Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters-Chapter 862 - 1 The Economic Principle of Human

Chapter 862: Chapter 1 The Economic Principle of Human Heads_2 Chapter 862: Chapter 1 The Economic Principle of Human Heads_2 Xial was taken aback and answered loudly, “I can’t stand it anymore!”

Winters slowly organized his thoughts. “Killing all the speculators, would the starving people stop suffering? No, I’m afraid it would cut off their last lifeline. The trade in severed heads, in fact, has made some people bring out the grain they were hiding, allowing more food to flow into the market.”

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Xial and several others listened, not quite understanding.

Some time later, Winters and his party made camp outside the village.

Xial then took Winters’ secret letter and retraced his steps, rushing back to Saint Town overnight.

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Anna found that Saint Town had completely changed.

The few times she had passed through Saint Town before, it had been just an ordinary rural town: two streets, a few rows of houses, some families, quiet and ordinary.

Now, Saint Town was entirely a military camp: the land was muddy and dirty, with tired men carrying weapons everywhere, foul language mixing with the crowing of chickens and barking of dogs.

Through the car window, Anna saw someone urinating in an alley by the street, followed by a few men wearing white armbands rushing into the alley to chase after the offender.

Anna also saw someone whistle at her and look lewdly into the car with salacious eyes, and if it weren’t for the deterrence of the accompanying guards, there might have been further action.

She hastily closed the window.

The rotund Mr. Leo, who was riding with her, chuckled and commented incisively, “The war is over, but many people are still struggling to recover. It’s not so easy to return to normal life.”

Another passenger nodded and offered Anna comfort, “Miss Navarre, there’s no need to be afraid, they mean no harm.”

“Thank you,” Anna politely expressed her thanks, “Colonel Chino.”

Knowing that Anna insisted on finding Winters, Mr. Leo asked to accompany her.

The plump partner wouldn’t discuss the purpose of the trip, behaving as if nothing had happened, only expressing a desire to meet with Mr. Winters Montaigne.

Anna, feeling guilty, did not take the initiative to ask about her mother’s attitude.

By contrast, the other Venetian accompanying them—Colonel Buka Chino—was even more friendly towards Anna.

As a Venetian Army colonel, Chino was undoubtedly representing Antonio Serviati in Iron Peak County.

In other words, Colonel Chino was half a family member to Winters; realizing this, Anna’s cheeks grew warm.

After all, Anna’s false identity as “Lady Montaigne” could fool others, but not the Sea Blue visitors. To elope without even an engagement was not something a lady should do, no matter the circumstances.

The blockade on Iron Peak County had been temporarily lifted, both internally and externally.

Good Fortune Gold must be mentioned here; the old pirate had actually returned from Sea Blue quite some time ago.

Unfortunately, his return coincided with the failed joint suppression by Mont Blanc County and Vernge County. Consequently, the old pirate was arrested and imprisoned by Colonel Gaisa upon entering Mont Blanc County.

Gold spent every day for over a month staring at the gallows in the jail yard, counting his fingers and eating hard, black bread until one day, he was suddenly taken out of his cell.

The old pirate thought his luck had finally run out, but what happened next was quite dramatic.

He was brought before a bald man who instructed him to deliver a letter to Winters and then let him go.

The old pirate was surprised to find not only his confiscated horse and luggage returned but also a few escorts provided. Although he couldn’t fathom what had transpired, since the favor of the Goddess of Luck hadn’t faded, Good Fortune Gold feared nothing.

The rest of the events need not be recounted; the story returns to Anna.

After arriving at Saint Town, Anna first went to see Father Kaman.

Father Kaman’s medical station was set up next to the church, occupying a large space with temporary huts.

“The faithful believe that even in death, they must die within the church, to be at least somewhat closer to heaven. So, we set up the medical station here,” Father Kaman explained without emotion, “It’s also convenient, the dead can be sent directly into the church cemetery, which is better than being laid to rest in the wilderness.”

Anna, recalling Mr. Leo’s words, felt waves of sadness.

“Winters? Oh, right, you’re here to find Winters?” Father Kaman sighed, “Going further from here would be dangerous, you should wait for him in Saint Town. There are a few very devout believers in town; the living conditions aren’t great, but it’s safe. You could stay there temporarily.”

“Father,” Colonel Chino asked politely, “Where did Winters go?”

Hearing the speaker’s accent, Father Kaman’s eyebrows rose slightly, “Are you Venetian? Sea Blue People?”

“Yes,” Colonel Chino readily admitted.

“Winters went to Lower Iron Peak County,” Father Kaman revealed candidly, “Even if you are a military man, I would not advise you to follow him there. Lower Iron Peak County is very dangerous, and you would need a whole troop for escort to ensure safety.”

Colonel Chino smiled, nodding repeatedly.

Seeing the other’s dismissive attitude, Father Kaman grew somewhat cold, simply explaining, “There are still Herders in Lower Iron Peak County—bands of Herder Cavalry that haven’t been defeated. The reason Winters Montaigne is going there is to resolve the Herder issue. Winters can go without an escort, but you don’t have that sort of ability, that’s the situation.”

Colonel Chino was not angered but instead laughed, “It’s refreshing to talk with Paratu People, straightforward and to the point. Then let’s stay here and wait for Winters to return.”