Iron Powder and Spellcasters

   Chapter 428 Dinner (Part 2)

   Hearing Winters' question, Major Meier did not answer. Instead, Major Neveitz answered. He said optimistically:

"I think Colonel Sarnell should be slow and steady. He has the advantage in force and logistics, and as long as he doesn't suffer a turning point defeat, the victory belongs to the Great Council. Push forward without giving the rebels a chance. Not only is this not a bad thing, it is a good thing.”

With an encouraging look, Winters carefully listened to Major Nevitz's analysis, then turned to look at Ike: "Second Lieutenant Axel, what do you think?"

  Ike, who was concentrating on dealing with beef tendons, took a moment to realize who Winters was referring to as "Second Lieutenant Axel".

   He swallowed the beef tendon that was not completely chewed up, picked up the napkin and wiped his lips lightly, then asked with a smile, "I am your prisoner, do you want to hear the opinion of a prisoner?"

   Winters nodded earnestly.

Ike put down his napkin, propped his chin, and said slowly: "The good report released by the Legion did not disclose the strength of the two sides, so I can't evaluate their strategy. But I guess - since the commander of the rebel army chose to shrink the defense, then he must know , he would face a full-scale siege at this rate; Colonel Sarnell must have known that he would face a brutal siege at this rate. But they still made the decision to continue, indicating that they must be prepared"

Ike shook his head and smiled bitterly: "They are all senior officers, and they can take into account anything I can think of, so I am not qualified to evaluate their decision. And among all of you, I have the lowest military rank and the least experience, and I am not qualified to judge. Captain Tagnee, don't let my class get an axe and be ashamed."

   After listening to Ike's words, Major Mel, who was sitting on Ike's left, cut the meat and asked lightly, "Second lieutenant, where did you hear about the battle in Jinghu County?"

   "The Newsletter, of course." Ike said of course: "The oiled paper that is sent to me every morning is the only channel for me to get in touch with the outside world. Without it, I don't know how to live."

  Ike asked Winters with a smile: "Captain Montagne, is there really a man named 'Elek of the Engineers'? Whose pen name is it? Is it yours?"

   "Of course not me." Winters asked righteously: "How can I be so mean?"

   Sitting on the left of Winters, Anna, who had been playing the vase, covered her lips and coughed lightly.

"Then Mr. Elek should pray that Colonel Sarnell will not see the "Newsletter", otherwise Colonel Sarnell will have to come and fight him!" Ike looked at the ceiling and tried hard to recite the "Newsletter" about Sarnell. Colonel Nell's comments:

"'Intention to win quickly but have no courage to give it a shot, unwilling to fail but take risks and take the initiative, indecisive, timid, and boasting the ability to occupy a small unguarded village as a brilliant victory is not very good.' What is this evaluation? Who wrote it? It's... so vicious!"

   Having said that, Ike couldn't hold back, and laughed out loud as he looked out the window.

   The smiles on the faces of Major Nevitz and Major Meier were also hard to hide, and they coincidentally picked up napkins and pretended that there was something on the corner of their mouths.

   Winters saw everything. He cleaned the last food off the plate—even the soup, dipped it in bread, then drank the water from the empty glass, and wiped his mouth haphazardly with the napkin.

  After all this was done, he slapped his chest and exhaled a long, comfortable breath like a rude old soldier who had a good meal the night before the battle.

   Then, he stared at Majors Meier and Major Nievitz, and asked with great interest: "I think, when the game in Jinghu County is decided, the two of you will say goodbye?"

Major   Mer put down the cutlery and replied calmly: "That's why, Captain Montagne, I will tell you 'There is no better time than now to return to the embrace of the Republic'."

  Ike and Major Nevitz, no matter how dull they were, could sense that the relaxed and happy atmosphere just now was no longer there.

  The air in the restaurant was almost solidified, and the shadows of the figures trembled with the uneasy candlelight.

   Both put down the cutlery and quietly watched Captain Montagne and Major Mel who were coming and going. Only Anna was still slowly tasting the dinner she made by herself.

   "Yes." Winters repeated the other party's words calmly: "You tell me, the Republic will not offer a better price than it is now."

"My attitude has not changed now." Major Mel said politely with a smile on his face: "You are a Veneta, of course you know the importance of 'timing' better than I do. When the war is raging, a A good horse can be exchanged for a large bag of gold; but when people no longer need to ride horses, the best horses will only be sent to the table, and they will be reduced to poor meat for inferior people to taste."

Winters didn't laugh. He leaned back in his chair and asked, pretending to be confused: "But my comrades and I have only one county, and it's the most desolate and poorest county in the new reclaimed land. We also have the fewest troops, Vigne. County and Baishan County can easily mobilize many more troops than us. Why us?"

