Iron Powder and Spellcasters

   Chapter 339 Fire

   Jiangbei Province, Rum County, Kaolin Castle.

  The old house of the Alpad family has a history of more than half a century, and it is a real "old and broken".

   It is not because the ancestors of the Arpad family were shy, but because when the old house broke ground, the Paratus people were still living in the shadow of the Hed tribes, and almost every autumn, barbarians came to threw the grass valley.

   Therefore, in order to take into account both defense and warmth, the doors and windows of the old house of the Arpad family are few and small. Core areas such as storage rooms, arsenals, and stables are all wrapped in thick walls. After entering the gate, you have to go through a long corridor full of arrow holes and bullet holes before you can really enter the room.

   The whole complex is not so much a place of residence as it is a small fortress.

  For designers, sturdiness and safety are the most important requirements, and comfort and beauty are obviously not a priority.

  It is precisely because of this that the members of the Arpad family couldn't wait to move out of this damp and cold building as soon as the terrorist threat from the wasteland was lifted.

  The old house of the Arpad family has since been left unused, leaving only a few old and frail servants to take care of the house.

   Until [Arpad Duyoom] returned to Jiangbei Province.

  …

  The **** night of the castles, when the members of the Red Rose faction jointly signed the order to arrest Army Major General Arpad Duyoom, they must not have expected the situation to get completely out of control.

   Even though individual members felt uneasy and terrified beforehand, they finally signed their names and stamped tremblingly.

  It's a pity, I'm afraid nothing is certain in the world, except death...and paying taxes.

As time enters the autumn, both the [Palatu Provisional Military Government] and the [Palatu Second Republic] have to accept such a cruel reality: their own side may be able to win, but the price of victory will definitely be far exceeded expectations.

The dream of    quick victory has been completely shattered. Facts have proved that hoping that the opponent will surrender without a fight or collapse at a touch is tantamount to babbling.

  The demagogues who once clamored that "as long as we do what we do, the other party will do what we do" are now all mute.

   As for the optimists who thought that the civil war would soon be decided, they also realized that the war was only just beginning.

   "End the Civil War" began to grow louder. The voices are not only coming from within Prato, but even allies are expressing concern.

  The Chief State Secretary of the Republic of Vine wrote an open letter to the "Republic of Parato" and the "Republic of Parato", calling for "a negotiated solution to the war".

   And this fall, the massive looting of the Hurd tribes just provided an opportunity for both sides of the civil war.

   Thirty years later, the iron hoofs of the Hurd barbarians once again stepped into the land of Platu. Even the Red Rose and Blue Rose, who were still killing each other just a moment ago, could not help but feel a strong sense of hatred.

   There is no need to repeat what happened after that - the red and blue roses each repelled the plundering chapters of the Hurd tribes, and tacitly did not hold back the other party. After that, the two armies rested across the river and did not make any major moves.

  From autumn to winter, the situation seems to have taken a turn for the better.

The castles openly sent a letter to the [National Assembly of the Republic of Van] and [Major General Arpad Duyoom], taking the lead in expressing their willingness to accept the mediation of the Chief State Secretary of the Republic of Van, agreeing to "end the essence of the Republic of Palato by negotiation." The state of division on the

   This very beautifully worded open letter is signed [President of the Grand Council of the Republic of Palato, Grove Magnus].

  It was at the same time that Arpad Duyoom left the army, left the front lines, left the junta's center of power, and returned to his hometown, Fort High Ridge, County Rum.

   He did not stay in the apartment prepared for him by the city officials, nor in the spacious and comfortable new mansion, but returned to the place where he lived in his childhood and boyhood - the old house of the Arpad family.

  …

  The days are short in winter, and the old house of the Arpad family is not well lit, so before five o’clock, the old house was already shrouded in darkness.

  The servant quietly went into the study, put down the candlestick, and stepped out again with silent steps.

  Alpad stared at the corner of the study in a trance, completely ignorant of the servants coming in and out, until another old servant pushed open the wooden door of the study with a square plate.

   "I brought you your dinner." The old servant stopped by the door.

  Alpad nodded slightly, and then the old servant stepped into the study.

   Dinner is simple, just bread and soup.

  The old servant at home saw the young master—now the master—going home and happily kept the dining room spotless.

  However, Arpad Duyoom has been a professional soldier for more than 30 years, and he has lived in the military camp for longer than in the old house. He has long forgotten the so-called noble style. So so far, the restaurant has not been used.

When the old servant was setting the tableware, Arpad suddenly asked, "Did you see that cabinet?"

   "I see, sir."

   "There is a hidden compartment behind the cabinet. It should have been left by the mason. You have to push the cabinet to see it. No one should know about it except me and Klein."

Of course the    old servant knew who Klein was, but he didn't know how to answer. For Klein Heisler, the closest brother of Arpad Duyoom, had died in the Bloody Night of the Castle of Kings.

   "Master." The old servant changed the subject and lowered his head to report: "Captain Borde asks to see you."

