Chapter 1343: Chapter 78: Reforging the Nation (6)_4
“Senior.” Although strictly speaking, Winters should have called him Uncle, he shalessly called him Senior: “May I ask, what exactly is the grudge between this Kai Morland and Colonel Gaisa?”
“What grudge?” Colonel Skool took a deep puff of his pipe and slowly exhaled the smoke: “That’s a long story.”
Winters used body language to indicate that he was all ears.
“If you insist on saying.” Colonel Skool rarely teased an old classmate behind his back: “Every righteous New Reclaid Land councilor has a grudge with Gaisa Adonis. Kai Morland just happens to be the most stubborn one.”
Winters laughed helplessly: “So Colonel Gaisa here… is the villain?”
“Black and white, right and wrong, who can really say?” Colonel Skool glanced aningfully at Winters: “Captain Montaigne, do you think you’re not a villain? Am I not a villain? Sotis, who is the hero and who is the villain depends on who tells the story.”
“I partly agree with your perspective.” Winters politely responded: “But I believe that no matter the ti or place, right and wrong… there will always be a universal standard of judgnt.”
“May you always be as steadfast as you are now.” Colonel Skool affectionately glanced at Winters, then sighed: “In any case, Adonis indeed hates Kai Morland intensely. Otherwise, Kai Morland wouldn’t have gone to hide in Kingsfort.”
Following that, Colonel Skool shifted the topic with a smile: “But, even hiding in Kingsfort, Kai Morland still hasn’t given up on ‘auditing Mont Blanc County’s accounts,’ and constantly creates trouble for Adonis every so often.”
“Just auditing the accounts?” Winters recalled Colonel Gaisa’s rage: “Auditing alone wouldn’t cause such anger.”
Colonel Skool was silent for a mont: “Allegedly… I only heard, that it might have involved a death.”
However, Colonel Skool did not intend to discuss further: “That’s all I know, and I have told you everything. I should go back and rest, you should rest early too.”
With that, Colonel Skool tapped out his pipe, stood up, and left.
Winters raised his hand in salute.
Colonel Skool hesitated for a mont and returned the salute, and they parted ways.
…
That night, Winters hosted the Mitchells, who had traveled all the way from Wolf Town to Maplestone City, at his residence.
However, Winters, Anna, and the Mitchell family had long been, in the literal sense, as close as family.
So rather than saying “Winters hosted the Mitchell family,” it was more like the Mitchell family was hosting Winters and Anna at Winters’ residence.
The dining table was filled with delicacies, mostly prepared by Mrs. Mitchell and Mrs. Michel.
Theoretically, Anna, the hostess, was “invited” out of the kitchen and went to care for the children with Scarlett. The two girls hadn’t seen each other for a while and had endless whispers to share.
Winters, like every Paratu male, only chatted in the living room before dinner and escaped into the lounge to play cards afterward.
Even Father Kaman—who of course was also invited to the family banquet—was pulled in by Winters to play cards.
Winters’ reason was “otherwise, we wouldn’t have enough people.”
But after a few rounds, Winters regretted it. The Father was exceptionally skilled, leaving Winters amazed.
“Tell honestly, did you use…” Winters, as if interrogating, stared at Father Kaman: “Mind reading?”
“Against you.” Kaman skillfully shuffled the cards, replying disdainfully: “There’s no need.”
“Cheating lands you in hell too!” Winters shouted.
Kaman suddenly reached out, conjuring a card out of thin air in front of Winters’ eyes, and in the blink of an eye made it disappear: “Only if you’re caught is it cheating.”
“I don’t believe I can’t catch you soday!” Winters fud: “Again!”
The Mitchell father and sons could only exchange helpless glances and smile wryly.
Gerard Mitchell had realized long ago: the young Garrison Officer from Wolf Town, despite always appearing calm and indifferent, had a competitive spirit deeper than anyone’s; in a sense, it was precisely because he was too competitive, often hurting others, that the young Garrison Officer beca calm and indifferent, deliberately avoiding competition.
Seeing His Excellency Montaigne’s desire to win thoroughly aroused, old Mitchell began to worry about Father Kaman’s safety.
“Your Excellency.” Gerard tentatively asked: “May I ask…”
“Please don’t call ‘Your Excellency,’ Uncle Mitchell, please don’t.” Winters seed burned, pulling his gaze away from the cards in Kaman’s hands and looking at Gerard Mitchell, he implored: “Please call Winters, as before… or even Captain will do.”
“Then…” Gerard blushed, hesitating for a mont, eventually refraining from using any title at all.
Ignoring his son who was frantically shaking his head, he cautiously and hesitantly asked: “The reason you gathered all the ‘Free People’ of the New Reclaid Land this ti, what exactly is it for?”
The card table fell silent instantly, even Kaman paused his actions, curiously looking at Winters.
Upon hearing this question, Winters’ expression imdiately turned serious.
He held his knees with his hands, contemplating seriously for a long ti, and solemnly replied: “Although there are many things I want to explain to you, simply and honestly speaking… I hope that the ‘Free People’ of the New Reclaid Land can witness the birth of a New Republic.”
The expressions in the eyes of Kaman and Pierre were rather complicated.
However, Gerard appeared unaffected, nodding as he continued: “Then what is different between this ‘New Republic’ and the current ‘Republic’?”
Another long silence ensued.
Winters thought for a long, long ti before coming up with an answer—deeming it too hasty; he ca up with another, only to find it too optimistic.
Eventually, he lifted his head, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes: “I don’t know if this New Republic will beco the sa as the current ‘Republic’ in the future, or even worse, I really don’t know.
Father Reed advised to read more, but all I see is the sa cycle over and over again—one lord leaves, and another lord arrives; those who feed on others are then consud, layer upon layer, everyone screaming. Only eternal oppression, eternal pain, and an endless cycle.”
“But, I will do everything I can to make it better.” Winters’ gaze gradually grew firm, as he articulated each word to old Mitchell: “Even if it’s just a little.”
Born in the Empire, ending up in the Federated Provinces, witnessing the last upheaval, Gerard Mitchell confird the gaze of the young man before him.
He vaguely recalled seeing a pair of almost identical eyes sowhere before.
Gerard Mitchell pondered for quite a while, ultimately replying honestly: “What you said is too profound. Actually… I didn’t really understand what you were saying.”
“But I believe in you.” Gerard stood up, bowing respectfully: “I believe in you.”
“Tell what you want to do, and I will do my utmost.” Gerard Mitchell pulled up young Michel’s hand, raising him: “It’s an honor that my son can serve you as well.”
“To have your trust is my honor.” Winters also stood up, returning the bow with sincerity.
“Alright then.” Kaman sighed: “Let’s play cards.”
A now clear-headed Winters, however, did not intend to continue playing cards with Kaman; sincerely, he said to Gerard: “Actually, there are many things I want to seek your opinion on and explain to you.”
“Always ready to be of service.”
“Then let’s do it now.” Winters promptly put away the cards, smiling: “I’ll explain it to you now.”
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
Scarlett’s crisp, youthful voice ca through into the lounge:
“Winters, an ugly guy with no hair is here outside.”
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