Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

"The downside?"

"There are fewer people doing the real work." Sopujin thought hard, "And... it's very dangerous. Small gangs can lose control at any time. Last week's brawl, two were crippled, and I hanged another two, just like that, four able workers gone."

"So what do you plan to do?" Winters put down his pen.

"I can manage for now, I think it's best to make the prisoners understand that there's only one fist that rules in the labor camp. If it becomes unmanageable, then I'll think of ways to separate them."

"Very good, really very good." Winters sat up straight, putting away his smile, and called out, "Sopujin! Sopujin Sopujin!"

Sopujin stood up abruptly, as if he were sitting on a hot iron, "Present!"

"Pardon of prisoners is ostensibly in response to the petitions from Revodan and North Eight Towns," Winters enunciated each word, "In reality, I couldn't care less about the prisoners. I am here to set you free!"

Winters took out an iron arrow from his bosom, his tone solemn, "One iron arrow represents ten little arrows, now called a company, making a total of one hundred and twenty men. This iron arrow—it's yours."

Sopujin looked at the iron arrow, his nose tingling a bit.

"The units are already formed, and it's difficult to directly integrate into them. So I plan to set up a separate military police company, and you'll be the company commander."

"I..." Sopujin choked up, tears swirling in his eyes, "You still remember me, Centurion."

"No, I don't want you to be the military police company commander anymore." Winters exerted force on his hand, and the iron arrow "bang" snapped into pieces.

Winters slapped the broken arrow on the table, "One hundred and twenty men, that's too little for you! I am giving you twelve hundred men!"

"Twelve hundred?" Sopujin was stunned.

"That's twelve hundred men," Winters laughed heartily, "But not twelve hundred soldiers, rather twelve hundred prisoners, from the captives of Vernge County. Revodan has no one, and I must personally take charge of the large labor camp. But now, it seems, you are qualified to take on this burden. Your official position is still company commander, but the men underneath you will be ten times that of other company commanders. Pack up, you're coming back to Revodan with me the day after tomorrow!"

"What about the labor camp in Wolf Town then?"

"Those not pardoned will be moved, joining up with the twelve hundred prisoners you're about to take over. They will all be taken to Forging Village, where the troops are stationed."

"What about the captured officers from Revodan, what's to be done with them?" Sopujin looked troubled, "Take them to Forging Village too? Isn't that a bit too close to Revodan?"

Winters also felt a headache mentioning it, "They will continue to stay in Wolf Town. You delegate some reliable men to Lieutenant Bard, let Lieutenant Bard take care of them for now."

Sopujin raised his hand to salute.

Winters sighed, not intending to hide his true thoughts, "Twelve hundred people, I don't know if you can manage such a large labor camp. I need to restart the mining at Iron Peak Mine, I need to organize logging teams. There are many tasks depending on these prisoners. Therefore, this position is crucial; I wouldn't feel confident entrusting it to anyone else."

Sopujin inclined his body, pursed his lips, his eyes also very tense.

"Don't look so tight-faced, why so serious?" Winters said with an easy laugh, "You've fought alongside me the whole way, you're scared of me too?"

Sopujin forced a smile, but his cheeks were still very stiff.

"But I can't personally handle everything. Sooner or later you'll have to share my responsibilities. I believe you're ready to take on more significant duties, and you are the first among my old subordinates to shoulder such responsibilities. Go for it, I've got your back."

Winters casually tossed the two pieces of the broken arrow to Sopujin with a resigned smile, "If you don't do well in the large labor camp, just find a blacksmith to weld this iron arrow back together, and come back to continue as my military police company commander."

Sopujin held the iron arrow, silent for a long time, then stood up and saluted.

Winters also stood, returning the salute with solemnity.

…

Leaving the labor camp, Winters felt a sense of relief, having resolved another concern.

He had yet to conduct a public trial for Bunting, nor had he had a chance to talk with Major Ronald, but these were minor issues.

Having arranged Sopujin's future, Winters had only one major matter left in Wolf Town—to coax his beloved Father Caman to Revodan.

He had deliberately left this matter for last; in fact, he had not even spoken privately with Father Caman up until now.

Because he was well aware that enticing Father Caman to Revodan... the key was not with Father Caman himself.