Chapter 1707 (2/2)

Randidly was about to launch into an explanation of the changes he made to the Engraving when he received a message that made him frown.

Come to Military High Command immediately. We need to converse.

The sender was Commandant Wick. Randidly narrowed his eyes as he examined the small message for hidden meanings. He hadn’t spoken to the Commandant since the man had offered him a position in helping with the Fifth Cohort… but out of fear that the Commandant sought to control him, Randidly had just gone directly to the fighting without asking to be deployed. He had even briefly used Raymund Ballast’s identity in order to do so openly.

This message was an unwelcome return of a dangerous existence into his current plans. At the moment, he was technically unassigned. As such, the Commandant was his superior in name but he wasn’t deployed. But Randidly couldn’t justify refusing the Commandant outright. So he gave an explanation to Nrorce and received a profoundly uninterested stare in return, then proceeded to the Nexus.

The buildings of Military High Command were as heavy and unwelcoming as Randidly remembered, cut out from the heavy granite in one of the lower levels of the Tier 1 Nexus. The guards in front of the broad doors gave him a sharp salute as he passed through their midst and proceeded onto the marble flooring. Compared to some of the other military members around, Randidly’s steps were quiet; his bare feet muffled most of the sound.

But if anything, he felt like the silence of his steps only drew more attention to him. Several tall bestial humanoids turned to regard Randidly as he walked forward. His muted steps marked him as different, as an other. In comparison to the sharp clip of boots, he was soft and gentle.

Considering these were the sort of people that condoned the actions of Nexus, Randidly found some solace in that obvious difference.

He proceeded down into darker and heavier hallways, filled with fat pillars and brutal suits of armor. Then, in one of the darkest corners of Military High Command, he arrived at Commandant Wick’s office. He rapped sharply on the darkwood door and then waited for almost two minutes, anticipating the icy treatment. Only when he heard the call of ‘come in’ from the interior of the office did Randidly push open the door.

The massive, furry, bear-form of Commandant Wick was just as Randidly remembered him. His heavy eyes might show a few more glimmers of the lurking madness held within by his tight reins of control, but otherwise, Commandant Wick seemed none the worse for wear for his confrontation with the Nether King. His uniform was impeccable, even as he leaned over the work on his desk.

“Sit,” The Commandant said simply, pointing toward a chair of polished bone that sat over to the side of the office. Randidly’s skin prickled at the proximity to the powerful Commandant; he was definitely short of those powerful Speculum, but he was still a monstrous foe for someone of Randidly’s caliber. So he seated himself in the cool chair without much comment.

Commandant flicked his wrist and brought a feathered quill to several more pieces of parchment, continuing to do paperwork while Randidly waited just a few meters away. For his part, Randidly was honestly somewhat relieved that the Commandant was doing this. He knew Commandant Wick was a stickler for rules and had been rather leery of his reaction to the way Randidly had deployed himself without consulting his superior officer into the Fifth Cohort. But considering that the Commandant was using these petty delaying tactics to get back at him… it seemed that the powerful member of Military High Command didn’t take his actions as seriously as he had feared.

After about ten minutes, the Commandant pushed himself up with his heavy arms and walked over to sit in a more comfortable chair near Randidly. As he settled himself, the bear humanoid scanned Randidly closely. “Hum…. you’ve gotten stronger once again. Interesting.”

Randidly cautiously inclined his head. He wondered how much the Commandant had into the growth of his Nether. Or perhaps he just noticed the sharpened and refined images?

Commandant Wick continued speaking, seeming to have just added the compliment as a fleeting thought. “There are two things to discuss. First… your Elite Squad is performing admirably. Even the other Commandants cannot help but give begrudging praises to all of the members. Heh. And please allow this grandfather to thank you for whipping my emotional grandaughter into shape… you’ve impressed upon her an aspect of your image, yes?”

“Yes,” Randidly agreed.

“An unruly, unreliable power in her hands,” The Commandant folded his heavy hands in his lap. “Still, not without concrete benefits for warriors at their insignificant level, however. I appreciate the advantage you have given her. I will not forget this favor.”

Not that I’ll tell you this, but… she earned it. Randidly thought.

“Which brings me to the second topic.” This time, Commandant Wick leaned forward and regarded Randidly with heavy eyes. Although he tried his best, Randidly couldn’t help but feel his pulse quicken under that constricting gaze. “You… I have heard rumors that you have begun pursuing the daughter of Don Beigon? Even going so far as to infiltrate his compound to profess your love for her?”

“Uh…” Randidly blinked several times. He had been prepared for another offer to have the Commandant reinforce his power or a forceful ultimatum. But this…

The Commandant chuckled. “No need to be shy. Men older and wilier than you have fallen for that girl’s charms. But I wish to support you in your courtship of her. Her father… is particularly irksome. I think he could stand to learn some humility.”

Meaning you wish to use me as a weapon to antagonize Don Beigon… Randidly pressed his lips together. And likely cast me aside when I affect him enough to draw his ire…

“What… what sort of… support…?” Randidly managed to spit out.

Commandant Wick’s wide bear mouth spread wide in a grin. “I might look like this… but let me assure you that I have as many descendants as I do because I am quite the lady’s man when I make an effort. I have arranged for a demonstration… one that will make your sincerity and determination clear to Claudette Beigon… and her father.”

Randidly genuinely had no idea what to say.