On the outskirts of Steel Castle, in the village of Zug close to the legion's station, a huge convoy was making preparations for departure.

The sky had already brightened, but it still looked gray. At a quarter past eight, the night watchman of the church rang the morning bell on time.

When they heard the bell, all the busy people stopped what they were doing and bowed their heads in silence to pray.

After a while, the bells stopped ringing, and the statuesque people resumed their activities, continuing to oil the axles, feed the draft horses, and check the goods and luggage.

Everything has an end as it begins, and Winters is about to leave Steel Castle. But before departure, he still has some affairs to wrap up, and some friends to say goodbye to.

For example, Covilha, the head waiter at the Lakeside Hotel.

"He is Koch, your contact person." Winters raised his chin and motioned Covilyan to look at the sturdy man who had just walked into the tent: "From now on, you will be the ones to deal with, let's get to know each other formally."

Covilyan turned to face Koch, his behavior a bit awkward because he didn't know what salute to do. In the end, the old foreman bowed his head deeply, but the sturdy man stretched out his right hand.

Covilian couldn't help but be startled, but he quickly recovered and accepted the other party's kindness cooperatively. In this way, the two shook hands.

Winters nodded slightly, touched the heels of Koch's boots, raised his arms in salute, and walked out of the tent neatly.

"His behavior simply shows his identity written on his face." Winters sighed and turned his head to look at Covilyan: "But he is already the least awkward person among my subordinates who speaks Monta dialect."

"Monta has many veterans who have served, so Mr. Koch's behavior is not out of the ordinary." Covilyan flattered tactfully: "Besides, loyalty is the most important quality, and Mr. Koch obviously does not lack it at all.

"

Winters raised the corner of his mouth and continued without saying anything: "I will establish a stronghold in Lucerne. As I said before, you only need to follow my request and send family letters to Lucerne regularly. I will

We will also abide by the agreement and ensure Mr. Roger's safety."

Covilian listened respectfully.

Winters's attitude was frank and natural: "This is easy to say, it's nothing more than sending a letter. It's hard to say, but extremely difficult. There are three autonomous prefectures between Steel Castle and Lucerne, hundreds of kilometers away. Timely, stable and secretive - think

It is not easy to do anything. All I can provide is maximum funds. But how to establish and maintain a communication line depends entirely on your and Koch's wisdom and judgment."

Having said this, Winters paused for a moment and sighed again: "To be honest, Mr. Covilyan, I don't have a few subordinates who can really take charge of their own affairs. Even if I did, I would not leave them in Monta——

Because it is a shameful waste. Koch is the best help I can give you. I trust him completely, but my messenger can't help him. In the country of mountains, the person I count on...

In reality, it has always been you.”

Covilian did not dare to show any slightness. He bowed slightly and assured with sincerity: "Your Excellency, I will never betray your trust! You can completely trust my loyalty."

The helpless smile appeared on Winters' lips again: "You don't need to put on such a show to please me, Mr. Covilyan. I used your nephew's life as collateral, which is tantamount to kidnapping and extortion.

What kind of loyalty can a blackmailed person have to his kidnapper?"

Covilian lowered his head lower: "What happened to Roger was all caused by himself, and he deserves to be punished. Your ability to spare his life is an act of kindness that I should not ask for. I will never forget your kindness."

Degree and kindness.”

"I will copy this sentence of yours." Winters stood up holding the small table, applauded and laughed: "Maybe I can use it one day."

Facing the baron who acted completely unscripted, Covilyan could only narrow his shoulders and lower his posture, trying to appear as submissive as possible.

"You may think that I am playing tricks, but I have neither the ability nor the idea. I have seen some people - the more you respect them, the more they despise you; the more you look down on them,

The more majestic they feel about you. In my opinion, you do not belong to that category. You are a person who has both self-respect and sufficient wisdom, so I choose to communicate with you honestly."

Winters picked up his cane from the table and stood face to face in front of the old foreman:

"I don't like blackmail and kidnapping, but what has happened cannot be changed. Your nephew has seen too much and knows too much, but he still doesn't understand the value of silence. The risk of letting him go is too high, so I can only take him

Walk.

But please believe me, I chose this way of handling it, not because there is no other way that is easier and more permanent, but because I see some valuable qualities in him.

If there were ten righteous people in Sodom, it should not be destroyed. Your nephew still had the courage to sacrifice himself for others, so it would be a pity to kill him just to keep the secret. So I chose to include him in my

Under control, he will leave his hometown, but I will also provide him with a way out for education and advancement - this is a good outcome among bad outcomes.

The same goes for you. I have never regarded you as a subordinate, a prisoner or a slave, I have regarded you as an equal collaborator. I purchase a service from you and pay you a reasonable compensation. There is no doubt that this is strong

I apologize to you for buying and selling by force."

After saying that, Winters took half a step back and saluted seriously.

