Volume 3 Chapter 96 - His highness’ invitation (1/2)

In the Lampuri Kingdom’s northern borders, the temperature dropped quicker than in other places.

Shortly after fall came, there was a chill that filled the morning air. Even the healthy Viscount Leslie couldn’t help tightly covering himself with a large military coat and shrinking into it.

Feeling the faint warmth that the thin coat brought him, Viscount Leslie couldn’t help knitting his brows.

“Didn’t the army headquarters say that they were improving the gear for our northern army? It’s almost winder and the new coats haven’t been sent yet?”

Walking beside him was Muller who was a colleague in the northern army logistics department. He gave a bitter laugh when he heard this and he said, “The army headquarters says that every year, but you’ve already been in our northern army for over two years, when have you seen it happen once?”

“This isn’t correct, right? Compared to the magic machines sent last year when we were attacking the Muerto Mountains, just a few coats shouldn’t cost that much, right?” Leslie was a bit confused.

The bitter smile on Muller’s face became deeper.

“I say, Leslie, you’ve been in the logistics department for two years now, how can you not know what situation our northern army is in? Although the magic machines were expensive, they didn’t send that many, so it was only several tens of thousands of gold coins. If they want to completely change the gear of our northern army, that is much more money. Not mentioning anything else, our northern army has thirty thousand people, so even if it is just a new coat for everyone, that would be at least fifty thousand gold coins. Adding in the various daily necessities, do you think that the army headquarters can bear this?”

“Thirty thousand coats cost over fifty thousand gold coins? Isn’t that an average of close to two gold coins per coat?” Viscount Leslie deeply knit his brows, “I’ve only been in charge of assigning goods in the logistics department for the last two years, so I’ve rarely asked the price of the items. Why is it this expensive?”

Muller took a deep look at Leslie, “Leslie, you’re about to leave soon, so I’ll bring up the courage to tell you today. To be honest, the coat that you’re wearing costs one gold coin and eighty silver coins, but the actual cost is only around ninety silver coins.”

Leslie narrowed his eyes, not asking Muller where the other ninety silver coins went.

After all, he was from a large noble family like the Stagg Family, he experienced things that normal people didn’t. Adding in the fact that he had found some secrets in his two years of working for the logistics department. Now that Muller was reminding him of this, how could he not guess that there were some tricks here.

Thinking of how many soldiers he had seen in the past two years losing their lives or being crippled, Viscount Leslie couldn’t help giving a cold laugh before not saying another word.

The two continued walking along their route. Muller knew that the atmosphere was heavy, so he forced out a smile as he said, “Leslie, your transfer order should already be here, right?”

Leslie nodded, “It was approved the day before yesterday. I could have left tomorrow, but I decided to stay another two days and head out tomorrow.”

Muller looked at Leslie and thought for a bit before saying, “You’re being recalled to the officer branch of the army headquarters. I think that with your family’s influence, you’ll quickly rise up at headquarters. Before you leave the northern army, I have a few things to tell you. If possible, help our northern army however you can. The northern army has been hard during these past few years…..”

Leslie slowly nodded as his expression became serious, “I will.”

Muller gave a strong pat on Leslie’s shoulder. After hesitating a bit, he gave a sigh and didn’t say the rest of what he wanted to say.

Leslie shook his head and also patted Muller’s shoulder.

The two fell into silence once again.

After they finished their patrol, Muller’s expression returned to normal as he said to Leslie with a smile, “Since you are leaving tomorrow, do you want me to find our colleagues tonight to give you a farewell party?”

“There’s no need.” Leslie shook his head, “Didn’t you already give me one two days ago when you found out? If you do it again, you’ll just be using my name to drink. Of course, I want to drink with all of you again, but it’s a pity that I have something to take care of today. I’ll be leaving soon.”

“Is that so?” Mulled looked at Leslie for a while before suddenly reaching out his hands to hug him, “Then I hope that you can get promoted in the future.”

Leslie also hugged Muller before patting him on the back. He said in a deep voice, “Take care.”

The two hugged once more before separating. Muller waved his hand and walked back.

Seeing Muller leave without turning back, Leslie thought that a soldier who was experienced really was different, he didn’t hesitate at all.

Turning to look to the north for a while, Leslie then turned back to head back to his private room.

Butler Brunei already had two servants tidy up Leslie’s things. Seeing that Leslie was back, he said, “Young master, we’re leaving? The prince has been waiting for you for a long time.”