Chapter 221: A Man’s Topic
There were seven large legions in the Turin Empire. The most famous was the Imperial Cavalry of the First Legion, consisting entirely of royal knights directly under the jurisdiction of the royal family, mainly responsible for the safety of the imperial city, and the pride of the empire. It was also the unit with the highest average individual quality, the team that students of the Dawn Academy most wanted to join.
The Second Army Group was an important army protecting the safety of the Imperial Capital, mostly camped outside the City of Dawn, ready to be deployed at any time, with a number of regular troops several times that of the First Legion.
But when it came to the most important legion of the empire, it was none other than the Seventh Legion, the main battle legion led by the Tulip family, which was resisting the invasion of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and also the legion to which Johnson had returned.
Although there were three legions jointly resisting the invasion of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the border, the empire had always regarded the Seventh Legion as the soul of the empire’s power. It was also the Seventh Legion that had repelled the aggressive Austro-Hungarian War Emperor Sakay back then, tenaciously defending the borders of the Turin Empire.
Since the old man in front of him was the commander of the Second Legion, he was also one of the big shots in the empire.
At least in Chen Ran’s eyes, those with military power had always been boss-level figures, as history had always proven.
Then, he turned his head to look at the woman playing chess beside him.
A familiar head of golden-brown long hair, tied in a quiet low ponytail, hanging diagonally in front of her right shoulder. The girl was wearing a ladylike light purple long dress, outlining a charming curve, making people look sideways.
When Chen Ran saw that familiar face, he couldn’t help but be surprised.
Wasn’t this the Lucy he knew? Or rather, a quiet version of Lucy?
Chen Ran’s impression of Lucy had always been that of a carefree, joke-loving, cheerful girl. This girl looked exactly like Lucy. And her bust size and everything were incredibly similar, but Chen Ran suspected. Was this Lucy’s older sister? The difference in personality was too great…
The quiet version of “Lucy” picked up a chess piece and gently knocked away an important chess piece of the legion commander.
Checkmate!
The girl smiled. “Father, you lost again.”
“Sigh, I lost again,” the middle-aged man lost gracefully, patting his head. “My good daughter is still amazing. I’ve never won a game against you. Again. I don’t believe I’ll keep losing.”
Just then, the colonel at the side finally spoke up at the right time. “My lord, the guest you invited has arrived.”
“Oh?”
Only then did the two playing chess come back to their senses. It seemed they had been really engrossed in their game.
The quiet version of “Lucy” turned her head. Seeing Chen Ran standing at the side, her eyes lit up, and she blurted out, “Teacher, you’re here…”
Although Chen Ran had a polite smile on his face, he was shocked in his heart. It really was Lucy. The contrast with before was a bit too big…
But then again, didn’t many people have one face at home and another at school? Especially in such a big family. Chen Ran seemed to understand a little, but it was still hard to accept for a moment.
The middle-aged legion commander turned his head and looked at Chen Ran beside him. He first sized Chen Ran up carefully, then made a gesture behind him.
A maid neatly brought a chair for Chen Ran to sit down.
“Are you the teacher who saved my daughter Lucy from the dangerous Inner Netherworld in the Netherworld competition?”
Chen Ran nodded. “Yes, uncle.”
Hearing this “uncle,” the legion commander had a relaxed smile on his face. “Very good. You didn’t call me ‘my lord’ like everyone else. It feels so distant. From the looks of you, you’re not even as old as my Lucy, right? I didn’t expect you to be her teacher.”
“Appearance and age don’t represent anything. A man’s maturity is often affirmed by the process he has experienced,” Chen Ran said confidently. “At least I believe that my current maturity is greater than the age on my face.”
Chen Ran’s vivid language made the legion commander’s eyes light up.
“Good, you have the feeling of me back then,” the legion commander said happily. “A man’s maturity depends on the road he has walked, the hardships he has experienced, and the things he has missed and lost. These journeys are what make people grow. I can see from your eyes that at least you are already a quite mature man, although your figure is a little thinner than I imagined.”
The legion commander turned around to face Chen Ran better and asked, “Actually, I’m very curious. When my daughter fell into the Inner Netherworld, how did you have the courage to jump in after her? I’ve heard about the monsters down there, at least ninth-tier creatures, even eleventh-tier. Were you not afraid at that time?”
“I was afraid,” Chen Ran answered truthfully.
“Since you were afraid, why did you go down?”
“Some things, a man must face,” Chen Ran let out a long breath. “Lucy is my team member, and I am their tutor. I have an obligation to protect their safety. No matter what the reason, if she is in danger, it is my dereliction of duty. I have to bear this fault…”
Chen Ran looked up into the legion commander’s eyes. “Uncle, you are a soldier. When facing the danger of your brothers, under subjective judgment, would you go to save the brothers who have shed blood and sweat with you?”
“If conditions permit, I definitely will,” the legion commander’s eyes flashed, and he answered very affirmatively. “I will never watch my brothers and subordinates die miserably. I also fought my way up from a knight step by step to my current position back then. I didn’t rely on brains, but on my own passion.”
Chen Ran nodded. “There are times when the army fights for the greater good, at least not easily letting every soldier die in vain. And my situation at that time was actually similar, because I had no worse outcome at that time. Fight for it, and there is still a chance. Stop moving forward, and be a comfortable turtle.”
“Well said!” The legion commander clapped his hands with an appreciative expression. “I’m very happy that you did it, saved my daughter’s life, and I don’t know what magic you used to make Lucy even more well-behaved and moving. I specially took time out this time mainly to see what kind of person my daughter cares about so much. It seems you really haven’t disappointed me!”
“You’re too kind, uncle,” Chen Ran said humbly.
The legion commander straightened his back, and his gaze toward Chen Ran became much more proper. “Speaking of which, I also have a problem, which is that I can’t stand those fair and tender pretty boys who only rely on a face to play with women. Your appearance is average, but quite pleasing to the eye. The more I look at it, the more satisfied I am. I’ve also heard about some of your deeds. From the looks of you, you also reached your current status step by step, and you are so young. In my opinion, you will definitely be a talent who does great things in the future. No wonder my daughter likes you so much.”
“Father!” Lucy, who was sitting quietly at the side, blushed, too shy to even raise her head.
