I Became a Tycoon During World War I: Saving France from the Start Chapter 497 497: He Definitely Knows

After leaving the airport, Albert I praised Boyata and Browning extensively—especially Browning.

He shook Browning's hand warmly, exclaiming, "Thank you very much, Mr. Browning! Without your new design, we might not have secured the rights to produce these crucial weapons. Belgium owes you a trendous debt. If there's anything you need, please tell —"

"It's my duty, Your Majesty," Browning replied modestly. Indeed, as an Arican, Browning didn't harbor any special patriotic feelings toward Belgium. His motivations were more about FN's success and his personal interests.

Albert I understood this clearly and subtly glanced toward Boyata, hinting that he should pay special attention to keeping this genius satisfied and loyal to FN. Boyata imdiately nodded, fully comprehending his task. Ever since Browning had designed FN's first pistol—the M1900—Boyata's primary job had been ensuring Browning stayed committed exclusively to FN.

Before parting, Albert I turned again to Browning. "Mr. Browning, we must anticipate future developnts. Charles may introduce even more astonishing inventions in the future, and we'll likely face similar negotiations again."

Browning nodded thoughtfully. "I understand, Your Majesty. I'll try to develop new firearms ahead of ti."

Albert emphasized clearly, "And they must be weapons that can genuinely capture Charles's interest."

Browning sighed softly, realizing how difficult this might be. "Indeed. That's not going to be easy."

Albert I returned to his car satisfied, but after traveling a short distance, he suddenly remarked to Colonel Eden, "We're lucky to have Browning on our side."

"Indeed, Your Majesty," Eden agreed. "But I find it sowhat surprising. Charles isn't just a military genius; he appears equally talented in weapon design, capable of matching FN's chief designer, Browning, and even surpassing him."

Albert stared at Eden incredulously. After a long pause, he said slowly, "Good heavens! You're surprised that Charles could match Browning?"

Colonel Eden looked confused. "Did I say sothing wrong?"

Albert waved his hand impatiently. "Shouldn't we rather be surprised that Browning could match Charles?"

Eden remained perplexed, uncertain about the subtlety of Albert's point. After a mont, he simply nodded, understanding he'd missed sothing important. "You're right, Your Majesty. Forgive , that was my mistake."

Indeed, Eden realized now that Charles was the legendary inventor of tanks, fighter planes, bombers, and countless revolutionary weapons—alongside his successful redesign of the Saint-Étienne machine gun. Rumor even hinted at other secret weapons currently in developnt. How had Eden mistakenly assud Charles to be inferior to Browning in weaponry design?

Quickly, Eden rectified his earlier remark, "Certainly, Your Majesty. Charles's talent in weapons design surpasses all others, even Browning."

Satisfied, Albert leaned back, observing quietly, "Rember Charles's expression when he first saw Browning's sketches. Clearly, he wasn't very impressed. He accepted reluctantly, out of friendship more than anything else. Charles sees us as friends, which makes it difficult for him to refuse."

Colonel Eden nodded vigorously. "Of course, Your Majesty. Charles is indeed a reliable friend—one worth our trust and our respect."

Albert smiled faintly but said nothing more. Eden's statent seed obvious. Charles was more than rely Belgium's friend—he was practically its savior!

anwhile, on another road heading toward the FN plant in Ghent, Boyata and Browning were discussing recent events.

"Your rifle design saved us today," Boyata praised enthusiastically. "Tell , how did you conceive it?"

"It was inspired by Charles's Saint-Étienne 2 machine gun," Browning admitted. "Initially, I wondered, if heavy Maxim guns could be modified into lighter machine guns for better mobility, couldn't those sa guns be further simplified until individual soldiers could handle them alone?"

Boyata nodded approvingly. "And thus was born the idea of the BAR. It was brilliant and crucial in convincing Charles."

But Browning seed troubled, not sharing Boyata's enthusiasm. Noticing this hesitation, Boyata asked cautiously, "Is sothing bothering you?"

Browning hesitated briefly before answering, "This rifle was one of my proudest creations, Jonathan." Jonathan was Boyata's informal nickna; in return, Boyata often called him John.

"I placed imnse hope in it—dreaming it might eventually replace all standard infantry rifles. Yet Charles hardly seed impressed. The way he studied the sketches, the tone in his voice, his subtle expression… it felt almost like pity."

Boyata gently acknowledged, "I understand your feelings, John. But it's already remarkable that your design could even draw Charles's interest. You should feel proud—"

"No, you don't understand," Browning interrupted sharply. "There was sothing else in his eyes. Sothing deeper."

Boyata sighed inwardly, realizing this might be Browning's first experience feeling overshadowed or dismissed by another inventor—especially one much younger than himself. Naturally, it would feel uncomfortable.

Browning spoke again, almost whispering to himself, "It's incredible. Charles imdiately identified all the flaws in the BAR design—every single shortcoming. He even noticed that the barrel couldn't be easily changed because there's no handle. Such astonishing insight!"

He paused, eyes wide with sudden realization. "No, no—it wasn't rely insight. It was recognition!"

Browning suddenly sat up straight, exclaiming urgently, "He knows, Jonathan—he definitely knows!"

Alard, Boyata asked nervously, "Knows what, John?"

Browning stared intensely, clearly agitated. "Charles knows this type of rifle intimately. He must have thought about designing sothing similar himself—"

Boyata relaxed slightly, relieved Browning hadn't completely lost his composure. "Are you certain?"

"Yes, I'm certain!" Browning insisted. "There's no other explanation. He took just one look at the sketches and imdiately pinpointed all the rifle's flaws—not because he's simply clever, but because he'd already considered making sothing similar. Perhaps…" Browning's voice trailed off in shock, a new possibility dawning on him, "perhaps he even knows how to solve all these issues. That's why he appeared so indifferent and reluctant—he already saw beyond my design."

Browning recalled Charles's expression vividly, increasingly convinced. In sudden excitent, he shouted to the driver up front, "Turn the car around, Stein! We're heading back to the airport imdiately!"

(End of Chapter 497)

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