Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Winters was at a loss for words.

After a long silence, as the sobs gradually weakened, Winters took out a handkerchief and passed it to Scarlett.

"Do you really have a fiancée?" Scarlett asked between sobs, "Or are you deceiving me? Fobbing me off?"

"Yes, I do." Winters suddenly felt very sad, and his nose tingled, "I'll show you her portrait."

He unclasped the locket and carefully opened it.

Anna was there, her lips curved into a slight smile.

He hadn't opened this locket for a long time because he dared not look Anna in the eyes.

Scarlett took the locket from his hands, staring at Anna with her tear-reddened eyes, "She is very beautiful."

"Yes, she is very beautiful."

Winters awkwardly attempted to wipe away Scarlett's tear streaks.

"I will grow up to be just as beautiful," Scarlett said with pique.

"No..." Winters chuckled bitterly, "No one can surpass her."

Hearing this, the tears Scarlett had stopped started flowing again.

"Don't cry... please don't cry..." Winters was at a loss for words, "I..."

Suddenly, a commotion erupted from the Mitchell estate, and Winters looked alertly toward the source of the noise.

Heavy footsteps were approaching from the corridor—if Winters was not mistaken, they were those of a man.

Father Caman's footsteps were not like this.

And at this moment, in the Mitchell Manor, there should not be a third man.

Winters gently wrapped his arms around Scarlett, shielding her behind himself.

His gaze searched the four walls of the living room; he was looking for a weapon.

"Bang!"

The door was kicked open.

"Over here!" a familiar voice shouted; it was Gold, "Milord! Look who I've brought!"

A slender figure stepped into the living room.

Dressed in men's clothing and wearing a hat, but Winters would not mistake her.

It was Anna.

It was Anna Navarre.

Winters's pupils dilated sharply, his whole body tensed, he even lost sensation in his limbs.

Scarlett realized the brave knight beside her was trembling—involuntarily trembling.

Winters looked at Anna, the pure white moonlight buried in his heart softly illuminating him at this moment.

But why was she so sad? So desperate?

Winters did not understand.

And Anna Navarre looked at Mr. Montaigne, at the strange girl with tearful red eyes, at the messy chaise lounge, at Mr. Montaigne holding the strange girl's arms.

The two of them, as if transcending time and space, were back in the mercenary's corridor.

It was still him, still her, he still wore that old uniform, and she was still dressed as a man.

But everything had changed.

She had abandoned everything, recklessly coming to the edge of the world.

Yet this was the outcome.

Had she not anticipated such a situation? Of course, she had.

She thought she would be distressed, would leave without a backward glance, would return to Sea Blue, would marry another man, and viciously retaliate against the unfaithful.

But at this moment, fury was the only thing in her heart. Grief and despair had become fuel for her rage, she was so angry her body shook uncontrollably.

One word filled her mind, a term she had never uttered—"Skank!"

"You, how did you come here?" Winters finally regained his senses.

"Of course." Anna bit her lip almost to bleeding, "I'm! Here! To! Elope! With! You!"

An eerie silence fell upon the small living room.

A clear and pleasant female voice came from behind Anna, "Hmph, where is the famous Mr. M? I..."

Another girl, similarly dressed in men's attire, resembling Anna but even more radiant, peeked her head out from over Anna's shoulder.

Seeing the scene in the living room, her smile vanished instantly.

Without a word, she took Anna's right hand and attempted to leave.

"Wait!" Winters stepped forward and grabbed Anna's left hand. He had an epiphany, but was at a loss for words, "It's not what you think!"

The unfamiliar girl glared, "Let go!"

"With the naked eye you see not the truth." Winters ignored her, looking straight into Anna's eyes. He could never let Anna leave like this.

Scarlett dried her tears and walked gracefully toward the Navarre sisters, "You've misunderstood."

"Shut your mouth!" The unfamiliar girl became even angrier.

Suddenly, another commotion erupted from the Navarre Manor.

This time, the noise was even more urgent, more dangerous.

There weren't just heavy footsteps, but also the neighing of warhorses, the clinking of spur against the floor, and the sound of swords slapping against clothing.

"Scouts!" Pierre burst into the Mitchell Manor, with Anglu and Vashka following behind.

Pierre yelled as he entered, looking for Winters, "The scouts! From Revodan!"

Everything was converging at once!

Winters clenched his teeth, took Anna's hand, and kissed it gently.

His eyes wide with an intensity as if he wished to tear out his heart and show it to Anna, his gaze entwined with hers, "Wait for me to return!"

Anna didn't speak, merely gave a slight nod.

"Gold!" Winters shouted the name of the person responsible for the mess.

The old pirate, realizing he caused a blunder, shuddered, "Milord?"

"It's you who brought them here! Take care of them! No one leaves!" Winters commanded.

"Yes."

Winters took the horse-sword handed to him by Pierre and strode to the door:

"Let's go! To meet Revodan's scouts!"

(End of Chapter)

...

Special Document: "Letters Received by Lady Navarre"

Material: Parchment

At the top is a line of beautiful cursive

A: Sorry, Mother, I have to take a long trip. Your loving daughter.

Below are several crooked letters.

K: I'm coming too!