Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 173: Volume 3 Chapter 54 Give More Time

The retrofit review concluded without controversy, and the Holy Knight Company emerged as the biggest winner, especially Christina, who not only received Reinhardt’s approval but also had the opportunity to join the Mythical Army directly.

Although she would only be a civilian researcher, it was enough! Reinhardt’s respect and care for technological talents were well-known, especially those directly under the Mythical Army. Moreover, protecting a retired General who spent his days reading newspapers in his study was a piece of cake for Reinhardt. He held an exalted position, and although he wasn’t friends with Gordon, they were definitely not political enemies!

The purge that was launched wasn’t due to James’s bloodthirstiness; it was the best way to maintain the purity of the Military Department. Russell had managed the Military Department for too long. To eliminate his influence, a purge was necessary. Of course, James would never personally give the order. All it took was a hint, and many people would scramble to do this bloody work.

James was very clear that Gordon wasn’t one of Russell’s men. If he were to carry out the purge himself, Gordon certainly wouldn’t be within the scope of those purged. However, this matter had to be handed over to someone else, usually the successor of the Military Department. To control the Military Department, some bloodshed was inevitable. It was best to eliminate the predecessors that could be cleared away; it was the simplest method.

Furthermore, Gordon had lost the Newton Star System. James might not agree with removing him, but this didn’t mean James would prevent it. After all, in wartime, the Military Department needed only one voice.

The current situation was very delicate. The Military Department and the Royal Family had a deep rift. Russell had defected, Gordon had been dismissed, Hailig had been sidelined, and the Military Department had lost its soul almost overnight. The newly appointed Stephen hadn’t fully grasped control over the Military Department because he hadn’t yet shown enough achievements to win over others. Regardless of Stephen’s achievements, whether James handed over the Military Department to him or decided to control it himself, the purge wouldn’t be carried out by these two royal members.

So, the most likely person to be ordered to carry out the purge was Reinhardt. Because of his high status, he could command the most respect and had the most trust from the Royal Family. He would, according to the Royal Family’s requirements, make the Military Department spotless, paving the way for Stephen or James to take over.

Even if Stephen took control of the Military Department or personally carried out the purge regardless of future repercussions, Reinhardt would still be able to convince James to keep Gordon. Stephen would also have to consider the notoriously protective Reinhardt’s feelings. With Russell’s defection, Reinhardt was now the foremost figure in the Gazalin Empire Military; no one could compare to him, not even Stephen.

Christina had achieved the best outcome she had envisioned, and the ordinary mechanics in the technical department of the Holy Knight Company finally understood that this elegant woman, who had been approached by numerous new and veteran employees, was no ordinary person. She was a top student at Tanville Military University and a noblewoman well-known to Reinhardt. Some mechanics who had boasted about their happiness and skills in the company were now looking for a hole to hide in.

Only Fatty scorned inwardly. This woman might appear mature and intellectual, calm and gentle on the surface, but in reality, she was dumber than some teenage girls in heat, acting ridiculously foolish.

”Just one flirtatious glance from me, and she’d fall at my work pants,” Fatty shamelessly thought.

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Stephen left the conference room, and even though he tried his best to control himself, his anger grew more and more intense! He and Liebgoet had waited a whole hour to get a notice from the Mythical Army that Reinhardt wasn’t coming. He was testing a Transformed Mecha.

”Absurd!” Stephen finally exploded upon returning to his office, jumping up and down in rage, ”A prince and a general waited an entire hour for him, and he just decided not to come. Who does Reinhardt think he is?! That George’s lapdog!”

Ritter stood quietly to the side without saying anything. No one understood Stephen’s true temperament better than Ritter, who was outwardly calm and gentle but would never add fuel to the fire when Stephen was angry. Only after Stephen had vented would he truly calm down.

Stephen felt somewhat resentful, but he was well aware that Reinhardt was loyal only to King James, and had never taken either himself or George seriously. In this delicate situation, it was clear that Reinhardt had no hope that Stephen could achieve the results necessary to take over the Military Department. Youthful and spirited, Stephen couldn’t swallow this frustration.

After venting, he slumped onto the sofa. The initiative was not in his hands. The situation in Galileo was growing more severe, yet Liebgoet kept advocating withdrawal. Even though he knew these withdrawals were demands of the overarching strategy, James’s inquiries had placed immense pressure on Stephen. Liebgoet’s strategy had a fatal flaw for him—it took too long.

Royal doubt about Liebgoet had already begun to sprout, and with more withdrawals, Stephen wasn’t sure if James would still give him and Liebgoet the chance to complete their strategic plan. Moreover, this strategy was built on losing large control areas and engaging in consuming tug-of-war battles. By the time the strategic deployment was complete, his role might be over. But now Stephen could only grit his teeth and continue, as he and Liebgoet were in this together, and he couldn’t abandon ship.