On the bumpy, uneven road, a tall carriage jolted and bounced along. Although dozens of soldiers surrounded the carriage, no one spoke a word. The entire convoy felt so silent and desolate…
Chouri sat alone inside the carriage, gazing at the empty seat beside him as if he could still see the adorable figure of his beloved daughter there. Every time he recalled that foolish young man holding his daughter while cheerfully waving goodbye to him, even the most composed old master felt the urge to lash out!
Clack clack clack…
The sound of wheels shaking and grinding came again, and after a sudden jolt, the carriage stopped once more.
"Master, ahead… ahead…"
Outside, the frantic and confused voice of the driver soldier came again, exactly like when they had encountered that foolish young man and the demon girl before.
"What ahead? If it's bandits, just chop them down! Spear is no more, do you expect me to take action myself?!"
The old master was furious and shouted at the soldiers. Although he said that, Chouri still stormed out angrily.
Who the hell was blocking his way again? Spear was gone, and now he was invincible. Who could still threaten him?!
"Master, look, that person ahead…"
The soldier was helpless and forced a bitter smile, pointing to a figure not far ahead for Chouri.
Silver hair, silver eyes, a cold yet heroic face. Though not tall in stature under her tightly bound clothes, she stood there with such presence that no one dared to underestimate her.
Because she was none other than General Najenda, the empire's most strategic and intelligent former top female general in history!
The soldiers couldn't help but mutter to themselves: Is today some kind of "General's Day"? These famous generals, rarely seen, were appearing one after another. Although General Najenda's reputation was not as fearsome as the two demon generals before, in the hearts of all soldiers, her prestige was the highest.
Even though the soldiers had heard that General Najenda had betrayed the empire and joined the Revolutionary Army!
"Lord Chouri, we meet again. Najenda pays her respects to you."
Najenda showed great respect to Chouri, a veteran minister of the empire who was wholeheartedly devoted to the people. She stepped forward and saluted him.
"Najenda, you are Najenda…"
"Hmph, you traitor, what are you doing appearing before me? Get lost immediately! Or don't blame me for showing no mercy and capturing you to be punished by His Majesty!"
Seeing the general girl he had always admired in the past, Chouri's expression froze. A faint smile had appeared on his face, but suddenly he thought of something and his expression turned cold as he shouted at Najenda without any courtesy.
"Lord Chouri is still as… cough! Lord Chouri, please don't be angry. I just have some things I want to discuss with you."
Having been told to get lost, Najenda's heroic face flushed slightly. She somewhat agreed with Esdeath's previous words calling the old man stubborn, but she could never say such things herself.
"Hmph! What is it? Say it quickly and don't block the way, then get lost!"
Feeling this girl was much more agreeable than that foolish young man and demon girl before, Chouri's expression softened a bit. But considering her current status, he still showed no kindness.
"Lord Chouri, Najenda knows you are a good official devoted to the people, a rare talent for this country. So I hope to invite you to join the Revolutionary Army to save the people from suffering and overthrow this corrupt empire!"
Najenda didn't care about the old man's attitude. She was well-mannered and respected his seniority. Being shouted at by him was something she could accept, so she directly stated her purpose.
"Hmm… What?! How dare you! Najenda, this is treason! You… you…"
Hearing Najenda's words, the old man felt extremely pleased and nodded while stroking his beard. But when she said the latter part, he was stunned and his expression changed drastically. He shouted at Najenda in anger, unable to speak properly.
This is outrageous! Absolutely outrageous! You betrayed the empire yourself, and now you dare to try to turn me? Am I the kind of person who sells out his country for glory? This infuriates me to death!
"Guards! Capture this traitor! Capture her!"
Previously, he thought this girl was talented, even if temporarily misguided, it was understandable. But now she was scheming against him, which was unforgivable! Chouri loudly ordered the soldiers behind him.
The soldiers looked at each other unwillingly. Najenda was a godlike figure in their hearts, especially as a woman! Who could bear to do it? Who dared?
They hesitated, pushed, and argued, unable to move forward for a long time. They cast pleading looks at Najenda, silently begging her to spare them and run away. Seeing this, the old man was furious and paced anxiously.
He wanted to kick them to hurry up, but ended up kicking iron shackles and hurt his own old foot. The traitorous soldiers then brightened their eyes and swarmed around him, asking if he was okay.
The old man was furious: I told you to catch Najenda, not to care about me!
"Alright, all of you step aside."
