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Published at 4th of July 2018 09:05:06 PM


Chapter 141: Sixteenth Episode: Chapter 5

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On Church Calendar Year 798, 16th day of the 6th month, Duke Dortmund Andrew Nedgabel counted the days. He had already been in the Capital for almost a year. It was time for him to return. Thinking about it carefully, this year sure was a crazy one!

On this early morning, 31 Penelope Road began their hectic and nervous preparations. The knights that guarded the Marshal packed all the luggage and documents and prepared four huge carriages for Marshal and the others.

Mam Celia was busy caring for the officials that came to bid them farewell. She was a little absent-minded because she was always thinking of whether her eldest son's body had been dealt with properly.

Duke Andrew was not in the mansion. He had rushed to Hamilton Palace in the early morning as His Majesty the Emperor prepared a short farewell party for him. According to the sayings, the famous families in the Capital's nobility circle had all attended this party, but the Duke believed that most of the representatives of these families could not be considered true and sincere friends.

The Young Lady had fallen sick! This news more or less made the people depressed. The moving of her family had finally taken its toll on Sasha E.'s body. She had a terrible cold, and a continuous fever almost made her blind. Even thinking about this was terrifying, but the Prince moved her to Swan Hill Castle. Even though the beautiful scenery and under the care of Miss Fenrar Donarte was slowly aiding her recovery, she definitely wouldn't be able to send off her family in time.

Until the afternoon, little Oscar brought his newly-wed wife and the Chief of Staff of the Guards, Marshal Robin Sparse, to the mansion. Celia greeted them with relief, but this Madame cared more about her daughter-in-law. She took Alanis to the study room and spoke privately to her. Oscar was a little confused because he saw his wife coming out with her face bright red. She did not even dare to look at him.

"What did you say to her?"

Celia smiled, "Nothing! I just told her a method to get pregnant extremely quick!"

Oscar had his eyes wide open, "Mother, are you saying... I do not matter in this?"

"You silly kid! How do you not matter in this?" Celia pulled the ear of the Marshal of Guards. "Get this done quickly. Don't let me wait too long!"

Oscar massaged his ears with a bitter smile. His Vij had already given birth to a healthy baby boy. At the same time, considering the sudden excitement that had occurred with Opareal Roulexberg 9 months ago, this Deiss Princess's expected due date was also near.

"Mother, this thing can't be rushed!"

"The people in the family don't think that way!" Celia shook her head. "Didn't you notice? You wife actually cared a lot about this. I believe the Imperial Family is the same as well. If you guys can give birth to a healthy boy, I believe many things will change."

Oscar sighed helplessly, "Mother, if you really want to say this, Alanis is my cousin. The probability of us giving birth to a healthy boy is not large!"

"But you have to try!"

"Haven't I been trying for some time?" Oscar said impatiently in a loud voice.

"Alright! Alright! Quiet down!" Celia finally felt embarrassed for her son. Did he have to announce this sort of things loudly?

Lunch was set up in the dining hall of the Duke's mansion. The Andrew family once again took out the exquisite dining set, but the situation now was calmer than before. Weird people had already excused themselves. There were only Andrew's members and Marshal Robin at the dining table. Celia was very passionate towards the old Marshal. She even asked openly about why the old man was single all this time. In the end, this made the Chief of Staff of the Guards very embarrassed.

When Oscar tried to finish off the huge fruits cake, his father returned. Duke Andrew stopped all of this just in time.

As a father, Dortmund advised Alanis, with heavy hearts, to control little Oscar's diet. However, Alanis simply said yes to that. She still understood her husband well. If there was anyone who dared to control his diet, this little guy would surely be furious and become unreasonable like an animal.

"Alfa III His Majesty didn't let you stay for lunch?" Oscar looked at his father, a little confused.

"No!" Dortmund suddenly smiled. "Guess what had disturbed the Emperor's schedule. There is supposed to be a huge lunch event at the Hamilton Palace."

"What?" Marshal Robin laid down his knives and fork. He was very curious as well. The Emperor must have encountered some huge urgent matter.

"War news just came in from the Deiss frontline!" Dortmund paused for a moment here. He was pleased to notice that the people on the dining table were all listening to him attentively.

