Steel, gunpowder, and spellcasters

Chapter 513 Rebuilding the Nation (Twenty-Nine)
"Winters Montagne!"

To everyone's surprise, Kai Morland was the first to call out the name of the person who was least likely to be called.

“Wolf’s blood! Wolf’s blood!” Kai Morland’s tone was full of sarcasm. “Who doesn’t know your illustrious name?”

The next second, Kai Morland suddenly raised his voice: "But didn't you already raise an army in rebellion against the New Reclamation Legion?! You mere rebel, what right do you have to sit here today?!"

Upon hearing this, the free agents in the room couldn't help but turn their heads.

The free men of the outer counties had all heard of Blood Wolf's uprising against the New Reclamation Legion. But how he later became entangled with the old legion's forces remained a mystery to outsiders.

Winters remained expressionless and ignored the probing gazes of the crowd.

However, his subordinates could not bear to see Blood Wolf suffer such an insult. If they hadn't wanted to embarrass Blood Wolf, many of them would have already started cursing.

Like Winters, the officers in Iron Peak and Vaughan sectors treated Kai Morland’s attack with indifference, but many harbored resentment towards him.

"Matash Korwin".

“Matthash!” Kai Morland unleashed his full power: “What a resounding name! What a glorious name! In terms of long and noble lineage, Alpad Duyom is only fit to be your stirrup.”

“But when it comes to the smuggling business,” Kai Morland said sternly, “the Alpard family isn’t even worthy of being your family’s stirrups!”

While merchants in Jiangbei Province went bankrupt due to the blockade, the Matthias family's caravans, holding special permits, were able to travel freely across the border!

The free spirits in the venue immediately turned their attention to the Byeonjiang County sector.

Lieutenant Colonel Matthias smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

"The licensed caravan is going abroad to gather intelligence on the Hed barbarians!" someone in the middle of the seats in Bianjiang County said.

“So the Matthias family’s caravans even save on taxes!” Kai Morland retorted. “Oh! What a glorious name! Oh! What wonderful business!”

The person who had just spoken did not speak again.

Kai Morland didn't stop for a moment, then turned his attention to the next person: "Skoll Mecklen! Hero of the Battle of Legal! Exemplary officer from humble background! How many Platonic sons' lives were sacrificed to get that colonel's uniform for you?"

“And you—Gesa Adonis!” Kai Morland looked at the last of the four military commanders and demanded, “Where did you get your magnificent manor, luxurious house, and overflowing treasury? Did the Platul brothers buried in the wasteland ever bathe in your pool?”

Gaisa Adonis suppressed his anger and ignored Kai Morland.

Kai Morland's rant was incredibly satisfying, and the free men in the Great Council were equally delighted.

I don't know about other places, but in the newly reclaimed land province, no one has ever dared to verbally abuse the true owners of the newly reclaimed land on such an important occasion.

The free spirits, their emotions stirred, were eager to hear Lord Kai Morland continue his discourse.

However, Kai Morland fell silent. After a moment, he took a deep breath and said loudly, "But I will not accuse you of any crime."

He looked at the officers in the room and said, "Gentlemen, I will not accuse any of you of any crime, because you are simply doing what everyone else is doing."

In your evaluation system, Gaisa Adonis, Skul Mechren, Matthias Korwin, and Winters Montagne are all resounding names. They were brave and fearless, resourceful and wise; they led you to victory after victory. They are role models, examples, and leaders to be followed. How could such people be sinners?

The free agents in the hall were already confused, but Kai Morland had no intention of giving them a moment to catch their breath.

"Therefore I will not accuse any of you of any crime, nor are you criminals."

After a long build-up, Kai Morland was finally able to say what he truly wanted to say:

"The truly guilty party is the old Platonic Army itself!"

"The army that should have been protecting the Republic has kidnapped its homeland."

"It no longer acts in the interests of the Republic, but makes the Republic act in its own interests."

"It abuses the status of free men, turning the Great Council into its puppet."

"It regarded the newly reclaimed province as its private property and turned the Jiangbei province into its own backyard."

"It issues bonds in the name of the Republic, but pockets most of the spoils of war."

"It went to war for military merit and honor, even if it went against the interests of the Republic."

It does not allow itself to be weakened, constrained, or dominated.

"If its requirements cannot be met, even reforms that benefit everyone cannot be implemented."

