Chapter 698: Who will lead the army?

After killing thusians soldiers, Michael teleported to the Suven capital, Egerton, with General Bryce and his advisors. The city of Egerton was built along the banks of a labyrinth of rivers. It was truly a modern curiosity. Its wonder was matched by the backdrop of pristine skies and the lonely mountain on the horizon. Thick tall walls were built around the city. Snow blanketed the lands outside the city walls like puffy white bed sheets. The winter's cold froze all the crisscrossing rivers as well as the waterfalls. Michael appeared in the sky within the city walls. Although it was the middle of the night, the city seemed awake. Michael heard several cries of little children and noticed people running through the streets restlessly.

When Michael looked closer, he was able to see several men lying on the side of the streets, begging. They all looked thin as sticks, as though they didn't eat for weeks. Even the soldiers patrolling the city gates seemed weak and exhausted.

"It seems like the people are starving," said Michael. As much as General Bryce wanted to disagree with Ghost, he knew it was the truth. Not only did thusians cut all their supply routes and burnt major farmlands, the warehouse Suven stored food mysteriously caught fire. General Bryce knew it was the Thusian spies who started the fire in their granary and other warehouses. But they had no evidence to prove, and even if they had, there was no use.

Michael decided to descend to the ground level. He conjured a bright ball of light as all the citizens in the streets looked up at the sky. Seeing a bright light descending toward them, many dropped to their knees, worshiping the light. They thought the Great One and Two had answered their prayers.

Michael slowly hovered toward the town square. The people dropped everything they were doing and followed the light.

"Why are you following me?" Michael turned around.

"You go set up the meeting with your king," Michael chased away General Bryce and his advisors. Having no other choice, General Bryce and the others flew toward the castle. Meanwhile, Michael dimmed the light, revealing himself to the people. Those who worshiped the light stared at him with their jaws dropped. They were disappointed. But those who dared to sense Michael's cultivation stage were stunned beyond words.

"A Half Immortal!"

Someone in the crowd shouted. Several people gasped in shock. The people quickly swarmed the town square. Even the people who were sleeping inside their homes rushed out of their houses once they heard the commotion outside. With a flick of his wrist, Michael retrieved a couple of big crates of revitalization potions. He felt pity for the people of Suven. These people provided food for the entire continent, yet because of Maxim, they were starving. The crying children reminded Michael of his orphanage. He used to steal from gangsters to feed the little ones.

"Take this. It will satiate your hunger," The glistening jade potions slowly hovered in the air at arm reaching distance from the crowd. While the majority of the crowd hesitated to grab an unknown potion, an old man used the little bit of strength left in his body to grab the potion. The old man was skin and bones and looked emaciated. His hunger prevented his brain from giving a damn about whether the potion was consumable or not. He just pulled up the cork and emptied the potion in one single gulp.

Everyone stared at the old man without batting an eye. Under their gazes, the old man's wrinkly skin slowly began to glow. His eyes were filled with new vigor. The old man immediately dropped to his knees. He raised his hand toward Michael,

"My lord, thank you!" The old man banged his head against the ground. He was grateful beyond words. His words and gesture showed Michael how much hardships the old man had gone through. Judging by the callus in the old man's hands, Michael could tell the old man was a farmer. A farmer crying for food was truly a pitiful situation. It summed up the city's situation. Following the old man, several people reached for the potion. One by one, they all consumed the potion. The same was the same. Their hunger was satiated in a second. Plus, they all felt revitalized. Strength returned to their bodies. Finally, after weeks of going without eating, the people of Egerton had something to fill their bellies. Smiles returned to their faces.

"I offered your king to join my army to end Thusia's reign once and for all. Once he accepts it, everything will go back to the way it was," Michael's words echoed through the city. He turned around to leave the town hall. When he was about to fly away, the old man raised his voice.

"My lord, please let us know your name,"

"Ghost," Michael smiled at the old man before flying away from the area, leaving a streak of golden lightning.

After exactly two hours, Michael headed toward the castle. As Michael expected, a group of people stood outside the castle to welcome Michael. The man leading the group was neither too tall nor too short. He had a medium physique, long shoulder-length brown hair, and a trimmed goatee. A golden crown decorated his head. His red silk robes were long enough to sweep the floor as he walked forward. He was accompanied by General Bryce and several knights armed to the teeth. They all bowed their heads when Michael's feet touched the ground.

