Chapter 131 Consolation
Later that day, after completing his and Vicente's group-related obligations, Rory went to a meeting with Lena.
While Vicente had taken more time to train his forge as he couldn't be seen in public as Cesar, Rory couldn't be seen as a member of his faction either, so he went with his plans.
After struggling to send Vicente's latest orders, he met someone who had already been giving him more and more information about the Irwin estate.
As someone committed to the group's plans, Rory 'sacrificed' some of his time to interact with Lena!
Arriving at a local inn, he saw the beautiful blonde with clear eyes smiling as she watched him. Now, Lena wasn't dressed in her typical attire as a servant of House Irwin. She was wearing a black skirt that showed a bit of her beautiful legs but also her cleavage.
Seeing her in front of the inn, Rory hurried to one of the rooms he had rented, eager to proceed with his 'sacrifice.'
He had been hesitant at the beginning of his relationship with this woman, but after 'experiencing' the 'sacrifice' he had to make, he had quickly taken a liking to the whole thing.
The 'sacrifice' for the group was really good!
After entering the room, the two of them could not hold back any longer and quickly hugged, kissed, and started undressing each other.
...
While Rory was meeting Lena at a local pub and enjoying himself in the midst of his group's troubles, Nova was getting ready to meet Vicente when she received a message from the army post.
After seeing the soldier of lower rank than her leave his residence after leaving a letter for her, Nova's eyebrows knitted together as she read the contents of the message.
She couldn't help but lose her good mood as she read about Cesar and the new orders from the army commander in Millfall.
'This doesn't make any sense.' She thought, feeling bad about the orders she had just received.
Nova and other captains from the royal army post in Millfall were called to investigate the whereabouts, surround, and kill Cesar Mazzanti!
According to the Commander, his group had evidence that Cesar had murdered a recently missing merchant in Millfall, who was found dead in an abandoned property this morning.
She and the other Captains of the local post were to focus their shifts for the next few days on finding and eliminating Cesar!
When she read that in the message, she couldn't help but find those orders strange. Not only was it bizarre that a criminal who seemed as intelligent as Cesar had left a body behind, but the timing of it all was also strange.
Even she could tell that someone was trying to frame Cesar after failing to get proof that he had broken into and robbed one of Defiant Tyranny's outposts.
'That doesn't make sense. Cesar has been missing since the day after the raid. He wouldn't be that careless! The person who welcomed us to his own property wouldn't leave a body behind.' She thought to herself, feeling uncomfortable.
"But this is even stranger because this order is only against Cesar. How are we supposed to act against this person and ignore the actions of his group?" She muttered when she saw how strange this was.
The normal thing to think in such a situation was that Vicente's entire group would be punished. But from the looks of it, the local powers only wanted to take down Vice and didn't want to get involved with the Scarlet Syndicate.
Thinking about it, Nova immediately realized that his army post was compromised with corrupt people!
'Damn it. They're just trying to deal with Cesar so as not to anger the Scarlet Syndicate. They are acting to help the Defiant Tyranny and not to hurt the Scarlet Syndicate!' She noticed the movement of the Commander, who had wisely given an order that only attacked the weakest point in all of this, Vicente.
Vicente's agreement with the Scarlet Syndicate was not to protect him but to guarantee their operations in his territory for 2 weeks. Other things, like protecting him from assassins or soldiers, were not in such an agreement!
Nova didn't know the details, but she understood the meaning of her leader's order.
She made an ugly face as she crumpled up the message, outraged that she had to follow such orders.
Nova particularly disliked 'Cesar.' He was arrogant and obviously a criminal. If asked, she would say he belonged in jail. But she didn't like how the army handled the situation.
She was a young girl who dreamed of becoming a great soldier and contributing to the stability and peace of the kingdom. As someone who the system had not yet contaminated, she naturally felt terrible about corrupt and lawless acts.
'Damn it, this is wrong! This is against royal principles!' She lamented, but she knew there was nothing she could do.
If she defied the order, the Commander could punish her and have her army career ruined. On the other hand, she could not try to denounce her boss without proof.
