Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters
Chapter 1035: 68: Vortex (10)

Chapter 1035: Chapter 68: Vortex (10)

[Outside the steel fortress, Guten Village]

[Legion barracks, Colonel Berny’s office]

Three knocks, neither soft nor forceful, echoed as a sonorous male baritone penetrated the room: “Reporting!”

“Enter.”

The officer of the day received permission and entered the colonel’s office with a guard in tow. Colonel Berny shifted his gaze from the scrolls on his desk to the lieutenant and nodded slightly.

“Sir.” The lieutenant clicked his heels together, stood at attention, and reported: “A young gentleman outside the camp requests an audience, claiming to be your friend.”

Colonel Berny casually flipped through his calendar, confirming no visitors were scheduled for today, and frowned, “Name?”

“He wouldn’t say. Only mentioned that the last time he joined you for a drink was at a reception in the Este estate.”

“Oh… Where is he?”

“Waiting at the guard post.”

“Let him in.”

“Yes, sir.”

Shortly after, the officer of the day led the visitor into the colonel’s office, then excused himself, closing the door behind him. Only Colonel Berny and the visitor remained in the office.

“Your stable here is quite luxurious.” Winters offered a meticulous salute, smiling as he broke the silence: “There’s even a fireplace, more comfortable than where I stay.”

Colonel Berny removed his glasses and rolled up his sleeves, gesturing Winters to sit: “Unlike in Paratu, Monta is too cold with hardly any Cavalry units, only officers ride horses. An officer’s steed is a treasure, of course, it must be well-cared for.”

Winters pulled up a chair, dragging his aching left leg: “When I return, I’ll send you a few fine horses.”

“No need, I can’t afford them.” Colonel Berny scrutinized Winters, curious, “What’s with the big purple bruise on your forehead?”

Without changing his expression, Winters replied: “An accident while riding.”

“Use ice on it, the contusion will fade faster,” Colonel Berny said, with casual concern one moment and then narrowed his eyes suddenly the next, asking, “How did you find this place?”

Winters placed the black wooden case he had tucked under his arm on the colonel’s desk: “Who in the fortress doesn’t know your great name? No need to search deliberately.”

“What is this?” Colonel Berny raised his eyebrows at the case.

Winters joked: “A bribe.”

Colonel Berny laughed heartily and opened the case.

In the center of the case, a beautifully exquisite revolver was nestled in black velvet, a feast for the eyes.

The colonel took out the revolver and played with it fondly, asking Winters with delight, “From the Fuller family?”

“Certainly!” Winters replied with confidence: “The best gun from the Fuller Workshop.”

“Not bad.” The colonel reluctantly placed the revolver back in the case and pushed it toward Winters: “But carrying a firearm into camp, aren’t you too bold?”

Winters spread his hands: “Your men have already checked it several times, it’s just a gun, unloaded. I was thoroughly searched inside and out, they even took away my cane.”

“Is that so?” Colonel Berny didn’t continue the topic. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze harshly scrutinizing the young man in front of him: “So, what is the purpose of your visit?”

The office fell into a brief silence.

Winters did not answer directly but brought up another unrelated person: “Colonel, I have served under another lieutenant colonel before.”

Although Winters was not entirely certain, he spoke as if stating a confirmed fact: “Lieutenant Colonel Jeska, John Jeska.”

Colonel Berny suddenly sat up straight and then leaned back slowly, huffing slightly, “He’s still alive?”

As expected. Winters thought to himself: Officers sent overseas usually have some connections and relations.

“Still alive, and even returned to Paratu. However…” Winters paused for a moment: “Lieutenant Colonel Jeska has lost his other eye.”

Colonel Berny also fell silent, and after a while, he said: “The Lord has his plan for each of us, at least he’s alive and back home.”

Winters didn’t believe in destiny but found it difficult to detail Jeska’s experiences to Colonel Berny, so he just nodded silently.

After another pause, Colonel Berny, looking tired, waved his hand: “Alright, kid, get to the point! But let me tell you in advance, I won’t bend the law or break principles just because you were a subordinate of the one-eyed. So before you speak… think carefully.”

Hearing Colonel Berny’s words, Winters felt completely reassured.

“The Legion” serves as the direct military force inserted by the Monta Republic in autonomous states, also the main executor for smuggling inspection, bandit eradication, and suppression of rebellion.

If even the Legion is willing to help “without violating principles” — even if it’s just turning a blind eye — Winters’ following actions would be much easier.

“You’re meeting with Mayor Wooper, hoping the city government would provide funding to recruit unemployed laborers into camp for training?”

“What if I am?”

“Has Mayor Wooper agreed?”

“He hasn’t given me an answer yet.”

“You can rest assured, he definitely won’t agree.” Winters’ statement was startling.

Colonel Berny’s expression remained unchanged: “Why not?”

“What scares the ‘respectable’ councilors of the fortress most is the thought of their so-called mule laborers taking up arms and revolting. Yet you propose allowing the unemployed to receive military training? That’s like they’re placing a noose around their own necks. If you were them, would you agree?”

Colonel Berny’s frown deepened, he remained silent.