"Master Ghost,"

"King Gunner,"

Michael firmly shook the king's hand before following the king into the castle. Humble braziers half encompassing each of the six ivory columns lit up the lower levels of the throne hall and bathed it in an orange glow. The illustrations of golden wheat fields on the bowed ceiling danced in the flickering light while marble icons looked down upon the oaken floor of this monumental hall.

A cardinal rug ran from the throne down the center, looping back from both left and right while matching banners with ornate needlework covered parts of the walls. The chandeliers illuminated the portraits of previous kings and queens. As Michael walked with the king, the nobles standing in the throne hall stared at Michael with amazed looks on their faces. The young girls didn't even blink as they all desired a husband like him. Science swept across the throne hall.

King Gunner led Michael toward the stately throne of gold, sat amidst two large statues, and was adjoined by two smaller and less elaborate seats for those closest to the royal highness. The throne was covered in nothing but labyrinthine engravings, and fixed on each of the ornate legs was a gilded petal. The nobles stood before the impressively carved stone benches, all of which faced the center of the hall. Those of higher standing remained in the embellished balconies facing the benches below.

Instead of climbing the stairs to take his throne on the elevated platform, the king glanced at the few servants. They quickly ran toward him and placed several comfy sofas.

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"Please, take a seat, Master Ghost," King Gunner gestured to Michael to sit. However, Michael slowly shook his head.

"You are the king. You should sit first,"

His words pleasantly surprised the nobles and earned appreciation from King Gunner. Despite his overwhelming power, Michael did not act arrogant. If Michael only wanted their assistance in taking out THusia, he didn't have to give a face to King Gunner or any of his allies. On the contrary, Michael thought about his long term plan. Even after the war with Thusia, Michael could use their assistance in various things. Therefore, he needed to be friendly with them instead of being prideful and arrogant. For example, Suven could provide produce for his restaurants. In contrast, Zulon could provide him with rare ores to forge weapons and armor for Michael's personal army.

Simply put, Michael and Maxim Barnes wanted the same from these kingdoms. But Maxim intended to covet the resources for free through war, whereas Michael planned to use friendly relationships to get what he wanted. Michael leaned back on the sofa, waiting for Gunner to start the conversation. He was surprised to see the nobles around him. He thought Gunner would prefer a private conversation.

"I have to thank you for saving the villagers, Master Ghost," King Gunner said.

"They were the lucky ones, King Gunner. There are so many people being affected by THusia every single day. We both know that,"

King Gunner and the advisors nodded.

"I heard what you asked of us from General Bryce. I am not going to waste both our time by beating around the bush, Master Ghost. Every second we waste talking is one life lost. But I have two questions that I need an answer to,"

"Ask away," said Michael.

"What's the reason for your hatred toward Thusia?"

Michael expected this question. He just smiled.

"Let's just say what Maxim Barnes did to you is just a fraction of what he did to my people and me," Ghost's eyes glimmered with rage, but his voice had a tinge of sorrow. King Gunner did not poke into the matter any further. All it mattered was that he believed Ghost. The pain in his eyes was real.

"Here's my next question, if I give you the Suven army, will you let General Bryce lead the men?"

Instead of answering King Gunner, Michael turned his gaze toward General Bryce.

"General Bryce, if I order you to cut thusian soldiers' heads, stick them in pikes and parade them throughout the occupied cities, will you do it without any hesitation?"

Michael's question surprised everyone in the hall. General Bryce couldn't answer his question right away because he wouldn't do that.

"This is why you are not going to lead the army. We are fighting against Maxim Barnes, who will use every dirty tactic there is. Fighting him with honor will only get you and your loved ones killed. But, at the same time, I cannot and won't ask you to change your life codes for me," Michael paused for a moment, letting his words sink into their heads.

"May I know who will lead the army then?"

"My fiance,"

Gunner was surprised by Michael's answer.

"In fact, she is doing what I asked General Bryce as we speak in Zulon. When the sun rises tomorrow, Zulon will be a free nation once again,"

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