Chapter 396 - 355: Governor Claudius
"This is impossible—!"
The Tania Flagship.
This magnificent vessel, just one level below the Iberian Glory in specifications, was like a grand palace in space, docked in low-earth orbit.
Surrounded by a vast fleet, it reigned over Cyrenaica like an emperor.
A man dressed in the classical white robes of Iberia listened to his subordinate’s report. The elegant, all-knowing smile on his face gradually turned to surprise, and finally, to utter fury.
He shoved his subordinate aside. With dozens of confidants in his wake, he strode away from the command platform toward the massive floor-to-ceiling window at the front of the bridge.
Beneath his feet was a mirror-like obsidian floor. Magnificent white Roman columns stood behind him, and a long, crimson carpet, like a grand avenue welcoming a triumphant victor, stretched from the command platform to the window.
This was the viewing platform Governor Claudius had specially commissioned to look down upon the enemies he had personally defeated, a testament to his lofty status and inviolable, sacred authority.
However.
All of it.
Vanished without a trace the moment that ship—as insignificant as an ant in the vastness of space—broke through the first defensive line of the Tania fleet!
Just a moment ago, he had been laughing and joking with his staff and advisors, completely at ease, about what kind of struggles Reinhardt would make in this hopeless situation.
But the betrayal of Nelom and the death-defying charge of the Avenger Flagship—these two things had utterly disrupted his plans and arrangements.
Because in the forecasts of his many advisors, as well as his own, he had never worried that Nelom—that traitor from the Justice Temple Legion—would escape his control, even if the man harbored disloyal ambitions.
The consequence of making an enemy of the Grand Governor was that once Nelom lost his protection, and having already left the Holy Temple of Justice, there would be no place for him in the entire, vast Imperial Administrative Region.
Besides, that fool, with his head full of the Empire’s glory, would never turn to Grand Lord Kles.
That was why Claudius had so confidently entrusted the assassination of Reinhardt entirely to Nelom. Even if the man had thoughts of treachery, he was still a sharp sword in Claudius’s hand.
Perfect for killing.
Claudius stood before the magnificent floor-to-ceiling window, as if the very stars of the cosmos were beneath his gaze. Now, upon learning of Nelom’s betrayal, his right hand began to tremble uncontrollably.
This wasn’t fear. It was the manifestation of a rage so intense he couldn’t suppress it—fury born of humiliation.
’Nelom...’
The light of the stars illuminated Claudius’s scholarly face. His normally gentle, friendly green eyes now uncontrollably betrayed a look of utter viciousness.
If Nelom were standing before him, Claudius would want to flay him alive and tear him limb from limb.
But at this moment, with so many of his confidants and subordinates behind him, he couldn’t lash out. It would damage his public image and supreme authority.
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the towering inferno of rage within him.
As if muttering to himself, he said in a low voice, "Breaching the first defensive line... Reinhardt, what are you planning?"
Just then, a Personal Guard with a furrowed brow took a step forward. The crisp clang of heavy Power Armor striking metal echoed as he approached Claudius from behind. In a deep voice, he said, "My Lord, should you perhaps withdraw? I fear Reinhardt will attempt to board the Tania and take us down with him."
This was Drusus, an Earth Knight with a Five-star Military Rank, Governor Claudius’s most trusted confidant and his Guard Captain.
Though immensely powerful and wielding Domain Power, Claudius knew his Guard Captain well. Combat and slaughter might be Drusus’s strengths, but strategy never was.
Hearing some of the advisors behind him chime in, urging him to withdraw immediately lest Reinhardt board the ship and assassinate him, Claudius let out a cold laugh.
He kept these advisors around in large part because he enjoyed listening to these self-proclaimed clever fools flatter his achievements and wisdom. He reveled in the feeling of being respected and admired.
But that didn’t mean he was actually an incompetent ruler.
On the contrary, on the bridge of the Tania, his three most-relied-upon strategists shared his thinking; they did not join the chorus urging him to retreat from the flagship to Cyrenaica.
Unable to stand their foolishness any longer, especially their crude attacks on Reinhardt, Claudius said coldly, "Who do you think Reinhardt is? Do you really think he’s foolish enough to come here and throw his life away fighting me?
You underestimate him far too much."
As he spoke, Claudius’s eyes narrowed, trying to peer into the cosmic depths and make out the battle near the first defensive line.
"One of the Emperor’s Vengeful Angels, an Imperial Knight who fought his way out of the conspiracy that shrouded Verne. You are not qualified to pass judgment on him.
Immediately notify the ground forces on Cyrenaica. Tell them to prepare for the Avenger Flagship’s forced landing.
Get me Great Sage Casio. I want to speak with him directly."
Even as enemies, Claudius had always admired Reinhardt. It was just a shame such a powerful Imperial Knight could not be made to serve him.
An intense killing intent flashed through his eyes, gone in an instant.
’Anyone who dares block my path to supreme power must die!’
"Relay my orders! All fleets are to cease artillery interception and, at all costs, commence boarding operations against the Avenger Flagship. Whoever seizes control of that vessel...
I will grant them the title of Administrative Region Lord, plus a fiefdom of ten worlds!"
There was one thing Nelom didn’t know. Claudius’s covetousness for the Avenger Flagship wasn’t born of simple greed, nor was he willing to risk losing the war to seize it.
The reason behind this decision, which was detrimental to the bigger picture, was actually a deal he had struck with Great Sage Casio of the Mechanist Cult.
To obtain the full support of Great Sage Casio and the several factions he ruled within the Mechanist Cult, the Avenger Flagship—the one discovered by Great Sage Zeka and gifted to the Administrative Region—was a crucial bargaining chip.
This war wasn’t just a civil war he had initiated against Grand Governor Sedon for power; it was also a power struggle within the Mechanist Cult.
Among the three Great Sages, aside from Gneus who had no interest in power, Great Sage Zeka and Great Sage Casio had been locked in an internal conflict for centuries due to a complete schism in their philosophies and doctrines.
The factions under their respective commands had never ceased their small-scale internal skirmishes.
Claudius stared into the cosmic depths, the ambition in his eyes so vast it seemed he would swallow the stars whole.
’To contend with Sedon for power, I have to rely on the high-end military might of Sky Knight Cicero, but that fool is still waiting for the Verne War to end.’
’Too bad he would never dream that I have already struck a deal with the Mechanical Order.’
’Once the war begins, I refuse to believe Cicero, the nominal leader of our faction, will be able to sit still.’
’The opportunity is right in front of me.’
’As his subordinate, I’ll have to drag him if I must. I’ll drag that indecisive fool onto this warship of rebellion.’