Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 148: Planting a Spy

TL: Etude

After discussing matters for most of the day in the office, everyone finally dispersed.

Just as Paul was thinking of taking a quick nap on his desk, the door to the office opened again.

“Come in.”

The door opened to reveal Cecil, the head of intelligence, sneaking in and carefully closing the door behind him.

“Cecil? What’s with all the secrecy? Sit down, please.”

Cecil approached his desk, gave a slight bow, and then sat down, lowering his voice:

“Lord Grayman, on my way back, something occurred to me, so I came back to see you.”

“What is it?”

“Well…”

He straightened up and began, “Miss Ladi’s presence here is always a potential threat to us.”

“What? Have you lost your mind? She just saved me and the guards, and you want to judge her just because she’s a witch? Besides, you’ve seen how she behaves on a daily basis.”

The head of intelligence looked slightly embarrassed as he explained, “Sorry, my words might have been a bit ambiguous.”

“What I mean is, considering the public’s view on witches and the church’s hostility towards them, if someone discovers that we’re harboring a witch and reports it to the church, it could spell trouble for us.”

Paul spread his hands in resignation: “You’re right, I’ve thought about that. But what can we do? Do you expect me to turn away someone who has fought alongside me?”

Cecil hastily waved his hands: “No, no, that’s not what I mean.”

“Then what are you trying to say?”

Cecil lowered his already soft voice: “An opportunity, a chance to mitigate the threat from the church.”

Paul’s interest was piqued, and he stared into Cecil’s eyes, “Go on, don’t hold back.”

“Did you know? The bishop of the Northwest Bay Diocese is stepping down due to health reasons.”

“Really? I hadn’t heard, but what does that have to do with us?”

“Guess who’s going to take over as bishop?”

“Who?”

“It’s the old abbot from the monastery near our town!”

Paul was somewhat surprised: “Abbot Leonard?”

“Heh, exactly! The old king had an agreement with the Holy See that bishops within the Kingdom of Ordo would be primarily native appointees. So this time, Abbot Leonard was chosen. He is very devout and loyal to the kingdom, making him a favorite of both parties.”

“I’m aware of that agreement, but how does this relate to us?”

Cecil revealed a cunning smile: “Just listen. With Abbot Leonard leaving, the position of abbot at the monastery will become vacant. And I’ve heard that the old abbot intends to appoint Father Anderson from our town to succeed him.”

“Father Anderson? Apart from being a bit of a bookworm, he’s a decent man. I’ve heard he originated from that monastery, so his appointment as abbot makes sense.”

“But I’ve heard he’s been in a terrible mood lately, constantly sighing and groaning in the church.”

“Oh? Why? It’s a promotion, he should be happy, right?”

“Lord Grayman, you might not know this, but Father Anderson has a little hobby aside from his regular prayers and recitations.”

“I know, he’s fond of studying various plants and small animals, right? The churchyard is filled with flowers and greenery.”

“Exactly. Besides fulfilling his duties as a priest, he spends most of his time on this hobby.”

“I heard he’s a member of the Enlightenment Society? That’s not surprising; they seem more like scholars to me.”

“So, think about it. Once he becomes the abbot and has to manage such a large monastery, there will be a lot to handle every day. Will he still have time for his hobbies? That’s why he’s been so down lately, but he doesn’t dare to defy his mentor’s orders.”

“I sympathize with him, but then what?”

Cecil chuckled mischievously, “That’s where our opportunity comes in. Father Morrison seems to be quite free these days. Why not let him assist Father Anderson?”

Morrison, the priest Paul had encountered in the church of Port Fran when he reclaimed it, had been coerced into joining the Shark Gang. Paul used this to blackmail him into serving him.

Back in Lakeheart Town, Morrison was appointed as the head of Weiss Academy and also managed several ‘propaganda teams.’ He often visited the barracks to listen to the soldiers’ confessions, subtly indoctrinating them with the ideologies Paul had instructed him to spread.

Not exactly idle, but Paul immediately grasped the underlying meaning of Cecil’s words.

