Chapter 9

Nobody there knew what to do. Alyanz was going to be disbanded! Daniel got approval from the legate? But where was he? Everyone looked around but could not determine who he was. Celine broke down and got to her knees. “Please forgive me, Legate! I didn’t take away her company on purpose! I-I’ll give it back!” She was afraid. She thought that the legate was there to make her acquaintance. But instead, he was there to help Samantha. “Take her away!” Daniel ignored Celine’s plea and commanded. As a few men walked over, Celine quickly crawled toward Samantha’s feet and grabbed her. “Samantha, Samantha, I’m sorry! Please help me!” Celine’s face was covered in tears as she wept. She was utterly out of her wits and was visibly trembling. Samantha, shocked at Celine’s actions, took a few steps back and fell into someone’s arms. She turned around and realized that it was Adrian. She blushed. “Go away!” Adrian boomed as he kicked Celine in her face, “General Summers, take her away!” “Yes sir.” The few guards dragged Celine out. The crowd was so shocked they did not make a sound. When Rue and Adaline saw this, even though they were afraid of Daniel, they were elated. Celine had been bullying Samantha, so it was cathartic to see that karma had gotten to her. Only Samantha turned to look at Adrian. The idea of Adrian being the legate crept into her mind again, but as soon as the idea popped up, she brushed it aside. “Everyone, please leave. Alyanz will no longer exist from today onward,” Daniel ordered. After hearing that, everyone started moving toward the door. No one dared stay. If they angered the legate, their life would end right then and there. The place was quickly evacuated but Samantha stood rooted to the spot. Daniel walked over to her and said, “Ms. Samantha, I’ll get someone to transfer Bailar back to you.” “Thank you, and thanks to the legate as well,” Samantha replied. “You’re all good people.” Rue wiped her tears away and bowed to him. Daniel nodded and left without saying another word. After he left, Rue quickly said, “Sam, let’s go home.” Samantha nodded and left with Rue and Adaline. But when they got outside, they realized that Adrian was nowhere to be found. Rue was curious. “Where did Adrian go? Ada, have you seen your brother?” Adaline shook her head. She had been so focused on Daniel and had not seen where Adrian went. Samantha frowned and looked around but he was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, a brave thought crawled into her mind. *** Meanwhile, on the street outside the Alyanz Tower, a military vehicle was parked there. Adaline squinted and could see there were two people inside. One of them was Daniel, and the other one looked like Adrian, but she could not be sure. Adrian was indeed in the car. He snuck away when everyone was leaving because he wanted to speak to Daniel. “General Summers, I heard that Lucas has been developing Swallowston’s city center. Is it ready to open to the public?” Adrian asked. The Battle Warrior of Dragonshire, Lucas Jenner, had built up Swallowston’s city center, Swallow Central, over the last two years to improve Swallowston’s economy. It also in turn supplied him with more funds for his army. Daniel replied, “It was completed a while ago and the renovations are underway. I had planned to inform you about this so that you can pick a date to open it to the public.” “Great,” Adrian replied, “If it’s ready for the public, let’s set the opening for one week from now. We’ll make the announcement and hold an investment conference that will be open to all corporations.” “Yes, sir.” “Reserve a spot for the House of Bailar,” Adrian continued. Daniel nodded, indicating that would not be a problem. After a few more instructions, Adrian got out of the car. *** The three women were still waiting for Adrian and saw him walking out of the building. “Where did you go?” Rue sighed in relief when she saw him. They thought he had left without telling anyone. Adrian replied, “I met an old friend, so I went to speak with him.” Rue did not question this and the four of them started walking away from the place. However, Samantha suddenly stopped and asked without looking back, “Adrian, I have a question and you need to answer it honestly.” Adrian nodded and said, “Go ahead.” “Where have you been the past seven years? How did you know that General Summers would show up? I remember you ordering him to take Celine away,” Samantha asked. “Sam, I’ve been at war all this time and I was leading the top ten Battle Warriors. They gave me the title of war legate and now address me as such,” Adrian replied truthfully. Adaline scoffed. “Go ahead. Continue with your lie.” Adrian shrugged. “It’s the truth.” “If you truly are the legate and the leader of the Battle Warriors, ask them to come over. I’ll believe you if you manage to summon them,” Adaline cooly said. She never thought that her beloved brother would turn into a liar. Adrian replied, “They’re all at the border. If I asked them to come, it would take them at least ten to fifteen days. On top of that, the border is in chaos. If I summoned them, the border would be left with no leaders.” Adrian’s words were not convincing enough. Obviously, no one believed him. Samantha turned her head. “Last chance. Tell us the truth.” ‘Fine.’ Adrian suddenly realized that no matter what he said, his wife and sister would not believe him because they have never been exposed to people of his status. So, Adrian said, “All right, I’ve been in the army this whole and was just discharged this year. My friends from the army told me that General Summers would be coming over. That’s how I found out.” “I don’t care how you were before this, but please behave yourself from now on, all right?” Samantha said. Adrian nodded, then Rue said, “All right, let’s go home.”