Captain – Chapter 252 – Auston Sanchez

“Who gave Robert such power?”

Hearing the old man’s grave tone, Naren’s face couldn’t help but darken.

He knew that he still held the position of Governor, and Federo had used his resignation to withdraw the empire’s covert forces from the conspiracy, even betraying those people by alerting His Majesty to be wary of them.

Under these circumstances, it should have been difficult for them to gain the upper hand.

Yet even in this situation, the balance of victory hadn’t tilted toward their side, which was enough to indicate the power possessed by the person standing behind Robert.

It was not something those politicians could possess, and even the weight represented by several admirals of the military seemed pale and powerless in this storm that could change the empire. Currently, the only one with enough power to shake His Majesty’s towering presence was…

“Auston Sanchez.”

When the old man calmly spoke that name, the Governor’s face turned extremely grim, and he denied without hesitation: “No, that’s impossible.”

Auston Sanchez, Marshal of both navy and army of the Auran Empire.

That old man was practically a monument, inscribed with decades of the empire’s rises and falls, and countless glorious military achievements.

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If the current Emperor of Auran was the guide who led the empire back into a golden age, then this old Marshal was undoubtedly the bright lamp in his hand that broke through heavy waves and darkness, equally deserving of great praise.

He enjoyed a transcendent status in the empire and was a model worshipped by countless soldiers. Even Naren himself deeply admired the old Marshal.

Therefore, even hearing this news from his closest friend’s mouth, the Governor still found it hard to believe that the old man—who was kind and patient to his juniors, who always put the empire’s interests first, and who was moreover His Majesty’s closest friend—would become involved in such a matter.

“Nothing is impossible, Naren.”

Federo’s words remained calm, as if he had long grown accustomed to such changes: “People change, whether that change is brought about by time, fear, temptation, or nobler pursuits. You and I are like this, His Majesty is like this, and naturally, Auston is the same.”

“But I don’t understand why.”

Hearing this, Naren came to his senses, though disbelief still lingered in his eyes: “Why would the Marshal go against His Majesty? Why, after remaining silent for so many years, would he choose now to step forward, standing behind Robert? Doesn’t this contradict what he once said?”

“The military is the empire’s sword and should not have its own thoughts. Otherwise, the first thing it points at will inevitably be its master.”

Recalling the old man’s teaching when he was awarded the rank of Admiral, the Governor gradually clenched his fists and said in a low voice: “Has he become senile, thinking he should hold the military sword himself to strike at His Majesty and others who have devoted their hearts and blood to the empire?”

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“No one knows what Auston is thinking, nor can anyone get an answer from him.”

Federo shook his head and said softly: “The only thing we know now is his stance, and the stance of the military.”

If the old Marshal had taken a position, then the vast majority of the military’s upper echelons would follow without hesitation, even if his orders were to attack St. Caloie. And those few who opposed or remained neutral would be reduced to dust under that rolling flood.

The old Emperor’s strategy of separating military and political power to ensure the empire’s security had now become the grave dug for the Alexander family.

“The military’s stance is never decided by individuals.”

Naren said coldly, his azure eyes seemingly gathering storm clouds, ready to unleash a boundless tempest upon that sea at any moment.

“But now Auston has already grasped the sword in his hand.”

The old man looked at the Governor’s gloomy face and earnestly advised: “Naren, you know very well that if the military truly sides with Robert, then any legitimacy, any reasoning, will be like bubbles, shattered by solid ships and sharp cannons. So we cannot just sit and wait for death.”

Understanding the old man’s meaning, Naren’s gaze flickered slightly. He slowly leaned back in his chair, his tightly clenched fists gradually relaxing: “You mean… I should retake command of my old forces?”

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“Although the destruction of the First Fleet was a heavy blow to the navy, it doesn’t mean the Howard family no longer has support within the military.”

Federo looked straight into his friend’s eyes and said slowly: “Perhaps many years ago, before you and Caine appeared, Auston indeed had absolute control over the military.”

“But as he stopped going to the front lines, and as you father and son led the fleets in dozens of campaigns, making the name of the Imperial Lion—the title of two successive naval commanders—spread across the seas, everything has changed. I believe that if you’re willing to speak up, then the navy…”

“No, Federo, I won’t do that.”

Naren interrupted the old man’s speech. Lowering his eyelids slightly, he said in a deep voice: “If I truly retook command of my old forces, even if His Majesty overlooks it given the current situation, it would ultimately break Auran’s rules, break my own rules. Moreover, I can’t make soldiers kill their comrades because of my will.”

After these words, the study fell into a brief silence.

Hearing this, a bitter smile appeared on the old man’s face, yet there was no disappointment or surprise, as if he had long anticipated this outcome. He sighed lightly and said: “You adhere to your principles as a soldier, but others may not necessarily do the same.”

“I know.”

Understanding what the old man was implying, Naren nodded slightly: “But there’s another solution, a way… to end this storm prematurely.”

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Recalling the contents of the letter, Federo shook his head gently: “But you also know what risks that entails. The threats that you and I might face are negligible, but if that girl ultimately fails, the high price afterward will have to be borne by the empire.”

“Are you that confident in her?”

Hearing his friend’s question, Naren’s stern face softened, and the first smile since the beginning of this conversation appeared: “Not to mention that she is my child’s future wife, just based on her true identity, I fear there wouldn’t be a second person more suitable to break this deadlock in the empire.”

“Indeed, who could cause more trouble than a rogue pirate?”

Federo laughed with a sigh: “That girl doesn’t care how noble her opponents’ identities are, nor does she follow so-called rules and etiquette. If, as you say, she has an unresolvable grudge with Robert, then given the right opportunity, I think she would swiftly slit his throat.”

As if the discussion about this storm had come to an end, the old man picked up the red wine and poured half a glass into each crystal goblet, then placed the bottle back and slowly raised his glass to the Governor.

“Then let us share some of the resistance for Captain Roy, and offer our congratulations in advance for her slaying her enemy.”

Naren raised his eyebrows slightly, obviously surprised that Federo had so easily accepted his proposal.

But soon, he also raised his glass and gently clinked it with the other’s. That crisp collision sound was like an ancient bell being rung, playing a melody called triumph.