On the walls of the Main Fortress, Marvin was directing the battle.
A fair number of Barbarian soldiers had reached the walls, but they were still vastly outnumbered by the defenders. Their equipment was inferior, too. The garrison had them pinned down, leaving them no chance to establish a foothold.
Under Marvin's command, the defenders showed no sign of panic. Dedicated units cleared the Barbarians who had reached the walls, while the rest continued attacking those still climbing and kept them from reaching the top.
An officer of the Fourth Regiment stood beside Marvin and urged his regimental commander, "Regimental Commander, it's too dangerous up here. Barbarian soldiers have already climbed onto the walls. Could you go down and take shelter for now?
"Once we've cleared the Barbarians off the walls, you can come back up. Your command won't be interrupted!"
But Marvin did not budge. He stood where he was as though he had not heard a word.
The officer broke into a sweat. "Regimental Commander, I'm begging you. Please go down and take shelter for now!"
Displeasure crossed Marvin's face. He snapped at the officer, "Why should I take shelter? Do you think we can't hold the walls?
"Or do you think there's something wrong with my command and the Barbarians are about to take them?"
"That's not what I meant, Regimental Commander. But blades don't care who you are. What if you're injured while standing up here?
"You're too important to the entire Blue Lake Bay Garrison. If you're wounded, the troops' morale will suffer!"
Seeing his regimental commander growing angry, the officer silently cursed the colleagues who had pushed him into this. You all talk about keeping him out of danger, then make me the one to persuade him.
*You know what he's like. Normally it