Scheming against Stalemate (Part 2)
Grand Commander Kapel, someone of higher standing than Proxer, was one who oversaw all departments in the military. He had a stern demeanor, his face alone was sufficient to assert his authority, especially with his thick mustache. Anyone would need immeasurable amount of spunk just to strike a conversation with him, Proxer included.
However, there was another reason why Proxer couldn't hold conversation with him, positions and authority aside.
Kapel walked out of the portal before pressing on a button on a platinum-white colored device and closed it.
''Emotional perception' can't go through portals huh? It's just like how I can't as well.' Jogrin pondered after being able to perceive Kapel's "wary" and "irritated" as soon as he exited the portal.
Kapel whose look seemed reproachful and revolted made Proxer a little angsty. His arrival was bound to be, but Proxer didn't expect it to be so soon.
The onlooking soldiers appeared to be wary of the Grand Commander, as they stopped looking at each other and focused their gazes on Kapel, who shot them a glance. In response to the brief glance, the hovering soldiers slowly descended and the soldiers on the ground put away their weapons, while the helicopters also landed behind the line of soldiers.
Such was the authority Kapel possessed.
"Maladin, I heard that you had been advised against taking him to the military hospital, yet you proceeded with it anyway... And look at the chaos before you. Is this what you wanted?"
Despite Proxer being barely able to stand by supporting himself with his hand on the wall, Kapel didn't hesitate to reprimand him, not mincing his words at all.
"But... he looked like he was in pain."
"I did not ask for an excuse, Maladin. Would you invite a bear known for its destructive rampage to your house if you happened to see it wounded? Do you believe it to be the best course of action?"
"Um... I'll try to-"
"I cannot hear you when you speak so softly, Maladin."
The pressure from Kapel was immense, that Proxer couldn't properly give an answer. He was at his wit's end and couldn't come up with anything. He could repeat what he said to the soldiers just now, but he knew that Kapel wasn't the type person to buy into that kind of talk without any proof.
"Don't you think you're being too hard on him? He's just expressing his kindness, though he needs to learn to be more wary."
Jogrin, thinking that Kapel was being too strict toward his subordinate, earnestly spoke on Proxer's behalf. That was one reason, the other was that he wanted to affirm what kind of nature this Grand Commander that suddenly appeared from a portal was.
"Excuse me, insolent boy, who didn't receive any permission to speak. I am speaking to the person under my command. Meanwhile, you, who have brought all the mayhem upon this place with whatever untoward antics you employed, should stay silent until permission to speak is given. Do you understand?"
His "irritation" grew stronger when he spoke to Jogrin, who analyzed Kapel through his tone of voice, behaviors when addressing others, and his thought process.
He'd never met with a person with a nature similar to Kapel's, but from just one exchange, he knew that Kapel wouldn't be an easy person to deal with. Chance were, even with his own request of being sent away from Zuta, Kapel would be the first to stop it and had him recompense the military for all the damage caused by him, even though he didn't directly did it and there were no casualties.
"Untoward antics? Are you referring to the fact that I prevented the death of Proxer? Or do you irrationally believe I created that crater?"
"... Ignoring my order? Quite a courageous young man you are."
"I'm not obligated to follow your commands, and I shall explain in detail what went down here."
"I do not need it. Even if I do, you are not the one I will seek answers from."
Despite their calm tones, it felt as if lightning bolts were flashing behind them, and they somehow had weapons pointed toward each other. That was what Proxer was seeing between their exchange.
"I may not be a trustworthy source of information for you, but what if I tell you that I'm actually the only one who knew why those soldiers went overboard and dealt excessively unnecessary damage to this place?" Jogrin retorted. Even though they sounded like empty words, it somehow carried some weight with it.
Kapel paused for a bit and stared at Jogrin pensively. He was aware that Jogrin wasn't the one who blew a massive hole here, judging from the fact there were missile launchers and attack helicopters present on the soldiers' side. Even though Jogrin couldn't exactly be trusted, it was also the truth that he indeed protected Proxer from the barrage of attacks from the soldiers. Meanwhile...
'Why did the soldiers unanimously break the military protocol and deploy aviation suits, and even attack helicopters? It is impossible for them to have an agreement to break the protocol in such a short period.' He was desperate to know the cause of it.
He knew, deep in his mind, that it had to be something supernatural, much like the one from 5 years ago... The "Telestrophe".
Still, truth or not, depending on what Jogrin said next, it would still be worth considering.
Jogrin managed to one-up Kapel, in a sense, but instead of pushing his luck, he patiently waited for Kapel's response. It could backfire on him if he acted to recklessly.
"I shall lend a ear to what you have to say. I will be the judge of whether your claims could be trusted or not."
"Wise choice. You're quite the shrewd person, aren't you?"
Proxer shot Jogrin a surprised look and gestured him to stop talking. It seemed speaking to Kapel that way was like stepping on a landmine. However, Kapel remained composed and questioned Jogrin.
"Shrewd? You sound condescending with that judgement of yours, young boy."
"You also reacted to my little provocation well. I guess you aren't the Grnad Commander for nothing."
"Enough nonsense, boy. The vehicle is arriving. Follow me and and prepare to get on board."
"Grand Commander Kapel! What about the soldiers?"
Proxer asked Kapel who turned to look at the still perplexed soldiers in the distance.
"His Majesty, on my behest, has arranged the Second Order of the Royal Knights to take care of them... This incompetent king..."
After Kapel answered Proxer, he murmured in disgruntlement something which wasn't audible to Proxer, but Jogrin, who was further away, was able to pick up on that.
'Looks like this king person and Kapel don't have a good relationship, seeing how he just badmouthed them.'
With that, the three pf them silently awaited the vehicle, with Jogrin and Kapel alike crossing their arms, and Proxer slumping his back.
...
"Your Majesty, the Intel Division just received a message from Captain Ryo of the Second Order of the Royal Knights."
"Hmm... That certainly took them long. Did anything bad happen?"
"No, Your Majesty. They had to relocate a place for landing due to a... sudden emergence of a crater. They reported that they will be back with Grand Commander Kapel and... the alien in half an hour."
"Oh OK."
"Um, Your Majesty. Are you sure there is no need to delegate the protection of-"
"Calm down, girl. There's no need to use the First Order. The Second Order is more than enough. What's one alien going to do to my 'Palacial' anyway?"
"That's enough. I've already made up my mind. I'm going to meet them by myself. No extra personnel required.. And you. You've already worked past your shift, isn't it about time you head home and rest? It's fine~ I'm the king. I can handle this. Surely, you're judging my decision as the king?"
"... Of course I would never commit anything repugnant like that!! R-right then. I shall take my leave. I will delegate my work to the next person in charge... Your Majesty..."
"What?"
"Please exercise caution."