Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Chapter 353: Chapter 27 Revodan_3

After all, one big cart might be considered prey, but a hundred big carts would make the predator consider the risk of breaking its teeth.

Luckily, the rain that Gerard was most worried about did not happen, and the caravan arrived in Revodan city without any incident.

As soon as the bell tower of the Revodan Cathedral came into view, Winters set out ahead to the military encampment, and Gerard enthusiastically offered to accompany him.

“Is that okay? Don’t you need to follow the caravan?” Winters felt embarrassed to trouble old Dusack further.

“No problem,” Gerard said cheerily, “Just need to deliver the tobacco to the warehouse, I’m not needed there. Besides, you don’t know the way to the garrison, let me lead you. I know Major Ronald, I can introduce you.”

With Gerard’s enthusiasm, Winters had no reason to decline, and the two of them left the caravan and galloped towards the center of Revodan City.

As the capital of Newly Reclaimed Lands Province and Iron Peak County, Revodan could only be called a “city” and not a “town” because it had a downtown area but no city walls.

Just like all naturally formed settlements, from the perspective of modern people, the geographical conditions of this city were exceptionally favorable.

The downtown area was situated in the middle of a valley, with the land beneath being firm and flat. The St. George River flowed around the city, providing fresh water for the citizens of Revodan and carrying away the filth.

The most conspicuous building in the whole city was the towering Revodan Cathedral in the center of the downtown area, whose spire topped with a bell tower was visible to travelers from kilometers away.

“Revodan Cathedral is really something. Big! Tall!” Old Dusack, not good with words, turned beet red trying to express himself, and after a while, he found another adjective: “Gorgeous! Oh yes, the grave of Saint Ados lies within the cathedral! It’s said that no matter how severe the illness, one touch can restore health. I haven’t tried it though, firstly because I’m not sick, and secondly, because the priests won’t allow it…”

Throughout the ride, Gerard introduced Revodan City to Winters, who listened attentively.

One spoke, the other listened, and soon, the two arrived at the banks of the St. George River.

“They say this place is called Lover’s Forest.” Gerard pointed to a sparse woodland on the opposite side of the downtown area, to the west of the road, and said, “Anyway, it’s where men and women go to do that thing.”

Hearing this, Winters couldn’t help but take a few extra glances at the little woodland.@@novelbin@@

But it was still daytime, and there wasn’t a soul in the woods; nothing seemed particularly special about it.

There was only one wooden bridge over the St. George River, where an old man dressed in a coarse friar’s robe dozed off in a pavilion at the head of the bridge.

Seeing the two riders approach, the old man hobbled to the wooden barrier that served as a block and made a gesture of blessing: “Good day, may God bless you.”

“Good day, father,” Gerard returned the gesture: “How much is the toll for the bridge today?”

“One silver coin for a horse, a quarter silver coin for each person.”

As Gerard counted out the silver coins, Winters frowned and asked, “Are you a clergyman?”

“Of course.”

“Clergy from the cathedral?”

“Of course,” the old man replied puzzled: “What about it?”

“Then why are you collecting money here?”

The old man made another blessing gesture and rambled on in explanation: “This bridge belongs to the Revodan Cathedral, so there’s a toll for crossing. However, city residents, clergy members, and the cathedral’s servants don’t have to pay…”

Gerard handed over three silver coins to the old man: “Father, please use the rest to buy some wood for warmth.”

The old man gave thanks for the gesture and moved aside the wooden barrier.

After the two horsemen crossed, the old man struggled to move the wood back into place.

Seeing this, Winters turned back, dismounted, and lifted the wood: “You go back and sit.”

The old man expressed his gratitude repeatedly and hobbled back to the pavilion.

Winters shook his head secretly, thinking to himself that what he had actually wanted to ask was, “How can they make such an old man do this kind of work?”

After crossing the bridge, they entered the downtown area of Revodan, and on the way to the garrison, Winters passed by the great cathedral.

It was only a fleeting glance, but this towering stone structure was truly majestic and… indeed, brilliant and resplendent.

The barracks were housed in a two-story stone building with white walls and red tiles, surrounded by a wooden fence that formed a large courtyard. On the other side of the courtyard was a row of barracks, with a flat drill ground in between the barracks and the building.

The guards at the gate recognized Gerard and waved the two of them in. Instead of going straight upstairs, Gerard led Winters to the stables in the back yard to store the horses first.

As Winters handed the reins to the coachman, Gerard Mitchell’s face turned red with embarrassment as he said, “Lieutenant, there’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time, and I need to ask for your help. Please, you must help me.”

The sudden request caught Winters off guard. He had a bad feeling about this, but still answered, “What is it?”

“I hope you won’t find it abrupt,” Gerard became more earnest.

“Go on,” Winters began to sweat even more.

“I’m really embarrassed, and this is quite presumptuous.”

“Go on.”

“I’ve thought about this for a long time before mustering the courage to ask.”

“Go on.”

“You…” Gerard bit his lip, saying awkwardly, “could you let the colt your family sent over mate with my family’s mare?”

Winters almost had a stroke, “That’s it?”

“Of course, it would be for a fee. I know the rules,” Old Dusack hastily added.

The colt Gerard mentioned referred to not Redmane, but Strongwind.

While Winters had been fighting in Tanilia, Strongwind had stayed at Sea Blue’s house. When Kosha sent Xial to find Winters, she had Xial bring Strongwind along as well.

Winters guessed that it also meant something like “riding this horse back home.”

From the moment Gerard saw Strongwind, he could hardly take his eyes off him, hanging around Strongwind whenever he had the chance, which made Winters think he wanted to buy Strongwind.

“Mr. Mitchell,” Winters shook Gerard’s hand sincerely, “Please, use him for breeding, as much as you like.”

Old Dusack was all smiles, rubbing his hands together without knowing quite what to say.

“However, I’ve heard that the mare might be more important,” Winters queried.

“The quality of the mare is certainly important, but so is that of the colt,” Gerard suddenly said with sadness. “After Hanu was killed by a bear, my family hasn’t had a decent colt… anyway, let’s drop it.”

Gerard waved his hand and led Winters into the two-story building.

To Winters’ surprise, every officer and soldier in the barracks seemed to know Gerard, all greeting Old Dusack.

Thus, with ease, the two men met the commander of the Revodan barracks, Winters’ direct superior—Major Ronald.

Whether it was because of Gerard’s introduction or their alumni relationship, Major Ronald was very friendly to Winters.

He inquired carefully about Winters’ difficulties, what assistance he needed, and even introduced Winters to the other officers at the barracks.

“I am only a few classes ahead of you,” the Major said with sympathy, patting Winters on the shoulder. “I’ve heard a bit about your situation. For now, just bear with it. We’re in the middle of a manpower shortage, and those higher up won’t let anyone go. Once the war is won, everything will be easier to talk about.”

The Paratu Army, from top to bottom, made Winters feel a stark contrast. Every Paratu-born officer he met was very nice and friendly.

Yet it was precisely this collective representation of all Paratu officers that was detaining him here, preventing him from going home.

Of course, Winters had not forgotten the purpose of his visit. He had some important questions that needed clarification.

In Paratu’s law, were militiamen considered “labourers” or “soldiers”?

“They are soldiers,” Major Ronald gave a definitive answer, bringing documents to support it.

Then Winters’ second question:

Is Dusack’s conscription as a militiaman… also considered service?

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