From Ruin to Reign Leander's Unbreakable Will novel Chapter 398

To serve the nation, to defend it, to defeat its greatest enemies—those who achieved such feats were called Guardians of the Nation.

Astria's history was filled with legendary Guardians: the heroes who fought in the resistance, the brilliant minds behind the atomic bombs, and the satellite program—all of them earned this title.

For such extraordinary contributions, the nation created a special medal: the Guardian Medal.

To receive this medal was to have the nation formally recognize them as a Guardian of the Nation. It was the highest honor imaginable. Even the captain generals considered it a badge of supreme distinction. Every citizen aspired to become a Guardian, to dedicate themselves fully to the service of their country.

Earning a Guardian Medal was nearly impossible. Yet here was Gideon—the personal secretary of one of Astria's most powerful figures—entering the hall with one in hand. And not just that: this medal was intended for a young man not yet twenty years old.

A Wyvern Blade general under twenty… a Guardian Medal holder under twenty… The hall fell deathly silent. And then, the room erupted in astonished cries that couldn't be contained.

Logan, Malric, and the others froze, their expressions drained of hope.

If Leander's appointment as a Wyvern Blade general had left the Riverstone family clinging to the faintest glimmer of resistance, this seal of approval from Astria's top powerhouses, the bestowal of a Guardian Medal, crushed any remaining hope.

Every Guardian Medal recipient was among the nation's most elite, its most respected figures. These were not people they could challenge with petitions or letters of complaint.

Skelly had started this conflict, but even if Leander had acted on his own initiative, the Riverstone family had no leverage. Astria's military and government would stand firmly on Leander's side.

Logan looked at Leander's calm, composed face, and his chest tightened with shock.

He had believed that by rallying five generals, two provincial governors, and three of Astria's top ten corporations, he could crush Leander and the Ashcroft family, brand Leander a traitor, and strip him of standing in Astria forever. Yet despite marshaling all these heavyweights, he had been suppressed by a single young man.

The power Leander wielded was beyond anything the Riverstone family could match. For the first time, Logan realized just how powerless they could truly be.

Dorian, a major general, felt a deep, bitter defeat for the first time. A young man not yet twenty had thrown the Riverstone family into chaos, and they were completely helpless. The gap between them was staggering—beyond measure.

When Gideon presented the Guardian Medal, Leander did not immediately accept it. He merely waved his hand lightly.

"You honor me too much. I've only done my small part for the nation. I am far from deserving this medal."

Gideon did not take offense. Instead, he pressed the medal slightly closer to Leander.

"General Ashcroft, a true man of honor accepts what is rightly his. Your contributions to the nation make you fully deserving of this recognition.

"You founded the Devourer's Flow, playing an irreplaceable role in the development and training of the Wyvern Blade. That alone is a monumental achievement.

"In the Southern Ocean, you single-handedly eradicated the remnants of the War God Sanctum, preventing their covert persecution of our nation, and struck a decisive blow against the World Arbitration Office, preserving the four major elite families of Highcliffe. That is another tremendous accomplishment.

"You established Jeff Enterprises, whose products—Phoenix Essence Pills and Soulwater among them—have greatly improved citizens' quality of life and slowed population aging. That is yet another major contribution.

The five generals who had come to back Logan stiffened. Under Leander's stare, they dipped their heads slightly.

"General Ashcroft, we didn't act with sufficient care or verify the truth. Please spare our families any implication," they said.

They were veteran generals, but how could they match Leander's current standing? Even ignoring the Guardian Medal, the rank of Wyvern Blade general alone demanded their respect.

Leander's eyes cooled. "I honor your service to the nation. This time, I'll let it pass. Leave now."

They bowed again, offered a few polite words, and hurried from the banquet hall, leaving the trembling Riverstone father and son behind.

"General Ashcroft—about this matter…" Logan began, contrite and ready to beg for mercy. Leander waved him off.

"The Riverstone family's problems are far from over," he said. "When I'm done, I'll settle the score."

As he finished, a fierce wind blew in from outside and whipped the curtains aside.

Everyone turned. At the entrance stood a tall Taoist holding a whisk. White robes hung on him, and a pair of bright eyes bore straight at Leander.

"Jeff," the person called, "a fight between you and me is inevitable. Let's fight."