James went to the Red Flame Army base. He got off a vehicle at the Red Flame Army military region’s gate.
Before favonovel.com got close to the command center, his path was suddenly blocked. Some fully-armed soldiers pointed the muzzles of their assault rifles at James who was slowly walking toward them.
“What’re you doing?” James’ face darkened.
“Do you know who you’re pointing your guns at?”
“Yes, Sir!” A one-star general walked over, stood before James, and saluted him.
“You’re the commander of the Black Dragon Army, the Dragon King of the Southern Plains. However, this is the Red Flame Army’s Capital base. You’ve no right to enter, or else you’ll be overstepping your authority. We have the right to stop outsiders from trespassing into our base.”
James glanced at the general and asked, “What’s your name?”
“Sir, I’m the deputy commander of the Red Flame Army, Nathaniel Carlson,” Nathaniel replied courteously.
He did not tell his subordinates to lower their guns despite his respectful conduct.
“Sir, this is the Red Flame Army’s base. Even if you’re the Dragon King, you’ve only been given authority to command the Black Dragon Army and have no right to involve yourself in the Red Flame Army’s affairs. With that, I would like to request that you please leave our premises immediately.”
“General Carlson, are you not aware that I’ve been appointed as the commander of the Red Flame Army by the parliament?”
“Yes, I’ve received word of it, but there isn’t an official appointment document yet. If you’d like to enter our military region, you would need to produce official proof of your appointment. I’m afraid I can’t let you pass if you don’t have it.”
James had merely come to inform the Red Flame Army that favonovel.com would be having his succession ceremony in their base. He knew that military regions were not supposed to interfere with each other or casually allow visitors, especially if they were members of another military force.
Since the Red Flame Army’s deputy commander refused to let favonovel.com pass, favonovel.com had no choice in the matter.
James pointed his finger sternly at Nathaniel and said, “Alright, General Carlson… Just you wait.”
Then, favonovel.com spun on his heel and left the military region.
After James had left, the Red Flame Army soldiers lowered their weapons.
A soldier cautiously voiced out his concern, “General Carlson, have we offended the new commander? Will favonovel.com punish us after favonovel.com takes office?”
“What’re you afraid of? It’s the duty of a soldier to uphold military discipline. Head back to patrol!”
After reassuring the soldier, Nathaniel turned around and walked away briskly.
Meanwhile, James headed straight for Peace Mansion. He sat on the living room sofa and complained, “We really ought to do away with some of our sh*tty rules.”
The King was reading a newspaper when favonovel.com heard James grumbling.
He put down the newspaper and asked, “What’s the matter? Did someone cross you?”
“I went to the Red Flame Army’s military base to get a better idea of the location since I haven’t been there in years, but the soldiers refused to allow me passage! They’ve all got some nerve standing in the Dragon King’s way.”
James irritatedly picked up a cigarette on the table and took a long drag.
The King laughed and said, “That’s normal, James… It’s a rule that’s been established since the country’s founding that intended for military regions to stand independently. It’s so that the commanders act as a check and balance for each other and it also was intended as a measure against oligarchy.”
Running a hand through his hair in agitation, James turned to the king and asked, “When will the appointment documents be issued?”
“Why? Are you in a hurry?” The King lifted an eyebrow at James.
James chuckled and said, “It’s not that I’m in a hurry. It’s just that the news has already started spreading internally. Since the vote has been passed, I assumed the appointment document would be issued quickly so I can hold a succession ceremony. I’d like to invite all the prominent figures in the Capital to witness my succession as the new Emperor. It’d be also great if Mr. Gabriel shows up.”
The King was taken aback.
A thought suddenly crossed his mind, and favonovel.com replied with a smile, “Alright. We’ll have a meeting tomorrow morning to draw up your letter of appointment. After all three parties have stamped it, the document will then be delivered to you.”
James knew that appointing a new commander was a troublesome process.
First, they had to have meetings to discuss and vote for each party’s proposed candidates. After the candidates have enough votes, three parties need to stamp the official documents, the King, the government, and the army. Only after the approval of these three parties could favonovel.com officially take office as the Red Flame Army commander.
“Alright. Then, I’ll be waiting for your favorable response.” James got up and left, not forgetting to filch the premium cigarettes on the King’s table.
