Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 207: The Duke’s Invitation

TL: Etude

Paul was stunned by the contents of the wooden box.

Inside was an entire box of gold coins, shining so brightly they nearly blinded his titanium-alloy dog eyes.

https://www.reddit.com/r/translator/s/j20XgdMRuY

“Can someone please explain to me what’s going on here?”

Quik surely hadn’t returned to his old ways at sea and pulled off a few big heists?

“Uh… My lord, this was sent by the Grand Duke of Eton. We didn’t dare to deal with it ourselves, so we’ve brought it to you for a decision.”

Paul grew more puzzled as he listened. “Why would the Grand Duke of Eton send you a box of gold coins?”

It was, after all, an entire box of gold coins. In most countries like Ordo, while people verbally refer to large sums of money in terms of gold coins for convenience, in reality, the use of gold coins was prohibited among the common folk. The most valuable currency in circulation among non-nobles was silver coins.

Gold, in this era, was exceedingly precious. Even when made into coins, they were alloyed with other metals.

Ladi, who was standing nearby, stood up.

“My lord, I encountered a wolf pack in the forest with the Grand Duchess of Eton. Captain Quik led his men to rescue us, so the Grand Duke of Eton sent this box of gold coins as a token of gratitude. Half of the gold coins are for you, and the other half is for the crew of the Southern ship.”

“The Grand Duchess of Eton? With you? How did you come to be involved with her?”

“I studied with Her Highness, Duchess Helen. She’s somewhat of a senior to me. When I arrived in the capital of the Horn Bay Alliance, Fort Ness, she happened to be visiting with her husband, and I paid her a visit.”

Paul was surprised to hear about his female advisor’s background. Even so, she had been forced into exile, which made him wonder just how audacious the Church in Horn Bay had become.

Eileen, who seemed to remember something, chimed in, “The Grand Duchess of Eton? I’ve heard she’s a renowned beauty, known far and wide.”

Paul turned back to Quik, “Since there’s a share for you as well, why didn’t you keep half of the gold coins?”

“This… The amount is just too large. We didn’t dare to handle it ourselves, so we’re leaving the decision to you.”

Paul was pleased with Quik’s approach. Currently, Alda had no regulations regarding public and military personnel accepting gifts from external parties. It was time to establish a standard, where amounts below a certain threshold could be kept, and anything above had to be surrendered.

Since it was a gray area at the moment, they decided to follow the giver’s intent.

“Then I’ll keep this box of gold coins. I’ll exchange half of it for an equivalent amount of Ordo silver coins and give them to you.”

Quik hurriedly refused, “My lord, that’s too much! We couldn’t possibly accept it.”

“No, no, this is what you deserve.”

After some back and forth, Paul insisted they accept it. “Consider it a material reward for this long voyage.”

Seeing their lord’s generosity, the crew of the Southern ship were overwhelmed with an incredible sense of happiness. Half a box of gold coins would make anyone involved in the voyage, be it officer or soldier, extremely wealthy.

“Then I thank you on behalf of all the officers and men on the ship. There’s another matter… The Grand Duke of Eton has extended his friendship to you, and if you or your envoy ever visit Horn Bay, the Grand Duchy of Eton will surely extend a warm welcome.”josei

Paul’s brows raised in interest, “This is an unexpected gain. You’ve done well this time. Relying too much on the Foster family is unreliable. The more friends we have in Horn Bay, the better. As a reward, do any of you have any wishes that you’d like me to help fulfill?”

Everyone was momentarily content with their newfound wealth, except Quik, who hesitantly made a request.

“My lord… Some of my old pirate comrades are still serving sentences. They missed the chance to earn their redemption by joining the navy as they didn’t meet the recruitment criteria. But I assure you, they’re not heinous criminals. Could you shorten their sentences? I’m willing to forego my share of the money.”

Paul was touched by his loyalty.

“Alright, I agree. After a thorough investigation, I’ll appropriately reduce their sentences, or even release them outright.”

Quik was overjoyed, endlessly thanking Paul.

Paul invited everyone to stay for dinner, and amidst the jovial atmosphere, he proposed a visit the next day to the newly constructed “Iron Factory” in Lakeheart Town.

The mechanical factory had developed an experimental water-powered bellows system and, in collaboration with the ironworkers arranged by Paul, built the first blast furnace along the Weiss River. Guy Burns had informed him to witness the production of the first molten iron, a moment of great significance.

“We will soon monopolize the steel supply in the northwest!”

Paul confidently announced to everyone.

Cierra was curious about what gave their lord such confidence.

“May I also visit your iron factory?”

“Of course, Lady Sertia, you are welcome to come and see.

Paul was not worried about others observing the process of producing molten iron in the blast furnace. It was a good opportunity to show off Alda’s ‘black technology’.

As he was about to continue outlining his grand plans, Philip, the butler, came over with two wooden boxes.

“Count, two invitations have arrived from the Duke Ferdinand’s estate, for you and Lord Ganard.”

“Invitations? For me and Malron?”

Paul and Malron exchanged puzzled looks.

They each opened their boxes and took out the tied parchment to read.

“It’s the Duke’s birthday, inviting us to a banquet.”

“But the old man’s birthday isn’t until February, which is still over two months away.”

Paul remembered being extorted in the name of Duke Ferdinand by Count Kent and felt annoyed. He believed that Marltz Kent, the Duke’s most obedient dog, must be in cahoots with him.

“Perhaps the Duke wants us to have more time to prepare gifts.”

“Is this a ploy to extort us under the guise of a birthday celebration? I knew what kind of man Marltz Kent is; how good can his patron be?”

Paul was quite indignant, “Forget it, let him celebrate his birthday on his own.”

Butler Philip became anxious, “Count, we cannot afford to offend Duke Ferdinand.”

Malron also advised him.

“Paul, more than half of the lords in the Northwest Bay are from the Ferdinand faction. Though we are direct vassals of the royal family, we can’t afford to be too hostile with him.”

Reluctantly, Paul nodded, “Alright, since you all insist, I’ll attend his birthday banquet. As for the gift, I’ll have a special piece of porcelain made for him.”

Philip and Malron finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Join my Discord: https://discord.gg/jUm4wCfDxd

Consider supporting me on kofi! https://ko-fi.com/etudetranslations