Chapter 123 A Tinge of Sorrow

  Lu Ruhaha smiled and immediately became serious: "You, a newcomer with no power or experience, without any helpers, are simply the best target for those who want to make a name for themselves. Who else would they look for? Hmph, I warned you yesterday, but you didn't take it seriously, so I thought let you suffer a bit and you'll understand... But I didn't expect them to go this far."

  He paused for a moment, and the fat man said in a low voice: "Well, actually, there were people like you before, and the things that happened to them weren't so exaggerated. It's just that this time, someone deliberately targeted you. Think about it, you may not have any power or influence, but at least you're still an officer on active duty in the military! If it were in the past, others would be afraid of offending you because of your military background, and even if they really did knock you down, your comrades in the military would avenge you. The reputation of the Rodoria Cavalry Regiment isn't something to be trifled with. But this time... I'll tell you the truth, the news that you were coming to the Imperial Capital spread out ten days before you arrived, and the Ministry of War intentionally or unintentionally released the message: after you arrive, whatever others do to you, the Ministry of War will not intervene! Do you understand?"

  Xia Ya was so angry that her eyes were blazing with fury.

  "Actually, you're not out of options." The fatty thought for a moment: "You're currently stuck between the military and His Majesty the Emperor, I'm afraid no noble family would dare to recruit you. Your own power is too weak, your foundation too shallow, and finding help won't necessarily yield many results. Hmm... the best solution is to become a noble! Hehe, once you become a noble, imperial law protects nobles. With a noble title, you'll have the right to refuse challenges from commoners that you don't want to accept, and it won't be considered damaging to your reputation. Unless your opponent is also a noble, if you're challenged and don't respond, only then will it be considered surrender. This time, with the merit you've earned, His Majesty will receive you and grant you a noble title, so just endure for a few more days. Once you obtain the noble title, many things will calm down."

  "How many days?!" Xia Ya rolled her eyes: "Can't I even eat, sleep, or have time to take a bath and go to the bathroom in the next few days?"

  Chubby smiled: "Don't worry, last night I was intentionally teaching you a lesson. Today, I'll send a team to protect you. Hehe, with a team of guards around you, your days will be much better."

  Xia Ya snorted and glared at the fatty: "Fine, you actually tricked me once, humph!"

  "Ha ha, you'd better not offend me, otherwise I'll withdraw my troops and you can suffer for the next few days."

  Xia Ya indeed trembled with fear and didn't dare say anything more.

  The toad was about to suffocate, but Fatso burst out laughing, feeling extremely pleased with himself.

  With a team of Ruhr's guards by his side, Xia Ya indeed calmed down and went back to take a bath and change clothes. After having lunch, at noon, Ruhr took Xia Ya to report to the Imperial Military Department.

  The Imperial Ministry is located in the eastern district of Os Giliath, passing through the central square and the Great Arena of Os Giliath to the east, walking along a long street called "Avenue of Glory", and the end of the avenue is the Imperial Ministry.

  In the distance, the roadsides were lined with towering evergreen pines, grey massive stone slabs paved the surface, wide and solemn, the long street was very quiet, only occasionally came the distant patrol soldiers' crisp bootsteps and horseshoes.

  The military department occupies a large area, and the outer periphery is surrounded by a huge square. The tall pillars in the forest are connected by low walls, and the imperial eagle flag flies above the gate. Two teams of guards wearing iron armor stand at the entrance, holding axes and knives. Under Rour's leadership, Shaya walked into the military department's square, where a large fountain stood in the center, with a giant stone statue about 5-6 meters high in the middle of the pool. On top of it was a general riding a horse, one hand holding the reins and the other raising a sword.

  Lu Ru walked with Xia Ya, and as they passed by, he unconsciously straightened his back, his expression also becoming solemn, looking at the statue with a reverent gaze.

  Xia Ya thought that the general on the statue was a bit strange, with broken armor and scars all over his body, even the war horse's body was full of wounds, galloping with a tragic and heroic flavor - since it's a statue, why not carve it perfectly, what's the point of making it so tattered?

  At a glance, Xia Ya saw that on the base of this giant statue, there was an inscription carved in stone on the front, written in Byzantine script.

