I, Folyago, am the most devoted lover in Runeterra.

Chapter 106, Assassin, Commander, and General

Du Kekao stared coldly at Katrina, his eyes filled with icy despair.

The look in his eyes didn't seem like he was looking at his own daughter; rather, it was like he was looking at a tool that wasn't working well.

"Katarina, you have disappointed me greatly."

"What have you shown me?"

"Loose strength, sluggish movements, and easily frustrated beliefs."

"Most importantly, you've lost the most crucial thing an assassin possesses—a cautious and meticulous attitude!"

Du Kekao coldly reprimanded Katrina, showing no concern whatsoever for his daughter's injuries.

Instead, they kept criticizing and questioning Katrina's performance.

Katrina was already used to this, because her father, Du Kekao, was just like that.

"I'm sorry, Father..."

Katrina bit her lip tightly, squeezing out the words "340" through her teeth, her red eyes filled with humiliation.

"waste!"

"How can you become the empire's sharpest blade if you act like this?"

Even after Katrina admitted her mistake, Du Kekao showed no sign of softening his attitude and continued to reprimand her with cold words.

Upon hearing this, Katrina's face turned pale, and her hands clenched into fists.

It was as if the life-or-death battle just now was not as devastating as the blow dealt by Du Kekao's words.

..........

Du Kekao, this man had long ago sworn to dedicate everything he had to the Noxian Empire.

In this man's eyes, everything should give way to the prosperity of Noxus!

Originally, if Katrina had not demonstrated her talent, she might have become a tool for marriage alliances in Du Kekao's hands.

Now, Katarina's outstanding talent makes Du Kekao only want to train her into the sharpest blade of the Noxian Empire!

In Du Kekao's mind, only in this way can the value of Katrina Du Kekao be realized!

From childhood to adulthood, he was indoctrinated by Old Du Kekao.

Katarina has always aimed to become the sharpest weapon of the empire and contribute to Noxus's glory.

By denying Katrina's abilities, Du Kekao is essentially denying Katrina herself.

...........

“I was thinking that perhaps the knife in Katrina du Kkao’s hand was sharp enough.”

"You're already capable of undertaking a major mission, but it seems you're far from qualified!"

General Du Kekao spoke slowly, looking at Katrina with indifferent eyes.

Upon hearing this, Katrina was startled.

She never imagined that the opportunity she had been waiting for would slip away because of her performance just now.

Katrina gritted her teeth and whispered again.

"Father!"

"Please let me go!"

"I swear on the honor of the Du Kekao family, I will complete the mission!"

"Bring glory to Noxus!"

Katrina quickly assured her, her voice full of longing.

Upon hearing Katrina's words, Du Kekao stood silently, as if pondering and weighing something.

After a long silence, Du Kekao spoke again.

"Ok."

"Katarina, but remember this."

This is your last chance.

Du Kekao gazed into Katrina's longing and resolute eyes, and finally agreed to her request.

"Come with me."

"I will tell you what the mission objective is..."

Du Kekao walked towards the second floor of the mansion without looking back, leaving only a cold back view for Katrina.

Katrina forced herself to stand up and followed Du Kekao through gritted teeth.

This expression is just like that of a stubborn stray cat.

..........

In the Noxian Empire, soldiers hold a prestigious position.

The highest authority in Noxus is also composed of military personnel.

In fact, most of Noxus government officials have military backgrounds.

The Command and Control Headquarters—the core decision-making body of the Noxian Empire.

The General Staff, on the other hand, consisted of generals with distinguished military achievements. The results of their discussions were ultimately reported to General Darkwell.

Ultimately, Darkwell made the final decision.

Logically, the highest leaders of the Noxian Empire should be present at every operational meeting held by the Noxian Command.

However, because General Darkwell is getting older and more senile, he has been absent from the General Staff meetings for a long time now.

Inside a black room with a predominantly black color scheme and an extremely spacious interior.

A long, black steel table was placed in the room, with thirteen seats on each side.

This corresponds to the twelve generals who currently hold high-ranking positions in Noxus, and the seat of Grand General Darkwill at the very top...

Currently, four of the thirteen seats are empty.

"Now that everyone is here, let's get started."

Suddenly, a magnetic male voice rang out, carrying a touch of aristocratic refinement and elegance.

Swain Jericho!

A general who, though born into a noble family, was renowned for his outstanding military achievements and for always leading from the front.

He was also a rising star in the imperial political arena.

Because of their unique background, they were born to be the link between lower-ranking soldiers and upper-ranking nobles.

Even among the lower echelons of the empire, there were whispers of hope that Swain would inherit the position of Grand General.

So right now, with Darkwell gone, Swain is presiding over the meetings of the General Staff.

“Amystham, tell me about your warband first.”

"We've already lost more than half of our forces in the last battle in the Nokmourchi Mountains, and even the legion commander has been killed."

"Tell me your plans? Are you going to rebuild or disband completely and fill the gaps in other warbands?"

Swain spoke slowly and deliberately to the only female general among the nine men.

"We can't disband."

"This battle group is my main force, and if it is disbanded, the morale on the eastern border will be dampened."

A general named Emistan shared his views.

Similar to Swain's background, Emistan was also born into a noble family.

However, he rarely saw battle and had no outstanding achievements. He only rose to the position of general through his internal maneuvering within the empire.

　3.4 Therefore, they did not have much say within the General Staff.

"Very well, then I will report your proposal for reconstruction to the General."

Do you have a suitable candidate for the position of legion commander?

Swain asked again.

Everyone knew that given Darkwell's current incompetence, such a request could not possibly be rejected.

The candidate for legion commander proposed by Amyständer will also most likely be approved outright.

"Have."

Amystine nodded, a strange glint in her eyes.

"Leon Gurez".

"My choice."

“I intend to have him succeed me as legion commander under me.”