Silence fell once more and an eerie sort of cold swept by. It was clear and obvious that Sylas was going to target either the General or the City Lord, and while this made sense…
Bold.
That was what it was. Truly bold.
Somewhere in this chain, one or the other was lied to. Either the General submitted a false report to the City Lord, or the City Lord was pulling strings and lied to the General.
The government of Guiz City, and System Cities in general, all had checks and balances. The military was a check to the City Lord and the Nobles, while the Nobles were a check to the military.
Sylas had inadvertently… or maybe very purposely pressed down on this hot button issue.
The way Sylas was received after he used his Noble Title to become a Military Official said all that needed to be said. There were certainly clashes between these two factions already.
Suddenly, it became clear why Sylas knew that the appearance of these people in the surroundings would only benefit him. He wasn’t just a Captain… he was a Baron. And it seemed that right now, the Military had just targeted a Baron for little to no reason, and without even the care to double-check their own work.
It looked like outright corruption, and it was difficult for anyone to refute.
Colonel Hulk’s expression became a bit dark as he spoke in a slow, gruff voice.
“According to the files, this was reported by General Aleen and approved by the City Lord.”
Sylas hid the disappointment in his heart. It seemed that the City Lord had still covered their bases somewhat. If it had been directly ordered by the City Lord, then Sylas would have been able to levy a challenge right at him.
Of course, this challenge wouldn’t be in battle. This alone wasn’t enough for that. Plus, the City Lord was too powerful for Sylas to deal with right now.
Instead, this sort of report would have been a demerit on the City Lord’s position and would have allowed a Noble Challenge of sorts. So long as one was a Duke, you would be able to trigger an election for the City Lord position.
Sylas was obviously a long way from Duke. But just outing this current City Lord for one that was more likely to have been curated by the system would make things far easier.
However, this was fine as well. Although it was the lesser option, he could arguably gain more from it.
His first plan was to oust the City Lord, but this one might allow him to become a General, directly skipping over the Colonel rank.
“I see that General Aleen is not present, but I will say these words regardless. I don’t know if General Aleen was given false information, and I don’t claim to know their heart, but what I do know is that someone who is so incompetent does not have the right to the title of General.”
There were audible gasps at these words.
The military was a strict place with hierarchy meant for life and death. A Captain badmouthing a General in such an open setting might lead to a court martial all on its own.
However, it was impossible to refute Sylas’ words nonetheless… especially when there were laws in place for this very matter.
“General Aleen had me put in a cell for more than two days, accused me of something without their due diligence, and spit in the face of the balance of Military and Nobility in our noble Guiz City.
“I demand the right to challenge General Aleen for their position. They are not fit to lead.”
Colonel Hulk’s pupils constricted, but his blood boiled and his heart thumped. Although he didn’t feel like Sylas had a chance in a battle like this one, the hot blood of youth was something that only military men and women could appreciate.
The voice of the crowd of nobles in the surroundings also seemed to very much support this.
“This matter… cannot be decided by me.” Colonel Hulk said after a long while.
“The esteemed Colonel need not take responsibility for this.”
Sylas turned 90 degrees and bowed toward a section of Dukes. It was an etiquette he wasn’t sure was common in Guiz City or not, but no matter what the culture, anyone would see a bow as a sign of respect so he didn’t believe that adding it in would harm him in any way.
Guiz City had three Dukes, and it would only take two of them to approve this matter.
Seeing how a majority of them were already fired up, Sylas knew that he had one.
“If the Dukes would allow me this chance to clear my name, this Baron would be eternally grateful.”
Those words sealed the deal.
Colonel Hulk sighed when Sylas called himself a Baron, but he already knew that this kid was angling for something greater.
Whether Sylas was taking advantage of a situation or not, it didn’t matter since he was certainly in the right. The fact that he was court-martialed for such a thing was the pinnacle of ridiculousness.
“I approve!” Duke Kraga’s voice boomed. Not only was he a Duke, but he was also, like Sylas, playing a role in the military as a General.
“I also approve!” The charming voice of a middle-aged woman echoed next. She wasn’t a part of the military, but she had a doting eye in her gaze as she looked at Sylas as though he was her own son.
This was Duchess Ravene. Well-respected for her kindness and charitability, and also well-known as the top beauty of Guiz City despite her age.
The last Duke, a certain Duke Guiz, could only look on with a cold expression but was already unable to say anything.
The matter was set, though informally.
Soon, however, this informal approval moved through official channels.
Mere hours later, City Lord Plinli had the challenge issue on his desk and his expression was as dark as ash.
In three days’ time, Sylas Grimblade would fight a battle against General Aleen. The matter could no longer be changed.
Plinli leaned back in his chair. How had things grown so out of control so quickly?
