Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

A man burst into the hall, shouting, "We're under attack!"

"The villain plays victim!" Winters, hearing someone bellow that they were under attack, stormed angrily towards the shouter with large strides.

The bewildered Colonel Kongtai'er and Andre followed behind.

It was only when Winters was a few steps away from the man that he realized he was not the chin-injured assassin who had run away. The newcomer was dressed in the uniform of a military officer, while the assassin had been in a deep green hunting outfit.

Colonel Bozuhof reached the uninvited guest first, offering him a cup of wine and speaking gently while clutching his arm, "Don't panic, speak slowly. What's attacked us?"

The man with hair glued by sweat grabbed the wine cup and drained the full glass of sweet beer down his throat. After finishing the drink, he caught his breath, widened his eyes, and, gasping for air, said to Bozuhof, "The naval dock! The Duck Mouth Battery has fallen! General Zio has ordered all military officers who receive this message to immediately assemble at the Eastern Camp."

A few gasps of shock rose from the surrounding crowd, and a lady almost fainted.

Colonel Bozuhof tightened his grip on the man's shoulder and demanded, "Who has attacked us?"

"I don't know!" the messenger roared back. He repeated, "General Zio's order: All army officers and soldiers who hear this command must immediately proceed to the Eastern Camp for assembly! There must be no errors!"

Bozuhof released the messenger and, scanning the crowd of onlookers, asked loudly, "Who can confirm this gentleman's identity?"

"He's from my batch, the 13th Artillery Class, a man from the Ordnance Department. Those from the 13th should all recognize him." Another man stood up.

Having confirmed the man's identity, Bozuhof nodded to the man who had stepped forward and called out to everyone, "The naval dock has been attacked, the battery is lost, and the enemy is unknown. Gentlemen not serving in the army, please take care of the ladies present. Gentlemen with military positions, follow me to the Eastern Camp!"

The entire hall erupted into a frenzy as officers scrambled for their coats and swords, and the ladies panicked, asking what was happening.

"Holy communion, dammit to hell." Kongtai'er cursed a dirty word and strode towards the exit, "Come with me, let's get our horses first."

Andre did not hesitate to follow Colonel Kongtai'er. Winters had returned to the hall to find the assassin but was suddenly met with the urgent rally order, which left him unsure of what to do.

After hesitating for a few seconds, Winters kicked a nearby stone pillar furiously and cursed, "That son of a bitch got lucky!" Then he hurried to catch up with Kongtai'er and Andre.

The small stables of Bozuhof's villa were now crowded with people, and officers had to crane their necks over other people's shoulders to identify their warhorses. People were leading horses out and trying to get in through the stable door, causing a complete blockage.

The neighing of horses and the clamor of voices merged, creating a dizzying cacophony. Every now and then, someone would yell, "Why are you taking my horse?"

In a foul mood, Winters simply kicked open a fence, creating a makeshift side door and leading the strong Warhorse out through it.

In the front yard, many people were already waiting, gathered in small groups and talking. Bozuhof sat on a tall blue horse with a sullen face, chewing tobacco and silently counting the number of people in his mind.

Mounted on that spirited Warhorse, he was in communion with his master's impatience, scraping at the lawn with his front hooves.

The viscous tobacco lees were spat onto the ground by Bozuhof, and the colonel couldn't wait any longer. He said to the officers who were ready to depart, "We're not waiting any longer. Let's go ahead. The rest can follow from behind."

With that, he charged out of the guesthouse first. Winters and Andre exchanged a glance and followed out, just like everyone else.

————Cut————

On the eastern outskirts of Sea Blue City, the army camp known colloquially as "East Camp" was also in chaos, with its gates wide open.

Colonel Bozuhof didn't slow his horse and led the officers straight through the gates of the camp. Normally, charging through the camp gates would be a severe crime punished by fifteen lashes, but clearly, this wasn't the time to be concerned about that.

East Camp could house six to seven thousand people, exactly the number of a fully staffed legion plus auxiliary Cavalry units.

Shaped like a rectangle, the camp was surrounded by three-meter-high walls and moats. Inside, two main roads, one horizontal and one vertical, intersected perpendicularly, with the main roads ending at the four main gates along the walls.

The closer to the center of the camp, the more important the buildings, with the outermost ring being the soldiers' barracks, followed by the stables and officers' barracks. At the very center, where the two roads crossed, were the residences of the high-ranking officers, the warehouses, the council hall, and the legion's treasury.

East Camp was the base for the 4th "City of Flowers" legion, but the 4th legion was currently stationed to the north, facing off against the United Provincials, so the camp was nearly empty except for a few maintenance personnel.

Bozuhof hurried straight to the center of the camp. At this moment, only this central area was lit, while the rest of the barracks were pitch-dark.

An old soldier with graying hair, wearing an officer's uniform, stood on his horse at the most conspicuous spot at the crossroads, with a few guards by his side. Further back, many officers, having heard the news, had hurried over, and the crossroads were filled with shouts and the neighing of horses.

Bozuhof approached and gave a military salute, and the two exchanged a few words. Then Bozuhof came back and told the officers who had come with him loudly, "Go find your superiors at the back and assemble according to your units."

The officers dispersed, and amidst the chaos, Winters looked around until someone patted him on the shoulder. He turned to find Colonel Field.

