When Thirteen announced that the bidding war would be held for the first hundred slots of his Battalion, many Wanderers became disappointed, thinking that he was just using his popularity for a money-making scheme.
They thought he was different from the arrogant Scions of the Monarch Clans and the Ten Prestigious Families.
Although many were disillusioned, there were still a lot who didn’t lose hope, believing that they could still fight for the remaining one hundred slots.
So, the moment Zion Leventis declared that the first one hundred people to pass through the gates of the Star Kingdom would become part of his Battalion, they didn’t hesitate to give it their all and run as fast as they could.
Rookies, Adepts, Apostles, Elites, and a handful of Initiates all started to run with one goal in mind.
To reach the Star Kingdom, which would take them anywhere between twelve to twenty-four hours of non-stop running.
“Sir, with so many people participating in this event, there are bound to be cheaters,” Alexis, who was now one of Thirteen’s Captains, voiced his opinion.
“It’s fine, Alexis,” Thirteen replied. “You don’t have to worry about those cheaters.”
“Sir Zion is right,” Thirteen’s fourth Captain, whose name was Paul and had also bought his way through the bidding war, said with a smile. “How can someone as amazing as Sir Zion not consider something like this? You have so little faith in him, my man.”
Alexis clicked his tongue as he glared at the bootlicker, who currently had a smug smile plastered on his face.
Thirteen ignored his two newest Captains and looked at the one hundred people who had paid their way to become part of his Battalion.
“All of you here are allowed to return home to your families and tell them the good news that you are now officially part of my team,” Thirteen declared. “For those who don’t wish to leave, please follow Alexis, so he can guide you to your accommodations.
“Although the living quarters of the Central Government require you to share a room with three other people, I’m sure that it will foster camaraderie among all of you.
“Alexis, please guide them to their new quarters. Just go to that building over there that has the number 69 posted on its entrance. Feel free to pick any room, as well as your roommates. Just don’t go to the top floor because that is where my office is located.”
“Yes, Sir!” Alexis saluted before making a gesture for everyone to follow him.
When only Thirteen and Paul were left standing on the stage, several of the High-Ranking Officers approached the teenage boy with dissatisfied looks on their faces.
However, when the teenage boy saw them, he immediately gave them a salute, which made some of the High-Ranking Officers’ gaze soften a bit.
But, there were some who weren’t moved by his actions. So, after returning his salute, they immediately gave him the “initiation rights” that they had agreed to beforehand.
“I don’t know if the stories about you are true or not,” a middle-aged Colonel said. “But here in the Central Government, everyone has to follow the orders of their superiors.
“It doesn’t matter if you are a member of the Monarch Clans or the Ten Prestigious Families—you are now part of the organization that protects the entire world.
“Insubordination will not be tolerated, so Mr. Legendary Rookie, make sure to not flaunt your popularity here in the Freedom Garrison.”
“Yes, Sir,” Thirteen replied, his voice loud and clear.
The Colonel was about to say a few more things, but he heard a voice behind him, which made his body stiffen.
“I see that you are already befriending our newest member,” the Grand Marshal of the Central Government, Lawrence Seaton, said with a smile.
Immediately, everyone stood in attention and saluted the Highest Ranking Officer in the Central Government.
The middle-aged man with red hair and red eyes was the sole reason why the Central Government was able to stand tall despite the influence of the Monarch Clans in Pangea.
Just like the Five Monarchs, Lawrence was also one, and everyone believed that he was the strongest man in the world.
“Make sure that all of you get along, okay?” a middle-aged man with gray hair and blue eyes added with a smile. “I don’t want to hear reports that my officers are bullying newcomers.”
This man’s name was Tristan Summers.
He was the Field Marshal and was only second in Rank to Lawrence. Simply put, if Lawrence wasn’t on site, everyone would take orders from him.
The High-Ranking Officers nodded their heads and threw the antagonistic plans they had earlier to the wind.
None of them expected that the Number One and Number Two of the Central Government would make their appearance. With them around, no one dared to proceed with their plan of harassing the teenage boy assigned to lead the newly formed 69th Battalion.
