Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters-Chapter 888 - 11 Stirrup Wine_2
Chapter 888: Chapter 11 Stirrup Wine_2 Chapter 888: Chapter 11 Stirrup Wine_2 “`
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“Negotiation?” Andre asked Winters: “Can we really trust them?”
“Trust is one thing,” Winters sighed, “but I always feel like they could never truly accept us.”
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“Isn’t letting them be the same as raising tigers?” Gessa frowned deeply.
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Resting his chin on his hand, Andre said nonchalantly, “After all the talk, sooner or later, we’ll still have to fight.”
...
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“As it stands, the cost of using force will far exceed what we can afford,” Skul remarked as he observed the bustling figures on the opposite side of the river, speaking to Gessa, “Once he distributes the land, things will get even more complicated.”
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Winters was somewhat disheartened: “If they want to negotiate, then let’s negotiate. You know the situation in Iron Peak County.”
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“The current situation is clear to you,” Skul said gravely, “We must stabilize them at all costs. We must prevent any complications that might disrupt the ‘more important’ strategies.”
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“In any case, if it’s possible to shed less blood,” Winters decided resolutely, “then it’s best to shed less blood.”
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The Piaoqi Troops were already equipped and ready, Colonel Skul and Colonel Gessa mounted their horses.
In addition to those designated to see them off, many soldiers from Iron Peak County and citizens of Revodan spontaneously came to bid farewell.
Winters held his glass steadily and walked calmly towards the three colonels’ horses.
According to Paratu traditions, in the presence of a lady host, “Stirrup Wine” should be offered by her.
However, Winters insisted on personally serving Stirrup Wine to the three colonels, so today there was no beloved kissing of the hostess.
Winters didn’t wish to speak those superficial fancy words. He stood in front of the cavalry, raising his hand in a solemn salute.
After all, when the Herders invaded, these Paratu Cavalry came to Iron Peak County with their sabres, and Winters was genuinely grateful to them from his heart.
Although it sounds cliché, shared enmity is always the fastest way to build camaraderie among comrades-in-arms. It’s hard to say goodbye to comrades with whom one has fought shoulder to shoulder, bathed in blood.
Andre was the most emotional, his eyes even a little red. It was only because there was no alcohol in Iron Peak County that everyone remained relatively rational.
Had it followed Paratu customs strictly, both sides would have been tearful, sniffling, drunkenly embracing and saying strange things by now.
“Enough, enough,” Colonel Gessa shivered, “Don’t you start with any sappy talk, I can’t take it.”
“Actually, I was hoping you could stay in Iron Peak County a little while longer.”
“Don’t worry, who gets sick in war?” Bringing up the old topic, Gessa was rather helpless, “When people crowd together, naturally sickness arises. After a few days when the refugees scatter, that Aachen plague will disappear as well.”
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Regarding this matter, several conversations had already taken place. It wasn’t possible to convince Colonel Gessa before, and it certainly couldn’t be done with a few short words during the farewell.
Winters composed his emotions and nodded his head in respect: “Thank you.”
“You should go thank Colonel Bod,” Colonel Gessa said as he grabbed the back of his slick head, speaking rapidly, “Besides, we weren’t here to help you. The Herders, well, they all need to be killed no matter what… It’s all thanks to General Adams and his so-called [intercept strategy], all of it’s total bullshit! If Iron Peak County goes down, wouldn’t the Herders just detour through Iron Peak County back to the wastelands? What’s the use of his blocking action on the Border River in Vernge County… it ends up being our job to wipe his ass…”
“`
Winters left Colonel Gessa to his self-justifications, picked up another glass of wine, and approached Major Ronald’s horse.
“Sorry, Major.”
Major Ronald smiled, shaking his head and downed the glass of wine in one gulp.
Lastly, Winters approached Colonel Skul’s horse with the wine glass in hand.
Colonel Skul took the glass and gazed at the much junior man before him, sighing deeply, leaving only one sentence after a thousand words: “If only you had come to Thunder Group County earlier…”
Winters did not speak, merely nodding his head in acknowledgment.
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Behind the second-floor window of the city hall, a man wearing a mask silently watched the people saying their farewells.
“You should come with us, Moro,” a Junior Officer dressed in Piaoqi Troops uniform, tugging at the masked man’s sleeve, pleaded painstakingly: “You still have a fiancée waiting for you!”
Captain Moro remained silent.
The Piaoqi Troops Captain knew that once his comrade resolved to do something, he could be as stubborn as a rock.
The Cavalry could leave at any moment, and the Piaoqi Troops Captain, anxious and annoyed, demanded: “Why on earth do you insist on staying here? At least convince me!”
“There are still so many people, just like I was before, being driven by the Herders like slaves,” Captain Moro replied, looking towards the figure serving Stirrup Wine: “That guy said… no, he claimed he could bring our people back… so I won’t be leaving here for the time being.”
The Piaoqi Troops Captain was speechless; stamping his foot, he said: “At least write a letter to Dunia! Let her know you’re still alive!”
Moro touched his mask subconsciously, the icy touch of the iron mask reaching his fingertips, and he said indifferently: “It’s better for her to think that I’m dead.”
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The sharp sound of the military horn resonated, and the imposing Piaoqi Troops rode out of the city. The battle in Vernge County was not over yet; the Piaoqi Troops had to continue swinging their sabers.
However, for the people of Iron Peak County, the departure of the Piaoqi Troops was like a “signal” that divided tomorrow and yesterday into two parts.
Though there were still small groups of Terdun people roaming lower Iron Peak County, though they still had to guard against enemies from Vernge County infiltrating Tiefeng, and though rebuilding their homes was immensely difficult, the darkest days had finally ended, and the people began to look forward to the arrival of something beautiful.
Antonio Serviati also left with the Paratu Piaoqi Troops.
Antonio’s military duties made it impossible for him to stay in Tiefeng for long.
He had arrived with a small escort, and he left with the same small escort—plus Lieutenant Juan.
Lieutenant Juan came to Tiefeng to bring Winters back to Vineta. However, it now seemed that this mission was impossible to complete.
According to what Senior Juan said himself, the weather was quite fine in September, and now Paratu was too cold for his liking, he was homesick…
Respecting Juan’s wishes, Winters did not insist on detaining the senior, and neither did Antonio force Lieutenant Juan to stay.
As for Colonel Moritz… After a private meeting with Moritz, Antonio made a “strategic adjustment.”
Moritz received a verbal appointment, and in terms of organization, he was no longer part of the Third “Da Weineta” Legion, but instead became a member of the [Vineta Military Advisory Group]—the theoretical military entity that would provide assistance to the Second Paratu Republic.
Winters had not yet realized that Antonio had in fact assigned his best subordinate to him.
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With Antonio, Senior Juan, Ronald, Gessa… many people leaving all at once, Winters felt suddenly empty, even somewhat at a loss.
Fortunately, he finally had plenty of time to play with dogs, feed horses, sleep, and more importantly—to be with Anna.
But Anna… Anna had her worries.
