Steel, gunpowder, and spellcasters

Chapter 395 Storm (Part Nine)

The clearing of St. Paul Street was just the beginning; the old city is still burning, and suppressing the riots and restoring order is of utmost urgency.

To avoid any complications, Winters feigned injury and conveniently handed over command of the North City Free Cavalry to Colonel Bern.

His fabricated identity couldn't withstand scrutiny. Although it might fool civilians without military backgrounds, it would be exposed as soon as someone familiar with the situation saw through it.

Now that the real highest military commander of Solingen has taken the stage, Captain Berne doesn't mind stepping aside for center stage.

However, Winters' guard was truly eye-catching, standing out from the crowd wherever he went—Colonel Bern had no cavalry unit, and the militia cavalry in the north of the city were not as well-equipped.

Winters whispered a few words to Pierre and Charles, and then the two led their guards away from the main garrison, continuing their journey along the icy river path into the city.

Winters himself and Kaman donned gendarme robes and remained by Colonel Bern's side to guard against a possible decapitation strike.

In addition to suppressing bandits and deterring illegal activities, the troops stationed in the autonomous regions of Monta have another important responsibility—to suppress rebellions.

Each state's garrison has a secret plan to take over the state's major towns, so Colonel Bern's "occupation" of Steel Fortress was a piece of cake.

His orders were clear, precise, and sequential:
(i) Control the main roads of the steel fortress to ensure unobstructed access to and from the city;
(ii) Occupy the bridges, intersections, and landmarks along the river to divide the steel fort into unconnected blocks;
(iii) Starting from the main road along the river, sweep away the rioters street by street and advance towards the edge of the city.

The plan initially went smoothly, and with the support of the North City militia cavalry, the garrison's efficiency greatly improved.

Although the "freemen" of Steel Fortress were clumsy with their sabers, they could often disperse a group of rioters with just a few riders making a feint charge, thanks to their tall horses.

Even if individual riders are trapped in the crowd and surrounded, the infantry following closely behind can rescue them in time.

The suppressing troops entered the city simultaneously from both the north and south banks, occupying intersections and bridges along the way, and advancing towards the lakeside dock with overwhelming momentum.

However, the deeper one goes into the city, the greater the resistance one encounters as one continues to move forward.

Because the main perpetrator of this disaster tonight is no longer the unemployed rioters, but fire.

……

Winters had witnessed the fire at the Victory Arsenal and thought he would never see an apocalyptic scene comparable.

But now, the steel fortress in front of him seemed to be reenacting the great fire of Guitu City.

The heatwave surged, making helmets and breastplates scorching hot. Thick smoke billowed, making it impossible to open one's eyes.

The main roads along both banks of the Rose River were bustling with people and illuminated by torchlight.

Taking advantage of the chaos, petty thieves, clutching their loot, stumbled through the crowd, crouching low as they slipped into alleyways. Refugees, families in tow, fled in panic to the outskirts of the city.

The essence of Steel Fortress lies in the densely distributed workshops of all sizes along the river. The "workshop belt" is not only the area with the highest building density in Steel Fortress, but also the area with the most convenient transportation.

However, most of the workshops along the river had already been looted, while the warehouses and workshops that had escaped the calamity due to their high walls and strong gates were set on fire.

The road, which used to be wide enough to accommodate two wagons side by side, is now completely congested with handcarts and horse-drawn carriages loaded with all sorts of goods.

Suddenly, a fully loaded handcart lost its balance and overturned amidst the owner's screams.

The clothes, porcelain, and silverware piled high on the car were scattered all over the ground, attracting onlookers to scramble for them. In the blink of an eye, only a few blood-stained shards of porcelain and the car owner sitting on the ground crying were left.

At first glance, everyone was busy moving valuables, but no one had time to pay attention to the spreading fire.

In mid-air, flocks of pigeons circled their homes, now engulfed in flames, reluctant to leave. More and more pigeons had their feathers burned off and fell to the ground, dying.

Churches, houses, workshops—everything was burning; the flames roared horribly, and roofs, now without support, collapsed with a deafening crash.

The riot police entering the city and the refugees leaving the city marched towards each other, blocking the arteries of Steel Fortress from both ends.

