Gunpowder Plate Armor and the Magic Revolution

The logistics officer hesitated for a moment, a troubled look on his face. "Then... Lieutenant Colonel, what do you mean? We can't just let these officers walk back themselves, can we? What if word gets out..."

Am I that kind of person?

Graham smiled and beckoned to his orderly not far away, "Hey, you there... go to my office and get my purse. It's still in the usual spot."

Soon, the orderly ran over and handed over a heavy money bag with both hands, which was clearly full.

Graham casually caught it and tossed it directly to the logistics officer on the other side.

The money bag bumped into the logistics officer's arms, making a pleasant metallic clanging sound.

"These are all Orentia's large silver shields. Each officer present will be issued two shields, based on the number of people."

Graham spoke casually, as if he were not talking about a considerable expense, but simply handing out a few candies. "Consider it my personal travel expenses. Let them take a carriage if they want, hire a rickshaw if they want, go wherever they want, and make them as comfortable as they can."

The logistics officer held the money bag, his hands trembling slightly.

Two Orentia silver shields are no small sum of money.

For an ordinary family of three, if they spend their money frugally, it's enough to last them a whole month.

"Lieutenant Colonel, this...this is too much, isn't it?"

The logistics officer quickly waved his hand, "The travel expenses can be covered by the Army Ministry's public funds; how could we let you pay out of your own pocket..."

"Stop talking nonsense, do you think I'm short of money?"

Graham chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. "These officers have suffered so much injustice. What's a little travel money to make them feel better? Just give them what I tell you to give them. Stop with the nonsense. Oh, and remember to say it's General Leopold's idea."

Seeing his unyielding demeanor, the logistics officer could only repeatedly reply, "Yes! Yes! I'll go and distribute them right away!"

Clutching his money bag, he turned and strode quickly into the waiting room next door.

In the waiting room, a group of young army officers sat in twos and threes, all of them looking tired.

Even though the Army Department offered good benefits, interrogation is still interrogation, and it's never easy.

Lucas was slumped in his chair, his long legs stretched out far out. "Why is it so hard for me to go home..."

Andrew, sitting next to him, glanced up at him and said irritably, "Why don't you take a look at me? My home is in the north, but now I'm at the southernmost point of the entire continent..."

Just then, the logistics officer pushed open the door and walked in, a smile on his face, waving a money bag in his hand. "Warrant officers! Good news!"

All eyes immediately turned to him.

"All statements have been checked and there are no problems. It's getting late, so you can leave now!"

The logistics officer said with a smile, "In addition, General Leopold has ordered that, in consideration of everyone's hard work today, Lieutenant Colonel Graham will fund two silver shields for each officer present as travel expenses! You can arrange your own itinerary."

"If you'd like to eat something first, the Army has its own mess hall; feel free to help yourself."

After the logistics officer finished speaking, he distributed silver coins to the officers one by one according to the roster.

The cold, heavy silver shield landed in their hands, and each warrant officer was overjoyed. After all, who doesn't like free money?

"Hey, when you guys go out and have a blast and throw money around, don't forget to mention you're officers in our army."

Graham leaned against the doorframe and joked to the warrant officers in the waiting room, "But if you find yourselves drinking so much you can't pay the bill, remember to say you're officers from the Navy, don't embarrass the Army, get it?"

A burst of laughter erupted around them.

"Alright, take the money and get out of here. Oh, and Warrant Officer Nozer, come with me."

Graham pointed at Nozer and said mysteriously, "I'm here to take you somewhere at the request of a certain lady."

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After saying goodbye to Lucas and Andrew, Norzer followed Graham to his office.

As soon as Nurse stepped inside, he found that Graham's office was completely different from the orderly and serious office he had imagined.

The large black walnut desk facing the door was completely covered with various documents, reports and files, leaving almost no empty space on the surface.

A large number of paper items were piled up haphazardly, revealing dense annotations. Some were rolled into tubes and leaned against the ink bottle, while others had their edges crumpled, clearly having been read countless times.

There were three or four pens scattered on the table, a half-cold cup of coffee, and several empty candy jars.

The brass paperweight, which should have been holding down the documents, was carelessly placed on the corner of the seemingly collapsing dossier, dangling over the edge of the table.

This was completely different from Graham's usual well-organized and tidy appearance.

Graham, however, didn't care at all. He casually tossed his coat, which was draped over the back of his chair, onto the single sofa next to him, and then spent a long time rummaging through the desk piled with documents, managing to clear two spaces big enough to put his arm down.

As Norze approached, he noticed a bundle of documents on the guest chair.

"Please sit wherever you like. Just move the documents on the chair a bit, it won't get in your way."

Noze did as he was told, placing the documents on the sofa next to him before sitting down.

"It's probably packed with people and horse-drawn carriages outside right now, it's a real traffic jam. Let's chat for a bit and then set off."

Graham turned around and rummaged through a nearby cabinet, pulling out a slightly dirty bone china cup. He poured a cup of warm tea and pushed it toward Nozer. "Try it. My tea is from Seris; it's all the best stuff."

"Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel Graham."

"Relax... Noze, relax a little. There's no one else around. Aren't you tired?"

Graham shook his head, seemingly fed up with all the formalities. "Just call me Graham in private. I'm not that much older than you anyway."

"Yes, Graham..."

Nozer felt a little awkward addressing a school officer in this way.

What Norder found even more incomprehensible was that Lieutenant Colonel Graham seemed to have been promoted too quickly. He looked so young and already held the rank of lieutenant colonel; his future seemed limitless.

"Speaking of which, I looked at your military file. You graduated from Herbert Military Academy, right?"

"Yes, I'm from the infantry section."

"That's quite a coincidence. I also graduated from Herbert Military Academy, but I was in the cavalry department. So, I'm actually your senior."

He followed Graham's lead and started chatting about the strict old man Brandon at the college, as well as the college's riding and shooting ranges, which immediately eased the tension between the two.

Graham, like a familiar senior, casually asked a few questions about Nordzer's life and grades at the academy, and then chatted about his experience at sea.

Seeing that Nozer's initial tension had subsided considerably, Graham stood up.

"Alright, it's about time. Let's get going. We can't keep 'that' lady waiting."

"By the way, who exactly is that lady you're talking about? Do I know her?"

"You definitely know him."