Facing the cold, 14 years old boy. Millie and Old James felt like they were the kids, while Al Casendra was the older person among them. Of course, if they knew he was reincarnated. It won't surprise them.
Sir John was dragged out of the palace with tears brimming at the corner of his eyes. No one dare make a sound while their eyeball make a cursory look at the dragged Sir John, pleading for his life.
People would be wondering why was he crying for mercy. Only him would know what agony awaited him.
After the little charade, Al Casendra turned his gazed directly to the three people below him. Subconsciously, the three stood with a trembling leg. What makes them stood was unknown to them.
Fear gripped their heart like the claw of king Yama while perspiration filled their foreheads and the bridge of their noses. Are we going to be condemned like Sir John? They thought in panic.
The abrupt silence; the piercing blue gaze makes the sudden breeze pickle their skin.
He waves his hand, signaling for them to sit down.
Hmm!
The three widened their eyes. Is this for real!? None of them believe what just happened. Nevertheless, they forced their buttock on the hard wooden chair with their gaze fixed on the young man.
Al Casendra took the writer and wrote on the board slowly.
"If you want to keep your life or position…" His hand halt a bit.
Thus, those people reading the words choke in anticipation and fear. Why do you stop? They cried in their heart. Yet, no one dare make a sound.
"You must improve for better. What happen today must be the first and the last. Any position I place you. Make the place the best. And there is nothing like the best in my dictionary, it better. So, aim for the best."
"You're not just to head any department for money or prestige. But make it better. If I any one of you, you must at least give me three area where there need to be improvement. I don't care how you get to know of the improvement. We must just continue to move forward, every second, every minute and every hour."
"If you're not ready for this— you can quit now." Al Casendra halt his writing and looked at the three with his usual cold, expressionless face.
For a couple of seconds, the three read and reread what was on the board, trying to comprehend what those rows of words meant to their life. It was after Al Casendra tap the board twice did they recovered from the trance state.
Hmm! Hmm!
Old James stood and clear his throat. But he could talk. Al Casendra waves his hand for him to seat. Seeing this, he paused for a moment and nodded before sitting down.
"Your highness. I've read what you've written and understand what you want from our Science and Technology department. We will surely not disappoint you." Old James said in mild tone.
Millie didn't wait for Old James to finish when she continued to talk.
"Likewise, the Commerce and Finance department won't fail you."
"The administrative department won't fail you also" Lily added.
Al Casendra nodded. His hand dance on the board and rows of words appeared on the board.
"If any of you need help or idea in any area. Feel free to come to me. And don't try to hide something from me. I'll know." He turned his head and looked at the three, but his gaze stood a little longer on Millie.
Millie gulped and gripped the hem of her long robe. The psychological pressure just too much to bear. His skull tingled and her brain fuzzy from the invisible pressure.
"Now, for the development of the city. What do you think about the recent attack?"
Old James didn't wait before he started speaking. "We were safe because of our weapon and the attackers underestimate us.
Although, if they didn't underestimate us, the result can only be a little different. But we will subdue them on the long run…"
He paused to take a deep breath. "In short, our weapon gave us a clean victory."
Hearing this, Al Casendra nodded. 'As expected from an old man.' He turned his gaze to Millie.
"I'm surprised by the sudden emergence of weapons going against beginner mages, while the shooter were only novice mages. It's truly a groundbreaking innovation." Millie complimented.
Lily paused for a moment. She knew she can't say the same thing with the other two. And silent may invoke the wrath of the young man.
"After deliberating on the issue— I found it bizarre why those men would attack us. There is nothing in Long-Fall Pass. Why would they attack us. Thanks to the weapons and the new troop train by his highness. The situation would have been dire if not."
Hearing this, Millie and Old James looked at each other and gave it a deep thought before they nodded. Meanwhile, Al Casendra gaze lingered on Lily for a few moments before he nodded.
Seeing this, Lily breath a sigh of relief. 'That was a close call.'
"Every one of you was right. Especially, Lily conjuncture. Our most deadly enemy is the human. If we relax because of a moment of peace.
Then, we're closer to our doom than we know it." Al Casendra wrote on the board slowly.
"We may be small. But there are many spies among us. And the spies won't relax until they complete their mission. And what was their mission…" He turned to looks at the three.
Without anyone saying, they knew their fate if those greedy people took over Long-Fall Pass. It had been a century since many people wanted to conquer Long-Fall Pass and explore the land and beyond.
But the beast tide won't allow any of those conquests to be accomplished.
That's why the city was named Long-Fall Pass.
A Pass where many strong people have fallen without achieving their conquest.
"We all know what will happen, and I believe none of you and most citizen of Long-Fall Pass wants it, right?"
"Yes!" The three chorused.
"Now, we must fortify ourselves and prepared for the worst every time because the worst hasn't come. It's still preparing…"
"What we need now is time. And I know those hidden in the dark won't give us. But will make use of what we have."
"Now, listen to my order."
*****
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