Awakened: SSS Ranked Soul king

"Ahh? Guilliman my boy. Long time no see!!" Noticing the figure standing before him, Arthur's eyes beamed with joy as he instinctively sat up straight and peered down at him.

Guilliman had been so far an integral part of their mission here in the Nightmare Desert. Not only did he provide a monstrous reinforcement to troops that were under siege, he had also on several occasions followed the higher ups like him and Lord Blacksteel into the pyramids.

"Yes sire, it has been a while, how's that arm of yours faring?" Guilliman saw this and smiled sheepishly.

Arthur was starkly different from every other member of the Valors. He was much less authoritative and more friendly to those who fought for him.

"Haha, it healed up quite nicely." Arthur Valor raised his left hand up and flexed it before Guilliman and those around him.

Himself and several others had entered the main pyramid of the Nightmare Desert a few months ago. It was a joint effort to strike the Trihorn leadership at their core and maybe decisively win against them.

Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of the most brutal slaughters they had ever encountered and saw the death of a few prominent Emerald fighters like himself.

In fact, if not for Guilliman and the Blacksteel Lord's actions, he might also have died in there.

"I am glad." Guilliman bowed then raised his head to look at the smiling face of Arthur.

He had a feeling that at the end of this conversation… he wouldn't be smiling anymore.

However, before that—

"Get out of the way!!"

An arrogant bark resounded from the door, as one of the attendants in uniform was pushed to the ground by a forceful hand.

"Hm?" Arthur looked behind Guilliman with curiosity as he watched a figure approach from behind.

The figure had pink hair, a clenched fist and blood dripping from his knuckles. He was angry and storming the main hall.

"Windsly?" Arthur raised an eyebrow at the approaching figure realizing who he was.

He was a talent from the Blackberry family who had achieved some major glory on the battlefield. He knew this because just a few weeks ago, the current Blackberry Lord had come to him seeking a promotion for him.

However, that didn't mean he could storm into this hall like this. Where did he get the gall??!!

"Greetings Lord Arthur, Windsly Blackberry reporting." As he reached shoulder length of Guilliman, the young man Windsly took a slight bow…

He had been discriminated against in this place so he felt wronged. Courtesy was not a priority right now.

"You punched my subordinates? Why?" Arthur asked with tempered words. He wanted to get to the bottom of this before flying off the hinge and disciplining this boy here.

"Lordship, first of all, I would seek your forgiveness on this transgression. However, this is just too disappointing. Your subordinates… are taking bribes!!" Windsly replied firmly, a maddened look on his face.

He got here before Guilliman, yet the guy was not only let in before him, he was also pushed to the ground like a common peasant. He could not take either. Did they not know who he was?

"Hmm, that's a serious accusation. Hope you can back it up." Arthur was taken aback, and so were the people around him as their gazes fell onto Windsly's person as if trying to burn a hole through his soul.

"Yes I can, the culprit hasn't even gone anywhere as I rushed in…." Windsly's gaze panned to Guilliman's figure. "It's him."

He pointed out.

"He bribed the guards downstairs to let him in before me despite me coming here first. It's such a shame that this unknown individual can make his way in here without proper procedures. What if it was an assassin? Disappointing," Windsly sneered.

"They should all be executed for this shameful act."

While Windsly went on a rant pointing at Guilliman and accusing everyone around, Arthur's gaze followed his finger as his gaze fell upon Guilliman.

For a moment he was confused. Did Guilliman need to bribe anyone to get into anywhere in this base? His clearance was pretty high if he remembered correctly.

"Wait a minute…." Arthur raised his hand all of a sudden forcing Windsly to shut up.

"Are you pointing at him? Was he the one who bribed his way in here?"

"Yes, this… boy. I don't even know what to call him, because I've never heard of him in my life." Windsly, seeing Arthur point at Guilliman, felt a tinge of pride. Clearly his ploy was working.

This good-for-nothing nobody would finally get what was coming to him.

A sly smile appeared on his face.

"You… boy. Identify yourself." Arthur smiled also then turned to Guilliman and commanded.

"Yes sir." Guilliman saw this and saluted casually.

"Guilliman Naldir, Commander of Special Unit: Codename Spectral Vanguard under Blacksteel Forward Brigade 1, reporting!!" Guilliman's words echoed throughout the hall causing those who were in the know to chuckle and those who weren't to widen their eyes in shock.

There was a lot to unpack here.

First thing was that this kid was a Commander? This was a rank right below generals. Every single Commander was well known to be frighteningly powerful and would typically have a few hundred men below them.

But, this was only the first thing. The second and most devastating thing to hear was actually the codename of his unit.

Spectral Vanguard — the ghosts of the Nightmare Desert.

This was a lore-ish unit in the army; they would appear in times of need and disappear like smoke. This unit had been responsible for saving countless lives in the desert and had a staple in the hearts of many.

However, what was shocking to them was not as shocking to Windsly as the name just called out by Guilliman.

Guilliman Naldir.

That name, he had heard of it repeatedly from the family elders and every time it sent shivers down his spine. Guilliman had become a sort of boogeyman for the members of the Blackberry family.

His constant clashes with Vincent had only increased as time went on and on several occasions had been borne by the younger generation of Blackberry talents.

The order sent from the family head was clear: at the sight of Guilliman Naldir, any member of the Blackberry's younger generation that wasn't Vincent was to RUN.