Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters-Chapter 930 - 26 Colonel and Colonel_2

Chapter 930: Chapter 26 Colonel and Colonel_2

“Old man, fair’s fair,” Winters stared into the other’s eyes. “You work for us, we pay you. That’s fair.”

The old man took a step back and bowed, “May the Lord bless you, sir. I cannot take this money.”

Winters felt that Old Fugget was neither being polite nor playing hard to get, so he too spoke sincerely.

He placed the money bag in Old Fugget’s hands and earnestly said, “Old man, times are tough. After we leave, you still need to live.”

Old Fugget hung his head, and this time he did not refuse. The captain’s words could not be more straightforward. Even though his debts were wiped away, what could an old man like him rely on to survive in these times? Steal?

Pierre suddenly spoke, “Old man, why not come with us? It’s just one more person in such a big convoy.”

Pierre’s body had not fully recovered, and the cold air outside the tent caused him to cough violently. While coughing, he said, “I have a manor at home, there’s enough space, always something for you to eat. And a place to bury you when you die…”

Gerard, standing beside him, looked at his son with a mix of pain and anger.

The pain was because Pierre’s body was almost broken down by the dungeon; the anger was because Pierre spoke out of turn and made promises in front of Captain Montaigne without regard for propriety.

But neither Winters nor Pierre felt there was anything amiss. Ever since Winters returned to Iron Peak County, Pierre had been serving as his second-in-command, until they came to Jiangbei Province to search for someone.

But to Gerard, with deeply ingrained notions of hierarchy, Pierre’s actions were impolite and offensive—a generational difference in perception.

Suddenly, Winters remembered that the Mitchell manor had been seized…

He hadn’t had the chance to tell Pierre and Gerard about it, and now was not the right time to discuss it.

“If you’re willing, why not come back with us to Newly Reclaimed Land?” Winters adeptly skirted around the topic of the manor. “It’s a bit remote, but there’s a place for you to settle.”

Old Fugget wiped the corner of his eyes, raised his head, his rugged face full of smiles, “My daughter still lives in Dawnforge Fort, I don’t want to leave her too far behind.”

Old Fugget stepped forward, firmly grasping the captain’s hand, “‘Thank you’ is too feeble a word… Please believe, if there is a chance, I will repay you.”

Winters was initially startled, then also smiled and grasped the old man’s hand, “You can bring your daughter too.”

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

“It’s a bit complicated…” Old Fugget shook his head, repeating almost like a vow, “If there is a chance, I will definitely repay you, please believe me, please believe me.”

Farewells are always brief. After all the tents were folded, carts harnessed, and goods loaded, it was time to set off.

“Last check of the ropes!” Winters led his horse, inspecting from the very end of the convoy to the front: “We’re carrying ceramics, not food. Careful with the bumps on the road, don’t break them.”

Lieutenant Colonel Alec, assigned to assist Winters, couldn’t help but feel amused and bewildered.

Alec was from the artillery service and had overseen bridge building during the battle at The Styx; he knew Winters well. Alpad had sent him to liaise with Winters, specifically because of this.

In Alec’s view, since they had a travel pass signed by General Alpad himself overseeing directly, Winters and his group should have had no hindrance under the military government—there was no need to sneak around.

Therefore, seeing Winters not in a hurry to depart but instead sweeping goods around Dawnforge Fort, Lieutenant Colonel Alec could only lament helplessly, “It’s just like him… just like him…”

After inspecting the convoy from end to end, Winters tied his warhorse behind the first large cart and agilely climbed onto it.

For some reason, Winters felt utterly relaxed. Looking eye to eye with Gerard Mitchell who was sitting in the driver’s seat, he suddenly burst out laughing, “Mr. Mitchell?”

“What’s the matter, Captain?” Gerard became much more reserved.

“Last time we escorted together, wasn’t it to Revodan?”

Gerard was initially stunned, then remembering the past, he also smiled, “Well… let’s hope we don’t meet bandits this time.”

“We’re in Jiangbei Province! Not your Newly Reclaimed Land!” Lieutenant Colonel Alec urged displeasedly, “There aren’t that many bandits here. Let’s set off!”

“Alright!” Winters took a deep breath and shouted, “Move out!”

The coachmen joyfully cracked their whips with a “snap”, and the boisterous Dusack men sang coarse tunes loudly.

The carriages, one after another, drove off, leaving only clusters of pale white ash at the old campsite.

Then, just that evening, the convoy encountered the first group of bandits.

The next afternoon, they encountered the second group.

…

“Ahh, about this…” Lieutenant Colonel Alec awkwardly explained to Winters, “I truly didn’t know it would be like this.”

It was already completely dark, and the convoy camped on a flat open space, arranging the carts end to end to form a temporary fortification.

Winters wanted to laugh but felt it inappropriate, so he silently sipped his soup.

Ordinary bandits were no match for Winters’ old subordinates; the Dusack men dispersed the robbers as easily as slicing through melons and vegetables.

Nevertheless, encountering robberies consecutively for two days understandably embarrassed Alec, who had confidently guaranteed the security conditions in Jiangbei Province.

Service Soldier also brought Alec a cup of soup; holding the cup, he remained silent for a long while, puzzledly stating, “But… it’s really strange, our convoys have never had such problems before… where did all these criminals come from?”