Salute To The General
Chapter 1948

Chapter 1948

Ivory Teahouse.

In a private lounge, Nathan was having tea with Franklin.

He knew that Nathan was back in Channing and wanted to have a meal with him.

Nathan rejected Franklin's offer, but instead extended an invitation to have tea with him at Ivory.

The owner, Mary Sharp, was courteous to Nathan, as she was indebted to him once.

She personally prepared their tea. Before leaving, she said in a gentle voice, "Mr. Cross, if you need anything else, just press the bell on the table. I will come along to service you."

Nathan nodded.

He raised his teacup to Franklin and smiled. "There aren't many great teahouses here at Channing. Ivory is one of the best. Mary brews excellent tea too."

“General, I am not a refined man,” Franklin laughed freely. “I can never tell the difference.”

"How about your cigarettes from the military? Do they taste the same as the ones sold by the side of the road?"

“Yes, almost,” Franklin nodded. “But the street ones are tasteless. Our exclusive cigarettes from the North Army taste so much better and stronger. Gets you hooked fast."

"It all comes down to the same thing," Nathan said while shaking his head.

Speaking of the North Army, Franklin tensed up. “General,” he approached cautiously. “About the stripping of your title, did they offer you another position? Your contributions during the battles across the North were numerous, to say the least. Why isn't your name on the prize list?"

Franklin was unaware like most people that the new Chief Military Governor was Nathan himself.

"Did you not hear? I've offended Mr. Davier, which led to my demotion. I'm lucky to have escaped with my life." Nathan chuckled.

Franklin was furious. "Clifford Davier is too much!"

"He is the Cab secretary," Nathan said deliberately. "I have no power over him."

“No, General," Franklin said. “You will not be disrespected by the Davier family like that. Our band of brothers won't stand by and watch while they humiliate you." "What are you saying?" Nathan leaned forward.

"I've thought about it. I will reach out to all of our brothers in the North to petition to the Chief Military Governor to reverse the Cab's decision."

"Petition? For what?" Nathan was amused.

"Petition for your position to be reinstated, of course. For you to continue defending the North."

"That's very thoughtful of you," Nathan laughed. "But there is no need for a petition. I am no longer suited to be General of the North."

"But General, the North depends on

you! Now that the defense is weakened without you, we are vulnerable to attacks by Xypería! Every single soldier in the North is awaiting your leadership!"

"And besides, without a position of power, how will you defend yourself against Clifford Davier's harassment?"

"Franklin, not many people are

aware of what I'm about to tell you.

But since you are my trusted

confidant and a military man, I wist entrust this secret, as well as the responsibility to protect the families in Channing, to you."

"Regarding my position, there is another arrangement."

Franklin was intrigued. "What do you mean, General? We weren't informed of that. What is your new position? What are you in charge of?"

Nathan just smiled mysteriously and fished out a mask from his pocket. It looked exquisite, being woven from golden silk. On it was embroidered with the symbol of a Leviathan.

The Leviathan Mask!

Franklin's eyes widened. He leaped to his feet, hardly daring to believe his eyes.

Wasn't the Chief Military Governor wearing this mask when he visited Brimmopolis for the Grand Council for the military? Could it be...? General Cross is the new Chief Military Governor!

"General, are you the..."

"Keep your voice down," Nathan interrupted.

This is a national security issue. Nobody can know about this."

"I've revealed this information to you to prepare you for what is to come. Whoever it is who harasses my family will be vanquished, rest

assured."

"Yes, sir!" Franklin cried.

At this moment, there was a knock

on the door and Colin Dunne entered. He bent down and whispered something in Nathan's

ear. It was news on Set

arrival and him summoning them to Blueside Villa.

Nathan laughed in derision. "Speaking of harassment, the Goldsteins are here in Channing.'