Chapter 56: The Planned Resignation

The news of Duke Darkness being beaten to death by a mob sent shockwaves through the entire imperial noble circle.

To lynch an imperial duke in broad daylight! These people were no longer ordinary rioters; heavy-handed measures had to be taken!

Letters of petition and complaint flew toward the Senate like snowflakes, leaving the noble councilors nearly at their wits' end.

The imperial family also expressed extreme shock at the first instance, announcing that the flags of the Imperial Capital would be flown at half-mast today to show profound grief and remembrance.

Of course, merely expressing such a stance was certainly not enough.

Someone had to pay the penalty to appease the anger and panic of the nobles in the capital.

"What is the meaning of this, Fahel?" Emperor Nilocas asked in a deep voice within the imperial study, "A dignified imperial duke, actually lynched by a mob right at the doorstep of his own mansion—it practically brings utter disgrace to the empire's reputation! If he cannot manage the Imperial Capital Garrison well, he can crawl back to the Riverlands!"

"He had no choice," Empress Margelina massaged his shoulders, speaking in a gentle voice, "Had those rioters not committed such a heinous crime, would Your Majesty expect him to publicly slaughter marching citizens in the capital?"

Emperor Nilocas sighed, understanding that this matter touched upon imperial tradition:

First, the Emperor of the Empire must represent the fundamental interests of the imperial citizens, using this to counterbalance and suppress the entire noble faction.

Second, if anyone infringed upon the Emperor's interests, those people ceased to be citizens and became rioters who must be eradicated.

In other words, before Duke Darkrose was brutally murdered, these marching and protesting citizens of the capital were nominally under the Emperor's protection, and naturally, Rann could not simply draw his sword—otherwise, the Emperor would have been the first to spare him.

One could only blame the situation for taking a drastic turn at the time, changing so suddenly that it left almost no time for anyone to react.

Emperor Nilocas quickly made his decision, speaking in a profound tone:

"I know he has difficult circumstances. But the current situation is that the nobles of the capital have banded together, sharing a common hatred for the enemy. I must give them an explanation, or else the situation in the capital will fall into an extremely undesirable state of turmoil."

"Sigh, very well," Empress Margelina sighed. "We can only wrong him."

"Have him resign to take responsibility," Emperor Nilocas ordered. "You go tell him."

Empress Margelina agreed.

This was a deeply helpless matter. Although Rann was not the murderer of the duke, as the commander of the Imperial Capital Garrison, sitting in the position best suited for taking the blame, he could only be wronged to share burdens for His Majesty the Emperor.

In the private garden beside the Amazon Memorial, Empress Margelina was still weighing her words, wondering how to persuade Rann to resign voluntarily without making him feel too disheartened.

After all, in the current empire, capable and talented individuals were everywhere, but those truly loyal to the royal family were few.

Those who held loyalty toward Her Majesty the Empress were even scarcer... Once the storm blew over, Margelina intended to find an excuse to recall this young man from the River Province and have him serve her once more.

"Your Majesty," Rann suddenly said in a low voice, "I have already heard about outside affairs."

"Now, because of the death of Duke Darkrose, the nobles of the capital are full of grievances. It would be better to dismiss me on these grounds, using this to appease their anger."

Margelina was utterly and directly shocked on the spot.

To share burdens for me and His Majesty, this child could actually go this far? Willing to sacrifice even his own future?

This is true loyalty...

The Empress re-examined the young man, her gaze akin to looking at some textbook model of a knight from ancient times.

Yet Rann's face displayed only firmness, resolve, and sacrifice, causing Margelina's eyes to grow slightly moist—primarily the corners of her eyes, of course.

"My dear," her voice turned exceptionally soft, her hand unconsciously reaching toward Rann's collar, "Your loyalty moves me beyond measure, and I shall grant you the compensation you deserve."

A mysterious voice suddenly echoed in Rann's ears:
*Ah, never mind, just take some calming pills...*

Unflinching, he lowered his head, keeping his hands cupped within his sleeves to conceal the magical radiance at his fingertips:
*Calm Spell.*

Empress Margelina, still stirred with romantic impulse, suddenly gave a violent jolt, as though taking a cold bath on a scorching summer day, and the entire person turned languid.

