Steel, gunpowder, and spellcasters

Chapter 407 Monsoon (Part 1)

[Taneria Islands]
[Jingang]
As dusk fell, a sea eagle swept across Jin Harbor. It circled slowly over the anchorage and sandbar outside the harbor, as if guided by invisible threads.

The eagle looked down calmly at Jin Gang: the stevedores sweating on the pier, the cargo ships scattered throughout the anchorage waiting to enter the harbor, and the fishing boats and small boats shuttling in and out of the harbor like schools of sardines...

Golden Harbor, the most dazzling diamond in the Inland Sea, the most radiant pearl in the Alliance. The wars and turmoil that have taken place on this distant land have not tarnished her, but rather made her shine even brighter.

In the bustling exchange, cargo brokers loudly and boastfully announce the delivery of an entire ship's cargo.
Inside a small tavern at the end of a dark alley, smugglers were negotiating prices using hand gestures that only experts could understand.

Wealth is as timid as a mouse or rabbit, yet as sharp as a hawk.

As the power struggle between the United Provinces and Venetia intensifies, more and more merchants are using Golden Harbor as a transit point and warehouse to circumvent increasingly stringent trade bans and unbearable tariffs.

Gold, silver, and all sorts of people flocked to Golden Harbor, making this already decadent city, known for its hedonism and debauchery, even more extravagant and decadent.

The flames that burn through the night are not burning grease and paraffin, but flesh and soul; the shimmering, golden river is not flowing with sunset and fresh water, but with business opportunities and wealth.

The eagle coldly gazed at the golden harbor at dusk. Although the sun was already setting, the sky was so clear it was intoxicating.

Looking into the distance, apart from a few faint white streaks in the sky, there were almost no colorful clouds to be seen.

It was another rare good day—but the howling winds told the eagles something that humans didn't know.

East of Jin Gang, across the turbulent sea, to a place beyond the sight of even eagles, the wind direction has already changed.

The cold air currents that blew from the land to the sea throughout the winter were getting weaker, while the air currents that pushed from the sea to the land were gradually strengthening.

A massive cyclone is forming over the Storm Ocean.

"The monsoon is coming."

……

[Republic of Varn]
[Hirano Castle]
[Alliance Congress Venue]
News doesn't have legs, but it spreads faster than a horse with four hooves.

The incident at the Imperial Reception spread throughout Hirano Castle overnight.

Although the specific details of the events have been constantly updated and distorted in people's vivid accounts, one thing is undeniable:
The soldiers of the United Provinces stormed into the Imperial Consulate and forcibly took away His Excellency Lionel, the Chief Secretary of State of the United Provinces.

The man leading the provincial troops was none other than Lionel's most trusted deputy and assistant to the provincial chief secretary of state, Richard Myerhouse, who should have been stationed in Guido.

Power, betrayal, conspiracy... The conflicts and drama inherent in this upheaval are enough for an imaginative writer to pen three plays and a novel of more than five thousand lines.

In Hirano Castle today, every citizen who considers themselves well-informed has transformed into a bard and a fabulist, eager to recount everything that happened that night to others.

History thus inadvertently became stories and legends.

The man who should have been at the center of the storm—Richard Meyerhouse—was hiding in a small locker room.

The man, considered a mastermind, a traitor, and given numerous nicknames, stared stiffly at his reflection in the mirror, his shoulders and fingers trembling uncontrollably.

According to the procedures of the Union Congress, the highest-ranking official of the Union Provinces should deliver a speech before the opening ceremony.

However, on the very night that the soldiers of the United Provinces forcibly abducted State Secretary Lionel, the consulates of the various republics in Hirano City and the Speaker of the Republic of Varen simultaneously received an official document in the name of the "Provisional Supreme Conference of the United Provinces Republics".

In this document, the "Interim Supreme Council" announced that John Lionel had been formally removed from his post as Secretary of State, and that all domestic and foreign affairs powers granted to him by the United Provinces National Assembly had been stripped away at the same time.