“Still, it’s not good to call the Central Government stingy, my boy,” Lawrence patted Thirteen’s shoulder with a faint smile on his face. “Since your Grandfather and I once fought on the same battlefield together, I will turn a blind eye this once.
“Be more careful with your words and actions in the future because it will reflect the prestige of the Central Government. Of course, these words are not only meant for you but also for everyone here. Do I make myself clear?”
“””Sir, Yes Sir!”””
Lawrence then crouched down a bit to whisper something in Thirteen’s ears.
“I don’t know what you were planning when you decided to join the Central Government, but as long as you toe the line, I won’t mind keeping a hands-off approach with your actions,” Lawrence whispered. “Just make sure that it doesn’t go below my bottom line, okay?”
“Yes, Sir,” Thirteen replied.
Lawrence once again patted Thirteen’s shoulder before walking away with Tristan.
The other High-Ranking Officers gave Thirteen a sidelong glance before following behind their superiors, who had come to the Freedom Garrison unannounced.
“Sir, do you think those smelly old guys will continue to make things difficult for us?” Paul asked.
“Yes,” Thirteen replied in a heartbeat. “But they will not do anything overbearing right now. At most, they will ask their subordinates to taunt our people, instigating them for a fight so that they will face military discipline.”
“Understood.” Paul nodded. “I will inform everyone to not get provoked so easily.”
Thirteen watched him go with a faint smile on his face. A mere glance was enough for him to know that Alexis and Paul were properly trained individuals.
Even if they weren’t the retainers of the Monarch and Prestigious Families, they definitely still belonged to the influential families who also played a role in the development and politics of Pangea.
A few minutes later, Thirteen headed to his personal quarters inside the base. Right now, the ones running desperately toward the Star Kingdom were still hours away from their destination.
Until then, he would first handle the matters that needed his attention and let those who were assigned to monitor the participants handle the rest.
But, just as he was about to reach his destination, he saw a familiar-looking teenage girl standing in front of the door of his room.
“Zion, it’s great to see you again,” the black-haired beauty said with a smile.
“Rianna?” Thirteen asked, still half in doubt. Compared to the thirteen-year-old girl whom he remembered, the young lady in front of him had grown in the right places and had a very sexy figure.
“Of course, it’s me,” Rianna replied as she lightly patted Thirteen’s head. “Good. You’re still shorter than me. But, after a few years, you will surpass my height.”
Thirteen shook his head helplessly before walking toward the door of his room and opening it with his pass key.
Rianna followed him inside his room and gazed at its entirety.
“Well, it’s the same size as my room, so I think it’s fine,” Rianna muttered as she looked around.
Thirteen then sat on the couch and gestured for the young lady to sit beside him.
“So, why are you here?” Thirteen asked. “Don’t tell me that you came all this way just to see me.”
“Yes, I came all this way just to see you,” Rhianna replied with a smile. “Why? Not happy that I’m here?”
“Just a little,” Thirteen smirked. “So now, tell me the real reason why you’re here.”
Rianna’s smile widened after hearing the teenage boy’s words.
“You never change, do you, Zion?” Rianna asked. “Always thinking that there’s a reason for everything that a person does.”
“And you don’t?” Thirteen asked back.
“Well, maybe I do have an agenda for why I came here today.”
“See?”
“Geez. You will not be popular with the ladies if you keep on acting like this,” Rianna pouted.
Thirteen shook his head. “I don’t intend to be popular with the ladies. So, stop beating around the bush and start talking. What is the real reason why you’re here?”
“Okay, okay. I’ll talk,” Rianna, who knew that Zion no longer wished to waste time, decided to come clean. “My sister is in the 68th Battalion. Her name is Shana. I want you to look out for her if you have the time.”
“Shana?” Thirteen frowned. “Are you referring to the girl who is part of the so-called ‘Hero Party’ and has the title of Saintess?”
“Yes, her,” Rianna nodded. “The Saintess is my sister. Please, look after her if you are ever on the same battlefield, okay?”
Thirteen didn’t say anything and only smiled faintly.
Truth be told, one of the reasons why he decided to join the Central Government was to deal with the “Hero Party”, whom he believed to be the ones who would antagonize him in the future.