The army can deal with fully armed rioters and rebels, but it is helpless against unarmed refugees.

The soldiers guarding the bridge at the crossroads tried their best to maintain order, but all their efforts were in vain.

Those who wanted to get in couldn't, and those who wanted to get out couldn't get out. The sound of wood cracking mixed with the cries and curses of men, women, and children, drowning out the streets and alleys.

……

Colonel Bern’s temporary command post was located in the Chapel Bridge over the Rose River.

The chapel bridge is one of the landmark buildings of Steel Castle. The interior of the bridge was originally occupied by a large number of vendor stalls, which have now been brutally cleared away.

Messengers, their faces covered in dust and soot, rushed in and out, bringing back worse news and sending out the latest instructions.

Standing on the top of the octagonal water tower in the middle of the covered bridge, you can clearly see the fire in the old town.

Unlike previous fires, tonight's Steel Castle fire clearly had multiple ignition points, spreading in all directions.

The old city was ablaze. From a distance, the southern and northern districts, which had not yet been affected, looked like isolated sandbars in a red sea, in grave danger.

Realizing that plans could not keep up with changes, Colonel Bern immediately revised the main tasks to "evacuate the people" and "extinguish the fire".

However, compared to suppressing riots, extinguishing fires and evacuating people are on completely different levels of difficulty.

Two battalions of soldiers entered the city, only to be quickly overwhelmed by tens of thousands of refugees. Their efforts were far from sufficient to extinguish the fires, let alone evacuate the civilians; it was simply a drop in the ocean.

Colonel Bern was observing the fire from the top of the water tower. His hands appeared to be merely holding the window frame, but his ten fingers, pressed against the red bricks, were already bruised.

“This won’t do,” Winters said, standing behind the colonel.

Without turning his head, the colonel retorted, "What did you say?"

Reason warned Winters—don't talk too much.

As an outsider, the fate of Steel Castle after tonight has no direct bearing on him. In fact, the more devastating the fire, the more advantageous it will be for him in the future.

But something still compelled Winters to speak up: "I said, 'This won't do.'"

Colonel Berne turned around and looked coldly at Winters: "What will it take?"

“You know better than I do.”

But "understanding" is one thing, "taking action" is another.

Only when you stand atop the octagonal water tower with its expansive view can you truly understand just how dire the situation has become.

The steel fortress is now like an iron pot placed on a fire, filled with boiling oil. The oil is being poured out at an accelerated pace, and once the hot oil hits the firewood, the entire house will burst into flames.

The moment has come when drastic measures are necessary to reverse the tide of defeat—no! It has come to the point where even drastic measures may not be enough to save Steel Fortress.

To prevent the entire house from turning to ashes, one must have the courage to stop at nothing.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas squeezed through the fleeing crowd and sped to the head of the Chapel Bridge, returning from the front lines to the temporary command post.

He jumped off the saddle, not even bothering to tie the horse back up, and rushed into the covered bridge in two or three strides, running up the water tower.

“This won’t do! Our troops staying in the city are just blocking the roads.” Thomas’s face was already blackened by smoke, and he spoke urgently: “Otherwise, while the fire is still some distance away, we should temporarily order each hundred-man squad to retreat. Make way and let the civilians evacuate first.”

Winters might not have understood in the past, but now he can understand what Lieutenant Colonel Thomas is really saying.

The phrase “Our troops staying in the city have blocked the roads” means “If this continues, our people will also be trapped inside.”

"Make way and let the civilians evacuate first" was the high-sounding reason the lieutenant colonel gave the colonel for leaving.

The garrison's duty is only to suppress riots and quell rebellions, not to put out fires.

Even if the Legion were to stand by and watch Steel Castle turn to ashes, and someone were to hold them accountable later, they could use the excuse that it was too late and they had done everything they could. But if the Legion were to willingly jump into the quagmire, they would never have the chance to cleanse themselves.

The more you do, the more mistakes you make. That's just how life is—helpless and tragic.

Bern ignored his deputy and instead glanced sideways at Winters: "Kid, do I need you to make the decision for me?!"

The colonel removed his cap and smoothed his graying hair: "Lieutenant Colonel Thomas."

Thomas instinctively tapped his boot heel against the ground: "Sir."

