Chapter 1452: Chapter 26: Negotiation (Part 3)

Compared to the opulent decor outside, this small reception room could be said to be simple — but only in comparison to the exterior; within the small reception room, the craftsmanship and materials of the couch, desk, and cabinets on the walls were impeccable.

“This study room is quite simple,” Winters half-truthfully complimented.

What the Paratu People saw as opulent, without a doubt seemed excessive to the Sea Blue People.

Even for someone like Winters, who belonged to the Sea Blue People who hadn’t seen much or eaten much, it was the same.

Instead, this small reception room raised Winters’ estimation of Lieutenant Colonel Magash’s taste by more than a bit.

“Outside is for show,” Lieutenant Colonel Magash said with a smile, “here is where we talk business — what would you like to drink, Captain Montaigne.”

“Water will do.”

“I just happen to have no water here,” Lieutenant Colonel Magash said apologetically as he opened the liquor cabinet, “I forgot, you Spellcasters don’t drink alcohol.”

Winters smiled subtly.

Lieutenant Colonel Magash pressed a bell on the table, and an elderly servant, not a service soldier, pushed the door open.

“Captain Montaigne wants some clear water,” Lieutenant Colonel Magash instructed softly.

The old servant nodded and quietly closed the door.

Winters looked at the portrait above the fireplace and curiously asked, “Is this the ‘White Knight’?”

“Indeed,” Lieutenant Colonel Magash sat down on the couch, gazing at the portrait, slightly lost in thought, “He was also my father.”

“Father?” Winters was greatly surprised, “I thought it was…”

“You thought it was grandfather, right?” Lieutenant Colonel Magash smiled and interrupted, “It’s normal, my father had me at fifty-six.”

Winters felt somewhat apologetic, “No one ever told me about this…”

“Of course no one would deliberately mention this matter,” Lieutenant Colonel Magash smiled, candidly saying, “because I am an illegitimate child.”

Winters felt even more guilty, “I’m very sorry, Colonel.”

“What’s there to be sorry about? It’s all old news.” Lieutenant Colonel Magash laughed heartily, patting Winters on the arm, “And thanks to the Alliance and Republic, without needing a special decree from the Pope, I’ve been ‘legitimized.’

The old servant brought in a jug and glasses, Lieutenant Colonel Magash waved the old servant away and poured Winters a glass of clear water himself.

“I will fully support you on the matters of the Newly Reclaimed Outlands,” Lieutenant Colonel Magash said with a smile, “I will also do my best to persuade Colonel Skur to support you, so even if there’s opposition, it won’t matter. You can rest assured.”

Winters did not touch the glass, “I’m a bit worried about the public reaction to this.”

“There won’t be much reaction, and even if there’s a wave of opposition, it will just be temporary,” Lieutenant Colonel Magash poured himself another glass of water, lifted it, and spoke eloquently:

“In fact, there are many precedents in Paratu history of incorporating the Hurd Barbarians for our use.

“Throughout history, the Dukes of Paratu would recruit some wanderers from the wilderness, some were runaway slaves, and others were defeated nobles.

“Regardless of who they were, past Dukes would keep them, then turn them against the Hurd Barbarians, or use them to suppress rebellion.

“These people, having no roots in Paratu, could only rely on the Duke for protection, thus being extremely loyal and very useful.

“If you meticulously count the days when Paratu rulers deliberately drew a line with the Hurd Barbarians, it’s really only been the past thirty years since the Pretender Emperor was overthrown.

“However, even in the Republican era, our army still frequently recruited some Hurders. The enemies of the Hurd tribes we fought against would sometimes even voluntarily assist us.”

Lieutenant Colonel Magash confidently summarized, “So, accepting the Newly Reclaimed Outlands, is no big deal.

“Don’t be afraid of some people alarmistly saying that Paratu People will be infuriated by it.

“Paratu People will certainly be angry, but that’s only because hatred is a language easier to understand than reality.

“Reality is a language more powerful than hatred, so the anger will come quickly and dissipate quickly as well.”

Lieutenant Colonel Magash patted Winters on the shoulder again, “With my support, it’s no big deal, you can be at ease.”

Winters politely smiled and raised the glass of water.

“Let’s not talk about this,” Lieutenant Colonel Magash smiled, “Shall we talk about Sea Blue? Once we take the Northern Foothills Province, you could return home anytime.”

…

[Maplestone City Officer Residential Area]

[Skur Mansion]

[Afternoon]

“I will not collude with you privately, Captain,” Colonel Skur’s gaze left the book in his hand briefly, turned to Winters’ face, and quickly dropped back down, “If there’s anything to discuss, wait until the meeting, please leave.”

“You mean,” Winters, however, had no intention of leaving, “you can only passively follow Lieutenant Colonel Magash’s actions?”

Colonel Skur asked without lifting his head, “Why are you concerned about this?”

“In my eyes, you’re the most rational person in the quadrilateral committee, and also the most reliable. I want to understand your thoughts and seek your wisdom.”

“What do you want with all this flattery?” Colonel Skur suspiciously glanced at the Blood Wolf.

“Just speaking the truth,” Winters’ expression did not change, “otherwise, whom do you think is the most rational in the committee? The most reliable? The wisest? Surely it wouldn’t be me, would it?”

Colonel Skur closed the book in his hands with a cold snort.

He rubbed his sore eyes, pondered for a moment, and slowly said, “Deploying troops to the Northern Foothills Province is a good military decision; attacking Kingsfort is a good political decision.”

Winters nodded lightly, although the other was stating the obvious.