Hesitation

"Oh!"

As soon as Sordil finished speaking, thunderous cheers erupted from the First Division's formation Kurelle, Anna, and Heradi, standing at the front of their formation, looked at their comrades in the other formations with smug, disdainful eyes. Compared to the smug First Division, the other three divisions appeared much more dejected! In each division, from the Division Commander down to the ordinary soldier, everyone hung their heads, listlessly staring at their feet, trying to forget this 'black and white world' in this way.

Just as Sordil was about to give the order to disband, a shout came from the defeated ranks.

"General, we are not satisfied with this defeat! Can you give us another chance to challenge the First Division?"

Upon hearing this demand, all the members of the defeated side stared intently at Sordil on the stage, hoping he would utter the two words they yearned for. However, reality disappointed them!

"Of course not! From the moment the General Staff issued the order to end the exercise, the outcome of the competition was already determined, and no one can change it!"

The last glimmer of hope was extinguished, and the defeated members lowered their heads even further. Seeing this, Sordil on the platform roared, "You idiots! Good-for-nothings! So what if you lost a match? Why are you hanging your heads like wilted eggplants?! If you're really not satisfied, then train harder and improve your strength. When the second martial arts competition is held in three months, defeat these idiots from the First Division and snatch the title of the main force division, won't you? What a bunch of pigs!"

Just as the defeated members were feeling dejected by their shattered hopes, they heard Sordil's foul language, which only made them feel more depressed. However, after hearing what Sordil said next, their depression and frustration vanished instantly, and they were filled with fighting spirit again. At the same time, Sordil's foul language actually smelled wonderful to them, making them more and more energetic the more they listened.

Watching the bizarre scene unfold on the platform, where one side was spewing profanities while the other listened with delight, a group of special guests who had traveled from Philiers felt their worldview crumbling.

Half an hour later, Sordil, exhausted and parched, gave up on his grand undertaking of 'speechless' speech. He angrily shouted 'Dismissed!' at the audience and then floated back to headquarters.

West City, Headquarters

Reception hall

"Huh? Diphiya, when did you arrive in West City?"

Listening to Sordil's incoherent questions, seeing the ham in his left hand, the wine glass in his right, and his mouth stuffed with food, the members of the Peace Negotiation Delegation felt their worldviews crumbling once again. Faced with Sordil's newly developed attributes, Diphiya said speechlessly, "My dear brother, before you even began your address to the Western Border Army, we had already met up with Division Commander Kurelle. Then we were honored to stand in the ranks of the First Division and enjoy your unique speech!"

"Cough cough"

Before Diphiya could finish speaking, the food in Sordil's mouth became stuck at the "highway" leading to his stomach. After she finished speaking, Sordil clenched his right fist and repeatedly pounded his chest to relieve the "traffic jam." Once the "traffic" was restored, Sordil began to cough incessantly.

After fussing for half an hour and regaining his composure, Sordil belatedly asked, feigning ignorance, "By the way! Diphiya, shouldn't you be in Philiers? How did you end up in West City?"

"Clang!"

Faced with Sordil's reflexes that seemed to circle Ishgar four times, everyone in the hall collapsed to the ground. As a dedicated actress, Diphiya could only helplessly get up and continue her performance.

"Brother Oddek, we are here on His Majesty the King's orders to announce a task assigned by His Majesty the King."

Sordil knew that the long-awaited command had finally arrived. He forcibly suppressed his elation and then, with trepidation, led Diphiya to the seat of honor, quietly awaiting her reading of the command. Once seated, Diphiya took the parchment scroll from the accompanying attendant, opened it, and began to read its contents aloud, word by word.

"A few days ago, my kingdom received a peace treaty from the Kingdom of Donagunov. For the sake of peace in Ishgar and to deepen the friendship between the two nations, I, Belmod Lanlos, hereby appoint the Guardian of the Western Territory, Oddek, as the peace ambassador and Diphiya as the deputy peace ambassador. I order the two of them to depart immediately for the Kingdom of Donagunov to conduct peace negotiations."

After Diphiya finished reading, Sordil respectfully knelt on one knee before the person in the main seat and received the parchment scroll from her. After doing so, Sordil slowly stood up. At this moment, an accompanying servant immediately stepped forward to brush the dust off him and whispered in his ear, "General Oddek, His Majesty the King has another secret order for you!"

Immediately afterward, Sordil felt something being placed in his hand. Looking down, he found a parchment scroll. He quietly slipped the other scroll away, then claimed he wanted to catch up with Diphiya, and Kurelle Sordil arrange for the Peace Negotiation Delegation's guards and servants to rest. After everyone had left, Sordil hurriedly asked Diphiya about another matter that was troubling him.

"Diphiya, have you seen Igneel and the others? What are their thoughts on the impending invasion of Ishgar by the dragons of the Western Continent?"

After listening to Sordil's attempt to reminisce about their past, Diphiya sighed in disappointment, then said with a hint of resentment, "First, I have bad news for you: I haven't found Igneel and the others. Second, I have even worse news: Langu, whom you defeated a month ago, has been transferred back to the vicinity of West City!"

"Bang"

Sordil's teacup slipped from his hand and Crush on the floor, spilling tea everywhere. However, Sordil was no longer in the mood to care about such things; his mind was completely filled with unease and hesitation. He was terrified that his actions would lead to Natsu and Erza's disappearance, yet he was unwilling to watch his goddess be ruined by that scoundrel, Langu. Sordil suddenly doubted his plan, unsure whether he should continue.

Just then, the Brigade Commander of the Reconnaissance Brigade Elkley, hurriedly entered the hall. After saluting Sordil, Elkley loudly reported, "Reporting, General! My Reconnaissance Brigade has discovered an army rapidly advancing towards West City, and they are expected to arrive in West City in six hours."

Sordil abruptly raised his head, staring intently at Elkley, and then asked, enunciating each word clearly, "Do you know who is coming?"

"Reporting to the general! Judging from the flag, it should be the former Guardian of the Western Territory Langu!"

Upon hearing Elkley's words, Sordil's eyes flashed with a dangerous light, and a cold, murderous aura emanated from him, as if a bloodthirsty beast had awakened.