Chapter 38: Stalled

Leng Qiongling and I smoothly entered the city center protected by the Defense Forces without provoking the Saint Assembly.

During the journey here, I kept having a question.

Although Bola City’s military strength was weak, and the Saint Assembly’s power was far greater than expected, with my team members here, it shouldn’t have been this bad.

Even if the Madman found it hard to operate in the city, he wouldn’t end up in this situation.

It wasn’t until I arrived at the city center that I understood what was going on.

“So? You’re all tied to these people because of this?”

I ignored the person in a splendid white robe who was shouting nearby, and instead spoke to Ou Mi You, who was standing next to him.

“Right? Your sister was planning to go all out, but then this guy suddenly pops up saying that according to the clause, I have to prioritize protecting these people.”

“Watch your tone. I will report your behavior to the Central Continent Government. If you want me to…”

“Ahhh, stop, stop. My ears are going numb.”

Ou Mi You escaped from that person’s side and hid behind me.

“Anyway, that’s the situation. According to that clause they mentioned, all of us have to protect these people.”

“Alright, alright. Then just do what they say for now.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’ll go find the commander.”

“I’m sorry about this too, but this was established when Bola City was first founded after the government unified. Any military force under Bola City’s control must abide by it.”

“Then there’s no solution.”

According to the regulations, if troops from elsewhere go to another city, they must hand over control to that city’s military, nominally becoming under that city’s jurisdiction.

So nominally, we were indeed under Bola City’s control, so naturally we had to follow Bola City’s clauses.

“Isn’t there any way? Having my team members act as bodyguards for those… uh, nobles? Isn’t that overkill?”

“Sorry, as things stand, there really is no other way. Unless you get them to agree…”

Oho, I think I know what to do now.

“Alright, thank you, Commander.”

“Oh, okay.”

I walked out of the Defense Department building.

The night was already deep.

Not a sound could be heard around me, but I could feel the tension permeating the air.

“Hmm, looks like the Saint Assembly doesn’t want to fight late at night either.”

I headed toward the still brightly lit mansion.

Even before I got close, from the garden outside I could hear music and thunderous laughter coming from inside.

A stark contrast to Hai Shi, who was standing guard at the door with an unhappy face, pouting.

“Why are you guarding the door here?”

“They said a little kid like me can’t go in, so they made me stand here.”

“Right, after all, it’s an adult venue inside.”

“Mm-mm.”

“Alright, your captain is going to solve the problem for you now.”

“Mhm.”

I patted Hai Shi on the head, straightened my clothes, and walked into the magnificent palace.

I was stopped by a servant in black attire as soon as I entered.

“Excuse me, sir. To enter, could you show something that proves your identity?”

“Uh, will this do?”

I took out my ID card from my pocket.

“Sir, I mean something that proves your social status.”

“Mm… Oh! Right, right. Here, take this.”

I placed the pistol holstered at my waist into the servant’s hand.

He was so startled that he almost dropped it.

“This was given to me by your Commander. It should serve as proof, right?”

“Uh, sir, I…”

“Let him in.”

A man in military uniform stepped up from behind me and patted the servant on the shoulder.

Since the Commander himself had spoken, of course the servant complied.

He immediately stepped back respectfully, and I retrieved my pistol.

“Commander, with such heavy military affairs, isn’t it inappropriate to come to a party?”

“Haha, one needs to relax once in a while. A balance of work and rest keeps you from getting distracted. Come, let me accompany Mr. Wu Yin inside.”

“Much obliged.”

We passed through the foyer and into a wide corridor.

The servants on either side of the doors opened them for us.

The already noisy voices became even more palpable, making me furrow my brows involuntarily.

“Oh! Commander! Welcome, welcome!”

A portly man stepped forward enthusiastically, greeting Commander Walid warmly, while I was naturally ignored.

“Mr. Awiyeh! Seeing you still so energetic makes me feel all my fatigue is gone.”

“Not at all. It’s all the Commander’s credit. If you hadn’t protected us so well, how could we be here chatting idly?”

