Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters-Chapter 995 - 52: Unbreakable Alliance

Chapter 995: Chapter 52: Unbreakable Alliance

Winters did not return to Iron Peak County as soon as possible, instead stepping into the nation of mountains. Although it was beyond the initial plan, this decision was not on impulse.

In fact, ever since visiting Alpad Duyome, Winters had been contemplating the feasibility of a journey to Steel Fortress.

Up until now, the primary means for the Iron Peak County Military to acquire weapons was still seizure.

The weapons seized from enemies were not only limited in number but also varied in quality and severely lacked firearms.

Iron Peak County could barely manufacture simple weapons like spears and Stinger Hammers. Ignoring the cost of production, perhaps they could also make some matchlock guns.

However, more technically complex weapons like long-barrel firearms or Longswords were beyond the capabilities of local blacksmiths like the Gangchalov brothers.

To insist on making them… it was not impossible.

If they couldn’t make long gun barrels, they could make short ones, and then assemble those short barrels into long gun barrels. Firearms made in such a manner may look decent at a glance—yet they are utterly unusable.

The assembled barrels naturally possessed inherent flaws; no one knew whether there were internal damages at the joints, much less whether such damages could cause a barrel burst during the next shot.

After the Battle of Blood Mud, various musketeer squads reported behavior resembling cowardice: some musketeers always loaded as little gunpowder as possible, even deliberately pouring the gunpowder in the paper cartridge out of the barrel, causing the lead bullets to lack force, producing only a thud without drawing blood when hitting armored savages.

And through actual investigations, Winters discovered: most of the “cowardice” musketeers used assembled firearms, and commonly witnessed teammates getting severely injured by exploding barrels, leading them to dare not load enough gunpowder.

If a warrior fears his weapon, how can one expect him to fight?

Thus, Winters braved mountains and rivers to arrive at Steel Fortress—his army needed weapons, and Steel Fortress was the largest weapons production center in the Various Republics.

As for how to transport them back… do you remember the permit issued by Alpad?

The traditional route for exporting Steel Fortress metal goods to Paratu was water transportation, following the Rose River then downstream to the Ashen Stream River, then distributing throughout Paratu.

However, this trade route was now impassable because the lower reaches of the Rose River were controlled by the military government.

Of course, the military government would not allow Steel Fortress metal goods to flow into the “pretend government” territory, so merchant ships on the Rose River could only unload their cargo in Jiangbei Province and could not advance any further.

But… perhaps ships belonging to the Iron Peak County Rebels might be shown some leniency.

The enemy of an enemy is a friend, for the military government, the Second Republic is an enemy, and the New Reclamation Legion is an indecisive enemy.

Compared to the loathsome former two, the “Iron Peak County Rebels” in conflict with Red Rose and the New Reclamation Legion seem much cuter.

Additionally, the military government currently has an effective alliance with Vineta, and the attitude inside the military government toward Iron Peak County Rebels—especially Winters Montagne—has consequently become very ambiguous.

Winters tested the military government’s bottom line, even making some excessive requests to Colonel Alec (like taking all his former subordinates).

As a colonel of engineers, Alec didn’t technically have the authority to grant Winters’ permissions.

But all of Winters’ demands were fulfilled without any complications—considering he had Alpad’s tacit approval beforehand, the smooth progress was nearly miraculous.

This suggests not only Alpad but other high-ranking officials in the military government chose to turn a blind eye.

Winters therefore speculated: it’s highly likely that elements within the military government were considering winning over the Iron Peak County Military,possibly aiming to use them to contain the New Reclamation Legion.

Thus, before traversing Jiangbei Province to the Monta Republic, Winters sent a letter to Colonel Alec.

Apart from sincere greetings and some intelligence on the Hurd tribes, Winters also enclosed thirty gold bars and a simple verbal message in the letter:

“Would it be possible to allow the Iron Peak County Commerce to purchase some agricultural tools in Steel Fortress… for spring plowing?”

Winters has yet to receive a reply, but according to Elder Aide’s explanation of the situation, the issue of “Steel Fortress not willing to sell” is more pressing than “the military government forbidding purchase.”

…

“Steel Fortress is implementing a trade embargo on Paratu?” Winters sensed a hint of dark humor: “Isn’t that just blocking the military government? After all, the route from Monta to the Ashen Stream River is entirely under military government control, and Kingsfort was never able to acquire military equipment from Steel Fortress anyway.”

Elder Aide’s smile carried a hint of derision: “The statement from the State Council is ‘for the sake of peace’.”

“Has the nation of mountains already chosen a side?” Winters sipped some ice water.

“Rather,” Elder Aide corrected lightly: “The stance of Monta Republic has never changed.”

Winters, clutching the metal cup, sighed—historical issues, no one can handle them.

…

Unlike The Federated Provinces, Vineta, and Paratu, who won their independence amidst blood and fire, the sovereignty of Monta and Varn was not earned by themselves.

No one knows what conditions Marshal Ned offered under the walls of Guidao City to King Richard IV, but the outcome was clear to all: the mad king withdrew his troops, and most of Monta Royal Territory and the Varn duchy were incorporated into the Federated Provinces’ map, with no flags of the Fierce Sun Royal Family south of Sheltering Mountain ever since.

However, as soon as the imperial troops withdrew, The Federated Provinces, Vineta, and Paratu nearly fell apart over the “New Territory Disposition Plan.”

The Federated Provinces demanded openly that Monta and Varn Territory should be merged into The Federated Provinces due to proximity—also a well-founded reason:

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