Chapter 395 - New Appointment, Rising to the Top
Chapter 395: New Appointment, Rising to the Top
In the meeting hall of the City Lord’s mansion in Devil Flame City, all the generals under the City Lord, Andre, had arrived. They were all seated according to their positions and statuses.
All the generals were curious because they knew that Andre had already turned into a demon, but he was nowhere in sight.
There was a thick curtain in front of Andre’s desk. Andre was sitting behind the curtain, so they could only see a silhouette through it. The generals did not understand why Andre did this.
There were still two empty chairs in the hall. One was next to the curtain, in front of all the generals. The generals knew that this chair was not there in the previous meeting. They did not know why Andre would arrange a chair that was above all the generals.
The other empty chair was one of the four chairs that were arranged side by side in the first row. The other three chairs were occupied by the guards of the East, West, and South Gates. They were also the three most powerful generals under the City Lord in Devil Flame City.
The empty chair should have belonged to Miller. However, the North Gate guard disappeared after the first day. Until now, his location is still a big mystery in Devil Flame City.
At this moment, Vincent and Dave finally arrived at the City Lord’s mansion. As soon as they came through the door of the meeting hall, Dave said loudly, “Sorry, we came back a bit late!”
All the generals could not help but look surprised when they heard this.
This was because, based on everyone’s understanding, Dave was not on good terms with the City Lord. Although Dave was a playboy in the city, he had always been respectful when facing the City Lord.
In a few days, Dave’s personality seemed to have changed completely. Not only was his usual timid appearance gone, but he was also confident and proud when he was late. Was he not afraid that the City Lord would be angry and punish him in public?
At this moment, Vincent, who was standing behind Dave, coughed twice and said, “City Lord, please forgive me! His Highness has been taking me to recuperate in the suburbs, that is why our arrival was late. I hope I did not delay any official business!”
The generals did not take Vincent’s words to heart. Everyone knew that Dave, who had always been dandy and was not liked by the City Lord, had taken his only confidant, Vincent, and made him City Patrol Officer.
As his subordinate, it was his duty to follow Dave and find excuses for him!
However, the generals knew that the City Lord was not a soft-hearted person. Even if Vincent took the initiative to admit his mistake, the City Lord would still punish both of them!
This was Andre’s style. In addition, he had always been cold and indifferent to his son, sometimes even with a hint of resentment. Therefore, he would definitely give him a heavier punishment.
Andre’s voice suddenly came from behind the curtain.
“It’s been a long journey outside the city. Don’t worry about the delay. Take your seat!”
Andre’s words shocked everyone inside and outside the mansion.
When did the City Lord speak so politely to his son?
His attitude was so lenient. This was completely different from the impression they had of their father-son relationship.
Dave, who was standing outside the hall, also had a blank look on his face. Firstly, his father’s voice had become as hoarse as a monster. It made him feel extremely uncomfortable. Secondly, his father’s attitude toward him lately was so gentle, that it surprised him greatly.
However, what shocked Dave the most was that his father actually allowed him to take a seat!
One may think that Dave might have a seat in this room. However, if it was during a meeting of all the generals, each chair would correspond to a general. There would not be a seat for Dave at all. However, a seat was prepared just for him on this particular day!
Dave was a little confused, but at the same time, he was not going to let this opportunity slip. This was the father and son relationship that he had always dreamed of.
However, behind it all, Dave was not happy, and he could not muster the slightest smile. This was because he knew his father who was behind the curtain had already become a demon, and Dave was still a Dark Elf. Could such a relationship still be called father and son?
At this moment, Andre’s voice came from behind the curtain again.
“What are you still standing there for? Sit on the chair, next to the curtain!”
All the generals gasped when they heard this. Some of them even almost cried out in surprise.
It turned out that the extra seat that was above all the generals today was actually prepared for His Highness Dave!
It seemed that their relationship was still father and son after all. The City Lord wanted to start grooming his son. The soldiers realized that the future of Devil Flame City might be changing!
His Highness Dave, who was previously looked down upon by the soldiers, might be the next master of this city!
However, even though the generals were surprised, no one was worried about Dave’s power. This was because the City Lord was in his prime and had just advanced to become a demon. The City Lord still had much power to gain, and Dave becoming the City Lord was still a very distant matter!
At this moment, Dave did not have the time to think. This was because he was dumbfounded by his father’s arrangements. He could not understand what his father was doing. His father had always been strict and cold toward him.
However, as things had come to this, Dave did not dare to hesitate. He turned to look at Vincent instinctively.
Vincent’s eyes were filled with doubt, but he still nodded slightly at Dave, indicating for him to wait and see.
After that, Dave sighed softly, then strode past the generals and sat on the chair at the front.
Dave was only an arm’s length away from the curtain. He really wanted to pull the curtain open and see what his father had become.
