Chapter 297

Chapter 297

Fool! Why havent you responded yet? Hurry and thank the-

Be proud boy, straighten up and show these fools what a true warr-

Salute and bow, but keep your head lowered. Then thank the legate and say this lowly servant dare not-

Hmph. Dont think this decree means you can stand tall and -

It takes all my focus and willpower to drone out the chorus of Sendings. With Yuzhen, Akanai, Baatar and Nian Zu all shouting directly into my brain, Im inundated by commands, advice, compliments, and reprimands from the well-meaning elders. To make matters worse, after parsing through their messages, I discover none of their advice matches up, leaving me stuck in a precarious situation. Do I follow Nian Zus command and happily accept my promotion to turtle chaperon, or should I listen to Yuzhen and graciously reject by feigning modesty? Meanwhile, Akanai is understandably trying to keep the attention from going to my head, while Baatar wants me to stand tall and be proud.

What do?

Theres no right answer here. Theres no winning, not for poor old me caught in a four-way tug of war.

Thankfully, the Legates attention is elsewhere as he scans the crowd of displeased nobles and officials. I'm a little miffed at the dude. I figured if I kept my head down and mouth shut, I might live long enough to die fighting the Defiled. Judging by the vast array of murderous glares directed towards me, the Legates dual decrees have placed me on the path towards a different bad end. With his hand resting on my shoulder, we must look like the best of friends, a situation which they find upsetting.

Ugh. Politics.

I dont know why the Legate is acting so friendly, but despite his youthful good looks, noble bearing, and benevolent disposition, I dont trust him any farther than I can throw him. Well, thats not right, Im strong enough to throw him across the room but I dont trust him one bit. Its not because Ive seen through his motives or sensed something off about him, nor am I jealous of how amazing he looks in his silken gold robes and fancy, beaded hair-hat. I dont trust him for one reason and one reason only.

Ping-Ping doesnt like him.

Fearsome armoured dinosaur she may be, Ping-Ping is extremely laid back. She doesnt care about unfamiliar people or animals scurrying around her, always happy to put her head down and snooze even at the busiest of times. I mean, during our stroll through Nan Ping, we attracted a huge crowd of locals clamouring to see her but she barely batted an eye. She loves it when Aurie, Blackjack, or Lin crawl all over her shell and shes been pet by hundred of strangers, including powerful Martial Warriors like Akanai, Baatar, Guard Leader and more, all without showing a single sign of aggression or warning.

Until the Legate, Shen Zhenwu, stepped up to touch her beak. All of sudden, she went into what I call siege-mode. Stomach lowered, shoulders squared, neck cocked, and beak half-opened, she looks like a mobile cannon prepared to fire. Itd be comical if it wasnt so terrifying, as the only other time Ive seen her do this was when she fired off a giant ball of spit to knock me on my ass. To be fair, I was trying to scare her with my Aura at the time, and after regaining consciousness and taking a second look at her hooked beak, powerful jaws, and deceptively long neck, I realized things could have gone much worse.

Fortunately, Id already sent my retinue ahead and only Jochi, Argat, and Mafu were there to witness my humiliation, so all was forgiven. Ping-Ping has yet to spit on anyone else including the Legate, who only stepped in for a cursory pat before retreating. A true animal lover wouldve scratched her nose or the ridges between her eyes, searching for that sweet eye-squinting vindication, but I digress. Its a good thing he backed off though, because while I cant predict how the Legate will react if the Divine Turtle knocks him out with spit, Id imagine itd be something unpleasant for everyone involved, full of torment and suffering and such. Sending siege-mode Ping-Ping love and good vibes through my Aura, I swallow my apprehension and follow Yuzhens lead, praying she knows what shes doing.

Lets be honest, it's not like I have a choice. Nian Zus been stuck with the shittiest job in the North for decades now, so hes in no position to be giving political advice.

