Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 278: Am I Not the Protagonist?

TL: Etude

“Count Grayman, I will soon be departing back to Gabella. I wanted to disturb you one last time before I leave.”

The person sitting in the drawing room was Mond Landon, the scholar from the Tower who had visited a few days ago. Paul had thought that after taking Kevin from the prison, Mond would have directly left the Northwest Bay. Unexpectedly, he came again.

Mond had been brought to the lord’s mansion by his fellow Gabellan, Betty.

“Mr. Landon, is there anything else you need? Do you wish to take away another prisoner?”

“Oh, no. This visit is simply to bid you farewell.”

The scholar’s answer puzzled Paul. They had only met once and could hardly be considered close. It was indeed strange that Mond made a special trip just to say goodbye.

Even Eileen, sitting beside them, found it odd. After their conversation at Flying Dragon Pavilion, Mond took Kevin home, and days later, he came to Lakeheart Town, asking her to bring him to see Paul again. Could it be that the two had hit it off so well that they became friends after just one conversation?

Mond Landon, with a look of admiration, said to Paul, “During these past few days, I have visited various places in your territory. What I’ve seen and heard indicates that you are an extraordinary lord.”

Visiting various places? He couldn’t be spying, could he?

Paul was startled at first but then reassured himself. Setting aside that Mond was an acquaintance of Betty, no spy would deliberately walk into the lion’s den.

He chuckled inwardly, thinking that Mond might just be here to flatter him.

“I saw the numerous ships at the port, the thriving trade activities in the market, exquisite wares in the shops, including… iron products. There’s a school for commoner’s children in the town, farmers mentioned a mechanical beast that could harvest crops quickly, oh, and public toilets and bathhouses. People say all these are thanks to you.”

“Haha, Mr. Landon, you flatter me.”

Mond suddenly changed the subject: “Count, what are your chances in the war against the Duke of the Northwest?”

This guy’s thought process was quite erratic, almost hard to follow.

Paul shook his head and said seriously, “First, Mr. Landon, I must correct you. Marltz Kent is merely a usurper; his duke title is illegal. We have a handwritten letter from the former duke and his brother as proof.”

Mond apologized: “I misspoke, please forgive me.”

Paul continued, “As for the war with Marltz Kent, I am confident we can win. If it hadn’t been for that uprising, my troops might have already reached Center City.”

Mond agreed: “Judging by the lack of hunger on your people’s faces in your territory, I believe so too. I wonder how you managed it?”

Before Paul could answer, Eileen chimed in: “It’s simple. Cancel those absurd taxes, then crack down on the heinous practice of hoarding grain to inflate prices. Wouldn’t the common folk then have the money to buy more food?”

Over the past year, Paul gradually had the Administration Council abolish many taxes that seemed absurd to him as a transmigrator: livestock tax, poultry tax, dog tax, brewing tax, marriage tax, and so on… Who on earth came up with these?

Aside from salt workers like Kevin, who were in a unique situation, the ‘disposable income’ of most subjects had increased significantly. The rise in the subjects’ income further boosted commerce and prosperity.

Mond pondered, “After defeating the Kent family, I’m sure you will become the dominant force in the Northwest Bay.”

He had already inquired carefully about the Battle of Fort Bidou. Paul’s troops clearly played a decisive role.

Paul quickly waved his hand: “I dare not aspire to dominate the situation in the Northwest Bay. Besides, there is still His Majesty the King. How dare I overstep?”

He failed to notice the slight upward curve of Eileen’s lips when the King was mentioned.

“Count Grayman!” Mond’s tone and demeanor suddenly became serious, causing both Paul and Eileen to tense up.

“Regardless of whether you wish it or not, at that time, you will inevitably hold great power in your hands. This power may stem from your authority, your army, or simply your prestige, but it is definitely a force that cannot be ignored. And this power must neither be abused nor left to gather dust.”

Mond’s preachy tone slightly irked Paul, but he didn’t show it, merely looking at Mond with a puzzled expression.

The scholar continued, “Remember our previous conversation? I believe that only a wise lord or, shall we say, a leader is qualified and capable of wielding this power.”

Oh, so he’s advising me to be a wise lord? That’s what Paul thought.

He picked up his cup, “Haha, Mr. Landon, actually, our views aren’t entirely opposed. Why separate heroes from the people? Don’t you think that often heroes are also part of the people? I will certainly try my best in that direction…”

Mond interrupted him, “Exactly, but what I want to ask is… when a great hero emerges in the future, will you assist him, or even further — pledge loyalty to him?”

“Spit!” Paul spat out the water he had just sipped, “Wha… What do you mean? What are you implying with that?”

Before Mond could answer, Eileen, looking rather taken aback, reminded him, “Mond, Count Grayman is a vassal of the Kingdom of Ordo, already sworn to His Majesty, King Rodney the Seventeenth.”

Mond Landon, still with a grave expression, said solemnly, “When the prophesied end times come, whether it be kingdoms, empires, duchies, alliances, all will lose their significance. The old ties will only become burdens and obstacles. In the face of ultimate justice — ensuring the continuation of our culture, ethics, morality — those will mean nothing.”

Paul and Eileen were both stunned. What prophesied end times? What ultimate justice? This sounded overly dramatic.

But looking at Mond Landon’s expression, he didn’t seem to be joking.

“Even if it means sacrificing what we currently consider beautiful — family, kinship, friendship.”

He turned to Eileen, his expression tinged with a hint of pity, “Betty, when everything you cherish is sacrificed for the ultimate justice, will you stand against it?”

Eileen replied in a daze, “I… I don’t know… Senior, I don’t even understand what you’re talking about?”

Paul, full of confusion, asked, “Can you be more clear?”

Mond did not elaborate, “You’ll understand as the situation further develops. Betty, Count Grayman, you are both good people. My advice to you — don’t resist the tide of history, but rather, embrace and integrate with it. Only united under the Messiah can we overcome the hardships. That’s all I have to say. I take my leave now.”

He bowed to Paul, gave Eileen another glance, and left the drawing room, leaving the two exchanging puzzled looks.

“Betty, is your senior a member of some cult?”

“I… I’ve never heard him say such strange things before. What has happened in these years?”

Paul watched Mond Landon leave, his mind a whirl of emotions.

Messiah? Loyalty?

Could it be that I, a transmigrator, am not the protagonist?

…

Lol Etude here. Hi everyone, if we manage to get 20 more ratings on NU within the month, I promise we’ll have 7chaps a week rather than 5!!! Consistently!!

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