Supreme Magus

r a few minutes before talking.

”Lieutenant Verhen, do you know what Article 16 of the code of military justice states? ”

”It is forbidden for any soldier, NCO, and officer to assault in any way a fellow member of the army. ” Lith quoted from Soluspedia.

”So you do know the code. ” Berion stood up, piercing Lith with a steel gaze.

”Then how do you explain what you did in the mess hall of Regharos ’ boot camp? ”

”I simply gave Sergeant Proudstar our mother ’s regards. ” Lith couldn ’t believe the Commander was making a fuss for such an insignificant reason, nor that Trion could be stupid enough to report him. It would only make a fool of himself.

”I don ’t care about your brother. I ’m talking about all the people you sent to the hospital. ” The Commander ’s icy tone left Lith unfazed. His words, not so much.

”I beg your pardon? I didn ’t throw a single punch nor spell. ”

”Son, I have been young and stupid too. I can understand that you wanted to teach him a lesson, but you went overboard. Only active soldiers are trained to withstand killing intent. Kitchen staff are basically civilian.

Your little show made some faint, some puke their guts out, while the less fortunate now have white hair and blabber about monsters dwelling in the shadows. ”

’Oh f*ck! ’ Lith thought. ’I was so angry back then that I completely forgot about kitchen staff. Yet it ’s hard to believe that a sliver of killing intent could have done so much damage. ’

”This folder contains the medical files of all the people you have injured. Their medical bills will be deducted from your pay. ” The Commander ’s index tapped on the stack of paper.

Lith pretended to be contrite, but he couldn ’t care less. He could make as a Healer in a day what the army paid him per month.

”At ease, Lieutenant. I hope you have made your decision. Otherwise, a few days in solitary will teach you not to disgrace our uniform. ”

Lith took out from his pocket dimension the map of the Griffon Kingdom and showed Berion the Etochian region. The frown disappeared from the Commander ’s face and was replaced by a worried expression.

”Are you certain, Lieutenant? I wanted to assign you a harsh environment as punishment but that ’s too much. ”

Noticing Lith ’s confusion, Berion smirked.

”I ’m not worried about the borders. There are plenty of good soldiers there that can help you if the necessity arises. Nor I ’m not worried about monsters or magical beasts. I read your file, I know you ’re a survivor. What worries me are these. ”

The Commander pointed at the various ruins Lith and Kalla had studied earlier.

”Do you know why we give to the Rangers the passcodes to the lost cities? Because they are part of your patrol duty. ”

”Does someone live there? ” Lith was more confused by the second.

”Of course not. No citizen of the Kingdom lives there. Have you ever wondered why even though so many centuries have passed, the arrays are still working? How we managed to learn how to bypass them safely?

”It didn ’t take any effort on our side. Everything was engraved in multiple languages on the pillars surrounding the lost cities. Those who created the arrays, left all the necessary instructions to keep them active.

”Your duty consists also in checking that the magical formations are functional and not letting the ruins become a threat to the Kingdom. Those arrays weren ’t built to keep people out, but to keep the things that spawn in the lost cities in. ”