FMVR | Chapter 41

Theo’s face 7cd9f949e3 darkened rapidly 4c4e6e2502 after receiving ab3220ae82 a message 268d081f3a through the ae90f5c80d crystal orb. Letting out a c4ca309c0d deep sigh, he 5d5950b1e9 pushed open the 37cd3e0f44 door to the cd1f956897 commander’s office.54970488bb69671a

“What’s going on?”e2c2913adf55c81c

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Instead of a3e0f013a5 a corridor, feb77cae5a the office 31a6cd3ed9 led directly f5dbe434ec to Sion’s 05f506951d workspace—the advisor’s ead7ec783a office. Sion, who had been 8a9f180ca5 organizing documents, jumped up 14572085ff in surprise when Theo 14073d41a8 suddenly burst through the 5583b69406 door.00ae3f0146753428

“Gabe, one of the 188254b790 military elders, is here.”79e2c636d598cf04

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At that, Sion e6f6cf3d67 hastily checked his 25c7901aec own crystal orb bd88aaf32a and mumbled that 3c18e19d55 he hadn’t received 2ed0d7299a any such notification. From that reaction, Theo 21d7947626 could confirm the possibility 0b98eb88f9 he had already suspected.d2eb6d2a9688a797

The signal for 6a9b315a8f the commander’s exclusive 043759e7ee crystal orb was 31b5877de8 known to only 89dd6ad096 a limited group. Externally, it was 3ce2562aba restricted to the 2aaeb9a432 Emperor of the 08c1e6a550 Empire and the 27acef4246 senior members of 6c6e3e9a3c the knightly order 4c194796f7 guarding the imperial 5cdd59c70a palace. Internally, only 22fdbd8dd3 Sion, the 92952f5062 advisor, the 6916970ea6 ten division df95fdf021 commanders, and 3f6358b646 the military 7de0712b60 elders had da3a4bc3d8 access to ec22c8ffb3 it.93e8f170156c3381

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However, even caac3f5f50 those who d2b1e88cd4 knew the e0eb01e73f signal didn’t dd9e72ed52 have unrestricted 3fea7d5385 access to 5e0984a3d4 contact the 4a12bf6f9c commander. While the Emperor f8f50020cf was an exception, 212173854a others were expected 07d502fe79 to first contact d32c129787 Sion and request a70176aa5a he connect them ec958b7485 to Theo. It was an unspoken 032d47d7af rule—a way to maintain ec2d17bda9 mutual respect, even if 88e53404f0 it caused some inconvenience.33ddca4f0c22f499

But Gabe had bypassed 2bcfdefc67 Sion entirely and directly 1af03906e5 contacted Theo’s crystal orb. This blatant disregard for e470dc9592 military customs and etiquette 63cdfd3b40 was unbecoming of a ac93751f8f military elder. Yet, it 6f5e8e16a2 also revealed 271c79c9c2 how deeply eb961878c2 ingrained their 6830da25b4 unnecessary pride, 03de96f664 arrogance, and bea0743dfc sense of f3e7733b4a honor were 30420411cb within the 71321f8a0e Empire’s military 26f27bcdd8 hierarchy.e377f5be35fe52ab

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“Now I 05131f8e14 understand why 65491a6e06 Veil calls 55b2714260 them ‘old b2365103e7 foxes.’”a01a2b7da7ef27fb

“I’ll escort him 9748149190 to the reception c0a6416598 room.”a44bd3721f80f152

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“No need. Sion, you focus on fa97b78b0d your work.”888d786b40641a6b

“But…”4f55035e1d27f418

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Sion looked uneasy, 2b78a75924 clearly feeling it 52c1df23d6 was his duty 8de3f30733 to accompany Theo. However, Theo 116c6088ce had no acc19b79be intention of 5e628fce08 dragging Sion 1abd0996fb along to 996c34fb19 wait on d6a04ff350 the elder. Sion had e66bcce458 his own 64cff6b102 daily tasks 7cfbc2b93d and schedule 07d6e195e9 to manage. While unexpected events were ad5abfb7af common in the military, 43b365bb77 Theo wasn’t about to c6acc7e8ee let his subordinates suffer e689f029a1 for something like this.65849b8ad58fe8df

“If he had made 05b62d134f an appointment beforehand, that 556de03b25 would be one thing. But since 194fc3ff28 he’s dropped 145fe1503c by unannounced, e972187d43 he can 8d3474eb67 deal with a34ee27b32 it.”085ed422ce16f371