   Arpad, who was immersed in his memories, returned to reality, and he gave the old servant a cold look.

The old servant hurriedly explained: "I have told Captain Bode that you are not here. But he insisted on seeing you, and he brought one thing - yours."

   Having said that, the old servant took out an object from his bosom and presented it respectfully.

   That is a square flask, a very delicate flask. Unfortunately, it is no longer usable, because it has half a lead bullet embedded in it.

  …

   An old servant with gray hair was sitting by the door of the reception room, his eyes looking at the ground like a puppet.

   Apart from the old servant, there was only Winters in the reception room of Nuoda, and a row of armchairs against the wall.

   Winters observed the frescoes on the wall with interest. The murals have no theme, just some decorative patterns. And the painting is terrible, probably by an amateur painter.

   Instinctively, Winters was more interested in the fortress-like mansion than the frescoes.

   On his way from the second door to the reception room, he noticed a patio in the center of the house.

  Plateau houses rarely have patio structures to keep them warm in winter. Winters can think of only one plausible explanation: harvesting rainwater.

  Why do ordinary houses collect rainwater? To deal with a siege?

   Considering the location of the mansion, Winters speculated that the ancestral home of the Arpad family should belong to the transitional building between the castle and the residence, and the construction time would not be too early.

  Although there are many sentries and guards, the defensive ability is still not strong in Winters' opinion.

  Gaolin Castle is not the capital of Rum County, nor the administrative center of Jiangbei Province. She is just a small town under Rum County.

  Alpad returned to Highmountain with only a few followers, but the military government could not allow the leader to return to his hometown alone.

  The guards and military and political dignitaries who followed Arpad to Gaolingbao almost packed the small town.

   Fortunately, the process of Winters entering Kaolin Castle went smoothly without any interrogation.

   He doesn't need to disguise, because he is a genuine commissioned officer, his uniform, his "interprovincial accent", and every part of his body are the best proof of identity.

   He only brought one Dussak guard, Vashka, who was also a genuine Dussack.

   Winters also wrote himself a pass, forged his signature according to the citation that Arpad had issued to him, and finally spent half an hour engraving a stamp.

  For Winters, the biggest risk of traveling in areas under the military government is being recognized by a senior or classmate.

   The so-called "academic" officers are actually a very small group. When two graduates meet, they can break all lies with just a few words.

   So Winters took Vashka all the way to deliberately avoid towns that might have garrisoned troops, and travelled to Kaolin fortress at night.

   The door of the reception room opened, and another gray-haired old servant walked slowly to Winter and whispered, "Please come with me."

   At the end of a dim corridor, the old servant opened the door for Winters, and Arpad Duyoom sat behind his desk.

Compared to Winters' memory of the cavalry general who was bright, energetic, brave and skilled, and seemed to have endless energy, it is easier for people to perceive the fact that he has half a step into his old age at this moment. .

  While Winters looked at Arpad, Arpad was also looking at Winters.

   "Are you married?" Arpad frowned and asked for no reason. His voice wasn't as loud as it used to be, but it was still full of air.

  The old servant exited the study with interest and closed the door.

   Winters assumes many conversations, not one of which begins with "You're in the family."

  The relationship between Arpad and Winters is far from being close or acquainted. The former is the commander of the major general, while the latter is only the insignificant centurion.

   So Arpad's question baffled Winters, let alone how to answer it.

  Alpad motioned for Winters to take his seat: "Bod Gates has a daughter."

   Winters is also welcome - he is no longer Arpad's subordinate - sits calmly in front of Arpad: "Just borrowed Colonel Bode's surname."

  Alpad did not continue the topic, and instead asked: "Do you have news about Bode Gates?"

   "Yes, he is still alive." Winters considered his words: "Currently... Colonel Broad should be in Maplestone."

   Arpad frowned slightly, then sighed in relief, no longer frowning.

   Winters remembered that Colonel Bode was originally the chief captain of the Sixth Army. In other words, Colonel Bode was Arpad's deputy. The relationship between the two of them is probably closer than Winters originally thought.

  Alpad didn't continue to ask Colonel Broad's current situation, he glanced at Winters: "The officer in the new field sent me a letter of reprimand, Adams said you were a bandit."

   Arpad sneered: "He also held me accountable for this and asked me to send someone to deal with you."

  Winters thought he would be angry, but he didn't actually have any emotion: "Oh? How did you reply to him?"

   "How to reply to him? I told him—I'm glad to know that Winters Montagne is still alive." Arpad said contemptuously: "Adams is a fool with both sides, you don't have to be afraid of him."

   Winters vaguely felt that if the former Arpad was a fiery flame, now the Major General of the Cavalry is like the boiling magma tumbling in a volcano.

   He didn't answer, because he didn't think he was close enough to Arpad to judge a character.

   But... Maybe it is because Arpad has no direct interest in him, so Arpad is extremely frank with him.

   I have finished saying what I want to say, and I have finished asking what I want to ask. Arpad took out his pipe, pressed the tobacco leaves a little, and asked bluntly, "Tell me, what do you want?"

