The adjutant watched several people leave until he was finally able to move, slumping exhausted to the ground.
It wasn’t until a thud of something heavy hitting the floor came from the open office door that the adjutant hurried in and found Marshal had collapsed on the floor. Just as he was about to notify the main control AI, Old Marshal suddenly opened his eyes and pressed him down.
"Marshal, how are you?"
"There’s no need to alert the main control AI."
The adjutant was truly loyal to the Old Marshal, so upon hearing this, he could only hold back.
"Do you think I really made a mistake? I sincerely wished for the Empire to thrive indefinitely. I tried to balance conflicting interests, yet I’ve led the Empire to this point." Old Marshal suddenly seemed much older, like a helpless old man.
"It’s the Guardian Duke who has disrespected you," the adjutant said with red-rimmed eyes, bitterly. "It’s excessive. They are the vermin of the Empire."
Old Marshal’s eyes flashed with sharpness, "Who instilled such thoughts in you?"
"Huh?" The adjutant looked puzzled, "Did I say something wrong? The Guardian Duke is clearly the most unstable factor inside the Empire. They occupy the greatest resource advantages of the Empire yet contribute nothing, only acting arrogantly and oppressing the Royal Family, creating conflicts, and attempting to divide the Empire."
Old Marshal sighed, finally understanding he was completely wrong.
He hadn’t even managed to keep his closest associates in check; their thoughts had been infiltrated like a sieve while he still dreamt of unity and harmony.
Once the adjutant left, Old Marshal shakily operated his terminal to issue his last order in life: to open the Capital Star System’s space lanes exclusive to the Nobles.
This time was enough for all the Nobles trapped on the Capital Star to return to their own domains.
Then Old Marshal chose to commit suicide.
He ended his own life.
This man, diligent and strict with himself, who had devoted countless efforts for the safety and stability of the Empire, had completed his life’s journey.
He was like a steadfast rock, unafraid of storms, propping up a slice of the Galaxy Empire’s sky; when misunderstood, he did not fall.
When calculated against, he merely smiled. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on N0veI.Fiɾe.net
But when he realized the contradictions within the Galaxy Empire were shaking its very foundations, he broke down.
The conflicts between the Nobles and the Royal Family, the Military Department and the Cabinet, the commoners and the Empire...
The disintegration of the Galaxy Empire was inevitable.
Unless there emerged a powerful and wise sovereign, a strong-willed Marshal capable of saving the day.
But he was not the one.
His appeasement did not bring peace to the Galaxy Empire.
"Commander, Old Marshal has passed away."
Those who left had no choice but to turn back halfway.
Inside Danfeng Bailu Palace, Joseph V’s emotions had been agitated all along. He had endured for ten years, planned for ten years, and was about to succeed. How could he not be agitated?
"What? What happened?" Joseph V really didn’t want any complications at this moment.
The Chief of the Royal Guard, who came to report in person, respectfully bowed, "Marshal has passed away."
Joseph V stood up abruptly, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"Who assassinated him? Who was it?" he roared in anger.
He had carefully chosen a Marshal who could both earn the trust of the Cabinet and the Nobles, and whom he could control. How could he have died?