"Two Corps that were set up by Marshal Alan at the left wing of the central army group are surrounded by the Deiss Kingdom Army!"

Oscar and Marshal Robin exchanged a glance. They actually did not say anything.

"Don't you have something to say about this?" Dortmund was a little surprised.

Figg broke the silence just at the right time, "Do we need to? The truth is right in front of our eyes. This is not even an obstacle in the attack of Marshal Alan. He will encounter a disaster. The left-wing army group is actually surrounded by the enemy? What is our Marshal of Guards doing there?"

Marshal Robin wiped his mouth with a napkin. It seemed that he wanted to say something.

"Young man, Deiss' Minister of Supreme High Command is Marshal Stanbein! This Marshal climbed up to his position slowly from a Company Leader! He is definitely not one to be trifled with! If Alan wants to complain, he can only blame the lack of ability of the northern army group."

"Yes!" Oscar nodded. "We still don't know Alan's strategy, he definitely won't make a huge mistake that would allow his whole lot of people to be wiped out. It's highly probable that some problems have occurred at the northern army group."

The seated people all nodded.

"Oh right! When did this war news arrive?" Marshal Robin suddenly turned to Duke Andrew.

"Nine days ago!"

"Ola!" Oscar clapped his hands. "It seems that the next news will be one that says Alan's left wing is wholly eliminated."

Chief of Staff of the Guards showed a slight smile, "Yes, yes! After that, it will be about the battle of the main forces, but I doubt that Alan will win."

"Hahahaha!" Dortmund suddenly laughed boldly. "Let's leave these things for our companions of the Guards to worry about them! I am bringing my wife and children back home. Come! Let us cheer to that! For blessed livings and healthy souls!"

"Cheer!" everyone resonated Marshal Andrew's suggestion. A beautiful clinking of wine glasses rang in the dining hall.

The team left at 1 in the afternoon. The team of carriages rumbled past the Road of Kings and turned out of Victory Square. After passing through the Gate of Light, the team of carriages reached the outskirts. The motel at the outskirts waited for the whole Knights Division of the Narcissus Knights. They were responsible for guarding the Marshal and his family safely back to their home thousands of miles away.

As expected, Alfa III His Majesty did not keep his promise again. This Emperor was not there. He simply sent Palace Chief Marquis Laston Cambre to send Marshal Andrew away. It seemed that everyone was more relieved at the absence of the Emperor. If that guy came as promised, then they would have to keep up complicated formality and pretentiously entertain the Emperor.

Under the guarding of the Narcissus Knights, the team quickly continued their journey. Along the small path at the outskirts of the Capital, the parents of the Andrew family began their return journey.

The farewell words seemed brief. Oscar then asked Alanis to return to the city with Marshal Robin. He himself boarded his parents' carriage.

"Aren't you going to your Chief office?"

Little Prince shrugged at his father, "That is Alan's Chief office! I've had enough of that place!"

Dortmund let out a hmph. He couldn't do anything with this child anymore. "It can't be you still haven't dealt with this problem?"

Oscar spread his hands helplessly, "Even though I have an overall grasp of Alan's people in the Military Intelligence Bureaus, I still can't trust the remaining ones. Don't forget this is Dulin. It's the world of the Military Affairs Chancellor and his old friends here."

"Then.... How is your south-bound trip coming along?"

"Still arranging it. I don't dare to make any bold moves right now. I am just collecting useful information now. I have also contacted a few nobles in the south. Oh right! Later, I have an appointment with the Commander of Military District 5 of the Guards, General Vangol Abberning Hagrid. I must talk to him! If possible, I would like to set up my southern Bureau at Vielonna. Vielonna is the center of the politics, economy, and culture of the Five Southern Provinces. It will be more convenient doing things there."

Dortmund nodded, but he shook his head afterward. "Vangol is my old friend, but you should be careful when you deal with him. This guy was a gangster when he was young."

Mam Celia at the side could not hold it in any longer. Originally, she did not want to interrupt the men's conversation.

"Don't think of Vangol that way!" the First Lady pulled on her husband's shirt. "Child! Listen to mother, General Hagrid is a person worth trusting. He will help you without holding back! In fact, I have already talked to him about this before!"