Hands tied, she closed her eyes while at the door of her house. Her face turned to the ceiling as she tried to breathe more calmly to ease the anger she felt at all this.
But then she heard one of the few voices she had enjoyed lately.
"Why are you looking so serious, Nova? You have me worried." Vicente said in a humorous tone, making her open her eyes and turn her face to him.
Seeing Vicente, well dressed as always, this time in a casual beige and white outfit, Nova lost some of her worried and irritated expression. But she was not in a good mood to go out with him and said. "Vice, I'm a little stressed with some army stuff. Can we reschedule our date for another day?"
Vicente narrowed his eyes and asked. "You want to talk about it? We can reschedule our trip for another day. But we can come in and talk, right? Sure, if you don't feel comfortable, I'll leave."
When she heard that, she hesitated a little. But Vicente was the closest thing to a friend she had in this city.
"Sigh... I hope I won't regret it. Please, come in." She made way for him, welcoming him into her home for the first time.
Upon entering the house, Vice noticed how well-decorated the place was, with several paintings, sculptures, and other decorative items in the entrance hall.
But this was a small house, about 80 square meters of built area, with a small yard divided between the front and back of the property.
Nova quickly grabbed a drink for herself and Vicente and showed him a nice white couch in the living room for him to sit on.
Serving her friend, she sat cross-legged next to him and said. "Vice, I am concerned about some members of my post. I think this army post is compromised."
Vicente looked at Nova's beautiful face and saw her with a hand on her forehead; her eyes closed as if she had a severe headache.
"This is the reality of this society, Nova. As much as the profession of a soldier is better than most of the professions in our world, a soldier's income is not comparable to that of nobles, owners of territories, etc.
Many end up giving in to diabolical suggestions when the need arises."
"I know, but I didn't think it would be like this for..." She wanted to say but hesitated, knowing that she couldn't make accusations against specific people.
Talking about corruption in the army was no big deal. Everyone knew there were corrupt people in the army. But pointing the finger at one of them, even in a friendly conversation, could be dangerous.
Vicente realized that something must have happened and decided to take a chance. "This must be about Defiant Tyranny and this new group in town, right? I heard from one of my business partners that Defiant Tyranny has compromising evidence on several nobles and high-ranking men in the army.
If some of this evidence were to leak out, several heads would roll."
She saw that Vicente seemed to know more than she did and felt more comfortable talking to him about it. "Vice, don't tell anyone about this. But the Commander has just issued an order for all Captains to focus their time on dealing with Cesar, the leader of this new group in town.
I feel bad because I think they're framing him. I don't particularly like this person, but I still feel bad. He at least deserves some justice."
"Uh?" Vicente struggled not to smile when he heard that Nova didn't like 'Cesar.'
"I think you shouldn't worry. I have no interest in getting involved in such matters... But it's really shocking. Is it really necessary to frame a criminal? There must be real evidence against him, right?"
She shook her head negatively. "There is nothing. Even some accusations the army used against Cesar in the Martial Court are completely unfounded. But as the weakest element in Millfall's recent troubles, this man is already being massacred from all sides.
He will be killed or sentenced to prison if he shows any weakness. No one on the Martial Court has any pity for men like him, and even without evidence, they will destroy him to please the local powers."
"If that's true, he's in big trouble," Vicente commented. "Is there nothing that can change that? Do you think he can get out of this situation?"
"Only if he manages to influence the local powers. In that case, I think the Martial Court might be interested in following the royal laws. Otherwise, he is doomed."
"I see... I'm glad it's not him, haha." Vicente commented as he approached Nova, not missing the chance to 'comfort' her.
"But don't worry so much, Nova. You have a good heart. As long as you stay fair with what's in your possession, I'm sure you won't be negatively involved in all this. At least you won't have to feel guilty for the corruption of others." He said, hugging her as he felt her 'melt' into his arms.
Feeling better, Nova looked into Vicente's eyes before closing her own and bringing her lips to his.
"Mmmm~"
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