However, Dave, who knew that the bigger picture was more important, held back the thought. After all, although the current situation was puzzling, it was going all according to his and Vincent’s plan. Therefore, he could not destroy this gift!
On the other hand, Vincent, who was standing outside the hall, appeared rather awkward. He knew that it was a general meeting. Logically speaking, he, the City Patrol Officer, had to be present for the meeting but his position was not very high. If one were to talk about statuses, he should be sitting at the back of the hall.
However, there was not a single empty chair in the area where the low-level generals were seated. This meant that no one had prepared a seat for Vincent!
The low-level generals who had also noticed this could not help but lower their heads and snicker. There were even some who turned their heads to look at Vincent with gloating expressions.
The generals of Devil Flame City had different views regarding Vincent’s recent promotion. For example, the few high-level generals guarding the city gates did not care about Vincent’s promotion at all, because the City Patrol Officer was only in charge of 300 troops. It was nothing at all compared to the high-level generals who were in charge of tens of thousands of troops.
However, those low-level generals whose official positions were similar to Vincent’s obviously had some resentment and jealousy toward him.
They had worked hard to earn their current positions through military merits, but Vincent had relied on his relationship with Dave to rise to the position of City Patrol Officer without any effort. Moreover, the path of promotion for Vincent is obviously going to be smoother than other low-ranking generals. This made all the low-ranking generals resent Vincent!
After seeing the embarrassed Vincent, Dave could not help but frown, because he still remembered why Miller died. It was exactly because he had received his father’s orders to assassinate Vincent!
His father did not have anyone prepare a seat for Vincent. Could it be that he wanted to make a move against Vincent in public?
After thinking about it, Dave gripped the handle of his chair tightly. He had already made up his mind. If his father wanted to harm Vincent, he was determined to fight a bloody battle along with Vincent, regardless of the generals present!
Just as he finished thinking, Andre, who was behind the curtain, said again, “Vincent, don’t just stand there! Aren’t there still empty seats? Quickly sit down!”
Vincent swept his gaze across the room and saw that there was only one empty seat left. Therefore, he walked forward and sat side by side with the three guards of the East, West, and South Gates. He was right behind Dave.
“I deliberately ordered my men not to prepare the City Patrol Officer’s seat because I knew that either you or Miller would return! If Miller comes back, then he will still be the guard of the North Gate. However, it was you who had returned. From today onwards, you will become the guard of the North Gate of Devil Flame City!”
Andre’s voice came from behind the curtain again, his tone filled with strong determination.
The low-level generals who had taken the opportunity to mock Vincent just a moment ago were all stunned. It was as if they had been struck by lightning. They thought that what awaited Vincent would be humiliation, but they did not expect Vincent to be greeted with a meteoric promotion. He directly became one of the most powerful generals under the City Lord and His Highness Dave, both the father and son!
The generals of the East, West, and South Gates were also shocked because they did not expect Vincent to reach their positions so quickly. According to legend, Vincent was just an ordinary level 25 creature. What qualifications did he have to be able to sit on the North Gate’s general seat?
“Could it be…”
At this moment, a trace of doubt suddenly rose in the hearts of the three generals, because Andre’s words made them think of a very terrifying possibility.
Miller, who was originally in charge of guarding the North Gate has been killed by Vincent. This was why Vincent had the qualifications to sit on Miller’s seat. The level 25 creature strength that he had previously displayed was just used to hide his weakness!
Vincent was leaning back generously on his seat. He smiled and looked at the curtain and said, “Thank you, City Lord, for your kind intentions! Everything that I have done is only to help His Highness, Dave!”
Every time Vincent said a word, the air in the hall was silent. After his speech, a series of explosions could be heard in the air.
Everyone knew that Vincent was doing this to show off his strength. He was telling everyone around him that he had the strength to sit in the position of the North Gate Guard General!
“Level 40 creature!”
The East, West, and South Gate guards exclaimed in their hearts at the same time. They were all much older than Vincent. On the other hand, Vincent was only 20 years old. Nevertheless, he already had the strength to stand shoulder to shoulder with them. Such talent was bound to be limitless in the future.
A mere North Gate guard, he was indeed worthy of it!
Although Vincent’s expression was relaxed and his actions were confident, his heart was extremely unsettled. Although the North Gate Guard General was the position that Vincent wanted, he never thought that it would be so easy. He had previously prepared a series of plans to take the position of the North Gate Guard General one step at a time, but the plans were no longer needed.
Everything happened too smoothly. A bad feeling began to rise in Vincent’s heart. He had a feeling that there is an unseen danger lurking behind this ideal scenario where everything he wanted was achieved!
“Cough, cough!”
Andre’s heavy cough suddenly came from behind the curtain. All the generals sat up hurriedly in a solemn manner. They were ready to listen to the teachings of the City Lord. Even Vincent and Dave followed the others and straightened their bodies a little.
