Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 46: Return to Alden Town

Translator: Cinder Translations

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Paul Grayman's stay in Port Frand had been longer than initially expected.

During this time, he met with merchants of various sizes in the town, expressing his vision to engage in oceanic trade. He planned to establish a trading company—a concept yet unfamiliar in this world—to attract investments from local merchants.

Before the lord, the merchants were all submissive. In this world, apart from the Angle Bay Alliance, where merchants held political sway, merchants in other countries often faced exploitation by various influential figures, treated like fat sheep to be fleeced.

As soon as Paul expressed his vision, leveraging the authority of his lordship naturally earned him resounding approval. However, deep down, everyone suspected that the lord was strapped for cash, expecting him to use the usual noble tactic to extract money under some pretext.

Paul discerned the insincerity of the merchants, but he wasn't angry. Changing people's perceptions took time, and for now, he was merely informing the merchants without immediate plans to raise funds.

There were still remnants of pirates on the sea, yet to be completely eradicated, and the full-sail ships for ocean voyages had not been constructed. It was premature to paint such a rosy picture.

He also met with Elder Peter, the former town mayor, who, under the careful nursing of his granddaughter Susan, had regained consciousness. Upon learning what had happened in the church that day, he was so frightened that he immediately got out of bed, despite not yet being in good health, to come before Paul and apologize, seeking forgiveness for his granddaughter's offense.

Paul comforted him kindly, putting in great effort to convince the old man that he harbored no grudges.

Upon learning that he had been relieved of his position as mayor and appointed as advisor to the new mayor by the new lord, Elder Peter felt at a loss. Though the position often involved being caught in the crossfire, like a mouse in a bellows, he had served in it for almost half his life and was suddenly unable to adjust to being dismissed.

However, he vowed to do his utmost to assist the new mayor in completing various tasks.

Upon hearing that the new lord had eradicated the pirates and promised to protect the town forever, Elder Peter was overjoyed and deeply grateful to Paul, repeatedly praying to the Lord of Light to bless the lord with a long life.

Meanwhile, the construction of the navy proceeded swiftly and vigorously. After setting recruitment standards, over 300 new recruits were gradually enlisted.

Captain Austin, who had been promoted to temporary major and served as the commander of the First Squadron, First Battalion, First Platoon of the Northwest Bay Fleet, was busy these days, hardly finding any time to rest.

Under Rubin's supervision, the shipyard worked overtime to produce two oar-sail ships with rams, along with the modification of four fishing vessels for naval training.

The new mayor and deputy mayor selected by Manager Ford arrived in Port Frand shortly after the public trial and quickly began their administrative duties, as ordered by Paul, transplanting the systems established in Alden Town, including public toilets, bathhouses, trash bins, and water kiosks. Earl Paul also instructed them to conduct a population census and other related tasks.

Paul also instructed them to respect and consult Elder Peter, fostering a cooperative spirit.

Additionally, the central church in town was ordered to be converted into a building called the "Government House" for administrative personnel to work in. A new church would be built elsewhere, with the Earl hinting that it should be constructed in a remote location.

Entering July, Paul decided to return to Alden Town. Before departing, he reviewed the embryonic naval forces and proclaimed boldly, "Our journey lies across the vast seas."

Though the phrase "vast seas" puzzled many, it didn't hinder the young men in the ranks from being stirred with fiery enthusiasm, clamoring to use the remaining pirates as fish food.

The Second Infantry Battalion remained in Port Frand to assist in defending against pirates until they reached combat readiness. After bidding farewell to everyone, Earl Paul led the First Infantry Battalion toward Alden Town.

In July, the temperature was already quite hot, especially nearing noon when the sun scorched the earth relentlessly.

"You're much cooler here than in the south," exclaimed Quiller Foster from the Angle Bay Alliance, happily.

Young Master Foster intended to accompany Paul to Alden Town to see what "novel gadgets" he planned to sell. As an aspirant adventurer, he was interested in anything unfamiliar.

However, his aspirations hit a snag. Captain Meru of the Lichman Adventurers' Guild still hadn't agreed to let him join the guild and was quite displeased with Foster's decision to stay in the Northwest Bay for a while.

If Quiller stayed here, so would they. If they abandoned Quiller and returned, they wouldn't receive mission commissions, and the guild's completion rate would decline. Naturally, the Lichman Adventurers' Guild had to follow Quiller to Alden Town to ensure his safety.

Along the way, Paul and Quiller exchanged idle chatter.

"Is that so? I still find it quite hot," replied Paul, who had grown up in the north and hadn't experienced the southern heat, unknowingly offending Quiller.

"But look at that girl named Ladia, covering up so tightly even in this heat, it's really strange," Paul whispered to Quiller.

"Now that you mention it, yeah, and she doesn't even have sweat on her face?" Quiller also noticed something odd.

Even though Quiller and the others from the Lichman Adventurers' Guild hailed from the south and were more heat-resistant, they still dressed lightly. Despite this, sweat continuously dripped from their faces.

Only Miss Scholar – Ladia remained clad in thick, tightly-wrapped clothing, wearing a scholar's hat and carrying a bow and arrows on her back, which seemed quite peculiar. As everyone rushed along the road, sweating profusely, Miss Ladia didn't seem to break a sweat.

She noticed Paul scrutinizing her and immediately raised her hand to lower her hat brim, covering her face.

"Hehe, you've made her shy," Quiller teased.

"Who, me? I think you're the one who scared her off!" Paul denied vehemently.

As noon approached, the Earl ordered the march to halt, dispersing the troops into the shade of the trees on either side of the road to rest and attend to bodily needs.

After setting up guard posts, the soldiers entered the roadside groves, taking out their dry rations to eat.

Paul, Quiller, and the others also sat down to eat their respective foods. They noticed that the young Earl was eating the same black bread as the soldiers.

Kei, the punk, quietly said to Dean sitting beside him, "I thought this lord would treat us to a big meal."

Dean rolled his eyes at him, "Dream on. Even if there was a treat, it would be for that young master."

Just then, Scholar Ladia's ears twitched slightly.

She lifted her head and said, "It seems like someone is calling for help!"

Suddenly, everyone tensed up.

(End of chapter)

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