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

"So, Sergeant Cassius, do you want to join the 'Imperial Blade' Legion, or do you want to stay here?"

Zod found a chair and sat down, speaking earnestly.

He was surprised at how quickly he could assume the role of a preachy old boss.

After all, he had just been racking his brains trying to figure out how to decline Xavier's invitation.

"Of course I want to join the 'Imperial Blade' Legion, but that doesn't mean I'm capable of doing the job."

Cassius lowered his head and voiced his concern: "I can't go there and hold you back, or embarrass you."

Soldiers value honor and combat achievements, and the elite units place even greater emphasis on these.

Zod had some commendable achievements, but Cassius did not.

Having passed no selection tests and without any combat achievements, Cassius did not consider it something to be proud of.

Out of a sense of honor as a soldier, he even felt a sense of humiliation, as if he were unworthy of his position.

Zod frowned slightly: "So, it's not that you're afraid of death and don't want to go to the 'Imperial Blade,' it's just that your pride is getting in the way."

"If that's what you're saying, I won't deny it."

Cassius felt as if his thoughts had been spoken.

This is much better than Zod, who only didn't want to join any elite regiment because he was afraid of dying.

Zod couldn't understand why someone who wasn't afraid of death would be afraid of joining a so-called elite regiment.

What is self-esteem worth? If self-esteem could be exchanged for wages, Zod would not hesitate to exchange his self-esteem for wages.

Moreover, the "Imperial Blade" legion's salary is much higher than their current salary, but the risks are much greater.

Once Zod understands the crux of Cassius's problem, he is confident he can persuade Cassius with words.

Zod walked up to Cassius: "Cassius, you are first and foremost an Imperial soldier. What kind of behavior is this, looking back and forth like this? Do you intend to desert once you're on the battlefield?"

When Zod was trying to persuade Cassius, it was as if he was cursing himself as well.

Zod paused briefly, mimicking Xavier and Wesley's tone:

"Since you're afraid the 'Imperial Blade' legion won't approve of you, then you should win them over with your battle achievements and military honor."

"Do you really think you can build up merit, gain glory and achievements, and earn the recognition of the 'Imperial Blade' legion by hiding in Blackwood Town?"

"Utterly foolish!"

"Sergeant Major, things have come to this, are you scared? Scared of going to the battlefield?"

"If you're really scared, I won't force you. I'll go and explain the situation to Colonel Xavier in a bit."

Zod's opening words were highly persuasive, while the ending possessed the provocative tone characteristic of a superior speaking to a subordinate when Xavier was trying to provoke Zod.

Young Cassius didn't have Zod's thick skin. He was easily swayed and enraged by Zod's words: "I'm not afraid of death, so why would I be afraid of going to the battlefield? Since you've put it that way, then I'll join the 'Imperial Blade' legion."

For Cassius, his decisive acceptance of joining the "Imperial Blade" legion was perhaps partly driven by emotion and pride.

But the most important factor was that Cassius was unwilling to stay in a small place like Blackwood forever. Unlike Zod, Cassius had his own ambitions.

Zod nodded with satisfaction: "This is the Sergeant Cassius I know."

"When do we set off?" Cassius asked.

"We'll set off once Colonel Xavier's transfer order comes through. If all goes well, we should be able to leave tomorrow morning!"

Zod frowned slightly, looking at the gloomy sky in the distance: "While there's still time, let's make proper preparations!"

……

……

A deserted country villa on the south side of Goldberg was recently occupied by an imperial army.

That imperial army unit belonged to the "Imperial Blade" legion. Their current mission was to rest and await orders at the villa, while a newly appointed imperial lieutenant was parachuted in to take command of the unit.

"Warrant Lieutenant Hitis, on what grounds? You've rendered meritorious service to the regiment and shed blood for the Empire; you should be promoted to second lieutenant."

"Some unknown lieutenant just appeared out of nowhere, suddenly parachuted into our squad, and became our commander. What gives him the right?"

One of the Imperial soldiers sat at the table, eating his lunchbox with a grumbling expression, spitting food all over the table.

Logically speaking, promotions of junior and mid-level officers within the "Imperial Blade" legion rarely involve parachuting in.

Generally, promotions are made step by step from within the military corps based on combat merits and personal abilities.

If other people were to be parachuted in and appointed as officers without any effort, it would inevitably take up some of the officer positions already available in the ranks.

One radish, one hole.

This will more or less provoke dissatisfaction among veterans.

Another veteran took a bite of a biscuit and said in a sarcastic tone, "I heard that lieutenant was transferred from the rear. He's probably some nobleman's son who's here to bolster his resume."

"No, he shouldn't be some rich young master. It's said that he was transferred to our squad as a second lieutenant after gaining recognition from his superiors during a secret mission," said an old soldier wiping his sword in the corner.

"No matter what, I will never approve of those pampered officers transferred from the rear." The soldier, holding a lunchbox, angrily threw it onto the table.

The Imperial Warrant Officer known as Hitis sat in a chair, one long leg propped on another, with his rifle resting on his thigh, quietly wiping the weapon in his hand.

She had long, coffee-colored hair with soft bangs that hung down gently. Her delicate features were like an iceberg, exuding coldness and revealing no personal emotions.

However, her repeated wiping of the gun in her hand to conceal her dissatisfaction indirectly reflects that she did not like her superior's arrangement.

Then a soldier ran in to report: "Report, Warrant Officer Hitis, the new second lieutenant and sergeant major sent by our superiors have arrived at the door. Do you want to go out... to greet them...?"

For the next few seconds, no one responded to the soldier who brought the message; the air in the hall was deathly silent and oppressive.

The soldier swallowed hard; he had already sensed that something was wrong in the room.

"I understand, you can go now!" Hitis remained unmoved, picked up the scope on the table, and began to wipe it.

The people in the hall were mostly veterans, and they were all busy with their own things, seemingly unaware of the soldier's announcement.

A short while later, Zod and Cassius entered.

He presented the order from the Imperial Army: "My name is Zod, I am a second lieutenant, and I am here to take over as the new Imperial commander."

Then, he briefly introduced Cassius, who was standing next to him.

Upon receiving the corps' transfer order, all the soldiers, including Warrant Officer Hitis, stood up and saluted Zod.

According to imperial military regulations, soldiers of lower rank must salute their superiors, regardless of their status, rank, or length of service.

Zod returned the salute and then asked, "Excuse me, which one of you is Warrant Officer Hitis?"

Although there was only one woman present, Zod still went out of his way to confirm it.

"Reporting, Lieutenant! That's me!" Warrant Officer Hitis stepped forward.

"Warrant Lieutenant Hitis, please prepare a room for me and Cassius each!" Zod ordered. "Oh, by the way, where's the office?"

"Your living quarters and offices have already been prepared." Hitis looked at the two soldiers beside her: "Warren, Lucas, you two take the lieutenant and Sergeant Cassius to their rooms first."

Although Hitis was very unhappy with the two parachuted officers, she still had to appear respectful on the surface.

Zod has a legitimate transfer order from the Imperial Military.

Zod followed the soldier up the spiral staircase. Halfway up, he seemed to remember something: "Oh, right, Warrant Officer Hitis, come to my office in 30 minutes! There's an urgent mission."