"Relay my orders to all centurions." The colonel put his cap back on and straightened it. "As the highest military commander of Solingen appointed by the Republic's Army Grand Council, I believe Steel Castle is 'completely out of control.' In accordance with the authority granted to me by the confidentiality clause of Article 17 of the Hornford Agreement, I have decided to activate the emergency plan—[Steel Rain]."

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas was taken aback, his expression suddenly turning tense: "Sir, that's a secret fund that can only be triggered when the rebels occupy the city..."

"From this moment forward." Colonel Bern stood unmoved by the window, gazing at the burning Ehrlich Cathedral, and continued his statement, completely unaffected:

"All property in Steel Castle, whether private, owned by the city council or the Republic, is taken over by the Solingen garrison; all adult males in Steel Castle, whether citizens or non-citizens, are conscripted by the Solingen garrison."

Civilians not conscripted will be placed under military control; any civilian who disobeys orders will no longer be protected in terms of private property and personal safety.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas felt dizzy and had a dry mouth, and was unable to speak for a long time.

Colonel Bern glanced at his adjutant: "Anyone who deserts their post tonight, cowers in fear, or speaks of defeat will be dealt with according to the military law of cowardice in battle."

Thomas's Adam's apple bobbed as he struggled to utter the answer: "Yes."

"Repeat my command."

Thomas took a deep breath and recited Colonel Bern's words verbatim.

"Form a written order and file it." Colonel Bern said expressionlessly, "Now pass it on to the centurions."

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas gritted his teeth, raised his hand in salute, and sprinted down the tower.

“What is Steel Rain?” Winters asked softly.

“You don’t need to know that. You only need to know that I have acquired the power of life and death.” Colonel Bern took out his flask from his pocket, slowly unscrewed the lid, and answered casually, “Tonight.”

……

Inside Steel Fortress, the previously scattered garrison troops regrouped.

Two teams of 100 men each retreated to the outskirts of the city and set up checkpoints and camps.

The remaining hundred-man teams, led by officers of various ranks, began clearing the main roads leading out of the city.

The method of "clearing" was simple and direct: all horse-drawn carriages and pushcarts that were blocking the road were pushed into the Rose River.

The Monta soldiers silently carried out orders, efficiently and ruthlessly.

The military tradition of this mountainous nation considers shouts and war cries to be self-comforting for the weak, serving no practical purpose. Soldiers must remain silent to hear commands and drumbeats. Therefore, the first lesson learned by Monta people when recruited into the army is silence.

Many people, besides their personal belongings, had everything else they brought from home pushed down the riverbank along with the carriages without any explanation.

This brutal approach immediately provoked a strong backlash. In a fit of anger, some citizens threw punches at the soldiers, only to be severely punished with rifle butts and sword hilts.

The soldiers were not good with words, but someone spoke for them—a free rider from the north city patrolled the road, shouting tirelessly:
"Listen up! Steel Fortress has been officially taken over by the Legion!"

"All adult males, report immediately to the nearest sergeant or officer; you have been conscripted!"

"Women and children, leave the city immediately! Head east! There are temporary shelters on St. Paul Street and St. John Street!"

"Only bring what you can carry with both hands!"

"The highest military commander of the garrison has ordered that only pedestrians are permitted on the main roads leading out of the city! No vehicles are allowed!"

At the same time, a makeshift gallows was erected right next to the road.

A still-warm corpse swayed from side to side beneath the gallows beams, a large wooden plank hanging from it bearing a brief verdict written in glaring red paint: "[I stole]."
Under a sky ablaze with fire, refugees, their faces streaked with tears and grief, made their way out of the city.

……

At the intersection of Flying Fish Street and Swan Lane, a double-horse carriage was blocked by the roadblock of the 400th Man Team.

"Untie the horses and take whatever you can carry." The sergeant guarding the roadblock repeated his superior's order: "The wagons cannot proceed."

The driver ignored him and instead raised his whip.

"Spearmen!" The sergeant reacted quickly, immediately taking a step back: "Put the spears flat!"

The forest of spears forced the draft horses back, and the two strong beasts neighed and reared up, not daring to take another step.

There were five people sitting in the carriage. Facing the soldiers who surrounded them, the leader took off his hood, revealing a pampered face: "Call your centurion."

