Steel, gunpowder, and spellcasters

Chapter 511 Rebuilding the Nation (Twenty-Seven)
"Kay Morland".

This name, which was forgotten by Maplestone City not long ago, is now a household name.

Thanks to the printing presses that were running at full speed under the command of a certain well-meaning "big shot," at least tens of thousands of copies of "Escape from the Tiger's Mouth"—a pamphlet telling the story of how Kai Morland escaped from Kingsburg by the skin of his teeth—were put on the market in Maplestone, outnumbering even the literate people in Maplestone.

This saturation-style advertising strategy directly leads to two results:
First, the story of "Escape from the Tiger's Mouth" quickly spread from outside Maplestone City to neighboring counties and even the next province. Whether it was the patrol teams of the New Reclamation Army or the checkpoints of the Zhuwangbao government army, they were increasingly finding those familiar pieces of straw paper in the pockets and backpacks of travelers.

And, Councilor Kai Morland, who had been gradually forgotten after being "exiled" to Kingsburg, suddenly became the most famous person in Maplestone.

From high-ranking military and political officials to ordinary peddlers, whenever there was a chance to chat, they would almost always talk about Kai Morland.

People sat around the table, listening intently as their literate companions shared the latest installment of "Escape from the Tiger's Mouth," arguing heatedly about which parts of the story were true and which were false, and secretly speculating about the purpose of someone's generous "sponsorship" of Kai Morland's book.

Even the freemen from outlying counties who came to the meeting were immersed in this wave of public opinion, and they heard a lot from the local citizens about Kai Morland's repeated conflicts with the New Reclamation Legion in his early years, which eventually led to his "exile" to Kingsburg and his subsequent stagnation.

However, "hearing about" Kai Morland is one thing, "knowing" Kai Morland is quite another.

At least when the man of medium build, curly hair, and blue eyes walked down the steps and stood calmly in the dock, the newly established freemen present felt completely unfamiliar with him.

Most free men, now middle-aged, would find it hard to connect the handsome young man on the bench, who looked no more than 30 years old with bright eyes, with the "Member Kai Morland" from street gossip, rumors, and pamphlets.

But at this moment, in this situation, the free people of the newly reclaimed land had no choice but to believe that this man was Kai Morland.

Surprised and delighted, bewildered and enlightened, Kai Morland's unexpected appearance was like a lightning bolt illuminating the night, stirring up a large number of free men, such as Richard in Blackwater, once again.

The free men, filled with resentment towards the New Reclamation Legion, were delighted to see the appearance of a figure who did not belong to the New Reclamation Legion and was clearly not in its plans.

Anything that causes trouble for the New Reclamation Army will give them a sense of vengeful pleasure.

On the other hand, they did not understand why Kai Morland would come to the public trial, nor did they understand why Kai Morland would "request to be tried."

But right now, the most important question is not "why", but "how it was done".

Kai Morland, isn't he under house arrest by the New Reclamation Legion? How did he escape the Legion's custody? How did he get past the layers of guards and into this great council hall?
Some quick-witted free agents immediately recalled the various rumors they had heard before, especially the gossip about Kai Morland's patron. They were shocked and instinctively turned their gaze to the front row of the Iron Peak County seating area, to the other protagonist in the rumors, to that younger and more legendary figure than Kai Morland—Winters Montagne, Blood of the Wolf.

The freemen of the newly reclaimed lands were not the only ones who thought of the same rumors.

As soon as Kai Morland stepped into the venue, the one-eyed military police officer in charge of maintaining order looked at Colonel Geza, silently asking whether they should take down this uninvited guest.

However, Colonel Gaisa, burning with rage, ignored his subordinates' requests for instructions and instead glared fiercely at the brat sitting on the other side of the meeting room as if nothing had happened.

Faced with Colonel Gaisa's razor-sharp gaze, which could draw blood from a person's face, Winters simply nodded slightly and continued to sit upright, ignoring anyone's inquiries.

Colonel Gaisa clenched his fist, then relaxed it, finally nodding to his subordinates through gritted teeth. Receiving the instruction, the one-eyed military police officer calmly waved his hand, signaling the cessation of his tense subordinates. However, the one-eyed officer himself did not relax; he gripped his sword with a measured touch, closely observing the slightest movement within the meeting hall.

Inside the main council hall, undercurrents were swirling.

Some were furious but restrained by the occasion; others gloated, hoping that the various factions within the legion would break off relations and cause a huge scene.

But most people's emotions were still surprise, bewilderment, and confusion.

The one caught off guard the most was Colonel Skul Mecklen on the judge's bench.

Many years ago, when Skul Mechren had just graduated from the Army Officer School, his file was described as "deeply thoughtful and eloquent," but was followed by another, more unforgiving statement: "good at planning, but lacking in the ability to handle situations on the spot."

Colonel Skul Mechlan was certain that the name "Kay Morland" was not on the list of those to be tried, and he had not prepared any contingency plans for trying Kai Morland.

Colonel Skull looked at his colleagues in the room:
Winters Montagne sat upright with his hands on his knees, looking completely at ease, like a deep well that took in all the gazes from all directions without showing the slightest ripple.
Gaisa Adonis clenched his arms, gritting his teeth as he stared at Kai Morlan, who was smiling on the bench. The veins on his scalp bulged, and his cheek muscles throbbed with each movement. If the Great Council Hall hadn't been packed, Gaisa probably would have devoured Kai Morlan alive on the spot.
As for Matthias Korwin—he was also looking at Colonel Skull.

Their eyes met, and they both saw the same surprise and shock in each other's eyes.

Realizing that Colonel Skull also didn't know why Kai Morland was at the meeting, Lieutenant Colonel Matthias slowly but firmly shook his head at his senior.

Colonel Skull understood that Matthias Korwin's message was clear: "Do not get entangled with Kai Morland, regain control of the situation as soon as possible, and complete the reading of the new charter."

Seeing that Senior Skul did not act immediately, Matthias Korwin made a decisive move and gestured to his adjutant beside him, indicating that he would take action himself.

A soft cough interrupted Lieutenant Colonel Matthias's actions and drew everyone's attention back to Colonel Skul Mekren on the judge's bench.

Colonel Skull gestured to his junior to calm down, then picked up the broken-handled mallet and tapped it.

His tapping was just right, neither too light nor too heavy, neither too fast nor too slow, carrying neither anger nor sullenness, yet instilling a sense of awe in the listeners beneath the dome.

Admittedly, Skul Mechren does not consider himself a person who is good at "making decisions on the spot and adapting to changing circumstances".

However, he is no longer the naive young man who has just graduated from school.

To think that a single surprise attack could defeat him is to underestimate Skul Mechren.

"You've requested to stand trial?" Skul Mecklen looked down at Kai Morland and asked coldly, "What crime have you committed?"

[Orz]
Wishing everyone a safe and healthy new year.