Salute To The General (Nathan Cross) novel Chapter 1867

The following week rolled by without being eventful.

It was not until the end of the week that Nathan received important documents from the President, asking him to return to Brimmopolis to report for service.

Nathan immediately hopped on a plane for the capital after saying goodbye to his family.

He arrived at Brimmopolis that afternoon itself.

Upon arrival, he went to the White House and met President Woods. The two convened for two hours before Nathan left.

Then, he made for the Windsor residence to visit his mentor, Hansel, and Camilla.

Hansel had been enjoying his life after retirement.

He was doing gardening when Nathan arrived.

Exhilarated to see the latter, he quickly went in to bring him a drink. Then, the two sat down for a good talk after not seeing each other for a long time. “I hope you don't hold it against me for removing you from your position,” Hansel said.

“Don't worry, I don't have the guts to do that,” Nathan joked.

“Well, it's difficult to say. I asked you to support Zion the last time, but you ignored my advice and opted for Garrett instead,” his mentor replied.

“Mr. Windsor, don't tell me you hold a grudge against me for choosing Garrett instead of Zion.”

Hansel chuckled and shook his head vigorously. “Why would I? I knew Zion was no match for Clifford from the very beginning. I just didn't want to admit defeat. But I have to say, though. You do have a keen eye for talent. Garrett was charismatic and capable. And it turned out that you're spot on—he became the President.”

Hansel paused for a moment before he continued, “To be honest, I was expecting you to ask me why I discharged you, but you didn't. So I thought it would be good to just let things be. The truth is, in order to let Garrett take over, I negotiated with Clifford and Zion, and your dismissal is the quid pro quo for Garrett's succession. When Clifford found out that he had no chance of being the President, he did everything he could to secure his position as the Cabinet secretary. He wanted to have the upper hand so that he could take revenge against you. That was why he saw to it that you were stripped of your power.”

Nathan clasped his hands and smiled resignedly. “President Woods wants me to keep my identity a secret when I serve as the Chief Military Governor.”

“What? How is that even possible?” “During the meeting with the President, he delineated all the potential risks of revealing my identity. If Clifford and his supporters knew I was the Chief Military Governor, they would do everything they could to bring me down.

Besides, there's no way the older commanders in the military will agree to a young man like me taking the lead. To cater to these possibilities, the President suggested that I wear a mask whenever I need to appear before them as the Chief Military Governor. This means everyone will know that the Chief Military Governor exists, but no one will know who exactly he is.”

Hansel's eyes widened in disbelief as he listened to Nathan.

“But how are you supposed to govern the people and preside over them if you don't show yourself?” he asked.

Nathan took out a ferocious-looking Leviathan mask and sighed. “The President said that I should wear this mask whenever I meet with the leaders. Since the Chief Military Governor is of eminence and power, his identity should also be treated as the country's top secret. Even the Cabinet members have no right to probe into his identity.”