Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

"From now on, give this naughty boy a plate to drink from!" Winters said angrily.

"But what will Longevity do if he can't drink milk?" Scarlett asked.

"Let him go hungry! If he's hungry enough, he'll naturally learn to drink milk."

Scarlett blinked: "Alright then."

"Excuse me." Winters sighed, giving a bitter smile as he looked towards the blacksmith Shaosha beside him: "I've made a fool of myself in front of you."

"Not at all, Magistrate Sir." Shaosha smilingly replied: "Quite amusing! I used to be a farrier too; I'm very fond of horses!"

Blacksmith Shaosha had been summoned by Winters for a meeting.

Winters wanted to revive agricultural production, and the most urgently needed items were iron farming tools.

Thus, as the most respected blacksmith in Revodan who had not partaken in the previous rebellion conspiracy, Shaosha was heavily relied upon by Winters.

Winters had previously ordered that if Blacksmith Shaosha sought an audience, no one should obstruct him. Therefore, Xial didn't think much of it and brought Shaosha directly to the stables.

The stables housed Winters, Anna, Scarlett, and Longevity, creating a private and intimate atmosphere.

Shaosha's accidental intrusion made him quite embarrassed.

Noticing that Winters and Shaosha were about to discuss official matters, Anna said to Scarlett: "Lady Michel, I have a gift for you, come with me."

With that, Anna curtsied gently, taking Scarlett's hand to leave.

"Let me introduce." Winters stopped Anna, smiling at Shaosha: "This is my wife."

He then turned to Scarlett, "And this is my sister."

Anna's cheeks suddenly flushed red; while Scarlett's eyes dimmed somewhat, but she quickly returned to her usual wild and energetic self.

"My wife's opinions are very important to me," Winters explained to Shaosha earnestly: "So whatever the matter, you can speak in front of them. It also saves me the trouble of repeating it later."

Shaosha had never imagined that inside the home of the fearsome "Blood Wolf" there would be an even more imposing "She-Wolf".

Nor could one tell by her appearance that Lady Montaigne, who at first glance clearly came from a distinguished background, had the ability to dominate her husband.

But Shaosha heard Magistrate Montaigne personally say, "My wife's opinions are very important to me."

A competent Paratu man would never listen to his wife's opinions, unless he couldn't defeat her in a fight—thinking this, Shaosha felt a trace of pity towards the Master Blood Wolf and a newfound respect for Lady Montaigne, who appeared gentle and caring but possessed astonishing martial prowess.

Noticing Shaosha's distraction, Winters brought him back to reality: "Didn't you say Iron Peak County has an iron mine? I asked you to write a report about it, how is it coming along?"

Shaosha hurriedly took out a folded sheepskin from his bosom: "Magistrate Sir, it's my first time writing a report, so if it's not well written, please…"

Winters smoothly took the sheepskin: "Let's see what you've written; go ahead and talk."

Shaosha cleared his throat and started: "Iron Peak County is called so because of the Iron Peak Mountain to the northwest. And Iron Peak Mountain is named after its iron ore deposits.

Before the border was opened, this was where the Herders worked the iron. When my father-in-law's family moved here thirty years ago, that iron mine was still being mined. But now we use the steel produced from the Steel Fortress, and that mine has been abandoned."

Anna listened intently, while Scarlett was equally captivated.

"Are there still reserves?" Winters asked, most concerned about this.

"There are," Shaosha nodded repeatedly: "My father-in-law said there are, the vein hasn't run out, and it's still rich."

"Then why stop mining?"

Shaosha scratched his head, speaking honestly: "To be truthful, I don't know either; I only moved to Revodan fourteen years ago, and by then the Iron Peak Mine had already stopped production. So, all I know are the things my father-in-law told me, please forgive any mistakes."

"Tell me what you know," Winters said, his brow involuntarily furrowing.

Shaosha was frightened by the reaction, nodding his head frantically: "Yes! Yes."

Anna noticed Shaosha's change in emotion, kept it in mind, but made no comment or action, just listened quietly.

Shaosha continued: "My father-in-law said that the ore from the Iron Peak Mine was substandard; the iron produced was brittle and prone to rust. Moreover, the blacksmiths in Forging Village melted iron in small forges, and buying ore and charcoal cost money, so it was time-consuming, costly, and labor-intensive.

It's simply more cost-effective to buy bar steel directly from Steel Fortress. The bar steel from Steel Fortress is shipped via waterways, very cheap, and of top quality. Items made with bar steel from Steel Fortress can be sold at a slightly higher price, and people are willing to buy them. Thus, no forge master bothered with smelting iron anymore."

Winters pondered for a moment then said: "Just like with sword blanks, you also only buy them from Steel Fortress, right?"

"Exactly like the sword blanks from Steel Fortress. Everyone buys pre-made ones because they're cheap and effective, so no one bothers to forge swords anymore." Shaosha said with a rueful smile: "To be honest, even my sword-forging skills have rusted away. I used to be a master swordsmith, and now I can only make handsome hilts and scabbards."

Winters burst into hearty laughter, his laughter both easy-going and pleased.

He was not laughing at Shaosha but at his stroke of fortune with Iron Peak—wasn't it cause for laughter when you want to sleep and someone brings you a pillow?

"Mr. Shaosha, could you please invite your father-in-law to speak with me?" Winters asked, his smile fading as he turned serious.

Shaosha's expression was complex: "Sir, my father-in-law was crippled by a back injury eight years ago and now he's bedridden. That's why he brought me in as his son-in-law, to take over his forge…"

"I'm sorry to hear about this misfortune," Winters said as he patted Shaosha's shoulder: "Then, I'll pay a visit myself."

"That's not necessary... really not necessary..." Shaosha hastily demurred.

But Winters wouldn't take no for an answer and after scheduling a time, he saw Shaosha off.

Anna also left the stables with Scarlett, gesturing to Winters to find her later as she did so.

"Xial!" Winters called out loudly.

Xial, who had just seen off Shaosha, ran over in a panic: "What's the matter, Brother?"

"When Miss Navarre is with me," Winters said, frustration evident at Xial's clueless expression, "do not bring guests straight to me!"

"Oh... Right." Xial saluted comically, standing at attention: "Yes, sir!"

"Off with you," Winters said, waving him off with a laugh: "Send Carlos Soya to me!"