Sighing slightly, Najenda spoke to the soldiers.
"Yes, General Najenda!"
The soldiers stood in formation and respectfully responded, then stepped aside.
"Ungrateful wretches! Ungrateful wretches!!"
The old man felt desolate inside. Disobeying his orders but so obedient to an outsider!
Ungrateful wolves! They were all ungrateful wolves!
"Lord Chouri, please calm down and listen to me first."
Helping the old man up from the ground, Najenda spoke gently, even with a hint of pleading in her tone.
"Hmph!"
Still cold, but this time the old man didn't refuse.
His daughter had been kidnapped, and these ungrateful wolves were bullying him with outsiders. How could his old arms and legs still fight? The old man felt deeply sorrowful.
"This country is completely rotten, corrupt and suffering. The emperor is mentally closed off, willingly becoming a puppet of the ministers, letting the empire's thousand-year foundation crumble. If this continues, this country truly has no future!"
Najenda spoke earnestly. The soldiers around were deeply moved, and even the old man no longer looked down on her.
"Hmph! Najenda, it's surprising you understand these truths! Then why did you betray the empire instead of helping His Majesty restore order and save the people?"
With a cold laugh, the old man bluntly questioned Najenda.
"Lord Chouri, this empire is beyond saving. Neither His Majesty nor the ministers will give us a chance. So to save this country, I chose another path."
"I once had hope for this empire, but was met with exclusion everywhere. His Majesty no longer trusts me. Lord Chouri, you should understand this too. If it weren't for General Sora sending someone, but the ministers directly, you might already be dead."
Najenda shook her head and replied with helplessness and sorrow. As she said, it wasn't that she didn't want to save the empire, but the empire wouldn't let her!
"I…"
Trying to argue, Chouri suddenly found himself speechless.
He couldn't ignore what had happened before. Though retired, he still wanted to help save the country, but the country sent people to assassinate him! Such sorrow and despair couldn't be expressed in a few words…
Seeing the old man beginning to waver, a strange light flashed in Najenda's eyes. She thought she had a chance!
Knowing it was time to press hard, she continued:
"Lord Chouri, even if not for yourself, shouldn't you at least think about Miss Spear? You must have heard about General Sora. Do you really think Miss Spear can come out unscathed in his hands? I'm afraid…"
Thinking about that detestable guy who is always tormenting her, Najenda felt a surge of anger. So speaking ill of him caused her no pressure at all.
Besides, she wasn't speaking ill—everything was the truth! Recalling how that bastard once snatched Lord Chouri's beloved daughter and held her in his arms, unwilling to let go, Najenda couldn't help but wish the heavens would drop an egg and smash him to death!
"Spear… no!!!"
Najenda's reminder suddenly made the old lord realize something, and his expression turned alarmed!
Rumor had it that the scoundrel was infamous throughout the empire for being a notorious womanizer. Wherever there was a beautiful girl, he would snatch her away. Many renowned noble ladies across the continent had been ruined by that scoundrel! His own daughter was so outstanding—how could that guy possibly resist?
This was bad, very bad. His precious daughter…
The old lord was overwhelmed with sorrow and regret. How could he have been so foolish before, agreeing to this without thinking? Wasn't he just pushing his poor Spear into the fire himself?
Seeing the old man so heartbroken, Najenda felt a bit awkward. She actually wanted to tell him it wasn't that serious. Although his daughter's chastity was likely lost and she was destined to be tormented by that bastard every day, that guy was always good to his women, so life wouldn't be too bad!
Well, although she felt she had a say in this, Najenda's rationality made her choose silence.
"Alright, I will go with you! But I have one condition—you must rescue my Spear from that scoundrel's hands!"
Grasping Najenda's hand tightly, Chouri was in tears. Betraying the empire he had devoted his life to was agonizing, but when it came to his daughter, he made his choice.
"Wonderful, Lord Chouri! Welcome to our cause! Don't worry, we will definitely rescue Miss Spear!" A glimmer of joy flashed in Najenda's eyes as she said excitedly.
She felt she had truly fallen, even deceiving this old man together with that bastard Sora. But whether for him or for the world, it was a good thing—falling or not!
The old man was straightforward Since he agreed to join Najenda's revolutionary army, he didn't hesitate. He didn't return home but took group of and joined the revolution directly.
As for those soldiers, they had long wanted to do this. Each was extremely excited and thrilled. To be soldiers under General Najenda again was such a happiness and honor…