  "The path of conquest has no end!"

  With a strange thought, Xia Ya followed Rour into the main building of the military department: a circular building that looked quite historic. From the outside, this building seemed to be an enlarged version of a giant bird's nest, with an oval-shaped building over ten meters high, higher than ordinary city walls, made of dark green stone, surrounded by more than a dozen tall spires, looking like a giant fort.

  "This is the 'Eagle's Nest', the military department of the Empire." As the fatty led Xia Ya into the building gate, he took out a pass and the several warriors wearing armor and hemp robes at the door immediately saluted by punching their chest.

  As they walked in, it was a huge hall with a floor made of some large marble stones dotted with spots. The sound of boots trampling on them was very thick and heavy. The fat man led Xia Ya to the front of a table at the end of the hall and said something to the people inside.

  The officer on duty came out soon.

  After a brief wait, a lean-looking officer emerged from inside, wearing the uniform of the Byzantine military. From his insignia, he was a flag-level officer. After looking at Xia Ya's documents, a smile appeared on his face, but it seemed very forced. Xia Ya always felt that the other party's gaze had some chill and hostility.

  "After confirming Xia Ya's identity, the officer led him to a room behind the hall and took out two documents: 'Please sign at the bottom. After reporting, the military department will quickly verify the authenticity of your achievements and battle reports, and also make a decision on your reward as soon as possible... Hmm, and from this moment on, your position as the 13th Cavalry Regiment Commander is revoked. A new appointment will be issued to you soon. We will arrange accommodation for you... or you can leave an address, and when there are new orders, we will send someone to inform you."

  Xia Ya refused the accommodation arranged by the military department based on what Lurou told him on the way. What a joke, there are too many people in the military department who want to take a bite of his flesh now, how dare he live in a place arranged by the military department?

  He carefully looked at both documents, then signed his name and stamped his seal.

  The officer gave a cold smile, stood up, and made a forced military salute. He looked at Xia Ya with no sincerity and said faintly, "I personally pay my respects to your outstanding performance on the front line."

  After he finished speaking, his eyes were fixed on the door, meaning: you can get out of here.

  Xia Ya clearly felt the unfriendliness of the other party and didn't bother to waste time here, so he quickly walked out.

  Rour, who was waiting in the outer hall, looked at Shaya coming out and said in a low voice: "Don't mind these guys, there are many party members of the military faction in the Ministry of Military Affairs. These guys have long since disgraced the honor of the Imperial Eagle Head Army."

  "What are we doing now?"

  "Go back and wait." Rour shrugged his shoulders, smiling: "Wait for the military's commendation, and also wait for an audience with His Imperial Majesty. I reckon the military's commendation might take a few more days, but the Emperor's summons should arrive soon. Once you've had an audience with His Majesty and received your noble title, your hard times will be over."

  Xia Ya sighed and couldn't help but feel a little distressed: "This life is really suffocating, far from the freedom of being on the Wildfire Prairie."

  Rouru smiled and nodded, then took Xia Ya and headed out. Just as they were about to reach the entrance of the great hall, a shout came from behind: "Rouru!!"

  Looking back, I only saw a tall and imposing figure of an officer walking out of a corridor on the other side of the hall, wearing military uniform and leather boots, but without any rank insignia.

  This man looked about forty years old, with a head of brown curly hair cut very short, looking neat and tidy. He had a square face, a full smile on his face, well-groomed whiskers on his lips, and joyful laughter in his eyes. He walked quickly with big strides, first giving Rourou a bear hug, then pushing him away and punching him hard on the chest: "Ha! You fat rabbit, long time no see!"

  Lu Ru rubbed his chest and smiled wryly: "You crazy dog, still so fond of hitting people."

  "General Grin, also known as Mad Dog, and I were classmates at the Imperial Military Academy - ah, also a protégé of Duke Minas." He paused for a moment before adding: "Eagle faction, one of our own."

  Xia Ya immediately understood.

  Glen smiled faintly: "What general? Hmph, I'm no longer a general. Ruru, now I'm just an idle instructor at the military academy."

  Rouru chuckled and winked at Xia Ya, saying in a low voice: "This guy nearly cut down the Imperial Minister of Military Supplies, Count Moriyak, four years ago during the war in the East..."

