The Great Vampire General is a Girl! - Chapter 100

“We think you’ve guessed why we summoned you here, commander Chastain,” said one of the Florentians with the rank of general. He was famous as a knight who never smiles and one of the strongest fighters that Florentia has. His name is Alexei Dante. He was only in his early forties and had a serious expression with striking light brown hair.

He had a well-built body with slightly dark skin. The back of his hand was covered in scars, he had also lost his left pinky which was disguised by a leather glove. He was the leader of the “Ground Troops and Cavalry” division. That unit was the heart of Florentia’s power during wartime.

He was the general who had been giving orders to the jaguar team. Someone who was respected and feared by his subordinates. Alexei didn’t hesitate to force his men into unimaginable dangers. But he was also not a general who liked to hide behind his rank and sit comfortably at his desk. He was almost always at the forefront. He was also a cursed weapon user.

Currently, Raphael was in Alexei’s study, which was dominated by wooden interiors and glossy white marble floors. He was known to have great taste and did not hesitate to show his lifestyle in the military. Of course he didn’t buy all of that with his salary. Because he was also a rich noble.

Apart from Alexei, there were also three other generals. There was Boris Veruca, leader of the marine division, and Katrina Humphrey who became deputy head of the Civilian Affairs and Administration division. Raphael rarely met more than two generals in one room.

What made him even more nervous was, they had gathered just to talk to him. Apparently, this wasn’t planned either. Because Raphael shouldn’t be active again at headquarters. He deliberately hastened his leave because he followed Valerie’s wishes.

“We would like to discuss your achievements at Taverin and Ithadurna. We think they are impressive. You demonstrated diplomatic skills, excellent observation and strength,” General Alexei continued. Raphael had only responded with a doubtful nod. He didn’t know what he was there for. Why did general Alexei say that he probably already knew?

“Thank you sir, it’s my duty as a Florentian knight,” Raphael nodded in a respectful gesture.

“However, we detected an attempt at nepotism from some of your decisions,” Alexei continued again with a sharp look.

“Sorry?”

“Valerie Dubois, who is now Valerie Chastain..You took her to the military, persuaded several generals to put her in a safe position and even made sure the military recognized you as blood partners,” he said again. The other generals just listened.

“Sir, I’m sure that I didn’t break any rules when I did that,” Raphael responded firmly.

“Indeed, but there was an all too obvious effort on your part to keep your wife comfortable. Maybe to protect her or something. You also used the rules regarding the use of cursed weapons to smooth out your plans,” continued Alexei.

Raphael gulped. So, the Generals gathered to scold and criticize his decision? He didn’t feel like he was doing anything wrong. Though perhaps he had to admit that he showed a slant to defend Valerie. But Raphael didn’t do it just because she was his wife. He had made a promise to the Dubois family and he was just trying to fulfill it.

“Besides, you even allowed Kyle Brennan, Lady Chastain’s favorite human, to join the jaguar team.”

“It’s only temporary, sir,”

“Don’t cut me off, sir Chastain,” said Alexei coldly.

“Not only that, Valerie Chastain suggested another human named Margaret Rain to join the Research and development team after her studies at Lapella were completed,” said Alexei coldly.

“Sir, but,”

“Your judgment is questionable, you turn soft and docile when lady Valerie is involved in your mission,”

“Sir, with all due respect. I didn’t do that because he was my partner. I trusted her intuition. She was the one who found Gunther in the abyss and killed him, she was also the one who discovered Rutherford’s secret lab, she was also the one who gave me advice on mastering Ithadurna. So, I think I have every reason to believe in her actions,” Raphael affirmed while looking Alexei’s eyes determined.

“Including when you let her train with Alexander Gregovich and Amelia Grigory?” Alexei probed sharply. The other generals looked restless. What Valerie did at that time was indeed dangerous.

“I know General Gregovich personally, sir..I consider it harmless and useful for Lady Chastain to increase her power as a cursed weapon user.”

