West Continent City, Fourth District.
Within the low ruins submerged in water stood a bomb shelter reinforced with concrete.
Rockfang read the crumpled note in his hand from beginning to end, then looked at his trusted subordinate standing before him.
"Did someone from the New Alliance give you this letter? Are you sure it wasn't from the guerrillas?"
"I swear on my life, sir!"
Standing before Rockfang, the subordinate continued solemnly.
"The director of The Alliance's Hope Town office personally gave me this letter... Before leaving, he recited its contents to me twice, saying it was the will of The Alliance's Administrator. If you couldn't read, he told me to make sure I read it aloud to you."
"...You did well."
The weight finally lifted from his heart. Rockfang carefully folded the note and tucked it into the pocket against his chest.
After pondering for a long time, he looked at his subordinate and continued.
"Go summon every centurion under my command. No matter what mission they are carrying out, tell them to come see me immediately!"
The subordinate immediately nodded.
"Yes!"
The subordinate turned and left. Rockfang returned to his chair and waited quietly for a while.
Before long.
Scattered footsteps sounded outside the door.
One burly man after another entered from outside, draped in beast-hide clothing and covered in knotted muscles.
Strings of teeth denoting their rank hung from their bodies. Their faces were ugly as demons, and they reeked.
Stopping before Rockfang, they clasped their fists with both hands.
"Sir."
"You summoned us?"
Rockfang swept his gaze over his most loyal subordinates and slowly spoke.
"Do you trust me?"
The men exchanged glances, unsure what their boss was up to today.
But since he had asked, they could hardly say no, so they eagerly declared their loyalty.