Magic, steel, heavy industry

Chapter 19 Steel Cable

"Damn it! What on earth is that stupid little rascal thinking? Giving away precious bread and meat to serfs? No nobleman would do that unless he's insane!"

The nominal mayor of Anvil Ridge, Mr. Wirtz, who considered himself a gentleman, was anxiously trudging along the bumpy dirt road.

He lifted the hem of his clothes with one hand and held an exquisite oak cane in the other. Because of the approaching winter, the cold air in the mountains made him shiver from time to time, which made his mood even worse.

"Don't these guys know to send someone to guard this place?"

Wirtz hunched over, his expression growing increasingly pained.

Fearing discovery, he deliberately chose the late hour and didn't even dare to light an oil lamp, which resulted in him nearly falling several times.

Fortunately, he had been on this road countless times, and with his memory and the moonlight, he wouldn't get lost even without an oil lamp.

A few minutes later, he arrived at the entrance of the mine.

The tall wooden door blocked out everything inside. Wirtz looked around to make sure no one was following him before reaching out and knocking on the door.

A distinctive rhythmic tapping sounded; it was the pre-arranged signal between him and the person inside. Only by tapping the correct rhythm would the person inside open the door.

But after Wirtz knocked, there was no response. He immediately stomped his foot, "These idiots! Isn't anyone on watch?!"

He angrily knocked again, several times in a row, until a small door on the right side of the wooden door finally opened.

A stubble-faced man came out obsequiously, "Mr. Wirtz, what brings you so late?"

"Nonsense! Do you want me to come during the day and arouse suspicion?"

Wirtz looked at the other party's lazy attitude and wished he could swing his cane and hit him, but he could only think about it. After all, he couldn't afford to offend anyone here.

That's right, everyone guarding the mine now is not Wirtz's subordinate, but belongs to another terrifying guy.

Wirtz didn't need to do anything except help them clear out the mine.

He didn't like coming here in the first place either, because these vulgar fellows had no manners at all and showed no respect for him, a gentleman.

But today, he came on his own initiative.

After witnessing Vilan's punishment of Dean during the day, he was filled with fear. He couldn't imagine how the little rascal would punish him once he found out that he had stolen the ore from Anvil Territory.

So he couldn't wait any longer and had to resolve the matter quickly.

Soon, he followed the bearded man into the mine.

After the gate closed, Wirtz strode into a small wooden cabin.

"Steel Cable, you have to get out of here immediately! It's very dangerous!"

Inside the wooden house, a tall, well-proportioned, and athletic man sat by the fireplace, wiping his longsword with an oilcloth.

His name is Steel Cable, and he is a genuine robber.

The next second, Wirtz felt a chill on his neck; the longsword had appeared on his shoulder without him even noticing.

"I don't like people entering my room without knocking."

Wirtz felt the weight of the longsword and met those deep, melancholy eyes. His legs went weak, and he quickly raised his hands.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Steel Cable, I didn't mean to bother you, but the situation is really urgent. The new lord will soon have his sights set on this place, and you must leave before he realizes what's happening, preferably now..."

Wirtz spoke in a trembling voice, his tone pleading.

There was no way around it; he was genuinely scared.

Their original plan was to relocate gradually and minimize the losses, but he didn't expect that Vilan was not a child who could be easily fooled.

Judging from his attitude toward the free people, Wirtz had no doubt that he would be hanged once the matter was exposed!

After a few seconds of silence, Steel Cable sheathed his sword and said coldly, "I understand. You will keep that new lord occupied for another three days."

"No! That old bastard under him is about to start investigating the territory's assets. I can only stall for two more days at most!"

"Then it will take two days. You know, it takes time to deal with those traces of life, and we can't just abandon the raw ore that has already been mined."

Steel Cable shook his head, making some compromises.

Wirtz finally breathed a sigh of relief. He forced an awkward smile and tentatively asked, "Mr. Steel Cable, has the Baron said anything about what should be done with my share?"

Steel Cable looked over coldly. "Who told you I was one of Gareth's men?"

……

"You mean, Wirtz went to the mine last night to meet with the people there?"

The next morning, Vilan listened to Carreras's report while eating his breakfast of buttered bread, goat's milk, and sausage.

"Yes, Mount saw it with his own eyes. Wirtz stayed inside for ten minutes and then slunk out."

"It seems our mayor friend is starting to get scared too; the people inside will probably be moved out in the next couple of days."

Vilan took a sip of goat milk and then wiped his mouth with a handkerchief.

With a determined look in his eyes, Carreras stepped forward confidently. "Please give the order, Your Majesty, and I will lead the guards to capture those despicable thieves."

Vilan looked at Carreras with appreciation; he was quite satisfied with his valiant captain.

"Have you determined how many people are on the other side?"

"Mount observed them for two days and roughly guessed that there were 30 people living inside," Carreras replied loudly.

"How did he guess?" Vilan asked curiously.

"Experience. Mount's father was a brave hunter; he had keen experience," Carreras said confidently.

Vilan nodded helplessly. There are many idealistic things in this world, but there's no need to delve into them.

He thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Go ahead. Most of the miners inside are probably defenseless. If anyone resists, don't hold back. Your own safety is the most important thing. Oh, and don't forget Wirtz. We absolutely cannot let him get away."

Vilan agreed to Carreras's plan for a simple reason: he needed to show all the people of Anvil Territory who the real leader was.

Another point is that he also felt that he was a bit poor, and now that a rich man had offered himself up, he figured he might as well take advantage of it.

Having served as the nominal mayor for five years, Wirtz must have amassed quite a bit of savings, right?

Vilan was a little excited, but unfortunately, he couldn't go this time. After all, it was a complex environment in the mine, and he didn't want to be the one who held everyone back.

As for the guards who are all out arresting people, what about your own safety?

Vilan wasn't worried at all, because Llorente was still by his side.

In the original owner's memories, this consultant seemed to be a formidable character with exceptional skills.