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

After taking a few steps, Zod suddenly stopped and turned back to look at Xavier.

That young face was now etched with a composure and sincerity beyond its years:

"Colonel Xavier, in any case, I think you, Captain Spent, and all the officers and soldiers of the 'Imperial Blade' regiment are far more important than a city that will never fly away."

"As long as the 'Imperial Blade' legion is still around, with your command abilities, taking down the city of Sarlom is only a matter of time."

If you save people but lose land, you can save both people and land; if you save land but lose people, you can lose both people and land.

He didn't say it aloud, but his eyes conveyed everything.

After saying that, Zod didn't look back and strode towards his troops.

Xavier listened to what Zod said, but did not respond to Zod's words.

Captain Spinter watched Zod's departing figure in silence for a moment before turning to Xavier: "Colonel Xavier, I'm off to carry out my mission as well."

Zod has left, and he is left alone here, lacking the confidence to persuade Xavier.

Moreover, he understood Xavier's predicament—

The man before me had spent half his life on the battlefield, carrying countless honors and the expectations of the empire.

How could one possibly give up just because they encounter adversity and difficulties?

If he, Spente, were in this position, he probably wouldn't have been able to make such a difficult decision in such a short time.

He sighed and was about to turn and leave.

"Wait, Captain Spent!"

Xavier's voice suddenly rang out.

Spinter paused and turned around.

Xavier continued to gaze in the direction of the battlefield, where the burning city was faintly visible on the horizon amidst the smoke-filled sky.

His profile looked particularly somber amidst the flames of war, leaving one wondering what he was thinking.

……

……

Upon receiving Colonel Xavier's order to reinforce the town of Segner, Zod did not dare to delay for a moment.

He immediately turned around and ran as fast as he could toward his troops' assembly point, his figure leaping and darting through the ruins and rubble like a fleeting phantom.

There is no doubt that the Holy Kingdom's reinforcements will arrive in Sarlom sooner or later.

Zod must leave this battlefield, which is about to become a meat grinder, before the Holy Kingdom's reinforcements arrive.

He had already informed Xavier of the intelligence and, at the risk of disobeying military orders, revealed his true assessment.

As for how Colonel Xavier ultimately decides the fate of the "Imperial Blades," Zod has no right to interfere, nor can he change it.

He has done everything he could.

All he can do next is respect individual choices.

Fortunately, Colonel Xavier agreed to Zod's request to lead troops to support the town of Segner.

Being able to leave the main battlefield and head to Segner Town was a temporary escape for Zod from the most dangerous vortex.

But he knew in his heart that true safety was still far from being achieved.

Even if they reach Segna, given the current course of the war, it's only a matter of time before the fighting spreads there.

But no matter what, he had to survive this war.

After passing through the last broken wall, Zod finally saw his troops.

Cassius and Hitis were waiting anxiously. Although they had been ordered to rest in place, with constant artillery fire all around, who could really rest in peace?

Every minute and every second of waiting was torture for them.

As soon as Zod's figure suddenly came into view, Hitis immediately stepped forward, her eyes filled with urgency: "Warrant Lieutenant Zod, what did Colonel Xavier say? What does he plan to do?"

Zod shook his head, sighed softly, and looked weary: "He needs more time to think and hasn't made any decisions yet."

"What about us? We can't just sit here and wait, can we?" Cassius couldn't help but ask, his fists clenching unconsciously.

"No, our mission is clear." Zod turned around, his gaze fixed on the direction of Segner town, his tone resolute: "Next, we will reinforce Lieutenant Colonel Horton in Segner town."

Hitis stroked her chin and nodded thoughtfully: "Colonel Xavier's considerations are indeed thorough... If something happens in Segner, the battle situation in Sallom will be completely passive."

Unbeknownst to her, Zod had actually taken the initiative to request this task during his report.

Of course, Colonel Xavier also had his own considerations.

Otherwise, given the current situation, he would not easily disperse his precious troops to other battlefields.

"Hitis, Cassius!" Zod ordered in a deep voice, "Form ranks immediately and prepare to depart."

"yes!"

The two men stood at attention and saluted simultaneously, their movements swift and decisive, before turning and running toward the soldiers who were resting.

In a short while, the soldiers who had been sitting scattered on the ground quickly stood up, got ready, and assembled in a neat and orderly formation.

Zod glanced around at his men; though their young faces showed weariness, they showed no sign of backing down.

He didn't say anything more, just decisively waved his hand: "Let's go."

The troops set off quickly, marching at top speed towards the town of Segner.

The footsteps were rapid and orderly, striking a firm rhythm on the smoke-filled land.

Behind them, the cannons of Sarlöm were still roaring, making the ground beneath their feet tremble slightly.

The burning city recedes into the distance, and the road ahead is still long.

……

……

Zod's composure stemmed from the fact that he carried no burden of glory.

Just like back in Zhongta Town, whenever he judged that he couldn't win even if he tried his best, he would not hesitate to abandon all dignity and honor and turn to run for his life.

He would not sacrifice his life for the so-called glory of the empire.

He was just a stranger in a foreign land who wanted to survive.

He will only make the choice that is most beneficial to himself based on his own rationality.

But for Xavier, a soldier's honor and mission were everything.

Death is not terrible.

In fact, for a soldier burdened with honor, dying on the battlefield with that honor was precisely the fate Xavier desired.

Asking him to give up his military honor and admit defeat would be more painful than killing him.

That would be tantamount to negating his entire life.

When people have different stances and beliefs, it is difficult for them to truly understand each other's feelings.

Even people who prefer spicy food and those who prefer sweet food can never fully understand each other's taste preferences.

Moreover, such profound differences in ideology and stance.

"The new generation is becoming more and more promising, isn't it, Captain Spent?"

Colonel Xavier said with his hands behind his back.

Captain Spente naturally understood that Xavier was referring to the group of young officers in the "Imperial Blade" regiment led by Zod.

Zod, in particular, has shown remarkable growth and strength.

Hearing his boss praise his subordinate so highly, Spent nodded sincerely: "Yes."

"I've been thinking about what you said," Colonel Xavier sighed softly. "You have a point. We old guys wouldn't regret dying here, even if it meant our own demise."

"???" Captain Spent stared at Xavier with a face full of question marks. He didn't remember ever saying anything about Xavier dying!