Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Anna, Catherine, and Eileen listened intently, especially Eileen—she was the wife of a major estate owner.

But Eileen did not defend the estate owners; she just listened quietly.

This was the first time Winters had shared his thoughts with others; he had not even discussed it with Pierre.

"Do you think the interests of the farmers are more important than those of the estate owners and the legion?" Catherine asked pointedly, although she did not really understand the history of the Newly Reclaimed Land.

"I believe everyone's interests are important," Winters thought for a moment and answered, "But those with power should not exploit the flesh, blood, and bones of those without power; they are also people striving to live."

After some thought, Anna summarized, "In the end, it all comes down to land, land is always an important asset for everyone. Then you can include all the waste land in Wolf Town into your accounts. That way, your business would have a substantial net asset and capital. You could even do real estate mortgaging."

Winters thought about it; it was openly usurping the assets of the New Reclamation Legion, but it was exactly what he was doing, so he nodded his head.

"Land should not be distributed for free either. If something has no price, it won't be cherished," Anna suggested softly: "Land debts can also be held over the long term and can also bring profit."

At first, Winters was pleased, but the more he considered it, the more something felt off.

Suddenly, he came to a realization and was startled to find he really was gradually starting to think of everything in terms of business.

"No, this won't do," Winters was heartbroken as he looked at Anna sorrowfully, "They have just climbed out of the mire of dire poverty; should they be squeezed by me until they have nothing left?"

Anna was surprised as well; the pursuit of profit is human nature, and she never thought there was anything wrong with pursuing profit.

But altruism is also a spirit celebrated by humans, even the profit-driven Sea Blue People have enthusiastically donated their family fortunes to Sea Blue.

Anna gradually began to understand Winters' ideas. She was moved, and her heart ached for him.

She came up with an alternative: "Then you could set the price of the land a bit lower, low enough that even one silver coin would suffice. But don't give it away for free; at least let everyone get used to the idea of a price and a contract."

Winters considered for a moment and nodded with difficulty.

Anna moved closer to Winters' ear and said with sadness, "My dear, no one can save everyone... but I will be with you."

This was the first time she had used the term "my dear."

Winters felt like he had been doused with a bucket of ice water, the shock to his body and spirit indescribable.

"What are you whispering about?" Catherine protested dissatisfied, "There are others here, and you're whispering in each other's ears, that's quite ignoring Mrs. Mitchell and me, isn't it?"

"Sorry." Anna apologized to Mrs. Mitchell.

Eileen laughed and shook her head.

Winters suddenly asked seriously, "Anna, would you be willing to help me?"

This was also the first time he had used the name "Anna."

"What are you talking about?" Catherine sprang up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, "My sister is an unmarried lady, how can she show her face in such matters? Have you considered her at all?"

"I am willing," Anna smiled and nodded, but then shook her head, "But it's not possible, not only because it goes against etiquette and customs but also because it would cause your subordinates and everyone to lose respect for you. We still live in this world and are bound by its rules. I don't want your reputation to be damaged because of me."

"It's okay," Winters showed his teeth in a smile, "I'm the boss here."

"I can only keep the books, look at the accounts…"

"That's still better than anyone else."

"You want my sister to manage all the accounts for you? Do you want to work her to death?" Catherine, anxious inside, came up with a compromise in her quick thinking, "Anna and I can teach others how to keep the books. If you have a general ledger, just leave it to my sister to manage. She doesn't have to appear in public and attract criticism. Even my mother wouldn't personally keep track of every single account book."

Winters laughed heartily, he laughed freely and said to the ladies, "Since Miss Navarre arrived here, everything has gone particularly smoothly, like the monsoon winds filling the sails."

Winters walked out of the study to find Pierre not waiting at the door.

He searched the first and second floors of the estate but did not find Pierre.

Eventually, he found Pierre in the attic.

Mr. Mitchell was intimately embracing another lady.

Upon discovering someone ascending to the attic, the lady panicked and ran down the ladder, nearly knocking Winters over.

Winters did not get a clear look at the lady's face, but he noticed the black veil tied in her hair.

There were so few people in the Mitchell estate that it was easy to guess who she was.

To tie one's hair with a black veil meant she was a widow.

And there was currently only one widow in the estate—Mrs. Madeleine, the widow of a militia man who had perished in the wolf disaster and had been cornered by Bunting previously.

Eileen had contributed money to help Mrs. Madeleine clear her taxes and hired her as a maid, bringing her and her young daughter to the Mitchell estate for care.

Mrs. Madeleine was four or five years older than Pierre; as for whether she was attractive, Winters hadn't taken much notice.

Caught in a compromising situation by his superior, Pierre awkwardly grabbed his hair and asked with a smile, "Is your business done?"

"It's done," Winters said with a subtle expression, looking at Pierre with a complicated gaze.

When he was Pierre's age, he had still been living the life of an Ascetic Monk.

He would attend classes, perform duties, and serve as Aike's sparring partner, often coming home beaten black and blue without ever winning once.

The only women in his life were the cook and the laundry woman, whose arms and thighs were more muscular than his.

Nothing like Mr. Mitchell's... colorful life.

"Let's go, back to the camp," Winters sighed, "You said earlier there was something very important, what was it?"

Pierre buttoned up and replied, word for word, "Blackwater Town is willing to provide grain and asks you to be their protector."

In September, the autumn grain would be harvested, mainly barley, oats, and legumes.

Anyone of sound mind could already predict that when the autumn grain ripened, what awaited the Newly Reclaimed Land would be another ruthless round of "forcibly harvesting" and "heavy taxation."

Through word of mouth, the people of Blackwater Town gradually learned about the deeds of the Garrison Officer of Montaigne.

They knew about the grain levy team sent to Wolf Town being ambushed;

They knew about the Garrison Officer of Montaigne cleaning out the bandits near Wolf Town;

They also knew about the massacre in the Valley of Saint Gis and the trial—the bandit leader's carcass still hangs at the entrance of the valley, deterring any criminals with ill-intentions.

Thus, the people of Blackwater Town conceived a bold idea: to invite the Garrison Officer of Wolf Town to become the protector of Blackwater Town.

Not only to protect them from the hands of bandits and robbers but also from the grain levy teams.

Of course, this was a covert agreement; outwardly, Blackwater Town would still pledge loyalty to Revodan.

But should the grain levy team be intercepted, then nobody could blame Blackwater Town.

"That's the situation," Pierre said hesitantly, "Although we are in dire need of grain, becoming their protector would... almost amount to directly opposing Revodan."

"Excellent!" Winters laughed heartily, "That's exactly what I want!"