Lieutenant General Reigendrey listened to his subordinates' report and learned that some ground troops had surrendered to the Skywing Mercenary Group. The civilians had also been escorted to safe locations by the Skywing Mercenary Group.
"General, they've disappointed us too much. Have they forgotten the honor of the Dion Empire?"
Lieutenant General Reigendrey raised a hand to stop her. "Don't blame them. They are ordinary civilians. War is our soldiers' business, and protecting our homes and country is the duty of us men. Now that so many men have died, women are being made to protect the country in their place. We have failed them. Asking them to take the place of so many fallen men is far too much. They surrendered only because they wanted to return to their families."
"General, the Sky Wing Mercenaries have broken into some of the facilities."
"I understand. Relay my order: inform all troops in the base that any Dion Army soldiers who do not wish to fight, are unwilling to fight, fear death, or want to return to their families may surrender to the Skywing Mercenary Group."
Every soldier in the command room rose to their feet and declared in unison, "We are willing to fight the enemy to the death. We will never surrender."
"Good. You are all fine sons and daughters of the Dion Empire. Adjutant, you will take command now. I will pilot my Saint Machine and fight the final battle of my life."
Everyone in the command room saluted Lieutenant General Reigendrey.
At a location on one of the underground levels.
A metal door was blasted open. When numerous Sky Wing Mercenaries rushed inside, they found ordinary civilians from the Dion Empire and immediately activated the scanning functions of their enclosed helmets.
They checked whether these people