Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters-Chapter 932 - 27: The Map

Chapter 932: Chapter 27: The Map

There were two wooden huts in the yard; one was a residence, the other served as a storeroom. Having walked only a few steps, Colonel Alec had thoroughly inspected both huts inside and out.

Apart from the rudimentary tables and chairs, and a wardrobe, there was no other furniture in the room. Although indoors, it resembled a desolate wilderness.

The oil lamp, covered in cobwebs, had been discarded in the corner, its wick long dried out. With the sun setting in the west, there was no source of light inside the cabin, dark as a cave.

Colonel Alec couldn’t help frowning and asked, “How can you live here?”

John Jeska, steadying himself against the wall, shuffled his feet little by little, eventually seating himself back on the stool beside the dining table, retorted, “It’s my home. If I don’t live here, where should I?”

“An officer lives in a place like this?”

“Injured and retired, I can only draw half-pay.” John Jeska answered emotionlessly, “Besides, I haven’t received my half-pay for three quarters now.”

Winters glanced sidelong at Colonel Alec, whose face had darkened somewhat.

“How could that be?” Colonel Alec was half in astonishment and half in skepticism, pressing urgently, “How is it possible not to pay you for three quarters?”

With a cold snort, John Jeska did not respond, but his contemptuous demeanor gave the most straightforward reply—believe it or not.

To be honest, before stepping into the courtyard, Winters hadn’t known what to expect upon seeing Colonel Jeska again.

To avoid an awkward situation, Winters had anticipated many possible conversations. But when he actually saw the dark sockets of Colonel Jeska’s eyes, he found himself at a loss for words.

John Jeska “looked” towards Winters and asked brusquely, “What will you drink?”

“Water is fine.”

“There’s nothing else.” John Jeska cocked his head, “There’s a well in the yard, get the water yourself if you want to drink.”

Winters picked up the water can and headed straight out of the hut, drawing a fresh can of well water and taking the opportunity to wash the cups as well. When interacting with Colonel Jeska, he naturally cut out those insincere pleasantries and formalities.

Returning to the hut, Winters poured a glass of clean water for both Colonel Jeska and Colonel Alec.

“Was he under your command before?” The words had just left his mouth when Colonel Alec regretted it. He shook his head self-mockingly, “What kind of foolish question is that? Why else would he go out of his way to visit you… Oh, right, since he was under your command, it makes sense why you would find him wherever you went.”

“Oh?” John Jeska showed a trace of interest.

Cartography is a profound discipline, and Winters admitted he hadn’t even grasped the basics, preferring not to dwell on the subject.

Winters casually asked, “The well in the yard doesn’t even have a fence around it. Do you usually draw water by yourself?”

“There’s a couple of farmers on the other side of the village who come over every day to tend to my food and drink,” John Jeska simply explained.

More than his own daily routines, the former Army Colonel was clearly more concerned with other matters, “Communications are poor here, I thought you’d perished on the West Bank of the Styx until just recently. Tell me something I don’t know.”

“It’s a long story.”

“Then tell it slowly.” John Jeska was undaunted, “Time is what I have the most of.”

“Colonel, let’s wait for the right time to talk about it.”

“The right time?” The furrow in John Jeska’s brow deepened. Although known for his forthrightness, it didn’t mean he was slow-witted.

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“You don’t find it convenient to talk with an outsider present?” John Jeska laughed dryly a few times and then bluntly issued an eviction order to Colonel Alec, “I’ve got poor eyesight; I won’t see you out.”

Even knowing of [One-eyed Gershka]’s reputation for being difficult to get along with, and despite Colonel Alec’s inherently amiable disposition, he was still caught off guard, his face alternating between shades of red and white.

Winters felt compelled to make amends for his former superior, “Colonel Alec is not an outsider. If Colonel Alec hadn’t extended his help, I wouldn’t have found my way here.”

“Oh, is that so.” John Jeska responded indifferently.

Based on Winters’ understanding of his former superior: John Jeska could give an objective assessment without emotion, yet to others, it sounded like sarcasm; this was a talent and instinct of John Jeska’s, not aimed at any person or affair in particular.

Winters nodded apologetically to Colonel Alec, offering an apology on Colonel Jeska’s behalf.

Colonel Alec took a deep breath, sighing helplessly, half in sarcasm and half in admiration he said, “It seems like overseas deployment hasn’t changed you one bit.”

John Jeska huffed lightly, unmoved. He picked up the half-finished wooden model on the table, fumbling as he continued to carve.

“What are you doing now?” Colonel Alec asked with curiosity.

“Making a living.” John Jeska answered coldly.

As the evening grew dim, Colonel Alec observed for a while before realizing that the other was carving a chess piece, “It’s too dark in here for you to be working without a light…”

Colonel Alec’s voice abruptly stopped. John Jeska’s carving was slow, but extremely precise, precise enough to make Alec forget that the other man could no longer see.

“Why don’t you light a lamp?” John Jeska’s tone was as calm as it was cruel, “Being blind has its benefits; it saves on lamp oil.”

The cabin quieted down, with only the sound of wood shavings separating from the block.

“I still can’t figure it out.” Colonel Alec slapped his knee, asking despite himself, “How could they not pay you your salary? General Alpad had issued a special order: to provide generous compensation to officers of the Expeditionary Force who were disabled in service and the families of those who died in action. There must have been some mistake; it shouldn’t be like this… I’ll look into it when I get back.”