In light of our familiarity, Ethan refrained from enlightening Captain Hagrid about his superior, Lady Rose, who once killed 56 people for non-cooperation during investigations.
Hagrid stammered for a while before saying, "I only asked them if they accepted refugees."
Understanding fully, Ethan did not probe further.
Hagrid drinking himself to a stupor in the back alley certainly meant more than just asking questions.
"Get some rest, I’ll go back and report."
With those words, Ethan left the inn.
Hagrid volunteered seemingly holding onto a glimmer of hope. He was a native of Ximu Town and knew most residents assigned to work in Haywood Mine. He was aware of the consequences of attacking guards and occupying the mine.
This situation had left no room for a peaceful resolution. Whether the miners continued their resistance or surrendered, death awaited them.
Soon, an elite force would arrive from Gear City at Haywood Mine.
Hagrid thought the only way to save these people was to leverage border gangs’ power to smuggle them across the border. If lucky enough, they could escape on ships headed for other continents or find shelter with some neutral forces, thereby salvaging their lives.
To Ethan, Hagrid’s plan seemed like wishful thinking.
Even if the border gangs kept their promise to take the miners across the border, there wouldn’t be anyone willing to harbor these Empire’s fugitives. Moreover, if someone from the Imperial Military Industry later discovered that anyone assisted the miners in escaping, they’d surely skin them alive, cut off their heads, and hang them in the town square as a warning.
Back at the apartment, Teacher Cat was instructing Miss Keroy in brewing magic potions in the kitchen.
The first batch of Spirit Revitalizers sold well. Users found not only did it energize them, but the heightened focus significantly improved their meditation efficiency. When a Transcendent stuck at the second tier for two years advanced to the third tier within two days of using the Revitalizer, even the magicians from Star Gnomon Lane rushed to purchase them.
Unwittingly, the products at Old Sen Magic Technology Store had become synonymous with "purity."
Though seemingly low-grade occult items were sold, they were all high-purity top-tier goods.
Having completed three stages of evolution, Miss Keroy brewed potions more effortlessly. She no longer needed to run circles around the cauldron with a metal rod in the bird’s beak. A few golden feathers encircled the metal rod, rhythmically rotating it with ease.
Miss Keroy increasingly exuded the flair of a chief Alchemist.
Seeing Ethan enter, Teacher Cat leapt off the kitchen counter, heading toward the study first.
"Do you fancy a trip to Gear City?"
She hopped onto the table, enticing Ethan, "It’s a major city on the Empire’s border. Almost everything circulated in the Empire can be found in its stores. There are also many beautiful clothes, and your favorite crystal high heels were bought in a store there."
"Firstly, I’m not fond of crystal high heels; I’m worried you’ll step on nails with bare feet!"
Teacher Cat merely smiled, her eyes bright, offering no rebuttal.
Facts are more convincing than words, but the shy reluctance to admit them is understandable and adds flavor to daily life.
She suddenly had a stroke of inspiration, a cunning gleam in her eyes, and said, "I heard Gear City even has a store for intimate items."
Exactly as she anticipated, Ethan sputtered, his speech turning stammered, "Wh-What nonsense is that!"
Teacher Cat continued to attack, "The card you use to promote Old Sen Magic Scroll Shop is from a store called the Pink Lady, which is very popular in the Empire, found in nearly every major city. However, since you’ve been in Ximu Town and never left, you probably haven’t seen it, have you?"
"There’s no need to see such places."
Ethan crossed his arms, though Teacher Cat’s smile seemed benign, yet this was most likely a fatal question.
Moreover, he had no interest in the Pink Lady.
"It’s alright if you’re not interested; there’s still Aisoke, the young master of Gear City."
Ethan felt the topic had shifted quickly and didn’t react immediately, "Aisoke, the young master? The owner of the Pink Lady store?"
"He’s a regular there, the future successor of the Imperial Military Industry, and has suddenly gone to Gear City recently, perhaps because of the Haywood Mine issue, given it’s one of the Empire’s largest mineral suppliers."
"If they kill all the miners, they’ll face a severe manpower shortage. Lack of production even for a day could result in immeasurable losses for the Imperial Military Industry. Therefore, they’d likely recruit miners extensively in small towns along the Empire’s border to keep the work ongoing; proper application of the Empire’s laws could accomplish forced recruitment legally."
Teacher Cat looked worried, like a wife fearing her husband would be conscripted and never return, "Young town boys like you are prime candidates for recruitment, and even if Miss Ave pulls some strings to help you evade the conscription, many familiar faces in the town will vanish suddenly, right?"
Ethan saw through the crux of the problem, "Is Aisoke also on your assassination list?"
Someone as prominent as Aisoke usually resides in the Empire’s capital, surrounded by elite guards, making it difficult to act.
Even if one resorted to taking action in the capital, it would inevitably cause chaos.
This time, Aisoke going to Gear City seemed like presenting an opportunity.
"I’ve already informed Ave, taking a few days off and will return soon."
"How about a trip to Haywood Mine first?"
Ethan felt that even if Aisoke were to meet his demise in Gear City, the Imperial Military Industry’s production line wouldn’t halt; forced conscription would still proceed, likely with intensified fervor.
Moreover, he was curious about what exactly happened at the mine that led to the miners’ collective revolt and their ability to kill the Imperial Military Industry’s Firearms Team and seize the entire mine.
Some miners were people he knew.
"Alright, whatever you say~"
The sweet tone made Ethan shiver a few times. He thought Rowena was right; Teacher Cat knew how to play with her voice, perhaps this was one of a Witch’s innate talents?
Teacher Cat beamed, casually mentioning, "The Imperial Military Industry places such importance on Haywood Mine because it’s one of the Empire’s most crucial energy crystal sites. During today’s meeting, everyone was troubled over the energy crystal’s source."
"Captain Hagrid and his team should depart tonight."
Teacher Cat had already figured it out, "I’ll have Rowena create some teleportation scrolls, so if anything happens in Ximu Town, we can return