Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 803: Section 540: You at This Moment (1)

Chapter 803: Section 540: You at This Moment (1)

During a lull in the battle, the middle-aged man sat on a broken log near the observation post. He took out a letter that had just been delivered by a messenger from the spirit realm. The letter came from Eric Wood, the eldest son of his mentor, with whom he had become old friends. It was Eric Wood who had facilitated his advancement within the organization.

Today he had sent a letter, most certainly concerning the distinguished individual who had recently been causing a stir in Copenhagen.

With this thought, the middle-aged man opened the letter.

Stein Manheim, my old friend, I am writing this letter to you as a fellow member of the Eleven to inform you about Sir Malin Gaiate. After discussing with old Sir Francis, he believes that Sir Malin can indeed be considered a comrade. Though he is a major corporate owner and a great noble, his recent actions have been even more impressive than those of us, the Eleven. Sometimes I wonder if some people are simply born to save others. My reason tells me this is impossible, but my eyes tell me it could indeed be possible.

Stein, if you get the chance, please verify this yourself. Before the war ends, the meetings will be suspended indefinitely.

Really?

Putting down the letter, the middle-aged man contemplated... Indeed, just as Eric had said, Sir Malin Gaiate had been incredibly busy, busy to the point where Stein wondered if all his efforts came at a price... Of course, it was a joke, as even without a price, acquiring military supplies still costs money. That is the cost, and one so low that Stein could hardly believe it.

Of course, what pleased Stein even more was the wheat flour Sir Malin had recently supplied to the military and the market. The abundant flour meant that the soldiers no longer had to eat bread with fine sand, coarse sawdust, and small pebbles.

As for the flour released on the market, it had caused the originally high prices of flour to drop significantly.

That Sir Malin Gaiate was indeed a very interesting young man, whether it was Eric, Ragnarlov, the Svenson family’s twins, or Antoine, everyone found him to be a very interesting and congenial young man.

But precisely because of this, Stein wanted the opportunity to meet Malin Gaiate in person and see if this young man was truly, as his comrades said, a natural-born northerner.

For Sir Malin Gaiate once wrote in his novel, a statement well said:

A person, when viewed from a distance, presents a beauty. To approach him, to get close to him, to cling to him until his pores are visible, only then does his act have nowhere to hide, and you can see a most real person, not a monster beautified by distance and performance.

Come, Sir Malin Gaiate, give me the chance to see the most real you.

After putting away the letter, Stein noticed the arrival of friendly forces behind the defensive line and saw his old friend, Rolin from the Hagelberry family, a very rare female commander. She had dwarfed Stein and his classmates for three full years, and of course, Stein attributed this to her Frost Giant bloodline.

How was one to fight a giant? This was a respectable loss.

"Rolin, my old classmate, hello," Stein greeted the woman, mightier and stronger than her, with a handshake. Although her credentials and the orders conveyed by the messenger matched, out of curiosity, the middle-aged man asked, "Why have you arrived today? Wasn’t it supposed to be tomorrow?"

"I’m also puzzled. This is a personal transfer order from Marshal Sergei, instructing my division to take over your defensive sector. Right, I heard that you are supposed to go to the central defense line? Are you going alone?"

"Yes, that’s correct, and I’m also curious about this matter." Stein found it very odd. The orders from the marshal were vague, and he was left in the dark. If he hadn’t double-checked that the orders were correct, Stein may have suspected he had offended someone.

But then again... he didn’t have anyone he could possibly offend.

"Isn’t it good? Sir Malin Gaiate is currently at the central defense line, and everyone says that it’s an absolute gain if you can learn the knowledge of leading troops from him." At this point, Rolin smiled and said, "Don’t think I’m joking. Sir Malin has made a name for himself in the South. I would be exhausted trying to behead forty thousand Black Orcs, even if they were laid out for me to chop."

"Of course I know that, but I’m still curious. If I go to the central defense line for further study, I’m not young anymore. What I can learn, young people can learn as well; and what I can’t, perhaps they can still keep up."

"That’s beyond my understanding as a division commander," Stein said. "Let’s exchange the seals of our defensive sectors." After speaking, Rolin removed her pinky ring, and Stein exchanged it with the thumb ring on his finger, which was merely a ring to him.

Then Stein called his adjutant to lead the troops to the rear for resupply and himself mounted his northern warhorse and headed to the regional command post—the word was that a Mage would open a pathway for him, sparing the time it would take to ride a Gryphon.

However, Stein was quite happy about this—after all, not having to endure the cold winds in the sky was a relief. Flying on a Gryphon in winter was not just breezy; it was torture, and even with a cold-resistant Spell Formation, the wind could still chafe one’s face.

...

