Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Legislator Selvit, who is overwhelmingly oppressive in one-on-one situations, seems completely lacking in presence when standing before a large audience.

Legislator Selvit mechanically recites his pre-prepared speeches, dry, hard, and boring like a crust of bread that's been kept too long and become stale.

Others might think that Legislator Selvit's style of speech is natural, but Winters feels that Mr. Legislator's poor performance is entirely due to his excessive nervousness. Because of the nerves, he could only deliver the speech devoid of any emotion.

However, the content of Legislator Selvit's speech was full of substantial points. He did not spend time reminiscing about the glorious past, but focused on the current situation.

With an utterly pessimistic attitude, Mr. Legislator proposed that seeing "long-term trade embargoes" and "the escalation of the civil war in Paratu" as the basis for policy-making is essential.

Selvit's views were intriguing, fascinating Winters.

Mr. Legislator believes that confronting Horn Fortress head-on is a grave misjudgment of the situation; trade embargoes are not only unlikely to be relaxed but will become increasingly stringent; in the short term, Steel Fortress will suffer greatly;

However, as the civil war in Paratu escalates, the demand for steel and weapons will ultimately increase to a higher level; by that time, even The Federated Provinces will have no choice but to unshackle Steel Fortress and seek help from it;

Therefore, the top priority is to protect the iron industry of Steel Fortress and help various workshops survive the initial impact;

This could be done by securing guarantees from diocesan associations, municipal governments, and state parliaments, lending money to workshops on the verge of bankruptcy, or directly setting up warehouses, setting prices for procurement...

Listening till the end, Winters even started taking notes with pen and paper. Obviously, compared to the eloquent Mayor Wooper, Legislator Selvit's speech was more substantial — even though he was affiliated with the Federated Provinces.

This is why Winters answered Carlo Aide: "Mayor Wooper is impressive, but Legislator Selvit will win."

But Carlo Aide disagreed with Winters' judgment, he chuckled and shook his head: "It's hard to say. If it weren't for the current troubling situation, Legislator Selvit wouldn't stand any chance at all. Even now, the likelihood of Legislator Selvit winning the election is less than half."

"Why?" Winters was puzzled.

Carlo Aide looked toward the debate stage.

The electoral debate had entered the phase of mutual inquiry, where Paulo Wooper and John Selvit exchanged barbs, facing off sharply.

Wooper attacked Selvit for not being a true Solingen resident nor a blacksmith, leaning solely on being an adopted son to inherit the Forge and secure electoral rights.

Selvit, in turn, questioned Paulo Wooper's capabilities and even listed several instances where Mayor Wooper had significantly favored relatives and friends.

"This debate is not like competing in swordsmanship." Carlo Aide spoke leisurely: "Swordsmanship aims to defeat the opponent. The core of the ongoing debate is to win over the audience. Refuting the opponent is secondary."

Winters also shifted his gaze from the two debaters and turned it towards the audience.

Clearly, in terms of stirring emotions, venting feelings, and inspiring followers, Paulo Wooper completely overshadowed Selvit.

Winters suddenly said to Caman with a smile: "If Mayor Wooper pursued a career in the public church, he'd surely be a great hand in preaching and debating."

Caman was initially stunned, then his eyes widened: "The public church has strict rituals and procedures for preaching, and theological debates emphasize logic. The Heretic Oath likes to stir emotions; don't sling mud at us."

Winters raised his hands in surrender.

Caman retorted: "And you, running around yesterday visiting places, hoping to benefit from the clash between the two candidates. But now? Voting is about to start, and your last chance has slipped away."

"The election of the Blacksmiths' Guild is reaching its end, but there are still upcoming elections for the District General Guild and the City Council," said Winters, exchanging glances with Mr. Ed. They laughed, "Mayor Wooper wants to win all the way, but it won't be easy. Just watch, Councilor Selvit will give him a tough fight."

The debate concluded, and the assembly entered a brief recess.

The Forge Masters seated in the step-down seats began dispersing, and upon their return, they would cast their votes to decide who would be the next Guild Chair.

Paulo Wooper and John Selvit, too, were escorted out of the chamber in haste—likely to tally the votes.

The democracy of the Steel Castle Blacksmiths' Guild had not developed a role similar to a future [whip]; all prior commitments could be illusions, only the actual casting of votes into the black box would finalize the decisions.

When the break ended, the two candidates and the Forge Masters returned to the assembly hall.

"Shall we begin?" asked the presiding officer maintaining order to both candidates.

"Please wait! The envoy sent to Hornburg for lobbying hasn't returned with a message yet, the current situation is insufficient for everyone to make the best judgment," Paulo Wooper, wearing a gold-embroidered purple robe, stepped up to the podium with a somewhat flustered gesture. But soon, he regained his composure and shouted, "Gentlemen! Forge Masters of the Steel Castle! It is too early to make a decision now, I propose that the vote be postponed for a week!"

Winters and Carlo Aide exchanged looks.

Carlo Aide squinted his eyes behind his glasses: "It seems Mayor Wooper's vote count isn't promising."

The old gentleman serving as the speaker became slightly panicked, "Postpone the voting? Has there been a precedent?"

"There has!" Paulo Wooper answered firmly, "Eighty-five years ago, when discussing the excavation of a canal at the General Guild of the District, the voting was postponed twice!"

The speaker hesitantly looked towards John Selvit, "Then, this—"

Just when everyone in the chamber was anticipating Councilor Selvit's refusal, Selvit rose and spoke with his dry tone, "I agree to postpone the vote."

The assembly hall erupted into commotion.

"It seems Councilman Selvit also isn't confident of winning," Carlo Aide said with a faint smile.

Winters frowned, mumbling to himself after a long pause, "Did I stoke the flames too high?"

"Have you ever not stoked a big fire?" Caman burst into quiet laughter.

...

On the same evening of the public debate for the Blacksmiths' Guild election, Winters received a letter sent from the firearms workshop owner, Fuller.

The letter, besides containing cordial greetings, detailed a list of various long guns, pistols, swords, bullet molds, and even little items like sharpening stones with their sales prices stated—marking the lowest prices he was willing to accept. Fuller emphasized: If His Lordship the Baron wishes to make a deal, he is very welcome; if His Lordship the Baron wishes to push for lower prices, kindly refrain from discussing.

Winters only read the opening of the letter, without even glancing at the price list below.

Because he had already received twenty-one similar letters.