The northern territory of Free Town.
A fortress situated between two towering mountain ranges, seamlessly integrated with the slopes, served as an absolute barrier to the northern reaches of Free Town. This barrier, established by Commander Rous, was built to shield the northern frontier from potential foreign threats.
Inside the fortress, numerous tents had been erected.
Troops patrolled everywhere, and new recruits were undergoing training.
At this moment—
In the fortress's command tent, several heavily armored generals stared intently at a human general within.
"Deputy Commander Ka Shi, we have no other intentions."
"It is indeed too sudden that the Commander suddenly entrusted the military token to you. While you were indeed the first to be by the Commander's side, the Commander showed no intention of relinquishing command before you left the city a few days ago."
"The Commander did not return yesterday, and you brought the military token back to the city."
"You blabbered that you would command the northern fortress in the future. Do we not deserve an explanation?"
Several generals stood grouped together, surrounding the general in the center – the deputy commander entrusted by Rous, holding the military token.
"Are you all that impatient?" Deputy Commander Ka Shi looked at the generals before him. "The Commander treated you well. What are you trying to do now? Do you want to seize power?! Even if you harbor such intentions, shouldn't you wait a few days? I only just arrived in the city."
"Deputy Commander, your words are truly disheartening to your brothers."
A one-eyed general, bearing a large red birthmark resembling a tattoo on his face, licked his lips and dragged a chair over, sitting down with a thud.
"We are all generals under the Commander, and we have all risked our lives with the Commander. Now that the Commander is missing, you suddenly claim that the Commander has appointed you to defend this place. We were colleagues before; you go out of the city once, and you become our superior. Ka Shi… you need to command respect for the Commander's position."
"Are you saying you do not submit?"
Ka Shi's gaze immediately turned grim, and the energy within him began to surge.
A boundless torrent of Aura swept out like a tsunami.
However, the one-eyed general leaning against his chair remained unfazed. Energy erupted from him simultaneously, meeting the opposing force with equal, or even superior, power.
In this clash of energies, Ka Shi was involuntarily forced back half a step.
"Ka Shi, don't blame me for not showing you brotherly courtesy. When the Commander was here, we all wholeheartedly assisted him. Now that the Commander is gone, you want this fortress to bow to you based solely on the military token? That is absolutely impossible," the one-eyed general sneered. "At the very least, I will never agree. Or, if your strength can surpass mine and make me willingly submit as your subordinate, nothing else matters."
"Mo Ye, you are going too far."
A general in golden armor behind Ka Shi stepped forward, pointing at the one-eyed general and reprimanding him angrily.
"The Commander personally stated that seeing the military token is like seeing him. Now that Ka Shi holds the military token, and you are saying these things, do you still have the Commander in your eyes? I think you are trying to seize power amidst the chaos, a heart that deserves death!"
"Hahaha, hahahaha…"
The one-eyed general, leaning against his chair, burst into unrestrained laughter.
"You Golden Army brothers are united and cultured; your words are all high-sounding. However, our Vanguard Battle Group doesn't buy into your nonsense. Your Golden Army relies on seniority, boasting about being the first residents of Free Town, joining the Commander's corps early, and achieving positions in the Golden Army. You wear the best equipment of our entire corps."
"Our Vanguard Battle Group relies on hard-earned battle achievements."
"Everything our Vanguard Battle Group possesses was fought for with the lives of our comrades. We don't bother with useless talk; we value strength."
"It was the Commander's ability that led him to recruit us back then. If you want us to submit, then show us your capabilities. Use your fists to silence me, not stand here threatening me with the Commander's words."
"Look at the mountains outside."
"This is a fortress, a bulwark guarding Free Town. If you lack strength, what right do you have to sit on that seat of command over the corps?"
"Huh?!"
The one-eyed general craned his neck to question, his eyes filled with an indescribable mockery.
"To put it bluntly, the Commander only brought your Golden Army on this excursion. Who knows what happened outside? Could it be that you secretly harmed the Commander, took the military token, and returned to the city to usurp power? What do you say?"
"Mo Ye, say that again!"
"What if I say it ten thousand times? Everything I'm doing now is a reasonable suspicion. Free Town promotes freedom of speech; does it not apply to me here? Am I not a citizen of Free Town and unable to enjoy this right?"
"Mo Ye, you!!!"
The Golden Army generals standing behind Ka Shi were incensed.
"Enough."
Ka Shi slowly raised his head, the Golden Army generals behind him filled with rage.
"Deputy Commander, what are Mo Ye and the others saying? You…"
"Mo Ye, let's not mention the Commander anymore. Let's talk about who will guard the fortress in the future. According to your logic, whoever is stronger holds the power of speech. That's what you're actually trying to express, isn't it?" Ka Shi's eyes fixed on Mo Ye, who was seated.
"That is precisely the intention."
"Then, three days from now, we will duel outside the fortress. Whoever wins will possess the military token, and anyone who sees the military token must respectfully bow their heads. No one will be allowed to question the weight of the military token anymore, how about it?"
"Deputy Commander!"
The expressions of several Golden Army generals changed dramatically.
Although they were angered by Mo Ye's words, they couldn't deny that Mo Ye was the Commander Rous's foremost subordinate. While Ka Shi was not weak, there was still a significant gap between them.
If a fight were to occur, Ka Shi would undoubtedly lose.
From the moment Ka Shi received the military token, he had anticipated this outcome upon returning to the city. He also knew very well that in terms of strength, he was indeed no match for Mo Ye. However, he had to issue this challenge.
And he had to win.
Even if he had to sacrifice his own life to severely wound Mo Ye, he had to vindicate the humiliation the military token had suffered after Commander Rous entrusted it to him.
Perhaps, this was Commander Rous's final legacy.
He would not allow anyone to defile it.
"Very well, then three days from now." If a battle were to happen, it suited Mo Ye's intentions perfectly. "As you said, the victor holds the military token, and whoever disrespects the military token in the future shall face divine retribution. Are you satisfied with me saying this?"
"Satis..."
Unexpectedly, before Ka Shi could finish speaking, a shout filled with surprise came from outside the tent.
"Commander, the Commander has arrived!!!"