Chapter 86: The Disposition of Cres

Chapter 86: Chapter 86: The Disposition of Cres

Tanliwei’s jaw shattered. He didn’t even let out a cry of pain as his body slumped to the ground.

Sandoor pulled his Long Spear free, leaving a gaping, bloody hole in the center of Tanliwei’s skull.

Crimson blood and pale brain matter oozed from the wound.

"Disperse!"

At this, Dane stepped forward and addressed the crowd.

Upon receiving the order, the Guards of Diamond Team Six stared at Tanliwei’s corpse for a long moment before slowly dispersing.

The Guards from Diamond Team One, however, were already long gone.

"Captain, what should we do with his body?"

At that moment, the loyalty Sandoor and Dane felt for Vili came from the very bottom of their hearts.

Vili thought for a moment before saying slowly, "Cut off his head and pack it well. I’m taking it to see Commander Cres and Ricker tomorrow."

"Also, make sure everyone keeps quiet. Word of Tanliwei’s execution must not reach Ricker’s ears yet."

Sandoor and Dane swallowed instinctively. They hadn’t expected Vili to actually confront Ricker head-on.

"Yes."

But neither of them said another word, simply choosing to carry out the order in silence.

「The next day.」

Early in the morning, Ricker and Weibun headed toward Cres’s command tent.

The Lord Baron had issued new directives. Since their current garrison duties weren’t heavy, both of them were required to go and receive the Lord Baron’s will.

The other team captains were also required to return sometime today to receive the Lord Baron’s next instructions.

Ricker was in an excellent mood.

’When Vili first arrived at the defense line, I thought he’d be a difficult one to handle. Young people are always trying to make a name for themselves, refusing to follow orders and stealing the spotlight from their elders.’

’But after Vili arrived, I found that the kid knew his place. He respected his elders and was polite and humble.’

’Even when I constantly made things difficult for him, he kept his composure.’

’Just last night, Tanliwei’s actions cost Diamond Team Six six men, and Vili still kept his cool. He hasn’t even come to me to argue about it.’

’Seeing a young man be so docile in my presence, I almost feel like I’ve gone too far.’

"Ricker, knock off your petty scheming," Weibun said, shooting him a cold look. "Vili is one of Young Master Bamos’s people, and the Lord Baron himself holds him in high regard. Don’t take things too far."

Although he didn’t know the specifics of what had happened between Diamond Team One and Diamond Team Six, he could tell from Ricker’s behavior over the past two days that his efforts to suppress Vili had been successful—so successful that Ricker was getting cocky.

"Heh..."

Ricker sneered at the words, offering no reply.

When the two of them entered Cres’s tent, they found him already waiting.

"What are the Lord Baron’s new orders?"

Weibun asked as he sat down before Cres.

Ricker also sat down casually, his face a mask of indifference.

"Barring any major delays, within ten days, the Dukes of the Lanton and Wata Duchies will simultaneously declare war."

Cres’s voice was quiet, but a sharp glint appeared in both Weibun’s and Ricker’s eyes.

The war was finally, officially, about to begin.

"Although we are not on the main front, there is still a possibility that we could be annihilated. So, gentlemen, you must complete all defensive preparations."

Cres shot a pointed glance at Ricker. "Don’t play any pointless games. It’s not good for any of us."

Ricker’s brow furrowed at the comment, but he said nothing.

"The defensive lines at every position must be properly arranged. Leave no gaps, no oversights. At a time like this, we cannot afford a single mistake."

Cres added. 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

"Understood."

Weibun nodded, his expression grave.

As the three of them were talking, a guard suddenly announced that Vili, Captain of Diamond Team Six, was waiting outside the tent.

"Send him in."

Since Vili was stationed at the Northwest Defense Line, which was quite a distance away, Cres had planned on sending him the new orders as a written document. He hadn’t expected Vili to return in person.

Vili entered, fully armed and carrying a cloth-wrapped, squarish object that looked like a box.

"Commander Cres, I have something to report."

Vili nodded to Weibun, then addressed Cres, pointedly ignoring Ricker the entire time.

Seeing this, Ricker felt a sense of unease.

"What is it?"

Cres noted Vili’s grim expression and the subtle shift in Ricker’s, and he had a vague idea of what was coming.

"Just last night, the Wata Duchy dispatched another small force of nearly sixty men to raid the Northwest Defense Line."

Vili said.

"Mm..."

Cres’s gaze sharpened. "I’m aware of this. Diamond Team Six suffered casualties."

As the highest-level Commander of the defense line, he had already received this news from Ricker the previous night.

Weibun, who seemed to be hearing this for the first time, subconsciously rubbed the hilt of his Cross Sword.

"It was because Tanliwei, the vice-captain of Diamond Team One, deliberately delayed reinforcements!"

Vili said sharply.

"That’s a lie!"

Ricker immediately retorted.

Seeing this, Cres had a good idea of what had happened. It was almost certain that Ricker had secretly employed some underhanded tactics.

Vili recounted the events of the previous night in detail, leaving nothing out.

"Those are baseless accusations."

Ricker was beginning to realize that things were not going his way.

Vili gave a slight laugh. "But all of Diamond Team Six, and even your own Diamond Team One, are witnesses."

"Where is Tanliwei? Bring him here."

Cres’s fingers tapped lightly on the tabletop.

"Right here."

Vili opened the box inside the bundle, revealing Tanliwei’s head, a gaping hole between his brows.

"You killed him!"

Ricker shot to his feet, his hand gripping the hilt of his Cross Sword.

Vili’s voice was cold. "If I hadn’t killed him, morale on the Northwest Defense Line would have collapsed!"

"Weibun, send your men to the Northwest Defense Line and investigate the truth of this matter."

Cres cut off the conflict between Vili and Ricker. "If what Vili says is true, then all of Diamond Team One’s forces on the Northwest Defense Line will be transferred to Vili’s command."

"Cres, you..."

Ricker was choked with fury.

"And if Vili is lying, he will, of course, be punished severely..."

Cres’s words were pointed and his tone heavy, yet he never specified what Vili’s consequences would be.

Vili’s eyes narrowed. ’Cres is siding with me.’

"Thank you for your justice."

Vili gave a slight bow.

Ricker struggled to suppress the urge to draw his sword. He shot Vili a deep, venomous look, then turned and left the tent without another word.

"Don’t mind him..."

Cres waved a dismissive hand, seemingly unconcerned. "You’ve come at the right time. I’ll brief you on the Lord Baron’s new orders."