Chapter 912
Michael and Max, accompanied by the Capital Guard and the Garrison Unit, pushed through the crowd, clearing a path for Dominic and the Crown Guard. The Crown Guard escorted Dominic to the palace. Before their arrival, reports of the citizens' uproar and chants reached King Salvador.
The king's brow furrowed. The repeated cries of "His Majesty is wise" felt like a tightening noose. He had originally planned to send Dominic directly to the Ministry of Justice upon his return, where a comfortable cell would await. This would also facilitate explanations to the Westhaven envoy. But now, he questioned whether that plan was still feasible.
Under Galen's guidance, Dominic entered the royal study and knelt, head bowed. "Greetings, Your Majesty. Long live the king!"
Before Dominic's arrival, Salvador had formulated a plan. However, seeing the man kneeling before him—so different from the powerful figure he once knew—felt like a mountain collapsing. A deep sorrow filled the king's heart.
During Salvador's time as crown prince, Dominic and Hector had been his strongest supporters. He had frequently visited Northwatch Estate, genuinely seeking friendship with the Sinclair sons.
Time had passed, the world had changed, and so had its people. Now king, Salvador's thoughts were complex, his heart filled with doubts and calculations. As he looked at his old friend, the harsh frontier winds etched on Dominic's face were evident. The once-steely general was now a weathered old man, and Salvador's heart ached.
He stood and offered support. "General Sullivan, please rise."
Dominic's eyes welled. "I am a guilty official who has failed you, Your Majesty. There is no pardon for my crimes."
Salvador sighed heavily. "Sit. Let's talk."
Salvador helped Dominic to a seat, noticing the general's frailty. His once iron-hard shoulders and arms were thin and frail.
Returning to his throne, Salvador sighed. "You've lost much weight. You must take care of your health."
Chapter 912 +25 BONUS
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. I am deeply ashamed," Dominic said, wiping away tears, his voice thick with regret.
Salvador saw the sorrow in Dominic's eyes, intensifying his own heartache. Trying to comfort him, he said gently, "I know the fault is not yours. As marshal of Victory Pass, you must address the Westhaven envoy. If the matter is to be acknowledged, you must do so."
Dominic nodded, his voice steady. "I will follow your orders, Your Majesty. Whatever you command, I will do. I only wish to atone for my mistakes."
Derek, observing from the side, knew Salvador's sympathy wouldn't last. He stepped forward. "Your Majesty, now that General Sullivan has returned, shall he be sent to the Ministry of Justice's prison, or is there another arrangement? I request a favor for the general. Whether he is imprisoned in the ministry's dungeon or elsewhere, I beg that a royal physician be summoned. I suspect his frailty stems from past arrow wounds, worsened by this journey. Without proper care, I fear he may not endure much longer."
Salvador, amidst his emotional softness, didn't want Dominic to suffer in the Ministry of Justice's cells. He said, "Allow him to return home for now. Have the Griffinblade Unit watch over him."
The Griffinblade Unit was one of six units within the Crown Guard—the Griffinblade, Shieldbearer, Skystriker, Vanguard, Eastguard, and Westguard Units—all now under Barrett's command. The Griffinblade, Shieldbearer, and Skystriker units handled external duties; the Vanguard, Eastguard, and Westguard units served as the king's personal guard.
The Crown Guard had been renamed the Nightsteel Guard. In fifteen days, Salvador and Barrett restructured the former Crown Guard, separating it from the Mystic Army. Some of its functions now overlapped with the Royal Guard and the Capital Guard. This was clearly part of Salvador's plan to bring the Royal and Capital Guards under the Nightsteel Guard's control.