Captain – Chapter 224 – Taking His Place

As the young woman’s silhouette disappeared at the entrance, the warmth and tenderness lingering from the engagement ceremony seemed to be blown away by the growing sultry wind outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, leaving only an uneasy restlessness and the final tranquility before a storm powerful enough to overturn the entire city of Elvet.

The officers had all left along with Roy. The only person from the military still remaining in the hall was Admiral Gavin, who silently observed the Governor and the Bishop, as if waiting for something to happen.

Withdrawing his gaze from Caine, who stood with clenched fists, Naren took the transit document bearing a blood-red seal from the Bishop’s hand, then turned and slowly walked to the Admiral.

Feeling the Governor’s intimidating gaze, the Admiral instinctively lowered his head slightly: “Governor, His Majesty’s decree…”

Though his words were unfinished, his meaning was clear.

Neither the Church nor the Imperial Governor had the authority to withhold the Emperor’s decree. Additionally, losing an imperial decree during a mission was a serious crime. So by any standard, Naren should return the transit document to him.

“I will keep this decree for now. If His Majesty finds fault, you can say that I, Naren, disregarded the prohibition and forcibly detained it.”

The Governor’s voice was flat, his expression unchanged, but this declaration, which could be considered a grave offense of defiance, far from easing the Admiral’s mind, caused cold sweat to break out on his forehead.

Naren’s gaze seemed to possess some magical power, effortlessly penetrating certain thoughts in the Admiral’s mind. He methodically rolled up the parchment in his hand and spoke rather coldly: “Gavin, for the sake of our having worked together often before you became Admiral and took jurisdiction over Elvet, let me advise you.”

“As a military man, there are things one cannot do. Forging His Majesty’s decree, bringing troops to forcibly enter a church district, and taking away someone whose guilt has not been proven without explanation—if exposed, any one of these would be enough to send you to the gallows.”

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Gavin’s gaze flickered for a moment before he calmly countered: “Governor, who do you think in the Empire would have the courage, or rather the ability, to counterfeit His Majesty’s seal? Moreover, without His Majesty’s personal approval, how would the military approve this plan?”

“As for taking away someone whose guilt has not been proven, you were present just now and should know it was the young lady’s own decision. Once the interrogation is over, if she truly proves innocent, I will personally escort her back to that treasure ship.”

Hearing the Admiral’s righteous words, the Governor remained silent for a long time before slowly saying: “Whether this decree is a forgery will be known after I write to inquire of His Majesty. As for who has such courage and skill, I think at least you do not.”

After speaking, Naren seemed to fall into deep contemplation and did not speak again for a long time.

Just as Gavin was becoming unable to bear the pressure and was looking for an opportunity to request leave, the Governor spoke softly: “The ability to forge His Majesty’s decree while concealing it from him and pushing forward such a plan—in today’s Auran Empire, only two people could accomplish this. One is Marshal Auston, and the other…”

“Is Robert Alexander.”

Upon hearing this, the Admiral’s breathing suddenly quickened slightly. Although he concealed it well, it did not escape the Governor’s eyes.

“Whether it’s the old Marshal being deceived, or Robert harboring unorthodox thoughts, I will investigate personally.”

Naren tucked the rolled parchment into his robe and gazed at the Admiral whose composure was visibly disturbed, warning coldly: “But as for you, I hope that even if you don’t care about your own future, you should think clearly about the future of your subordinates. Know that once entangled in such matters, it’s not easy to extricate oneself, Gavin…”

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“That’s all I have to say. Take care of yourself.”

The Admiral ultimately failed to retrieve the document.

After receiving the Governor’s warning, Gavin left the church with an inscrutable expression, taking the soldiers waiting in the square and departing the church district without delay.

The Bishop also left to deal with the blasphemer and more troublesome matters, leaving only father and son Naren in the spacious hall.

Approaching footsteps pulled Caine from his thoughts. He looked up at the Governor coming near and called softly: “Father.”

“How was it? What did Captain Roy leave you with? Don’t tell me you two were really just talking sweet nothings.”

Seeing the young man’s face still calm, Naren’s mood lightened somewhat. He casually sat down on the first row of pews and looked up inquiringly.

At the Governor’s gesture, Caine sat beside him and briefly recounted the information the young woman had given him.

“So it really is Robert. It seems neither I, Federo, nor His Majesty could see his true face.”

Learning of that Governor’s intentions, Naren frowned slightly as he analyzed: “If everything truly proceeds according to his wishes, then with me completely unprepared, relying on the interrogations of my political enemies, the military’s stance, and the public’s will, it really might be possible to force His Majesty to compromise and have me resign from the position of Governor.”

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“In that case, with Federo’s retirement as a prerequisite and me being forced to step down, the supporting forces around His Majesty would be severely weakened, and the Empire would have only one Governor for several years, perhaps even a decade or more.”

At this point, Naren concluded in a low voice: “A Governor who controls vast political power, possesses his own forces within the army… enough to rival His Majesty in all aspects.”

“But what’s the meaning of this? Robert may be only a distant relative of His Majesty, but he still has Alexander family blood flowing in his veins and is a member of the current royal family.”

Caine said, puzzled: “Even if he could force you to step down, the power and influence he would possess, as well as the assistance to the Alexander family, would never exceed what he has now by working with you. If so, isn’t his action like cutting off one of the royal family’s arms?”

Although Naren had now retired from his position as Navy Commander, his unparalleled military achievements and honors still gave him enormous influence in the military. Among the public, he was titled a hero of the Empire, enjoying unprecedented support.

At the peak of his fame and power, Naren indeed had the strength to threaten the royal family. But in the years that followed, he retired from the frontlines, partly due to the impact of that tragedy, but also partly to alleviate the old Emperor’s concerns.

The existence of such a shining statue, a loyal subject, would definitely be more beneficial than Robert holding sole power.

It was precisely because he understood his own importance and the trust the Emperor had placed in him that Naren could see through the false decree at a glance and identify the mastermind behind this series of maneuvers as being between the Imperial Marshal and Robert.

But despite this, the Governor still found it difficult to answer the young man’s question, because he truly could not imagine what reason would make that man willing to weaken the family’s strength and target him by any means necessary.

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Because of Caine’s question, the hall fell into a brief silence.

This father and son pair, both exceptionally sensitive to politics and military affairs, both having held high positions in the military, finally sat side by side again after such a long time, facing the approaching storm together.

After who knows how long, Caine seemed to think of a possibility, his eyes suddenly focusing, and at the same time, the Governor’s extremely grave words slowly sounded.

“Unless… he wants to take his place, to sit on the throne himself.”

After speaking, Naren stood up expressionlessly and said to the young man whose face had turned somewhat grim: “You need to return to the Mermaid immediately. With those pirates around, at least your safety can be guaranteed.”

“What about you?” Caine rose, supporting himself on the back of the chair, and asked softly.

“Me?”

The Governor smiled enigmatically and, after leaving behind a statement that sounded like a sigh, walked away without looking back.

“I’m going to write to His Majesty… and Federo.”