The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1436: Chapter 220: Hutter Is Enlightened by Sir’s Words (Part 3)

Hutter’s pen halted, ”Eight... eight years? Has something happened?”

”I can’t say yet whether something will happen.” Arthur walked with his hands behind his back, ”I can only say that due to some unspeakable issues, there is a certain possibility of something happening.”

Hutter pondered briefly and thought of last month’s protest letter Britain submitted to the Tsar, ”Are you talking about the secret treaty with the Ottoman Empire? But I remember that matter had been put to rest, hadn’t it?”

Arthur neither confirmed nor denied, he smiled and asked, ”Richard, what do you think diplomacy is? Diplomacy is about hiding knives behind smiles; appearances of harmony don’t truly mean harmony, and appearances of hostility don’t truly mean hostility. Of course, I’m not saying all diplomats are dishonest people; they are just sent abroad to deceive for the national interest.”

Hutter realized the severity of the issue upon hearing this.

Perhaps for the simple-minded British and Russians, strained British-Russian relations wouldn’t greatly affect their lives, but as a British person working in Russia, his situation was even more awkward than Arthur and Blackville, diplomats like them.

After all, his identity was different from second or third-generation British immigrants; he not only grew up in Britain but hadn’t even joined Russian nationality.

If something went wrong with the British-Russian relations, maintaining his current position of balancing between two sides wouldn’t be so easy.

If he wanted to continue staying in Russia, he would have to join Russian nationality.

If he wanted to return to Britain, his years of efforts in Russia would go down the drain.

If he hadn’t encountered Arthur, Hutter’s heart might have been conflicted, but he would likely lean towards Russia in the end.

But now, returning to Britain seemed to be a better choice than staying in Russia.

With his skills and resume, plus a recommendation letter from Arthur, he could likely easily find a job at Scotland Yard.

Even if that job isn’t as high in status as the Constitutional Guard Captain, it’s certainly not a start-from-scratch.

Not to mention, going to Scotland Yard would be one of the worst options after returning to Britain.

In Moscow, Hutter privately inquired with Colonel Shubinsky about Sir Arthur Hastings’s experiences in London and asked his family to get a few newspapers from London from two or three years ago.

Colonel Shubinsky’s picturesque stories, the huge ”The Times” headlines, and today’s observations at Duke Golitsyn’s old mansion made him understand what the words ’limitless future’ really mean.

What is a limitless future?

A Junior Knight who received the Second-Class Saint Anna Medal at 25 is a limitless future!

Hutter was silent for a moment and then stood up to express, ”Sir, I think there’s really no need to renew the passport’s validity or anything. If things really come to that point, I can weigh the importance, and if needed, I can resign from the Constitutional Guard now.”

Hutter thought that Arthur wanted this attitude from him, but Arthur laughed and waved his hands repeatedly, ”No rush, the situation hasn’t yet worsened to that point. Moreover, if you’re determined not to stay in Russia, I also promised you earlier that there’s always a place for you by my side. However, I think joining the embassy right now might not assign you a very high position. But, if you can play a role in this crisis, then the position you get won’t be just an ordinary Second-Class Secretary.”

Hutter frowned at this, ”You... I’m just a small person, do you really think I can play any significant role?”

”Richard, don’t underestimate yourself, the position I promise you isn’t out of charity; it’s genuine recognition from my heart.” Arthur patted Hutter on the shoulder, ”Didn’t you forget? I asked earlier what your duties were in the Second District, and you told me you mainly escort exiles. I remember, besides Siberia, there are quite a few sent to the Caucasus, right?”