Chapter 1495 (2/2)

The corner of Randidly’s mouth twitched. In the next second, an enormous tree grew rapidly upward in the space around his body. The leaves rustled lightly from a non-existent breeze and the massive branches creaked and groaned as the whole structure shifted. The color of the bark was rich and varied as the tree continued to grow upward.

In terms of detail, Randidly really had improved. The tree that manifested in the room caught the eye of the viewers and held it. The life-giving energy it released was apparent and abundant. It was not singular, but the effect was certainly compelling. The benefits he could provide to the soldiers underneath his command was obvious.

Or at least, Lady Iellaya hoped it was so.

“Beyond the healing aura, Commander Ghosthound is also able to spread out a veritable sea of thorny roots toward foes,” Lady Iellaya continued. “They can defeat the average Nether Beast with ease, and at least slow Nether Gatekeepers down. For the same reason, he is uniquely suited to observe and interact with a large group of individuals at once. With his high Perception and Control, he is a premier candidate to train our elites.”

“Have him try and manifest his roots within the room.” The Special Investigator from the Xyrt Brigade grunted. Then he smiled cheekily over at Lady Iellaya. She pressed her lips into a line but didn’t say anything. She knew she didn’t have to.

A split second later, a physical tree rapidly grew out of the ground in front of Randidly Ghosthound to match the spectral one hanging over him. Randidly didn’t even find the request strange. Thick and dangerous roots lined with thorns rolled around the periphery of the tree like drunken snakes. Meanwhile, the five people sitting at the panel straightened, their eyes widening. They stared, captivated, at the very real tree in front of them as its roots steadily slithered outward and its trunk thickened. Even the Special Investigator sat up and stared solemnly at Randidly.

The smaller of the two individuals from the NLC blinked rapidly, attempted to figure out what was going on in front of her. “Even through the seals on this space…!”

For his part, Randidly seemed rather confused by their aghast reaction. But just as soon as the serious note entered into the Special Investigator's eyes while he gazed at Randidly, he snorted and leaned back in his chair. “Ha, very funny. He didn’t generate these, he simply inflated biological matter that was already present in the room. Truly, what a nice parlor trick you arranged for us.”

“If you wanted a better test of his capabilities,” Lady Iellaya said with relish laid thick across every word. “You should have asked for one.”

Then she smiled widely at him.

That certainly silenced the Special Investigator. It also ran the risk of earning his ire, but Lady Iellaya figured it was a worthy gamble considering the fact he had abstained from every vote thus far; seeing the Special Investigator mocked would improve the Commandant’s mood. She spared a small look to the side. The man positively hummed with glee. His eyes were almost hidden within the laugh lines around his eyes. At least on that count, it would appear that she had succeeded. Hopefully, this good cheer would be enough to sway his vote.

“Can he though? Manifest directly in the room?” The NLC representative asked. She leaned forward, her eyes traveling up and down Randidly’s body.

Lady Iellaya looked over at Randidly. The expression on his face clearly conveyed that he didn’t really understand what he was being asked. Considering he didn’t know much about the Nexus, that made a fair amount of sense. So Lady Iellaya decisively shook her head. “He cannot.”

There were two types of wards on this interview room and both of them were quite strong. Lady Iellaya didn’t even fancy her own chances of breaking through them in a short amount of time. One set of Engravings limited new substances being created in the room and the other prevented any substances coming into the room through any method but the door. But Randidly Ghosthound got around both of these from working with the small bits of biological matter that were already present in the room. Which kept the display within the acceptable range of power level for the Drill Sergeant, after the initial shock faded.

“Also,” The other NLC woman adjusted her glasses. “Commander Ghosthound has been on leave since earning his command, correct? Do you believe that he has retained his edge while being away from the front for the past few months.”

“Yes,” Lady Iellaya could respond here without any irony or artifice. “His work ethic is staggering. As you’ve likely noticed from the report, his planet is still undergoing the Calamities. In an effort to better prepare the situation in the Nexus for his homeworld, he is completely dedicated to improving his own capabilities. He is their lifeline.”

Next to her, Commandant Wick shifted slightly, like a bear waking from hibernation. “But… isn’t that also a drawback? We cannot have him leave to face the Calamity while the Nexus struggles against the greatest threat to existence we have ever encountered. The Nether will not wait for his planet.”

“He will not be returning to help his planet with the Calamities,” Lady Iellaya responded calmly. She actually had no idea what Randidly would do at that time, but being honest here was a death sentence. “He understands that his greatest chance of protecting his planet is by working in the Nexus. With enough Coins of Territory, his entire world would be safe, regardless of the outcome of the Calamities.”

The Commandant folded his hairy arms. The smaller of the two NLC members stirred again. “And… just to be clear, he never has actually done anything as Commander. He was appointed to that position only a few months ago. Since then, there have been no major attacks.”

“That is true,” Lady Iellaya allowed. She opened her mouth to speak again of the capability Randidly Ghosthound demonstrated, but the Special Investigator cut across her.

“Let’s put it to a vote.” The Xyrt Brigade soldier squinted down at Randidly before speaking again with a shrug. “I abstain.”

“For,” The larger of the NLC members said.

Her smaller counterpart frowned at her. “Against.”

“For,” Lady Iellaya said. Then she looked to Commandant Wick.

The man was silent for several seconds, clearly savoring the power he possessed as the swing vote. It was exactly to give him this opportunity that Lady Iellaya had spoken first; everything was to prime his mood to accept this candidate. As long as the Commandant agreed, Randidly would have the chance.

Lady Iellaya’s heart began to sink as the Commandant sighed. “He has no experience with this sort of task… but, I must admit that he does have some unpolished charm. So… well, I cannot in good conscience put him in charge of our most talented youths. He is no more but a boy himself. I... also abstain.”

“Without three Fors, the motion fails. This applicant is rejected,” the smaller NLC woman announced.

Lady Iellaya felt very cold. The Special Investigator shooed Randidly like he was a naughty pet. “Okay, okay, we are done with you. Send the next applicant into the chambers.”