“Ahaha…”

Commander Walid glanced at me out of the corner of his eye.

I pretended not to notice.

“This isn’t just my own merit. We also have reinforcements from the City of Hope, Mr. Wu Yin and his team. Without them, we couldn’t have repelled the enemy’s attacks.”

“Oh oh, so this is Mr. Wu Yin?”

It was only then that this man seemed to notice me as if for the first time, changing his attitude and shook my hand eagerly.

“Pleasure to meet you. I’ve long heard that Mr. Wu Yin is young and promising. To have such ability at such a young age is truly admirable.”

Long heard?

You just found out about me, didn’t you?

Speechless, folks.

But on the surface, I had to go along with him.

After all, it’s not time to show my hand yet.

“Ah, let’s not just stand here. Let’s have something to eat and drink. This banquet is hosted by Grand Duke Laviyeh.”

“Cough-hm.”

A muffled cough came from the side.

That Awiyeh guy, who had been chattering incessantly, shuddered and forced a stiff smile as he hurried over.

“Ah! Grand Duke Laviyeh! For not greeting you first earlier, I’ve really failed…”

“Never mind. But a new guest arrives, and instead of letting the host greet him, you’re swift on your feet.”

“No, no… I… Ah, Mr. Havili is calling me. I’ll be going now.”

Awiyeh hastily greeted and scurried away.

“Hmph.”

I raised an eyebrow, observing the man respectfully addressed as Grand Duke Laviyeh.

The veins on his right hand were visibly protruding even in a normal state, spreading across the back of his hand.

After adjusting his beard slightly, Grand Duke Laviyeh turned his gaze back to Commander Walid and me.

I could sense that even Commander Walid was slightly nervous in front of this man.

“Excuse the ill manners, Commander Walid. And you, guest from afar, Mr. Wu Yin. I’ve heard a little about you and your team. Your footprints span the Three Continents, and you’ve been present in almost all the major battles in recent years. I hope your visit this time is to help us solve our problem.”

Grand Duke Laviyeh said to me in a meaningful tone, then gave a slight nod and returned to the center of the venue.

“How strange.”

Commander Walid muttered to himself, head down.

“What do you mean?”

“Grand Duke Laviyeh shouldn’t be interested in holding banquets, especially not now.”

I spread my hands.

I didn’t know either, but it worked well for me.

We moved to a spot slightly closer to the center of the venue.

Commander Walid was immediately pulled away by someone, leaving me alone.

Halfway through the banquet, Grand Duke Laviyeh stepped onto the stage and addressed the crowd: “Everyone! Today is the critical moment for the survival of our city!”

Everyone looked at Grand Duke Laviyeh.

The entire venue fell silent.

“Whenever crisis descends, a hero always appears! Our beloved Commander Walid! He led our brave soldiers, tenaciously repelling wave after wave of enemy attacks, crushing their morale. In this war, he is undoubtedly a hero worthy of admiration!”

Everyone’s gaze shifted to Commander Walid standing to the side.

He gave a wave of acknowledgment but didn’t say much.

But what was this?

A final rally before the decisive battle?

It shouldn’t be held here, should it?

“Of course, we also have our reliable reinforcements, Mr. Wu Yin and his team. It is thanks to their aid that we can sound the horn for the counterattack.”

Oho, now it was my turn to be stared at by the entire hall.

“Is that him?”

“He looks too young?”

“Can he really do it?”

If you’re so good, you do it.

Although I wanted to say that, in public, one must maintain basic decorum.

“It seems many of you have doubts about our Mr. Wu Yin. So let’s invite Mr. Wu Yin to address them.”

Grand Duke Laviyeh extended his hand, gesturing for me to come on stage.

What’s going on?

I was just eating melon over here.

I quickly put down the watermelon in my hand, wiped my mouth vigorously, and took Grand Duke Laviyeh’s place.

Oh well, it’s also within my plan.

“Cough, cough. I just have one thing to say here.”

Everyone was silent, not even a whisper.

I cleared my throat again and said: “From now on, until I allow it, none of you can leave this place even half a step.”