Clasping my hands, I salute and bow as instructed, though I have to step back to avoid headbutting the overly-familiar Legate in the pelvis. Please let this be the closest I ever get to his crotch, itd be super awkward if it turns out hes being nice because he wants my body. Curse my boyish good looks and piercing amber eyes. Imperial Servant thanks Imperial Legate, but Imperial Servant dares not accept. This lowly one is unworthy of such immense honour and begs Imperial Legate to reconsider. Id hardly call it an honour to be a turtles attendant, Divine or otherwise, but Im gonna stick with parroting Yuzhen verbatim and keeping my head down until otherwise instructed. My view is limited to the Legates feet as they turn towards me in utter silence. It was quiet to begin with but now even the flood of Sendings have stopped as I wait with bated breath for the Legates response.

And wait.

Say what you will about reckless self-harm, but Baledagh knows how to put on a show. None of our opponents speak, though I can see fear and regret in their eyes. From his throne, the Legate smiles and says, Good, good. Swords and spears have no eyes, so suffer no grievances or grudges for any injuries incurred. Imperial Servant Falling Rain, as the challenged, how would you like to proceed?

In no rush to reply, Baledagh studies our opponents with a careful eye. Shaking his head ever so slightly, he clasps his hands and bows. Imperial Servant doesnt wish to waste any of Imperial Legates precious time. Let them all come at once. I won't use Aura so long as they don't either.

Uh... Seriously dude? I mean, even if theyre all shaking in their boots, theyre still rich nobles with the best instructors money can buy. Worried I might shake his confidence, I keep quiet and say a little prayer to the Mother. Shamed by Baledaghs disrespect, the same poncy fop who accused us of being afraid goes red with rage as his fingers tighten around a jian, a flimsy, double-edged duelling sword popular here in Central. Arrogant savage, he screams, interrupting the Legate. Die for me!

Despite sounding the charge, the jian-wielding fop stands in place while his companions rush us in anger. Exploding into motion, Baledagh ducks a clumsy, over-hand slash and shoulder-checks the leading youth, flipping him over our head and into the air. Without missing a beat, Baledagh takes a backhand swing at the closest youth and catches him in the ribs mid-jump with the flat of our sword. Using Peace like a club, Baledagh bashes the next two opponents into submission with clean strikes to the jaw, both unfortunate souls spinning in place as their forward momentum comes to a crashing halt. Locking blades with another youth, my little brother steps around the blades and chops down with Tranquilitys rim, following through with the same motion to parry a thrust as he swivels on one foot and elbows a hidden assailant in the face.

A front kick catches our seventh opponent in the chest and Baledagh is left facing our last opponent, the mouthy little fop with the flimsy sword. Trembling from head to toe, the wide-eyed brat backs away from Baledaghs approach, panic taking over after watching us defeat seven of his peers without breaking a sweat. S-stay b-back, he stutters, his warbling sword held in two shaky hands. D-dont! Playing things up, Baledagh stalks this last, frightened youth like a hungry lion, moving neither too fast or too slow. Tossing his weapon to the floor, the little fops shows both palms in submission. P-please, I y-y-yield. Victory is y-yours.

Lip curled in disdain, Baledagh kicks the fops sword back, the beautifully crafted Spiritual Weapon scraping across the marble tiles. Despicable, he says, his voice unmoved and unforgiving. Pick up your weapon and fight.

The fops eyes dart to the crowd and Shi-Woo speaks up. Imperial Legate, this Servant -.

The match continues.

Crumpling at the Legates refusal, the little fop falls to his knees and cowers behind his hands, saying nothing as he trembles in place. While I feel for the kid, Baledagh doesnt share my sympathy. Is this what you intend to do when the Defiled come? Throw your sword aside and yield? Youd be better off using it to cut your throat because the Enemy will not stop at victory. They will raze your lands and turn this city into a land of suffering and despair, because that is all they know. There is no surrender with the Defiled, you either fight, or you die.

The fop refuses once more with a silent shake of his head, and Baledagh acts. With two quick, careful cuts, he leaves the fops arms all but useless, though in no danger of bleeding out. Placing our bloodied sword beneath the fops chin, Baledagh forces him to look into our eyes. All I see is a young man terrified out of his wits and I urge Baledagh to show mercy, but he doesnt respond, staring into the boys eyes for long seconds.