"Why don't I know about this?" Dortmund pulled his shoulder back. He was surprised. "When did you meet with him?"

"When you were not there!" Mam Celia took a glance at her husband impatiently. Even though her husband being jealous about this made Celia contented, Vangol and her were no longer the young people they used to be before. It was, in fact, Duke Andrew who always treated this matter like a child.

Oscar suddenly laughed. This made his parents looked at him in surprise.

"Do you know that? Your conversation just now made me think of my Mother Mica. Not long ago, when Alfa III His Majesty dismissed the House of Lords, I saw the man that Mother Mica kept remembering. Ola.... What is his name again? That Regimental Commander of the Imperial Paladins?"

Dortmund kept his mouth in a thin line. Talking about Mica made his expression even darker.

"His names is Kiener Ritz!" Oscar smiled lightly. "My mother's perception is much worse than that of Mam Celia! Comparing to General Hagrid, Kiener is much more useless. He is more like a monk of the Religion, a penance one on top of that."

Mam Celia frowned unhappily, "My little Oscar, you shouldn't comment on this sort of things so lightly."

Dortmund rolled his eyes coldly. Obviously, he did not like both of the men his son had mentioned.

"As compared to Hagrid, Kiener still has some advantages. Before I sealed Mica's marriage, he once came to me for a duel even though there were no results from that. But Vangol did not even have that courage. He simply fought with him without putting much effort into it! This guy has always been like that. He knows when to act very well."

Celia set her gaze out of the window. She chose to be silent.

Dortmund sighed. He also felt that he should stop this.

"Alright kid! Stop this topic! Tell me about your south-bound trip. What exact plans do you have in mind?"

Oscar raised his eyebrows excitedly. It was obvious that he was full of confidence for this trip.

"I plan to start from the administration. The local political power of the Southern Five Provinces are all concentrated in the hands of those hereditary nobles, but the 791 Uprising had already chased all these nobles to the city. That is to say, the first order in the town is extremely chaotic! I think that the military order will control the situation very well. I want to set up a new government in the south that is similar to Andrew's Military Personnel Bureau, one that combines military and political power."

"This seems like a good idea!" Duke Andrew nodded. "But have you considered the reactions of the Imperial family and the Capital? Moreover, the southern Empire is still different from your family's lands. This complicated political situation has existed for a few hundred years. It's based on the tradition and...."

"No! Father, you don't understand this," Oscar interrupted the Duke. "It's because the Uprising destroyed the stagnant situation and administration in the southern lands that I have the chance of rebuilding it with a new method. I only have to care about the benefits of each level of people and used some methods. Stabilizing the south is not such a difficult thing to do."

"What about after that?" Dortmund looked at his youngest son worriedly. "What can you do after stabilizing the southern political situation? You will have to return to Dulin and the Imperial family will definitely send people to steal the fruits of your success. They won't let you possess the chance to truly control the southern lands. You have no way to protect your own benefits in the south!"

Oscar nodded, "I've thought about this as well! But I think...… A large-scale war is enough to let Central Empire acknowledge my position in the south."

"What do you mean?" Duke Andrew was a little confused!

"What I mean is what I need is a still chaotic southern Empire. Only when the south is being threatened will I be able to build a new order. Once the south has resumed its peace, then the Imperial family will retrieve my power just as you said."

"What do you want to do? Start a war like Alan?"

Oscar shrugged. "Who knows.... There are a lot of chances coming along!"

"Child!" Dortmund suddenly held his son's shoulder. "I must tell you that your strategy is too dangerous! Once you make a mistake, you will bring yourself to death!"

"Father, please be rest assured! I know how to take care of myself."

"Enough! How do you know to take care of yourself? Shooting yourself also counts as taking care of yourself?"

"What are you guys saying?" Mam Celia interrupted them in shock. She saw both men shutting their mouths tight subconsciously.

The inside of the carriage suddenly became quiet. Oscar knocked on the window of the carriage subconsciously while his father fidgeted with his own fingers. Only Celia was glancing at the men that were definitely avoiding a certain topic.

"Alright! I think I will just send you guys off here!" Oscar suddenly straightened his body.

Duke Andrew knocked on the front window of the carriage. The carriages and the team stopped almost immediately.

