Now," Arthur continued, "you’ve seen what happens when black powder is confined—it builds pressure until it violently bursts. That’s why the barrel exploded with such force." He gestured toward the scorched ground. "Fireworks work on a similar principle, but instead of destruction, we use that power to create something breathtaking in the sky."
Klein gave a confused look. The idea of an explosion being used for anything other than war or devastation was completely foreign to them.
Arthur smirked. "I know it’s hard to imagine. But listen carefully, and I’ll explain."
He crouched down, grabbing a small piece of debris and using it to sketch a rough diagram in the dirt. "A firework is essentially a controlled explosion, but unlike the blast from the barrel earlier, it’s designed to be both safe and spectacular."
He drew a simple cylinder and a round shape above it. "A firework has two main stages: the launch and the burst. First, we take a tube—a cylindrical container—and fill the bottom with black powder. On top of that, we place a ball like shell."
Arthur tapped the round shape in his drawing. "This shell is the key. It’s a hollow sphere packed with black powder and stars. The star in this case is a small pellet that creates the colors and effects when they ignite."
Klein gave a confused look, "Color?"
"I’ll explain that part in a moment."
He then pointed to a thin line trailing from the cylinder. "This is the fuse. When we light it, the flame slowly travels down into the launch tube, igniting the black powder inside. The explosion doesn’t destroy the container—instead, it forces the shell upward, launching it high into the sky."
Klein listened intently, his expressions shifting from confusion to cautious intrigue.
Klein crossed his arms. "So the first explosion isn’t meant to destroy anything… just to send the shell up?"
Arthur nodded. "Exactly. But that’s only half of it. Once the shell reaches its peak, something even more impressive happens."
He looked up at the sky. "That’s when the second stage—the burst—begins."
Then, using the dirt at his feet, he began to explain the real magic of fireworks.
Arthur drew another diagram in the dirt, this time focusing on the shell itself.
"Inside the shell, there’s another pocket of black powder, separate from the lift charge. When the shell is launched, there’s a second, smaller fuse inside it—one that’s timed to ignite after a delay."
He looked up at his audience, making sure they were following. "That delay is what allows the shell to reach its highest point before it explodes. Otherwise, if it ignited too soon, the firework would go off too low, and if the timing was too long, it might fizzle out before reaching the right height."
Klein raised a brow. "How do you control that delay?"
Arthur grinned. "By using a slow-burning fuse. A good way to make one is by soaking cotton threads in a slurry of black powder and then drying them. The thickness of the cotton and the ratio of black powder determine how fast or slow it burns. By carefully measuring this, we can control when the explosion happens."
He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle before continuing. "Now, when the shell bursts, it is more than just an explosion—it’s a spectacle. Inside the shell are tiny pellets, which I call ’stars.’ These stars are crafted from various chemical compounds—copper, strontium, and others—each carefully mixed with black powder. When ignited, they don’t just burn; they come alive, painting the sky with brilliant colors."
Klein, his brow furrowed in confusion, asked, "How does it create color, Your Majesty?"
Arthur smiled and explained, "Some minerals burn with distinct colors. For example, copper-based compounds burn blue, strontium gives red, and barium produces green. By mixing different elements, you can create even more colors."
Klein frowned slightly. He had no idea what ’copper-based compounds’ or ’strontium’ were, but he chose not to ask—partly because he didn’t want to feel ignorant and partly because Arthur spoke with such certainty that questioning him felt pointless.
More than anything, Klein struggled to imagine how any of this could be beautiful. The only thing he had seen so far from black powder was chaos—deafening noise, flying dirt, and thick clouds of acrid smoke. Nothing about it resembled the ’spectacle’ Arthur described.
Exhaling, he shook his head in disbelief. "So you’re telling me… you can control all of this? The timing, the colors, the explosion itself—everything?"
Arthur’s smirk widened. "That’s right. With precise measurements and proper materials, we can create something no one in this world has ever seen before—a spectacle of light and color, painting the night sky."
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Klein crossed his arms. "So this firework show… is it just for entertainment, or is there some deeper purpose?"
Arthur chuckled. "Entertainment is certainly one aspect. Imagine a festival where nobles and commoners alike gather in an open field, watching as the sky bursts into dazzling colors. It would be an event that unites the people—something both the rich and the poor can experience together. A true celebration that doesn’t discriminate by status."
Although Klein couldn’t quite picture what the sky would look like, but he still nodded, recognizing the significance of it. But Arthur wasn’t finished.
"But beyond firework shows, fireworks can serve many purposes. They can be used as signals in battle—bright explosions in the sky could alert distant allies, communicate strategies, or even intimidate enemies. A well-timed display could replace the need for messengers on the battlefield."
Arthur’s eyes gleamed with excitement as he continued. "Not only that, but imagine using fireworks for ceremonies, royal proclamations, or even to mark important victories. A kingdom that controls the sky with beautiful fire and light—it sends a powerful message."
Klein remained silent for a moment, processing everything before finally shaking his head with a chuckle. "You’re really turning something as simple as black powder into more than just a weapon."
Arthur’s grin widened. "That’s exactly the point."
Then, his tone shifted to one of command. "Now that I’ve explained what fireworks are, I need you to find an open field near the capital—not too far, so that even those without carriages can walk there easily. This isn’t just an event for the nobles like the banquet, so commoners will be attending as well. That means we need to be prepared."
Klein raised an eyebrow. "Prepared for what exactly?"
Arthur folded his arms. "For potential trouble. This will be the first event of its kind, and having nobles and commoners in the same space could lead to conflicts. We’ll need guards stationed to manage the crowd and ensure everything goes smoothly. I want this event to be more than just a spectacle—I want it to be a symbol. A moment where the people, regardless of status, can stand together and witness something incredible."
He glanced at Klein, his expression serious. "This firework display isn’t just about showing off. It’s about giving the people something to look forward to—something that unites them, even if just for a night."
Klein nodded, determination settling in his eyes. "Understood. I’ll find the perfect location and arrange the necessary security." Without another word, he turned and left, already focused on carrying out Arthur’s orders.
Once Klein was gone, Arthur wasted no time. He made his way back to the palace, heading straight for the workshop where black powder was produced. There, he gathered the craftsmen working under him and began giving precise instructions.
"We need to prepare two types of fuses," Arthur began. "The first is called a black match. Take a cotton string, soak it in a black powder solution, and let it dry. This will burn at a steady, controlled rate."
He let the information settle before continuing. "The second type is a quick match. It’s made the same way, but after soaking and drying the cotton string, you’ll encase it in paper or craft paper. This will significantly increase the burn rate, allowing for near-instant ignition."
The workers exchanged hesitant glances, unfamiliar with such intricate techniques, but Arthur’s unwavering confidence silenced any doubts. They nodded and got to work, carefully following his instructions under his watchful eye.
After ensuring the process was running smoothly, Arthur left the workshop and made his way to the linotype printing facility. Upon arriving, he immediately checked on the progress of the documents he had ordered for printing, scanning the neatly stacked pages with a critical eye.
Satisfied with their progress, he turned his attention to the machine itself. Every gear, lever, and mechanism had to be in perfect working condition. The upcoming banquet would be attended by nobles and influential figures, and he planned to introduce the linotype printing press and how this piece of machine will revolutionize and could reshape the way knowledge and information spread throughout the kingdom.
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Not part of the story.
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