Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

That was what Winters saw: a lone battleship in the bay exchanging fire with Duckbill Fort; a battleship next to the docks ablaze, its sailors fiercely battling with the enemies from the shipyard.

"War is only a means, not an end," Antonio said to Winters.

But now, besides war, there was no longer a second option.

The entirety of Sea Blue City had already learned of the naval harbor attack. Soon, the whole of Vineta, and even the entire Alliance Country, would know of this news.

Overnight, Vineta's navy had lost half of its ships. It was an undeclared attack, and whether or not the Tanilia Federation had instructed Captain Drake, the Vineta regime had already determined that the Tanilia Federation had stealthily attacked Haidong Port.

For the first time since the War of Sovereignty, Vineta convened a full assembly of citizen representatives. Messengers galloped along the highways, delivering news, with the representatives of the various cities converging on Sea Blue City.

The Consul would speak at the full assembly of citizen representatives, but everyone already knew what he would say.

"War!"

The prices of iron, copper, sulfur, and saltpeter soared, each minute bringing a new price;

The navy was press-ganging all the armed merchant ships they could find, offering high daily wages to recruit sailors, and conscripted all the criminals they could lay their hands on.

The army reserves had received their mobilization orders, with officers previously placed in various sinecure positions being allocated new posts within the troops.

The Third Legion was swiftly brought up from half-strength to full complement; a reserve legion already had its officer framework set up, just waiting for the reserve soldiers to fill the ranks.

The war faction had originally wanted to use the dockside assassination to pressure the governing committee, but now there was no need. The responsibilities of the dockside assassination and the headquarters' guard were transferred en bloc to the Sea Blue City Public Security Headquarters, and the Military Police Office at the army headquarters was disbanded.

Lieutenant Colonel Field, Major Moritz, Warrant Officer Winters, and many other sidelined officers were reappointed to new duties. Lieutenant Colonel Field and Major Moritz were sent to lead troops in the reserve legion, while Winters was assigned by Antonio to train with the Third Legion.

Vineta's war machine had begun to turn, and all officers were merely cogs in this machine. No one could control their own destiny, at least not a mere warrant officer.

As the vortex began to spin, Winters found he could only be dragged along by the current. He had expended so much effort investigating the dockside assassination, but it was suddenly rendered useless. Perhaps for the bigwigs, it was just a round of political games.

He suddenly began to envy Andre's carefree nature, "Don't think too much, we do what we're told," Andre would say. Perhaps compared to himself, Andre was more suited to being a soldier.

"What are you thinking about?" Anna waved her hand in front of Winters' face, breaking his train of thought, "Were you listening to what I said?"

"Of course," Winters, the warrant officer of Montaigne, came back to his senses and changed the subject without missing a beat, "Did you ask me to come out here just to accompany you to the guard colonnade? Haven't you ever been to the guard colonnade before?"

The guard colonnade was considered a landmark of Sea Blue City. Winters had often played there with friends since childhood or arranged to meet there. He didn't understand why there was such a fuss about just strolling around the square.

"How could a lady come to such a place? All these statues are... they're all... that sort of thing..." Anna blushed, her voice getting softer and softer, until her last few words were barely audible.

Winters looked at the marble and bronze statues around him; the male statues' primary sexual characteristics were overtly displayed in the public space, "Naked?"

Anna softly murmured a "hm" in affirmation.

"Knowing they're naked, you still came to look?"

Anna, who had been bashful just a moment ago, kicked Winters' shin hard.

Winters, the Montaigne warrant officer, nimbly dodged, "Why are you so barbaric?"

Anna said angrily, "I'm here as a man."

"You really don't think that by wearing that outfit, people won't recognize you as a woman?" Winters countered.

"Just don't treat me as a woman right now."

Winters gave a slight bow, "Mr. Navarre, please enjoy your time here. I have other matters and must leave first."

"Don't go," Anna quickly grabbed Winters' sleeve, "How could you leave a woman... anyway, it's not safe here... You promised to model for my painting in exchange for me being your guard, are you going back on your word?"

"This is the parliamentary square," Winters laughed, "This is probably the safest place in Vineta, what's unsafe about it?"

Anna let go and sat down on the stone plinth of a statue base, saying softly, "You wouldn't understand, you're a man, you're safe wherever you are."

Saying that, Anna buried her face in her arms, lost in thought.

Winters sighed and walked away.

A few minutes later, he returned, carrying two large cups.

Anna looked up to find herself alone in the guard colonnade, nearly panicking. Seeing Winters return, she kicked the Montaigne warrant officer's shin again in anger, "You really left? Where did you go?"

"Aren't you a man now? I'm offering you a man's drink," Winters casually sat down on the stone plinth of the statue base and handed a cup to Anna.