"After talking for so long... I seem to have forgotten to give you your blessing!" Dortmund said as he pulled back his son who was about to get off the carriage.

Oscar nodded, "Thank you, father. I know you and the family only want me to be safe."

"Then... Take care!"

"I will!" Oscar jumped to the ground. He pulled the carriage door for his parents whilst his parents stared at him with eyes full of adoration. This made the little Prince pause before saying anything.

"I... I will take good care of Sasha E. Don't worry about her!"

Mam Celia reached out her hands and touched her son's face tenderly. "Then I leave Sasha, that poor girl, in your hands! Don't disappoint us!"

"I won't!" Oscar smiled as he kissed his mother goodbye.

Dortmund spread his arms open and held his son tightly after his son left his mother's side. He even kissed his son's forehead.

"Alright. Off you go then. Bring out the will of the God-chosen warrior! I believe nothing can bring my son down!"

"Yes, Marshal!" Oscar saluted the Narcissus Marshal with a strict expression, then closed the door for his parents.

Celia was waving her hands and Dortmund was smiling. They were both giving their blessings to this child who was finding his own way in the outside world.

Figg Andrew Tibotty's tall war-horse stopped beside little Oscar. The second brother of the Andrew family pulled out a weapon that was wrapped in clothes from the bag on one side of the saddle.

"Hey! I bet you can't find a good machete in Dulin. I picked a good one for you from home when I came!"

The happy Oscar quickly took the weapon. He pulled the clothes open and happily examined the high-quality machete that had an elegant design and ancient style.

"This was found under the body of a Black Belt Warrior. Do you still remember that? It's the one you and Murat dealt with in the Werksan mountain area. How is that?"

"Absolutely amazing!" Oscar held the machete in his hands carefully. He couldn't wait to try his blade on an unlucky guy. But after the excitement, the Prince frowned in doubt.

"Brother! I remember..... I remember this thing was kept by the family members!"

"Hehe! Hehehe!" Figg Andrew Tibotty laughed evilly.

"You stole it?" Oscar guessed, looking at his hated brother.

"Why are you looking at me like that? It's already yours! The family won't care about this even if they check the inventory!"

"You!" Oscar smiled helplessly. His brother was still the same as before.

"Alright! I should go now!" Figg suddenly turned his head away in a lonely way. He saw Cody who was behind the team also rushing towards them. "Now it's just the three of us! Take good care of yourself!"

"You too! The East War will not be that smooth. You must take care as well!"

Figg nodded towards his younger brother, then turned his horse away without even turning back to see Oscar.

"Yogurt!"

Oscar turned to his third elder brother with a bitter smile. "Cody! I'm sorry! I forgot to prepare some for you!"

"No!" Cody shook his head in a silly way. "For you!"

Oscar looked at the small pot that his third elder brother handed to him strangely. It seemed that he had not heard of Cody sharing his favorite yogurt with anyone else. Oscar suddenly felt touched by him. His eyes were slightly puffy and red. The young Prince held his tall silly brother tightly. He kept the yogurt and waved his hands vigorously towards his family's team.

Duke Andrew pulled the carriage window open and saw his son's silhouette shrinking on the forest path before finally disappearing. Dortmund turned around, but he did not know that this was his last farewell to Oscar! He had no chance to witness the success of his youngest son.

A small stream ran within the forest with its water clear. When it fell, it let out a series of bubbling sounds. The forest was bathed in bright sunlight for the whole afternoon and the forest changed its color as the altitude increased. Even now, you still could see the soft earthy bed of the forest. However, when you walked for a little more along the curved mountain path, these greenish moss plants suddenly disappeared.

The apples had not ripened yet and the greenish fruits dangled on the branches at the side of the mountain and lake that faced the sunlight. There were signs of birds everywhere in the woods. These busy creatures kept eating the worms on the fruit trees while letting out happy chirps.

There were also all sorts of mushrooms of different colors in the forest. A few flies surrounded the largest mushroom and flew around it in excitement, but a small ferret suddenly came out of nowhere and scared the bugs away. The ferret sniffed carefully with its sensitive nose. It could not be sure that this mushroom had no poison, but it did not want to give up either. Frustrated, it could only let a series of charming squeaks.