The sudden change left all parties unsure how to react, so most of the consuls and representatives in Hirano Castle chose not to respond.

While silently observing the actions of the United Provinces, they also eagerly gathered intelligence about the "Provisional Supreme Council" and dispatched their fastest riders to deliver messages.

The situation is like a stone thrown into a lake. It first stirs up waves, but the surface of the lake quickly returns to calm, and everything seems to be back on track. However, the bottom of the lake has already been stirred up with mud and turbid waves.

Regardless, the alliance congress was held strictly according to the established procedures.

John Lionel, who was supposed to give the opening address, is now a prisoner.

The so-called "Provisional Supreme Council of the United Provinces" then took over the United Provinces consulate and all the symbols and powers it represented in a matter of course.

The person who will replace the former Secretary of State in front of the representatives of the republics, duchies, and distant lands is none other than Richard Meyerhouse, the former Assistant to the State and current Speaker of the Provisional Supreme Council.

Milehouse stared at himself in the mirror, where the reflection showed a gloomy-looking, dull-looking middle-aged man.

Although every wrinkle was meticulously smoothed out and every gray hair was patiently plucked, it couldn't change the unpleasant temperament he was born with. In fact, this temperament became more and more pronounced as he grew older.

Richard Myerhouse was never a handsome man; compared to the debonair, passionate, and charismatic Secretary of State Lionel, he had a face more suited to behind-the-scenes work.

Richard Meyerhouse's successful career as a civil servant over two decades proved this point. He worked diligently and faithfully and efficiently to complete every task assigned to him, rising from the lowest-ranking third-class clerk to Assistant Secretary of State—the Secretary of State's de facto deputy, a position second only to the Secretary of State in the Union.

However, even as Richard Myerhouse rose to the top of the administrative ranks, no one ever thought he would one day step into the limelight.

He was considered a loyal and reliable tool, but only fit to be used by others.

But today, this obscure, gloomy-looking, and unlikable fellow is about to step onto the podium and deliver a public address to three hundred representatives from various republics, as well as twice that number of foreign envoys in the audience.

Richard Meyerhouse stared at his reflection in the mirror, certain that his shoulders and fingers were trembling uncontrollably.

Suddenly, the candles went out, plunging the locker room into darkness.

"Snapped!"

Richard Meyerhouse received a stinging slap to the face, which momentarily stunned him but also snapped him out of his self-doubt.

"Snapped!"

Before Milehouse could even react, he received another slap on the other cheek.

The person who struck him used very careful force, enough to cause him pain but not enough to leave a swollen mark on his face.

Meyerhouse knew perfectly well who was waving their arms, because there was no third person in the room except Mr. Richard Meyerhouse and Mrs. Claire Meyerhouse.

"What are you doing?" Mrs. Meyerhouse asked, her voice laced with suppressed anger.

"nothing."

Richard Meyerhouse, who nominally held power in the federal government, neither flew into a rage at the two slaps nor showed any anger toward his wife. He simply replied in a hoarse voice, "It's nothing."

Do you know why I extinguished the candle?

"why?"

Mrs. Meyerhouse, known for her beauty and virtue in Guido's social circles, replied coldly, "Because I don't want to see your face."

Richard Meyerhouse narrowed his eyes and remained silent. Mrs. Meyerhouse continued speaking to herself:

“In the mirror, I don’t see my husband, because my husband is not a self-pitying, ashamed loser! My husband is a beast; he is ambitious, he thirsts for power, he wants to be a great man. In the mirror, I don’t see that man; I only see a coward, a lowly servant! No! I will never accept that!”

Richard Meyerhouse stood silently in the darkness, without making a sound.

Mrs. Milehouse's questioning wasn't over yet: "Do you regret it?"

“No. I didn’t,” Richard Myerhouse broke the silence. “I have never regretted it.”

Are you feeling guilty? Are you afraid? Is your chest filled with guilt? Or are you standing in the way of anxiety and fear about the future?

