Given the communications debuff in the Diamond Nebula, Major General Jaeger Sobeck aboard Black Narrows 12 didn't receive Brigadier General Raslon's request for help until an hour after it had been sent.
Of course, before that, he had already received Duke Bayrien's orders from Chenxiao Fortress.
The long-renowned veteran, with a hundred battles under his belt, had encouraged Sobeck like a kind, benevolent elder before laying out his plan in full.
After all, even Brigadier General Raslon, who was serving as bait, had the right to know. How could someone as famous as the "Wolf of Dawn," Sobeck, be kept in the dark? Unless the duke had the average intelligence and emotional intelligence of a middle schooler, he'd never do something so offensive.
He even apologized to Sobeck directly.
"I'm sorry. Brigadier General Raslon's forces should have been part of your escort fleet, but I still used them as bait. Don't worry. Once this operation is over, I'll select elite troops and rebuild your fleet."
When a distinguished duke, imperial admiral, lifetime member of the Senate's upper house, and relative of the royal family adopted such a humble attitude toward Sobeck, what could he possibly say? He wasn't even in a position to talk about forgiveness.
"Then what should I do, sir?"
"The stability of the security and blockade operations in the Black Labor sector depends entirely on your fleet. Of course, your own judgment takes priority."
Duke Bayrien had once again shown Sobeck every due respect, perfectly playing the part of a capable leader who listened, was easy to work with, and knew how to unite his subordinates.
But the latter felt more miserable than honored.
He said that "his own judgment" was exactly what he feared most. The last time he'd followed his own judgment, he'd nearly come