Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

TL: Etude Translations

A carriage slowly made its way along a rural dirt road. From the style and decoration of the carriage, it was clear that it was specifically for hire. In a commercially developed area like Horn Bay, there was an abundance of transportation rental services available for carrying goods and passengers alike.

“The audacity you have, especially as a foreigner,” the coachman’s voice came through the window at the front of the carriage.

Friedrich Liszt smiled wryly. Were all coachmen in Horn Bay so talkative? He simply wanted to quietly enjoy the scenery along the journey.

Out of politeness, he responded, “Why do you say that?”

“Are you not aware?” The coachman’s voice was filled with surprise. “The situation between both sides has been getting more tense lately.”

Liszt knew that the coachman was referring to the conflict between the Horn Bay Alliance’s coastal nations and the inland nations led by Collins.

The overt conflict was about whether to continue the years-long witch hunt. However, having lived in Horn Bay for a long time, Liszt understood that the real issue was economic interests.

Coastal countries had long controlled maritime trade, reaping bountiful profits each year, while inland countries relied on less developed agriculture and handicraft industries, earning some external profits through a few local specialties like tea and silk. Even for these, they depended on the merchants’ ships from the coastal regions. The coastal traders often used various methods to lower the purchasing prices, naturally causing resentment in inland nations like Collins.

This biased financial policy of the Horn Bay Church had cultivated a large number of devout followers in the inland regions, creating an intensely religious atmosphere, especially in Collins, where everyone from the king to slaves were faithful devotees of the Church of Light.

This, however, caused strong dissatisfaction among coastal countries, who perceived it as a form of robbing the rich to help the poor.

In recent years, the witch hunt severely disrupted normal trade activities along the coast. An incident in the capital of the Horn Bay Alliance, where a church emissary was thrown out of a window, led to the widespread propagation of a new religious sect along the coast, aimed at resisting the control of the Horn Bay Church. This escalated the already long-standing conflict to new heights.

Hearing the coachman’s words, Liszt asked, “Aren’t you often traveling this route? Aren’t you worried about yourself?”

The coachman turned around and smiled through the window, “Those of us who make a living traveling between both sides naturally have our own ways. Don’t worry, sir. If someone stops us on the road, leave it to me to handle. But, heh, you’ll need to be alert yourself…”

Liszt’s heart grew somewhat anxious. Although he had prepared for a less than peaceful journey, he had a compelling reason for this trip—there was a high-status noble in Collins who had contacted the Todd Shipping Company’s office in Fort Ness, wishing to export his silk and tea through the people of Ordo.

Due to the recent situation, merchants from the Northwest Bay had taken a lot of business that originally belonged to Horn Bay traders. On one hand, the coastal nations were trying to economically hit the inland, and on the other, the inlanders no longer wanted to endure the deceit of the maritime merchants.

Just as Liszt grew apprehensive, a cloud of dust rose in the distance.

A group of horsemen swiftly approached the carriage, surrounding it.

“Stop! Who’s inside?” The leader, riding a tall horse, shouted menacingly at the carriage.

Liszt tensed up, remembering the coachman’s earlier words to leave everything to him. The coachman immediately jumped down and approached the leader’s horse. The two exchanged a few words.

Then the leader shook his reins and came to the front of the carriage, demanding in a stern voice:

“People of Ordo! We are witch hunters from Collins. Come out and submit to inspection!”

Liszt had no choice but to open the carriage door and step out, carefully greeting the man.

“Sir, I am on my way to Collins to discuss business with Count Bridges.”

He had hoped that mentioning the noble’s name would earn him some courtesy from the man, but instead, the response was a mutter, “Another deceitful merchant.”

This frightened Liszt into silence.

The leader began by pressing a stone against Liszt, scanning him up and down, back and forth, while continuously mumbling words. It seemed like he was reciting passages from the holy scripture.

Nothing unusual happened. “Alright, you’re not a witch, but…”

He gestured, and a follower brought over a box.

The leader reached in and pulled out a piece of paper, scrawled with something.

“Listen, you godless heathens, your sins are too heavy to be cleansed by ordinary means. But, the merciful servants of God in Collins, who pray day and night to the Lord of Light, have created these holy talismans. Indulgences! Direct offerings to the Heavenly Father can earn you one, cleansing your sins—note, only the past ones. Otherwise, heh, prepare to be roasted eternally in hellfire after death!”

Liszt was dumbfounded. Was there such a thing?

And what did he mean by ‘direct offering’?

He saw the nearby coachman gesture him a common signal in Horn Bay. Ah, it was about money.

“Sir, I too am a follower of the Lord of Light.”

Liszt smiled, presenting his holy emblem.

The leader glared fiercely, like an enraged bull, and said maliciously, “Listen, foreigner, you think mere pretense of faith suffices? I can tell your faith is not sincere at all, your eyes are filled with greed for money.”

Liszt tried to argue, but the man didn’t give him a chance to speak.

“My eyes, blessed by the servants of God, do not deceive! Those burdened with sin have no right to enter Collins!”

His men began to clamor, mixing in many Horn Bay slangs that Liszt couldn’t understand.

Liszt wiped the sweat from his forehead, seeing the coachman gesturing at him repeatedly.

“Alright, sir, may I ask how much should I offer to the Heavenly Father?”

He compromised, focusing on the important matter at hand.

“One silver coin!” The man stated bluntly.

So expensive? Just for a piece of paper.

But Liszt knew better than to haggle with this sort of person and dutifully paid up.

After receiving the money, the group left grumbling.

Finally, they could resume their journey…