  Winters also didn't want to be swayed by the clouds and fog, and the simple and direct dialogue was in line with his heart: "One of my subordinates was arrested by your military police and is now imprisoned in Xiaolu City."

   "What crime?" Arpad frowned slightly.

   "The deserter."

   "Anything else?"

   "The other subordinates I brought out from Wolf Town."

   "Wolf Town?" Arpad frowned slightly.

   "A very remote, very remote town." Winters said calmly: "I am the resident there."

  Alpad gave Winters a deep look: "No problem, you can take them all away."

   Winters nods: "Thank you."

"that's it?"

"that's it."

  Alpad shook his head with a half-smile, picked up a pen and paper and wrote a pass. Then he slowly heated the lacquer, took off the ring and lacquered the pass.

"This pass allows you to travel unimpeded north of the Jade River." Arpad handed the folded pass to Winters: "You stay here for one night, and tomorrow I will send someone to help you find your old department. ."

  Winters took the correspondence card and put it away carefully—this one is true, he nodded again to thank him: "I have a place to live."

   Arpad took a puff of his pipe, as if saying "whatever you want".

   Winters got up to leave.

   "Do you really have nothing else to ask for?" Looking at the young man's back, Arpad finally couldn't help but reminded: "This opportunity will never come again."

   Winters touched the location of the pass through the clothes: "This is enough."

  Alpad picked up the jug that was almost pierced by lead bullets, and stared at every scratch and gap on the jug: "Just a little bit."

   "Yes." Winters suddenly wanted to laugh for some reason: "If it wasn't for it, I would be dead."

  Alpad raised his hand, and the jug made an arc in the air, which Winters easily caught.

   It seems that for the first time since Winters walked into the study, Arpad smiled as he did in the past: "Although it is useless, let me leave you a memory."

"thanks."

   Winters walked to the door, and before he could reach out and touch the handle, the old servant who was guarding outside had already opened the door as if foretold.

   His boots had just stepped out of the study when Arpad's voice suddenly sounded behind him: "Wait..."

  Winters stopped, Alpad got up and walked towards Winters: "See you again...I don't know when it will be, and I don't know what it will be like, I'll see you off."

   Even the puppet-like old servant couldn't hide his shock when he saw "Master" sending a little captain out of the parlour.

When    sent Winters out, the conversation became lighthearted.

   Arpad asked casually, "Did you see the open letter from Grove Magnus?"

   "The one calling for negotiations?"

"Yes."

   "I only saw it a few days ago."

"what do you think?"

   "It's very well written, there are discussions everywhere in the tavern, in the inn."

   "What's good? Gorgeous words, bullshit! Grove Magnus is a mean, insidious villain who likes to play tricks. Everyone can say nice things, but I don't even believe punctuation when he says it."

   Winters wanted to inquire, but it seemed like he was spying on Arpad's intelligence, so he didn't answer.

   After spitting, Alpad suddenly asked Winters, "Do you have a legal wife?"

   Winters replied with a straight face: "Yes."

   "Captain Montagne."

   "General."

   "If you are legally married to Colonel Bode's daughter, then you are half-Platonic." Arpad sighed softly: "Do you understand what I mean?"

   "Understood, but I'm married."

   "Then you can only be a Veneta forever."

   Winters replied solemnly: "I thought I was a citizen of the Union."

"I once thought so, and everyone of us once thought so." Arpad, the fiery general, showed a trace of sentimentality: "But the reality is much crueler, the republics are incompatible, and the great alliance is only A beautiful dream for Marshal Ned."

   Winters was noncommittal, but his expression said it all.

Either out of regret, or out of admiration, maybe out of guilt, or out of envy, Alpad said to Winters word for word: "You're a Veneta, which means you'll never be able to. Rooted in Palato. Sooner or later you have to go back to Veneta, a decision you can make now or when you have to. But the sooner you make this decision, the better it will be for you."

"Thank you for your suggestion."

  The conversation ended here, and the two kept walking out of the room.

   When passing through the long corridor full of arrow holes and bullet holes, Arpad, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly asked, "Did you kill Sackler?"

  For others, Winters never answered the question head-on.

   But he gave Alpad a crisp answer: "Yes."

   "Did he die in pain?"

   "No pain."

   "I'll send you here." Arpad stopped.

   The night was dark, and Winters couldn't see Alpad's expression, only heard a calm "thank you".

   Winters raised his hand in salute and walked towards the gate.

   Suddenly, he remembered something: "Sorry, I have another request."

"Say."

   "I also have a subordinate who was also brought out from Wolf Town. But his identity is a bit special. I would like to ask you for a guarantee that I will be allowed to take him too."

   "Special?" Arpad frowned: "What's special?"

   Winters smiled: "He...is a cook."

   [Update the first chapter... I'm going to cut off all the grinding wheels of the production team today ah ah ah ah ah! ]

   [A book friend reminded me that the leave application leaked personal information, so I deleted it]

   [announced that the result was not updated... shameful]

   (end of this chapter)