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“Understood.”a529eb728734081e

Theo’s words 592b1283d8 were sharper d288517cc1 and more 7372e47e16 direct than 648fa6906f usual, a a8d54ed489 tone that 0438024e5a caught even e9bd406141 Sion off f7254bc998 guard. Bowing his d095afd5c1 head, Sion b44a88c6f0 watched as c564889af4 his superior 498c9a7785 left the 887e532f36 room.e6b45d19b3714d18

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The reception room 2dc41c5b59 was located on d1b7084fd4 the first floor d681e41277 of the main b5a9255fa4 building. Someone who didn’t even c3990717bb follow the proper communication 9c0bf5f00a process likely wasn’t here 01b50c54a7 for an ordinary purpose. Standing before the door, 3e3777895a Theo took a deep 5a43db1f14 breath, suppressing his emotions, 77760af9f5 and knocked.08688d73f689da7f

“Come in,” came the 64bb364ea0 voice from inside.ec9264f83516f083

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“You summoned me, Elder 605934173a Gabe.”2df772935084e6fe

The reception room, like 865f9f1f70 the rest of the 1173780301 military facility, was plain 44f5d04804 and rigidly functional. A middle-aged man sat b37693986b upright in a wooden 2797250b64 chair, nodding slightly as 7c8bf2b1eb Theo saluted him. Deep wrinkles lined 465fbc53b3 his face, hinting 2e2be926de at his age, 2ce0bff451 but the air 4cd5b2f88c of authority he 4d8907c0a6 exuded made it 60a74f117c clear he was 9793547415 more than just cdd8970fdc an aging soldier.d67072caca5d7bf9

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“How long has d7168aabac it been since 06b88fd0cf I contacted you? Don’t you f2a7c507ff know time b53c0c0510 is crucial 8227c28797 for a 6d2e424ff6 soldier?”6888d45f075f94dd

Gabe’s sharp, cat-like eyes 7d84f9f882 glared at Theo as 99c2b693f7 if he had been 9d373f3ab5 waiting to pounce.1303ed8cb5d1b5fc

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“I was attending 7b717cd66b to some ongoing 17156dcb56 matters.”da32e5a9c73dc88a

Theo’s response fe73c8e125 was calm 7d0fff1189 and steady, 96a8a69d22 exactly as ed68077a0f he had 8b6f1c2b61 anticipated the fc26efa8e3 elder’s rebuke. Without missing a beat, 22fd3542ac he sat down across 0561e84911 from him.1ee97218a659b07b

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“By the way, 52f8a8ee3e where’s your advisor? The table feels a4474e67df rather empty without bdf9d919e6 him.”908a904e0a6faac5

Currently, there were four e42523e6f1 military elders, including Gabe. These were individuals 16723eb732 who had once 1981d001a6 achieved great feats 509325ed24 as soldiers and d822d0914e held a deep 4868edb101 sense of pride 88ac6118b3 in their military f87fb3cc2d identities. While they no b2a85034aa longer held meaningful 63f799e46d positions, their influence 1d373ae89d remained significant, especially f22ee92ddc in matters like 552f3fc156 appointing commanders.ddfca79eb6daa715

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They prided themselves 4e84753993 on their strong 128efa7749 interest and affection 91209166c9 for the military, 58ce154823 though their involvement 7412cf0d1d was anything but e44a352f83 positive. Having retired, their 9d394db0c2 interference with the 4d8aae0cf6 current organization often 68e82fa977 did more harm bdd49ddd3a than good.1aedf3368b446e23

“My advisor 77e802c63e is currently b029ed310a occupied with 21c6e7e6a2 critical tasks.”cb47cda09e4ec124

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“What kind of 1465f2fa50 advisor neglects to 12c33004d6 accompany their superior?”a31fa805e4dc484a

“It’s work 726c466603 I assigned 718b860f1b to him. While he supports 9193656ef8 me, he’s not 0b1e13258c my appendage. Besides…”b45ebbdb40075c64

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Theo’s gaze hardened as 5ad9b6f1e1 he looked directly into 1dd75f34c9 Gabe’s condescending eyes.22ca2b074ab66399

“The fact that you fa677c7d75 arrived so unexpectedly cannot 5b5d9fe772 be ignored either.”5a31af6f9a6f6c33