Her soul grew clear and serene, devoid of desires or demands.

"Good child," she said with a gentle expression, "I shall send someone to deliver your compensation to the Fahel family."

Hearing that Her Majesty the Empress had traded physical compensation for cash, Rann finally heaved a sigh of relief, wearing a look of profound gratitude:

"I have no way to repay Her Majesty the Empress's grace. I only pray the gods show mercy, allowing me to serve you once again in the remaining days of my life."

——————————

Rann's resignation had been part of the plan.

Because the time was nearly right; it was time to take the Dragon Daughter and save the lizardmen in the Rainforest Peninsula.

After farming enough favor with Her Majesty the Empress, he returned to the Imperial Capital Garrison camp and summoned several golden-robed captains to his office.

"I have resigned," Rann stated bluntly.

The captains stared at each other in bewilderment for a moment, then burst into a clamor of voices:

"Commander, do not leave!"

"The Imperial Capital Garrison cannot exist without you, just as the world cannot exist without the sun!"

"In my heart, only you are worthy of the position of Commander! I will never acknowledge anyone else in this seat!"

"Loy—al—ty—!"

"Cut the nonsense," Rann interrupted their professions of loyalty. "I am not testing you."

"The death of Duke Darkrose requires someone to take the blame, and I have decided to share the burden for Her Majesty the Empress."

"The reason I called you here is to inform you of two matters."

"First, after my departure, the position of Commander of the Imperial Capital Garrison will not remain vacant for long; it should be granted by the royal family to some capital noble, which is also part of appeasing them. You may prepare yourselves to welcome a new superior."

"Second, during my tenure, I have witnessed everyone's loyalty with my own eyes. Therefore, I intend to organize a brotherhood."

"Upon joining the brotherhood, all members shall share honor and disgrace, paving the way for the interests of other brothers. In the future, should you wish to leave the Imperial Capital Garrison, you may come to the River Province to find me, and the Fahel family will secure a job and benefits for you."

The golden-robed captains fell silent for a moment, then spoke once more in unison:

"We join!"

In truth, there was no need to overthink this. Firstly, although Rann enjoyed having his subordinates shout about loyalty, he had never truly treated them poorly; in fact, thanks to the urban sanitation fees, everyone's income had actually increased.

Secondly, nobles would not condescend to serve as capital guards. Aside from the commander, everyone else in the military camp was of commoner origin.

The biggest problem of commoner origin was that one had to work to have money, and losing the job meant having no money—what merchants commonly referred to as "lacking non-labor income streams."

Who could dare claim they would serve in the Imperial Capital Garrison for a lifetime? Joining Lord Rann's brotherhood ensured that they would still have meals after losing their jobs, without needing to pay any cost whatsoever. To hesitate for even a single second would be an insult to this iron rice bowl.

"Very well," Rann said, extremely satisfied with their performance. "Everyone in the brotherhood must work with one heart... Let's call it the 'Concentric Brotherhood'."

"I am returning to the River Province, and from now on I am no longer your commander, but at best the big brother in the brotherhood. If you encounter any problems hereafter, you may write letters and have ravens deliver them to me, and I will find a way to resolve them for you."

"Farewell."

With that, Rann stood up and walked out of the military camp.

The golden-robed captains watched his departing back. Someone let out a cry of "Loyalty—", and immediately afterward, everyone instinctively snapped to attention collectively, roaring with all their might:

"Loy—al—ty!!!"

Considering that Rann had already stepped down from the commander's post, the captains' voices no longer carried workplace flattery, leaving only pure, heartfelt sincerity.

Outside the military camp, Eilrina and Besalija were both waiting for him.

"I thought you truly didn't plan to go to the Rainforest Peninsula anymore," Eilrina said indifferently.

"When Rann Fahel speaks, he never breaks his word," Rann replied calmly.

"A person who never breaks his word is merely waiting to tear up his promise at the critical moment," Besalija smiled brightly, turning to Eilrina. "Well then, shall we go?"

"I've missed little Daya a bit."