Both sides soon assembled.
But neither side attacked right away.
Although the Syndicate had an overwhelming advantage in numbers, the sight of over a hundred of their own soldiers lying dead in heaps across the ground left them shaken.
At the front of the opposing group stood a blue-glowing mech roughly twice a person's height, blood still dripping from the edges of the two blades in its hands.
Clearly, the people lying on the ground had met their end at this mech's hands.
The enemy actually had such a powerful machine! Its fighting power was terrifying!
Fear showed on the faces of many Syndicate soldiers, and their weapon-bearing hands began to tremble.
They weren't elite troops, after all. Most had probably just been recruited as cannon fodder.
Rhode considered it. If he could avoid a fight, that would be best.
These people were pretty pitiful too. Oto had sent them to their deaths, and they didn't even know it. Why not try persuading them to surrender?
With that decided, Rhode made the Blue Melancholy take a step forward.
The Syndicate soldiers all instinctively took a step back.
"Friends of the Syndicate, don't be afraid. I don't want to hurt you," Rhode called out. "In fact, the one who wants to hurt you is your leader, Oto!"
The Syndicate soldiers exchanged glances, clearly unconvinced by Rhode's words.
"The Alterac Castle you're guarding is packed with buried explosives. Oto plans to blow us all up while we're fighting!"
Now even fewer believed him. Many Syndicate soldiers tightened their grips on their blades. They probably thought Rhode was stalling and would attack any moment.
"You don't believe me? Heh..." Rhode chuckled. "I can send someone to find the bombs over at the Castle..."
Vmmmm-
Suddenly, a vibrating hum filled Rhode's ears, making it