Chapter 1359: Chapter 85: Rebuilding the Nation (13)

Kai Morland’s straightforward “confession” was quite startling, but Winters was no longer the kind of Ivory Tower officer who would be easily fooled.

“Mr. Kai.” Winters politely yet firmly pried Kai Morland’s hands off his forearm: “‘Saving the Kingdom of Galloping Horses’ and ‘saving your life’ are two different matters. It’s best not to confuse them.”

“Your Excellency Montane, please understand, my life is insignificant. I did not come here to save my own life. I am here to ask you to protect my ‘political life,’ which is why I am here today.”

Kai Morland’s Adam’s apple shifted as he gritted his teeth and spoke with the firmest tone: “Although what I’m about to say may sound shameless and arrogant, I must inform you that saving my political life and saving the Kingdom of Galloping Horses have essentially become one and the same.”

Winters remained unmoved, with a slight, ambiguous smile: “That’s something worth deliberating.”

Kai Morland’s heart sank; he realized that the young captain before him was more mature and composed than he had anticipated and been told.

The first time they met, he failed to be completely honest, missing the best opportunity to build trust. Now trying to win the “Blood Wolf’s” trust again would be an extremely difficult challenge.

For a moment, he truly didn’t know how to continue the conversation.

“I’ll go prepare some refreshments and drinks for you two.” Anna intervened timely into the conversation, alleviating the tense atmosphere between the two gentlemen. She smiled gently and asked, “Grapes? Grains? Or honey? Which do you prefer?”

“Any will do.” Kai Morland cast a grateful glance at Lady Montaigne: “Thank you.”

Anna slightly curtsied, elegantly turned around, and walked towards the inner room.

Winters, however, understood another layer of meaning in Anna’s words — seeing the guest’s straightforward manner, they didn’t need to eat dinner, and the dishes were prepared in vain, so she would clean the kitchen and left him to take the guest to the living room.

Thus, the skirmish in the hallway came to a temporary halt, and Winters gestured to invite Kai Morland to the living room to sit.

Anna soon brought a bottle of wine and some nuts in a silver cup, then left the living room to the male host and the distinguished guest.

After drinking more than half a cup of wine, Kai Morland finally composed himself and spoke again.

He stared steadily at the Blood Wolf and said, “I heard about your vote — the vote on ‘Army of the Nation’ or ‘Nation of the Army’.”

“Your information is indeed very well-informed.”

Winters’ left hand rested on the back of the sofa, his right hand on his knee, keeping some distance from Kai Morland, who was inadvertently leaning forward with both elbows resting on his thighs, in stark contrast.

“It was Chairman Mikesh who told me.” Kai Morland frankly admitted, then shifted the topic: “You should also be cautious. For them, Maplestone City has no secrets.”

“The ‘them’ you mention, who are you referring to?”

“Wealthy merchants, large estate owners, heads of craft guilds, people who should have both money and power but only have money.” Kai Morland, resting a hand on his knee, solemnly answered: “In other words, the ‘free men’ you are rallying.”

“Why remind me to be cautious of them,” Winters observed the changes in Kai Morland’s expression and asked with a smile: “Aren’t they the ones who sheltered and helped you? It seems like they trust you a lot, and you have significant influence among them.”

Upon hearing this, Kai Morland picked up his cup, downing the remaining half of the red liquid in one gulp.

After putting the cup down, a helpless wry smile appeared on his face: “I’d rather call it a ‘deal with the devil.'”

For the first time, Winters’ back left the sofa, and he grasped the neck of the wine container, pouring half a cup more for Kai Morland, indicating for him to continue.

“Mikesh Kelemin, Besse Jurgi, Gwadani Yurof…” Kai Morland counted on his fingers, naming them one by one: “These names may not mean much to you, but for the people living in Maplestone City, each represents a towering figure, even more directly controlling their flour bags than the New Reclamation Legion does.”

Winters tilted his head slightly, listening intently.

Kai Morland spoke rapidly, fearing that the Blood Wolf would lose patience: “Now, these ‘big figures’ beneath the legions, above the masses, have realized they can no longer remain neutral in this war — because your operations are too significant, too significant for them to stay out of it. Rebuilding the Republic? Then this war is no longer a local and capital dispute, no longer a mere tussle between rebels and the official army, but a life-and-death struggle between two regimes.”

Winters chuckled slightly, offering no comment.

“But they also do not want to clearly choose a side.” Kai Morland licked his lips, speaking candidly: “They fear that if you are defeated and collapse, the government army from Kingsfort will return to the Newly Reclaimed Land, and they’ll face retribution; they also fear that if they remain silent, they might be buried in the ground before the government army can return; they fear even more that if they don’t bet on your horse, they will regret it for the rest of their lives.”