Chapter 408: Probing
'...they won't respect me if I don't show them my personal strength. They only obey for fear of offending Vale. I must find a way to prove my worth!...'
Valtor and Eryndor did not immediately say anything either; they simply watched from their places, waiting for what Tiber would do next.
Even Slya frowned slightly from the subtle pressure that was slowly filling the air. She shifted positions, her hand going to the sword at her waist.
Tiber began in a measured tone. "The Central Army of Athrimir has several divisions of the army under it. Right now, you all belong to the Common Army, a general pool that's the standing force that can be used at any time. But what makes it unique is that it is also a 'general market' where any faction can directly recruit anyone. It is the bottom step, from which you can climb anywhere."
Tiber paused, waiting for who would ask the question.
Xuehan did.
"A step to where? Which faction?"
Tiber nodded in satisfaction. "A step to anywhere. The Common Army is the place where everyone will be placed when they first join the Athrimir army. They will be evaluated and then distributed to other places based on their evaluation or any faction interested in them.
"For example, the Radiant Sky. Flagbearer Slya could choose to recruit anyone that fits her fancy or standard. The same goes for Flagbearer Eryndor and Flagbearer Valtor."
The mention of Radiant Sky made them twitch. Not only had some of them heard of this new force among the Athrimir, but they'd also seen them in action briefly when they entered the city. Not only that, the artifacts that all of the Radiant Warriors carried were something that they all secretly craved.
Xuehan's eyes flickered to Slya before returning to Tiber. The arrogance that the man hid when he was before Vale was slowly showing its teeth. "I still don't understand the Flag thing. Are they like the army? Or what?"
Tiber shrugged. "Think of them how you want to. But they are, and will be, the elite of the elites."
The Flagbearers themselves are like chiefs, but with no permanent territories of their own. Vale did not say this out loud, though.
When Xuehan heard the words "elite of the elites," his eyes lit up and his mouth curled into a smile. "Then, if that's the case, Strategic Commander, what are you doing there?"
'...here it finally comes!....' Tiber was glad that someone was finally challenging him; that was what he wanted. A chance to prove his strength before them. Vale was already known as a strong person, and his tale of fighting more than one Master Knight was already spreading fast.
The same was true for Slya, the leader of the Radiant Sky. Her accomplishments could be traced, little though they were. But Tiber was different. He didn't have something to rely on, so he must make it.
Tiber narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about, Xuehan?"
Xuehan snorted. "Are you an elite? I, Xuehan, am an elite, and everyone here can weigh in on that. But what about you? You don't look really deserving of your position!
"If you said the Common Army is a fishing ground, what about our leaders? I won't challenge Lord Athrimir or the Master Knights, but my argument stands! I can absolutely challenge you, Commander Tiber. I deserve a place where you stand!"
Although most people shifted, their expressions settling on different things, no one really outright disapproved of Xuehan. The man must be sure of his strength for him to challenge Tiber. And if the world is ruled by strength, even those who want to rule over others must bend to the rules and prove their strength!
Tiber smiled, his solemn expression shifting, turning into sharp calculation. Out of everyone, only Slya could understand that expression as the one who had spent the most time with the man.
"You are right, Xuehan." Tiber nodded in agreement as he took a step forward. He unstrapped the artifact on his back and gave it to Slya. If he wanted to show his strength and start the cultivation of his 'Commander Image,' then it wouldn't do to rely on an artifact.
Xuehan turned to him in anticipation, sensing that Tiber had been baited. Xuehan himself isn't stupid, although the others at the same level as him might consider him stupid as the one who left himself to probe the new powers.
Tiber said there are eight elites among them, but out of all of them, only Xuehan was openly probing him. It was really simple. Xuehan was doing it so he could take a large bite out of the new powers. He had already thought about it before he settled on Tiber.
"But, Xuehan, no offense, I just don't think you can defeat me." Tiber suddenly said.
Eh? His words stunned everyone into silence. What did he mean that Xuehan couldn't defeat him? All Knights have eyes to measure others' power, except if they are a higher rank than them or a freak like Vale.
But Tiber was an Errant Knight and closer to them in power than Vale. They could measure his power with a glance and see that he wasn't much stronger than their eight elites. What did he mean that Xuehan couldn't defeat him?
No matter what, they all felt a wave of annoyance at that. They were all proud Matsumoto Knights, mercenaries that relied on strength. It was already shameful that Vale defeated their Company Captains like that, but now, his subordinate thought he was also a big deal?
A subordinate that had been hiding behind his mother's shadow all this while? The subordinate that got the title of Commander because of ass-kissing? What the fuck...
Their annoyance sparked as one, and the air surrounding them heated with tension.
They all felt like teaching this subordinate a lesson. That this place isn't Athrimir, where an Errant Knight can just rule over Master Knights!