“As long as it serves its interests, even bills that would harm everyone will be forced through.”

"This is the old Palatine army, this is its crime!" Kai Morland concluded forcefully: "The crimes it committed against the Republic, against all people, against this land!"

"Bullshit! Bullshit! Utter nonsense!" Gaisa Adonis finally lost his temper, jumping up and pointing at Kai Morland's nose as he cursed, "Without us, the Republic of Palatour wouldn't exist! Without us, the newly reclaimed lands would still be in the hands of those barbarians! Without generations of Republic soldiers fighting bloody battles on the wasteland, where the hell would you have the chance to spout such nonsense here! I... I'll fucking kill you!"

“I have never denied the achievements of the old army.” Kai Morland’s demeanor became unusually calm as he responded dismissively to Gaisa’s threat: “But let me also tell you, Lord Gaisa Adonis, and all the esteemed gentlemen present…”

He glanced coldly at the officers in the hall and raised his voice: "If you gentlemen only dare to judge others and not yourselves, then I can now assert that this republic has absolutely no chance of being rebuilt! A poisonous tree cannot bear non-poisonous fruit. Your painstaking efforts are merely starting another cycle!"

Having said that, Kai Morland proudly raised his head: "I have finished speaking, you may hang me now."

"Get him the gallows!" Gaisa roared. "Right here!"

The atmosphere in the council hall instantly became extremely tense. The officers of White Mountain County were at a loss as to how to respond to Colonel Gaisa's orders.

"Silence!" Colonel Skul Mecklen gave a light tap on the mallet.

Everyone in the main council hall breathed a sigh of relief.

"No one will be hanged today." Colonel Skul Mechren's words set the tone for the ensuing conversation.

The colonel stared at Kai Morland, and after a long silence, he announced, word by word, "As for Mr. Kai Morland's accusations, I believe... they are true!"

"Ok?"

"Ok!"

Two distinctly different soft hums echoed in the main council hall, eliciting a murmur of surprise from the crowd. Not only the free men, but also the officers were astonished by this unexpected turn of events.

Colonel Gaisa Adonis stared wide-eyed at his colleagues on the judge's bench.

Lieutenant Colonel Matthias Corwin frowned, but unlike the others, he did not turn his gaze to Colonel Skull. Instead, he kept a close eye on Winters Montagne not far away, but unfortunately, he could not glean any clues from the latter's expression.

"Silence!" Colonel Skull said sternly, striking the gavel again.

The council chamber fell silent.

“No one sees the deep-seated problems of the old army system better than us.” Colonel Skull let out a long sigh and asked sincerely, “But what kind of verdict do you think I should deliver? Do you want me to convict the New Reclamation Legion and order them to return all power to the General Assembly of Free People? Let’s not even consider whether it’s possible—if it were possible, the New Reclamation Province would fall within three months.”

“I understand.” Kai Morland, who had been so incisive just moments before, softened his tone and answered loudly, “Political ideals must always yield to practical considerations, and the Alliance Charter must also yield to the national conditions of each country. Even the ancients understood that when a moment of life and death arrives, a leader with unlimited power must be elected to lead the Republic out of its predicament.”

"At this moment, with the United Provinces already extending their reach into Palatour, it is unrealistic to demand the immediate fulfillment of the promises of the Alliance Charter. I believe that the esteemed gentlemen in this great council chamber understand this as well..."

Kai Morland looked around the Great Council: "Unless someone wants to be a slave to the United Provinces."

A muffled groan, tinged with both contempt and approval, rose from beneath the dome.

Inside the venue, Gaisa Adonis was beginning to understand what was happening, while Matthias Corwin was still closely watching Winters Montagne's expression.

Kai Morland then changed the subject, making a request in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "However, I hope that Your Excellencies can also understand the people's demands, extend the conference date, and allow the conference to discuss the new charter, rather than having it adopted three times in one morning."

The free people present all pricked up their ears.

Kai Morland looked at everyone present and continued, "If we don't want to repeat the same mistakes, we must learn from the lessons of the old Republic and legally abolish the old army's self-command authority, placing the army back under supreme authority—even if we can't do that in reality yet."

“If you can patiently listen to me read the new charter,” Colonel Skul Mecklen’s steely face softened slightly, a bitter smile flitting across his lips, and he said listlessly, “your request is exactly what we hope to achieve.”

“In addition to that,” Kai Morland pressed, “I have another proposal that I hope will be considered by the Free People’s Conference.”

