"Mm—" Axel Shazo pursed his lips. After a few seconds, he let out a laugh and said to Soren, "In that case, the general has truly had it difficult. Your Majesty has also wrongly blamed you. It is not that the general has been negligent, but that there was simply no way around it."
"Exactly."
"However, General, there is no need to worry too much." Axel smiled brilliantly. "My first purpose in coming to Reef Rock Fortress is to inquire on behalf of Your Majesty. My second purpose is to help you solve any problems you may encounter. Didn't you say that you are severely lacking troops, General?"
Soren glanced at Axel and nodded. "Yes."
"Then that works out perfectly. I have brought the troops you lack. They are currently camped outside Reef Rock Fortress. There are not many of them, only half a regiment—five hundred men. That is indeed a little few, but they are all elites. Among them are one hundred Magic-armored Knights. They should be enough to help the general complete the trip to Shalin."
"So, Mr. Xia Zuo, you intend to lead troops to Shalin in place of my men?"
"That's right." Axel nodded.
"Then I must thank Mr. Xia Zuo."
"It is only proper. This is part of my duty," Axel said softly. Then his tone shifted. "However, before setting out, I would like to trouble the general with one matter."
"What is it?"
"I would like the designation of one of the general's units. I wish to go to Shalin under the name of one of your units," Axel said. "After all, this matter was assigned to the general by Your Majesty. I can help, but it would be best not to muddle our identities."
"Borrow a unit designation..." Soren's brows twitched. "According to