Lord Protector Novel

Once again, the group of elders attempted to persuade him in earnest. “Southern Master, please reconsider your decision.”

“We haven't investigated what's going on, so we shouldn't act impulsively,” one of them cautioned.

“It'd be rather naïve of us to go into battle solely based on what Johnny said.”

Another said, “Southern Master, don't you think some parts of Johnny's story don't quite make sense?”

Annoyed, Southern King snapped, “Fine. What are the things that don't make sense? Tell me one by one. Let's start with you, Great Elder. Why don't you think I should deploy our troops?”

The Great Elder looked at Johnny as he said, “Everyone knows the Centurias hold a deep respect for Legions and automatically defer to the latter. They're usually eager to flatter and curry favor with the rent collector, so why would they try to kill him for no reason?”

“Oh, I'm so sorry! There's something I forgot to tell you. Actually, the Centurias have a new commander. Not only does he command the Southern Faction's Centurias, but he has also taken over the Northern Faction's. He went as far as to behead hundreds of innocent people to prevent the Centurias from opposing his leadership. Those heads are still in a pile in Golden Cicada's training room. That shows just how vicious and brutal he is. I suspect he killed Speedy because he couldn't stand his attitude,” Johnny responded hastily.

A new commander? Southern King turned to the elders and asked, “Why wasn't I informed that the Centurias have a new commander?”

“We didn't know about it either, Southern Master,” they replied, looking confused.

“Didn't they inform you in advance?” Southern King asked.

They shook their heads. “No.”

Sighing, Johnny said, “It'd be odd if they did. I've to be honest with you. Can you guess what I discovered at their base? They were extracting Grade Two spiritual iron and using it to forge divine weapons! Clearly, they are planning a rebellion. The new commander even declared that he wanted to kill all of the Legatuses!”

D*mn it! Southern King's knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists tightly. “Look into this new commander of theirs immediately and give me all the information on him as soon as possible. Ah, forget it. I'll go and meet him personally. I want to see what he's made of to dare behave so insolently!”

To his surprise, the Great Elder stopped him again. “Please be patient, Southern Master. I still think something is off about this whole matter.”

“If you have something to say, just spit it out,” Southern King said, growing somewhat impatient.

The Great Elder answered helplessly, “A delicate balance hangs between Southern Faction's and Northern Faction's Legions. If any one side becomes just a little bit weaker, there's a possibility of getting defeated by the other. Sending our Legions to fight the Centurias will surely weaken us, regardless of whether we win or lose the battle. And if the other faction seizes this opportunity to attack us, we'll be doomed. I'm worried this is all an act orchestrated by Northern Faction's Legions. As the proverb goes, 'while two dogs are fighting for a bone, a third runs away with it.”‘