Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Chapter 1001: Chapter 54 Steel Fortress_2

“Find out anything?” Roger asked, clueless.

“Baron Granashi’s guards.” The supervisor lowered his voice, “They are all Dusacks!”

Roger was shocked: “But they?”

“What about them? Dusacks who don’t wear uniforms, don’t wear earrings, don’t have forehead hair, and don’t carry sabers aren’t Dusacks anymore? Their accent, the way they ride horses…the bow-leggedness, I could tell their origin with my eyes closed. Didn’t you notice anything?” The supervisor said reproachfully, “If there weren’t someone more powerful behind him, where would a minor Baron get so many elite Dusack guards?”

…

All nobles of the Empire take pride in having Dusack guards.

Although often criticized for loose military discipline and debaucherous lifestyle, Dusacks are ‘freemen’ who owe allegiance directly to the Emperor, a status that sets them apart from the noble class.

Since Emperor Charles assigned [Earls] to govern local territories, the imperial feudal system has evolved to this day, where the role of Dusacks is similar to that of [Barons]. Both derive their power from the Emperor, with the difference being one is a noble, and the other is not.

Only the Emperor can change the personal dependency of Dusacks. Without an imperial decree, even royal princes do not command the service of Dusacks.

Hence, being granted Dusack guards signifies the Emperor’s favor, a symbol of power and status.

As for Baron Granashi… a young noble barely in his twenties, he clearly didn’t qualify yet for the honor of receiving Imperial Guards.

…

After receiving a stern talking-to from the supervisor, the hotel staff unconsciously became much more attentive towards the Baron.

Rumors also travelled fast.

It started when a guest saw the carriage pass by and casually inquired with a waiter. Soon, various rumors about the Baron became the latest topic among the hotel guests.

Baron Granashi and his wife only arrived at Steel Fort at noon, and before evening fell, some well-informed individuals in town already knew a wealthy noble from the Empire had arrived.

The so-called well-informed individuals included but were not limited to: certain respectable ladies from local families, other hotel or restaurant operators, merchants involved in the ironware trade, and very active local social groups in Steel Fort.

Among them, some excitedly shared rumors, some felt jealous, some saw the last straw before bankruptcy, some smelled the scent of easy prey.

But there was one person, whose reaction to the rumors was entirely different from everyone else in Steel Fort, because…

because he was not from Steel Fort, nor was he Montan.

…

[Steel Fort, Bay District, Lexi Brothers Trading Company]

“… The Baron and his wife, eight guards, and one priest. Nine people in total, they booked an entire standalone.” The tall thin man with gray-white hair stood at the table, counting on his fingers pensively, “Oh right, they used five carriages!”

The dark-faced man sitting behind the desk, seemingly uninterested, scribbled a few notes in a ledger-like notebook.

The tall thin gray-haired man with an expression of wringing out his brains as if he could not squeeze anything more, said sheepishly, “That’s all I know.”

The dark-faced man, without lifting his head, casually dipped his quill into the ink bottle, picked up a bit of sand and sprinkled it over the paper, and said, “You’ve done well, Roger.”

The tall and thin gray-haired man—the waiter named Roger from the hotel where Baron Granashi stayed—bowed deferentially, showing none of the impatience he had when facing his uncle.

But his eyes were stealthily glancing at the purse the dark-faced man placed on the table.

Noticing Roger’s gaze, the dark-faced man grinned, opened the purse, and tossed Roger a silver coin, “Keep being smart, and let me know whatever news you hear. If a deal is made, you will get a share too.”

“Of course.” Roger flashed a habitually sycophantic smile, “Leave it to me.”

“Go ahead.” The dark-faced man waved his hand.

Roger walked backwards towards the door.

…

Ironware from Steel Fort not only circulated within the Alliance but was also largely exported to the Empire, with many bulk buyers maintaining offices or branches in Steel Fort.

While all parties do not actively reveal their identities, everyone is well aware of each other’s backgrounds.

For instance, [John H. Shylock Trading Company]. Despite having a peculiar name that could not be associated with the Empire, [John H. Shylock Trading Company] is actually the representative of the [Imperial Royal Charter Commerce Committee] in the Monta Republic.

And the [Imperial Royal Charter Commerce Committee] is the openly acknowledged purse and glove of the Oath Breaker.

Make no mistake, every move of [John H. Shylock Trading Company] is closely watched — using commerce to gather information is a common tactic, and merchants are natural spies.

Thus, most of the time, [John H. Shylock Trading Company] conducts legitimate business, occasionally making small maneuvers to maintain its presence.

The real eyes and ears of the [Empire Security Committee], known as the “Emperor’s Hand”, in Steel Fort is the inconspicuous [Lexi Brothers Trading Company].

Even [Lexi Brothers Trading Company] adopts a low-profile approach, passively collecting information through public channels — just like everyone else.

…

The dark-faced man never gave Roger specific instructions, only asking him to report any “noteworthy news” to him in a timely manner.

This kind of activity is common among many business establishments and local influencers, and does not attract undue attention.