The people stepped aside and bowed much lower than they had to the King or Princess.
With each one of the Governor’s steps, his power echoed through the hall. It forced the people there to struggle and fight for every breath. The Imperial didn’t even think about restraining his energy of a Heaven Soldier, allowing it to bear down on the aristocrats.
He looked like a master in a slave pen.
When one of the pages accidentally touched the edge of his emerald clothes, the Governor didn’t even look in his direction. The soldiers of the Empire dragged the weeping page away, and everyone else pretended that nothing unusual had just happened.
Mechanically, without even realizing he was doing it, Hadjar stood in front of the Governor and blocked the way to the Princess. It was so natural for him to protect his sister that he hadn’t remembered that he was just a guest. A retired General. No more.
“Lithium, I’d begun to fear that you wouldn’t be coming!” Primus rose from his throne.
However, the Governor didn’t look in his direction. He looked at Hadjar with interest and contempt.
“I would’ve thought that I hadn’t been informed about this being a masquerade,” Lithium said mockingly. “But according to the stories that people in Lidus indulge in, I dare say that you are the Mad General, yes?”
The Governor pronounced the legendary nickname with contempt, as if it was the dirtiest of curse words.
“I would say that I haven’t had the honor of making your acquaintance,” this time, Hadjar was so angry that he wasn’t able to hold his rage back. “But I’m afraid that that’s precisely why I can call myself honorable.”
Silence enveloped the world. Everything froze: the wind, the people, their breath, and their hearts. It seemed like even the chaotic dance of the fire in the lamps died for a few moments.
No one had ever even dared to look at the Governor or bar his way. It was unheard of. But what Hadjar had just said... Even the thought that someone might insult Lithium inspired horror in people completely unrelated to the incident.
“How dare you-” Primus shouted, but was interrupted by the heavy Governor’s loud laugh. He threw back his head, holding his stomach while his warriors held their weapons at the ready. Hadjar stood tall. He looked ready for battle. As always.
Primus was only a weapon in the hands of the Empire. A weapon that he would break. The Governor was the one who’d given the order, who had destroyed his family.
“Stop, my old friend,” Lithium said, wiping away tears of laughter. “I would have been disappointed if the great General had swallowed my insult. I expected no less from the man who defeated the Patriarch of that detestable sect.”
Despite the flattering words, poison spewed from the Governor’s mouth. Each of those present heard the blatant mockery in his tone. A ridicule far more obvious than Primus’ had been. Lithium walked around Hadjar, examining him like one would a cheap horse or dog.
“You’re so scrawny and yet you’ve attained such glory as a swordsman,” the Imperial laughed. “Maybe you had others fight for you or you’re rich enough to pay the bards off.”
There was no greater insult to a swordsman than being accused of falsifying his accomplishments.
“You dare say this only because you came unarmed, Governor?” Hadjar’s tone of voice made some, especially the weak-willed, nobles turn pale. They were convinced that they hadn’t heard a human speaking, but an animal roaring.
Lithium had actually come without a weapon, and the code didn’t allow Hadjar to challenge him to a duel. Furthermore, he wouldn’t be able to do so because of the laws of hospitality and sanity. Hadjar reminded himself that the time for a bloody harvest hadn’t yet come.
“Alas,” Lithium spread his arms. “My new sword hasn’t arrived from the Empire yet, and my pride doesn’t allow me to use my old one. But perhaps one of my warriors would be interested in-”
“Father, let me test the General’s rumored mastery of the sword.”
It was like a mountain was pressing down on Hadjar’s shoulders. He turned to the Princess. The respect and interest had disappeared from her expression, and only contempt remained. She wasn’t looking into his eyes, but at his neck.
Elaine couldn’t believe that the glorious General, the staunch protector of the common folk, had left that innocent man to die while trying to protect his daughter who had been raped by the guards.
Hadjar tried to hide the red line that had been hidden underneath his collar, but it was too late.
That night, when he’d met the heroic stranger, he had recognized her Technique. It was the same style that the Palace Master had taught Hadjar.
Without waiting for her father’s permission, Elaine snatched a thin blade from the scabbard of the nobleman standing next to her. She swung it and a fire falcon flew at Hadjar. Burning feathers fell from the wide wings to the floor. The people hurried to move away. The Governor’s eyes widened in surprise and he took a few steps back.
Elaine’s attack was able to incinerate a dozen practitioners at the Formation Stage. She was considered not only the most beautiful, but also the strongest Princess.
Hadjar remained motionless. Moon Beam didn’t come out of its scabbard in a flash. Energy didn’t spring up around the General.
Even if demons and gods had taken his mind over, even if the Heavens had ordered it, even if the fate of the whole world depended on it, he would never raise his sword against his sister.
“Elaine,” Hadjar whispered, but his whisper was drowned out by an angry roar.
“Stop it!”
A black shadow flickered and the fire falcon struck a heavy sword. The bird exploded in a rain of sparks, and Nero brought his blade back behind him.
Once again, Primus was furious. “Commander, you-”
“I’m doing
