[Book II Chapter 155] OLIVER BRACK: Retribution

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  Oliver Brack rubbed his aching shoulder as he stood deep in the command center of Novgard’s castle. Before him was a projection of the battlefield far below. He took some satisfaction watching purple dots swarm towards the mass of orange dots concentrated by the docks. However, this wasn’t enough enough to wipe the dour expression off his face.

  Neon couldn’t be allowed to fall. The city served as a logistical and commercial hub for the wider region. Its loss would indirectly impact Aery greatly, badly weakening Novgard, its longtime ally.

  “You’re relaying all this to Sovengard.” He snapped briskly.

  “Yes,” A valykie answered, avoiding eye contact. “We are still waiting for a reply.”

  Oliver’s scowl deepened. He could feel the gaze of his subordinates when his back was turned. They were wisely keeping quiet, but all of them knew of the humiliation he’d suffered.

  He’d never suspected Yuria would dare employ violence against him in his own throne room. By nearly twisting his arm off, she pressured him to lift the limits on the number of refugee allowed to arrive. Even now, hordes of them were disembarking. His men were doing all they could to ensure they were escorted to bastion, but there were too many…

  Oliver ground his teeth. He hated that simple physical pain had been enough for him to fold. What he loathed even more was that part of him feared what Yuria might do if he rescinded his concession.

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  He couldn’t retaliate against her officially. His pride wouldn’t permit him to reveal the slight to the rest of the Brack family. His vengeance would have to be surreptitious and personal.

  “We’ve received authorization to fire Artemis.” A valkyrie reported. Oliver, for the first time, smiled.

  He’d been waiting for this ever since Neon put in the request. The beams of Aery’s ultimate weapon were capable of curving and hitting targets in layers below the surface. However, another level of precision was needed for such shots, which is why control mechanisms had been installed in the lowest of the floating islands, one of which was integrated in this room’s projector system.

  “Excellent! I’ll handle the targeting myself.” He declared, taking over the operator’s seat and locking in a set of coordinates. “The first shot will be here.”

  “There appears to be civilians in that area…” His lieutenant, an often impudent valkyrie, ventured. “Should we not issue a warning?”

  “The area is essentially overrun. They’ll be dead by the time it reaches them.” He answered curtly, glaring daggers. The woman backed down, turning white. Oliver nodded to himself at the reaction. His subordinates knew the mood he was in. There would be no further interruptions.

  Truthfully, he was relieved none of those present recognized Eidleweiss, else the situation might have become awkward. The group of orange dots at the crater’s edge were undoubtedly the orphans, which meant for certain Yuria was there too.

  A giddy sense of anticipation seized him as the Artemis charged up. While estranged, Yuria was a member of House Raven. There would be hell to pay later, but he didn’t care at the moment. His authority had already been violated, so what did it matter if this cost him the rest of it? He might as well as milk the opportunity.

  He hungrily eyed the orange dots clustered by Neon’s docks. Saints from Aery were among the defenders, so he’d have to send out an alert this time. For appearance’s sake, I must remember to also aim at the monsters.