Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Tang Juan would head out for hunting before dawn every day, and not return until nightfall, which was a form of indirect participation in production, alleviating some of the sweat on Pierre's brow.

Until August 11, the second Sunday of the month.

It was finally possible for the Navarre sisters to leave the Mitchell Estate for a change of scenery.

For the church in Wolf Town had been restored, and Priest Caman was to resume the weekly mass ceremonies, which was one of the only two reasons that ladies should leave the estate for.

Early in the morning, Eileen led everyone to head to the town center by carriage.

As soon as they left the Mitchell Estate, Catherine felt like her breathing became smoother. Like a merry little bird, she was chattering and laughing with Mrs. Mitchell and her sister.

The old believers of Wolf Town all came, and people traveled from Dusa Village, the villages east of the river, and the villages west of the river to attend the mass.

Since the church had been destroyed, this was the first time the town center had gathered so many people.

Everyone greeted each other with joy, and the usually quiet two streets seemed extraordinarily lively.

The church had only erected four wooden walls and installed a wooden roof, far more rudimentary than the previous church of Wolf Town.

But those who came were proud, because they had also contributed to the reconstruction of the church.

Priest Caman visited every old believer in Wolf Town, persuading them to provide some food to fund the reconstruction of the church.

This was the meaning behind Caman's words to Winters: "I won't let you labor in vain."

The persuasion process was similar to selling "indulgences," convincing the faithful with the promise of rewards in the afterlife in exchange for their contributions while still alive.

No one wanted to be levied food by force, but to rebuild the church, the old believers eagerly dug out the grain stored in their cellars.

The food collected by Priest Caman significantly relieved the urgent needs of the militia.

What Revodan failed to achieve, and what Winters also failed to do, Caman accomplished.

Luckily, Winters was not in Wolf Town at this moment, otherwise, it is hard to know what kind of sharp comments he would have made.

Many things had changed in the Wolf Town church, Father Anthony was gone, and so were the gold and silver liturgical vessels, but Priest Caman was still there.

Under Priest Caman's leadership, the ceremony was simple and proceeded smoothly.

It had always been Father Anthony who gave the sermon, but this time Priest Caman stood before the pulpit.

Caman's sermon was also simple; he encouraged everyone not to give up hope or faith during hard times and to persevere for salvation would come eventually.

Sitting in the front row of the church, Catherine felt somewhat disappointed and quietly asked Anna, "Is that it?"

Anna, listening intently, silently prayed and did not pay attention to her sister.

Catherine looked around and her disappointment grew stronger.

Compared to the majestic grandeur of the Sea Blue Cathedral, the resplendent temple, the exquisitely beautiful stained glass windows and murals, the elegantly dressed clergy, and the grand and solemn mass ceremonies.

This small church in Wolf Town was too simple and modest, pitifully so.

After the ceremony ended, the crowd gradually dispersed.

In the past, every Sunday was like a small gathering in Wolf Town, where the men would line up to practice archery.

But now no one organized these activities, and the Garrison Officer Montaigne was not present either.

With the communion distributed, people chatted outside the church for a while before heading home.

"Let's go, Kate," Anna took her sister's hand.

Catherine sighed, "I thought it would be fun to come to town, but it wasn't interesting at all."

"I do have a fun game in mind, suitable for ladies," Eileen said with a smile, taking Catherine's arm. "Miss Navarre, do you play cards?"

Anna and Catherine looked at each other and shook their heads vigorously, "Mother said dice and cards are things that only the rudest soldiers play, and she forbade us from gambling."

A wistful look appeared in Eileen's eyes, and she chuckled, "That's not entirely true. My husband taught me some card games suitable for ladies. Would you like to try? And since we won't bet chips, it's naturally not gambling."

"Yes, please teach us," Catherine immediately let go of her sister's hand and clung eagerly to Mrs. Mitchell's arm, her affectionate manner stirring a faint jealousy in Scarlett.

The ladies of the Mitchell Estate got back into the carriage and started the journey home.

Not far from Wolf Town, the surroundings once again became uninhabited wilderness.

Only in such moments could one truly feel the desolation and loneliness of the Newly Reclaimed Land.

People lived in settlements spaced far apart, and beyond that, there was nothing.

Catherine was still pestering Mrs. Mitchell about the rules of cards while Anna listened carefully.

Suddenly, everyone heard a "bang" from underneath the carriage.

Followed by several "rumble" sounds, the carriage shook violently and quickly leaned to one side.

The ladies on the carriage were greatly frightened, with Catherine and Scarlett screaming.

Mrs. Mitchell calmly soothed the two screaming women, while Anna pressed her lips together, gripping her sister's hand tightly, her face pale, but she made no sound.

Panveche—Eileen's old servant from her family home—jumped down from the driver's seat, hurried to help the ladies out of the carriage.

Old Panveche lay on the ground to check for a while, then stood up and explained to Mrs. Mitchell, "Miss, it seems like the axle is broken."

"Uncle, unhitch the horses," was Eileen's only solution. "Ride back first, then bring another carriage."

Though they were master and servant, Eileen still called Panveche "Uncle," and Panveche rarely addressed her as "Madam," rather by "Miss," the way he did when Eileen was a child.