The people living in the mountain who walked this path often knew about an ancient legend. The palm-sized rock tripe on the green rocks were the footsteps left by the angels that walked this path. Wherever the angels' footsteps have been, the rock tripe would grow on the rocks. Swan Lake produced this type of nutritious rock tripe. The people said that this place was blessed by the angels and those huge swans that swayed on the lake were the incarnation of the angels. The crime of killing the swans was even more serious than killing a person.

"But these things were all made up by people, so tonight we shall drink chicken soup with rock tripe! Our butler has picked up the freshest rock tripe!" Oscar showed his bright white teeth to his sister who was sick in bed.

"Are they on their way now?" Sasha E. breathed weakly. The departure of her parents had made her extremely upset.

"Yes! They are!" Oscar sighed helplessly. Originally, he had wanted to divert his sister's attention away from this problem, but he found that the truth was not this way. He had no suitable words in his mind to console his depressed sister.

"Hmm.... Sasha, I beg of you! Get well soon! I still want to bring you to visit Rayshure's children!"

"Oh?" as expected, the pure Young Lady finally had some interest in it. She remembered Rayshure's children were two little foals that were black and red in color respectively.

"They.... They have already grown up?"

"Of course!" Oscar said in a loud voice. "Hearing from Marshal Robin, the black kid is even taller than its father while the red lady is more beautiful than its mother!"

"More beautiful than its mother?" Sasha E.'s eyes were wide. She longed to see them.

"Yep! That's true! But Marshal Robin also said that the red lady is really tame, unlike its brother! The black kid is the fiercest horse the Marshal have ever seen, just like the bad temper of its father! Until now, it has not been ridden by anyone before!"

"Oh my!" The Young Lady stared at her brother in worry. "Do you want to tame it? If it has never been ridden by anyone before.... Then you will be in danger at that time!"

Oscar shrugged, "I have already made preparations to fall to my death!"

Sasha's eyes almost had tears coming of out them, but her brother touched her nose with a laugh.

"My silly girl! How will that be possible? I will definitely tame that silly kid! True warriors will not kick people whenever we meet people like it. Its father is a good example! It still needs to learn a lot of things!"

"Your Highness!" Miss Fenrar Donaute brought her tray of medicine into the bedroom. "Sasha E. should take her medicine now. You should let her rest for a while! Moreover, your friends are already here!"

Oscar slapped on his forehead. He saw that the sunlight from outside of the window was already slanting towards the mountain in the west.

"Oh! Look at me! I have already been here for so long!" The Prince stood up, but he found his sister pulling at his shirt. Oscar bowed his body, feeling fond of his sister, and kissed the forehead of the Young Lady.

"Sasha, rest well. I won't leave here tonight!"

"Won't Alanis complain?" Sasha was a little worried.

"Don't worry! I've already told her. Moreover, she doesn't dare to complain!" Oscar reassured his sister with confidence. He waited until the Young Lady was resting after taking the medicine before he turned away from the bedroom.

Oscar took a deep breath outside of the bedroom. Even though it was just a line of difference, but the worlds inside and outside of the door were completely different. The young Marshal tidied up his military outfit. He must manage his emotions and continue the cruelest fight in the world outside of the door, one was restless and cold-blooded.

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"You are back!"

"Yes, Marshal!" Mendez Blane greeted his Marshal politely at the gate of the castle.

"Quickly come in, big guy!" Oscar pulled at his old mate's arm. He looked at this knight expectantly.

"How is the situation over at the Sukhoi family?"

Mendez Blane accepted the teacup offered by Snowstorm, but he had no chance to drink it just yet.

"Your Highness! According to what you have ordered, I have told the military investigation unit of your opinion. They clearly have received orders from Marshal Alan and the investigation towards the Sukhoi Family has ended! Only a small number of Sukhoi family members is left, but Madame Vijdeline and her subordinates are not affected. Duke Roleighanc of the Sukhoi family is trying to settle the broken family's properties, but it's nearly impossible to return it to its original scale! The Emperor's decision is right in front of them. Sukhoi can only keep a small part of their fire weapons production plants. Judging from the attitude of the 'cleaners', they want to take the whole Grizzly Bear Fortress away so badly!"

