Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

TL: Etude

“Submit to the might of magic? What do you mean?”

Ladi frowned, sensing that Seviya was harboring some ill intentions.

Seviya smiled slightly and said, “Control Count Grayman and turn his territory into our kingdom, a paradise for spellcasters.”

“Shut your mouth. You came here seeking refuge and now you dream of usurping someone else’s land. Are you so eager to confirm the traditional image of witches as schemers in the eyes of the world?”

Ladi stood up, her eyebrows tightly knitted, clearly angered.

Seviya, unfazed by such a rebuke, was instead surprised by Ladi’s reaction. “Humph, just a mere mortal, and a noble who exploits his people at that. You actually defend him? My sister, have you forgotten the taste of our past oppression?”

Ladi turned her head away, “Lord Grayman is different from other nobles.”

“Grayman… Lord?” Seviya narrowed her eyes. She had thought that the Azure Witch working under a lord was just a temporary measure. It seems it was not as she thought.

“Different? Is he one of our kind?”

“No.”

“What? You!”

Seviya was at a loss for words. The renowned Azure Witch, whom she once admired, had fallen to serving a mortal lord?

“You!” Her sudden anger flared up, seeing this as a betrayal of their community of spellcasters.

“Are you truly, sincerely allying with him?”

“Yes!” Ladi didn’t hesitate, turning back to face Seviya, “He is now my lord.”

Then, with a warning tone, she said, “If you dare to make any mischief, I will not stand idly by.”

The temperature in the yard seemed to drop to freezing point.

After a moment of silent staring, the anger in Seviya’s eyes subsided.

“Alright, Azure Witch, I abandon my previous thoughts.”

“I want you to swear, never to harm Count Grayman in the Northwest Bay.”

With these words from Ladi, her gaze became fierce.

Seviya felt an ominous power swirling in the air, realizing the gravity of the situation in her opponent’s backyard, where countless spells might have been pre-arranged.

“Alright, Azure Witch. I… I swear!”

But Ladi’s gaze remained unfriendly.

Seviya raised her right hand, speaking deliberately, “As a spellcaster, I swear upon my magical career that I will never harm Count Grayman in the Northwest Bay.” ℞åℕǒ𝔟ËṢ

For people like them, this was a very serious oath.

Only then did Ladi relax her intense gaze and sat back down.

Perhaps feeling that her words were too harsh, her expression softened.

“I’m doing this for your own good. Though you might not believe it, I must warn you, the power in Lord Grayman’s hands far exceeds your imagination. Just one point, any of his guards or soldiers could easily end your life on the spot, even if you have prepared protective spells like Stone Skin.”

“I heed your warning.”

Seviya replied, sensing sincerity in Ladi’s eyes, but still chose not to believe, thinking it was an exaggeration to intimidate her.

How could it be? She had proved with her own experience that a spellcaster of her level, when well-prepared, could make a mess of well-trained church knights. Could the armed forces of a mere count compare to the Horn Bay Church? End her life on the spot? Were his soldiers all descending angels? Haha, ridiculous.

Ladi, looking at Seviya, said, “It seems you truly don’t believe. Let me tell you, I once saw with my own eyes…”

She suddenly stopped, changing her words, “Never mind, I’ve said my piece. Just be careful.”

Originally, Ladi wanted to use the example of Paul being attacked by an Arcane Society wizard as a warning to Seviya, but she suddenly remembered that the Arcane Society was not to be trifled with, fearing it might bring trouble to Paul, so she changed her words at the last moment.

During their previous conversation, Ladi learned that Seviya had once been in contact with the Arcane Society. Although Seviya claimed she hadn’t joined the Society, who knows if that was true? What if she was a spy sent by the Arcane Society to find the wizard who had been killed?

Otherwise, why would she specifically choose to seek refuge in the Northwest Bay, given the vastness of the world?

Seviya snorted, “I’ll be a law-abiding citizen. By the way, since you sincerely serve that lord, will you inform him if other witches come to the Northwest Bay?”

This was met with silence from Ladi.

“I hope you always remember your identity as a spellcaster.”

This time Ladi responded, “Rest assured, Lord Grayman and his confidants don’t have any prejudice against spellcasters. The fact that I’m still alive and well is proof enough.”

Seviya was shocked: “He… that lord… knows about your identity?”

“Didn’t I mention it just now? Sorry. Yes, Lord Grayman—not just him, but also some of my colleagues—are aware of my identity, but they have not rejected me.”

And even entrusted her with important tasks, Seviya thought, feeling a tinge of jealousy.

But now it seemed, since the authority figure didn’t mind, at least she and her companions wouldn’t have to live in fear in the Northwest Bay like they did in Horn Bay.

“I apologize for my earlier rudeness.”

Seviya stood up and bowed slightly to Ladi.

“No need for that.” Ladi took her hand, “I know about the events in Horn Bay in recent years, which have led you to have some extreme thoughts. But please believe, as long as you abide by the law, this place will definitely be a paradise for starting a new life.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

Seviya smiled again.

“Then, I’ll take my leave now. But, as we’re both from the same place, may I know your real name?”

Ladi nodded and replied, “Ladi Sertia Gerard.”

Seviya understood, “So it’s that name.”

“And you?”

“Seviya Acitini.”

“You reported your real name in front of the church?” Ladi was surprised. As far as she knew, Seviya had used this name during her prison break, which was quite bold.

“Humph, those vermin, I’m not afraid of them.”

…

After a brief exchange, Seviya left the backyard of the Sertia family.

Just stepping out of the alley, she punched the wall beside her hard.

She had been too careless and impulsive, not anticipating that her counterpart might truly be serving the local lord.

She harshly reprimanded herself, feeling waves of fear.

If Ladi had not been the Azure Witch she knew, but another witch with unknown temperament and character, they might have already fallen out, or perhaps pretended to cooperate and then set a trap with the lord.

It was indeed rare for a powerful witch like this to sincerely serve a mortal lord.

It seemed that after escaping from the dangerous Horn Bay, her vigilance had decreased.

She would have to be more cautious in the future.

Sigh, would her earlier remarks leave a bad impression on the other party?

…

After seeing Seviya off, Ladi pondered in the yard for a long time.

The thought that the other party might be a spy sent by the Arcane Society lingered in her mind.

“No, I still have to report to Lord Paul.”

She had been hesitant before, but now she was determined, although she felt a twinge of guilt—if Seviya was truly seeking refuge, she certainly wouldn’t want her life to be disturbed.

But from Paul’s perspective, allowing a witch capable of single-handedly fighting a group of church knights to move freely in the territory was too worrying.

Ladi didn’t realize that she had already started to view the issue from the perspective of Alda’s rulers.

She quickly ran to the dining room to inform her mother that she had urgent business outside, and then left home through the back door.