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n

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nSam is currently in the middle of the main tent.

nEven though it is called a tent. It is very majestic. It is adjacent to a mountain that is partially under the tent. The mountain's side was carved in such a way that a large platform was created. The platform is at least twelve feet above the ground with stairs right before the center seat.

nThe person who sat in the center seat is Blaine. The current commander of the camp and also the person directly in charge of Brice's case.

nOn either side of him, some people sat down. Sam recognized them from Brice's memory. They are judges from the main camp. But one look and Sam could guess, they are on Blaine's side.

nThe whole court-martial is just a front to destroy Brice and his future. And Sam doesn't really care much about it. He liked Brice, but that is it. Nothing more nothing less, there is no way Sam is going to waste his time on this.

nHis only goal is to finish the task as soon as possible and get the ** away from this place. He could really get back to his body right now and fight in hell compared to staying in Brice's body right now.

nAnd on top of that, he is pretty pissed about the disturbance. He only has one thought in his mind.

nHe will go through this court-martial without making a scene. He will endure whatever punishment is put on him. He will take his time while fulfilling the punishment. He will have some peace and quiet while doing it.

nHe would get some time to think of a plan to finish the task and ** off from here.

nThat is all he has to do. That is all he is going to do.

nSam is pretty adamant about this.

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"Brice, what do you have to say about the crimes you have committed? Do you have any remorse?

"

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"I don't have anything to say. Do whatever you want.

"

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"Whatever I want? It is as if you are saying that I am doing this on purpose.

"

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"I don't really care if you are doing this on purpose or not. All I said is I am not going to say anything about anything in this situation. If you think I am guilty, just punish me as you see fit. If you don't think that I am not, and I have to fight in the war once again, just give me some orders.

nI don't have any energy or patience to deal with this.

"

n

"Really? Patience? You are talking about Patience and energy to deal with this? Do you really think this is the attitude you should be taking after all the ** you have done?

"

nAll of a sudden, everyone turned to one particular corner in the room. The cocky guy who disturbed Sam earlier is standing there.

n

nHis face is burning with righteous anger.

nSam frowned and looked at Blaine without responding to him. He is already pissed at him. If he is pushed even a bit more, Sam is sure that he would lose it and do something that will create a huge mess.

nSo, he pushed his urge down and stayed put.

nBlaine looked at Brice with a frown. As if he is dissatisfied with something. This made Sam curious. This should be Blaine's ideal scenario.

nBrice is not resisting at all. He is just there accepting all the punishment that could be bestowed upon him. In fact, Sam is even willing to just accept if the other gives out the death penalty. He doesn't have any thoughts of resisting at all.

nBut Blaine seems to be dissatisfied.

nIt is almost as if he is expecting Brice to resist.

nAnd if Sam could read Blaine's thoughts, he would be surprised by how on point he was.

nBlaine is indeed disappointed about Sam's or rather Brice's compliance with the situation. He wanted Brice to resist. He wanted Brice to fight back, defy the punishment and scream with righteous anger.

nHe wanted Brice to fight back with everything he got.

nThere are two reasons for it.

nBrice's resistance will be favorable to him. He will be able to use any outbursts that Brice might have to improve his own situation and increase his punishment.

nThe second reason is a bit more personal.

nBrice is the only rival he had since he was a kid. The rivalry is one of the reasons that kept him on a edge. That fuelled his improvement. He admired Brice and his tenacity despite all the drawbacks and suffering he had to go through.

nHe is sure that if their circumstances were different if both of them were ordinary commoners, or if both of them were born to the same parents, they would have definitely had a better relationship. They would have been as close as brothers.

nThey would have had each other backs, they would have had adventures together. And Brice actually tried to make this happen.

nThat made Blaine angry. He always wished that Brice is just as cold-hearted as him. Just as calculating as him.

nBut he is not like that. That made him angrier. From then on, the only thing that he liked about Brice is his unyielding fighting spirit. Now Brice is accepting everything like a wimp. This obviously made him furious.

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nHe is tempted to beat the crap out of Brice right at that moment.

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"Everyone below the rank of a vice-captain. Leave the tent right now.

"

nBlaine ordered.

nEveryone left without making a sound.

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"Do you know why I sent everyone away?

"

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"I don't care.

"

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"You should. Because that is the last favor I am doing to you for the achievements you had made for the clan.

nI am giving you the last chance. Admit to your crime.

"

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"I already told you. I don't really care. If you deem me guilty then I am guilty. Just give out the punishment and send me away.

"

n

"So are you admitting that you committed the crime?

"

nSam stayed silent for a moment and he was about to just admit and be done with it. But at this moment, the cocky guy suddenly came forward and spoke up.

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"Commander Blaine, I don't understand why you are acting like this? Why do you want to spare his dignity? He is a traitor to the clan if you ask me. You have to treat him as such.

nWhy would you care about his face in front of the soldiers?

nIf he is really feeling like **, then he deserves to feel like it.

"

nThe cocky guy went on and on.

nSam frowned at this. He didn't like this guy to begin with and he just kept on pushing his buttons.

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"I don't remember telling you to speak up. Why are you talking all of a sudden?'

nBlaine said coldly.

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"I am talking as a reputable soldier that is loyal to the clan. Brice has no regard for our situation in the war. We have already been struggling so much with other clans. And he is in this state at this situation. What kind of response would do that?

nYou must punish him severely. He should be given the death penalty.

"

nBlaine didn't react. He looked at Brice as if he is expecting some reaction. But there is nothing except for a frown.

nBlaine thought of something and spoke.

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"You are acting out too much Vice-captain. It seems like the recent praises have gone to your head. Even yesterday, you acted out of line and pulled that urine stunt. What do you think you are doing?

"

nSam finally had an expression on his face.

nHe looked at the cocky guy coldly.

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"What do you mean out of line commander? A criminal dared to sleep in the middle of his interrogation. You were being soft on him.

nI don't like it at all. If you were your normal self, you would have been killed for such an action. But you were lenient asking for the healer to check him.

nMy actions are the only appropriate ones at that time. But you just interfered and took that off of my hands in the middle. That is very unlike you.

nIf you are being fair, I need you to prove it to me. Treat him like you do to everyone else. If you don't, I will have to act out to make things fair.

"

nThe cocky guy kept on talking and he became angrier with every word.

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"Enough. You are crossing your limits again.

"

nBlaine said calmly.

nThis only made the young man angrier. He took out the gourd of beast urine once again and said.

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"Commander Blaine, I hope you will act fair this time around. Or I will start from where I left off yesterday.

"

nSam frowned as he looked at Blaine and the cocky guy back and forth.

nHe could sense that something is wrong and his brain is rapidly thinking of reasons as he speculated why this is happening.

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