Oscar touched his nose. On this matter, he could only apologize to Vij! Just like what Mendez has said, the Emperor's decision was right in front of them. To be able to keep the surname of Sukhoi that had been passed down for many hundreds of years was considered a good ending!

"Is there more?"

"Oh!" the big guy Mendez quickly drank his tea. "The armed members of the Sukhoi family have been completely disbanded. A division of the Guards had already entered Grizzly Bear Fortress on the day of my departure! Also.... The researchers of Sukhoi were all moved to the University Town. The key technology of the making of fire weapons was also confiscated by the Imperial Secretariat! Also...."

"Alright! Enough!" Oscar suddenly became impatient. He knew that he was also the helper in eliminating Sukhoi, but he had no other choice.

Taking a glance at the big guy who did not dare to speak further, Oscar finally realized his rudeness. He patted the wide shoulders of Mendez apologetically.

"Well done! Thank you! You reduced my concern about this matter!"

Mendez scratched his head embarrassedly, "Thank you, Your Highness! Carrying out orders is my duty! Oh right! I also have one secret letter written by Madame Vijdeline to you. Madame instructed me to destroy this letter after you have read it."

Oscar accepted the heavy letter and nodded lightly.

"Your Highness! Your Highness!" Bell-like shouts came suddenly from the door. "Your Highness! Look who's here?" Godot's silhouette crashed into the small living room. He and Mendez Blane stood in front of the Prince and the light in the room darkened immediately.

"Domingo! You!" Oscar shouted in surprise. He finally saw the person behind the big guy clearly.

Domingo, the super criminal that managed Damorga Prison for O'Neil Andrew Morisette, was finally released from prison with the help of the Prince!

Two old friends who had known each other since their childhood days held each other tightly in an embrace. Both of them had changed a lot. They could not even recognize each other now.

"O God of Light!" Oscar shouted as he looked at Domingo excitedly. "Oh my god! Didn't Goot said you will reach only next week in the letter?"

Domingo smiled. "We were scared that you were in a hurry! So I rushed here in two nights!"

"Ola!" Oscar held his old friend again.

Orderly Second Lieutenant Kirk appeared at the door. "Your Highness, the dining hall is ready!"

Oscar could not hold back and laughed, "Domingo! Look at the timing you arrived! My wife just sent me a fantastic cook. Everyone, join in! Try out the original traditional dishes!"

Oscar did not forget to pull at little Kirk's arm before exiting the room, "Remember to get a few bottles of good wine from the cellar!"

"Yes Your Highness! The oldest and strongest!"

"Hahaha! You are an understanding good kid!" Oscar was so excited that he skipped and hopped.

The dining hall had already been set up. There were neat cutleries arranged on the table and a wide array of delicious food and wine laid before them. Original traditional Titan cuisines had beautiful colors and amazing aromas. All this time, Titan cuisines had been famous in the world with its grilled and smoked food. On the dining table was a whole grilled lamb and all sorts of smoked meat. With colorful vegetables as mains, a whole plate of salads took up half of the dining table, while the rest of the table was filled with all sorts of platters and bread sauces.

Oscar led the people to sit at the dining table. The men were not reserved at all. After drinking a few cups of strong liquor, they began to scream and shout. The arrival of Domingo surely brought back many memories of the past of the people. Everyone sighed about their life in the prison.

Sarlat Dorsha, Godot, Percy and the carriage driver, but the carriage driver loved to stay at the horse stables. Oscar carefully counted his old friends that came from Damorga. At last, he scanned Domingo who kept quiet all this while with a playful gaze.

"Hey! Old friend, you must have noticed that many friends from before are all gone!"

Domingo put down his wine glass and nodded lightly. "Yes! I heard of all of this! Doramy did not meet a good end, Wystan and Ricky betrayed you. And Thomas Aulet betrayed you as well!"

"Hehe! Thomas Aulet!" Oscar suddenly laughed. "I was about to talk about him. He was the stupidest among the people that betrayed me! But I must admit that this guy surely had brains. He managed the Lair, the place that all scums gather, so nicely."

Domingo was suddenly looking forward to it. He knew Oscar would not talk about this for no reason.