When Baledagh finally speaks, his tone is casual and informal, as if chatting with a close friend in a private setting. I admit, Ive heard countless strange and fanciful rumours in my time, so half of what youve heard about me is probably untrue. Disappointing, I know, but were both victims here. I was told Centrals warriors were expert duellists, risking life and limb for fame and rank, but such is life. Sighing, Baledagh shakes his head and continues. Theyre no laughing matter, duels to the death. Its hard to explain how it feels to walk on stage with your opponent and know only one of you will leave alive. I still remember my first duel to the death like it was yesterday. My opponent was Teng Wei Chuan of the Baiji Sect, twenty-three years old and already a Captain at the Wall, defending the Empire from the Defiled hordes. Im not a large man and back then I was even smaller, mostly skin and bones. Teng Wei Chuan towered above me, a warrior-born with broad shoulders, a barrel chest, and a voice like thunder. Once our duel started, he charged forward and I swear the stage shook with his every step. Sometimes when I close my eyes, I still see him leaping across the stage with fist cocked, ready to smash me into a pulp. I was so terrified I almost forgot to raise my weapons, a callow, seventeen year old boy fighting to the death against a seasoned Captain. Even the little fop is caught up in the tale and the room is so quiet you can hear a pin drop. With a single strike, Teng Wei Chuan shattered the solid stone stage, raising a cloud of dust which obscured vision for meters around us. If Id been a half-step slower or he a half-step faster, I wouldnt be standing here today, but luck was on my side that day. I avoided his strike and countered with one of my own, landing a fatal blow on his abdomen. Make no mistake, he had hours to treat it and any competent healer could have saved him, but it was a killing blow nonetheless. Knuckles tightening around Peace, Baledagh shrugs and concludes, So I cut his throat and watched him die, his body trembling as his lifes blood spilled from neck and stomach.

Startled by the abrupt end of Baledaghs tale, the young fop whimpers and backs away, but my little brother wont allow it. Keeping Peace under the fops chin as he advances, Baledagh asks, Do you know why Im telling you this? Without waiting for an answer, he continues, matching pace with the retreating fop. Because I shouldnt have killed him. True, he represented the Society who wronged me and my family, but Teng Wei Chuan was a magnificent warrior of the Empire. In these dark times, we need more men like him. Stamping on the fops pants leg, Baledagh puts an end to his retreat and speaks over the young mans pleading cries. I regret killing Teng Wei Chuan, but Ill never regret killing a snivelling little brat like you.

Stop. The Legates command ends the match before Baledagh strikes the killing blow, but our opponent has already fainted. Of the other seven youths, only three are still conscious, but they're all alive and breathing. Putting his weapons away, Baledagh marches back to stand before the Legates throne and bows before giving control back to me. Well done, the Legate says, sounding pleased as can be. Your reputation is well-deserved and your mercy much appreciated. You speak true, for the Empire needs every warrior it can find, though I'd hesitate to call trash like him a warrior. Addressing the crowd, the Legate says, My decrees stand. The Divine Turtle is not to be harmed and Warrant Officer Falling Rain will see to her needs and safety. I will hear no more talk on this subject.

... Wait what? I didnt agree to this. When did attendant become bodyguard? Wait, with Nian Zu, Yuzhen, and Akanai all staying in the Magistrates Palace, my three strongest supporters will be too far away to help. Fuck! Seriously, why is the Legate giving such an important job to a nineteen year old kid? Ask Nian Zu to nanny the turtle or something, this is way above my pay grade.

Adding a shit-cherry on top of my shit-sundae, Yuzhen reminds me to thank the Legate for this dubious honour.

I hope Guan Suo and Guard Leader come back soon, because something tells me Im gonna need all the help I can get and more. Then again, the Legate did say Im to be given free reign to carry out my Holy Duty, whatever they might be. With an Imperial Legate backing me, that means I get to be the arrogant young master and scream 'do you know who I am?'. I could have fun with this, or better yet, do a lot of good. I still dont trust the Legate, but as long as hes pretending to back me, I might as well make the best of a bad situation.

All I have to do is keep Ping-Ping alive. She survived thousands of years all on her own, so how hard could it be?

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