The Almighty General

CHAPTER 9

The chief let out a sharp laugh, his eyes narrowing with pure disdain.

“You’re nothing but a liar, Lance,” he spat. “A pretender.”

He gestured at Lance mockingly.

“The Elite Guard? That’s the special force only the general himself can summon. So tell me—” His voice dripped with contempt. “How could a mere deserter like you call upon them?”

The crowd murmured in agreement. Laughter rippled through the hall.

Nicholas smirked, stepping forward.

“Enough of this nonsense,” he sneered. “The chief’s nephew will be here any minute. You’d be wise to get on your knees and apologize now.”

His eyes gleamed with malice.

Lance didn’t move. He didn’t flinch. His expression was carved from stone.

Nicholas turned to the chief.

“But before that—” His voice was sickly sweet, laced with cruelty. “Evelyn and Rachael haven’t received their full punishment.”

Evelyn’s breath hitched.

Rachael clung to her mother, terror in her wide, innocent eyes.

Nicholas’s smirk widened.

“They still have punishment to do.” He chuckled darkly. “They should serve their complete punishment before the warrior gets here.”

The chief nodded.

“You’re right.” His voice was cold, merciless. “Hand them the bucket, they will shine this place clean.”

Lance’s gaze turned ice-cold.

“What has my family done to deserve this?”

The chief sneered, his lips curling with malice.

“Your father refused to pay the levy,” he spat. “Your wife is a shameless woman who seduces men.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened in horror. “That’s a lie!”

The chief ignored her.

“And your daughter—” He smirked. “She is disrespectful.”

Rachael clutched Evelyn’s arm, trembling.

“According to the rules,” the chief continued, his voice thick with cruel satisfaction, “Evelyn is to be stripped naked, flogged, then cast out of the village. We are even being merciful by asking her to scrub the hall.”

Evelyn shook her head furiously, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

“No! You’re lying!”

The chief raised his hand. “You are still arguing?"

"Strip her naked now!” The chief commanded. 

In a blink, Lance’s hand shot out.

His fingers clamped around the chief’s collar like a steel vice.

The hall fell into stunned silence.

The chief choked, his face turning red.

Lance’s grip tightened around the chief’s collar, his voice low and dangerous.

“Anyone who dares lay a finger on my wife—” His eyes burned with fury. “Will lose his life!”

The guards stiffened. They exchanged uneasy glances but didn’t move.

The chief’s face turned red with rage.

“What are you waiting for?” he roared. “Seize him! Strip her now!”

But no one stepped forward.

The air was thick with tension.

Nicholas’s face twisted with fury.

“How dare you put your hands on the chief?” he shouted.

Lance’s gaze snapped to him.

His rage boiled over.

SMACK!

Lance’s palm struck the chief’s face with bone-rattling force.

The chief’s head snapped to the side. Blood sprayed from his mouth.

Before he could react—

THUD!

Lance’s foot crashed into his chest.

The chief’s body flew backward.

CRASH!

He slammed into a table, sending it shattering to the ground.

Gasps filled the hall.

Silence followed.

Lance stood tall, eyes burning, fists clenched.

Malcolm’s face twisted with fury.

“How dare you hit the chief?” he bellowed. “You’re seeking death!”

He pointed a trembling finger at Lance.

“Get on your knees and apologize now!”

Lance didn’t even blink. 

“Do you think you deserve to even stand before me?”

Malcolm flinched, but the chief suddenly groaned, staggering to his feet. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, his eyes filled with anger.

“Get down on your knees now!” he spat, “or your entire family will die!”