Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 982: Section 640: Wild Banquet (Part 2)

Chapter 982: Section 640: Wild Banquet (Part 2)

After a satisfying meal, Malin saw off Monsieur Antoine and Eric. The young champion had already returned to his quarters. Only His Majesty and Marshal Constantine remained, watching Malin and wanting to speak but hesitating. Malin smiled and signaled the Dwarves Electrum to leave with the guards, then sat down in front of them.

The Queen came to stand behind His Majesty Manheim, smiling as she looked at Malin.

Lulu walked over. As the hostess of the place, she too followed behind Malin.

This is the privilege of the hostesses, while Clovis lay on a chair woven by Mana, befitting the dignity of one who had just become a mother, a step away from legendary.

In other words, being able to sit down in this setting already signified that her status was undeniably noble.

"It seems that Sir Malin already knows what we wish to discuss," said His Majesty Manheim with a smile.

"Yes, from the moment I invited you today, and you promptly accepted, I knew today would be different," Malin leaned against the chair back, using spiritual energy to pour a shallow glass of wine for His Majesty and the Marshal.

After they raised their glasses, Malin did the same: "I can step down from command, even refrain from appearing in the army."

"You don’t have to leave the army; you can help the young ones..." The Queen smiled as she spoke.

This was a woman’s perspective. Malin smiled, choosing not to explain further, but Marshal Constantine clarified: "Your Highness, if Sir Malin doesn’t leave, everyone in the army will sideline the Crown Prince."

"You are referring to Daniel Wallace, aren’t you?" Malin crossed his legs. "I know Soren has spiritual energy, but he is frail by nature and unfit to enter the modulation room, which you refer to as the Purple Chamber. However, Daniel is qualified; he’s undergone surgery. The so-called ’born in the Purple Chamber’ must refer to this, correct?"

"Yes, it seems you know everything, sir." His Majesty looked at Malin with regret: "I am truly sorry, but the voices of discontent among the nobles are too loud. They claim you are becoming the true master of the army, so I had to agree with their decision."

"I know, and I understand. It’s okay. Tomorrow morning, I’ll bring Daniel on stage and tell the soldiers my decision." Malin smiled in response, giving them reassurance.

"Your decision?" His Majesty Manheim asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Yes, my decision. I will tell the soldiers that it was I who chose Daniel to be their commander, not anyone else, or else I can’t guarantee your safety." Malin said, smiling as he reached out to console Lulu, who seemed about to speak.

"Then the nobles will claim everything they said is true." The Queen interjected once again.

Malin smiled: "Your Highness, do you know, if I wished, by tomorrow morning you could all be hung from lampposts. With just a thought, the Church and these hundreds of thousands of troops would become my force. I would judge you one by one, assigning you crime after crime, whether real or fabricated. Power, strength, and hundreds of thousands of guns would make everyone believe those accusations were true beyond a doubt." Saying this, Malin sighed: "But what good would it do to kill you? What I need is for you to live and fight against Chaos, not to hang you one by one from lampposts. Do you understand, Your Highness?"

After speaking, he no longer paid attention to this madwoman, turning to Marshal Constantine: "I will soothe the soldiers’ emotions. Considering that I must leave, I have decided to take the Thanan to the Eastern Human World for a visit as an excuse to leave the Western Human World as soon as possible. Only in this way can I minimize the soldiers’ resentment."

"What do you require of us in return for this?" Marshal Constantine asked.

"I don’t need gold or silver, but remember, I trained the soldiers to fight bravely in battle, not to die on the battlefield because of stupid and incompetent generals. If Daniel and his officer corps are incompetent, then I will return, execute these worthless people one by one, and lead these young men to face every despair and every enemy."

As Malin spoke of every enemy, cracks appeared in the cup on the table.

"Is this... a threat?" This time, it was not the Queen who spoke, but His Majesty Manheim stepped forward himself.

Malin rose, placing the cup on the table: "You can think of it that way, Your Majesty. Starting tomorrow, my legion will retreat by sea. I can let the young men I trained, who belong to you, be sent to the battlefield, but don’t think of sending my men to their deaths."

"They are young men of the North as well," the Queen said, somewhat dryly.

"They are young men you sold to me; their home is in Carterburg. As the master of Carterburg, I am obliged to take them home. Don’t argue with me about this," Malin smiled, shaking his head.

"And if we were to contend with you?" At this time, a royal steward rather audaciously asked.

"Whoever contends, dies." Malin finished his words, turned, and walked towards the exit. Lulu turned around, looking at the steward, who, with a look of struggle, moved toward the weapon rack on the wall.