Captain – Chapter 228 – Rootless Duckweed

As the young woman’s footsteps sounded, the soldiers slowly parted on both sides, clearing a path for her to pass through.

At the end of that path, the servant who had been keeping his head lowered and ignoring Colonel Berney’s questions seemed to sense something. He raised his eyes toward Roy as she approached, a hint of anticipation flickering in his deep purple eyes, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue at its prey.

When the awaited person finally came before him, the servant slightly bowed, humbly and respectfully calling out: “I’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival, Miss.”

Roy’s eyebrows raised slightly, somewhat surprised by Tomb Bat’s form of address, but she quickly regained her composure and asked calmly: “Why are you here?”

Hearing their conversation, the Colonel beside them unconsciously opened his mouth, seemingly astonished by their acquaintance.

Facing the Captain’s inquiry, Tomb Bat did not answer, but shifted his gaze slightly to fall upon General Gavin, who had descended from the carriage and was walking toward them.

Only when the General and his adjutant approached did the servant finally speak: “From now on, this young lady’s matter will be handled by Colonel Berney, and her destination for trial will be changed from St. Caloie to Nickaga, departing immediately.”

Hearing this, Gavin glanced at the soldiers and warhorses behind the servant, as well as the carriage they surrounded, his brow inevitably furrowing: “According to the military’s established plan, I am fully responsible for this operation. Even those with higher rank than mine have no right to intervene, yet you want me to hand everything over to him?”

Feeling the General’s gaze turn to him, Berney coughed dryly, laughing somewhat awkwardly: “I… I haven’t received any notification from superiors either, General.”

“I came precisely to convey the intentions of the superiors.”

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Hearing the General’s question, Tomb Bat gestured to the soldiers behind him. Soon, a rolled document was delivered to his hand, then passed to the General before him.

Untying the pale gold cord and unfolding the document, Gavin’s gaze quickly moved through the lines. As he read, his expression grew increasingly grave, until he saw the forceful signature at the end of the scroll, when the flickering light in his eyes gradually solidified.

After a long silence, the General retied the document, handed it to Berney, then fixed his gaze on the servant and asked slowly: “Whose intention is this exactly?”

Feeling the hidden anger and force contained in Gavin’s words, Tomb Bat lowered his head as if afraid to meet his gaze: “It is the Marshal’s intention, sir.”

Hearing the title in the servant’s words, the nearby soldiers couldn’t help but reveal shocked expressions. But the General seemed not to have heard, his face still as stern as iron: “I hope you’re not deceiving me. The dignity of the military is not to be trifled with.”

“You can verify with the Marshal yourself.”

As he spoke, Tomb Bat raised his head, looking at the General through his hair, his eyes devoid of any emotion: “But before that, you must ensure the military order in the document is implemented. Otherwise, when the Marshal assigns blame, neither you nor the Colonel will be able to bear it.”

His eye twitching, the General suppressed his anger and said coldly: “But we have no evidence to prove this young lady is Captain Roy. Under such circumstances, neither the imperial court nor the military itself has the qualification to judge her.”

“Whether she is an imperial criminal or not, the Colonel will naturally interrogate thoroughly. If she is indeed innocent, I believe the Colonel won’t make things difficult for her, right?”

Tomb Bat tilted his head slightly, glancing at Berney whose face was equally grim, then said to the General: “Of course, I am merely a messenger. As for whether to obey the order, how to hand over military affairs—that’s all up to you, sir. But I hope…”

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“You won’t forget your identity and position.”

The General’s identity was that of a soldier, and as an Auran soldier, obedience to military orders was a nature ingrained in the bone.

In the eyes of the uninformed soldiers, this was merely a kind reminder from the servant. But to Gavin’s ears, these words carried a heavy warning.

What the other wanted to warn him about was not just his identity as a soldier, but also the position he occupied in the approaching storm.

But what neither Tomb Bat nor that lord knew was that after Berney’s accusation failed, the gunshot at the cathedral, and the contemplation along the way, Gavin had begun to waver in his choice.

The servant’s warning rang like a bell in his heart, making him understand the true meaning behind the young woman’s words before she left the carriage.

She wanted him to see clearly into his own heart, and also to see the true face of the man standing at the end of the dense fog.

The General’s silence caused the situation to reach an impasse, which surprised many and also made them sense a certain danger.

But soon, the oppressive silence was broken by someone completely unexpected.

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“I am willing to comply with the Empire’s arrangements.”

Roy, who had been coldly observing, suddenly spoke. Feeling the General’s surprised gaze, she smiled and said: “This is, after all, the Marshal’s intention. I imagine if it were disobeyed, you and your subordinates would not fare well. Since this…”

Looking at Tomb Bat’s unchanging expression, Roy pointedly said: “gentleman has given such assurances, I think Colonel Berney will comply as well.”

“But…”

Gavin wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by the young woman: “I understand your concerns, but I don’t want you, your subordinates, and many others to suffer undeserved calamity because of me. If you can just consider my earlier request well, that will be the greatest help to me.”

Seeing the calmness in those dark golden pupils, Gavin sighed inwardly. After considering for a long time, he finally nodded somewhat difficultly.

“Then let’s go, Colonel.”

Not giving the servant any more chance to speak, Roy dropped these words to the still slightly bewildered Berney, then walked toward the carriage.

Once the carriage door closed, Berney nodded awkwardly to the General, then mounted his warhorse and led his subordinates following the carriage as it turned to leave.

After gazing deeply at Gavin for a moment, Tomb Bat also followed without a word.

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Under the dim daylight, under the silent gaze of the majestic fortress, the suspected young woman, due to certain people’s will, set out toward the more open and desolate west, like rootless duckweed, drifting with the current under the drive of fate.

This scene evoked some sentiment and sympathy among the soldiers, while the General continued standing in place, watching as Berney and his group disappeared into the distance.

“Sir, what should we do next?”

Only when the rumbling thunder sounded and the adjutant’s question reached his ears did Gavin seem to awaken from a dream. He withdrew his distant gaze, looked at the fortress standing not far ahead, his face showing the firmness of a soldier: “You take the soldiers back to Fort Plack first.”

“What about you?”

Following the General back to the carriage, watching him mount his horse and tighten the reins, the adjutant asked with some confusion.

“Me?”

Gavin smiled with complex emotions. After leaving behind somewhat gloomy words, he rode his warhorse rapidly back in the direction they had come from.

“I’m going to see Governor Naren.”