Major   Nevitz lowered his head and looked intently at the bread basket in the center of the table.

  Ike raised his eyebrows slightly and peeked at Major Mel with a little curiosity.

Major Meier calmly recounted the advantages of Iron Peak County: "Although Iron Peak County is desolate and remote, it is the place with the most extensive and potential new land; The least, but the people here are brave and brave, tenacious and tenacious.”

  Although Colonel Mel's words were hype, the more Ike listened, the more puzzled he became.

"As for what you said Tiefeng County has the least troops?" Major Meier paused, showing a smile of admiration in exclamation: "First, we defeated the encirclement and suppression of the two counties, and then we defeated the Terdun Khan Court. Battles are not enough to show your commanding skills? Even in recent days, there have been surprise attacks on Chi Lian and the annihilation of the Portar gang in Shovel Harbor. The Republic needs a commander who can fight well. As for the soldiers, that is not a problem. . Allegiance to the Great Council, you can have as much as you want."

   Winters was noncommittal, turned his head to look at Ike, and said jokingly: "Second Lieutenant Axel. Did you hear? Mayor Portal's men have been identified as 'gangsters'."

  Ike took a sip of wine and replied calmly: "I am what the Republic needs me to be."

  Winters nodded in salute, then looked at Major Mel, looking straight into Major Mel's eyes, he asked solemnly, "So, why us?"

Major   Mer blinked, as if confused as Ike: "What is 'why us'?"

   Winters got his back off the chair when he heard this. He supported the dining table, got closer to Major Mel, and looked at Major Mel: "Why did you choose to come to Tiefeng County to buy me, but not to buy the garrison officers in other counties?"

Major   Mer was sensitively aware of the other party's subtext, and he squinted his eyes and asked: "Then... why do you think - only we came to Iron Peak County, and no other envoys went to other counties?"

  Anna put down the tableware gently, pushed aside the chair and stood up: "Gentlemen, please allow me to retire temporarily."

   Then she smiled slightly curtseyed and walked out of the restaurant gracefully.

   Waited until Anna left before Winters spoke. Instead of answering the major's question directly, he dipped his fingers in the water from the kettle and sketched the outline of the new field on the table.

   "I have a guess." Winters glanced at Ike, then continued to lower his head to draw: "Want to hear?"

   Ike nodded slightly: "All ears."

   As he spoke, Winters had completed the map of the new land, and drew the boundaries of the counties in a few neat strokes.

He first pointed to Maplestone City, Vaughn County, and Leiqun County: "The most dangerous situation for an army to go on an expedition is that the back road is not guaranteed. In the newly reclaimed land province, the only ones directly bordering the Maplestone City area are Vaughn County, Leiqun County and Jinghu County. Apart from these three counties, there is no route that can accommodate the army."

  Ike's voice was very low: "So..."

   "So just hold on to Vigne and Thundershire." Winters said bluntly: "The other three counties can't make a splash."

  Ike nodded in agreement.

Winters picked up the knife and drew a circle on Vigne County: "The original garrison officer in Vigne County was killed last year, and the officer corps in the Vigne County garrison was almost emptied. The newly appointed garrison officer The foundation is not deep and the strength is weak, and he needs to rely on the authority of the legion headquarters to maintain his position. I don't think he has the courage to attack Maplestone City."

  Ike nodded in agreement again, and Major Nevitz next to him was also fascinated, but Major Meier remained silent.

   Immediately afterwards, Winters used

The table knife carved three forks in Leiqun County, Bianjiang County and Baishan County, and said lightly: "These three counties are just the opposite of Vigne County. The garrison officers are all veterans, with plenty of troops and they have just experienced a winter. The most important thing is that although the garrison officers of these three counties are usually very critical of General Adams, they are even more disgusted with the great councils of the castles - they will never accept a government that betrays Plato."

   "Sell that statement." Major Nevitz cleared his throat and whispered, "Too harsh."

  Ike also echoed word for word: "I also don't think it's wrong to try to build a truly unified alliance."

   "What you think is one thing," Winters said dismissively. "I only say what they think—or at least what I think they think."

Major   Mell waved his hand and motioned to Winters to "please continue".

Winters picked up the knife and drew two shallow circles on the "forks" of Leiqun County and Bianjiang County: "However, Leiqun County not only borders the Maplestone City area, but also borders the Beilu Province. Bordering. There is also Bianjiang County, which also borders Beilu Province."

  Ike involuntarily frowned and narrowed his eyes.

