Chapter 562 Pass The Buck
"If the Commander in Chief can''t make it in time, someone mustmand the garrisons of Evian City,"
Elite Commander Ron said steadily.
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"Didn''t the Commander in Chief make it clear that if Rocky could get back to Evian City, he should have
the Crimson Dragon Token and themand to defend the city?" Commander Wang interjected as he
pulled out the token from his pocket, eyeing it as though it were a holy treasure.
Upon seeing the Crimson Dragon Token, all themanders were shocked. A few days earlier, when
Lance dered he would give the token to Rocky, they were in a dire situation and didn''t have the time
to react. It was only when they returned to Evian City safely did they start doubting Lance''s decision.
The Crimson Dragon Toke was themander''s seal of the Crimson Dragon Group. Anyone who
possessed it would havemand over thirty thousand soldiers. Of course, it was also a status
symbol, as it was so rare. Apart from the Commander in Chief, only Deputy Commander in Chief Isis
possessed one. Thus, presenting Rocky with a Crimson Dragon Token meant he was entrusted with an
important responsibility.
This was precisely why themanders were puzzled.
"Wasn''t Rocky just demoted from Elite Commander to logistics camp by the Commander in Chief? So
why would the Commander in Chief hand over the Crimson Dragon Token and the right tomand
the city to him?" amander pondered aloud.
Themanders exchanged nces with one another, each one unsure as to why Lance would make
such a contradictory decision. Of course, they hadn''t known that the Crimson Dragon Token was
Rocky''s all along. It just so happened that after the ident with Isis, Lance took it back as he wronged
Rocky.
"Rocky hasn''t shown up yet. What a coward! Hmm, just let himmand the city garrison of Evian
City. I really don''t know what Commander in Chief was thinking." All the Commanders including nk,
who had a deep resentment towards Rocky, were annoyed when they heard that Lance actually
handed Crimson Dragon Token to Rocky and let himmand the city garrison. Thus, everyone
silently hoped Rocky wouldn''t show up.
Among everyone in the room, only Marin knew Lance''s reasons. However, because Rocky still hadn''t
shown up, she was a bit worried. With the thirty thousand men of the Timber Deity Empire fast
approaching, the Evian City defenses were sure to fall if no one were to takemand by then.
"I''m sure Rocky isn''ting. We should select a newmander to lead the city garrisons, from
Commander Wang, Commander Ron, Commander Li, and Commander Lin," a Frontline Commander
suggested, gesturing at the four Elite Commanders.
"Commander Wang, I think you should be the leader," nk immediately said. "Commander Wang is
the most experiencedmander among us, and the right-hand man of the Commander in Chief
himself. That''s why Lance gave the Crimson Dragon Token to him. He meant that if Rocky didn''te,
Commander Wang would have responsibility over the defending forces," nk exined with a
satisfied look.
"No, I can''t," Commander Wang hurriedly declined. "Commander Ron is the sole person here who has
the ability and experience tomand and control an army." Commander Wang had a pained
expression, as though someone had tossed him a steaming hot potato.
"Me?" Commander Ron squeaked incredulously. "Come on. Thest time the army of the Timber Deity
Empire attacked the three passes, I was screwed over by a hidden traitor! I almost lost the Wild
Heaven Pass. I think Commander Lin should hold the post, as he always does." Commander Ron
"You''ve got to be kidding me. I''m nowhere near as good at leading an army as this guy!" Commander
Lin gestured desperately to Commander Li.
"I''m the most inexperienced among the four Elite Commanders. If you three are not eligible for the
position, then neither am I," Commander Li said calmly.
Clearly, none of the four Elite Commanders wanted to ept the responsibility of having to lead the
troops of Evian City. After all, they would be vastly outnumbered against the thirty thousand men of the
Timber Deity Empire. It would definitely be a challenge to hold the city. Each Elite Commander was
aware of this: that if they were to lose the city, they would go down in history as an inglorious sinner.
This would, of course, brutally end their career. After all, they had served in the army for twenty to thirty
years prior to getting promoted to Elite Commander. Naturally, they didn''t want to lose this position due
to one loss. And obviously, they also felt that without Lance, Evian City was bound to fall. This was a
guaranteed failure, so no one dared to take this responsibility.
With each Elite Commander declining the task, Marin''s fury grew. It was time for them to stop buck-
passing and take responsibility.
The Elite Commanders were such cowards! The Frontline Commanders also stayed silent.
"Now that we have established that none of you are willing tomand the city garrison, I''ll take
charge," Marin said firmly, as she stood up to be heard.
Hearing this, all themanders were stunned. They never thought Marin would willingly take this hot
potato. It was a bold decision indeed.
However, as Marin was a young and inexperiencedmander, it would be embarrassing if the four
Elite Commanders let her take control of the city. They nced at each other ashamedly.
"I think we''d better wait a little longer. Rocky might be on his way as we speak," Commander Wang
said, evidently trying to save face.
The other threemanders nodded enthusiastically. They were all in silent agreement that it was
inappropriate for Marin to takemand. She was too young and inexperienced. It''s fine if she were to
fight in the small battles, but the one they faced now would affect the destiny and honor of the Crimson
Dragon Group. How could they possibly let Marin take over themand! If Lance caught wind of this,
they would be doomed.
"Marin, I appreciate your initiative. But I don''t think you can do such a thing, with your limited
experience and skills," Elite Commander Lin scoffed arrogantly.
Whispers filled the room. It was clear that the othermanders also felt that Marin wasn''t suitable for
this important task.
"You..." Hearing these words spoken from the mouths of these cowards made Marin seethe with anger.
Her beautiful eyes red fearsomely at each Elite Commander before she abruptly turned around and
left the hall.
The sun set in the distance, and darkness crept over the city. Two miles outside of Evian City, a line of
torches dotted thend in a zigzag manner, like a snake of fire. Countless figures formed a ck mass,
rushing towards Evian City which was barely illuminated by the fire snake.
Once the guards spotted them from atop the city wall of the south gate of the city, they were filled with
fear. They hurriedly lit the beacon to inform the base camp of the arrival of the Timber Deity Empire
troops. The sentries from the base camp were alerted by the lit beacon from the south gate. They knew
what this meant, and immediately headed to the meeting hall to deliver this information.
Themanders, who had been waiting idly in the meeting hall, were shocked when they heard the
news. They nervously nced at each other, yet still no one wanted to step up.
Just then, a guard rushed in hastily. "Commanders, Commander Marin gathered five thousand troops
and is now headed towards the south gate. It seems she is going to face the enemy head-on!"
Everyone in the room was stunned. No one could believe that Marin was reckless enough to lead her
troops into a suicide mission.