He suddenly grasped the intelligence chief’s hands, surprising Cecil.

“I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this all along!”

Paul’s eyes sparkled as he stared at Cecil, “Now, you’ve found this opportunity, Cecil. You truly are a valuable subordinate.”

Cecil broke out in a cold sweat, “Well… Lord Count, this plan might not work out. If it doesn’t, please don’t take your anger out on me.”

The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. Cecil feared the count’s wrath if the plan failed.

“No!” Paul slammed the desk, startling the intelligence chief.

“This must succeed. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance. I’m going to the church right now to ‘visit’ Father Anderson.”

…

Inside the church of Lakeheart Town, Father Anderson looked worriedly at the flowers and plants scattered around him.

In a few days, he would be leaving for the nearby monastery to become its abbot. Who would take care of his beloved plants and flowers? Would the new priest taking over the church uproot them all?

He prayed sincerely, “Omnipotent Lord, please grant me a perfect solution that allows me to obey my mentor’s orders while continuing to care for these lovely beings.”

“Father Anderson!”

Just as he finished his prayers, he heard someone calling his name from outside the church gates.

“That voice? It’s Count Grayman.”

He couldn’t afford to neglect the lord of the land. He quickly straightened his clothes and respectfully walked towards the door.

Before he reached the door, Paul entered.

“Haha, Father Anderson! It’s been a while since I’ve greeted you. I haven’t properly thanked you since you revived me. I’m truly sorry!”

The priest waved his hands, “Not at all! Although I’m no doctor, saving lives is also part of my duty as a servant of God.”

“Bring it over!”

Paul extended his hand, and a guard immediately handed him a wooden box.

“As compensation, I sincerely wish to give you a gift!”

He patted the box with a genuinely warm smile on his face.

…

In a splendid and luxurious living room, Hansel sat somewhat stiffly on a seat, glancing towards the door from time to time.

Several days ago, he had requested an audience with Viscount William, the Royal Army’s Quartermaster, but the Viscount had been avoiding him, citing his busy schedule.

Finally, yesterday, he received the long-awaited reply. Viscount William agreed to meet him the next morning, at the Viscount’s residence.

Hansel got up early today, dressed in a carefully chosen outfit, and arrived at the Viscount’s estate at the agreed time.

He reminded himself, “This meeting is crucial. It’s about opening up a market for canned food and getting into the high echelons of the kingdom.”

During his return to the capital, Hansel’s mission, apart from continuing to recruit talent and gather refugees for Paul, was to pitch canned food to the kingdom’s army.

Paul estimated that the plan had a high chance of success, as canned food was originally invented to solve military food supply issues. It seemed an ideal fit for any army in any world.

Though Hansel was an outsider in military matters, he could see the importance of such easily transportable and long-lasting food for the army.

Sitting in Viscount William’s living room, after glancing towards the entrance countless times, he suddenly heard footsteps in the corridor outside.

“Here he comes!”

Hansel’s heart thumped. He composed himself, straightening his posture, waiting for the host to arrive.

Soon, a figure appeared at the entrance to the parlor—a middle-aged man with a sharp look in his eyes.

Hansel immediately stood up and greeted him, “It’s an honor to meet you, Lord Viscount William.”

“Hansel, please sit down,” the Viscount promptly invited him to take a seat.

“How time flies. I never imagined the Abbott family’s second son would grow up so much,” Viscount William remarked, reminiscing about the scandal involving old Abbott that had been well-known throughout the capital. The young man before him was the unexpected child from that affair.

“Uh… yes,” Hansel replied awkwardly.

“So, what brings you to me?” Viscount William cut to the chase, evidently not inclined to exchange pleasantries with Hansel.

Internally annoyed, Hansel thought, “I’ve clearly stated my purpose in every request letter. Is this Quartermaster really that busy to not remember why I’m here?”

However, he showed no dissatisfaction. The Viscount might not have a high title, but he held a significant position controlling the royal army’s supplies.

