As everyone watched him, Jaeger Sobeck genuinely felt, for a moment, that the whole world was out to get him. He forced himself to stand and said, "Your Excellency, everyone, this is a provocation against the commander!"
Marshal Ikenroka smiled. "It certainly is a provocation. If you were all Saints, it would qualify as an honorable duel under the psychics' code. But as things stand, a newly ascended Saint has challenged a Second Ring."
Actually, I'm already Third Ring, Sobeck thought. Of course, that wasn't important. Even if he made it to Seventh Ring, he was sure he still wouldn't stand a chance against Yu Lian as he was now.
To put it more plainly, he'd never have the courage to challenge Yu Lian to a duel in his life.
"He actually had the nerve to say that?" sneered Lieutenant General Bifick, a burly warrior. "He's recklessly squandering his own reputation for bravery!"
"His reputation was built by racking up victories over your colleagues. He's earned the right to squander it," said Chief of Staff General Bemozzi, his face expressionless. Neither his expression nor his tone wavered, as though he were simply stating an objective truth. It just happened to sting.
General Haigober, who'd just been stung, immediately looked displeased. A hint of gloom fell across his rough, reddish-brown skin, worn by the years.
But before he could say anything, Marshal Ikenroka beside him burst out laughing. "Hahahaha! Exactly! Since the war began, that young man in his twenties has kept the seasoned veterans of the mighty Galactic Empire from gaining so much as an inch. It's downright shameful. Gentlemen, our colleagues' failures bring us one step closer to our own. We should be ashamed!"
"You're right, Your Excellency. The Knights have been thoroughly cowed by him. We're all Saints,