Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

"Hey, that's all in the past," Winters's old face reddened, and he didn't retort because Bard was right.

Venetians are impetuous like fire, treating life and death lightly and pursuing revenge seriously. Besides their custom of wearing swords and masks, they also have a tradition of secret societies.

Outsiders don't understand these customs, but Venetians feel no shame in them; they take pride in these practices.

However, Winters had lived in The Federated Provinces for six years, so he also felt that the Venetian culture of masks, poisons, and daggers wasn't very friendly.

He waved his hands repeatedly and explained to Bard, "That all happened during the Imperial Era, and besides, we Venetians assassinated only the imperialists and the old nobility, those assassins were heroes of The Alliance."

Thirty years ago, before the church had its second schism, the brutal suppression of heretics provoked the resistance of the Venetians.

Under their cloaks, Venetians with poisoned daggers roamed the streets and alleys of Sea Blue, assassinating church clergy on the street. With large numbers of clergymen lying dead on the streets, the remaining bishops and judges, shivering in their fortresses, dared not take a step outside.

When the noble faction and the militia forces within The Alliance split, the Venetians eagerly assassinated a large number of bay aristocrats. The Duke at the front of the mountain was the last legitimate heir outside of the faux-royal family, assassinated by a Venetian assassin with a single sword strike, directly causing the extinction of the Forthland family, even its sidestreams.

"Is it in the past? Then why do I still see people on the streets wearing masks?" Bard's eyes curved into crescents as he pointed and said, "Look, over there by the carriage, those people are all wearing masks."

Winters followed Bard's pointing and looked over, two black four-wheeled carriages were parked on the cobblestone path by the dock. The carriages, painted black with white wooden trim, were completely enclosed. Small windows on the carriages, curtained, concealed whoever sat inside.

Standing by the carriage were four individuals wearing black tricorn hats and cloaks, their faces covered with white fool's masks. These masks provided full coverage, with only the lower part arching upward slightly, resembling a bird's beak.

Known for their wealth and extravagance, Venetians consider opulence in both attire and possessions as beautiful. Although these four individuals and two carriages by the dock seemed simple, they stood out starkly against the flashy crowd and other carriages, drawing attention whether one wanted to notice or not.

"Not everyone wearing a mask is an assassin, wearing a mask is just a custom. You wouldn't understand, right? Even the ugliest men and women gain some beauty with a mask. Haven't you seen the carnival? At that time, everyone in the city wears a mask," Winters carefully observed these cloaked figures but couldn't determine why they were there: "They are probably just servants from some wealthy household here to pick someone up from the dock."

"Shouldn't servants be wearing liveries?" Bard, now intrigued, questioned.

Before Winters could respond, a rough voice barged into their conversation: "What's it to you? Maybe someone likes to use these outfits as liveries for their servants."

Without even looking, Winters knew from the gravelly voice that it was Andre. Andre was seen lugging two large suitcases in his hands, both evidently heavy, as he was dripping with sweat from just a short walk down from the ship.

"Whoa! How much stuff did you bring back?" Winters was startled by Andre's luggage.

Andre spoke breathlessly, "I brought back everything!"

The sound of metal clashing was heard as Andre placed his luggage on the ground, leaving Winters wondering what it contained.

"Don't you still have to make another trip? Wouldn't it be better to split it in two?" Winters was bemused by Andre's stubbornness and recalled the task given by the Major. He then said to Andre and Bard, "Tell those who have already got off to not disband. Wait here in line for the Major. I'm going to the dock exit."

Bard nodded, and Winters, carrying his baggage, walked to where the dock's pier met solid ground, conveying the Major's orders to every classmate disembarking the ship.

The dock was bustling with merchants, sailors, travelers, and many laborers. A burly porter in short attire passed by Winters, who suddenly felt a strong sense of familiarity with the man's figure and remembered who it was. He shouted toward the figure, "Benwei? Benvenuto?"

The porter turned around in confusion, then was also swept into joy, rushing over and laughing as he embraced Winters.

Benvenuto was Winters's good friend from the Sea Blue branch of the Army Cadet School. After graduating, Benwei did not continue his education, whereas Winters went to a preparatory school in The Federated Provinces. They occasionally corresponded, but it had been a full six years since they had seen each other.

"Look at you! A real officer now!" Benwei, with tears in his eyes, punched Winters's chest hard.

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Winters also laughed heartily and punched back: "You've gotten taller and stronger, how's your family doing now?"

"They're doing well! My mother still talks about you all the time!"

The two old friends, who hadn't seen each other for years, had so much to catch up on that a few words couldn't suffice; they quickly exchanged updates on their lives. Not far away, Benwei's workmate was urging him to get back to work, so he had to leave.

"Your family hasn't moved, right?" Benwei asked reluctantly as he departed.

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