"From what you're saying, you want the War Department to hand over the command of the Army of Bloodshadow to you?" Bob Stokes glanced at the loudest agitators and spoke in a calm tone.
"Mr Stokes, don't take things out of context, that's not what we meant. We're just concerned about Commander Gardner..." one man responded.
"That's not what you meant? Then shut it!" Bob Stokes interrupted sharply.
"You..." the man frowned.
"Mr Barber, let's drop it," Andy interjected, then turned to Bob. "Mr Stokes, today you're here on behalf of Central Sky Office, not as an individual. Please choose your words more carefully."
"Oh, are you about to lecture me?" Bob Stokes smirked. After a brief pause, he continued, "Mr Cooke, do you know how many enemies were eliminated in the Southern Border battle?"
"Mr Stokes, that's not the point." Another middle-aged man approached.
"The casualties in Nanrania are their concern, not ours. What we're discussing here is Glavale's losses."
"And, the international community is starting to take an interest in this matter. I suspect it won't be long before they come to negotiate with Glavale."
"At that time, how do you expect Glavale to justify its actions?"
"And who might you be?" Bob Stokes squinted his eyes slightly.
"The Ministry of Protocol, Scott Elliott." The middle-aged man furrowed his brows.
"Tsk tsk, so you're Mr Elliott. I've heard of your reputation, and it's a pleasure to meet you today." "Ministry of Protocol has been dealing with Nanrania for years, haven't you? But it seems like they've become increasingly audacious. I even wonder if their repeated covert actions behind our backs had your tacit approval."
Stan Mitchell and Harlan Holmes both coughed simultaneously. This was quite a bold statement. People around King of the West often acted as if they were cut from the same cloth, even down to their tone of speech.
"Ridiculous?!" Scott Elliott exclaimed angrily. "Mr Stokes, please mind your words, this isn't the Central Sky Office's lobby."
"Oh, getting worked up, are we? Could it be that I've hit the mark?" Bob Stokes chuckled.
"Mr Stokes, while some jokes are acceptable, there are lines you shouldn't cross, some jokes can be fatal." Andy added.
Mr Cooke, if memory serves, Nanrania falls under your jurisdiction, right?" Bob Stokes turned to Andy.
"What are you trying to say?" Andy frowned.
"Nanrania has been cozying up to the West for years. Did your Chamber not notice, or did you notice but turn a blind eye, just like Mr Elliott?"
"Enough!" Andy Cooke and Scott Elliott both shouted.
"Bob Stokes, don't think that because you're Deputy Master of Central Sky Office, you can spout nonsense in our hall." Scott's face turned grim.
"Even if it's Commander-in-chief of Central Sky Office, he can't baselessly defame the Imperial Hall like this."
"Apologize to both me and Mr Elliot right now, or this matter won't end today!"
As he spoke, a strong aura erupted from him, carrying a hint of murderous intent.
"Please, gentlemen, calm down." Stan Mitchell took a deep breath and addressed Scott Elliott and the others.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The War God's Homecoming
more pages please...
more pages please...