Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters-Chapter 1002 - 54 Steel Fortress_3

Chapter 1002: Chapter 54 Steel Fortress_3

Roger’s news this time isn’t worth a silver coin, but sometimes it’s necessary to spend money on useless rumors when gathering intelligence.

“White-haired” Roger is quite a greedy guy and is in a very good position; the dark-faced man doesn’t mind spending a bit of money to keep him on the hook.

It was getting late, and the dark-faced man yawned, planning to close up shop and rest.

Suddenly, Roger, who had already stepped outside, seemed to remember something, rushed back frantically in front of the dark-faced man: “Oh! Mr. Black! All of Baron Granashi’s guards are Dusacks.”

“Hmm?” The dark-faced man was initially stunned, then he flipped open his notebook, glanced at it, and with arms crossed, smiling, he asked, “Isn’t he a baron?”

Roger didn’t answer, just looked eagerly at the money pouch on the dark-faced man’s table.

The dark-faced man felt a surge of annoyance, realizing he had been played.

But still, he grinned and opened the money pouch, tossing another silver coin to Roger: “Can you talk now?”

Roger thanked him profusely, carefully pocketing the silver coin: “Yes, he is a baron, or at least he claims to be… That’s why I thought he was someone important, otherwise how could a minor baron have Dusacks as guards?”

“What’s his surname?” the dark-haired man struggled to make out his own scribbled handwriting.

“De Granashi.”

“How many guards does he have?”

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“Eight.”

“All Dusacks?”

“All of them.”

“…And a personal priest?”

“Yes.”

“Is he very wealthy?”

“Like a tycoon.”

“How old is he?”

“Just over twenty.”

“Just over twenty?” the dark-faced man closed his notebook, leaned back in his chair, and asked with a smile: “Did he ever say what he came to Steel Fortress for? [Grand Tour]?”

“Grand—oil?” Roger was confused: “What does that mean?”

The dark-faced man briefly explained.

…

The Grand Tour has become a new fashion trend in recent years.

Despite the brutal purges at the beginning of the current Emperor’s reign, his dedicated governance afterward has been evident to all. The Empire is increasingly prosperous, and the purses of nobles, large and small, are gradually filling up.

With more money, there are more ways to spend it.

Because the Emperor won the civil war, opposed private wars, and suppressed bandits, there has been no conflict within the Empire for many years, making long-distance travel no longer a life-threatening matter.

Some noble families take out money to allow their offspring who have completed their studies to make a lengthy journey; while enjoying the pleasures of life, they also get a glimpse of the world.

With the growing popularity of this new trend, many wealthy families without noble status have also joined in. Some young people, not satisfied with a month or two of long-distance travel, begin to try touring around the Empire, even venturing into territories of southern rebels.

If Baron Granashi is just over twenty, it’s the perfect age for the Grand Tour. It’s reasonable for the family elders to not trust a young person to spend money frivolously alone and to dispatch several guards to protect him.

…

After hearing this, Roger scratched his head: “I… I don’t know. But… but Baron Granashi also brought his wife? Can you bring your wife on a Grand Tour?”

“Uh.” The dark-faced man chuckled drily a few times: “It surely can’t be a honeymoon, right?”

“Would they come to Monta for a honeymoon?” Roger, tugging at clumps of his gray-white hair, said anxiously: “It’s all mountains, what’s there to see?”

“Maybe they just love mountain scenery? Who knows what Empire’s nobles like?” The dark-faced man waved his hand, indicating Roger to leave: “Keep an eye on that baron for me, if he’s indulging in pleasures, you needn’t bother. But if he makes contact with merchants, smiths, or any other local people, come tell me.”

The dark-faced man grinned: “If you can make business with him, I’ll also give you a share.”

Roger was once again profusely thankful, retreating as he left.

After the white-haired boy left, the dark-faced man disgustedly spit, then tapped the desk bell.

Several employees walked into the room.

“Lock up, it’s time to rest,” the dark-faced man said.

The employees nodded and left.

The dark-faced man also prepared to leave, putting on his coat and walking to the door, but he couldn’t help returning to his seat, spreading out his notebook and re-reading the recorded content.

…

Nominally, the Security Committee is responsible for the defense and espionage work of the Empire.

But when the will of the Emperor needs to be executed and the capabilities of the Empire’s Security Committee are insufficient, the Oath Breaker will employ another hand.

A more powerful, more invisible, more terrifying hand.

Inside the Empire Security Committee, people refer to the Oath Breaker’s other hand as “The Envoy.”

If the Empire Security Committee represents the interests of the Empire, then the Envoy represents the will of the Emperor.

The Envoy could be one person, several people, or even a group. No one knows how the Envoy operates, only that they can mobilize vast amounts of money, authority, and force—only to fulfill their mission.

Therefore, there are complaints, the Envoy is not carrying out the Emperor’s orders; the Envoy is exercising the Emperor’s authority.

And at this moment, in Steel Fortress, there is such an “Envoy.”

…

“Should I report this matter to the Envoy?” the dark-faced man hesitated.