The War God's Homecoming

Chapter 444 The Clown Who Eats Idle Gains

"From what you're saying, you want the War Department to hand over the command of the Army of Bloodshadow to you?" Bob Stokes glanced at the loudest agitators and spoke in a calm tone. "Mr Stokes, don't take things out of context, that's not what we meant. We're just concerned about Commander Gardner..." one man responded.

"That's not what you meant? Then shut it!" Bob Stokes interrupted sharply.

"You..." the man frowned.

"Mr Barber, let's drop it," Andy interjected, then turned to Bob. "Mr Stokes, today you're here on behalf of Central Sky Office, not as an individual. Please choose your words more carefully." "Oh, are you about to lecture me?" Bob Stokes smirked. After a brief pause, he continued, "Mr Cooke, do you know how many enemies were eliminated in the Southern Border battle?" "Mr Stokes, that's not the point." Another middle-aged man approached.

"The casualties in Nanrania are their concern, not ours. What we're discussing here is Glavale's losses."

"And, the international community is starting to take an interest in this matter. I suspect it won't be long before they come to negotiate with Glavale."

"At that time, how do you expect Glavale to justify its actions?"

"And who might you be?" Bob Stokes squinted his eyes slightly.

"The Ministry of Protocol, Scott Elliott." The middle-aged man furrowed his brows.

"Tsk tsk, so you're Mr Elliott. I've heard of your reputation, and it's a pleasure to meet you today." "Ministry of Protocol has been dealing with Nanrania for years, haven't you? But it seems like they've become increasingly audacious. I even wonder if their repeated covert actions behind our backs had your tacit approval."

Stan Mitchell and Harlan Holmes both coughed simultaneously. This was quite a bold statement. People around King of the West often acted as if they were cut from the same cloth, even down to their tone of speech.

"Ridiculous?!" Scott Elliott exclaimed angrily. "Mr Stokes, please mind your words, this isn't the Central Sky Office's lobby."

"Oh, getting worked up, are we? Could it be that I've hit the mark?" Bob Stokes chuckled.

"Mr Stokes, while some jokes are acceptable, there are lines you shouldn't cross, some jokes can be fatal." Andy added.

Mr Cooke, if memory serves, Nanrania falls under your jurisdiction, right?" Bob Stokes turned to Andy.

"What are you trying to say?" Andy frowned.

"Nanrania has been cozying up to the West for years. Did your Chamber not notice, or did you notice but turn a blind eye, just like Mr Elliott?" "Enough!" Andy Cooke and Scott Elliott both shouted.

"Bob Stokes, don't think that because you're Deputy Master of Central Sky Office, you can spout nonsense in our hall." Scott's face turned grim. "Even if it's Commander-in-chief of Central Sky Office, he can't baselessly defame the Imperial Hall like this."

"Apologize to both me and Mr Elliot right now, or this matter won't end today!"

As he spoke, a strong aura erupted from him, carrying a hint of murderous intent.

"Please, gentlemen, calm down." Stan Mitchell took a deep breath and addressed Scott Elliott and the others.

"Mr Stokes was just making a joke with you. Don't take it to heart." He continued.

"Mr Mitchell, this matter doesn't concern you. It's best not to meddle, or I won't give Special Patrol Squadron any face." Andy responded coldly.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

"It seems both of you are quite worked up today." Harlan Holmes frowned slightly.

"As for Commander Gardner's

affairs, there's no final conclusion

yet. None of us know the whole truth

behind it. Don't you think your

previous actions and words were

inappropriate?" he added. Content

"If you care so much about Mr Stokes's joke, have you considered whether your previous jokes were also too much?"

"What do you mean, Mr Holmes?" Scott Elliott's face grew cold.

"Don't you understand what I'm saying?" Harlan Holmes asked coldly, his expression unmoved.

"Mr Holmes, I heard you've been getting close to King of the West lately." Andy said in a low voice.

"Do I need to remind you about how you and your family ended up in this situation? Your uncle's body is probably not even cold yet." He added.

"It seems the Holmes clan has raised quite a filial son!"

Upon hearing his words, there was

an audible gasp from the onlookers. Since the incident involving the

Holmes clan, no one dared to

discuss it openly in the capital. Andy bringing it up now was clearly a direct affront to Harlan Holmes.

"Say that again?" Harlan Holmes's expression remained stoic, but a cold aura surrounded him.

"If you can do such things yourself, why fear others talking about...?" Andy sneered and continued.

Before Andy could finish his sentence, a crisp slap echoed through the hall. The bustling hall fell into an instant hush, everyone staring in shock at Bob Stokes, who had delivered the slap. "Buddha Hall has too much trash. It's time for a clean-up." Bob Stokes said in a low voice.

"Do you dare to hit me?!" Andy roared.

"Fool!" Bob Stokes replied coldly and

then turned to Scott Elliott. "And as for you, a bunch of people who occupy positions without merit, claiming to pursue a policy of reconciliation, but privately filling your own pockets, typical parasites of the nation."

"Idiot!" Both Andy and Scott shouted simultaneously.

"Bob Stokes, today, no matter who comes, I'm going to teach you a lesson!" Andy shouted loudly.

As he spoke, a formidable aura erupted instantly, and a sense of impending danger filled the air. Scott Elliott also didn't stand idle, taking two steps forward to stand beside Andy.

"Do you dare!" Harlan Holmes said in a low voice, quickly stepping over to Bob Stokes's side.

Stan Mitchell had initially wanted to say a few more words, but he thought better of it and remained silent, standing beside Bob Stokes as well.

"Andy, if you have the guts, try it," Harlan Holmes responded coldly.

"Holmes, Mitchell, why don't you go rest for a while first? I'll handle this." Bob Stokes said with a faint smile, looking at the two men.

"Mr Stokes..." Both of them began.

"Go on!" Bob Stokes waved his hand, cutting them off. Then, he took two steps forward and looked at Andy Cooke and Scott Elliott, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Do you two believe that today, I dare to kill you right here?"