The centurion rode up on horseback.

"I am a Reformed priest named Johannes." The middle-aged man at the head of the group revealed the holy emblem on his chest: "The vehicle is carrying relics and books from the Elin Cathedral."

The centurion's voice was somewhat hoarse: "Eleyn Cathedral is finished too?"

The pastor shook his head.

The centurion glanced at the relics and the four priests on the carriage: "Take whatever you can carry. The carriage cannot go any further."

The pastor's expression changed, and he argued forcefully, "But..."

“An order is an order. The church’s property has also been brought under military control.” The centurion wrinkled his nose and said, “I’ll send you a few draft horses to carry everything to the chapel’s covered bridge.”

A priest exclaimed in surprise, "Aren't we going outside the city?"

“The area outside the city is not as safe as the covered bridge of the chapel, where the legion’s command post is located.”

The priests on the bus repeatedly expressed their gratitude, saying, "May the Lord bless you."

"Don't thank me yet." The centurion whistled and patted the carriage railing: "Everyone, get out! One person take your things to the covered bridge, the rest of you take off your burqas and assemble in Swan Lane—you've been conscripted too!"

The reins were cut, the harness was removed, and the draft horses carried away the relics and books, while the other four priests were led to Swan Lane, looking back every few steps.

……

[Rose River]
"Watch out!" The warning echoed across the river: "They've gone down!"

With shouts, a heavy four-wheeled carriage was pushed down the Rose River.

At first, only the shaft of the carriage slowly emerged. When the front wheels were completely suspended in the air, the carriage suddenly plummeted, overturned, and plunged into the riverbed, which was about the height of a person.

A huge hole was smashed into the frozen river, but the carriage stubbornly refused to sink.

On the north bank, a dozen men, their faces obscured by smoke, carried wooden buckets through the fleeing crowd, running frantically to the shore to draw water from the ice holes.

After finally managing to fetch water, the men didn't drink a drop; instead, they poured it over themselves.

Even though they were all wearing thick felt coats, they were still shivering from the cold after being doused with ice water.

After soaking their clothes, the men fetched more water, then picked up the buckets and prepared to leave.

"What is that?" a young voice asked.

The leading man turned his head to look and caught a glimpse of the legion's soldiers pushing the carts into the river. Upon closer inspection, he saw that the dark riverbank was littered with floating carts and wreckage.

Looking back at the riverside road on the north bank, although the fleeing citizens were still shoulder to shoulder, after the blood clots of vehicles and horses were cleared, the river of people began to flow smoothly—and there were even fully armed soldiers maintaining order.

Listen closely, and you can faintly hear the sound of houses collapsing coming from the south bank. But it's hard to tell whether the houses are burning down or being demolished.

The young voice asked with great surprise, "The Legion has come to put out the fire too?"

"Hmph." Another aged voice was filled with resentment: "The legion won't care about us! They'll only go to rescue the rich in the south and north!"

"Take the water back with you." The leader handed the bucket to his companion and vigorously wiped his face. "I'm going to see the garrison commander."

……

[Church Bridge]
At the makeshift command post, several orderly soldiers were busily moving tables and chairs, piecing together the small tables that the vendors had brought to set up their stalls into a larger table.

Everyone else's attention was focused on the mysterious Captain Bernie.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the mysterious Captain Berni Jr. rolled up his sleeves, took a graphite stick, and wrote with great speed on the uneven tabletop.

His movements were almost continuous, only occasionally closing his eyes to recall for a moment before continuing to swing the graphite strip.

The map of the old town of Steel Castle was thus sketched on a makeshift long table—down to the streets and blocks.

The legion did not bring a map of Steel Castle with them when they set off. Fortunately, there was Captain Berni, who "grew up in Steel Castle and was very familiar with it," in the command post.

The lookout posts positioned on the water towers continuously relayed the latest fire information.

As Captain Bernie drew the map, the clerk beside him placed newly whittled wooden wedges on the map and marked the location of the fire.

In this way, it is immediately clear where the fire has spread.

"Southeast! Urwe Church!" A desperate shout came from the water tower: "Fire!"

"The Church of Ulwy." The clerk frantically searched the map, but couldn't find it no matter what he did. He kept muttering in frustration, "The Church of Ulwy, where? Where?"

