I only wanted to retire, but I ended up becoming an extremely popular character.

Chapter 105 The Potential and Capacity of a Leader

Of course, in order to survive, Zod will need to master the second-level "Hakuja" ability, "Potential Unleashed".

Zod had a premonition that even if they reached Segner, with Lieutenant Colonel Horton there, they might not be able to rest easy.

The Holy Kingdom's influence may also be reaching into the town of Segna.

In order to survive, he must acquire sufficient power.

If possible, Zod didn't want to say so much.

But he knew that it wasn't just Cassius and Hitis who had doubts about Zod's decision.

Facing an enemy force several times their size, many of his soldiers probably had a lot of worries and doubts in their hearts.

If soldiers become confused, their weapons will become dull.

The commander is the backbone and leader of the entire team.

When soldiers are confused and doubtful, a qualified commander must guide them and give them hope to continue fighting.

Even if the commander feels fear, confusion, or hesitation, he cannot show any emotion.

If a commander cannot believe in himself, how can he expect his soldiers to believe in him? How can the morale and cohesion of the entire unit be maintained?

Zod, a nobody, was even more afraid of death than the average soldier; he understood perfectly the inner world of the common man.

Zod abruptly drew his Imperial longsword from his waist, its blade pointing diagonally at the dark mass of enemy troops ahead. His voice boomed like thunder: "All soldiers—draw your weapons! Let the Holy Kingdom's army ahead see clearly that the Imperial Blade Legion is the blade of the Empire not because of that self-proclaimed designation, nor because of those empty honors."

He swung his sword, its cold light tracing a sharp arc in the air: "It's because we hold in our hands a blade capable of tearing apart any powerful foe!"

"It is because our swords never fear bloodshed, and never yield to powerful enemies!"

"If ahead lies an iron wall forged of steel, then the empire's blade is that cold, razor-sharp light that can cut through iron like mud!"

"Even if a general from the Holy Kingdom were to stand in our way today, he could not stop our advance."

"Follow me, launch an attack on the enemy! Let their defeat proclaim our victory!! Crush them!!"

Before the words were even finished, the soldiers in the front row felt something explode in their chests—it was ignited blood, it was awakened souls.

The soldiers under Zodmo were so easily swayed by his words.

That's because these words didn't come from an unknown officer, nor from an officer who was afraid of death and hid behind his soldiers.

That man was the "Eagle of the Empire" who always led the charge in every battle, the Zod who slaughtered the Holy Kingdom's lieutenant with ease, and the commander who always guided them onto the right path.

That's why they were willing to entrust their lives to this man.

Swords flashed, gun bolts were pulled back, and more than a hundred figures suddenly straightened their backs, facing the enemy army that outnumbered them several times over, and roared like a mountain collapsing.

Zod turned around, his sword pointing forward, and took the first step.

The sound of footsteps behind them was like thunder, following that figure as they charged towards the desperate situation.

At this moment, even if hell were to lie ahead, this force would follow Zod without hesitation.

By this time, Zod already possessed the potential and magnanimity of a leader.

The soldiers were willing to entrust their lives to him, not because of his rank, but because of the convincing strength he had forged in blood and fire.

Zod never considered himself a great man; he always had a clear and humble self-perception.

An ordinary person, a stranger in a foreign land who just wants to survive.

That's why he could understand the soldiers' confusion, bewilderment, and fear, and when they needed direction the most, he could point out the right path with words and actions.

He wouldn't stand on a high place and give orders; he would walk at the very front of the group, covered in blood, and turn around to say, "Follow me."

that's enough.

In fact, even if Zod were not leading the elite of the "Imperial Blade," but just an ordinary force, his combat power would still be extremely formidable.

His soldiers would be unconsciously inspired by his will, united as one, charging with him, retreating with him, and escaping death time and time again with him.

This is the potential and magnanimity of a leader; in simpler terms, it is leadership and personal charisma.

Of course, Zod himself was unaware of this and never realized it.

He simply felt that he wanted to live, and to live with everyone else, that was all.

It's no exaggeration to say that Zod is probably one of the people in the entire "Imperial Blade" legion who knows exactly what he wants.

He doesn't want both; he just wants to survive and then retire, which isn't an unreasonable goal.

Two torrents of steel raced toward each other across the open field.