"How is this? Are you interested? To continue dealing with criminals in all sorts of occupations!" Oscar finally showed his intention.

"You.... You get me out of the jail just because of this?" Domingo's voice actually became weaker.

The people at the dining table all quietened down. Everyone was glancing at Oscar's expression. They could all hear that Domingo's words were not that positive.

"You are complaining that I didn't save you out of Damorga earlier.... Until the moment I need you!" Oscar stared at his past companion.

"It's not like that!" Domingo shook his head. "I thought you would have a big case to deal with. In the end, it's just to manage a few disobedient children!"

Oscar stared into his old friend's eyes for a moment. Both of them could not hold it in and laughed.

"Alright alright! It's decided then!" Oscar said as he waved his hands. "Rest for a few days, Domingo. Then..... Sarlat, Godot! Both of you are at least a little familiar with the Lair. Bring Domingo to take over Baron's opera. I know there is a bunch of cheeky fighters staying there during these days. If you encounter any problem, you know what to do right?"

Sarlat released a sinister laughter while Godot used his fingers and slid it across his neck.

"Very well!" Oscar nodded. He turned to Domingo who was by his side. "I've already checked. Even though Thomas betrayed me, he was at least very clear in dealing with the accounts of the Lair. You can make your own judgment then. If Thomas's methods can still work, then do things just like before; if it can't …... Or a certain head of organization objects openly, then we will think about what to do."

"Okay! I'll listen to you!" Domingo agreed extremely quickly. Oscar also leaned on his seat, satisfied.

The Orderly Second Lieutenant Kirk rushed forward again. He came close to the Prince and whispered to him a few words. Oscar frowned.

"Already?"

"Yes, Your Highness! Right at the side hall!"

Oscar put his napkin down and stood up. He saw his old friends at the dining table also put down their fork and knives.

"No! No! You all can continue! There's only a guest here!"

**********************************************

Commander of Military District Five of the Guards General Vangol Abberning Hagrid sat rigidly on the sofa. He took a close look at the painting in the living room. That was probably Princess Mica Alfa Morisette. Vangol could recall seeing this Princess once when he was young. She was only an energetic little girl then, but the innocence and purity of the Princess could hardly cover up her beauty.

"Dortmund is such a lucky guy!" General Vangol sighed as he mumbled. The Hagrid family could not be compared to the Andrew of East border. Vangol had always thought this was the reason that affected Celia's decision. However, this was all in the past. His son and daughter were already grown-ups, but Dortmund' son was still more excellent than his later generation. This made Vangol felt defeated. In front of Dortmund his old friend, he always appeared to be less significant than his friend.

"Sir General! Welcome to my mother's Swan Castle!" Oscar saw the blank-looking Hagrid as soon as he entered the room.

"Oh... Oh!" Vangol stood up quickly. The first thing he saw was Oscar's Marshal uniform.

Oscar pulled on the General's arm. Even though they were both soldiers, but Hagrid was his father's battle mate after all. He could not accept the General's salute.

"Sir General, did the way I called you make you uncomfortable? Then how about I call you Uncle?"

"Yeah! I am more comfortable with that!" Hagrid patted on the young man's shoulder. He could not help but smile at the Prince.

"Have a seat, Uncle Vangol! I know you rush to this place from Hamilton Palace. I am sure it has been a long journey for you! Oh right! Do you need dinner?"

"No, it's alright. I don't have much of an appetite!" General Hagrid waved his hands. "I am full of anger now! D*mn Osli Alfa Morisette. He could've just complained about Silverfox Alan, but instead, he has to include innocent people like us. In the end, we were scolded by him the whole afternoon in his study room."

"Hehehe!" Oscar could not help it but laugh. "D*mn Osli Alfa Morisette", that was the first time he heard others 'praising' His Majesty the Emperor directly like this.

"What happened? Just because Marshal Alan messed up the attack against Deiss?"

"Not only that!" General Vangol shook his head. "Unfortunate events kept piling up! The Ministry of Justice and Secret Service Department collaborated and sent in an investigation report of the shooting event that afternoon. All evidence points to the southern criminals. Alfa III His Majesty has all the reasons to be furious. Those people had not only messed up his daughter's wedding, they also blasted a hole in his favorite son-in law's body! If I encountered such a matter, I would also be very furious, nevermind our vengeful Emperor!"

