Achilles: The Warlord Emperor

5: The Faithfuls

Achilles had several thoughts thrust into his head.

[Why does the country need me? Who are these people requesting to have a word with me? How did Ms. Julian know about my late father's innocence?]

Within a few moments, the door creaked open. Three figures stepped inside, all dressed in full military uniform.

For a brief moment, Achilles was taken aback— the sight of the uniform reminded him of his humiliation at Liverpool Military Base.

He recalled how the soldiers stripped him of his attire, rank, and privileges after the military council passed their judgment.

Surprisingly, these military personnel hadn't uttered any derogatory words to him since they stepped inside.

The one in the center, a confident-looking man, stepped forward. “Col. Achilles Hector,” addressing him properly.

Achilles stayed silent, the soldier’s words struck a chord in his head. A reminder that some people still regard him with his former military title.

The soldier continued, “I am Brigadier George Stones.”

He continued, maintaining a polite tone, “This is Brigadier Phillip Scott.” Turning to his right. “And Brigadier Rachael Beauty.”

Achilles exhaled slowly, studying them. They were high-ranking officers. What do they want with him?

Brig. Stones maintained steady contact with him.

“We are: The Faithfuls.”

Achilles’ expression hatched with curiosity. “The Faithfuls?”

Brig. Scott nodded firmly. “We were loyalists of your father. And so is Margaret Julian.”

Margaret chimed in, “Your father was our godfather.”

Achilles drew a sharp exhalation, mouthing inwardly, “My father had allies?”

Brig. Beauty took a step forward. “He protected and treated us like his own.”

Achilles slowed down in response, his mind whirling with various thoughts.

They didn't sound like bluffers; their words oozed with clarity and seriousness.

Finally, he spoke. “Tell me everything. All I must know.”

Brig. Stones drew a calm inhalation, “Months before your father’s execution, his best friend, the late Minister of Defense uncovered a plot; a treasonous conspiracy by a powerful cartel plotting to undermine the power of the Prime Minister.”

Achilles quickly arose with a spark of passion. “A powerful cartel?”

Brig. Scott nodded in agreement. “A well-connected, extremely dangerous one. They have infiltrated the highest levels of government, the military, and even intelligence agencies.”

“The Minister of Defense was close to identifying them but they were one step ahead,” Margaret added. “Before he could act, the cartel anonymously reached out to your father.”

Puzzled, Achilles’ eyes darted for more information. He had no idea of any underground conspiracy and his late father didn't inform him of such.

“The cartel gave your father an ultimatum with a tempting deal if he did as they commanded,” Brig. Beauty continued. “Murder the Minister of Defense, or they would destroy him if he disobeys.”

Achilles’ face stiffened. “My father refused right?”

Brig. Stones nodded. “He refused outrightly. But by then, it was too late. The cartel had already schemed a trap for him.”

His eyes gleamed in fury. “The security footage— It showed my father pulling the trigger.”

Margaret sighed. “That footage was manipulated. No one could explain how they were able to pull off such a sinister stunt.”

Achilles’ breath hitched. “It was a neat job— all fingers pointed to my father as the culprit.”

Brig. Scott chimed in, wearing a puzzled look, “Yes, he took the fall. It was a perfect plot by the cartel and has remained a mystery.”

“With the right resources, the cartel can forge anything; videos, records, even DNA evidence.”

Achilles stared at them, his heart plunging for vengeance. His father was executed based on fabricated evidence. He kept screaming about his innocence but nobody believed him.

He leaned backwards against the wall, his countenance soured in pain.

[His father had died a martyr, not a murderer!]

Brig. Beauty indulged him with a faint smile, “Your father saw his death coming. And prepared for it.”

Achilles flashed her an inquiry stare, “What do you mean?”

Margaret leaned closer. “Before he was framed, your father secured billions of dollars in offshore accounts, hidden under different names.”

“He bought multiple businesses ranging from real estate, jewelry companies, car importation, and wineries.”

“He knew the government would seize the family's public assets if the cartel succeeded in setting him up, so he made sure there were backup resources.”

Achilles' eyes darted in stunned disbelief. “You’re saying, my father left me a huge fortune?”

Brig. Stones nodded, a quick smile wavered his soured countenance, “Yes! For the past few months, we have been managing them on your behalf.”

Margaret gestured a beautiful chuckle, “Even this private hospital was owned by your father. And now, it's all yours.”

Achilles’ outlook lit up; a mouthful of words filled his lips. His conversation with the Faithfuls had kept him on the edge of his thoughts.

Everyone believed he had lost everything: humiliated, stripped of his military privileges, and exiled. And yet…

He was still a multi-billionaire, and no one knew except The Faithfuls!

He mused in confidence, “This means my cold-served revenge would be inevitable.”

Brig. Scott's expression slightly fell before speaking up, “There’s something else, Colonel.”

Achilles met his gaze. “What’s it?”

Brig. Stones sighed. “We’ve intercepted intel. The cartel isn’t done. They have another dangerous move.”

Margaret’s voice reeked of worry. “In one week, they plan to assassinate the Prime Minister.”

“The Prime Minister would be the chief keynote speaker at Liverpool’s Girl Child's event. They intend to eliminate him on the deal day.”

Achilles’ neck rotated with caution, their words sinking deep in his head.

Without hesitation, Brig. Beauty expressed, “We need to stop them. But to do that, we need you… Achilles.”

“You're the only one we can trust for such a special assignment. Only you have the extraordinary combat skills to rescue the Prime Minister unscathed.”

Margaret chimed in, her tone etched with seriousness. “The future of the country lies on your shoulders. If they succeed, they will install a puppet who would make policies based on the cartel's whims and caprices.”

Achilles’ eyes turned cold in thought. The same cartel that destroyed his father’s name, leading to his execution, now planning to eliminate the Prime Minister.

This wasn’t about revenge anymore, it was personal: Justice must prevail.

Achilles exhaled slowly, returning his gaze to them. The military could have labeled his family in shame, but turning a blind eye because of the humiliation he faced and letting the cartel's plot prevail would be even worse.

His late father would frown at such!

“I’ll do whatever it takes to save the Prime Minister on one condition.”

The faithfuls raised a hasty eyebrow at him. “Anything to bring you onboard. Just say the word.”

He nodded before speaking further:

“If anything happens to me in the process. Over eighty percent of my family's assets, properties, and finances will be willed to my pumpkin, Gabrielle, when she finally clocks eighteen.”

“This is nonnegotiable!”

The faithfuls’ eyes widened in shocked silence; they could sense how much Achilles loved his baby girl.

Felix might be the biological father, as Star revealed, but Gabrielle and Achilles shared a unique bond beyond mere reproduction.

“We promise to adhere to your wish and will protect her if anything happens to you.”

They promised in unison.