Brian pursued power and believed strength was the true way of the world—so in his eyes people fell into only two categories: his people and enemies.
If Spandine refused to become one of "his people," Brian would treat him as an enemy. And Brian never showed mercy to enemies.
Although Star had his back turned to Spandine, Spandine could easily imagine the barrel of a gun pointed at him.
"I—I'll take the money."
Spandine was cowardly by nature. Under Brian's threat his legs went weak and he dropped to his knees in submission.
Brian strolled up to Spandine, looked down at him with a faint smile and said calmly, "Smart people live well. Those who try to be clever usually end badly. Don't try any tricks, understand?"
"I understand, I understand. I'll follow your orders and won't let you down." Spandine swallowed his pride to save his life.
"Good. I'll be watching your performance."
With that Brian stepped over Spandine's prone body and left with his men.
After Brian was gone, Spandine collapsed onto the ice—there was a pale yellow puddle beneath him.
"Sengoku, send people to bring Kuzan back for treatment. Also have Brian reflect for a while and prepare a detailed report for me. Suspend all his duties until his reflection period ends."
Kong was truly angry this time. Brian had broken military discipline, acted without orders, and even wounded Kuzan—those offenses alone were enough for removal and a court-martial.
"But if we don't reward merit, the old men—" Sengoku hesitated on the Den Den Mushi.
"Even if they like that bastard, we can't let him run loose. And they all know the Navy would survive without Brian," Kong snapped. "Still, you're right that we can't ignore merit. Do this: after his reflection, keep him in the West Blue as a governor. Frankly, I don't want to see him at HQ these years."
Kong's anger was tempered by reason. Yes, Brian had gone too far—Saul should have been taken back to Headquarters for proper handling, and even in an emergency the HQ giants should have been afforded some face. But Brian not only burned Saul, he also decapitated him.
If Headquarters didn't punish Brian, the giant officers and their tribes might riot; the giant race's fighting strength was not to be underestimated. Kong believed the Five Elders wouldn't ignore the giants' outrage.
"Let's hope so." Sengoku ended the call, unsettled. Something didn't add up. He knew Brian wasn't stupid—if Brian had deliberately provoked Kuzan, he must expect to gain something greater from the affair.
"Sengoku, what are you thinking?" Kong asked when the call reconnected.
"I understand!" Sengoku slapped his forehead and phoned Kong again.
"What is it?" Kong was trying to calm giant tensions.
"Brian never planned to return to Headquarters to report. His goal was to stay in the West Blue—we almost walked into his trap!" Sengoku's voice rose.
"To remain in the West Blue? He'd have to be mad."
"Listen. By fighting Borsalino and Kuzan, Brian wants the Five Elders to think he has admiral-level strength—independent of any faction. If the Elders see him as both powerful and unaffiliated, they'll groom him to balance the HQ factions and potentially control Headquarters through him."
"But can staying in the West Blue yield a future?" Kong asked.
"Sakazuki mentioned Brian's old tricks—he's a schemer. At the Academy he bought off gatekeepers and instructors to sneak out for debauchery. He even bought classmates, who became his lackeys and took the blame for him." Sengoku's words struck home.
Kong remembered Zephyr mentioning that Brian loved opportunism—he was a schemer, but not necessarily in his training; he was cunning in life.
"You're saying Brian wants to stay in the West Blue to make money?" Kong's face grew serious.
"Yes. He's been treating the West Blue like his own cash cow. Intelligence says he even forcibly married the crown princess of the Nasia Kingdom—that treasury's annual income is near a hundred billion berries!" Sengoku ground his teeth.
Brian was a total schemer. If allowed to stay and get rich, the consequences would be dangerous.
"We can't let him run wild in the West Blue," Kong said. "Bring him back to Headquarters under the pretext of rewarding merit—promote him to Vice Admiral at HQ staff. Under our watch, we can keep him from scheming."
Sengoku proposed precisely that; Kong weighed it and agreed. Better to have Brian close where they could see him.
Two days later the Headquarters transfer order reached Gonavar Fortress.
After Snow reported in, Brian lay back and lit a cigar.
"Congratulations on your promotion to Vice Admiral," Shirley said dutifully as she helped light his cigar.
"Congrats, my foot. Staff officers with no command are all hat, no bite," Brian snorted.
"Shirley doesn't understand."
"Simple: HQ staff are useless desk jobs—no perks."
"But still, Vice Admiral at Headquarters—next step is Admiral," Shirley replied, puzzled.
"You're a woman. Don't ask questions you can't understand." Brian dismissed her.
"Snow."
"Yes, Lord Brian?" Snow said, dopey but eager.
"Find Nordmann and contact Gerard. I'm going to stir things up and give Headquarters a taste of their own medicine."
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