Malin observed the Stein Manheim from another world. This fellow should still understand the common language, so he had been silent for the past few hours, until Malin just now had someone bring a piece of bread filled with coarse sawdust. The fallen Stein Manheim grabbed it and wolfed it down.

Eating and crying at the same time.

One can’t say his conscience is completely gone, only that it’s been a long time since he had human food—what else could Chaotic Believers eat, after they’d destroyed civilization with their own hands? These maniacs doing well not to eat feces was impressive already.

"It’s indeed very similar; if I remember correctly that scar on his face is from five years ago, during the invasion of zombies from the Dark Zone in the East. He almost didn’t survive the zombie virus." Some officers familiar with Stein Mansonheim came to identify the target. First, they were shocked, then amazed, and finally, after Malin’s explanation, they realized that these Chaotic invaders came from another timeline’s Abield world.

Although initially they couldn’t accept it, the officers soon calmed down—because Malin always had something to reassure them: "Our world is still resisting the invasion of Chaos. Are you ready to muster your courage to fight against the Tide of the Dead to protect your families and friends, or do you want to end up like him, unable to even have a hot meal?"

"Your Excellency, indeed worthy of being a High Priest from the Church, you really know how to rally people." Marshal Sergei expressed his admiration for Malin’s words, and at the same time confirmed that although this Chaotic looked disheveled, the scars on his face and body were recognized by the Marshal.

"Stein Mansonheim is a very brave commander, starting from a company commander and reaching his position in fifteen years. You said we failed in this Chaotic’s timeline, right?" The Marshal asked.

Malin nodded, then showed the Marshal the four tender branches on his wrist, "As you see, apart from my own, the other three are mementos left by other timelines’ failed versions of me. I’ve had no way out for a long time, because I know if I fail, another me won’t necessarily come to this world to carry on my legacy... So, I hope this is a chance to let the military and Nobles of the Northern Kingdom understand what we’re facing. Marshal, I have advice for you here. I will start to normalize prices, including those of basic necessities like flour, in a month at the latest. If you have friends involved in this business, for our acquaintance’s sake, tell them to pull back, for I will use every means at my disposal."

"Isn’t that a bit too severe?" The Marshal frowned.

"I must do as I say to show my resolve. That’s why I tell you, so you can warn your friends that turning back is the only way to salvation."

"...Alright, I will pass on the message."

The conversation reached this point, and Marshal Sergei said he had to leave. Malin didn’t stop him. After all, Malin felt he had done his part. Eight out of ten in the logistics department were probably going to be scapegoats. If they kept playing games, Malin wouldn’t mind doing something for His Majesty Manheim. Northern philosophy was a great breakthrough, not perfect in Malin’s view, but for this era, it was a strikingly new and fashionable performance.

If only there were no Tide of the Dead... Alas, ’if only.’

At this thought, Malin heard new footsteps and turned around to see Link Svenson and the newly-arrived middle-aged man.

Although Malin didn’t recognize him, seeing the scars on his face, Malin still smiled and extended his hand, "General Stein Mansonheim, welcome."

"Hello, Mr. Malin." The middle-aged man also extended his hand, "On my way here, Mr. Link explained to me, and now I find it incredible. You said you’ve found another me from a different timeline."

"That’s correct," Malin replied and then opened the door to the cell. With the light flooding in, the Chaotic Believer locked in the chair first raised his hands to block the sudden brightness and after adjusting, he lowered his hands.

The two Stein Mansons saw each other’s faces.

"...It really is me." Stein Mansonheim outside the door exclaimed.

The Stein in the chair started screaming and struggling, until he gradually lost strength.

He bowed his head and began to sob loudly.

"Mr. Malin, do you have a gun? I want to kill this cowardly version of myself." Stein outside reached for his holster, only to realize the gun had been surrendered.

"Don’t worry too much. I expect to get a lot of information we don’t know from the owner of this mouth, such as who is behind this invasion, if that’s okay." Malin cheerfully declined Stein’s request to borrow a gun and gave him a reasonable explanation.

The Stein outside finally nodded, "No problem, of course. As long as you let me kill him, before that, whatever you do is of no concern. This cowardly me, must be disposed of by my own hands!" Stein asserted.

Malin nodded in agreement, "No problem, I’ll give you that chance."

Actually, Malin had one more thing he hadn’t said—calling Stein Mansonheim over was to use the other world line’s past self to stimulate the Chaotic Believer Stein Mansonheim.

Because Malin felt that this Stein Mansonheim hadn’t completely fallen yet, at this moment, he seemed more like a beast driven mad in the struggle for survival.

So, take a look at your past self, Mr. Stein Mansonheim from another timeline who has already fallen.

Look at the past you, the better you, the one that... can never return.