Chapter 502 - 435: Internal Conflict, The Art of Managing Subordinates

’So that’s how it is?’

Although Nelom had used his Domain Power, how could his absentminded state escape Reinhardt’s notice?

From the very beginning of the fight, he had sensed that Nelom’s will to fight was weak.

Compared to the exhilarating, down-and-dirty brawls between Imperial Fierce Knights,

his battle with Nelom felt more like a turn-based game.

Reinhardt initially believed the other man had some reservations, which was why he repeatedly interrupted the fight, his every word and action betraying his desire to end it as quickly as possible.

Until Nelom himself revealed the reason.

Reinhardt’s brow furrowed. He didn’t respond to Nelom’s words, but stood amidst the swirling sand and used his Spiritual Energy communication to ask Koller, "How did you and Stearns communicate with Nelom?"

Koller, who had been secretly observing the battle all along, was startled by Reinhardt’s question. The politically astute old veteran immediately realized this wasn’t a casual inquiry—Reinhardt was holding him strictly accountable!

Although he didn’t yet know the reason, he remained silent for a moment before responding in a precise, formal manner.

"As per the Battle Group’s regulations for disseminating orders, after receiving your command, I used Spiritual Energy communication to issue the directive directly to Second Company Commander Stearns. The specifics of the call are kept on record at the Avenger Cruiser’s command headquarters for three years."

War is no game, and the transmission of military orders within a Knight Battle Group cannot have any errors.

Especially when a company commander arbitrarily interprets orders from the Supreme Command Department.

The Reinhardt of today was no longer the young Knight or the Special Operations Captain of the past. He was the Great Tutor of Vengeful, the Supreme Commander of the pacification war.

His authority would not tolerate any questioning.

This wasn’t just a matter of power. In wartime, if subordinates were allowed to arbitrarily interpret military orders from the Supreme Command Department and use them as a pretext for their own actions, the consequences would be catastrophic.

Nelom’s misunderstanding was a small matter, but the Battle Group’s political work could not be allowed to slacken. This was a serious issue that concerned the combat effectiveness of the Vengeful Angels.

If this were handled by the book, Nelom’s misunderstanding of the order given to him could be judged a major blunder!

Stripping him of his company command would be a light punishment.

If his reckless actions were to cause the entire war effort to collapse, even a hundred heads to be shot wouldn’t be enough to atone for his crimes.

Seeing that Reinhardt was making no move, Nelom wanted to say something, but the other man simply raised his right hand, his brow deeply furrowed, gesturing for him to stay silent.

"Patch Stearns in."

A moment later, the Second Company Commander’s voice sounded in Reinhardt’s ear.

"My lord, you were looking for me?"

Reinhardt’s hoarse voice was exceptionally grave as he said coldly, "Stearns, I ask you, how did you communicate with Nelom?"

At that moment, several kilometers from the battlefield, Stearns stood beside a massive boulder. He reached up and removed his Full Coverage Helmet, replying with a frown, "As Lord Koller instructed, I relayed your order to Nelom that you wished to see him, and then I escorted him all the way here."

Hearing this response, Koller said nothing, simply pulling up the communication logs stored in the command headquarters.

After playing back their detailed conversation, Koller’s voice was equally stern. "Second Company Commander, I have warned you more than once not to provoke Nelom.

But it seems you are only willing to accept the commands and suggestions of the Grand Governor.

Nelom is a surrendered general whom the Lord himself personally saved. Do you have any idea what the consequences of your actions are? Besides, evaluating Loyalty is not your concern."

Although Koller didn’t rebuke Stearns directly, to an Imperial Knight, such words were tantamount to a character assassination!

’What did he mean, I was only willing to accept the commands and suggestions of the Grand Governor? The implication was clear: he was accusing me of treason!’

Under normal circumstances, the Spiritual Energy communication network for the Vengeful Angels’ command structure only kept Reinhardt, Guard Captain Matthias, and the two commanders in constant contact.

Matthias turned his head to glance at Stearns. He didn’t know what was happening on the distant battlefield, but for the normally protective Reinhardt to become so enraged,

Stearns must have committed a major, fundamental error.

Although the Second Company Commander realized the severity of the situation, his face flushed red with suppressed anger as he argued, "My lords! I just can’t stand it! That bastard killed so many men from our Battle Group, not only did he escape judgment without paying a price, but now he wanders around my post all day long.

This is something I absolutely cannot accept—!"

Koller didn’t bother arguing with him, simply making a cold decision. "According to Battle Group regulations, I recommend revoking Stearns’s rank as company commander. However, given the current manpower shortage within the Battle Group, Stearns will remain responsible for the duties of the Second Company Commander.

As this is his first offense, this punishment will be administered and announced to the entire Battle Group as a warning.

My lord, what is your opinion?"

Koller was well aware that Stearns and Reinhardt had a personal relationship. This was also an internal matter for the Battle Group; punishing Stearns too harshly over a surrendered general could affect the unity of the Second Company. But if no punishment was given, then there would be no need for their command headquarters in the future.

His rank would be revoked, but his duties would remain unchanged. In the future, if he performed meritorious service, restoring his rank would be a simple matter of an order from command.

"Do as you say. We have no Priests in the Battle Group right now. Stearns, write a formal self-criticism and hand it in to Koller the morning after tomorrow.

Remember, there won’t be a next time."

Stearns took a deep breath, suppressing the fury in his heart. "I will take this as a lesson."

’To be punished so severely over a traitor, even having my rank as Second Company Commander revoked... If this command hadn’t come from Lord Koller and Lord Reinhardt himself,’

’I would probably submit my resignation right now and lead my old subordinates back to the Death Battle Group.’

「In the sandstorm.」

Reinhardt ended the Spiritual Energy communication. He looked at Nelom and said coldly, "Your life does not belong to me, and your mission is far from over.

If you truly wish to wash away your crimes,

then take up your courage and ideals, and keep fighting—fight until you die."

Nelom froze, his mind struggling to process this. "But, weren’t you preparing to..."

Reinhardt, holding his War Axe, slowly began to walk in the tense standoff posture one takes before a battle erupts. "When did I ever say I was going to kill you?"

"Then... what was this fight between us for?"

Hearing Nelom’s question, the corners of Reinhardt’s mouth lifted slightly. His expression was iron-willed and grim, and the crisscrossing battle scars covering his body bore witness to every hard-won fight.

"No Knight would ever refuse a blood-pumping battle. We are born for this, and we die for this."

At that moment, Nelom finally understood everything.

He had never feared battle, much less death.

The only thing that could restrain him was the path of justice he had never abandoned.

A life-or-death struggle against Reinhardt, the Master of Vengeful—such an unjust fight went against his knightly ideals. How could he have any will to fight in such a battle?

But if it was a duel between Imperial Knights, a chance to enjoy the battle itself, he wouldn’t mind giving it his all to finish the fight with Reinhardt that should have happened outside the bridge!