Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

"That idiot Layton, he hasn't progressed a bit after all these years," a man grumbled at the dining table, "It's convenient for him to abduct civilians from their homes and take them as hostages, but has he ever considered how the Republic is supposed to govern here after the war?"

This was a confidential dinner held in Red Sulfur Harbor, with two other people at the table—Antonio and Winters.

Hearing the speaker relentlessly condemn Major General Rost Layton, Winters just kept his head down and drank his soup without saying a word.

Instead, Antonio put down his cutlery upon hearing this and defended, "The situation was quite special at that time, and he had no other good options. However, that being said, Layton's reputation among the islanders is now surprisingly good."

"Of course it is. First, he scares the islanders so badly they wet their pants, then he plays the hero who rids them of a scourge. The Tanilians are naturally grateful to him," the man scoffed disdainfully, "But that's all temporary. The islanders will gradually forget their fear and gratitude, and may even forget Layton's name. They'll only remember the Venetians who took their family members to fill the trenches."

If someone else had made these remarks, they likely would have been taken as exaggeration.

But the man at the dinner table had the credentials to judge Layton, for he was Gus Lanch—Antonio and Layton's old classmate, and the newly appointed Governor of Red Sulfur Island.

Gus Lanch's career trajectory was rather unusual; he graduated from the Military Academy in the same class as Antonio Serviati and Rost Layton, with a specialty in the Cavalry.

After joining the military, Gus rose rapidly through the ranks and seemed poised to become the first among his peers to receive a general's baton. However, after sixteen years of service, for some unknown reason, Gus abruptly abandoned his promising military career to enter politics, becoming a glorified but humble civil servant.

Luckily, with the support of influential figures in the administrative system, Gus started as the lowest-rank public notary and rapidly rose to the position of City Administrator of Modong Port, where he earned a reputation for being "efficient and well-disciplined."

Thanks to his background, birth, and prior experience, Gus still maintained an intricate connection with the military, and he was considered a key bridge between the administrative and military systems.

This was precisely why the ruling quintet appointed him as Red Sulfur Island's first Governor.

Gus and Antonio enjoyed a deep friendship. As for Winters, he was "the uncle who often visited his home as a child." Antonio privately invited Gus to a dinner and also called Winters over.

"Military men really shouldn't be concerned with politics," Antonio smiled tolerantly. He frowned, asking, "However, I'm still not clear on what exactly is meant by this 'semi-colony' mentioned in the resolutions?"

"Semi-colony" was the political status given to "new territories" such as Red Sulfur Island and Sea Spring Island by the Venetian ruling committee.

"Hey, it's actually quite simple. Think about it, if it's a semi-colony, what's the other half?" Gus had a smile on his face as if he knew all along. Enjoy exclusive chapters from My Virtual Library Empire

"Half overseas territory?"

"No," Gus shook his finger, "It's half occupied area. But if that term were used, it would imply recognition of the Confederation's claim to the archipelago. The quintet neither wants to rule the islands as conquerors nor give Tanilians citizenship rights at present, so they made up the term 'semi-colony.'"

"It seems then that the gubernatorial government has no intention of truly integrating the islands as a part of Veneta?" The concern on Antonio's face deepened.

"The governors have very long-term plans for the islands, I believe they will gradually grant the islands a political status equal to the mainland, but not yet," Gus Lanch said and then walked away from the table towards the window, slowly speaking while looking out at the docks of Red Sulfur Harbor, "If we give the Tanilians citizenship rights now, how is the Republic going to squeeze money out of the islands?"

At those words, even Winters, who had been quietly dining, stopped his movement.

Gus returned to his seat, laughing heartily, "To put it bluntly, they sent me here to raise funds."

"Have the finances become that tight?" Winters couldn't help asking.

"I know exactly how much Gold Coin is left in the treasury, but war is certainly an expensive business. The war with the Confederation may profit in the long run, but we still need to fill in the short-term deficit, so here I am."

Winters felt a pang in his heart, "Fill in... How exactly is it to be filled in?"

"Since they have chosen to be our enemies, all fixed assets of the Red Sulfur Island Council will be confiscated and liquidated. The possessions owned by the council members will also be seized and auctioned," Gus Lanch explained succinctly, leaning back in his chair with a smile, "The fastest way to create wealth is by building an empire, but even faster than that is by destroying one."

The council members were essentially all the plantation owners on the island. And the Red Sulfur Island Council's fixed assets were, in essence, all the common property of the island's residents.

"There's a plantation owner on the island who played a big role in the battle to seize Red Sulfur Harbor, could we give him some leeway?" Winters immediately thought of Kalman from Hongsong Manor.

"That can be easily arranged," Gus answered with a light tone, "Just send a letter of certification from your corps to me, and I'll take care of the rest."