Captain – Chapter 278 – Private Vengeance

What the youth meant by “grand drama” was quickly revealed by hurried footsteps outside the door and notably anxious knocking.

After receiving the Marshal’s permission, General Willis strode in, placing an already unfolded military report on the small table, then raising his eyes toward the youth who had his back turned, his expression even more somber than the rain outside.

Casually picking up the report and noticing the seal in the upper left corner indicating its highest level of confidentiality, Auston’s graying eyebrows rose slightly before he calmly ordered: “You may withdraw, Willis.”

“Yes, Marshal.”

Though wanting to say something, faced with the Marshal’s gentle yet unyielding gaze, the General took a deep breath and respectfully acknowledged before withdrawing.

The wooden door closed softly, leaving only the youth and the old man in the room.

His gaze slowly sweeping through the lines, the Marshal quickly finished reading the rather short report.

Throughout this process, the old man’s expression didn’t change at all, remaining as calm as autumn waters, as if this earth-shattering news were merely an insignificant matter to him.

Placing the report back on the small table, the Marshal took up his now-cooled tea, took a small sip, feeling its clear bitterness penetrating his heart, and said calmly: “Child, if this is the grand drama you mentioned, I must say it lacks originality.”

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“Whether assassinations, conspiracies, or outright murder under dignified pretexts, these have happened constantly throughout my years, happening to friends I know well, to my relatives, even to myself.”

“But not once have I been defeated by these shadowy methods, nor have I ever retreated half a step because of them.”

“Whether Benjamin, myself, or those elders living or deceased, we have all walked through blood and fire, retreating from nothing.”

“I hope you remember this point.”

Hearing the old man’s conclusion, Curtis turned around, explaining softly: “I certainly understand, Grandpa Auston. For elders like you and Grandfather who have been carved by time and baptized by blood and fire, I’ve always held the utmost respect.”

“Respect?”

Hearing this word, the old man seemed to have heard a joke. He shook his head as if amused, weathered yet clear eyes showing traces of indifference for the first time: “Using over twenty military-grade cannons on Auran territory to openly assassinate an Imperial Governor—this is your respect for us?”

“Let me guess how you managed to evade military scrutiny to transport so many ‘contraband’ items into the Empire’s inland…”

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“It was a warship, wasn’t it?”

The Marshal slowly sat upright, looking directly into the youth’s deep black eyes, expressionlessly saying: “An Auran Navy warship meant to counter external enemies and proclaim national prestige. Yet now, those blades that should have been directed at the Empire’s foreign enemies have fallen mercilessly upon those who have devoted their hearts and blood to Auran.”

“And this is what you call… respect?”

Feeling the pressure bearing down on him, Curtis’s eyes tightened slightly, yet showed no intention of yielding: “If Uncle Robert’s various actions hadn’t first transgressed the Empire’s century-old rules and completely destroyed any possibility of reconciliation with the family, we wouldn’t have been forced to take such a risky move.”

“Moreover, the reason he had the confidence to break with Grandfather and possessed enough power to overturn the Empire—wasn’t it all because you stood behind him?”

“Whether it’s what happened at Sanderwina Cathedral, that military order stopping the carriage, or… the soldiers now gathering outside the Garcia Family Estate planning to assassinate past and present meritorious officials of the Empire—aren’t these all your doing?”

Hearing this, the Marshal narrowed his eyes watching the youth, remaining silent for a long time before saying lightly: “But the problem is, I haven’t done anything.”

“That’s because you don’t need to do anything at all.”

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The youth calmed his breathing, continuing from the old man’s words: “You only need to sit by the warm fireside as you are now, reading military reports, drinking bitter tea, and others will wade through the cold rain for you, shield you from infamy, and achieve those not-so-glorious goals.”

“Robert is like this, the old men who support you are like this, and those soldiers who view you as their faith, willing to shed blood and ruin their reputations for you, are the same.”

“They advance according to your will, bearing all the blame themselves. To keep your reputation undamaged, they even forge your handwriting.”

“It’s because of their existence that you can say to my face that you haven’t changed, that you haven’t done anything. This is indeed an indisputable fact, but…”

“Can you truly convince yourself?”

The youth stepped forward slowly, approaching the Marshal, then holding the armrests of the rocking chair, kneeling beside him like a child serving an elder.

When he spoke again, all coldness had vanished from his words, leaving only affection and gentleness: “If you allow what comes next to happen, where will you place your creed and all those words you once said?”

“If you truly disregard the soldiers’ lives and honor, allowing them to sacrifice for your will, then in the end, how are you any different from Grandfather?”

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Seeing the Marshal’s slightly flickering eyes, Curtis knew his words had touched the old man. He opened his face into a timid smile: “Grandpa Auston, although we haven’t met for ten years, I still regard you as that kind and respectable teacher. The principles you taught me, I haven’t forgotten even today.”

“And this drama I’ve invited you to watch doesn’t contain any threatening implications. I can even tell you that the person who went to assassinate Uncle Robert, as well as the warship you mentioned, have no connection whatsoever with the Empire.”

“It’s merely a private vengeance.”

“Private vengeance?”

Hearing this, even the Marshal’s interest was piqued.

Seeing this, Curtis stood up and sat back in the wooden chair opposite the old man, leaning slightly forward, allowing the firelight to make his youthful face appear even more gentle: “Yes, perhaps you don’t know, one of today’s legendary pirates of the Southern Islands, known as the Golden-Eyed Devil, Captain Roy, once lived with Uncle Robert for a period in her childhood.”

“Due to various complex reasons, Captain Roy was later abandoned and even framed. Because of this, she harbored hatred and dissatisfaction toward Uncle Robert. Combined with being repeatedly forced and used since entering the Empire’s inland, this led to the occurrence of this tragedy.”

“If that’s the case, what does this have to do with the royal family?”