Captain Bernie tapped his helmet lightly, thought for a moment, and pointed to the empty space at the edge of the long table: "Here."

As soon as he finished speaking, the orderly brought in another table and placed it against the edge of the long table. Captain Bernie's map continued to extend outwards, outlining the crisscrossing streets, and then he drew a circle around the place he had just vaguely pointed to: "Ulvey Church."

The clerk quickly placed the wooden wedges on top.

The officers at the command post compared the location of the Ulwyn church on the map with their memories, and there was almost no error.

On the side of the long table, Colonel Bern, who was personally lighting the lamp for his "son," suddenly clicked his tongue.

Winters tossed aside the graphite stick, a muffled voice coming from his helmet: "Personal preference."

Colonel Bern chuckled, offering no further comment, but simply pointed to the location of the Ulwyn Church: "The fire on the south bank is about to reach the mountain."

The other officers in the command post also gathered around the map, silently watching the clerk continue to place wooden wedges on the table.

The situation was so obvious that the officers didn't know what to say.

Most of the streets on the south bank have been engulfed in flames. Several fire snakes converge to form a huge fire field resembling an archway, stretching from the lakeside all the way to the steep mountains and forests south of the city. The fire is sweeping towards the Rose River.

The situation on the north bank is slightly better than on the south bank, where the fires are confined to individual or nearby blocks and have not yet coalesced into one place—but only slightly better.

"What's there to think about?" Colonel Bern said sternly. "This fire is beyond extinguishing! Demolish all the houses around the fire! When there's nothing left to burn, the fire will naturally disappear."

As the colonel spoke, black soot drifted into the covered bridge and swirled onto the long table.

A dozen meters away, on the street separated by two walls, the shouts of men, the arguments of women, the cries of children, and the screams of the wounded blended into a cacophony that bombarded the nerves of all the soldiers present.

"Sir, we've done our best to evacuate the citizens." One officer hesitated, "But demolishing houses and destroying buildings will definitely lead to people harassing us afterward, demanding compensation, and maybe even..."

Colonel Bern called out loudly, "Clerk!"

"Here!" The clerk, who was placing wooden wedges, jumped up.

"Record!"

"Yes!"

"Tonight, all decisions made by the Solingen garrison were made by me alone." Colonel Berne's voice was steady and powerful: "When making the following decisions, I, Max Berne, was of sound mind and full capacity for action, and I knew the responsibilities I would bear—have you all noted that down?"

The clerk licked his quill and swallowed hard. "Written down, sir!"

"Gentlemen," Colonel Bern said, leaning on the long table and scanning his men with a sharp gaze, "I will take full responsibility for any accountability afterwards, whether it's punishment or killing. You will not be implicated. Tonight, you only need to think about how to save this city."

The colonel slammed his fist on the long table, causing all the wooden wedges on it to jump up: "Or at least save what can still be saved!"

"Colonel!" Thomas strode into the covered bridge, leading a man who looked ashen-faced. "You must see this gentleman."

Upon hearing this, everyone present turned their gaze to the newcomer—short in stature, strong in build, his clothes were soaking wet, dripping water as he walked; his face was covered in smears and dirt, as if he had just been pulled out of the mud.

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas pulled the charred man toward the long table: "He's the fire captain of Steel Fortress."

The lieutenant colonel's simple introduction immediately commanded respect from everyone in the temporary command post. Officers and soldiers alike readily made way for the man covered in charcoal.

People have as much fear of fire as they admire those who dare to fight against raging flames. As a part-time job, firefighters receive no salary, yet they are the first to respond to fires. They are the bravest of the brave, and are respected wherever they go.

"Mr. Ulrich and his colleagues have been fighting the fire on the north bank," Lieutenant Colonel Thomas said, coughing. "He's a true expert. The fire on the north bank was brought under control entirely thanks to the firefighters' desperate efforts."

Upon hearing this, the others couldn't help but look at the charred-faced fire captain with even greater respect.

But the man named Ulrich seemed rather reserved, probably because he was surrounded by a group of officers.

His eyes lit up when he saw the map drawn on the table. But when he saw the wooden wedges scattered across the map, his eyes dimmed again.