"If I'm not mistaken." Winters glanced at Major Mel and said firmly: "The Great Council is now desperately making a move in the northern province, not seeking to occupy Bianjiang County and Leiqun County, but seeking It can contain the garrison troops in the two counties and let them go north without any energy."

  Ike and Major Nevitz looked at Major Meyer, who was still wearing that polite mask.

   "So the one that can really threaten Maplestone City." Winters hung the knife on Baishan County, and then lightly said: "Only Baishan County."

   The falling knife should have been bounced off the table top—at most, leaving a small bump on the table top, but for unnatural reasons, the knife penetrated the table in the blink of an eye, and never reached the handle.

   Ike raised his eyebrows unconsciously.

   "So." Major Mel cleared his throat and asked with a smile, "What do you want to say?"

   Winters folded his arms and replied with a smile: "So Iron Peak County has become important, so I'm important."

   The candles on the table jumped in unison.

   "If I fall to the Great Council, Colonel Geisa will not dare to make a move." Winters said slowly: "If I fall to the three counties of Baishan, Leiqun and Bianjiang, then the situation will be reversed."

  Major Mel spreads his hands slightly: "That's why we are willing to offer you a high price."

Winters stood up, looked down at Majors Mayer and Major Nievitz, and said coldly: "No, I don't think you're really bidding. For you, even if I don't fall for either side, your purpose is The same can be achieved - and you are staying in Gervodin with this idea in mind. So once the battle of Mirror Lake County is decided, you will not hesitate to leave."

   "No no no." Major Meyer also stood up and responded politely: "The Great Council sincerely wants to accept you back into the arms of the Republic."

Major Meier paused for a moment, the flawless mask finally cracked a gap, and he said **** for tat with a threatening tone: "But there is one thing you are right, this is your last chance. Our kindness and patience are There is a limit, once the battle of Jinghu County is decided, your door of opportunity will be closed forever!"

   Winters looked at every nuance of Colonel Mel's expression and asked with a smile, "I'm curious, why are you so sure - you can win?"

Major   Mel was puzzled at first, then his pupils suddenly dilated and his eyes widened. Ike was the second to notice the difference, and finally Major Nievitz.

  Winters punched the table and shouted angrily: "Gendarmerie!"

   As soon as the words fell, Ciel and Heinrich led a team of military police armed to the teeth and rushed into the dining room.

   "Grab them all." Winters' voice was as cold as ice.

  Ciel and Heinrich immediately stepped forward, **** Major Meier, Major Nievitz, and Second Lieutenant Axel, and controlled them.

   "I'm a messenger! messenger!" Major Mel struggled desperately, and he asked angrily: "Montagne! You treat me with salt and bread first! Are you going to treat me like a prisoner?"

   "Be honest!" Ciel kicked Major Mel's knee, causing him to kneel on the ground.

   "I protect the messenger." Winters walked up to Major Mel and patted the major's handsome face: "But I don't protect spies."

  Ike looked at the two majors in confusion: Major Nevitz lowered his head, and Major Meyer was also dumbfounded.

"I never told you that Maplestone City sent troops, and I never provided you with the "Communication". According to the agreement, you will not take the initiative to contact people other than the designated recipients. But it seems that you are concerned about the big and small affairs of the outside world during this time. You know everything like the back of your hand." Winters asked, "So, who told you?"

   Major Mel snorted coldly and said nothing.

   Winters asked pleasantly, "Is it them?"

  Ciel knowingly carried Major Mel to the window and slammed it open.

  Outside the window, in the backyard of the officer's apartment, twenty or so men and women with ashen faces, stubbornly bound, and Major Mel looked directly at each other.

  Looking at the body and clothes, these two dozen people should belong to the pampered class. However, at this moment, there is only fear, regret and despair in their eyes, and there is no place for the bossy look in the past.

   Winters walked out of the dining room and walked to the manor, businessman, and forge owner who provided information and intelligence to Majors Mayer and Nievitz.

   "I gave you a chance, I gave you three chances." Winters clenched his fingers involuntarily, then loosened them, and he asked calmly, "Do you think I dare not kill? Or do you think I don't want to kill?"

  The arrested men and women begged for mercy, but because their mouths were blocked, they could only keep making whimpering noises. Some were sobbing and others were so frightened that they lost control.

   Winters took a deep breath, suppressed the urge to make Anna's well-kept little garden bleed, and coldly ordered: "Take them away."

   Then he looked at the silent Major Mel, the terrified Major Nevitz, and the overwhelmed Ike: "Take them too."

  …

   After a while.

   "Didn't hurt you?" Winters asked Ike apologetically, "I'm sorry I didn't discuss it with you in advance."

