Lord Protector Novel

It was the middle of summer.

The entire Oakheart City and even some parts of Rivermouth were bustling with activity.

Master Healer Lowe and General North were set to attend the grand opening of the Raider Group.

They looked forward to witnessing the glory of General North, as well as a chance to be healed by the Master Healer.

By the time the sun rose, the roads outside the Raider Group were already swarming with people, with some of them spilling onto other roads of Oakheart City.

A few of the nearby roads were even forced to close down due to excess traffic.

Reporters from various news stations had been eagerly camping outside Raider Group to get a picture of General North.

Raider Group had invited several performance troupes to entertain the crowds.

The ruckus outside the company was like a display of its power.

Meanwhile, Linton Group was just across the plaza from Raider Group, but the situation there was completely different.

Other than a few cats taking their mid-morning naps on the ground outside the doors, there was no one in sight.

Lacey took it upon herself to attract customers, but nothing seemed to work. Their only presentable guest was Evan Schneider.

Every so often, one or two people would walk past the Linton Group, only to head towards the Raider Group.

Lacey began to feel discouraged.

She turned to Zeke and whispered, “Zeke... I think we should give up. We don’t have to hold an opening ceremony.”



Even Daniel and Hannah looked crestfallen.

“That’s right, Zeke. We should give up now. We’ll only be embarrassing ourselves if we try to compete with Raider Group. What is fated would come by, and what isn’t meant to be shouldn’t be chased after. Maybe Linton Group is supposed to be short-lived after all.”

“Everyone, we shouldn’t be giving up so easily,” Zeke said. “Lacey, promise me you won’t give up hope until the very last moment.”

“Alright.” Lacey sighed.

Hannah was reluctant to let her daughter stand by the door and be shamed for it, so she walked over and whispered, “Lacey, why don’t you go in first? I’ll stand in for you with your dad.”

There was no need for Lacey to be at the door, since there were no guests anyway.

Lacey shook her head. “No need. I’m staying with Zeke.”

What she really meant to say was, “I don’t want him to suffer alone.”

Meanwhile, at Raider Group.

Mance Raider sat by the table, sipping on his tea lazily while Emily Clemons crouched by his side, massaging his legs for him.

Suddenly, John walked into the room.

“Is everything settled with General North?” Mance drawled.

John glared at Emily. She backed out of the room obediently.

“He hasn’t replied, so there’s a high chance that he isn’t coming,” John said. “I’ve already gotten someone else to stand in for him.”



Mance nodded. “What about Master Healer Lowe?”

“Rest assured. The Rhodiola rosea will surely convince him to come,” John said.

“Good,” Mance said, satisfied.

“From now onwards, Linton Group will be no more! Raider Group shall rise and rule over Oakheart! Tell the Hintons from Riverdale and Emily to get ready. We’re paying a visit to the Linton Group.”

“I’ve already done that,” John said.

So Mance, the Hintons from Riverdale and Emily set off for the Linton Group after a short while.

Everyone was confused by their sudden departure.

“Why is Mance leaving? Isn’t he supposed to welcome General North in person?”

“What do you mean ‘why’? Do you even know who those people are?”

“Who? Aren’t they just guests Raider Group invited over for the ceremony?”

“There’s more to them than what meets the eye. You see that woman there? She’s Emily Clemons, ex-girlfriend of Zeke Williams.”

“As for the Hintons from Riverdale, Lacey Hinton used to be a part of them, until they kicked her out.”

“Mance Raider is going to declare war on Linton Group!”

“Wow, sounds exciting! Why don’t we go and take a look too?”

“Are they trying to fight with Raider Group? That’s so foolish!”