Chapter 139: Lizardman Infighting and Another Meeting with Krell

"Insubordination ends in this manner."

Guga shoved a blood-dripping heart into his mouth, swallowed it in a single gulp, and said coldly.

"Captain, you aren't planning to run away, are you?"

A lizard warrior standing on Guga's left rear suddenly spoke up.

"Do you wish to die as well?" Guga turned his head to stare at the lizard warrior, flicking his blood-red tongue, and issued a blank-faced warning.

Knowing he had no way out, the lizard warrior stated bluntly, "Lord Guga, if you run, we die."

The other six lizard warriors snapped to their senses and surrounded their former superior.

"If I run, and you run too, who will ever know?"

Realizing the situation was unfavorable, Guga adopted a defensive posture and tried to persuade the surrounding lizard warriors.

The remaining lizard warriors exchanged glances. It sounded quite reasonable—if their lord ran and they ran too, who could possibly catch them?

"Everyone, the emissary said it clearly: keep Guga contained, and it is a massive achievement."

Seeing the tide turning against him, the turncoat lizard warrior spoke in a loud voice, attempting to stir the greed of his peers.

"How long has this double-crossing rat even been here? In the blink of an eye, he might sell you out just as easily. A massive achievement? You might just end up as prime specimens for the dark warbeasts, that's what." A murderous intent rising within him, Guga used his words to disrupt the other lizard warriors.

"Lord Guga is right. This newcomer has barely been here a week, while we have served alongside our lord for two or three months. There is no need to dwell on who is right and who is wrong," a lizard warrior suddenly interjected.

Realizing the situation had turned sour, the turncoat lizard warrior retreated a few steps, pulled out the dark potion the half-dragon warrior had given him before departure, and chugged it down in one go.

Guga, who had been ready at every moment, was not about to grant him an opportunity. The instant the potion was swallowed, Guga lunged forward, shattered the traitor's chest, and vented his fury by tearing the body to shreds.

The six surrounding lizard warriors made no move to interfere. On one hand, Guga's strength was formidable; on the other, the traitor's conduct was utterly despicable.

"Brothers, let us part ways here."

Having achieved his objective, Guga took his trusted subordinates—lizard warriors of relatively low strength—and departed for the underground tunnels.

The remaining six lizard warriors exchanged glances, each dispersing with the subordinates they trusted most.

In a mere instant, the formidable monster army dissolved into a scattering of loose sand.

...

After a few days of travel, Vayne arrived at the encampment of the Sixth Legion.

Whether due to the movement of the Sixth Legion or other factors, monster attacks along the way were scarce, and the journey was remarkably smooth.

Upon entering the Sixth Legion's camp, Vayne handed the ice-blue potion over to his cousin and two paternal uncles, casually tossing in a bottle of luminescent wine as a bonus.

It was already dark by the time he left Edgar's tent.

"Vayne, I can't believe you're actually here."

A familiar voice reached his ears. Vayne turned his head to look, and to his surprise, it was the noble Krell, whom he had met briefly in early February.

"Krell, it has been a long time."

Krell walked over, embraced Vayne naturally, and invited him with a smile, "Do you have time to share a drink in my tent?"

"I would be more than happy to," Vayne replied with a smile.

Ten minutes later, Vayne arrived at Krell's resting quarters. Seeing the banners hanging outside, a look of surprise crossed his face.

"Those were assigned to me by my father. They are primarily here to ensure my safety, not my personal retainers, so there's no need to look so shocked."

"It seems, much as I suspected, your father is indeed Lord Bourbon Sylvis, the corps commander." Vayne glanced around, visually estimating that the guard unit numbered only two hundred men, yet every single one of them was a Bronze-tier professional.

"Hahaha, and you aren't doing poorly yourself. Your father is Lord Angus, the renowned Eagle Count. If Lord Medmonki hadn't told me, I truly wouldn't have been able to dig up your background," Krell said, slinging an arm around Vayne's shoulder with a laugh.

"So, what brings you here?"

"Supervisor of the Sixth Legion—a position assigned to me by my father," Krell said carelessly, without any attempt at concealment.

"A fine position. It adds a splendid entry to your resume. Your father is paving the way for you."

Entering the tent, Krell invited Vayne to sit, instructed a servant to bring some wine and food, and slumped casually onto a soft cushion.

"Yet I hardly wish to do it. The position is simply too tedious."

"Why is that?"

Vayne inspected the surrounding interior while asking.

"Inspecting the camp every day, auditing the headcount of noble troops, checking the quantity of supplies, participating in legion-level meetings, and conducting preliminary reviews of reported merits—every single matter requires my personal supervision."

"Indeed troublesome, but with this resume, coupled with your royal lineage, you will surely go far in the future."

"That is true."

Finally, Krell sat up straight and spoke in a low voice to Vayne, "I shall tell you a piece of news, but you must not breathe a word to anyone else."

Vayne watched Krell, all ears.

"I hear the kingdom is preparing to assign the seventh batch of exchange students from the Aisi Magic Kingdom into the Dani Corps, the East Corps, the Lensa Corps, and the Sailop Corps respectively."

"Why would they do that? As exchange students, shouldn't they remain in the royal capital to study?"

Krell glanced around, leaned close to Vayne's ear, and explained in a hushed tone.

"Is that true?" Vayne stared at Krell in shock.

"My father told me myself. You must not spread it," Krell said, clearly enjoying Vayne's astonished expression as he pressed an index finger to his lips.

"Still, it is for the best. Once the north erupts into war, it will also prove advantageous for the kingdom's future conflict with the Iron-Anvil Mountain Dwarf Kingdom."

"By the way, won't these exchange students sent to the front lines to learn the arts of war be required to pay tuition?" Vayne asked curiously.

Krell smiled mysteriously and answered, "How could they possibly not pay tuition? A full twelve floating war vessels, sold to us at a thirty percent discount below market price, with delivery in five years."

Vayne suddenly reacted, staring intently at Krell. "Your father paving the way for you, could it be..."

"Vayne, you truly are clever."

"Congratulations. Once you reach the royal capital in the future, you simply must show this country bumpkin a thing or two."

Krell teased, "Very well, very well. When you come to the royal capital, I shall act as your guide."

Shortly after, wine and food were brought in, and Vayne and Krell ate and chatted away.

Through Krell's accounts, Vayne gained insight into the gritty reality of the front-line warfare of the Sailop Corps.

In turn, Vayne shared several interesting anecdotes that soothed Krell's exhausted mind.

It was well past midnight when Vayne, supported by Kyle, finally returned to his camp.

He slept deeply and comfortably, waking lazily only by the afternoon of the next day, and rubbed his temples.

"Krell's wine is potent; I must drink less next time."

As evening approached, Kyle entered the tent and reported to Vayne, "My lord, Lord Alcott has arrived with an unfamiliar nobleman and requests an audience."

"Show them in," Vayne commanded.