Chapter 8: “Demon” Invasion!
Rewinding time, shortly after Sasha took Xu Bai away, Lugner sat in the center of his house, eyes slightly closed.
“General Glaimond, come out. I know you’re there.”
After an unknown amount of time, Lugner spoke, slowly opening his eyes and looking towards a specific spot.
Clap, clap, clap…
A series of crisp claps echoed through the room. From an inconspicuous corner, a tall, slender figure emerged.
“As expected of one of the Empire’s legendary knights, the former commander of the Saint Noyes Garrison Knights. Such keen senses are probably unmatched in the Empire.”
“But now I’m just a lonely old man who can barely take care of himself.”
Lugner shifted his gaze slightly, avoiding the newcomer’s eyes. “Tell me, General Glaimond, what brings you here?”
Glaimond, hands clasped behind his back, strolled leisurely towards Lugner, a smile playing on his lips as he approached.
“Commander Lug… oh no, Mr. Lugner, you should know why I’m here.”
Lugner was silent for a moment before replying softly, “You’ve been waiting for this opportunity, haven’t you?”
When Sasha appeared with that unknown girl, Lugner knew that what was inevitable had finally come to pass.
He didn’t try to escape, but he felt a tinge of regret.
“Indeed. You’re very perceptive. Nothing gets past you.”
Glaimond looked at the old bag in Lugner’s arms and sneered. “You even went through all the trouble of getting these things. Don’t you find it ironic, Mr. Lugner?”
Lugner glanced at the bag with a complex expression and sighed.
“A year ago, I ordered the retreat of the Saint Noyes Garrison Knights. I decided to abandon those young people to ensure the safe withdrawal of the remaining troops.”
“Looking back, I, Alois Lugner, have nothing to be ashamed of before anyone, except for them. They were all good kids…”
“Don’t worry, Mr. Lugner, you’ll soon be able to apologize to them in person.” Glaimond narrowed his eyes, his mood seemingly quite good. “But you might have to suffer a little longer. After all… we still need some time to clean up some pesky loose ends.”
“Why go through all this trouble?” Lugner looked at Glaimond with a calm gaze. “I’m already so old. I have no desire to meddle in the affairs of the Knights, nor am I interested in power. Is it really worth taking such a big risk?”
“Of course it is, Mr. Lugner. As long as you live, we cannot truly control the Imperial Knights. You wouldn’t want the Empire, which has finally achieved peace, to be plunged into civil war again, would you?”
Glaimond lowered his voice, a faint smile appearing on his lips. “And once you’re gone, I, Glaimond, the legendary general who forced back the demon legions and the Abyssal Demon Realm into a peace treaty, will naturally inherit the authority you leave behind.”
“Mr. Lugner, you are old! Only we can restore the Empire to its former glory!”
Glaimond’s voice rose, his face flushed with fanaticism.
Lugner remained silent.
He knew, from the very beginning, what Glaimond was planning.
Human greed is endless. Once obtained, they always desire more. Glaimond was no exception.
Lugner, who should have retired from the front lines to enjoy his old age, had been forced to continue leading the Imperial Knights, not just the Saint Noyes Garrison, due to the urgency of the war.
He had held this position for far too long, so long that the younger generation, like Glaimond, had grown impatient.
The war with the demons had suppressed this brewing conflict, but after the war’s unexpected end, Lugner, who knew nothing but fighting, was quickly stripped of his authority, silenced, and even forced into self-imposed exile in Vikarn Port, far from the capital.
Yet, even then, Glaimond refused to let him go.
Because his existence was a symbolic pillar.
And tonight was the perfect opportunity to eliminate him.
“Do it, Glaimond.”
Lugner sighed, reaching shakily for the sword at his waist.
He was truly old. In just one year, he had aged to the point where he could barely lift his sword.
But what was destined to happen would happen, no matter the circumstances.
Lugner had been prepared for this day.
“For the Empire,” Glaimond bowed solemnly. “Please, die.”
“Indeed… for the Empire,” Lugner echoed silently in his heart.
…
…
Vikarn Port remained tense and sleepless throughout the night, the sudden alarm startling all residents, the City Guard patrolling relentlessly.
The next morning, as the city slowly came to life, Xu Bai emerged from a dilapidated house and blended into the crowd.
Xu Bai hadn’t slept. After the City Guards chasing Sasha left, she had intended to check on Commander Lugner.
But the constant patrols, especially tight around Lugner’s residence, prevented her from getting close.
She had almost been discovered several times and was forced to hide in an empty, dilapidated house until the morning market opened.
“What happened…”
Xu Bai frowned, looking towards Lugner’s residence. All the paths leading to it were heavily guarded by the City Guard.
“What’s going on?” Xu Bai heard a curious voice beside her, followed by snippets of conversation.
“I’m not sure either. It seems to be something that happened in the old port district last night…”
During its redevelopment, Vikarn Port hadn’t been completely rebuilt. Only a few well-located areas were reconstructed, while a large part remained untouched, known as the old district.
Xu Bai’s expression darkened. The “old port district” these passersby were talking about was where she and Sasha had been last night, where Commander Lugner lived.
Just then, several City Guards walked towards the notice board at the intersection, holding several portraits, their faces grim.
“Quiet! Everyone, be quiet!” The City Guard captain shouted coldly, silencing the noisy crowd.
He looked around, waiting for everyone’s attention before speaking again.
“I know you’re all discussing last night’s alarm, curious about what happened in Vikarn Port. I can tell you, but please don’t panic.”
The captain paused, his voice slowing and deepening.
“A demon… has appeared in Vikarn Port!”
“A demon!”
The crowd gasped, panic spreading instantly. Even Xu Bai tensed up involuntarily, her hand instinctively reaching for the short sword on her back.
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