Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Richard Mayerhaus gazed at his far more beautiful and dazzling wife. In his dark, cold eyes, a rare tinge of sorrow flickered, fleeting yet unmistakable—like a statue forged of steel momentarily imbued with emotion. He sighed softly, "You should have given me a son... Your courage and resolve should forge strong men."

Claire Mayerhaus's motions stalled briefly; her delicate nose twitched slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

Mrs. Mayerhaus turned away, efficiently straightening her attire, and gracefully made her way to the door. "It's time. Don't keep the representatives and envoys of the Alliance waiting."

As Mrs. Mayerhaus's slender fingers touched the door handle, a calm voice came from behind. "My love, even if we are fated to fall into Hell, we shall go together."

Claire Mayerhaus stood by the door, her head slightly turned, offering her husband a flawless profile. She gave a faint nod. Then, she pushed the door open and stepped out of the dressing room.

A young junior officer, tall with a commanding presence and a resolute demeanor, stood at the door, hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

"Captain Fritz," Mrs. Mayerhaus greeted him with a kind and warm smile, curtsying to the young officer.

The young officer nodded stiffly in return. "Madam."

Mrs. Mayerhaus smiled serenely. Countless young men had once been captivated by her mesmerizing beauty, willingly kneeling before Claire Mayerhaus in admiration.

She moved naturally closer to the young officer, so close that he could almost feel her warm breath, yet the distance and decorum she maintained were unmistakably impeccable. "You don't need to be so reserved. You are the hero who ended Lionel's faction's misrule. Every citizen of the United Provinces Republic owes you gratitude, Captain... or, should I call you Major instead?"

The young officer—Fritz from Jost—tugged at the corner of his mouth, showing no trace of delight despite the flattering words and closeness of the enchanting lady.

Mrs. Mayerhaus's expression faintly tightened, but before she could speak again, a dust-covered officer strode briskly to the dressing room door.

The officer wore a uniform made of Federated Provinces fabric, with mud still fresh on his riding boots and trousers—evidence of a recent, urgent horseback journey.

Captain Fritz immediately raised a hand in salute.

The officer, however, seemed to have no time for formalities. He gave a hurried nod to Fritz and then another towards Mrs. Mayerhaus before blurting out directly, "Where is Lord Mayerhaus?"

"In the dressing room," she answered.

Hearing this, the officer moved to open the door but was stopped by Fritz's outstretched hand.

"What are you doing?!" The officer's eyes flared in anger.

Fritz avoided the officer's direct gaze but continued to block the doorway.

"My husband always offers a devout prayer before attending significant occasions," Mrs. Mayerhaus stepped forward at just the right moment to defend the captain, gently placing her hand on the officer's forearm. "He doesn't allow anyone to disturb him during this ritual."

Even the most irascible officer couldn't bring himself to lose his temper in front of such a petite and alluring lady.

The officer stomped his foot, licked his lips, and said in an urgent tone, "I have critical information to report to Lord Mayerhaus."

Before he could finish speaking, the dressing room door swung open.

Richard Mayerhaus, clad in a purple robe, strode out of the room with his head held high. Though his features were unremarkable, the regal purple attire of the United Provinces Republic's head lent him an air of undeniable authority and majesty.

The attendants waiting on the other side of the hall immediately approached.

"Your Excellency!" The officer began impatiently. "Please, allow me to speak privately—"

Richard Mayerhaus shot him a quick glance. "You can speak now."

"But—"

Another glance from Richard Mayerhaus cut him off.

The officer hesitated for a moment but then clenched his teeth and began speaking. "Your Excellency, the intelligence from Steelfort was voluntarily supplied by Monta's allies. However, they've made it a condition that we do not disclose the source of the information. If you are going to publicize it, you must obscure the origins of this intelligence."

After speaking, the officer pulled out a dossier from his coat and presented it to the interim Speaker. "Everything you need to know is in this—"

Richard Mayerhaus listened intently, accepted the dossier, skimmed through it quickly, and then handed it to an aide. "Understood."

The officer seemed to want to say more, but there was no time. Richard Mayerhaus raised his hand slightly. "To the main hall."

Without further delay, the newly appointed Speaker of the United Provinces Republic led his aides and guards toward the platform in the main hall.

Captain Fritz took his place at the rear of the procession.

As they walked down the long corridor adorned with embroidered tapestries, Fritz felt the curious and reverent gazes of those around him. A sense of intense unease and unreality washed over him, an echo of the journey that had carried him from the small village of Jost to this bizarre grandeur.

Watching as the Speaker, clad in his purple robe, ascended the stage, Captain Fritz's mind drifted back to four days earlier—to that day when Guidao City once again bled, after twenty years of fragile peace.