Covilian also saluted hurriedly. He quietly studied the baron's expression, trying to find something he was more familiar with, but he gained little.

After taking some time to digest the baron's words, Covilian still cautiously replied: "I can't repay you for your tolerance and kindness. Please rest assured, Your Excellency, I will do my best to collect all the information you need."

"No, that's exactly what I don't need you to do." Winters reiterated seriously: "I don't need you to actively collect any sensitive information. As I said before, I only need you to collect public, daily information.

Information - the price of wheat and flour, wages for ordinary people, notices from the city government, weather conditions.

And no matter what the situation, you must give priority to your own safety. I am not going to war with the Monta Republic. I just hope to keep a pair of eyes and a pair of ears in Solingen to observe everything happening in the country of mountains on my behalf.

That’s all.”

The old foreman fell into silence. After a while, he raised his head. His face was no longer complimentary and submissive, but uneasy and suspicious: "Can I ask a question? Your Excellency."

"Please tell me."

"Why me?"

Winters replied matter-of-factly: "Of course because you are the most suitable person."

"If it's just a pair of eyes and a pair of ears, Mr. Carlo Aide is more suitable than me. He can see wider than me, and he can hear more than me." Covilyan hit the nail on the head and pointed out the relationship between Baron and Nazi.

The Warley Connection: “Why Me?”

"Precisely because you are not him, you are the most suitable candidate." Winters leaned on his cane and explained calmly: "Carlo Aide is first of all a partner of the Navarre Firm, and secondly a Veneta person.

In the end, he is my friend. Whether he means it or not, he mentions

The information provided must have been sifted through a sieve. I hope to have a pair of Monta people's eyes to observe on my behalf. These eyes must be sharp enough, sophisticated enough, and not tainted with interests. After repeated weighing, I think you are the best choice.

The right person."

Covilyan fell silent again. After a while, he asked bitterly: "So I was tied to your chariot and never had a chance to leave?"

Winters replied seriously: "I have considered this. How about we agree on a time, five years?"

Covilyan couldn't believe it easily: "Five years? I served you for five years, and then you let Roger go?"

"If Mr. Roger is still willing to return to Monta after five years, then he can move freely." Winters nodded, and he hid half of a sentence without saying anything - if five years later, Koch still has only one clue.

People, you can’t blame others.

Covilyan took a deep breath in pain, and then exhaled heavily. He pressed his chest and bent deeply: "Please don't forget the promise you made today. Because that's the only thing Roger and I have.

"

Winters held out his hand.

…

Covilhã was the first guest invited into the tent, but not the last to leave through the side door.

The second guest who met Winters in the tent was a tall, thin, middle-aged man with low-key clothing and a clean shaven beard. He did not give his name, but his surname was "Da Este".

The middle-aged man took off his hat and held it in his hand, saluting meticulously but distantly.

Winters leaned on his cane and nodded slightly.

"[Old Language] Your Excellency Montagne." The middle-aged man spoke first: "[Old Language] On behalf of Flora's owner, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to you for your assistance and testimony. You will always be our friend.

"

"I'm just testifying truthfully." Winters replied in common language.

"[Old saying] White Eagle must repay a favor."

Winters smiled in agreement: "You just need to fulfill your agreement."

The middle-aged man saluted again, put on his hat, and turned around to leave with the arrogance unique to the White Eagles.

After the middle-aged man went out, Charles opened the door curtain and walked into the tent, pouting: "What a white eagle, he walks like a big goose. Traitor, what are you so arrogant about?"

Winters sat down with his knees propped up, rubbed his sore left leg, and said with a smile: "If they are really proud, they won't break their promises. Isn't that a good thing?"

Charles stopped talking.

Thanks to Winters' timely rescue, Borso da Este is alive and well today - although Winters' original purpose that night was not to save people.

As for how Borso can get rid of Monta's subsequent accountability? That depends on the skill of the Este family.

At least after consulting with the Este family's envoys, Winters provided the following testimony: There is no evidence that Mr. Borso da Este was directly involved in the actions of the Imperial spy that night;

Mr. Aster knew the plans of the Imperial spies in advance; however, there is evidence that he was one of the targets of the Imperial assassins that night.

"Who else is out there?" Winters asked Charles.

"Mayor Paul Wooper sent people, and several wealthy men also sent servants to deliver gifts. I sent them all to Miss Navarre." Charles thought for a while and said seriously: "Mr. Fuller

Mr. and Mr. Schmid came in person, and they said they wanted to thank you in person. Do you want me to invite them in?"

"No need." Winters waved his hand: "I'll just go out and say hello later."

Ciel nodded obediently.

Winters glanced at the Newlon clock on the table, stood up and walked to the clothes rack. Charles hurriedly stepped forward to help Winters change into his riding gear.

"Just take a carriage." Charles said a little unhappy: "Why do you have to ride a horse?"
To be continued...