“Sir Chastain, what will you do when Lady Chastain is taken hostage? Or when her identity as Gunther’s killer was exposed? Aren’t you worried about what Will happen to your wife?”

“I’ve considered the possibility, sir. Gregovich has high self-esteem and I’ve made him swear not to hurt my wife.”

“How can you have such confidence? Gregovich is an Avalon,” this time, Katrina Humphrey commented.

“Because like I said, I know him personally. He won’t break the ceasefire agreement. I know that,” Raphael said confidently.

“But Amelia Grigory isn’t your friend right? What kept her from hurting Lady Chastain?”

“Valerie Chastain is quite tough, she’s a cursed weapon user,” Raphael confirmed.

“She’s still a rookie, you can’t use your personal judgment on this, sir Chastain. Valerie Chastain has to prove herself, she has to go through several tests to measure her strength.”

“Sir, I don’t see any of my military decisions involving Valerie as a form of nepotism,” Raphael tried to reassure the generals.

“Yes, legally you don’t do anything wrong. But, the common eye doesn’t see it that way. We read your actions as favoritism, you eased her path as a knight and complied with her wishes because she is your wife. we know, you two just got married so it’s hard to separate military and personal matters,” Alexei concluded.

Raphael didn’t like it. He always tried to be professional. It didn’t matter if Valerie asked him for help with her pretty eyes or occasionally seduced him— Raphael was sure he was still making a rational decision. Or, maybe that was just what he believed? Had he been violating his own principles without realizing it?

“General Maxwell has decided to recruit Lady Valerie Chastain for the intelligence division. It’s not currently a war situation, so your status as blood partners isn’t really necessary. You two don’t need to go on missions together.”

“Before it was decided, Lady Chastain and I had agreed. So, it’s not a problem for us,” said Raphael again. He didn’t want to lose.

“That’s good, we have to make sure that your chivalry principles don’t waver. Especially because of feelings. Raphael, we knights, need no romance, love or affection. It can distort your judgment, affect your actions and the outcome of your mission. We generals have also started to formulate a new policy regarding blood partners. We feel that intimacy is not really needed and will only hinder performance,” Alexei said coldly. The other two generals nodded

But Raphael felt it was too much. Although he now realizes that maybe Valerie refuses to join the jaguar team, because she didn’t want to feel like a spoiled knight. She didn’t want to always be by Raphael’s side. The commander didn’t feel he was spoiling her, it was his instinct as a man to keep his wife safe. But after he thought about it, he maybe did have to reduce his interactions with Valerie in the military.

All of Valerie’s future achievements, she’d better achieve without Raphael’s shadow. The commander knew that his wife had great potential in the future.

“Sir Raphael,” Alexei called out. At that time the commander was daydreaming thinking about something else.

“Yes, sir?”

“We have another reason why you were summoned here. Before moving on to the main discussion, we need to straighten out your principles first. Now we hope you understand that we don’t want you to go easy on yourself when interacting with Lady Chastain. Especially for military affairs. The other blood partners, including General Boris Veruca, could maintain his professionalism. Blood partner, useful for increasing their partner’s strength significantly during battle. That doesn’t mean you have to pamper your partner. You also don’t want Valerie to be a weak knight because you keep helping her right?”

“No sir,” said Raphael firmly.

“I’m willing to talk to you about this, sir Raphael. I also have a blood partner in Florentia. I’m willing to teach you how having a blood partner will help our careers, not hinder it,” General Boris responded in a slight whisper.

“In essence, we recognize your achievements, Raphael Chastain. We think that you deserve a promotion,” Alexei said more relaxed.

“Sorry?” Raphael confirmed his hearing. A promotion? Raphael never guessed that.

“I will recruit you as my representative in the Ground Troops and Cavalry divisions with the rank of Lieutenant General, Sir Chastain.. Hopefully you will continue to show your achievements,” Said general Alexei with firm face.