The Blithe King of the West, commander of the western border army, was a figure of near-unparalleled power. His aura emanated powerfully as he approached The Gourmand.

Outside, a hush fell as everyone held their breath. This was the Blithe King, the new commander-in-chief of the five armies—a man they had only seen on screens before. His presence commanded such awe that no one dared move. Niel and the security guards trembled on the ground. Gladys, who had been sobbing, fell silent, her fear palpable. She knew this man was even more terrifying than Trent Xavier. Belinda, too, held her breath.

Only James remained calm. He had met the Blithe King once, during his appointment as commander. The Blithe King’s surprise was evident when he spotted James.

"Dragon…" he began, but stopped, his gaze held by James’s. He surveyed the scene, his expression questioning. He looked at the kneeling Niel.

"What's going on?"

"I-It's nothing, chief marshal."

The Blithe King didn't need an explanation. "This area is under my jurisdiction. You are forbidden to disturb the peace. If this happens again, there will be serious consequences. Leave."

"Yes, sir."

Niel rolled away, followed by the security guards. Several jeeps then arrived. The Blithe King glanced at James before entering a jeep and departing.

A collective sigh of relief swept through the crowd.

"Was… was that the new commander-in-chief?"

"His presence was overpowering. I felt like a boulder was on my chest. I couldn't breathe."

"The Blithe King, commander of the western front, now leads all five armies! He's the most powerful man."

"What a powerful man!"

Restlessness returned as the Blithe King's car disappeared. Belinda, fearing repercussions, muttered, "This isn't over, James. Thea. Just you wait!" She limped away, her appetite ruined. Thea, lost in thought, watched the jeeps depart.

'So that's the Blithe King of the West. He's a lot more domineering than he is on TV'

Unbeknownst to her, her husband was even more formidable than the Blithe King.

"You bastard! You didn't even flinch! It's so embarrassing being married to you!" Gladys shrieked, yanking Benjamin's ear.

Thea intervened. "Mom, people are watching. Stop picking on Dad."

"This is your fault! You offend everyone! We're lucky the Blithe King was here!" Gladys raised her hand to slap Thea, but James intercepted her.

"How dare you!" Gladys punched James. He didn't retaliate; Thea's mother, flawed as she was, remained Thea's mother.

"Mom, please stop," Thea pleaded, pulling Gladys away.

David and Alyssa arrived.

"You almost doomed us all, James," David said, his displeasure evident. "If the Blithe King hadn't intervened, you'd have broken legs. We'd all be implicated."

"You're nothing but a burden," Alyssa said, disgusted, looking at Thea's injured face.

"Enough, dear. People are watching," David said quietly.

Gladys, humiliated by her earlier kneeling before Belinda, seemed unconcerned.