Richard Myerhouse fell silent.

"Have you forgotten our solemn oath?!" Claire Milehouse's voice suddenly turned shrill, the intense emotion even distorting her delicate features:
"We will never let hypocritical morality bind us!"

"If you need to resort to trickery, then use intrigue and deception."

"If it requires using any means necessary, then use any means necessary."

“We will never let hypocritical morality bind us. If achieving our goals requires ‘evil,’ then we will choose evil! We will infuse our entire being with the most cruel evil thoughts, never letting regret pass through our hearts, and never letting the compassion in our nature shake our ruthless determination.”

“If necessary, even things like a mother killing her child or a son murdering his mother will not be done without hesitation.”

"We will never deceive ourselves, nor will we make any false excuses or use noble reasons to embellish our goals. We have long set our sights on power, more power—first the United Provinces, then Veneta, and finally the entire Cenas Union! We will wield the power over this land and be remembered and worshipped by generations to come! Have you forgotten all of this?"

Richard Milehouse listened quietly, then took a deep breath and exhaled, his tone becoming authoritative and steady: "Of course I haven't forgotten."

Mrs. Meyerhouse noticed the change in her husband's voice. She took a deep breath and exhaled, her tone shifting as if she were a different person, her voice becoming gentle and quiet.

She reached out and gently stroked her husband's forehead, pressing her head against his chest: "Then quickly put on your best purple robe, wear your most sincere smile, for a treacherous heart must be masked by a false smile. Don't forget to appease those officers outside first—we still need them, and they treat us like puppets and fools, which is good."

“It’s a pity you’re not a man,” Richard Myerhouse said, as if delivering a verdict. “Otherwise, you would have accomplished far greater things than I could have.”

“It’s a pity I’m not a man.” Claire Milehouse looked up, took a few steps back, relit the candle, and smoothed the wrinkles in her husband’s collar. “Luckily, I still have you.”

Richard Milehouse gazed at his wife, who was far more beautiful and radiant than himself, and a rare hint of sadness suddenly flickered in his usually gloomy and indifferent eyes, as if a steel doll had come to life. He sighed softly, "You should have given me a son... Your courage and determination should only be used to forge strong men."

Claire Milehouse paused, her delicate nose twitched slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

Mrs. Meyerhouse turned around, neatly tidied her appearance, and walked gracefully towards the door: "It's almost time. Don't keep the Alliance representatives and envoys waiting."

As Mrs. Meyerhouse's slender fingers rested on the doorknob, a calm voice came from behind: "My dear, even if we're destined for hell, we'll go together."

Claire Meyerhouse stood by the door, turned her head slightly to reveal her impeccable profile to her husband, and nodded gently. Then, she pushed open the door and walked out of the dressing room.

A tall, resolute young officer stood guard by the door, his hand resting on his sword.

“Captain Fritz.” Mrs. Meyerhouse smiled warmly and curtsied to the young lieutenant.

The young lieutenant nodded reservedly in return, saying, "Madam."

Mrs. Milehouse smiled serenely, and countless young men had fallen at the feet of Claire Milehouse because of her captivating smile.

She naturally positioned herself closer to the young lieutenant, allowing him to almost feel her breath, yet maintaining an unyielding distance and composure: "You don't need to be so restrained. You are the hero who ended the Lionel faction's chaos. Every citizen of the United Provinces Republic should thank you, Captain... no, or should I call you Major?"

The young lieutenant—Flitz from Nice—smirked, clearly not pleased by the beautiful lady's kindness and flattery.

Mrs. Meyerhouse frowned almost imperceptibly, but before she could say anything more, a dusty-looking officer strode up to the locker room door.

The officer was wearing a military uniform made of provincial fabric, and the mud on his riding boots and trousers was still wet, clearly indicating that he had just been galloping at high speed.

Captain Fritz immediately raised his hand in salute.

