From Ruin to Reign Leander's Unbreakable Will novel Chapter 397

Just a day ago, Leander had received a call from Darrow. It was that very call that made him ignore all other matters and head straight to the Riverstone family's banquet.

"Do you still have the nerve to say that now?"

He cast a sidelong glance at Logan and the others, a faint, mocking smile tugging at his lips.

"What…"

Logan and the rest froze, completely at a loss for words.

They all knew exactly what it meant for Astria's military to have a general of Wyvern Blade in play. Even if all seven of them combined their complaints, how could they possibly match the backing of four captain generals?

Without even thinking much, they already understood: the chances of the military punishing Leander were virtually zero.

"What's going on here?"

Darrow and the other captain generals turned to look.

Logan and Malric's expressions changed drastically. They hesitated, unsure how to answer. Finally, Logan forced himself to speak, trying to mask his frustration.

"General Leon… General Darkmoor… I honestly don't understand. What has Jeff done to deserve becoming a general of Wyvern Blade?

"Three days ago, he abused his power and threw my two grandsons off Westvale Peak, breaking all their limbs. My eldest grandson, Quincy, is a third-tier officer! How can someone this cruel be entrusted with such important military duties?"

"Oh?"

Darrow and Leif exchanged a glance, calm and unreadable, then turned toward Leander.

"General Ashcroft… would you like to say something?"

Leander let out a quiet, amused chuckle.

"Logan… you only mentioned that I gravely injured your two grandsons. But why didn't you talk about why I injured them?

"Three days ago, the Riverstone family's third-generation Skelly led a group to Westvale Peak, broke into my mother's meditation room, and even tried to kidnap her. I intervened—and threw them off Westvale Peak!

"Then, Quincy came at me, trying to throw me off Westvale Peak instead. Luckily, my skills were superior, and I turned the tables on him.

"Do I need to make it any clearer?"

Logan and Dorian exchanged glances. They knew well how reckless Skelly was, but they couldn't admit it now. Swallowing his pride, Logan stammered, "Jeff… that's just your version of events. Who can prove it? You're making it all up!"

"Is that so?" Leander's smile didn't waver. "Two female students from Highcliffe University were there. My mother was there. And dozens of your Riverstone family's bodyguards were present. Should we ask each of them to confirm the truth?"

"Err…"

Logan and Dorian fell utterly silent. Seeing their reaction, even Malric and the others felt a chill run through them, a hint of hesitation creeping in.

Darrow and Leif's eyes turned icy. At that moment, their voices rang out sharply.

"Old Mr. Riverstone… your family is bold indeed, daring to attack a general of Wyvern Blade. Do you even realize that attempting to murder a Wyvern Blade general is a crime your entire family might not survive?"

"I heard you even tried to incite five other senior generals to write a petition slandering General Ashcroft, to have him expelled from Astria and stripped of citizenship?"

"Old Mr. Riverstone… conspiring against and defaming a general of Wyvern Blade—do you even know what kind of charges that is? I don't need to spell it out for you, do I?"

"Orders have already been issued. Lachlan will be investigated thoroughly."

Logan's hand shook. "Investigated thoroughly?"

He knew exactly what a full investigation of a provincial governor implied. He had never imagined things would escalate to this level.

Gideon ignored Logan completely, walking past him. He gave a polite smile to Darrow, Leif, and the other captain generals, then took a single step to stand before Leander.

"I first heard of you, General Ashcroft, months ago. Seeing you in person today… Truly, you are a hero of the ages, a young prodigy. No wonder even the top officials speak of you in such high praise."

Logan's expression froze, disbelief etched across his face.

"What? The top officials know Jeff? That's impossible!"

These were people who managed the affairs of the entire nation—figures at the very apex of power. Martial artists might be formidable, but they usually didn't command the attention of such people. Yet according to Gideon, not only did these officials know Leander, they held him in the highest regard.

Logan's understanding of the world shifted instantly.

"Old Mr. Riverstone," Gideon said coldly, "you are a senior general, yet you still fail to grasp what a supreme martial artist represents to a nation.

"You know well what the War God Sanctum was during the invasion of the allied forces. General Ashcroft, in the battle at Southern Shore, eradicated the remnants of the War God Sanctum and crushed the notorious World Arbitration Office on the international stage. The top officials themselves declared that a hero of the nation like General Ashcroft is a true national champion—a Guardian of the Nation.

"I am here on their orders. General Ashcroft's victory over the War God Sanctum and the World Arbitration Office brought great honor to the nation. In recognition of his achievements, he is hereby awarded the Guardian Medal."

With that, Gideon withdrew a stunning medal from his briefcase. It was a crimson shield, intricately engraved with a golden five-pointed star, radiating solemn authority.

For a moment, the entire hall froze in awe and fear.