Chapter 299: Threat

The Marshal was the leader of a whole company of space knights. It was a position that had ten squad leaders under its command. Most importantly, this position was only given to the space knights who had demonstrated their strength and had stellar achievements in their service.

An individual who was Tempered in the blazing flames of war for dozens of years until he was able to push the peak limit of the human physical body into saint level. He has then given the best implants and technologies available. This had made those who held the position of Marshal one of the most advanced soldiers in the human alliance.

"The hammer he is holding is a tier 4 weapon, Master," Sigfried said, telling Tristan about the opponent he would face next. "Please be careful."

Previously, before they set their plan in motion, Sigfried did say that normally there were three magus-level officers within a space cruiser. Hence, this guy in front of him was certainly one of them.

Fifty space knight squads and their leader. This must be the strongest force this space cruiser had got to offer.

The marshal could be seen confidently entering the engine room. Alas, his confident gait swiftly changed when his eyes saw what was presented before him. 

When he saw the numerous corpses of his men scattered around, the man undoubtedly became angry and shouted loudly, "Kill him!"

Seeing someone who was undoubtedly the strongest fighter they had decided to send his own men to fight him actually made Tristan feel some respect for the man. 

This was what a good commander, should do - using his resources to test the enemy's strength, possibly tiring or even hurting him in the process where he just needed to swoop in for the win at the end. One of the many traits humans had that he both respected and despised.

The fifty space knights brandishing their weapon at him didn't scare Tristan. But, the situation could become messy for him in a matter of seconds, especially to the three people that came with him.

Therefore, he quickly thought of a tactic as he told the others to step back, closer to the engine.

As expected, all fifty space knights faltered in their tracks when they saw Rayna and the other two stepped closer to the engine. This became especially apparent when Tristan raised his hand and flame started to burn on his palm.

"Stop! Take one more step forward, and I will blow this spaceship up!" said Tristan menacingly. 

Looking at the fluttering flame on Tristan's palm, the marshal quickly raised his hand and told the fifty space knights to stop their advance.

The man looked directly at Tristan's eyes and said, "You won't dare!! Blow the engine up and you will die along with us!"

Following the marshal's words were all the space knights raising their weapons and aiming them toward the group. Their aggressive demeanor, in spite of lack of actions, obviously told Tristan they want him to surrender.

Tristan, naturally, would never surrender. However, he would also not be stupid enough to destroy the spaceship engine.

Unlike one would expect, the reason Tristan didn't want to destroy the engine was not that he was afraid to die. No, that was completely wrong. He fully believed that the Undying quality of his body would sustain his life no matter how powerful the explosion was.

The real reason was simply because he felt how pitiful it was to blow up such a well-functioning, engine. After all, wouldn't this mighty spaceship be useless without its engine?

At this moment, Rayna, who had been silent all this time, suddenly opened her mouth.

"My King, I am willing to sacrifice my life for the sake of the Arcadian people. You have to do what has to be done! Do not hesitate!" She said so confidently that it stunned Tristan for a moment.

Tristan was, in all honesty, baffled by her words. 

Wasn't her job supposed to make sure he was safe?

If so, why did she tell him to blow the spaceship up? Didn't her words do the exact opposite?

Moreover, Tristan would definitely not choose to sacrifice himself for the Arcadian. Not at all.

However, her words also gave him an idea.

Tristan turned to the marshal and shouted as if his life depended on it.

"All of you bastards came, destroyed my city, and even killed my people!! I would rather die with the ship, along with all of you, than see more of my people die at your hands!!"

As he shouted those words, Tristan increased the intensity of the flame in his palm. A momentary flash of light appeared as the flames expanded exponentially, engulfing his hand whole.

Seeing that, the marshal quickly stopped him. "Wait!! STOP!!!"

Tristan begrudgingly turned his face to the marshal, while still maintaining the blazing flame. 

Extreme irritation was evident on the marshal's face as he said, "Tell me what you want!"

Tristan maintained the look of hatred on his face, but inwardly he was actually smiling.

"I want to speak with your captain!!" Tristan said. "Also, let my companions leave this ship!"

Captain Rayna, who knew what sort of character Tristan had, was bewildered by what he just said. 'Die for the people' and 'companion'; she truly couldn't believe how shameless her new king really was.

"NOW!" Tristan shouted when he saw the marshal didn't budge. He also didn't forget to light the flame even more.

"Huh! The captain is heading here shortly!" the marshal replied. "As for your companions, they can leave this room, but do not think they will ever leave the ship!"

At this moment, all plans probably were not feasible anymore. Now, he just needed to make sure they got away, so as to not become a burden for what he would do next.

It seemed his impromptu idea of threat worked; these space knights really concerned about losing the ship and being stranded on such a planet. Rayna and the other two swiftly headed out of the engine room, and the space knights quickly paved a way for them.

Not long after, a man dressed in black uniform embroidered with many emblems was seen entering the engine room. The figure should be the spaceship captain, Captain Jenkins.

"I am Jenkins, the captain of the cruiser ship Galactus." He said as he looked at Tristan. "Who am I speaking to?"

Tristan smiled as he said, "I am Tristan, the king of Arcadia!"

This was his first time saying his recently-acquired title, and Tristan frankly felt the title feel a little bit off for him.