Chapter 506 The First-in-Command
Hector did not know how to answer. He knew it was the Emperor who needed this information. Levi Montfort is one of Master Crow's trusted brothers in the Alliance.
"I'm sorry, Master Montfort. I have no right to answer any of your questions."
Levi tightened his jaw. He gazed at Hector with gloom. "Doctor Payne, we are talking about saving the world here. So please, tell me. I need to know who is giving out the command."
Levi acted civilly, hoping Hector would reveal what the knights were planning.
"I swear not to say anything to the empress," said Hector.
"Dammit!" Levi cursed and slammed his hands on the desk.
He steps back from the table but paces back and forth in front of Hector. Levi tried to figure out something, putting himself as one of Hailee's knights. What would he do if he were under Hailee's command? Whom will he choose to take charge?
"James!" Levi blurted out all of a sudden. "It was James, wasn't it? He is in command now?"
Hector's mouth remained tightly closed. No matter what happens, he must seal his mouth. "Erm… I'm sorry, Master Montfort."
Levi saw how Hector lowered his gaze. He read his body language, and he came up with an idea.
"I better ask James." After he announced, Levi walked out of Hector's clinic.
Left behind, Hector grew anxious. He followed Levi and blocked his way.
"Please, Master Montfort! It's better this way! Let us handle some matters."
"This way, what!? And what matters are you talking about? Among the knights, you knew what future awaited us if we didn't stop that man!"
"Erm…" Again, Hector could not reason out or explain to Levi. "I'm sorry, Master Montfort. But please… Could you trust us?"
"How can I if you are not helping us?" Levi snapped. He didn't waste another second talking to Hector and walked toward the elevator.
The knights often gathered in the restaurant, waiting for Hailee to wake up. Levi marched inside and looked for James. He found him in the corner, speaking on the phone.
"James!"
Levi's loud voice echoed in the hall. Everyone lounging in the restaurant suddenly felt the tension emitting from Levi's body. The knights quickly stood on their feet and blocked Levi's path toward James.
"What happened, Master Montfort?" asked Leo Grubber, Chief of Hailee's Legal Team.
Seeing that the knights become vigilant toward him, Levi calms down. It would not help if he dug a pit. In that case, the one going down the hole in him.
"I just wanted to ask James about important matters," Levi explains. The situation isn't great. He was alone if he went against Hailee's knights.
"Please, let us all stay calm. It was a complete misunderstanding. But please, Master Montfort. I assure you that what you feared will not happen." Hector finally caught up and coaxed Levi.
"What is going on, Hector?" asked James. He walked over and faced Levi. He queried politely. "What do you wish to discuss with me, Master Montfort?"
Levi swept his gaze to every face of the knights that were present in the restaurant. If he were to be violent and use force to make James confess, he would not win. So he dismissed the thought and yielded inwardly.
"Alright. I wanted to know who is First-in-Command. Is it you? Then why did you give out an order to deploy the fleet? Where are you headed to?" Levi did his best to throw these questions with all his calm.
"Sweetheart? What's going on?" At the door, Madison entered the restaurant and walked toward the commotion. She halted next to her husband and interrogated him. "What's wrong?"
"Shun received a report that the Royal Army was deployed to the Indian Ocean. There is no certainty where they are headed. But this is not a good mood. We all know that it will create tension." Levi's tone carried a hidden meaning to Madison. He is reminding his wife about the war that erupted after Vincent died.
Madison, who learned this news, scared her off. She faced the knights and gave them a piece of her mind.
"What are you guys doing? Do you know what would happen if you displayed this bold move to the world? I know you guys are worried about Hailee. But Papa Shun is doing everything to keep everything under control while Vincent is nowhere to be found. Please, pull out the fleet back to Queen Island!" Madison ordered, which didn't faze the knights.
They respect Madison, but their loyalty always belonged to their empress.
"We're sorry, Lady Madison. But we cannot do that." James answered.
"Is that so? You are in the position of First-in-Command. But have you imagined what conflict would create because of your decision, James?" Levi berated.
When none of the knights speaks up, Madison removes her gloves and walks toward James, but Levi stops her.
"Please, no. You are pregnant with our daughter. I won't let you risk both of your lives."
"But, sweetheart?" She is willing to risk everything for a better future for the world, not just for herself and her family, but the entire humanity.
"Let me handle this," Levi whispered to his wife. Madison protests, but Levi shakes his head. "Sweetheart…"
Madison finally calmed down. She wears her glove again and lets her husband deal with the situation. Now that he coaxed Madison, Levi turned around and faced the knights again.
It was written on their faces when Madison took off her gloves. They knew she was pregnant, and so they avoided upsetting her. But what if Madison planned to attack one of them?
They were all wondering when Levi spoke up again and pleaded.
"Everyone, please tell us what you are planning? I will repeat my query. Who among you is in the First-in-Command? Are you, James?"
"No. You have mistaken Master Montfort. I am only the Third-in-Command," James answered.
"Then? It is you, Andre?"
"I am the Fleet Commander. But I am not the Davies heir, but Hailee. Therefore, I cannot give out an order, but the First-in-Command whom Hailee assigned." Andre explained.
"Then? Why did you deploy the Royal Army if you have no order from Hailee?" Levi queried. He was confused about why these men denied it. "Why don't you tell me who this person is? Is it you, Geoffrey?"
"None of us here is the First-in-Command," said Geoffrey.
Levi and Madison were both astounded by this news. They wondered who could be the First-in-Command aside from these men whom Hailee trusted most.
"Then who?"
"It was me."
Everyone in that restaurant turned their heads toward the door and gaped at the person who spoke all of a sudden.
"Vincent!"
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