Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

It's fortunate, yet unfortunate, that the people in the garrison didn't witness the showdown between the most infamous spellcasters of the Newly Reclaimed Land and the most unassuming priest—or rather, a one-sided beating.

When a third person appeared in the room, the lively and joking atmosphere between Winters and Caman instantly vanished into thin air.

Caman slowly stepped back, unobtrusively giving up the central space of the room, causing everyone's gaze to refocus on Winters.

Meanwhile, Caman himself stood with clasped hands, like every competent confessor priest, present yet not stealing the limelight.

Winters froze for a moment, then cooperatively walked toward the coat rack, calmly putting his jacket back on.

The office originally belonging to Major Sunder suddenly plunged into an abnormal silence, with only the rustling sound of clothes being audible.

Anglu scratched the back of his head after barging into the room, unsure whether he should turn around and leave or speak up for instructions.

He looked pitifully at Father Caman, but the priest kept his eyes on his nose, his nose on his mouth, and his mouth on his heart, his expression as calm and serene as a marble sculpture.

Anglu turned to Pierre for help, but Pierre's attention was entirely captured by the horrifying large bruises on Monta Civil Guard Officer's chest and shoulders.

Just as some were daydreaming, some were uneasy, and some were wracking their brains on how to conclude, another clatter of noise came from the corridor.

"Your Grace! Hold on!"

The trademark harsh voice struck everyone's eardrums, as if the shouter feared that no one knew of the incident on the second floor.

Just then, Houdel squeezed past others blocking the door, clutching a terrifying caliber shotgun, rushing into the office: "I'm here!"

Meanwhile, Pierre quietly sheathed his saber.

As Houdel entered the office, he was about to majestically demand "Where's the assassin" but suddenly felt the atmosphere was very peculiar, as if he had intruded into a secret ceremony, and he froze on the spot.

However, his rash action provided an opportunity for the small disturbance to conclude.

Winters fastened the last button meticulously, and his mere glance at Houdel was enough to command authority without anger.

"Um..." Houdel swallowed hard, nervously saluted, his voice weak like a mosquito's wings: "Your Grace, if everything is alright, I'll withdraw..."

Winters nodded slightly.

Feeling as if he had been granted a great pardon, Houdel quickly saluted again, shrank his neck, bent over, and hurriedly exited the room.

As Houdel left, the others subsequently followed suit. The once-crowded corridor quickly became empty.

Pierre saluted the Civil Guard Officer, nodded gently to Father Caman, and prepared to leave with the others.

But a stern voice rang from behind: "Mr. Michel, stay for a moment."

Being the last to leave, Anglu cast a concerned glance at Pierre, but could only follow the others out of the office.

The door closed again, leaving only Pierre, Caman, and Winters in the office.

Pierre carefully turned to glance at the Civil Guard Officer, only to find that the frost-like expression on the latter's face had melted, reverting back to the relaxed and casual demeanor of before.

Winters emitted a sigh-like sound while settling his weight onto the armchair, as if he were a stiff-jointed, immobile elder.

Once the sequence of actions was completed, he let out a contented sigh.

Nearby, Caman remained motionlessly upright, behaving appropriately as if he hadn't seen anything.

Yet, even with the priest's respectful and obedient posture, Winters still sensed the scorn and contempt someone invisibly exuded.

Annoyed, he protested, "It's a natural reaction, Father."

"The flesh is merely a cage for the soul, and pain is but an illusion," Caman replied smoothly: "Your Grace."

Continuing this topic would likely spark another "debate."

Fortunately, Winters had long learned how to handle Caman, by not engaging with him in meaningless arguments in the areas Caman excelled.

So he didn't respond to Caman, but instead unbuttoned the top two buttons of his clothes, raised his chin slightly towards the chair before him, and casually asked Pierre: "Why are you standing? Come and sit."

Pierre cautiously sat opposite the Civil Guard Officer, only placing half of his behind on the chair. Seeing this, Winters raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"Bishop Horn from the Artemis Diocese has an appointment with me," noticing Winters and Pierre were about to discuss serious matters, Caman found an excuse to leave suitably: "Please allow me to excuse myself."

Winters nodded slightly, after some thought, smiled at Caman and said, "Please convey my gratitude to Bishop Horn, tell him I very much appreciate him stepping forward to soothe the city's congregants. If the timing is right, I will visit him personally to thank him."

Caman frowned slightly, cast a suspicious glance at Winters, and reluctantly nodded: "I will convey."

After speaking, Caman gave a slight nod to Pierre, turned and left the room.

During the entire process, Pierre keenly felt that Father Caman's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer.

The priest's look was akin to a potter inspecting a water urn for cracks, inevitably causing Pierre some discomfort.

However, the Wolf Town priest had extensive interactions with the Mitchell Family, so Pierre temporarily interpreted Father Caman's scrutiny as a concern from an old acquaintance.