  "Hmph, just a little short." Green said coldly: "Unfortunately, didn't really get rid of that greedy old mouse."

  Rouru looked around and frowned: "Gulin, you're still so reckless, let's go, this isn't a place to talk!"

  The three of them walked a few steps further away, and Rour pointed at Xiaya, saying: "You've guessed who this kid is, right? Hehe, it's Xiaya."

  "Ah?" Green's eyes lit up, and he looked at Xia Ya with a sincere smile in his eyes. He stood up straight and gave a chest-pounding salute: "Young man, I heard you did well on the front lines this time! Good job!"

  This remark was far more sincere than the previous military officer's "expression of respect", and it was said that this guy had almost cut down the most corrupt official in the Imperial Army, the Minister of Military Supplies, which made Shaya feel a little bit of admiration.

  "Oh, right... I forgot to introduce myself. Green was also in the 13th Legion for two years, but that was many years ago. He almost became a general of the Rodoria Cavalry Corps, unfortunately... he was transferred midway due to some unexpected events." The fatty sighed.

  Grenn chuckled and looked at Rour: "Now you're the general of the 13th legion, leading such an iron army, how does it feel?"

  The fatty rubbed his mouth and sighed with a bitter smile: "Alright, you know what kind of person I am... Sigh, never mind."

  The three of them walked out of the building and came to the square outside while chatting and laughing.

  Lü Ruoluo laughed on the road: "I have been in the imperial capital for many days, but I haven't seen you. Where did you die?"

  Greene's face was somewhat gloomy: "Where else can I go... This time in the war, I wrote a dozen reports requesting to be transferred to the front line, even if it's just as a battalion officer or a cavalry captain, but no one upstairs paid attention to me. Instead, they ordered me to take the new batch of recruits to the eastern part of the country for training, and I only returned yesterday. I came to the military department to report... Hmph..."

  Rouru noticed Glin's depression and patted him, laughing: "Alright, at least you're doing something practical. It's much better than some other brothers who were demoted and idle in other places... You being in the military academy can also cultivate new blood for the army, which is good."

  Grenn's eyes lit up, and he gained a few points of spirit. He smiled proudly: "That's natural, the people I bring out won't embarrass Duke Minas!"

  His face suddenly turned gloomy, and he said in a low voice: "It's just that after these young men graduate, I don't know where those scoundrels will put them... Alas, I've seen too much over the years, my blood has cooled down. Every year, so many excellent officers graduate, but they're all thrown to the ends of the earth, left idle, slowly rusting away, with only a passion in their hearts... To be honest, I really have something to ask of you... Now that you've become the general of the 13th Army, and you have several special quotas in your hands, I have some young people here who are not bad, try to find a way to get them into your unit, I guarantee they're all top-notch excellent officers!"

  The fatty frowned, he sighed and hesitated for a moment: "It's not that I don't want to help... it's just that now the higher-ups are getting more and more restrictive towards us Eagle System people... The quota in my hands is already very limited. Hmm, if I had more, I wouldn't dare say, but ten should be enough! I guarantee to find you ten quotas, even if it's as a guard or an ordinary cavalryman, first get them under me, and then slowly promote them later... Alas..."

  Glen furrowed his brow and sighed helplessly, "Alright, ten is better than none. The way things are now... humph!"

  The two faces turned gloomy, and Xia Ya on the side listened in a daze, unable to speak and could only follow silently.

  He walked to the statue in the middle of the square, but suddenly stopped and pointed at it, saying: "If our ancestors' souls are aware, knowing that the glorious empire army they founded has become like this now, I'm afraid they would..."

  Fatso sneered, looking at the stone pedestal with the words "The path of conquest has no end!" He hugged his arms and remained silent for a while before speaking: "Conquest...hmmph. Does the current imperial army still have the power to conquer others?"

  Two soldiers from the Imperial Eagle Corps looked at each other, both seeing a faint despair in the other's eyes. Their faces were gloomy, and they simultaneously turned around to face the massive statue, standing up straight, raising their heads, holding their chests high, and solemnly saluted.

  At this moment, even the most carefree and chubby person seems to have a hint of sadness in their face...