The Valkyrie Returns and Slays (Raven) novel Chapter 479

Chapter 479 A Threat To The Nation

Chapter 479 A Threat To The Nation

After a long silence, Thorian finally nodded in agreement. “Fine,” he said.

Oakley gave a satisfied smile, then left the hospital room and made his way to a secluded corner of the building.

He’d been racking his brain for a way to reestablish contact with the Vyrdenia Military under a legitimate pretense–and now, with Robert’s unexpected appearance and his connection to the Parsons family, inspiration had struck.

Lifting his phone, Oakley made the call.

“Hello? Vyrdenia Military?”

Half a day later, inside Vyrdenia’s highest council chamber-

The air was thick with tension. Around the long, polished table, senior officials sat furning.

“Raven is a menace to this nation!”

“She’s grown far too arrogant–she even dared offend the Parsons family! Do you know what that means?”

“I warned you all back then–we should never have granted her so much power. But General Drakon insisted on making her the Fourth Commander. And now? Look where that’s gotten us!”

At the head of the table, Lorne sat quietly, his brows knit tighter with every word. He was still recovering from serious illness, but the moment he heard Raven was the focus of this emergency meeting, he insisted on coming.

And now, under his grim gaze, Alton Nelson–Drakon’s most trusted right hand–finally spoke.

“Benson reported that he’d been taken captive by the Sunset Empire and only managed to escape thanks to the Parsons family.

“But Raven, out of some petty personal grudge, chose to cross the Parsons family. If we don’t take immediate action, their wrath will fall on all of us.

“Our survival depends on the Parsons family’s continued support–they’re one of the Eight Reclusive Families, their reach is beyond imagining.

“Benson’s report makes it clear: Raven has committed an unforgivable offense. She must be expelled from the military and blacklisted permanently from entering Vyrdenia again. Otherwise, the Parsons family will act… and we may not survive it.”

The moment he finished, Lorne raised a hand to halt the rising tide of voices.

“We still don’t know exactly what Raven did to offend the Parsons family,” Lorne said slowly. “This is a serious accusation. It deserves a serious investigation.”

He scanned the room. “Raven has fought and bled for this nation. The victories we’ve won beyond the borders–those are her victories. We cannot condemn her based on Benson’s report alone.”

But his defense of her was immediately met with scorn.

“General Drakon, we understand Raven is your protégé, but now is not the time for favoritism.”

“If the Parsons family really stepped in to rescue Benson, then anything he reports must be trustworthy.”

“That’s right. If not for their intervention, Benson would still be rotting in a Sunset Empire prison.*

Lorne said nothing. His fingers tightened on the armrests of his chair.

He had been skeptical of Benson’s account–until the report mentioned Robert.

Robert, an agent of the Parsons family… and one of George’s inner circle. Only Lorne knew that. If Benson had truly been saved by Robert, then the rest of his message was likely true.

Still, Lorne remained cautious. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. Maybe there’s a misunderstanding. Benson nearly died–his emotions could’ve distorted what he reported.”

“We don’t want to throw her away, General. But Benson’s warning is clear. If we don’t cut ties, the Parsons family will retaliate.”

“Exactly. If this were just the Sunset Empire again, we’d stand behind her like before. But this is the Parsons family we’re talking about.”

“Our rise as a nation–our strength–was only possible with their backing. We can’t afford to lose them.”

“Raven’s important, yes. But she’s not worth endangering every man, woman, and child in Vyrdenia.”

“General Drakon, we beg you: issue the command. Remove Raven from the military. Mark her as a threat to national security Ban her from Vyrdenia forever.”

“This isn’t personal. This is about survival.”

One by one, a dozen officials stood, raising their voices together:

“For the good of the nation, General Drakon–do what must be done!”

Lorne’s face turned ashen. “Is this a threat?”

“No,” one of them replied calmly. “We only want you to make the right choice.”

“Time is short,” said another. “The order must be issued now.”

But before Lorne could answer, footsteps echoed from beyond the chamber.

And in the very next breath, the doors of the council chamber flew open with a thunderous crash.

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