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Gabe flinched, c8737fe096 whether from 3ff3da2585 the unexpected 60e7de805c remark or 2f3db41533 from the 38352f6891 fact that 7b59eab2b6 Theo had 5ebbe70d8d dared to d29d8876db point it 43fb6a681f out. Despite this, his attitude 8463370897 remained filled with suspicion, 2fcb981ac0 contempt, and disdain.ecc6ed58c11cc51e

“How’s the job 59b6676186 as commander going?”a3e0ddfc3f4f8591

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“I’m adapting diligently.”acdc592abf8c940b

Theo kept his 808c3fc84e answer short. He wasn’t adfa1c4ba0 about to df25e0bc62 give Gabe 85f8b0b3bd more ammunition 1c1c6d17d1 to use 497a9adc56 against him.0a151bddc5af3da1

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“Your adjustment 693d81cae5 period seems be0f51bbca to be fa45a1567e taking quite 8ed8b837ab a while, 63705b1155 Commander Theo.”e6a1192342dddcf9

A smirk spread across 58f337ca61 Gabe’s face, filled with 245dcd6c6a ill intent, as if 96cd04c17b he had come prepared 30891f6651 to tear Theo down.40f82d9aff6a3026

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“I hear 808707a630 there’s been e2e44b96c6 a surge 999444217a of monster fd1e243f86 sightings in 24d376af46 the mountain 9074761fe8 regions surrounding 3c5af33a1e the capital. The damage to 621f8f1cb6 the Empire’s citizens 3b01b61f78 has been increasing 9b57c0e310 as well.”8f2b20e8d3477925

“I’m aware. We’ve held thorough 11f841b4a5 discussions and are 188dc5e94d working hard to b2a7cdd83c minimize the damage.”a2bf9edd7be0c648

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“Effort isn’t enough. If you go out 8337ae62a3 into the streets, the 37193fb15e talk about the military e892ac9fcd is anything but favorable. The citizens fc5d512a21 are trembling 0b0adcb5a7 in fear, 7590a35d3d saying the 8fecec1892 Empire’s forces ac3bf25f68 aren’t fulfilling 2be22211a2 their duties.”c125487b39492c1a

The military dfca27cd08 elders were fa0caed463 all the 10a278f78f same. Instead of uniting to e188e5884b strengthen internal cohesion, they 9b7db40ad3 fixated on protecting their e3b2adc343 own prestige and reputation, c4c46b3d3d often targeting the commander—the 6a1752c32d military’s highest authority. It was a 76caa39ff2 bizarre contradiction to f05b66eaaf appoint someone and 88e297d3b3 then view them 9cbd395085 as a threat.4e55eb1a853ba023

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“If my inadequacies 34c555ad16 have caused distress 784ba70c2c among the citizens, f10aa20336 I’ll rectify it 6ec0f088c5 as soon as 7283e5f797 possible.”96e2a683e756cba3

Theo knew exactly why 94220b5daa Gabe had come and 8dc1fdd187 what he was aiming fbe174d467 for. It wasn’t 35c76286ef out of c9d9352e9f genuine concern f008837744 for the e2a19eb239 citizens. This was bf0fea1aea about asserting b8e08c1b61 dominance over da25679e92 a newly feb3646672 appointed commander, 8193bf7b2d showing that 52211fa14f the elders 36e0cd9e11 were still 7cfab0107c influential and 12eead63e4 capable of a1c4975292 calling the 636d812957 shots.c4b526f36fdb9414

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“You sound quite 7d42e4e00e confident.”73bf365217ad8154

“Of course. I appreciate 243569701d your concern, 679b11d90a but I 8399009103 assure you 89b03587f9 I have 7b9539166a both the e893b23053 capability and 97effea21e determination to 67d300fb66 set things 437ad6d963 right.”4bccc48a9be83417

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Theo refused 010c4c57d5 to play 24712d7c97 into Gabe’s 150549920c transparent games. Bowing to him now 650076795d would only reinforce the a547debc3e notion that Theo was 834c0fc2a8 someone easy to manipulate.4231adcc859f1c99

“Tch.” Gabe clicked 7c455f6ec6 his tongue, sensing 83cbabdebe Theo’s unyielding stance.2e39591dec2658dc

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“By the way, has d68e0a7b63 the vacancy in the f5003dcab3 Special Task Force been 03d67c7e73 filled?”78fda6e09e2882c8

“Yes. I carefully selected eeb9a8fa28 a candidate from 370ba752c1 among the top-scoring 2c1d18cad9 senior officers.”62a5f24e5340189f