"If you discuss it with me in advance, then I'm sure it will be a bad show." Ike carefully moved his wrist while helping Winters to tie his armed belt: "But your little sidekick is really ruthless... But I still don't quite understand, Why are you acting like this?"

"It's not a valet, it's the younger brother of a good friend of mine...I don't know how he is now." Winters raised his hand high, so that Ike could help tie the sword belt to the armed belt: "If Major Mel and If Major Nevitz sees that you are close to me, then you are really a 'traitor'."

   "Isn't that exactly what you want?" Ike joked: "I can't turn back, I can only follow you as a rebel."

   Winters shook his belt, making sure that the belt and saber were securely fastened. He turned and said to Ike earnestly, "No, I won't do this to you. If you become my comrade, I hope you will."

   "What if I became your enemy?" Ike asked with a smile.

   "If you choose that." Winters took a deep breath and said peacefully, "I accept it too."

  Ike laughed and punched Winters in the chest: "I don't wish you a 'win', I hope you return safely."

  Ciel came over with the dark horse that Winters was used to riding. Winters took the reins and turned on his horse: "Definitely."

   After saying that, he nodded, stabbed the horse's ribs lightly, and walked to the gate of the small block of the officer's quarters.

When    left the gate, he looked back and saw Anna's figure in the window on the second floor of his cozy little house.

  Winters couldn't bear to say goodbye, he stared at Anna and silently told his lover: "Wait for me to come back."

   He didn't know if Anna could see what he was talking about, so he turned and rode away.

  Anna stood at the window for a long time. After a long time, she looked at the back of Winters disappearing into the night, and whispered with tears:

"it is good."

  …

  Hail-like sound of hooves echoed through the streets of Gervoudin, causing residents to stand by their windows to watch.

  Winters led a small group of guards and headed straight out of town to the road.

  Beside him, a real army was marching hurriedly overnight.

   The spears are like a forest, moving slowly in the fields on both sides of the road; the pulleys are driving in the middle of the road with guns and baggage.

   It was found that the blood wolf was riding the horse, and the soldiers cheered.

   In addition to Major Seber, there were also several "folks and elders" who came to see them off at the intersection: old Priskin, the tobacconist, Shaosha, the city councillor and blacksmith, representatives of the manor owners who moved to Gervodin... and Kaman.

   "You really don't need me to protect you?" Kaman asked embarrassedly and a little worriedly: "The enemy you face this time is an army that also has magicians."

   "Don't worry about my safety, I have thousands of troops to protect me." Winters said sternly: "In contrast, I am more worried about Anna. Please be sure to protect her for me."

   "Relax." Kaman raised his chin: "I will protect Miss Navarre like I protect my family."

"Thank you, with you here, I can rest assured." Winters sincerely thanked him, looking at Kaman who was still worried, he couldn't help but smile: "Don't worry about me, I still have that protection. ."

  Speak, he pointed forward.

  Kaman looked over at Winters's instructions: Lieutenant Colonel Moritz van Nassau, a listless man in common cavalry attire, yawned on an inconspicuous gray-haired warhorse.

  Kaman couldn't help laughing, he nodded: "That's it."

Winters wanted to say a few more words, but Major Cerber was on the verge of self-control, and he shouted from a distance: "Damn it! There's no end?! Colonels Bode, Gaisa, and Skool are waiting. I'm getting impatient! You asked three colonels to wait for you and a captain?!"

   Winters nodded at Kaman: "See you tomorrow, Father Kaman."

   "May the Lord bless you." Kaman bowed: "Montagne the unbeliever."

   Winters rode his horse and walked quickly to Major Cerber.

   "Why did you come?" Major Seber pulled the reins and said impatiently, "Captain Mason and Captain Cellini have already set off."

   "Okay." Winters nodded.

   Major Seiber suddenly narrowed his eyes, the tip of his nose trembled slightly, trying to sniff the air: "What's the smell?"

   Winters answered loudly, with a hint of provocation: "Beef stew!"

   "That's right!" Not only was Sebo not angry, but he nodded: "Suitable as the last meal before death! It's a pity that no one served stirrup wine, otherwise it would be complete!"

   "When you come back, please taste Anna's craftsmanship."

   "A word is settled."

   "It's a deal." Winters looked back at Gervodin, but all he saw was the dark night. He no longer hesitated, and waved his hand: "Let's go!"

  The army of steel and steel rushes to unknown distances.

   [97, 157/100000]

   [The enemy is in Jinghu County! ]

   [Thanks to book lovers for their collection, reading, subscription, recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, rewards and comments, thank you all]

   (end of this chapter)