The officer, clearly disregarding etiquette, nodded hastily, then nodded to Mrs. Milehouse, and asked directly, "Where is Mr. Milehouse?"

"Inside the locker room."

Upon hearing this, the officer was about to push open the door, but Fritz stopped him with his hand.

"What are you doing?!" the officer glared at him.

Fritz avoided the officer's direct gaze, but still stood in front of him.

“My husband prays fervently before every important occasion.” Mrs. Meyerhouse stepped in at just the right moment to help the captain out of the predicament, gently placing her hand on the officer’s forearm: “He doesn’t allow anyone to go in and disturb him.”

Even the most bad-tempered officer couldn't bring himself to get angry in front of such a beautiful and petite lady.

The officer stamped his foot, licked his lips, and said urgently, "I have something important to report to His Excellency Milehouse."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the locker room door was pushed open.

Richard Milehouse, dressed in a purple robe, strode out of the dressing room. Clothes make the man, and the unassuming Milehouse appeared dignified and unapproachable in the magnificent purple robe belonging to the head of the federal government.

The attendant waiting on the other side of the corridor immediately came over.

"Sir!" the officer interjected, "Please allow me to speak with you alone..."

Richard Myerhouse glanced at the officer: "You can say it now."

"But."

Richard Meyerhouse glanced at the officer again.

The officer hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Sir, the intelligence on Steel Fortress was provided voluntarily by Monta's allies, but their condition for providing the intelligence was that they did not want us to reveal its source. If you are going to release this intelligence, please make sure to obfuscate its source."

After saying this, the officer took out a file from his pocket and presented it to the interim speaker: "All the information you need is in this file..."

Richard Milehouse listened attentively, took the file, glanced at it, and then handed it to his entourage: "I understand."

The officer wanted to say something more, but time was of the essence. Richard Myerhouse raised his hand slightly and said, "To the main venue."

Immediately afterwards, the newly elected Speaker of the United Provinces Supreme Council led his entourage and guards to the main stage of the main venue.

Captain Fritz was at the very back of the group.

Walking through the long corridor decorated with embroidered tapestries, and feeling the curious and awe-inspiring gazes directed at him from both sides, Captain Fritz, who was born in the small village of Nice, suddenly felt a strong sense of unease and unreality.

As Captain Fritz watched the Supreme Speaker, dressed in purple robes, walk onto the podium, his thoughts drifted back to four days earlier, to the day that brought bloodshed to Guido City for the first time in twenty years.

[I'm back][I'm so sorry]
[If the reason for not writing the novel in March was due to unforeseen circumstances, leaving no time or energy, then the waste of time in April was purely my personal problem.]
[After a month of neglect, returning to the familiar computer, I suddenly felt my mind go blank. I'm still writing every day, but I can't concentrate; I'm always distracted by all sorts of things…]
[Stop! All of the above are just excuses. If you want to find excuses, you can find plenty.]
[So I'll stop making excuses and just update this picture to prove that Yin Zidian is still alive, still writing this story, and will continue writing it until the end.]
[And... there's another update today (April 11, 2022)!]
[And... to make up for the time wasted, we're starting to release "Miss Navarre's Picture Book"]
[Miss Navarre's Sketchbook, in the setting, is Anna's collection of works, including sketches and colored pieces. The bonus chapter in this section features "Full-Length Portrait of Winters in a Dress."]
[The "Full-Length Portrait of Winters in a Tuxedo" went through 42 revisions (yes, 42). (I sincerely apologize for torturing the artist.) The final product still has subtle differences from the draft, but believe me, this is the version that I'm almost embarrassed to ask the artist for anything more.]
[What's the shortcoming of the "Winters Tuxedo Portrait"? I think it lacks a sharp, murderous aura. His gaze is firm, showing him scrutinizing someone, yet also tinged with pity.]
[However, I think this fits perfectly with the setting of "Navarre's Picture Book," since Winters in Anna's eyes would never be the Blood Wolf.]
(End of this chapter)