Colonel Bern squinted and asked bluntly, "Can you understand it?"

Upon hearing this, the clerk hurriedly straightened the wooden wedge that had just been knocked out by the colonel's hammer blow.

"Is the little piece of wood fire?" Ulrich asked in a hoarse voice.

"Correct."

"Then I can understand what it means."

The map on the table was constantly being updated, and the clerk kept adding more wooden wedges. Each small wooden wedge represented the fall of a neighborhood or an important building.

“There’s no time to waste.” Colonel Berne made a quick decision: “Since you’re the expert, you draw a line. Wherever you draw it, my men will go and dismantle it.”

The fire captain stared at the map: "That line has been drawn."

"where?"

"it's here."

The fire chief walked to the map, held up three fingers, and cut the old town in half along the winding Rose River.

silence.

silence.

silence.

The officers present were in an uproar.

"What does this mean?" someone questioned.

“That’s exactly what I mean,” Ulrich replied calmly. “My companions are waiting for me, gentlemen. Please allow me to leave.”

Colonel Bern stared at the fire chief's retreating figure: "Is the south bank of the city beyond saving?"

“Instead of wasting manpower on the south bank, we should concentrate our manpower on rescuing the north bank, where there is still hope.” Ulrich turned around and whispered wearily and heavily, “If you could have come earlier, if you could have come two hours earlier… an hour earlier.”

“You don’t know what happened,” Lieutenant Colonel Thomas said. “We’ve done our best.”

"Enough with the nonsense." Colonel Bern interrupted his deputy impatiently, continuing to ask the fire chief, "Drawing lines along the river, does that mean all the buildings on both sides of the river will be demolished?"

"Correct."

One of the officers was startled again: "Sir, all the buildings along the river are workshops and factories!"

The dilapidated houses haphazardly built in the old town can be demolished, but every workshop and every waterwheel along the Rose River belongs to the people who truly own this city.

The clerk continued to place wooden wedges on the table.

“The workshops that are already on fire can be demolished, but in these places, the fire line is still five or six blocks away from the river.” Another officer pointed to the map and asked rapidly, “Wouldn’t it be too late to demolish them every two or three blocks?”

"No."

The officer who had just made the suggestion turned around abruptly: "Who's speaking?"

"I," Winters' voice came through the helmet, clearly reaching everyone's ears, "I said no."

The officer immediately retorted, "Why not?"

“Because I experienced a fire of similar magnitude. That time we were two blocks apart, no.” Winters paused for a moment, then slowly said, “In Guido.”

"Guitu City?" Some of the officers present seemed to remember something.

Ulrich returned to the map table and tried his best to explain to the officers with gestures: "Land in the old town is scarce. Old houses have been expanded to three or four stories, and the top floors extend outwards, taking up even more space. Houses facing the street may appear to be separated by a road, but in reality, their top floors are only separated by a wall. If one house catches fire, it can immediately spread to a large area. The fire can even travel on the roof, just like the canopy of a forest catches fire..."

"Then let's not waste any more time!" Colonel Bern made the decision immediately: "[A viper stings the hand, a brave man cuts off his wrist]. If we can't hold the south bank, then we'll only hold the north bank. Demolish all buildings along the river that could potentially set fire! Order all centurions to withdraw their troops to the riverbank. Let's move out now!"

The officers present saluted in unison and turned to leave.

“I have an idea.” Only Winters remained standing: “Perhaps… it can save more things.”

"Speak!" Colonel Bern said without batting an eye.

Winters' face was hidden beneath an iron mask: "Fire against fire."

……

[South District]
The defensive line set up by the South City Sheriff on Gonghe Street has effectively collapsed.

The unprepared militia were neither able to manage the refugees nor had enough space to evacuate them. After several waves of people, the refugees broke through the roadblocks and poured into the southern part of the city uncontrollably.

"How is it?" Fuller stood behind the Baroness, pacing anxiously, repeatedly asking, "How is it?"

Anna peered through the crack in the window at the noisy crowd in the distance and comforted him, "Don't be afraid, Mr. Fuller."

Anna, Berian, Fuller, and the guards who couldn't go to the North City with Winters were all hiding in the home of the inn's head waiter, Corvilian.

