Chapter 254

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Protagonist:

Lin En

Lena

"Hmm... about what happened on the Xian Ge Hao, do you still hate me?"

The air fell instantly silent.

This was an extremely sharp, extremely sensitive question.

The grudge of a stolen wife, the hatred of a usurped position.

In any culture, these are irreconcilable blood feuds.

Gus was silent for a few seconds.

He looked into Lin En's eyes, his gaze calm and open, without the slightest evasion or resentment.

Then, he slowly smiled and shook his head.

"Heh, just a bit of wind and frost, I've long since stopped caring about those past events."

His tone was calm and sincere, without the slightest disguise.

Deep in his heart, he had indeed completely let go.

At first, of course he hated Lin En.

He hated Lin En for taking his wife Isud, hated Lin En for snatching the name that should have been his, and the Governor's position, hated Lin En for ruining the life he had once yearned for.

He had sworn countless times in the night that he would have his revenge, that he would make Lin En pay the price.

But slowly, he discovered that his current life was the life he truly wanted.

He was born into a Star Realm Army general's family, growing up listening to his ancestors' heroic deeds.

His ancestors had once been an Imperial General, dying on the battlefield in the war against the Chaos Great Enemy, sacrificing themselves for the country.

His father was also a brave Star Realm Army Colonel, who fell in battle against the Xenos.

His dream was never to be a mediocre Noble Young Master, not a White-faced Pretty Boy who lived off a woman, wasting his life in debauchery.

His dream was to be like his ancestors, clad in armor, campaigning on the battlefield, achieving merit, and restoring his Clan's Faith.

And Lin En gave him this opportunity.

If not for Lin En, he might still be under Isud's thumb right now, living muddleheaded days looked down upon by others.

He would also never have been able to command thousands of troops, to experience that sense of accomplishment where every battle is won, every attack succeeds.

Right now, he is the Expedition Fleet's Deputy Commander, the second-in-command under Lin En, above ten thousand others.

He possesses extremely high Prestige among the soldiers; his name will be recorded in Brevis's battle history, remembered by posterity.

All of this was given to him by Lin En.

As for Isud?

Hmph, that woman, it was merely mutual utilization.

The moment she chose Lin En, there was no longer any relationship between them.

The current him simply doesn't care about that woman at all.

Lin En looked into Gus's eyes and gave a slight nod.

He believed Gus was telling the truth.

Because Lena was standing right behind him.

Lena's psychic vision could truly "smell" the Smell of emotions.

She could see that in Gus's emotions, there was only the calm blue and the grateful gold, not a trace of the reluctant red or hateful red.

Lin En stubbed out the Cigar in his hand; the Mars let out a final sizzle in the Metal Ashtray before going out.

The Cannon Fire outside the Window had grown much sparser, with only the occasional dull Explosion drifting over.

Afterward he brought Gus to the Bridge and summoned all the Expedition Fleet's senior officers, saying he had an important matter to announce.

"You should all know about the Tithe matter by now."

Lin En's voice overrode the low hum of all the instruments and the distant Explosion sounds.

He walked to the massive Star Map Table, his Finger pressing on Brevis's Coordinate.

A heavy red circle had been drawn there, the ink still showing a slight bleed, clearly drawn in haste by that messenger just now.

"The collection fleet entered the Kalixis Star System three days ago; Carter's Governor says their advance ships have already been discovered at the Star System's Edge."

"Estimated they'll Arrive at Brevis before long."

Lin En's Fingertip traced across the cold Star Map, landing on Kal II's position.

This place was originally a glaring red, representing a hostile Area completely Occupied by Green Skin.

Now, within the large expanse of red there was finally a bit of Imperial gold, but the gold's Edge was still covered in red spots, representing Danger zones.

"Green Skin spores hide in every ventilation Pipe of Kal II, in every Ruin; we need to be on guard at every moment."

"And Duli's Big Stomach Liang Ge Na will inevitably receive news of Kal II's fall sooner or later."

"The other side certainly knows Kal II's importance; they will surely launch a counterattack then."

"If I take the main force away, within half a month this place will become Green Skin's world again."

"The blood we've shed these past months, the people who died, will all have been in vain."

The surrounding officers exchanged glances with each other; no one dared speak.

Everyone knew this was a rotten mess, but no one wanted to take on this hot potato.

The current Kal II, with insufficient resources and reinforcements, must face the counterattack of billions of Green Skins alone.

The slightest carelessness means death without a burial place, not even bones remaining.

Several senior Pioneer Army Noble Officers subconsciously shrank their necks back, eyes darting, afraid Lin En would call their names.

Lin En took all this in without saying anything more.

These wine-bags and rice-bags, usually each more eager than the last when scrambling for merit and reward, the moment real responsibility arrives they all become shrinking turtles.

He withdrew his gaze, letting it fall on Gus once again.

"Therefore I have decided to formally establish the post of Brevis Expedition Fleet Grand Marshal."

"During the time I am away from Kal II, the Grand Marshal shall act on my behalf with all my authority, commanding all land and naval troops,

bearing full responsibility for defense, administration, and every matter great or small here,

no one may disobey the Grand Marshal's orders; violators will be dealt with by military law."

These words were like a heavy bomb, blasting the quiet bridge into an uproar.

Whispers instantly rose, like a swarm of buzzing flies.

"Grand Marshal? Besides Lord Lin En, who has that qualification?"

Following Lin En's gaze and the dialogue with Gus just now, they seemed to guess something, and one after another turned their gazes onto Gus.

Gus's heart then gave a fierce leap, nearly jumping out of his throat.

He subconsciously straightened his waist, fingers unconsciously tightening on the pistol grip at his waist, forearm veins bulging from the force.

He could feel dozens of gazes neatly focused on him — surprise, doubt, envy, and contempt.

He had never imagined the Grand Marshal's position, second only to one and above ten thousand, would fall on his own head.

Six months ago he was still a white-faced pretty boy dependent on Isud, mocked by everyone, a piece of trash who could not even grasp his own fate.

And now he is about to become the highest commander of this expedition fleet of tens of millions, about to single-handedly guard this space station just wrested back from the Green Skins.

Lin En ignored the commotion around him, took a step forward, and stood in front of Gus.

The bridge's broadcast system suddenly sounded without warning.