Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 64: Disappointment and Hope

Translator: Cinder Translations

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Hansel woke up early the next day, meticulously groomed himself, and after breakfast with his family, hurried to the public office of the Capital Intelligence Department. He presented his identification and entered, finding his immediate superior's office.

He lightly knocked on the door and entered upon hearing a "come in." He greeted the intelligence officer who had issued his commission several months ago, "Viscount Aiden, long time no see."

The officer, buried in a pile of documents, looked up at Hansel for a while, then asked, "And you are...?" It was clear he couldn't quite recall his subordinate whom he had met only once before.

Hansel felt a surge of annoyance but kept it hidden, smiling as he introduced himself, "Baron Hansel Abbott. I received my commission from you at the Highland camp months ago, to serve as a royal commissioner in Alden."

Viscount Aiden struggled to jog his memory, finally recalling, "Ah! You're Hansel." The Viscount didn't seem embarrassed; most of those sent to him by Earl Merlin were leftovers with nowhere else to go. Besides, there was a liaison officer specifically for communications; there was no need to remember their faces.

He remembered dispatching this fellow to the remote Northwest Bay, "So, why have you returned to the capital?" Viscount Aiden put on a stern expression, wondering if this young man couldn't handle the hardships in the northwest and had returned to live a life of comfort. Oh, these young people nowadays needed proper education.

"Hmm!" Hansel cleared his throat, pulling out a scroll and placing it on Viscount Aiden's desk, "Please have a look, sir."

Curious, Viscount Aiden unrolled the scroll, finding it to be a grain transfer certificate. Recalling recent instructions from the royal family, he immediately understood.

"So, you've managed to procure grain from the local lords?" he asked.

"Yes, sir! Though the quantity is small, this is just the first batch. Earl Paul Grayman, the lord of Alden, has promised to send more grain in the future, and it's all free, costing us not a single coin."

Viscount Aiden nodded approvingly, "Very well. In this day and age, there aren't many local lords so loyal to His Majesty the King. I understand. You may go back now." With that, he pushed the certificate aside and returned to his documents.

After a while, not hearing the sound of the door closing, he looked up in surprise to find Hansel still standing there, seemingly waiting for something.

"Hmm? Baron Abbott, why are you still here?"

Hansel, somewhat disappointed, placed two letters on the table, saying, "There is one more thing I need to trouble you with. One is a letter from Earl Grayman of Alden to His Majesty the King, and the other is a letter I wrote to His Majesty, containing several suggestions regarding the northwest region. Please deliver them to the palace on my behalf."

Viscount Aiden glanced at the letters on the table, saying, "Very well, but His Majesty is extremely busy; I can't guarantee he'll find time to read your letters. Hansel, unless it's something crucial, you should hurry back to Northwest Bay and continue your duties as a royal commissioner. I have a lot to handle here."

"Understood, Viscount."

Hansel turned and left the office, closing the door behind him. He hesitated for a moment in the corridor, debating whether to go back inside, but in the end, he shook his head and left the building.

After finishing his business, Hansel hired a carriage and headed towards the direction of the Royal Crystal Academy. About a quarter-hour later, the carriage stopped in front of a tavern.