Lord Protector Novel

Draco scoffed in disbelief. “Golden Cicada, that's utter nonsense. We have thousands of men in the Southern Faction. If our army were to attack you all at once, there's no way it could go unnoticed. Even if not all the Centurias from the Northern Faction were to notice us, surely some must have seen us marching into their territory. I'd like to ask the men from the Northern Faction, did anyone see us boldly charging into your lands?”

The members of the Northern Faction grew all the more confused.

They exchanged looks and started whispering among themselves.

“Draco's words make sense. Is there something fishy going on?”

“When the attack happened, we were operating at full capacity. Our soldiers were scattered throughout the region, all searching for the Spirit Stone. We were alert to any suspicious activity and would not have failed to notice the Southern Faction's Centuria if they had attempted to infiltrate our territory, much less if they had arrived with an entire regiment of men.”

“Moreover, the Centuria under Commander Golden Cicada's lead was powerful. If the Southern Faction attempted to annihilate them, they'd surely pay the price. But the Southern Faction seems perfectly fine to me. They're completely unscathed and have even grown stronger than before.”

“That's right. Did Commander Golden Cicada make a mistake?”

Everyone shifted their gazes onto Golden Cicada.

Golden Cicada panicked. “Are you all doubting me? Fine. Even if you don't believe me, you should trust Sebastian.”

He turned to Sebastian. “Tell them, Sebastian. Before my Centuria was attacked, Phoenix picked on you, didn't she? She was the one who took your Spirit Stones and harmed you, right?”

Sebastian nodded. “Yes. My subordinates and I can prove that Phoenix ambushed us.”

Phoenix sneered, “I can't believe you had the audacity to say that. Don't you know why I taught you a lesson? I was kind enough to pledge alliance to you, but you had the cheek to want to have sex with me. Should I have just stood there and let you have your way with me?”

“I... I...” Sebastian's cheeks turned pink as he stammered, not knowing how to reply to her accusation.

Phoenix added, “You thought you could take advantage of me, so the Spirit Stones are the price you have to pay for that mistake.”

As the number of people who began to voice their skepticism of Golden Cicada increased, a wave of discussion started to spread.

Golden Cicada's face was contorted in anger as he spat out his words. “Shut the f*ck up! You relied on me to survive, and I've done my absolute best to treat you well. After all, soldiers are trained for years in preparation for those crucial moments. I can't believe you're doubting me! I'm thoroughly disappointed in you! How could you turn against me after hearing lies from the enemy? I thought we were comrades, but if you are not willing to stand by me, then you have no right to be my comrades.”

He turned to Sebastian. “Tell them, Sebastian. Before my Centuria was attacked, Phoenix picked on you, didn't she? She was the one who took your Spirit Stones and harmed you, right?”

Sebastian chimed in, “Commander Golden Cicada, I believe in you. Even if the whole world were to doubt you, I will still stand by you. Everyone, please listen to me. Commander Golden Cicada has no motive to deceive us. Why would he even bother to lie when there's nothing in it for him?”