Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 604 - 420: New Dawn (Part 3)

Chapter 604: Chapter 420: New Dawn (Part 3)

Rewo blinked open her eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling that left her a bit puzzled. After some thought... hmm, it seemed like she had drunk some fruit wine last night and got drunk. With absolutely no resistance to alcohol, she reached out and finally grabbed onto Mr. Malin’s arm. Why am I sleeping under the bed?

In her confusion, Rewo realized she was wrapped in a blanket, murmuring like a cub as she struggled a bit before ultimately waking her Mr. Malin.

"Rewo? Ah, how did you roll off the bed again?" He sat up, then picked up Rewo and unwrapped the blanket from around her.

"I don’t know." Rewo blinked and decided to play dumb.

.........

Looking at the half-blood in his hands, blinking her big black eyes, Malin sighed with a hint of helplessness—no, this little girl might look foolish, but she’s actually a very lively being. Besides loyalty, the most important trait of a Domestic Fairy is to have intelligence that could rival humans.

Besides, this young lady was a Mage, and Malin certainly didn’t think she was foolish.

"Don’t play dumb." While saying this, Malin lightly flicked Rewo’s forehead with his index finger: "Come on, let me help you get dressed."

"Mm." Rewo nodded, then raised her little hands, allowing Malin to help her out of her nightgown.

Malin dressed Rewo in her underwear, then her shirt, and finally helped her into a long skirt.

"Go put on your coat yourself, don’t catch a cold." Malin shooed the little lass over to the clothes rack, then changed into his own clothes.

As he left the room with Rewo, Malin specifically glanced at the map in his hands—Nova’s house was really big. After confirming the location of the living room, Malin led Rewo on their way.

Turning the corner, Malin ran into a maid: "Where are my wives?"

"They’re in the hall, there are visitors, sir." The maid recognized Malin and immediately answered.

The hall, that’s a bit far.

After pondering for a moment, Malin picked up Rewo and jumped out through the open window.

It’s alright, just a two-story drop. After landing safely, Malin put down Rewo and took the Rongma Daily handed to him by the old butler: "Sir, I hope you’ll take the stairs next time." The old man said this with a bit of unease.

"I know, old Higgins, my wives are still in the hall, right?"

"Yes, they’re meeting representatives from various places, as well as stewards of the domains directly under us. Her Highness the Princess has been too relaxed lately, sir. You’d better help us subordinates by persuading the Princess as well."

"I will." Malin nodded and noticed that compared to the outsiders’ way of addressing Nova, her internal subordinates preferred to call her Princess...which wasn’t wrong, most of them had watched Nova grow up.

"Thank you, sir." The butler finished speaking, gave a polite bow, and then stepped aside.

"Strange, why do they call you sir?" Rewo was a bit perplexed.

"It’s a Farolian custom, usually used by female subordinates to address their mistress’s husband." Malin cleared Rewo’s confusion and then tenderly ruffled Rewo’s little head: "Follow me."

"Mm." Rewo nodded, then followed behind Malin into the corridor, joining him as they entered the side hall of the main hall through a side door.

Through the door, Malin could see Nova sitting in the principal seat, as well as the ladies sitting on both sides.

A man who looked like a steward was reporting on the economic and civil affairs of the territory.

Malin stopped to listen for a while, only to find that they were all trivial matters—did they really need to report on how many chickens had been raised? In Carterburg, these things were managed by Faye’s stewards on their own; all Malin needed to do was instruct them, and they would complete any tasks he assigned. If they couldn’t, they would report back.

So far, nothing was beyond their capabilities.

Hmm... perhaps it’s because the Farol region is too poor.

It made sense, after all; despite having a King, they called themselves a principality. This palace paled in comparison to the Royal Palace of the Sydney Union.

The steward finished his report, and a Half-human stood up: "Your Majesty, the Freehold of the Many Hills has a request for you."

"Friends from the Freehold of the Many Hills, speak." Nova said with a smile.

The Freehold of the Many Hills—Malin had heard of this place before; it was a territory established by half-humans who paid taxes to Farol and supplied craftsmen, making it a very important freehold within the Farol Principality.

"Please let your husband, the great craftsman Malin, come teach our craftsmen. They are yearning for knowledge," declared the Half-human with fervor, as if the name he spoke was not that of a person, but the Truth.

This puzzled Malin, leading him to eventually step out of the side room: "You wanted to see me?"

"It’s Master Malin!" It wasn’t just the Half-human who addressed him that way; a Dwarf representative also rushed over.

"Hold on a moment, what do you want with me?" Malin stopped their approach and had them release their nearly grappling hands.

