Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Outside Steel Castle, near the military camp in Chuge Village, a massive convoy was preparing to depart.

Dawn had long broken, yet the sky remained shrouded in a dull gray. At quarter past eight, the night watchman of the church struck the morning bell on time.

Upon hearing the bell, everyone halted their tasks, bowing their heads silently in prayer.

Moments later, the bell ceased, and the statue-like figures resumed their activities: greasing axle shafts, feeding draft horses, inspecting goods and luggage.

Every beginning has its end, and Winters was about to leave Steel Castle. However, before departing, he still had unfinished tasks to settle and friends to bid farewell.

Such as Kovyrian, the overseer of the Lakeside Inn.

"He is Koch, your contact." Winters raised his chin slightly, gesturing for Kovyrian to look at the burly man who had just entered the tent. "He's the one you'll be dealing with moving forward. Official introductions are in order."

Kovyrian turned to face Koch, his demeanor somewhat uncertain, unsure of which gesture of courtesy to perform. In the end, the old overseer bowed deeply, but the burly man extended his right hand.

Kovyrian paused in surprise, but quickly regained his composure, responding to the gesture in kind. Thus, the two shook hands.

Winters nodded faintly. Koch clicked the heels of his boots together, raised his arm in salute, and briskly exited the tent.

"Everything about him practically broadcasts his identity," Winters sighed, tilting his head toward Kovyrian. "But among my subordinates, he's the one who speaks Monta dialect the least awkwardly."

"Monta is filled with retired veterans, so Mr. Koch's mannerisms aren't out of place," Kovyrian praised diplomatically. "Moreover, loyalty is the most vital trait, and Mr. Koch evidently lacks none of it."

Winters smirked faintly but chose not to comment, continuing instead: "I'll establish a base in Lucerne, as I've previously mentioned. All you need to do is send letters to Lucerne at regular intervals as instructed. I, in turn, will adhere to our agreement and ensure Roger's safety."

Kovyrian listened with unwavering attentiveness.

Winters spoke with an air of candor and ease: "This task can be both simple and complex. On the surface, it's merely mailing letters. But the difficulty lies in timeliness, reliability, and secrecy—none of which are easily achieved. There are three autonomous states and over a hundred kilometers between Steel Castle and Lucerne. The only resource I can provide to you is substantial funding. But how to establish and maintain a communication route will entirely depend on your and Koch's wisdom and judgment."

Here, Winters paused briefly and sighed again: "To be honest, Mr. Kovyrian, I don't have many subordinates who can truly operate independently. Even if I did, I wouldn't station them in Monta—it would be an unforgivable waste. Koch is the best aide I can offer you. I trust him completely, but my couriers can't assist him much. In this mountainous kingdom, the person I truly rely on… has always been you."

Kovyrian dared not show the slightest slack, bowing slightly and solemnly vowing: "My lord, I will never betray your trust! You can count on my unwavering loyalty."

Winters' lips curled into the same resigned smile as before: "You don't need to put on such a performance to flatter me, Mr. Kovyrian. I've collateralized your nephew's life; my actions are no better than extortion and kidnapping. What loyalty can the extorted ever feel toward their captor?"

Kovyrian bowed his head even lower: "Roger's predicament is entirely his own doing; he deserves the punishment. Your willingness to spare his life is an undeserved act of mercy, one I will never forget. Your magnanimity and kindness are unparalleled."

"I'll be sure to jot down your words," Winters said, rising from his small table and clapping his hands in laughter. "Who knows, I might find a use for them someday."

Faced with the Baron's unpredictable demeanor, all Kovyrian could do was shrink his shoulders further, lower his posture even more, and strive to appear as submissive as possible.

"You may think I indulge in political maneuvering, but I neither possess such skill nor harbor such intentions. I've encountered people who, the more you respect them, the more they disdain you; and the more you look down on them, the more they perceive you as authoritative. To me, you are not one of those types. You possess both self-respect and sufficient intelligence, which is why I've chosen to communicate with you honestly."

Winters picked up his cane from the side of the table and stood face-to-face before the old overseer:

"I despise extortion and kidnapping, but what's done cannot be changed. Your nephew has seen too much, knows too much, yet fails to grasp the value of silence. Releasing him poses far too great a risk, so I must take him away.

But please trust me—I choose this course of action not because I lack simpler, more definitive methods, but because I've found certain valuable qualities in him.

If Sodom had ten righteous souls, it should not be destroyed. Your nephew possesses the courage to sacrifice himself for others; killing him just for silence would be a waste. Hence, I'll bring him under my control. He'll leave his homeland, but I'll provide him with the opportunity to receive education and ascend—this is the best possible result amid a bad situation.

As for you, I've never regarded you as a subordinate, a prisoner, or a slave. I consider you an equal collaborator. I purchase a service from you and offer reasonable compensation in return. Unquestionably, it's forced trade, and for that, I apologize."

Having finished, Winters took half a step back and offered a serious bow.