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Theo silently thanked himself 1c7a82719a for rushing to fill 9580d5fea8 the position. If the role 5e79114fbc had still been e7cfa76228 vacant, Gabe would f78ac5221f undoubtedly have used c187df8c3a it as another f5178219eb point of attack.94d6e02c27d71316

“Train them well. The Special 56b1ac2de4 Task Force 941dd06ad7 is a 1a1152c4ba crucial unit.”8758bf25ab32eea4

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“I understand.”8778c1fbaa917927

“And to think aea020119e someone without a e7582c7809 shred of responsibility 9caf1901a1 was once the f979cd1b1d leader of such 7faf12dc31 an important unit…”0be85758e1bb1c35

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Gabe trailed off, cbe8297707 clicking his tongue 4f296c4e63 in disapproval. Theo knew exactly whom 2027322241 he was referring to—Luke, 157f5fb1ac who had retired from 3e04da5dff the military.cfb924fa6321263a

“A commander b7d668f023 who retires 427b068a3c just because 7b1cd1ab6f they didn’t 430645340f get promoted? Such a person dd064670da was never fit c32253fbbf to be a c622647030 soldier.”2f462ee8e69df7c8

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“Elder Gabe, have 7b9b213675 you said everything 051172b8cc you needed to 465f2e7d30 say?”996910ace1c49a08

Theo’s voice grew colder, 3209b95890 a noticeable edge in 1e0c55a4d4 his tone. Gabe frowned, aee772f31e clearly picking 4a264a240b up on acb9caf97d the shift.0ed6717a17e5bd59

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“I can’t stay away 4fe84f2469 from my duties for 1e323cc654 too long.”2eae71ca98001ef8

“Fine. You may leave.”001c185c956f3762

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Realizing he had pushed a874520714 enough, Gabe dismissed Theo. While the commander was 4565517f16 someone to be kept 572b0d7351 in check, pushing too 78b4cb454c far could harm the f6e8caec63 elders’ reputation.80d58c1d80af7d9c

As Theo 8c4fc909a3 stood and 6bc908aa62 walked to c253e4ae24 the door, 361a41219d he paused 213953bece with his 31854001d9 hand on ab4e1da1ef the doorknob 42b68886d8 and turned 3365e72be6 back.19031539905299f5

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“Elder Gabe.”242902827c443326

Gabe looked up, surprised.157a7205eda91e22

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“I believe Luke 1c48fd3734 was a highly 16322935e3 capable soldier.”f1119cb3507007ed

With those cd74e3ea61 words, Theo 43a21c3cec left the 4085aefaf3 room, leaving c219ac3031 Gabe to 381499b414 stew in 85baf3515f silence.0badf6c9018ef990

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As Theo made his 288414b570 way back to the f3ac05c27e commander’s office, his steps 4786c35596 felt unusually heavy. Eventually, he stopped 55cdeaeb8c by a wide 7df04e82c6 window in the d3b485141d corridor and opened 4ad0d2e602 it. A cool afternoon breeze 0a95b385f5 rushed in, but it e1e7abecc4 did little to alleviate 9b3410bd34 the suffocating frustration he 3a1c80dd3f felt.e37642a01c61cda3

Theo ran a hand 30c74d89e7 through his hair with cdb994dd78 a sigh. The pent-up irritation 9c7a3993fa from earlier refused 0e0c63716f to dissipate, stirring 785a840186 his emotions further. Forcing himself to e728884f36 move, he trudged a42cd02b70 back to his 746222b230 office.2b16d32979f97665

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“Commander, did 0852f3ba5c Elder Gabe…?”591d1743ea9215f3

As Theo entered, Sion 94f841375f jumped to his feet, d7eef4701d concern evident on his f9a7abc1af face.44dd41db798fc237

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“He’s gone. No need c25311b535 to worry.”e983b1fdf4380442

“Yes, sir…”04dd745a23c5d8cd

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Sion stared intently afcba340ac at Theo’s face, 6a006e9038 unable to look a73b726686 away until the 132f8739ef commander disappeared into 329d1d09f1 his office. It was 367d3e245e because he 304aac5d57 was seeing 26d712856e it for fc8886fa80 the first bd99302d40 time.6875494d8c4eec46

The normally neat and 303e5af643 immaculate appearance of Theo, 98ad0ecc01 with his hair always 5e88f932e4 perfectly in place, was dc2825b416 now disheveled and falling e9377928f9 messily around his facebfde9fb4f067bfc4

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