Chapter 364 Veto Power
Larry struggled to his feet, feeling weak and dizzy from hunger.
He heard a noise and turned to look.
Though the dungeon was dark, there was a faint light coming from the corridor outside.
He saw a man standing in the adjacent cell.
The man was in tattered clothes, with long, disheveled hair.
Larry couldn't immediately recognize who it was.
But from the way the man spoke, it was clear he was someone Larry knew.
"Who... who are you?" Larry asked weakly, his voice barely audible, as if he hadn't eaten in days.
"Take a good look at me," the man said, pushing aside the hair that covered his face.
His face was covered in a thick beard.
Larry squinted, trying to make out the features.
After a moment, he recognized him.
"Alden."
The man in the adjacent cell was none other than Alden, the founder of the Shadow Syndicate, whom Larry and a hundred other warriors from the Summer Nation had captured years ago.
The battle with Alden was etched deeply in Larry's memory.
"That's right, it's me," Alden laughed.
"Larry, do you know what my greatest wish is?" Alden asked.
Larry responded calmly, "What is it?"
"To kill you," Alden roared.
His mood shifted instantly, and he lunged at Larry, but the sound of chains clinking echoed as he moved.
Larry then noticed that Alden's hands and feet were shackled, restricting his movements.
Alden kept trying to punch Larry, but the chains held him back.
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be in this situation. For years, I've dreamed of killing you. When you captured me, you were just a general. Now, you're one of the Five Great Marshals and have even become the Dragon King!" Alden shouted.
Larry replied calmly, "I didn't expect you to be so well-informed, even while locked in this dungeon. I've only been crowned Dragon King for a few days, and the world doesn't know yet, but you do."
Alden's laughter filled the space.
"I never imagined that the Dragon King, second only to one, would end up in this dark, sunless dungeon. It's truly amusing."
Larry's few words had drained his energy. He closed his mouth and stopped speaking.
At that moment, footsteps echoed.
A middle-aged man in a red battle robe walked in.
The robe was adorned with a flame emblem.
It was the Flame Surge Legion's commander, Alistair.
"Open it," a command was given.
The lock on the iron door clicked open.
Alistair entered Larry's cell.
As soon as he stepped in, he was hit by the pungent smell. He covered his nose with his hand and looked at Larry, who was sitting on the ground, leaning against the wall. Alistair couldn't help but laugh.
"Larry, I've come to see you. How are you holding up in here?" Alistair asked.
Larry glanced at Alistair and replied weakly, "Thanks for your concern, Alistair. I'm fine, still alive."
Alistair chuckled, "Larry, tomorrow you'll be publicly tried. All your crimes will be listed one by one in front of the entire nation. Do you think being executed ten times would be enough for what you've done?"
Larry stared at Alistair, not saying a word. Despite his anger, he didn't react because he was too weak.
Alistair continued, "In eight hours, you'll be on trial. Your status is too high—you're the commander of Southwild and the Dragon King. To convict you, the other four marshals, the secretary-general, and the chief administrator will be the judges. Do you want to die, or spend the rest of your life in this dark place?"
Larry took a deep breath and asked, "Alistair, I've never opposed you or the bigwigs of Aurora Citadel. In Southwild, I haven't affected you. Why are you so determined to get rid of me?"
Larry voiced his confusion.
"Is that so?" Alistair smiled faintly and then ordered, "Bring a chair."
Soon, someone brought a chair.
Alistair sat down, lit a cigarette, and looked at Larry with a faint smile. "It's because you're the commander of the Black Dragon Army. Do you know how the previous commander died thirty years ago?"
Larry looked at Alistair.
Alistair continued, "Thirty years ago, during the great upheaval, the Black Dragon Army commander had veto power. Let me put it this way: the new national election is coming. If someone has more support than the old King, that person becomes the new King. But if the Black Dragon commander vetoes it, the new King can't take the throne."
"So, the previous Black Dragon commander died, and the King took the throne."
Larry asked calmly, "Are you saying the previous Black Dragon commander died in a power struggle?"
"You could say that."
"But I've resigned. I'm no longer the Black Dragon commander. Why are you still after me?" Larry looked at Alistair, knowing he had a hidden agenda. If he could find out more, it would be beneficial.
Alistair stood up.
"You probably won't get the chance to know."
With that, he turned and left.
The iron door was locked again.
Larry's expression grew serious.
He knew political struggles were terrifying, but he hadn't realized they were this deadly.
Just because the Black Dragon commander had veto power, he was killed in a conspiracy.
He knew the so-called veto power came from the Execution Sword. Whoever held it had that authority.
But what was Alistair's scheme?
Did Alistair want to seize the throne too?
But there was an unwritten rule in the Summer Nation that military personnel couldn't run for office.
"What is he up to?" Larry pondered.
"Larry," a voice called from the next cell.
Larry turned slightly, looking at Alden, who was staring at him. "Yes, what is it?"
"You look sickly. Is there something wrong with your body? Have you been poisoned?" Alden asked.
Larry looked at Alden, surprised.
"You really are knowledgeable. Yes, I've been poisoned."
"Larry, I have a way to cure you, but I have one condition. If you agree, I can definitely cure you."
Larry looked at him, not agreeing immediately. "What's the condition? Let's hear it."
"I know you have a backup plan. You can definitely get out of here alive. My request is simple: get me out of this dungeon, and I'll give you the cure."
Alden stated his demand.
Larry's eyes lit up.
If Alden really had a cure, getting him out wouldn't be too difficult.
But he didn't agree right away.
Instead, he said, "I'll remember that. If I survive, I'll come back to make the deal."
With that, he closed his eyes to rest.
He was very hungry, and every word he spoke drained his energy.
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