Alien world

Chapter 1658, Section 291: Farewell
“Mr. Annan, thank you for taking care of us these past few days. Blackwatch will never forget it.”

Before leaving, Albek bowed to Annan to express his gratitude.

"I only did what I could. Don't worry, we will fight our way back to the far north and retrieve the bodies of our fallen soldiers."

Upon hearing this, Albek gave Annan a look that he couldn't understand at the moment, a look filled with complex emotions, before leaving the new embassy with the black-clad guards, urged on by the officials.

Hearing that envoys from the Empire had arrived, a large crowd gathered in the streets to watch the spectacle. Unlike in the Empire, where people would stay as far away as possible when officials moved, the people of Free City were primarily interested in watching the excitement.

Therefore, Annan's decision to prevent the Blackwatch from being shackled actually saved their reputation—and also the reputation of the Empire.

Parading "criminals" in shackles in front of the public might seem like a display of military authority, but given the rapid spread of information in Liberty City, which is quickly becoming a hub for various intelligence organizations, who knows what rumors might circulate later, requiring the Ministry of Protocol to clean up the mess.

However, these two departments have always been rivals—the Ministry of Protocol will criticize them, and then the Ministry of Military Affairs will fight them. Or, the Ministry of Military Affairs will fight them, and then the Ministry of Protocol will settle things.

Annan was taken to the port, where a smaller landing ship docked at the pier.

"You're just leaving like that? I was planning to hold a press conference." Annan still felt regretful.

"Press conference?"

"It's the kind of thing that gets published in the newspapers, where you sit at a long table and answer questions from reporters from various newspapers..."

“The Blackwatch incident is a scandal for the Empire, you’d better not go around talking about it,” Derek Kaysen warned Annan.

"Don't worry, everyone knows that I, Annan Reeves, am very tight-lipped."

Derek Kayson thought about it and realized he hadn't heard any rumors about the wives of certain important figures. From this perspective, while Annan Reeves was notoriously promiscuous, at least he wouldn't gossip about it.

"Don't worry, ordinary soldiers are unlikely to know anything. If the court can't find anything, they'll be released."

Annan, who was still unaware of how he would be perceived by outsiders, had the leisure to care about others: "Where is Albek?"

"He's one of the masterminds, his situation isn't going to be good..."

Derek Kaysen's words made Annan feel down, and he suddenly understood the look in Albek's eyes when he looked at him last time.

Watching the landing craft leave the port and return to the dreadnought's belly, the massive warship soon sailed away from the bay.

In any case, it was a complete annihilation of the Royal Guard. Since the Empire set out from Wilhelm a thousand years ago and established Montreal in Middle-earth, it had never suffered such a loss.

The responsibility of the mole cannot be shirked, but the legion commander should not be exempted from guilt either.

Annan returned to the city lord's mansion and stood by the window, staring blankly at the sea.

"What are you thinking about?" Annan's unusual behavior caught Olmedo's attention, and he came out with a coffee cup in his hand.

"Perhaps it would have been better if we hadn't found them?"

Annan's words seemed somewhat cryptic, but Olmedo understood: "Why would you think that?"

“They have been missing. When their bodies are found in the future, everyone will be a hero, instead of being taken back as criminals and interrogated as they are now.”

Olmedo gently swirled his coffee cup: "Do you think the Empire will ultimately be seized by an inside man?"

"of course not."

"Then there's nothing to worry about. We know they are heroes, and the Empire knows them too."

Annan thought it made sense, and then suddenly realized—the Empire just took him away like that, without giving him any reward.
“This is a good thing. The Empire completely regards Free City as one of its own.” Olmedo said casually, but his good mood was ruined by Annan’s words.

"You mean the Empire won't give us any benefits, and we're just supposed to sit here and be happy like fools?"

When the Hellfire Legion received the military standard personally designed by Annan, the Guards Legion and the Rangers Legion remained silent. Because what the Hellfire had, they would have sooner or later.

When the Hellfire Legion implemented a dual-commander system, the Ranger Legion became restless, while the Sentinel Legion remained silent, believing that their loyalty did not need to be instilled.

When the Hellfire Legion soldiers wore their new ranks on their shoulders, the Sentinel Legion was completely consumed by envy, but no one spoke up for them anymore.

"We're going to the battlefield!"

"Lossie, what's wrong with you?" Annan looked at Lossie, who had inexplicably run up to him with a stubborn expression.

"We're going to the battlefield!"

"The Royal Guard does not need to go to the battlefield..."

"We're going to the battlefield!" He only repeated this sentence.

"Do you even know what a guard is?!"

"We're going to the battlefield!"

Annan sneered: "Fine, I'll personally go to the far north to fight the demons tomorrow. How about I take you all with me?"

Annan said he would never agree to prevent the Royal Guard from going to the battlefield. But if he said he would lead the Royal Guard into the demon's lair the next day, Losi felt that his previous suggestion was not entirely unacceptable.

Losi looked like a deflated airship, her face contorted with aggrieved wrinkles: "You're not being fair."

"Don't talk to me like an abandoned cat." Annan sat down on the sofa, expressionless. "You can have dual supervisors and military ranks too."

"How can that be the same!" Losi shouted. "Hellfire can kill enemies and advance in rank, but what about us? Are we supposed to catch thieves?"

"It's not just about catching thieves. For example, it could be about foiling a conspiracy against Liberty City, capturing wanted criminals, or helping residents solve problems... Military rank represents experience. You can earn a rank by accumulating seniority even if you don't kill enemies or make meritorious contributions..."

Although you, a Hellfire, can be promoted to Master Chief by killing a hundred Skaven, I, a Sentinel, can also be promoted to Master Chief by standing guard for ten years. We both have a bright future.

"What's the point of that!"

Today, Losi is all about rebellion—he can tolerate being ridden on by Hellfire all the time, but he can also hypnotize himself with the idea of ​​"protecting Lord Annan and his property, what a glorious mission," but it seems that even that honor is about to be lost.

Why is this happening...? He arrived first, and the average height of the legion, the distance between him and Annan, all these factors...

“Lossie, do you know what’s the hardest part?” Annan tried to soothe the aggrieved Lossie with his gentle tone. “It’s not about how to eliminate hostile forces or wield weapons; anyone can do that. The real challenge is the governance that follows.”

"The soldiers on the front lines only need to kill the enemy and die; you in the rear have much more to consider..."

"Is...is that so?"

"You think I'm lying to you?"

"Of course not... Lord Annan!"

After being brainwashed by Annan, Losi finally realized that protecting Free City was also important, and Annan even promised that they would have the same flags, political commissars, and military ranks as Hellfire.

However, you have to find the right person yourself.

(End of this chapter)