The colonel nodded at him and led him to the back of the council hall. Most of the HQ personnel were resting here. The officers were grouped into clusters by department, chatting in low voices while smoking.
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Winters followed Field to sit under the eaves where a man was sitting on the ground with his back against the wall, a hat covering his face, dozing off. It was undoubtedly Major Moritz by his build.

All three members of the military police were present. Field took a seat on a stone and asked Winters, "Did you also receive the orders?"

"Someone ran to Bozuhof's villa to deliver orders." Winters also sat on the ground, "I got the stuff; it's in my saddlebag."

Upon hearing this, Colonel Field stood up, opened the sturdy saddlebag, and pulled out the documents, exclaiming, "How much did you take?"

"I took everything that might be useful." Winters scratched his head, a bit embarrassed.

"We'll look at it slowly tomorrow." The colonel stuffed the documents back and scrutinized Winters, "You didn't bring a weapon?"

"I came directly from the Duelist Club; I didn't take any weapons."

"Come with me to get one." Colonel Field led the way, "I reckon Zio is waiting for two battalions from the third legion. As soon as those battalions arrive, we're going to set out immediately."

"Who attacked the naval dock? We're not at war with anyone, are we?" Winters followed behind the colonel and said, "I bumped into a dock assassin at the Duelist Club tonight..."

"What?" Field stopped in his tracks and turned around, astonished.

"I had a face-off with a dock assassin in the stables."

Field, frowning, asked, "Are you sure you weren't mistaken?"

"His built and stature were very similar to that assassin, and he had a scar on his chin. I tested him a bit, and he immediately started fighting me," Winters said through gritted teeth, "Unfortunately, he got away. The bastard played dirty, throwing soil and chaff in my face to blind me."

"You encountered him at Bozuhof's villa?"

"That's right."

"Are you certain?"

"Positive!" Winters stated emphatically.

Field patted Winters on the shoulder, "No matter if he got away, since they appeared at Bozuhof's villa, it means they have significant ties to the Duelist Club, proving we're on the right track. But remember, if you encounter them again, don't act rashly alone. They will truly fight to the death with you, so be careful."

"That assassin wouldn't have won if he hadn't resorted to underhanded tactics," Winters said, still seething.

Field sighed and resumed walking, speaking slowly and deliberately, "Fine china doesn't clash with pottery, understand?"

With a dissatisfied "Hmph," Winters got to his feet and followed the colonel.

The key to the armory at the eastern camp was taken by the quartermaster from the fourth legion, so the three heavy locks had been forcibly broken open.

Since most officers had rushed to the camp unarmed in response to the sudden emergency assembly order, riding in on just their horses, a senior officer took charge here with a few people, distributing weapons and armor to those officers in need.

Winters received a breastplate, a helmet, and a saber, and only then did he realize he might actually shed blood tonight.

He hurriedly asked Colonel Field, "Who exactly is attacking the naval dock... What's there at the naval dock? There's no money."

"Don't know; I was also roused by a knock at the door, and they didn't tell me anything," said the colonel, kicking Major Moritz awake, "Stop sleeping, get your armor on."

Yawning, Major Moritz stretched his shoulders and stood up, leisurely loosening his joints.

Seeing the major's sluggishness, Field could barely contain his irritation. He kicked the major again, "Hurry up."

After Winters assisted both Colonel Field and Major Moritz with their breastplates, the colonel picked up Winters's armor and beckoned him to stand in front of himself.

Attendants would assist knights with their armor, and junior officers helped senior officers with their armor. But a higher-ranking person would not assist someone of lower rank; this was a traditional custom.

Winters was somewhat flattered, "I can wear it myself."

"No more nonsense." Colonel Field roughly pulled Lieutenant Montaigne over and, while fitting the breastplate over Winters, said, "There are more officers than soldiers in Sea Blue City. Right now, only two battalions from the third legion are available, and their garrisons are all in the western part of the city; who knows when they will be able to come over. I'm now worried that Zio will get impatient and start using us as the frontrunners."

"How could the people from the third legion be slower than us?"

Colonel Field snorted, "Because the officers all have warhorses. As soon as they heard the news, they directly rode over. Great, now all you infantry fellows will get to be dragoons for the night."

The colonel skillfully finished helping Winters into his breastplate and carefully checked all the belt buckles, ensuring they were securely fastened. After confirming everything was tight, he slapped the iron plate on Winters's back, "All set. Move around and see if anything feels uncomfortable... how's your sword swinging from horseback coming along?"

"Not so good," Winters honestly replied, "The infantry course doesn't have horseback slashing lessons anymore."

"Just aim for the head when you slash," Colonel Field mounted his horse and demonstrated a few cuts, "Keep your legs tight, circle the saber back to position by your side after a slash, keep it tight. Don't engage too long; you're cavalry now, with four legs. If you can't beat them, run."

Another rider galloped into the camp gates and swept into the crossroads. The horse reared up, and the rider jumped off, striding toward the old soldier in general's uniform, the chairman of the Council of Thirteen, the member of the Council of Five, and the governor-general, General Zio, to report in a low voice.

Five minutes later, all officers in the eastern camp received orders: to set out for the naval dock immediately and retake Duck's Beak Fort.