Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

It took quite a while before they saw him emerge from the water, holding the major aloft.

The major, just dragged back to the shore, was breathless. The dock workers employed every method they could think of, from pounding on his throat to sucking his nasal passages, to revive him from the brink of the netherworld.

But after briefly regaining consciousness and his breath, the major again fell into a coma.

Soon, the army warrant officers were surrounded by customs guards who had hurried over upon hearing the commotion. The confused warrant officers faced off with the even more confused customs guards.

Following negotiations, General Layton ordered the warrant officers to "proceed with dignity to the customs office to cooperate with the investigation." Thus, the warrant officers were not searched, allowed to keep their luggage, and were "politely" escorted into the rooms of the anti-smuggling department.

Major Moritz was originally supposed to accompany General Layton to the anti-smuggling chief's office for a "rest," but since the major was still unconscious, he remained in the cell under the care of the warrant officers.

The just-awakened major was extremely feeble, barely opening his eyes and half-opening his mouth, with his lips trembling slightly.

"Water, get water quickly," the major's classmate who was supporting him urgently called for help.

The lean guard hastily poured a cup of water, which was passed hand to hand to the person in front of the major. Everyone was in a flurry to prop the major into a semi-sitting position, carefully feeding the water to him.

As the water trickled into the major's mouth, the warrant officers all breathed a sigh of relief.

However, hardly had their hearts settled when the bit of water they fed the major was spat back out.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Seeing the water he had fed being regurgitated, Winters too was stunned.

But as he watched the major's haggard face, a lightbulb went off in his head, and he suddenly had an epiphany about what was going on.

The major needed a drink!

Winters shouted at the two guards, "Alcohol! Bring alcohol! Not water! Quickly bring alcohol!"

"Sir, where am I supposed to get alcohol at a time like this?" the lean guard said helplessly. "I don't even have alcohol to drink, can't you just make do with water?"

"(Expletive)! If you can't find it, go to your superior!" Seeing the sly official still trying to be slippery at a time like this, Winters was furious and roared, "Bring alcohol! Or I'll kill you!"

The two guards were so frightened their faces turned pale, and the lean one quickly left the cell.

He returned shortly with General Layton and the cell block's head guard.

The cell door creaked open, and General Layton briskly walked over to Major Moritz's side. Seeing that the major had regained consciousness, he too let out a sigh of relief.

The warrant officers poured the grape wine brought by Layton into a cup and fed it bit by bit to Major Moritz.

This time, the major didn't spit it out. His Adam's apple moved up and down, clearly indicating he swallowed the drink.

Winters thought he saw a trace of satisfaction on the major's face, with tears seemingly swirling in his eyes, and his complexion greatly improved.

The major drank a full glass of red wine before signaling to the cadet that he didn't need any more.

Seeing that Major Moritz was markedly better after downing a glass of wine, General Layton bent over and asked with concern, "Major Moritz, how are you feeling now, can you speak?"

Unexpectedly, the major paid no attention to General Layton's words, completely ignoring him. Layton's face immediately showed some irritation.

Winters explained sadly to General Layton:

"General, the major has lost his hearing."

—————I am the line of demarcation for having lost hearing in both ears——————

P.S 1: Until the Sino-Japanese War, some of our forebears who were not adept at bayonet fighting still fought against the Japanese army using the technique of wielding their rifles like war hammers.

P.S 2: If you have any recommendation tickets or such, could you please give them to me? Thank you.