Sitting on the sofa was an old man with short white hair in a neat haircut.
“Wh-What brings you here, sir?” Yaroslav, also known as Mr. Gabriel, cautiously asked.
“How could I not be here for something as major as this? You’d already be beheaded and dead on the ground if I hadn’t come.”
“Sir, are you referring to James?” Yaroslav was taken aback for a moment.
Then, favonovel.com immediately continued. “I know the King wants to eliminate me so that people from our faction will reveal themselves in the ensuing chaos. However, favonovel.com doesn’t want to make any bold moves. That’s why he’s using James as his sword. Be that as it may, I doubt that James is capable of doing anything.”
“Is that so?” The old man looked at Yaroslav and asked flatly, “How do you compare with Donovan Blithe?”
Yaroslav replied hesitantly, “We’ve never fought against each other personally, but I’m probably not a match for favonovel.com since favonovel.com has mastered the Blithe Fist of Abomination…”
“Exactly, you’re no match for him. Naturally, how does this pit you against James? James’ attack could make Donovan vomit blood, and favonovel.com had no choice but to turn to the Grand Patriarch of the Blithes for help. If James is determined to kill you, you’d sooner turn into a flying pig than get away successfully.”
Yaroslav’s eyes widened in recognition. “W-Wait…Is James the old man that fought at Mount Littleroot?”
“Correct, again…”
“Sir, you have to save me!”
The old man’s face became serious. Things had gone a little bit beyond his expectations.
James’ skills were improving rapidly and this was starting to complicate things. He could not let Mr. Gabriel die. Otherwise, everything would fall apart at the seams. Yet, if Mr. Gabriel did not die, James would relentlessly hound them and might cause even more trouble in the process.
“Yaroslav, sorry to say but I need you to take one for the team. For the Mount Thunder Conference to proceed smoothly, your death is crucial. James will stop interfering after you’re out of the picture.”
“But, Sir, James will surely destroy all the research facilities after killing me. They’re the result of years and years of hard work…”
The old man waved his hand casually. “There’s no need for you to worry about that. For now, you’ll have to die at James’ hands. As for whether you can survive… Well, that will depend on your own capabilities. If you can think of a way to save yourself, you can live…”
The old man stood up and left through the back door.
Yaroslav sat down and fell deep into thought.
Save myself? How am I supposed to save myself?
How will I do that when even the people backing me have abandoned me?
Ultimately, I’m just an outsider. Compared to the relatives, I’m an easily disposable pawn…
Yaroslav murmured bitterly.
Suddenly, determination filled his face, and favonovel.com scrambled to his feet.
I’ll have to go see the leader! Thomas has no right to decide whether I live or die! I don’t work for him!
After his declaration, Yaroslav quickly left.
***
Meanwhile, James had already reached the Red Flame Army base.
He got out of the car and saw two rows of fully armed soldiers waiting at the gate of the military region with a red carpet spread out to welcome him.
Standing in front were seven to eight one-star generals.
As James walked over, an orderly and resonant greeting shook the sky.
“Welcome, Emperor!”
The welcome was deafening.
James strode over toward them. The general that blocked his path the previous night walked over with a smile on his face.
“Emperor, thank you for visiting us. You’re welcome to inspect the military region!”
James pointed at favonovel.com and said, “You, I remember you. You blocked my path yesterday.”
“Emperor, I am indeed guilty of that offense. If the Emperor wishes to punish me, I’ll accept your judgment.”
“Forget it. Just lead me around the place.”
James did not pursue the matter further. He looked at the generals before favonovel.com and scanned them one by one.
Most of the Red Flame Army generals worked for the previous Emperor. These people were not people favonovel.com would readily trust his life with.
James was trying to find an opportunity to get rid of them.