"Hehe! Did I cause trouble for you?" Oscar asked discreetly.

"Not really!" Hagrid waved his hands. "I just can't stand the Emperor's words. He said the southern army is a useless bunch that wastes the national resources! F*ck it! My companions in the Army Group and I have never slept peacefully in these few years! It was all to eliminate the rebels for His Majesty the Emperor, but in the end, this was the kind of comments we received. Moreover, is the investigation of the Secret Service Department completely accurate? The southern rebels have always laid low. I can't see that they would have the abilities and balls to plan the shooting event!"

Oscar did not say a word. He was waiting for the continuation.

"How is it?" the General suddenly looked over here. "Your Military Intelligence Bureau did not find anything at all?"

Oscar shook his head, "The Military Intelligence Bureau had just been set up recently. Alfa III His Majesty is still accustomed to letting the Secret Service Department take care of emergency situations. My intelligence network did not get involved in this investigation at all!"

Vangol was a little impatient!

"Young man! Don't say that Uncle is blaming you! What is your Military Intelligence Bureau doing? Especially when the person that was shot is you yourself. You should at least do something for yourself!"

Oscar nodded with a smile, "Uncle Vangol, you are right. I am about to do something for myself!"

"Oh?" General Hagrid frowned.

"I plan to take over the southern military system as the Chief of Military Intelligence Bureau and Imperial Envoy. I will begin a large-scale elimination action in the enemy's area and try to completely resolve the threat of illegal armed forces against the Empire's southern land in the next two to three years!"

"You... Are you kidding?" Hagrid's eyes were bulging. He looked at the young man in front of him strangely. Taking over the southern military system? Completely eliminate the rebels' armed forces? This was not something that could be done through talk.

"Do I look like I am kidding?" Oscar stared at the Commander of the Military District Five with a determined gaze. "Just as you said, those rebels opened a hole in my chest. I should at least take some actions for my own sake!"

"But.... But the thing is, there are still suspicious points in the shooting event! I fought with the rebels before and had hard and good times as well! But I definitely don't believe it's their doing!"

Oscar shook his head. "Didn't you notice? The shooting event is no longer important! The important thing is to eliminate the anti-government forces that threaten the peace of the society and to resume the past glory of the southern land!"

Hagrid did not say anything. He knew the young man was right! He had already thought about this problem for many years!

"Uncle! Your family guarded Vielonna for many years! I believe you also have the same feeling as I do. How badly has Vielonna fallen now as compared than before? Did your population and wealth recover? These problems are obvious! If we don't take the most effective yet deadly actions against the rebels' forces, they will surely come back sooner or later! Whan that time comes, I believe the south of the Empire can no longer be saved!"

Hagrid nodded. "Logically, yes. I understand the south's situation more than you do, but do you have the confidence to complete this mission? Moreover, the most important thing is, how sure you are that His Majesty the Emperor will agree to your idea? Taking over the southern military system? My god! His Majesty Alfa III is nuts! Otherwise, why would he leave the south of the Empire to an Andrew kid! This is absolutely impossible!"

"Yes! I know the possibility of the Emperor agreeing to this is extremely small, so I need your help!" Oscar stared at Hagrid who kept shaking his head intensely.

"Impossible! Impossible! Even if I agreed to help you, this won't make the Emperor change his mind. I still hold my previous views. Unless you are the grandson of the Emperor, His Majesty Alfa III will never lay down the military power over the southern army!"

"I know. I am only considered half his son now!" Oscar gave a bitter smile. "But..... If I have the Hagrid family who has been loyal to the Imperial family all this while watching over me, then wouldn't Alfa III His Majesty be more rest assured?"

"Oh...." General Vangol suddenly understood everything. "So you have been seeing me as an opportunity all this while!"

Oscar shook his head. "Not really! I just wanted to ask for your help!"

Hagrid still shook his head. "Little guy, even if you are asking for help, then don't fool me with your thoughts of doing this for the Empire and the south! I am no fool! Tell me honestly. What is your true aim of entering the south?"

Oscar sighed, depressed, "I only want to survive! To have a living!"





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