Chapter 1226 (2/2)
And you must be the Xyrt Brigade Admiral… Well he certainly makes my Grim Intuition tingle dangerously. Randidly rubbed his chin and glanced around. Then he walked over to join Vualla and the four other surviving Commanders who stood in a small group in front of the central three figures. Some of the other second in commands were scattered against the walls like Kailm and Nadia, intently focused on the Admiral of the Xyrt Brigade.
“If everyone is here, let’s begin,” The Admiral spoke in a deep, rumbling voice. He flicked his hand and an ornate scroll manifested there. With extreme gentleness, he unfurled the scroll and began to read. “After studying the various reports and memorandums filed, the Nexus Imperial Command has decided on the following resolutions to deal with the aftermath of the attack by the Nether King on the Forefather Frontline.
“Number one, having given his life for the Nexus, Lord Erron Miln, as represented of all the deceased, will be honored as a hero. Over the next hundred years, his homeworld will receive a triple tithe of Aether…”
Even as the Admiral continued to speak, Randidly’s Grim Intuition didn’t miss the way that Lady Iellaya abruptly became completely still. As though she was forcefully suppressing the urge to flinch. Shaking his head at the injustice, Randidly turned back to idly listen to the rest of the scroll.
Thankfully, there were only eight resolutions so the reading didn’t last very long. Most of it had to do with the restructuring of the forces here at the frontlines. Randidly was rather gratified when he heard resolution six: that Lady Jesse Iellaya be named Supreme Commander of this battlefront.
However, the next two resolutions left Randidly’s face creased in a worried frown.
“Number seven, in reward of their exemplary performance in the above-mentioned battle, the following individuals are promoted to Commander: Davis Sala, Quea Szah, and Randidly Ghosthound. Per Nexus regulations for ad-hoc battlefield promotions, all of their remaining sentences at the frontlines will be adjusted to five years, regardless of their current duty.”
“Number eight, Vualla Meteo will be transferred from this, the Forefathers Frontline, to the Inverted Spire to receive probationary training for the Xyrt Brigade. And if there is nothing further, you are all dismissed.”
Without waiting for any answer, the Admiral left. Lord Miln’s second followed soon after, seemingly pleased. A few of the other Commanders that had previously never given Randidly the time of day walked over to him and offered him their congratulations. He received them politely but kept giving Lady Iellaya sidelong glares.
This is NOT what we agreed on… spending five more years here? Even if it would greatly strengthen my images, the Earth will definitely encounter its first Calamity by then!
But Randidly could tell from Lady Iellaya’s expression that there was more going on that met the eye. So Randidly kept silent about his true feelings until the rest of the individuals who had been present in the courtyard departed. A half-hour after the eight resolutions had been read aloud to the remaining powerful individuals on the front line, Lady Iellaya, Vualla, and Randidly were alone in the fort. Without having to say anything, all three walked up the rickety wooden stairs to the still slightly lopsided battlement.
For several seconds after they arrived, all three-eyed the drifting blue veins suspiciously. Then they followed the movements of the Xyrt Brigade Admiral as he cautiously flew out into the Great Rift to investigate the strange, swirling Nether around the inert Nether King.
Finally, Randidly coughed lightly.
To his surprise, it was Vualla that sighed. “...this one’s my fault, sorry Randidly. But I truly think it will be worth it.”
Frowning, Randidly asked, “What do you mean?”
This time, Lady Iellaya spoke up. “Your girlfriend wanted to keep the body of Ileot Swacc. He’s not dead, simply… well, you should take a look at it later. Heh, the duplicated Vualla really did a number on him. But the headquarters certainly doesn’t believe that we don’t know where the body of Ileot is. So using a battlefield promotion to lock us into five years of mandatory service can be considered our punishment.”
Then Lady Iellaya gestured to Vualla. “Of course, the real irony is that Vualla here is under no suspicion whatsoever. She wasn’t seen heading to the final battlefield like both of us were. So she’s even being groomed to be a member of the Xyrt Brigade.”
“...but I can’t serve this term,” Randidly said blankly. “I need to get back to Earth as quickly as possible. Maybe I could stay here for a few more months but beyond that… Lady Iellaya, can you use your authority to do something about it?”
“Relax, I won’t let it come to that,” Vualla reached out and squeezed Randidly’s hand. “The whole reason that I need Ileot’s body is so that I can replace the original Vualla’s body at the core of the overlay System. Once she’s freed, she will be able to dismiss us from military service directly. It shouldn’t take more than six months to handle the transition.”
Randidly blinked slowly as he began to unpack what that would mean. Freeing up the original Vualla…?
But before he came to grips with that news, Lady Iellaya chuckled. “Besides, you’re a Commander now, Randidly Ghosthound; did you think you couldn’t take a vacation?”