With a proper smile, Hansel explained his intention: “Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to meet me, Lord Viscount. I’m here to introduce a newly developed military ration to you.”

To pique the Viscount’s interest, he directly referred to the canned food as military rations, considering the Viscount’s role.

The Viscount looked puzzled, “Military rations? Developed?”

Hansel nodded, “Exactly.”

He then called out, “Tom!”

The servant Tom, who had been standing by, carefully placed a wooden box he was carrying onto the table and cautiously opened it.

Viscount William looked into the box curiously and saw six glass jars inside.

“This is… this is the military ration for consumption?”

“Yes, Lord Viscount, its official name is ‘canned food.’ This is a special food preservation method that allows for long-term storage. You might want to taste it; let’s start with the beef.”

Hansel picked up a can labeled as beef. He peeled off the wax seal at the can’s mouth, revealing a cork underneath. Using a can opener he carried, he twisted it into the cork and pulled it out, then placed the can in front of the Viscount.

Viscount William looked at the beef can with a troubled expression.josei

To be honest, the appearance of canned meat was not appealing. White fat floated on the murky meat broth, not exactly appetizing but rather somewhat off-putting.

After a while, he called a servant and ordered, “Go to the kitchen and fetch two forks.”

The servant quickly returned with two forks and placed them on the table.

Viscount William gave Hansel a look, and understanding, Hansel picked up a fork, speared a piece of beef from the can, and began chewing.

Seeing Hansel eat without hesitation, the Viscount picked up another fork, speared a piece of beef, and tasted it.

Chewing, the Viscount mumbled, “Hmm… the texture is decent, and it’s indeed beef.”

The taste was a bit unusual but acceptable, and importantly, it didn’t taste like spoiled meat.

Hansel swallowed the beef and continued, “Lord Viscount, the beef can we are tasting has been produced over a month ago.”

“A month?”

Viscount William was astonished that it could be preserved for so long.

He speared another piece of beef and examined it closely.

From its texture and appearance, the beef seemed to have been cooked. However, cooked meat would typically spoil after a day or two, even if stored in a cold room, it would only last a few days longer. How did this small glass jar achieve such preservation?

Seeing the Quartermaster’s amazement, Hansel felt a bit proud.

“Lord Viscount, according to the inventor of canned food, it can be preserved for at least six months. Even in the heat of summer, as long as it’s within the so-called ‘shelf life,’ the meat won’t spoil or deteriorate.”

“Six months?”

Viscount William’s expression was one of disbelief. As a Quartermaster, he knew that drying meat could preserve it for a long time, but the taste… was not as good as the canned meat he was eating.

“Not just beef, other meats can also be canned. This is pork, and this is lamb.”

Hansel continued, taking out the other five cans from the box.

“And it’s not just meat; there are also vegetable and fruit cans. These three are pears, apples, and spinach.”

The colorful fruit and vegetable cans were more visually appealing and caught the Viscount’s attention.

Hansel opened each can with the can opener, inviting Viscount William to taste each one.

“Hmm… These two fruit cans taste good.”

The Viscount enjoyed the fruit cans, eating several bites.

Hansel secretly smiled; of course, they tasted good.

The cans used for sales and tasting were specially prepared: the meat cans had added spices, and the fruit cans had added sugar, both of which were expensive commodities in the Northwest Bay.

Viscount William wiped his mouth with a napkin handed by a servant.

“If they really can be preserved for more than half a year, these so-called ‘canned foods’ are indeed great.”

“Of course, they are, Lord Viscount. I believe they will be popular among the soldiers. As a Quartermaster, you must understand the soldiers’ plight of not getting meat and vegetables.”

Whether the soldiers would welcome them was not important, nor was it an issue for them to get meat and vegetables by other ‘means.’

The most important thing was it would save a lot of trouble for the Quartermasters.

Viscount William thought this to himself, outwardly agreeing with Hansel, “Certainly, Baron Abbott, this is indeed excellent military ration.”

He suddenly remembered Hansel’s title as a baron.