Zod took the lead, his Imperial longsword trembling slightly in his hand, the blade still bearing traces of Patrick's blood, his steps steady and swift.

Behind them, more than a hundred figures followed closely, guns pointed forward, swords gleaming brightly in the sunlight.

No one hesitated, no one backed down.

Zod's words had set everyone's blood boiling.

On the opposite side, Captain Axel was also at the forefront.

His imposing figure was like a moving iron tower, black rings tightly gripping his thick knuckles, and his fists clenched.

He squinted, staring intently at the approaching figure of the Imperial officer.

"kill--!"

It's unclear who uttered the first shout, but in an instant, the shouts of battle from both sides merged into a deafening thunderclap.

The distance is shrinking rapidly.

Two hundred meters — 100 meters — 100 meters

"Bang! Bang bang bang—"

i

""

Gunshots rang out, as densely as popping beans.

Flashes of fire ripped through the ranks as bullets tore through the air with a sharp whistling sound.

Some soldiers fell during the charge, their bodies tumbling forward due to inertia, raising a cloud of dust.

But no one stopped, and no one even looked down to see their fallen comrades.

The survivors pushed past their bodies and continued running forward, gun barrels spitting fire.

The officers in the front ranks of both sides used their swords to deflect the bullets, which struck the blades and sparked.

Eighty meters————·meter————

Zod could now see the ferocious faces of the Holy Kingdom soldiers opposite him, and he could see Captain Axel's cold, sharp eyes.

There was no contempt in his eyes, only the focus and killing intent of a hunter locking onto his prey.

Moreover, the other party was not a lieutenant, but a captain, which made Zod gasp in shock.

Although he had prepared for the worst, the opposing commander might be of higher rank than a lieutenant.

But seeing the captain of the Holy Kingdom in person still made his heart sink.

Captain Axel recognized the insignia of the Imperial army on the other side as belonging to the "Imperial Blade" regiment.

Then he looked at the second lieutenant rank insignia on Zod's shoulder.

A hint of doubt flashed through his mind. How could Patrick, a mere lieutenant, possibly lose?

However, he quickly dismissed the thought of underestimating his opponent. Perhaps that's why Patrick was killed—because he underestimated his opponent.

Military rank does not necessarily represent ability.

In any case, Axel will not underestimate his opponent.

He would try his best to spare the Imperial lieutenant's life, and then properly "inquire" where he had sent Trick.

If he were truly defeated by the opponent, he would take a good look at what special strength this Imperial lieutenant possessed.

The distance between the two sides continues to close.

Thirty meters — Twenty meters —

"kill--!!"

The final stretch of distance vanished with a roar.

The two torrents collided with a deafening roar!

The deafening clang of metal clashing, the muffled thud of blades piercing flesh, and the frenzied screams instantly intertwined into a chaotic symphony of death.

The soldiers in the front row fell down almost instantly upon contact.

Blood splattered, staining their faces and uniforms red.

Zod's longsword grazed the neck of a Holy Kingdom soldier, who fell to the ground before he could even scream.

Without pausing, he shifted his body to the side, dodging the cross-shaped sword thrusting from the other side, and then kicked his opponent away.

Zod's eyes kept searching for that burly figure in the crowd, but there were people all around, and layers upon layers of soldiers divided the battlefield into countless independent small pieces, making it impossible to see the battle situation in the distance.

A sergeant from the Holy Kingdom suddenly lunged at Cassius from the side, his cross-shaped sword aimed straight for his heart.

Cassius sidestepped, then swung his sword backhand, striking the man in the waist. The man screamed and fell to the ground.

Before he could catch his breath, two more Holy Kingdom soldiers flanked him from the left and right, their swords gleaming coldly.

He gritted his teeth, swung his sword to meet the attack, and the sound of metal clashing exploded in his ears.

Hitis didn't rush to the front.

She stood behind a corpse, a rifle pressed firmly against her shoulder, her breathing even and deep.

With each shot fired, a Holy Kingdom soldier fell to the ground.

She specifically targeted junior officers and sergeants who were trying to organize a counterattack. The sniper's job was to eliminate the enemy's command nodes in the chaos.

The battlefield was filled with fighting figures, and the sounds of gunfire, shouts of battle, and clashing swords blended together.

>