Assassin's Chronicle - Chapter 224

Chapter 224
The group sat down in the study around a round table . This was requested by Miorich . He was an easygoing man, even though his soldiers may not have thought so . If he was sitting and Anfey was standing, it might have seemed like he was interrogating Anfey . He didn’t want to antagonize anyone . The story of the attack on the Griffin Aerial Squadron was borderline legendary now, with more than fifty different versions circulating . Miorich was a general on the eastern front, and all the information that reached him was the truth . Among the information were some rumors about Anfey as a person . He wanted to evaluate those rumors .


Miorich smiled and tapped lightly on the table . He was trying to find a topic to start a natural and appropriate conversation . Just then, Urter knocked on the door . He walked into the room, and looked troubled .
"What is it?"
"There is someone who wants to see you, sir . "
"Tell him I’m busy," Miorich said . He was a general, and could not meet everyone that wanted to meet him . After the war, there were a lot of people who tried to meet with him, and Miorich did not agree to see any of them .
"But he…" Before Urter could finish, the door was pushed open again . A man in his fifties and wearing black armor walked into the room . Behind him were two other men wearing armor . All three suits of armor were identical, and the three men seemed to be friendly . It appeared that the two soldiers were escorting the first man .
"General!" the first man called .
"Sneferu?" Miorich said, shocked . "What are you doing here? Didn’t you say you were going home?"
"Do you not want to see me, general?" Sneferu asked with a smile .
"Never," Miorich said with a smile . "What is it? Do you want to come back and work for me?"
"No, I can’t do that, general . I’m too old now . I should make way for the youngsters," Sneferu said, still smiling .
"Bring another chair over," Miorich ordered one of his men . "Why didn’t you go home?" he asked .
"The only thing I can do if I go back is farm," Sneferu said with a shrug . "Farm for the rest of my life, then waiting for my death in a small room . I don’t want that life . " Sneferu leaned against the chair, but did not sit down . "I came here to visit an old friend and we were planning on going to the Country of Mercenaries together . But the Marquis had been very welcoming and he offered a position in his household . I didn’t want to be a farmer anyway, so I accepted his offer . "
"So, right now you’re here because…" Miorich was frowning now .
"The Marquis had already set up a feast," Sneferu said . "He invited you, general . I've already talked to the men, and they are all excited for a feast . "


Miorich slapped the table . The wood breaking under his fingers sent splinters flying across the room . Anfey had a fast reflex, but it didn’t matter . Everyone in the room, including Suzanna, Niya, and Christian, were covered in broken bits of wood . Anfey winced: where the splinters hit him stung . He glanced around and saw that Niya was frowning, clearly in pain .
Miorich stood up, towering over everyone else in the room . The atmosphere in the room was very heavy, and it was as if the temperature had dropped . Niya was only observing, and even she felt immense pressure . Sneferu was sitting on the ground and shaking, unable to speak a word .

Miorich was an outgoing and cheerful man, but everyone had secrets . Yolanthe was willing to let Miorich defend the eastern front, meaning that he trusted Miorich enough .
"His Majesty had once said that everyone changes, and I have to admit he is not wrong," Miorich said . "But don’t you think you’ve changed too fast? What do you take me for? A stepping stone to wealth and glory?"
"What?" Sneferu asked, his voice shaking .
"Get out," Miorich turned and ordered the two soldiers that accompanied Sneferu . Miorich was able to become the highest commander of the palace guards at twenty-six for a reason . He knew that sending the soldiers out would create rumors . Sneferu could not match him in reputation, and he knew that the soldiers were more likely to believe him . There would be rumors circulating among his men before the day was over .
The soldiers left the room quickly . Miorich walked over to Sneferu and crouched down in front of him . He saw there was confusion and fear in the man’s eyes . After a few minutes, Miorich sighed . "Do you know why I wanted you go home and become a farmer?" he asked quietly . He now knew that Sneferu did not know what he was doing, and did not know what the Marquis was planning when he made the offer .


"Yes . You want me to live a peaceful life, general," Sneferu said .
"That’s not the entire truth," Miorich said, shaking his head . "You are a good soldier and a good commander, but you have a lot of problems . You are too trusting and you tend to see the good in people . You know how to fight, your scars can make the new recruits speechless . Fighting is your strong suit, but politics is not . " Miorich paused for a few moments before continuing, "That is why I wanted to you go home and become a farmer . If you did, even if someone tried to fool you, it won’t be some terrible betrayal that could cost you your life . "
"My life is not that bad right now, general," Sneferu said slowly . "The Marquis respects me . " Miorich had tried to make things very clear, but Sneferu did not have the mind for riddles . He was more of a follower when he was in the army, and did not think about his orders much .
Once, Yolanthe sent Miorich to the northern border to harden him . That was when he encountered Sneferu and recruited him .
Miorich had always placed Sneferu in charge of simply things, because he knew what kind of man Sneferu was . Sneferu had never experienced any stumbles in his life because of Miorich’s protection . If Miorich had let Sneferu experience more hardship, he would not be as naive in politics as he was .
"Sneferu, listen to me . Leave the Marquis, go home . This is my last warning . "
"General, I have already pledged myself to the Marquis," Sneferu said, shaking his head . "I cannot abandon my post . You taught me this, don’t you remember?"
"Then we are done here . Sneferu, you should go now . "
"Are you really not going to the feast, general?"
Miorich shook and his head and turned away .
Sneferu sighed and stood up . He glanced at Miorich and shook his head, then turned and left the study .
"Anfey," Miorich said, "I have a request . "
"What is it?" Anfey asked .
"You are about to be the new city lord," Miorich said hesitantly . "Sneferu was in my army, and I know he is a good man . I’m hoping that you won’t hurt him . "
"I will try the best I can," Anfey said . He did not know what the Marquis did to recruit Miorich’s man, and he did not know what he would do with Sneferu . If it really came down to it, Anfey knew he would not hesitate .