Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

The officer, addressed by Ferguson as Lord Erwin, raised his hand, silencing the former Rhino Mercenary Corps leader who was about to continue his verbal onslaught on Doug.

"You may call me Major Jeremy Erwin," Erwin said to Doug. "I am currently serving in the Staff Department of the Alda Army."

Doug stood up straight and nodded vigorously towards the major, "Lord Erwin!"

He knew that the Alda army did not adhere to the complex ceremonial etiquette of nobility officers found elsewhere.

At this moment, he began to scrutinize the officer in front of him. The officer had dark chestnut short hair, thick and bushy eyebrows, and shallow eye sockets with bright and spirited eyes — a common trait Doug had noticed in Alda soldiers. He wasn't very tall, but he was solidly built.

Erwin spoke, "Let me explain why we called you here. Earlier, I only briefly mentioned it to Captain Ferguson and didn't elaborate on the specific reasons, so I'd like Captain Ferguson to listen carefully to what I'm about to say."

Ferguson, who had been defiant in front of Doug, immediately adopted a docile demeanor, like a well-behaved schoolboy.

Erwin paced slowly around the office, speaking unhurriedly, "A month ago, a war broke out in Horn Bay. The conflict is between the coastal countries led by the Horn Bay Alliance and the inland countries led by the Horn Bay Church."

"Oh? They finally started fighting, huh?" Ferguson couldn't help but express his schadenfreude.

But since the conflict was delayed, he had taken up business in the Northwest Bay instead, only to end up in a mess here.

"If they had started fighting a few years earlier, I, Lord Doug, would still be enjoying life on the battlefields and flower streets of Horn Bay, instead of shoveling coal in this unheard-of place every day."

"Before I continue," Erwin suddenly stopped and asked the two men, "I need to clarify: if you were still mercenaries in Horn Bay, which side would you have taken? The Horn Bay Alliance representing freedom and its allies, or the Church representing faith and its vassal states?"

"Ha, Lord," Ferguson replied first, grinning widely. "Freedom, faith, can you eat those? Of course, we fight for whoever pays more."

Ferguson's answer made Doug wary. It seemed the years in prison hadn't changed this seemingly reckless but actually astute man.

Doug judged that Lord Erwin was testing them, especially their attitude towards religion.

"We are mercenaries, Lord," Doug followed up quickly. "Money is our only pursuit, and profit our supreme guide. However…"

He blinked a few times but didn't continue.

"Alright, I understand," Erwin resumed pacing.

"You should know that the Northwest Bay has a very developed maritime trade, and Horn Bay is an extremely important node on the sea trade route. Our government and merchants have many investments there — goods, shops, currency, and so on."

"But now!" he raised his voice suddenly, "The sudden war threatens these assets. Although we have the utmost confidence in the moral standards of the Horn Bay people, even the most virtuous places have their black sheep and opportunists. Moreover, we must consider the worst-case scenario — our wealth being plundered by the chaotic armies of both sides."

"Our lord — the far-sighted Paul Grayman — believes that there should be a formidable force in the Northwest Bay at Horn Bay to protect our legitimate property from the covetous eyes and infringement of these lawbreakers."

"So!"

Erwin's gaze lingered on Doug for a moment before shifting to Ferguson.

"The Staff Department has ordered me to find suitable candidates to establish such a force in Horn Bay."

Before Erwin could finish.

"Lord, I am willing to serve Lord Grayman!"

"Lord, I am more willing to serve Lord Grayman than he is!"

Doug and Ferguson hastily expressed their willingness, then glared at each other, seeing each other as rivals.

Erwin's words made it clear to Doug and Ferguson why they were summoned.

The people of Ordo were planning to send them — or at least some of them — back to Horn Bay to protect their assets.

It made sense. With the Northwest Bay and Horn Bay separated by a thousand miles, it was inconvenient for Alda, a local power of Ordo, to dispatch its army there. And who could be more suitable than a group of Horn Bay locals, currently imprisoned in their jail?

What did this mean?

Freedom!

Once chosen, they could return to their familiar homeland, to the battlefields they knew so well!

Wasn't this like birds returning to the sky, fish to the sea?

"Don't get excited just yet!"

Seeing their eagerness, Erwin couldn't help but laugh openly.

"The prerequisite for you to return to Horn Bay is that you must pledge loyalty to Lord Grayman."

Both men in front of him hurried to respond.

"I am willing to pledge my loyalty to Lord Grayman!"

"I am even more willing to pledge my loyalty to Lord Grayman!"

"My loyalty comes with no conditions — I don't need any lands or knighthoods."

"I assure you, I will be more loyal than this daydreamer next to me spouting nonsense."

…

The two mercenary leaders were like gamblers, vying to express their loyalty to Count Grayman.

"Gentlemen."

Erwin stopped their declarations.

"Loyalty merely spoken is unreliable; empty vows hold no weight."

Both said in unison, "We can sign a contract."

"Horn Bay is too far from us; a contract cannot guarantee anything."

Doug asked, "Then, what do you suggest, Lord Erwin?"

Erwin grinned, somewhat maliciously, "Use your Horn Bay method."

"Our Horn Bay method?"

The two were momentarily stunned, then realized, "You mean… you want us to… to…"

Erwin's smile faded, and he spoke sternly, "Yes, by branding you with the mark of the Count, only then can your loyalty be assured."

The room fell into silence.

"Uh… Lord Erwin, isn't there room for discussion on this matter?"

"Humph!" Erwin retorted mockingly, "Aren't you effectively slaves to Lord Grayman already?"

His words struck them like arrows.

A painful truth!