Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

"Quick, take off that outfit and have a proper bath," Kosa wrinkled her nose and softly summoned the maid, "Marita Mum, please prepare some hot water for Master Winters."

"No need to trouble old Marita, I can just take a cold bath. I'm used to cold baths from the military academy," Winters's nature was not to inconvenience others.

"The well water is too cold, you'll get sick," Kosa ignored Winters's suggestion and gestured for the maid to continue boiling water.

She suddenly said happily, "How about accompanying me to the Mewah's after this [a famous tailor in Sea Blue City]? It has been quite a while since my last visit. We need to make you some new clothes; look at you, with nothing but military uniform to wear. That won't do."

At the very thought of going to the tailor's, Kosa's eyes lit up, and it was unclear why she was so delighted.

However, Winters subconsciously wanted to refuse, "I'm fine with just this military uniform; it's enough for me. I'm not comfortable in civilian clothes; I prefer wearing boots."

"How can that be? Without appropriate clothes, people will laugh at you," Kosa knew her nephew had never liked dressing up since he was a child, so she had to push him, "Don't worry about it, just come with me. It won't take too long. Your uncle's clothes are all chosen by me. Come on, go have your bath."

Though Winters found it troublesome, he really couldn't come up with a reason to refuse his aunt. He estimated the time, with Benwei still working at the docks, and figured a trip to the tailor's with his aunt wouldn't take too long. After returning, he could go directly to meet Benwei, so he nodded in agreement.

Seeing Winters agree, Kosa, fearing he might change his mind, hurried him to the bath while joyfully instructing the servants to have the Coachman prepare the carriage.

In Winters's mind, the case at the docks was what occupied his thoughts, and his intuition told him there must be a key point he had missed. Yet, like something covered with a thick layer of leather, it was elusive and indistinct.

He quickly took a cold shower, changed into a clean military academy uniform. He would continue wearing the cadet uniform until the end of his probation period, and only after he officially received the rank of lieutenant would he be allowed to wear the officer's uniform.

After Winters had bathed and changed, he came downstairs to find Kosa was not in the drawing room. Stepping outside, the carriage was waiting at the door, but his aunt was not in the carriage either.

Where had his aunt gone? Winters was puzzled.

Winters's uncle, unlike some senior officers who used soldiers as servants, had always hired help from outside – apart from old Marita – and General Antonio's orderlies were not allowed inside the yard.

The stables at the Serviati residence were not large, managed by a highlander over fifty who doubled as Coachman and stableman, a multi-talented individual indeed.

But Winters did not recognize him. During the time Winters was at the military school in The Federated Provinces, the previous Coachman had left, replaced by this man.

Suddenly, Winters realized he could inquire about the carriage with the Coachman. He politely greeted the Coachman, who was flattered and tipped his hat in return.

"May I ask you about something?" Winters inquired with a smile.

"Of course, young master, ask away," the Coachman nodded repeatedly.

Seated high on the coachman's box, Winters had to look up to speak: "Do you know other Coachmen in Sea Blue City?"

"I know a few; Coachmen tend to know each other somewhat," the Coachman blinked, adding, "There are many of us Paratu People working as coachmen here."

"Are there many black carriages in the city? Black with silver trim, are there many?"

"I'm not sure about that, such plain carriages aren't very common, but I suppose there are a few. Some Puritans don't like fancy decorations, ah, that lot doesn't like much of anything," the Coachman said, clearly holding little regard for the Puritans.

Puritans, Winters latched onto a key point, repeating it to himself several times.

"What if I want to find a black carriage with silver trim now?" Winters pressed on.

The Coachman scratched his head, "I don't know about that, sir. Are you looking to rent or to buy? If you want to rent, I could ask around at the brotherhood for you."

"What is this brotherhood?" Winters heard a new term.

The Coachman, realizing his slip, grinned sheepishly, "Did I say something? I meant I could ask a few of the Coachmen colleagues for you."

Seeing the Coachman evade the question, Winters stared into his eyes and asked, word by word, "If I wanted a carriage to disappear, could this brotherhood you mentioned help with that?"

The Coachman dared not meet Winters's gaze; he looked away and said with a wry smile, "I really don't know about that, sir. I'm just a poor man; can we pretend I never said anything, please?"

It was "I don't know," not "we can't," Winters had gotten the answer he was looking for.

————This is Fight Club's break line————