Colonel Gaisa's icy voice came from below the stage: "That's enough."

"Silence." Colonel Skull tapped his gavel, and asked Kai Morland somewhat wearily, "What proposal?"

Kai Morland took a deep breath: "Demand that the army re-swear an oath!"

"Hmm?" Colonel Skull raised an eyebrow slightly.

“I, Kai Morland, propose a motion—the army shall re-swear an oath of allegiance to the Republic, an oath of allegiance to the legitimate representatives of the Republic, the assembly of all free men, an oath…” Kai Morland carefully controlled his breath, ensuring that his next words were clear and loud: “When the time is right, power shall truly be returned to the legitimate representatives of all the people of the Republic.”

A buzzing sound filled the Great Council Hall.

Many free people are still processing Kai Morland's series of parallel sentences, but they have already instinctively realized that this third oath has an extraordinary significance.

"Silence." Colonel Skull struck the gavel again, resting his chin on his hand as he looked at Kai Morland in the dock with interest. "Young man, I've only ever heard of crises forcing reforms, never of anyone paying off debts when they win money."

“We’ve already been pushing for reforms, haven’t we, Your Excellency?” Kai Morland paused for a moment, then spoke from the heart: “I believe in you, I always have.”

Colonel Skull paused for a moment, scrutinizing Kai Morland for a long time, but ultimately could not reach a conclusion.

"So be it then," Colonel Skul thought to himself. The appearance of Kai Morland, this troublemaker, had actually relieved him of a burden. After all, deep down, Skul Mecklen had never agreed with the previous plan to force the passage of the new charter through a combination of coaxing and deception.

"Gentlemen, please be quiet." Colonel Skull slammed his gavel. "Now, the assembly will begin to vote on Kai Morland's proposal. Proposal one: Postpone the closing date of the General Assembly of Free Men until the assembly has completed all necessary work."

Colonel Skoll repeated the proposal three times in a row, then asked, "Who agrees?"

“AYE”.

The initial approval was sparse, because many people hadn't yet realized what was happening.

“AYE!”

The second "yes" was louder, because many people had come to their senses.

“AYE!!!”

The third shout of approval was deafening, because even those free agents who hadn't clearly heard the proposal were joining in the cheers. In the Iron Peak sector, Richard from Blackwater was particularly enthusiastic.

"Who objects?"

No one said anything.

Skulel slammed his gavel down: "Pass."

The second proposal, "allowing the content of the new charter to be resubmitted to the General Assembly of Free People for discussion," was repeated three times.

Then, "Who agreed?"

"AYE!!!!"

“AYE!!!!!”

“AYE!!!!!!”

The cheers grew louder and louder, shaking the dust that had accumulated on the dome of the Great Council Hall. Many people felt as if the Great Council Hall itself was trembling with the cheers.

"Who objects?"

No one said anything.

Skulel slammed his gavel down: "Pass."

Finally, the third proposal was to "demand that the New Reclamation Corps retake its oath."

"AYE!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"AYE!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"AYE!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The cheers for the third vote were even louder than those for the first vote. The thunderous cheers surged out of the Great Council Hall and spread to the streets and alleys. Pedestrians in the city stopped to look, and even the water birds outside the Water Gate were startled into flight.

Richard in Blackwater almost shouted his vocal cords off. This highly coordinated collective activity could easily give the participants the illusion that they possessed inexhaustible power, making them feel not only as members of the group but also as its masters.

"Look! Look!" Richard in Blackwater thought excitedly, "Look at what we can do when we are united! The New Reclamation Army, the United Provinces, no one can stop us, look!"

Colonel Skull waited patiently for a while, until the echoes faded, until the dust settled, until the hoarse free men could catch their breath again, before asking:
"Who objects?"

The council chamber was completely silent.

The silence was broken by a clear, powerful voice.

"I object."

The free people, who had just been indulging in the satisfaction brought by the collective behavior, were suddenly startled. They looked around in panic, trying to find the source of the sound.

All eyes in the Great Council Chamber instantly focused on a figure walking toward the judge's bench.

That figure was none other than someone else.

He was the lord of Iron Peak and Vaughan, the champion of the Paratul Expedition, the conqueror of the Teldun tribe, and the rebel mentioned by Kai Morland:
Winters Montagne.

Blood of the wolf.

[Orz]
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