Captain – Chapter 227 – The Soldiers Blocking the Way

The flapping of wings grew closer as the raven swiftly glided through the sky, its eyes like black pearls firmly locked on the carriage slowly traveling across the open country, surrounded by soldiers.

Elvet bordered the west, with open plains on all sides, and the garrison that maintained the city’s security was located not far to the north.

Leaving through Elvet’s northern gate and following the smooth stone road, it took less than twenty minutes before the outline of the gray-white fortress entered the soldiers’ view.

Against the backdrop of the dim sky, that impregnable military masterpiece stood solemnly on the plain like a divine statue.

“Report, sir, in about ten minutes, we’ll reach Fort Plack,” the adjutant, riding a black stallion alongside the carriage, reported quietly to General Gavin, who had opened the window and lifted the curtain.

Since taking Roy from the cathedral meant the successful completion of the plan, those officers who had received military orders and followed General Gavin to Elvet had left with their subordinates shortly after departing from the city gate.

Now, accompanying the carriage, apart from the general’s guards, only Colonel Berney remained.

“Very good. Maintain speed.”

Nodding slightly to his adjutant, Gavin closed the window and lowered the curtain, shutting out the sound of numerous footsteps outside the carriage.

Rеad οո КatReaԁіngСafе

Then he turned his gaze toward the young woman who had been watching him: “No need to be nervous. If nothing unexpected happens, you’ll soon be sent back to that treasure ship.”

If nothing unexpected happens…

Silently repeating these four words, Roy inwardly sighed.

From their first meeting at the cathedral to leaving the city and heading toward the fortress, during this brief time, she had formed a preliminary judgment of the general’s position: although he leaned toward Robert, he still maintained a soldier’s integrity and loyalty to the country, disdaining to frame the innocent to achieve his goals and unwilling to let Auran be plunged into turmoil because of this matter.

This was evident in the general’s change of attitude toward her after Berney’s accusation failed, his handling of the incident at the cathedral, and his expectations for the final outcome of this farce.

Judging from this, he was not necessarily Robert the Governor’s fervent supporter, but more likely someone captivated by that man’s persuasive rhetoric, thus becoming yet another of his pawns.

For this reason, he might not even know what this operation represented, the danger he currently faced, let alone know how ruthless and shameless that man could be to make everything proceed according to his wishes.

That man would never watch idly as she entered the fortress, for that would hand the initiative over to the military, making matters more complicated.

Reаԁ οո ΚαtReαԁіnɡСafе

So the unexpected would certainly happen, perhaps in the next moment.

Just as Roy was thinking silently, the previously stable carriage suddenly jolted.

Gavin lifted the curtain, opened the window, and frowned at his adjutant who had pulled the reins to halt the warhorse: “Why have we stopped? What’s happened?”

“Report, sir, someone is blocking the road. It appears to be… another group of soldiers.”

The adjutant’s brow was equally furrowed. He left with a “I’ll inquire about the situation” and urged his warhorse forward at a slow pace toward the soldiers standing in formation ahead, blocking the way.

Shortly after, the adjutant returned to the window to report to Gavin: “Sir, it’s the garrison from Nickaga. They should technically be Colonel Berney’s subordinates, but…”

“But what?”

Seeing the adjutant’s hesitation, the general asked with a stern face: “The Nickaga garrison isn’t staying at their post, but instead comes to our jurisdiction to block the road—what are they trying to do?”

“Also, does Colonel Berney know that without mobilization orders, privately relocating military forces from their station is a serious violation that could result in being sent to a military court?”

Read οn ΚatRеαԁіոɡСafе

Nickaga was a large city in western Auran, the core area for the Empire’s pastoral, agricultural, and related trade. Although its economy was not as developed as Elvet’s, in terms of importance and strategic significance, it even surpassed this city of trade.

Privately utilizing the garrison from such an important area, let alone deploying them far to Elvet, which was at least half a month’s journey from Nickaga—once such an egregious situation was discovered by the military higher-ups, a charge of endangering imperial security would be unavoidable.

Hearing this, the adjutant’s expression became somewhat strange as he explained: “Sir, there are only about a dozen men blocking the road. Their leader claims they are the Colonel’s personal guards, here to protect his safety. But the problem is… the Colonel apparently knows nothing about this.”

Learning that there were only a dozen men and they were Berney’s personal guards, Gavin’s expression softened considerably, but quickly darkened again at the adjutant’s last sentence. He asked coldly: “What does that mean?”

“I’m not sure, sir. The Colonel is currently negotiating with them. Those soldiers also seem completely confused.”

The adjutant shook his head and continued: “Additionally, their leader—we saw him at that ball—seems to be that person’s servant. He said he wants to meet with you, and also…”

Glancing at Roy who was watching him, the adjutant hesitated before saying: “This young lady.”

Hearing the word “ball,” the general’s gaze suddenly focused. After contemplating for a long time, he seemed to make up his mind and turned his gaze back to the young woman.

Rеαⅾ οո КatRеαdiոɡСаfе

Seeing this, Roy blinked and revealed a meaningful smile: “This seems to be an invitation that cannot be refused, isn’t it?”

“No, you can refuse, and I will uphold your right to choose.”

The implied sarcasm in the young woman’s words seemed to prick something in Gavin’s heart. The resolve he had just made wavered due to his own principles. After a moment of silence, he slowly and firmly shook his head.

“I must admit, apart from certain scoundrels, Auran soldiers are indeed worthy of respect. After all, my lover was originally one of you. Both in him and in you, I can sense a quality that puts one’s heart at ease.”

Roy sighed lightly, her tone rather emotional.

But soon, a smile bloomed on her face again: “With your protection, being an Auran might be a fortunate thing. Unfortunately, that fortune ultimately doesn’t belong to me. General, I truly appreciate your respect, and sincerely hope that you can stand in the right position during this storm.”

After saying these somewhat puzzling words to Gavin, the young woman finally nodded to him gently. Then, as the adjutant dismounted and politely opened the door, she left the carriage without hesitation and walked toward the group of soldiers blocking the road…

Toward that servant with his head slightly bowed, dressed in simple attire.