Steel, gunpowder, and spellcasters

Chapter 315 Prologue
The news spread faster than anything else.

Before the messenger reporting the victory even arrived in Zhevodan, the bookmakers who had set up betting odds on the outcome of the battle had already refused to accept any bets.

The bonds that the new government mandated to purchase had once become worthless, but now they have been dug out of the bottom of boxes by businessmen and craftsmen, and some people are even actively seeking to buy them.

Large numbers of citizens flooded into the church, kissing the altar with tears streaming down their faces as they made vows.

The tribunes were suddenly referred to as “rebels” and “troublemakers” overnight as “holy knights sent by the Lord to save Iron Peak County”, and countless candles were lit in their name.

Meanwhile, shrewd speculators had already set their sights on the south bank of the St. George River—where a new city and many people resided.

Those who were more daring, or rather, more greedy, set their sights on something else—heads.

"...Thank you for your kindness in visiting us..." Anna politely expressed her gratitude and respect, and escorted the guest to the door.

This was the umpteenth lady and young lady to visit, and the small living room of the officer's residence had become exceptionally lively.

Everyone is subtly asking about one thing: "Will the Montagne tribunal really keep its promise?"

Someone was eavesdropping from just one wall away.

As the footsteps faded into the distance, Scarlett, still fuming, said disdainfully, "Weren't they all so reluctant when I invited them before? Why are they being so enthusiastic now? How hypocritical."

“Fool.” Catherine smiled, her eyes crinkling. “They didn’t want to come before because they were afraid of being solicited for donations. Now they’ve suddenly become enthusiastic, which means there’s something to gain. That’s just how people are; there’s no such thing as hypocrisy.”

Two young ladies shared a box of milk cakes, while in front of them was a table full of exquisite pastry boxes wrapped in silk cloth.

The Parat people don't have the custom of visiting empty-handed, which benefited the two squirrels.

While Anna was busy entertaining guests, Scarlett and Catherine hid in the hallway next to the living room. They eavesdropped and sneaked snacks, targeting the best treats from each box.

Scarlett's eyes lit up: "Wine!"

“Let me see.” Catherine grabbed the bottle first and used the dim light to read the label: “[Bull’s Blood], what winery is this?”

Just then, Anna pushed open the corridor door and caught the two young ladies red-handed stealing food.

Catherine silently handed the bottle to Scarlett.

Anna simply put down the newly received box of pastries, walked back to the living room without saying a word, and ignored the two of them.

Scarlett and Catherine exchanged glances for a moment before cautiously entering the living room.

Anna was fiddling with the embroidery basket, but she was just mindlessly drawing needles and unraveling threads; she wasn't actually doing anything.

Seeing her sister's uneasy expression, Catherine blinked, tiptoed behind Anna, and suddenly asked with great surprise, "Mr. Montagne, when did you get back?"

"Stop fooling around," Anna sighed.

"real!"

Anna ignored her sister.

Seeing that her sister remained unmoved, Catherine sat down beside Anna with a sense of dejection, listlessly resting her head on the latter's lap.

Anna's "embroidery" could no longer continue, so she put the sewing basket aside and patiently tidied her sister's hair.

"Seeing you like this, I can't be happy at all," Catherine said dejectedly. "Maybe we should just have a fight..."

Anna then revealed a slight smile. She flicked Catherine's forehead hard, causing the younger sister to bite her older sister in pain.

The two sisters were playfully bickering, leaving Scarlett awkwardly in the middle. She didn't know whether to leave or stay.

Anna quickly realized that this was somewhat impolite. She nudged her sister up and asked Scarlett with a smile, "Hasn't Mrs. Mitchell come back from church yet?" "Not yet."

"How about we go to the cathedral too?"

"No, no, no." Scarlett shook her head desperately, her chestnut hair swaying in the wind. "Mom is unhappy when she sees me, so I still have to avoid her. You guys go to church, I'll go add some grass for Changsheng."

Anna stood up and took out another pair of boots: "There's no rush to go to the church. I'll go with you to add grass for longevity."

Catherine chuckled. "Except for not being able to bark, isn't that pony practically being raised like a dog?"

As they spoke, Anna changed her boots.

Scarlett, who had remained silent until now, finally mustered up her courage and asked, "Miss Navarre?"

Anna was taken aback: "Huh?"

"You're Miss Navarre, right?"

Anna looked at Scarlett and slowly nodded: "That's right."

“I won’t tell anyone,” Scarlett vowed, blushing as she said to Anna, “Now that the war is over, you could go find him!”

"What kind of terrible idea is this?!" Catherine sat up abruptly. "Just because the war is over doesn't mean it's safe outside the city!"

However, when she looked at her sister again, Catherine knew that it was no use for her to say anything more.

……

The suspension bridge slowly lowered, and eight armed riders escorted a horse-drawn carriage away from the new city.

Old Priskin's attempts to dissuade him failed, so he could only choose eight skilled men and the best carriage.

Catherine refused to stay in the city alone, and Scarlett was afraid of being scolded by her mother for giving advice. Both of them wanted to go with her, but Anna didn't take either of them.

She knew it was still dangerous outside the city, but she simply couldn't stay in Revodan any longer.

The carriage was intercepted less than a mile outside the city.

Fortunately, it was Mason who stopped the carriage.

Gévordine couldn't be left without a leader, so Richard Mason rushed back from St. John's to take charge.

“Ms. Navarre?” Mason saw the passengers in the carriage, first surprised, then with a wry smile: “Winters is no longer in St. Clair. I have a letter from him here. And a guest… your guest.”

A chubby rider stepped forward, wiped the sweat from his brow, and greeted her with a hint of obsequiousness: "Miss, God bless me, I've finally seen you. It's so good that you're safe and sound!"

Anna felt a wave of dizziness. The chubby rider was none other than one of her mother's most trusted partners: "Mr. Leo."

Just as Mason returned to Theodore, news of the [Great Victory at Iron Peak] had already spread by horseback to White Mountain County, to Maplestone City, to the Great Wilderness... and to all corners of the land.

The infamous Teldun Khanate was destroyed in one fell swoop, and by a mere “rebel” force. This event was nothing short of an earthquake in the newly reclaimed lands, as well as in Palatine and the Great Wilderness.

The aftershocks it triggers will spread to every inch of land from the Shade Mountain Range in the north to the Golden Summit Mountain Range in the south, even exceeding the most audacious predictions of the most arrogant commentators.

The monsoon season isn't over yet (facepalm), because the storms haven't hit the coast.

However, from an emotional standpoint, the preceding content should be temporarily put to rest.

Learning from the lessons of Volume Two, perhaps it would be better to place the following story in "The Monsoon Volume (Part Two)"?
[And... wouldn't this be considered forcibly removing the banner that "Volume 3 will never exceed 200,000 (500,000) words"?]
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(End of this chapter)