Covilian's home was a two-story townhouse. The old foreman had gone to the North City with Winters, and now only Covilian's wife and a pale-faced little girl lived at home.

Kovilian's wife was a plump, timid woman. Ever since Anna and the others stepped into the house, she had taken the little girl and hidden in the master bedroom, never to be seen again.

Currently, the personnel distribution in the small building is as follows: five guards remain on the first floor to set up defenses, while Berian is accompanying Anna and Fuller on the second floor.

"How can I not be afraid? Just think, there are only a few of us. If we encounter a mob, we'll all be dead in an instant!" Fuller clutched his chest. "Madam, when will the Baron be back?"

“Mr. Fuller,” Berlion reminded him, “don’t you have a gun?”

"A gun? Oh, right! A gun!" Fuller hurriedly pulled the gun out of his coat. "But I've never used one before! I don't even know how to use it!"

Berleon pushed away the gun pointed at him: "Remember, never point a gun at your own people."

“Mr. Fuller.” Anna took the pistol, opened the lid of the powder chamber, pushed the flint crank to make the flint contact the friction wheel, and put the trigger in a ready-to-fire position: “That’s it.”

……

Constitution Street
A significant portion of the old city residents were also evacuated from the North District. Compared to the routes out of the city and towards the South District, the evacuation in the North District was much more orderly.

On the one hand, there were not many civilians fleeing to the northern part of the city, and on the other hand, the management was effective.

Paul Wooper has finally found the job that suits him best – putting on a show.

No matter how others tried to persuade him, he insisted on standing at the crossroads in the middle of the roadblock, nodding to every civilian entering the northern city.

However, it must be said that the mayor's presence in the face of the severe cold—wearing eye-catching fine clothes to ensure everyone could see him—did indeed greatly reduce the panic among the refugees.

The sound of horse hooves came from far away.

A messenger cavalryman, carrying a green flag, galloped swiftly to the barricade on Constitution Avenue and immediately spotted Paul Wooper in his fine attire: "Your Excellency the Mayor!"

Paul Wuppert's heart pounded when he saw the communications flag, but the other party was heading straight for him, leaving him no choice but to step forward and ask, "It's me. What's up?"

"Colonel Bern orders you to lead all the male citizens of the old town who have been relocated to the Rose River to provide support. Depart immediately without delay."

“He…I…” Paul Wupper stared in disbelief: “I am the mayor, and he…Colonel Bern, what right do you have to order me around?”

"The colonel wants you to go immediately."

"Um... Representative Servet is here too!"

"The colonel has ordered Councilor Servet to take over the defense of the North City district, and he specifically asked you to go." The order was given to the cavalryman to lightly nudge the horse's flank, pull the reins, and turn the horse around: "Captain Bernie wants you to go to the North City sheriff and 'bring everything in the basement except the money.'"

……

[Old Town]
Winters had already chosen a spot, right at the riverside intersection facing the Eindhoven Cathedral.

The flames from Bailey Street and Brook Street are converging at the Eindhoven Cathedral, where a huge burst of flames is rising.

The stones of the church walls shattered and shattered like cannonballs under the scorching heat of the flames. The lead roof melted and flowed like a stream onto the street, reflecting a fiery red hue onto the pavement.

Many citizens, either believing that the stone walls could keep out fire or that the church was protected by God, brought all their belongings that they could not carry into the church.

Now, they've all been burned to ashes.

“You’re insane!” Kaman yelled, covering his ears.

Deafening explosions came one after another from the east and west, as the garrison used gunpowder to destroy houses near the fire and create a firebreak.

Winters felt the wind: "I'm not crazy. I can put out fire. You've seen it with your own eyes."

"That's not what I'm talking about!"

“Then you have even less to worry about. Look!” Winters pointed to the mountain ridges that stretched around the city: “It’s surrounded by mountains on all sides, with winds blowing from the east and west. Even on a normal day, the winds in Steel Fortress are swirling! All I have to do is give it a push!”

"Give me a push?" Kaman retorted angrily. "Can you even move it?"

Winters then revealed the subtle expression characteristic of the "Blood Wolf," and laughed loudly, "How will you know it won't work if you don't try?"

On the buildings on both sides, people were waving flags to indicate that the evacuation and preparation work was complete.