“Everyone! I believe that all of you have heard of the changes that have happened to me. This is also a good opportunity for me to become stronger. Therefore, I will be in seclusion for the next few days, trying to improve my cultivation! All the affairs in the city will be handled by Dave on my behalf. You must treat him with the same respect as you treat me. Otherwise, Dave can use the authority of the City Lord to do anything to you. Do you understand?” said Andre in a deep voice.
His speech was like a series of thunderclaps in everyone’s heart.
Only then did the generals realize that the City Lord was not going to teach his son. Instead, he had directly transferred his authority to Dave. As a City Lord who had become a demon, he naturally wanted to climb to a higher position!
However, all the generals had doubts in their hearts. Did the City Lord even consider whether Dave was dead or alive before this?
He was suddenly given the power to be in charge of Devil Flame City. Does he have the ability to rule over every party?
At this time, Vincent suddenly said, “Please rest assured, City Lord. From today onwards, as long as I’m here, anyone who does not listen to Dave’s orders will die!”
When the generals heard this, all their doubts were washed away. It turns out that they had forgotten about Vincent hiding by His Highness’ side. The dutiful servant was the guardian who protected His Highness!
Behind the curtain, Andre seemed to be very interested after hearing what Vincent had said. He continued to ask, “You sound very confident.”
Vincent nodded and said, “Of course! I promise I’ll keep my word!”
Andre suddenly let out a burst of laughter, and then asked, “What if the entire Devil Flame City is not willing to listen to Dave’s orders?”
Vincent’s eyes narrowed. He could not help but think of the conversation between Andre and Myron in Hell’s Rose. So, he said in a cold tone, “Then I’ll kill everyone in the city!”
“Good, very good! I can rest easy with you here!”
Andre expressed his appreciation to Vincent happily.
“You flatter me, City Lord!”
Vincent replied humbly with his head lowered. However, no one noticed that underneath his lowered head, his smile became very cold and even had a hint of anger.
This was because Andre’s goal was to kill all the Dark Elves and make them go extinct. Therefore, Vincent’s attitude of wanting to slaughter the entire city for the sake of Dave earlier was in line with Andre’s ultimate goal. That was why he was so appreciative toward him.
Vincent knew all of this, which was why he could play right into Andre’s hands. At the same time, he hated Andre’s madness even more.
“Since that is the case, everyone can leave. I’m preparing to enter seclusion immediately. No matter what happens, no one is allowed to disturb me!”
Andre’s voice came from behind the curtain once again, giving his final order.
All the generals in the hall, including Dave and Vincent, stood up in unison and left the meeting hall.
Whilst walking in the courtyard of the City Lord’s Mansion, Vincent and Dave became the focus of everyone’s attention. All the generals surrounded them and started to praise them.
“Your Highness Dave, you are a young genius! I had long known that Your Highness Dave was extraordinary and heroic. Sooner or later, you will be the most powerful one of all. Now that you have the power and control over the life and death of a city, we will rely on Your Highness to take care of us from now on!”
“You are right. Your Highness is a young genius. In the future, you will be a wise ruler. Under Your Highness’s management, Devil Flame City will definitely rise to a higher level!”
“Sir Vincent has worked so hard! Not long ago, he was just seriously injured. Now, he has taken on such a heavy burden. If there is anything that we can be of use of, just let us know!”
“From the start, I knew that Sir Vincent was not an ordinary person. Sooner or later, he will amaze everyone with his potential. It seems that Sir Vincent was just hiding his identity. Now that we know his true strength, you have put us all to shame!”
All the generals knew that Dave and Vincent had stepped into the pinnacle of power in Devil Flame City. As long as they could curry favor with one of them, they would be able to rise to the top in the future. Hence, they did not care about anything else at that moment. They only focused on fawning over Dave and Vincent.
Vincent and Dave were being tossed around by the crowd of generals. The two of them could not do much but look at each other helplessly. The surrounding generals were too overbearing.
Dave had no choice but to assert his authority. He said to everyone loudly, “Everyone, return to your posts now! From now on, I will remember who has contributed and who has made mistakes. I will guarantee that the rewards and punishments will be appropriate so that you will all put your trust in me! Instead of continuing to surround me, it would be better to immediately return to your posts now!”
The generals immediately nodded and said, “Yes, yes, yes! Your Highness has taught us a lesson. We will return to our posts immediately and adjust our defenses. We will search carefully for any suspicious traces and guarantee that no elves will be allowed to sneak into the city!”
After everyone gave their assurances to Dave, they turned around and left, leaving Vincent and Dave behind. The two finally let out a long sigh of relief.
Dave leaned on Vincent’s arm and sighed softly, “What the hell happened today? Why was everything so bizarre?”
Vincent frowned slightly and said, “This is not a place to talk. Let’s go to the North City!”