Chapter 385: Bular
Though Bular spoke with confidence, even with a firm grasp of the situation, he couldn’t help feeling a hint of unease until the task was fully accomplished. Of course, such apprehension was something he would never show outwardly.
This mission was one he had volunteered for, and at less than a century old, Bular had already been promoted to the rank of major general—a rare achievement at his age.
To continue advancing, however, there were only two viable paths: gaining seniority or achieving great merit. Bular was highly ambitious, aspiring to climb even higher, and therefore saw no value in simply waiting to accumulate seniority.
The Troi Empire, though a powerful force within the Outer-ring civilizations, was generally stable despite having a few enemies and latent threats, leaving few opportunities for major accomplishments.
This mission to “invite” the Rat Folk and Swarm into the Confederation was just such an opportunity. However, General Viller, the supreme commander of the expedition, decided against using the traditional coercive methods of invitation this time, opting instead for a genuine diplomatic approach.
While Bular understood Viller’s reasoning, it dashed his hopes of earning distinction through a triumphant military engagement. Forced to take a different route to success, Bular seized on the chance to distinguish himself.
At the time, General Viller sought an envoy of sufficient status to act as a liaison. Yet such a task—deep behind enemy lines—was one of the riskiest imaginable. Failure could easily mean death. While successful completion promised substantial recognition, the danger dissuaded most candidates, especially those of high rank who had little to gain and everything to lose.
As Viller continually raised the stakes, Bular stepped forward. Though his rank as brigadier general at the time technically fell short of the status ideal for this mission, in the absence of higher-ranked volunteers, Bular became the only viable choice.
Promoted to major general even before departing, Bular considered this a preemptive reward for the merits he was expected to earn, elevating his position to make him a more suitable representative.