Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

TL: Etude

“What should we do now?”

After sending Hansel away, Paul, who had been full of vigor just moments ago, suddenly became panicked. He stood up and paced back and forth around the chair.

“I was a bit harsh to him just now, wasn’t I? What if he complains to the king about us? What if the royal court sends an army to punish us? Ah… I should have spoken more gently!”

He deeply regretted his impulsive behavior.

The others felt a sense of resignation inside: “You were so imposing just now, why are you panicking like this?”

“Lord, calm down! Calm down!”

Ford, the steward, tried to console him: “You did nothing wrong just now. To speak frankly, for a remote family like ours, it’s uncertain if the king would even remember us without a check by the heraldic court. He certainly wouldn’t expect much military support from such an out-of-the-way domain. Besides, Her Royal Highness the Princess personally excused us from military duty. Probably, Baron Abott, in his eagerness to make a mark, requested troops from us. Even if this matter reaches His Majesty, he would not wage a war over such an issue.”

“Er… okay.” Although he felt reassured, it was a bitter truth to swallow – was he just an ant, incapable of even angering an elephant?

“So, we just need to leave Baron Abott with nothing to say.”

“Leave him with nothing to say? Alright, then let’s be more ruthless!”

“More ruthless? You don’t mean…” Ford was shocked, making a throat-slitting gesture, “That’s absolutely not acceptable. That would be slapping the king’s face!”

“Hey, where did your mind go? I meant to put on a show for him, to make him realize that we truly can’t send troops right now.”

…

“How dare a mere country noble talk to me like this!”

Back at his quarters, Hansel couldn’t hold back any longer after closing the door tightly.

“Who am I? I am the representative of His Majesty the King. My words are the king’s decree, and my dignity is the king’s dignity. Too arrogant, too arrogant. Ah… Composure, I must maintain composure, I shouldn’t stoop to the level of a wet-behind-the-ears kid.”

He paced back and forth, contemplating his next move.

Before Paul Grayman returned, he had already investigated the town. Although the pirates had penetrated deeper than before, they were still far from Lakeheart Town, posing no real threat to his rule. Once the pirates retreated, he could resume tax collection, as all nobles did.

Could it be that this family alone clung stubbornly to the noble duties established by King Rodney I? Oh, may the Lord of Light have mercy on him. If word got out, he would be a laughingstock.

“Since the hard approach doesn’t work, maybe a softer one? Aren’t all children fascinated by knightly tales and heroic stories? Perhaps I can start from there.” Hansel continued to ponder, stroking his chin.

“Ah, I wonder how the others are doing. If someone else earns the merit before me, that would be troublesome.”

Thinking about this, the face of his old classmate Matthew, left in the military, came to mind. That guy…

“I’m not jealous!” he reminded himself. “I’m just worried he might neglect his duties or slander me to the Princess. Although, it’s unlikely he’ll even get to see her.”

As Hansel was about to go to bed, he suddenly heard a commotion outside. Looking out the window, he saw flickering flames and people shouting loudly. He quickly called a servant to inquire about the situation.

A few minutes later, Tom returned, panicked: “Young master, it’s bad! The patrol found traces of pirates outside the town. The lord has already led the troops to resist, and the guards are informing the residents to prepare for defense.”

“Which pirates have the audacity to attack the residence of a count?” Hansel was incredulous.

Just as he was thinking, someone suddenly burst in with a knife.

“Damn, how weak is this idiot lord to let someone barge into his house!”

“Don’t kill me, the lord’s room is on the second floor, I have nothing to do with him!” Terrified, Hansel screamed and attempted to dive under the bed.

“Baron, I’m a guard from the lord’s manor,” the intruder said, barely suppressing a laugh. “Pirates are attacking. The count thinks we might not hold them off, I’ve come to take you to the basement for safety.”

Cursing inwardly, Hansel quickly stood up, regaining his haughty demeanor: “Hmph, people from small places really lack manners, not even knowing how to knock. Even the shit cleaners are more polite than you.”

The soldier didn’t dare to talk back and hurriedly said, “Baron, please quickly follow me to the safe room in the basement.”

“Wait!” Hansel snorted, then called Tom to fix his clothes and hair.

After a long while, Hansel finally put on a leisurely air, saying slowly, “If it weren’t for the urgency, I really should teach your lord a lesson on what manners are! Forget it, why am I even bothering with a simpleton soldier? Lead the way.”

After mentally cursing a thousand times, the guard turned to open the door, but suddenly it was pushed open again.

“Baron, you haven’t left yet? Hurry up!” Another guard rushed in.

The first guard turned and urged, “Baron, quickly. I’ll pull you—Huh? Where is he?”

He turned his questioning gaze to Tom, Hansel’s servant, who awkwardly pointed under the bed. The guard looked and saw the bedsheet near the floor trembling incessantly…

…

On the edge of the town, Paul commanded a troop of soldiers to make a show of it. After receiving news that Hansel had hidden in the basement, he ordered the soldiers to take a rest.

“Humph, that idiot commissioner must be scared out of his wits now!” Delighted with his ‘brilliant’ plan, he couldn’t help but feel proud.

Turning to Bryce, he complained, “Tch! Who does he think he is, acting all high and mighty with a little authority? If it weren’t for those armors and spears, I wouldn’t bother with him at all. Should have made him wait for at least ten days or half a month.”

Just as he was about to order a retreat, a soldier came running from afar, shouting and waving a torch.

“Bad news, bad news… Lord, Captain Bryce, the pirates are coming, the pirates are coming.”

He couldn’t help but laugh: “Haha, okay, okay. That fool baron is already scared witless, no need to keep shouting.”

“No… it’s not that!” The soldier was so panicked he could hardly speak, “I’m on night patrol duty tonight. It’s real pirates, they’re coming this way.”

After saying this, he gestured towards the lake. Everyone looked and saw lights on the lake, approaching rapidly from a distance.

“Wha… what???”

Now it was Paul’s turn to be shocked, uttering something incomprehensible to everyone.

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