"The light cannons you used on the battlefield proved to be very useful, and we wish to learn such technology," the half-human addressed Malin, "Our mountainous Free Territory is in the North, close to the Eastern Kingdom. There, Chaos, orcs, and deserters from the Eastern Kingdom’s army always give us a headache. Half-humans naturally have a disadvantage in close combat, so we are in urgent need of technology that can protect ourselves."

"We, the Dwarves of Farol, want to learn the same technology that our cousins from Carterburg have been privileged to learn. We can pay you with minerals for your wages. I know your knowledge is priceless, but please, you must teach us. We are willing to serve as your family’s private servants, for losing our freedom is nothing compared to the loss of life or complete extermination—those are what we cannot bear."

Malin nodded—compared to the others, the Dwarves’ offer pleased him considerably. Since they were the ones asking for help, they should understand their position: "Dwarf, what is the name of your clan?"

"Steelfist Clan," the Dwarf replied loudly, "The elders and our chieftain have decided that as long as you teach us the knowledge, we are willing to pledge allegiance to you and your family, just like the Longbeards of Carterburg have."

"Very well, since that is the case, you can go back and tell your kin that I accept. You may offer your loyalty, and I will stay on your land for a while to instruct your craftsmen and provide you with blueprints, and in turn, you will pledge loyalty to me, my children, and Nova."

"That is wonderful, Your Excellency! The Steelfist Clan will surely become your most reliable aid!" With this, the Dwarf stepped aside, quite satisfied.

The half-human fell silent for a moment, then pointed to himself, "Your Excellency! What about us?"

"The Dwarves have offered me their loyalty; they can serve me and my family, exchanging knowledge for such a price. What about you, then? Go back and discuss with your clan, then return to me," Malin dismissed the half-human and took his place behind the chief.

This was a position reserved for the Prince.

"Next," Nova said.

.........

After the court session ended, Russell Tovan, the aged Royal Butler of the Farol royalty, noticed the dispirited half-human representative leaving and couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow slightly—years of service had taught the old man not to show his emotions openly, but he did find the disappointment of the half-humans quite pleasing.

These half-humans, though they pay taxes every year, those are old stories from years past. Now, the amount of money they make from the Farol Principality each year is beyond a thousandfold.

It was shameless of them today to brazenly ask the respected Mr. Malin for knowledge, these accursed half-humans don’t they know that knowledge, as the Dwarves say, is priceless?

Luckily, Mr. Malin was not fooled by the half-humans’ sweet talk.

With this thought, noticing the arrival of Casale Tovan, Russell bowed slightly, "Catalia, long time no see."

"Indeed, long time no see, Russell. What do you think about Malin Gaiate?" the white-haired elder, who appeared quite young in Russell’s eyes, inquired as he stopped in front of him.

"Polite, elegant, kind, powerful—I think His Highness the Princess is a very good match for him." The old man declined the cigarette he was offered, as usual, "Catalia, what do you think?"

"Too assertive," the white-haired elder sighed.

"Regret it?" The old butler raised his eyebrows.

"No regrets, I serve the King, how could I regret? It’s just that... what if this Malin wants to..."

"I don’t think so, Catalia. Think about it, would a young man with so many accomplishments want to manage a fringe small state? If he had such intentions, would Lady Anna and the Protectors recommend him?" Russell shook his head, "What brings you here this time?"

"Many things. I just saw the representative of the half-humans. What are they after this time?"

"They wanted Mr. Malin to teach them knowledge."

"These insatiably greedy lot, no, I must see Malin now."

"It’s Mr. Malin, Catalia, if you disregard the royal authority, then I must deny your request to meet," Russell threatened.

Facing Russell’s threat, the white-haired elder could do nothing but nod: "Alright, Mr. Malin it is."

"Good, follow me." After saying that, Russell led the white-haired elder into the hall. To his surprise, Russell saw his Princess sitting there, with Mr. Malin standing behind the throne on the left side, one hand on the Princess’s shoulder.

"Mr. Malin mentioned that Lord Catalia had arrived. My apologies, Lord Catalia, I did not hear your voice. Do you have any issues that you need to discuss right now?" the Princess asked with a smile.

"Your Highness the Princess, and the respected Mr. Malin, I have heard that the half-humans wish to gain knowledge from you, and I must say, do not agree to their demands! These insatiably greedy fellows must not be allowed to keep pushing their luck!"

"That matter, Malin has already turned down the half-humans. However, the Dwarves have offered their entire clan as servants to request knowledge from Malin. My Malin has agreed. From now on, the Steelfist Dwarves will be the most important and reliable force of our kingdom. I will not oppress them, but correspondingly, their craftsmen will work for us," Nova explained with a smile.

Russell smiled as well.

He completely ignored the puzzled look the white-haired young man had cast his way.