Captain – Chapter 280 – Purple Gold Badge

Apology, self-blame, abdication.

This was the entirety of the letter’s content—no complex expressions, just simple and direct words.

Facing the Marshal of countless merits, facing an old friend of shared ideals for decades, that old man far away at the edge of the sky seemed finally willing to set aside excessive pride and speak plainly.

Just like the conversation between two young men with great ambitions many years ago when they first met, even the general direction was not much different—merely the glory of Auran and the future of the empire.

After a long while, the old man set down the letter.

Throughout the process of the paper falling to the low table, his hand trembled continuously. This was not due to age, but because of complex emotions difficult to suppress.

Whether the conflict of ideologies between them, or the storm triggered by their clash—that seemingly grave situation threatening to drag the empire into an irrevocable state—was actually all for the sake of leading Auran out of the quagmire the young prince had described.

Now, that old friend and opponent had already let go. The empire’s rebirth showed its first signs. So what reason did he have to continue insisting on actions that pained even himself?

“Come here.”

The Marshal extended his hand to the youth. The worry deep in Curtis’s dark eyes finally dissipated completely. He lowered his head slightly to receive the old man’s loving and gentle caress.

This scene had actually occurred in the palace as well.

After he had finished explaining his vision, arrangements, and countermeasures against Robert’s actions, the old Emperor had also lovingly asked him to come close, gently stroking his head.

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Afterward, the Emperor had written this letter.

In fact, the young prince understood clearly that the deep love of both old men was not for him, but for the glorious empire they had spent their lives protecting and building.

For this, they could love him, or indifferently watch many people lose their lives; they could raise this storm, or just as easily set aside everything in their hands without concern.

Compared to that ambitious man who now lay buried under the Mermaid’s cannon fire, the Auran Emperor and Marshal could equally be called noble idealists, who simultaneously possessed abilities worthy of their ideals, and lifelong sacrifice and dedication.

Perhaps this was what people called greatness.

“Go open the window, child.”

Hearing the old man’s request, the youth quickly went to the floor-length window and opened its small pane.

Immediately, slightly slanting raindrops fell on his face. The cold wind made the fireplace flame waver, and the intense sound of rain became increasingly clear.

When he wiped away the raindrops on his cheeks, stepped aside, and turned back, the old man had already straightened himself in the rocking chair.

Auston reached into the inner pocket of his deep gray coat, felt around for a moment, then took out a badge of purple-gold color.

Its design did not belong to any level of military insignia in the Auran military system and carried no official authority—it merely symbolized honor, the supreme honor of being the Empire’s Marshal.

Sensing the old man’s gaze, the sea eagle on the perch gave a soft cry, then jumped down to the wooden floor, hopping several times to his side.

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Placing the Marshal’s badge on the low table, Auston gently stroked the nearly half-man-tall sea eagle, whispering instructions: “Isha, take this badge before those children, let them know my choice, and what they should do.”

Having received the command, the sea eagle extended its head forward, carefully took the badge in its beak, then looked again at the old man whose expression had returned to calmness. It seemed to understand that within this small object were contained indelible glories and old yet unfaded memories.

“It’s all past now, go.”

Auston waved his hand dismissively, and the sea eagle obeyed, squeezing through the window that was slightly narrow for it, spreading its wings and disappearing into the dark rainy night.

In the southern part of Colent, in the rolling countryside outside an estate situated opposite the fortress, dense shadow-like figures stood upon the hills, yet no sound emerged.

For those standing there were the Empire’s army’s most elite spearhead, and the Black Raven Society’s silent and deadly blades.

“Has the Colonel not yet made a decision? You should know that being able to wait for this storm is already extremely fortunate. If we miss it, who knows when the next opportunity will come, or…”

“If there will be another opportunity at all.”

On an ordinary clear night, even with rolling hills and green foliage for cover, they could never conceal so many people—they would likely be discovered at a glance by vigilant imperial assassins.

Only by taking advantage of the deep rain curtain and the starless, moonless night shrouded by dark clouds could the military advance so close to the Garcia estate and rendezvous with the Black Raven Society members who had arrived just yesterday.

Although the distance between Loriton and Colent was not as far as between Loriton and Elvet, even with non-stop travel at full speed, it still took Tomb Bat and the assassins a full three days to reach the outside of this estate.

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And shortly after their arrival, this storm came, as if heaven itself was assisting them.

After a simple reconnaissance, Tomb Bat confirmed that with the cover of the rain curtain and night, plus the assistance of nearly a thousand elite Auran ground troops behind him, they had enough force to take down the estate and achieve the master’s objective.

Even now, this servant who had been busy traveling and planning the assassination still didn’t know that the Governor’s residence had already been reduced to ruins, and that man, along with his ambitions, had been completely buried in the rainy night.

Standing before all the soldiers was Flynn, a young-looking man who appeared just over thirty years old, yet already held the rank of Colonel. He was one of those brilliantly shining children the old Marshal had mentioned.

His military rank was not like that of the wastrel Berney, obtained through family power and backing from influential figures, but earned through real sword and gun battles on the battlefield.

It was precisely because of his outstanding military achievements in the war between the Empire and Federation that he received the Marshal’s appreciation and was entrusted with the most elite troops under the old man’s command. Though still a Colonel, he was not far from promotion to General.

If Merri was the future of the navy, then Flynn would certainly become the most dazzling star among the army’s generals in the near future.

Looking at the servant who approached him, the young man said coolly: “The night is still long, and the storm won’t cease anytime soon. Why such hurry?”

At this time, Flynn and his subordinates were not wearing military uniforms, but were all covered in deep gray robes, making it difficult to identify them as soldiers, let alone reveal their origin.

For Flynn, although appearing here to assassinate the two important figures in the estate was by the Marshal’s order, in his heart, he still didn’t want to actually take that step.

Because those two had also rendered great service to the empire and even had close relationships with the military—one was the former naval commander who had led the imperial navy to defeat the Federation, and the other was the former eye of the military and now the founder of the empire’s shadow forces.

Hearing the cold detachment in the young officer’s voice, Tomb Bat slightly narrowed his eerie deep purple eyes, reminding in a low voice: “Colonel, you should understand that at this moment, your command authority should belong to the Governor, to me. This was promised by the Marshal himself. If you disobey, wouldn’t that contradict his wishes?”

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“Moreover, the principle that opportunities in battle are fleeting—you understand this better than I. Waiting further only invites variables. So, please have your subordinates ready. We should begin.”

After speaking, Tomb Bat turned and left. Accompanied by several sharp raven cries, the assassins hidden in the tree shadows began to move forward slowly.

Watching the black shadows advancing toward the estate like a tide, Flynn’s eyes flashed with coldness. But after standing still for a moment, he still waved his hand, leading his soldiers to follow.

Just then, the red-eyed black ravens hidden among the dense branches of the trees suddenly gave several alarmed cries, followed by the sound of panicked wing-flapping, as if they were avoiding something.

The answer was soon revealed.

A majestic black shadow came from the horizon, sweeping over the treetops, stirring up a strong wind—it was a mighty sea eagle.

Even in the rainy night, looking at the familiar silhouette, many soldiers recognized its identity. It was none other than the Marshal’s beloved pet, Isha.

Now, the sea eagle circled above the soldiers for a while, then a small object fell from the sky, landing precisely in front of Flynn’s boots, among the jumbled leaves and grass.

Lightning suddenly flashed, followed by thunder.

The intense white electric light penetrated the dense branches, illuminating the countryside for an instant, and revealed to Flynn and the nearby soldiers the true nature of that small object.

It was a purple-gold badge.