Winters waved back.

In response to his statement, the soldiers along the way threw torches into the houses along the street and then quickly retreated.

The houses, inside and out, were doused with liquid fire extracted from the Imperial spy warehouse. In an instant, flames rose up, and crackling sounds and thunderclaps filled the air, like a terrifying rain of fire.

The Imperial spies probably never imagined that their stockpiles would come in so handy at this time.

Winters climbed onto the roof across the street from the fire, where three Monta officers were already waiting for him, along with all the spellcaster officers of the garrison—Colonel Bern was among them.

Winters removed his helmet for the first time in front of the other Monta officers, revealing facial features and hair color that were quite different from Colonel Bern's.

“The last time this spell was used, it destroyed a city.” Winters felt the Steel Castle’s breath and pulse. “This time, it will save a city—or more accurately, half of it, at the cost of burning the other half.”

"Enough with the nonsense, kid." Colonel Bern took a deep breath. "Let's see what you've got."

“Alright.” Winters turned to face the raging fire: “Listen to me!”

The instant he raised his hand, a swirling gust of air rose from the ground. The air, upon touching the fire, was also tinged with orange-red.

Another invisible vortex firmly gripped the three Monta officers who had entered a spellcasting state, causing them to resonate uncontrollably and unable to break free.

As the airflow speed increases, it naturally generates a centrifugal inertia, but is forcibly constrained, compressed, and plasticized by unnatural forces.

The burning dead branches, leaves, wood chips, and wall plaster were swept into the whirlwind, and the air temperature rose rapidly, making Winters feel as if he were in a furnace.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Kaman picked up the ice water he had prepared in advance and poured it over Winters and the other three spellcasters. He then draped the four of them with fire blankets used by the fire brigade.

The invisible vortex continued to rise into the air, and it became increasingly difficult to restrain it. Both sides in the struggle were approaching their limits.

An older Monta spellcaster was the first to lose consciousness, followed by another younger spellcaster, second only to Winters.

Only Winters and Colonel Berne remained to hold things together.

Winters was burning hot all over, unsure whether it was the heat from the firestorm or the phantom pain overflowing the dam of reason and beginning to affect the material world.

"Stop!" Kaman yelled, grabbing Winters's shoulders. "You're going to burn yourself to death!"

However, Winters did not react at all; he could no longer hear what Kaman was saying.

Finally, Colonel Bern also collapsed. This unprecedentedly large-scale spell in the history of Alliance spellcasters was now left to Winters alone to sustain.

The firestorm swirled and roared, surging upwards with immense potential energy, and was about to form a self-stabilizing positive feedback structure.

But no one knows whether Winters will break first or the fire tornado will form first.

In a moment of desperation, Kaman placed his hand on Winters' head and offered him his most sincere prayer.

……

[Covered Bridge]
A militiaman exclaimed, "What is that?"

Paul Wupper turned around dismissively, only to be astonished to see a fiery python soaring into the sky.

……

Constitution Street
"Look there!" a refugee screamed, pointing to the city.

Old Schmid and Senator Servet saw a crimson chain connecting the sky and the earth.

……

[South District]
"Savior!" A scream came from the tightly closed bedroom door.

Anna and Bélien entered the bedroom, where the window was wide open. Covillian's plump wife was trembling as she prayed, holding the little girl in her arms.

In the old town, a fiery tornado roared and collided head-on with the Elin Cathedral.

The roof of the latter collapsed with a roar.

[Striving to pay off debts (full of energy)]
People have as much fear of fire as they admire those who dare to fight against it.
Fighting and fires were two major features of Edo.
[Regardless of East or West, ancient or modern, firefighters are always respected and loved as brave individuals. During the Edo period, the town, the fire-bringer, the head firefighter, and the kabuki actor were collectively known as the "Three Men of Edo." Even many sons of wealthy families, envious of the honor and attire of the ga-en—professional firefighters—joined the ga-en.]
Even today, firefighters are considered one of the most "masculine" professions.
[Of course, the extortionate firefighting teams that Crassus employed are not included.]
[Thank you to all the readers for your collections, reading, subscriptions, recommendations, monthly tickets, rewards, and comments. Thank you everyone!]
(End of this chapter)