Sometimes being a small fry had its advantages. No one remembered you, and you would not run into any major trouble. Small abilities, small responsibilities, small goals—it was hard to catch the attention of the big shots. Just like now: in the days since Zhang Tie had returned to the garrison, everything had been calm and peaceful. The Third Battalion of the Sword of Radiance Legion's Hicks Peninsula Expeditionary Corps seemed to have forgotten that someone like him even existed. Zhang Tie was happy to enjoy the peace. Apart from going out for meals at two fixed times each day, he meditated and rested in his room, slowly recovering his strength, washing clothes, and taking care of his personal hygiene...
Almost all the warriors in the Third Battalion had been transferred in from different parts of the Holy Light Empire, and most of them did not know one another. As people continually died in battle, fresh recruits were continually brought in, leaving even fewer people who knew each other. The comrades Fred knew had either already fallen in those mountains or were still out on missions and had yet to return to the garrison. Added to that were the Sword of Radiance Legion's rigid, severe rules and orders forbidding soldiers from drinking excessively, visiting prostitutes, gambling, or gathering privately in groups of more than three. The garrison was bleak and deserted, and no one came to disturb Zhang Tie in his little cabin.
It was not until the morning of Zhang Tie's sixth day back that one of Saguli's attendants came to his cabin and told him to dress properly and report to the entrance of the command headquarters.
Zhang Tie put his gear in order as quickly as possible, then followed Saguli's attendant to the entrance of the command