CHAPTER 227 AN UNEXPECTED FAVOR

"Unfortunately, Commander Marin could not be present at this time. Something has gone amiss out on

the front line. So she asked me to come here, in her stead, in the name of the northeast military camp,"

Rocky replied.

"She asked you to represent the entire northeast military camp?" Isis looked him over mistrustfully.

There were two Deputy Commanders in the northeast military camp, and as protocol dictated, one of

them was meant to have been sent over. Rocky was neither, and hence she wondered why Marin

would have sent him.

"I see..." Isis sighed, unsure of the situation. "Well, you can come with me later. In the meantime,

please wait for me outside." After a moment's deliberation, Isis still remained unconvinced. She

decided to head to the Isis Pavilion.

Rocky, realizing that he had no real choice in the matter, went outside to wait for her. He didn't have to

be patient for long, as Isis presently returned in roughly fifteen minutes' time. Emerging from the Isis

Pavilion, she was a resplendent sight adorned in her brilliant, burnished copper armor. Isis stood as a

figure radiating of bravery and charisma, of a heroic spirit that did not lose its gentleness. It was as

though she drew even more strength from her femininity. For a moment, she took Rocky's breath away.

As Isis moved towards him, Rocky carefully rose to his feet, out of both surprise and respect. "I didn't

expect you to don your armor," he said. After all, the last time that he had met her in the Spiritual

Fairyland, her clothing was casual. This was the first time, as far as he could remember, that he had content rights.

seen her wearing her armor.

"Ordinarily, I wouldn't wear it," Isis admitted coldly before brushing past his shoulder.

'She's embarrassed, ' Rocky noted to himself, flashing a skittish smile. Apparently, the secret between

them had changed things, and she wasn't quite as amenable to talk to him. He jogged to Isis to catch

up. As he did, the squad of female guards who watched over her joined them in their walk.

"Well," Isis began after an awkward pause, "I asked Marin to send you a message. Did you receive it?"

Her eyes seemed shifty, clearly still unsure of what to make of him.

"I got the message," Rocky replied, a little more at ease now that he knew what her problem was.

"And...do you understand?" Isis continued, every word weighted with meaning as she stared at him.

Now, Rocky knew where this was going. He was certain that Isis had planned some trickery one way or

another, and so he feigned ignorance. "I'm sorry, Deputy Commander in Chief, but I'm afraid I don't

understand precisely what you mean. Your words are a little obtuse. Unfortunately, I'm merely a feeder,

and nowhere near as erudite as you. I don't have the wisdom to interpret what you're trying to say."

"Oh...just forget it, then. Don't worry about it," Isis quipped placidly peacefully while keeping her eyes

on Rocky, who felt himself grow a bit more relaxed. It would appear that his response was exactly what

she was hoping for.

The fact of the matter was that Rocky knew he would not be able to outmaneuver whatever Isis had in

store for him. As Sheridan himself had told him, Isis was extremely smart. And between Marin's words

and Isis' own probe, it was obvious that Isis had arranged everything in advance. Should he make a

single mistake, the game would be up as Isis would know right away. And the only reason she could

have orchestrated all of this was to confirm that Rocky had obtained the Heaven Divine Lotus Seeds.

'She is even tougher to deal with than Marin. I'd better make sure to steer clear of her, ' Rocky thought

grimly to himself.

Before long, the group arrived at a cliff just northwest of the base. Looking down at the drop-off below,

he saw a sprawling scene that appeared to be a simulated battlefield. It had everything needed to train

troops in all kinds of terrain: Forest, flatland, valley, hills, and other variations of natural topography

were found in this single area.

"What you see here is the training ground for combat exercises. Live ammunition is typically used when

training here. To be honest, only men with ranks higher than the Frontline Commanders are allowed to

enter it. But since you represent the northeast military camp, I can bend protocol a little for you," Isis

told him importantly as she turned back to look at Rocky. This statement was a subtle nod to her own

clout, as Rocky realized he was being gifted a Frontline Commander's treatment.

"I didn't expect such an magnanimous honor," Rocky cynically replied under his breath. Isis only gave

him a smug look in response.

Then she led Rocky to a platform positioned at the end of the cliff, from which they could have a

dramatic, panoramic view of the training ground.

There were already many people gathered upon it. Most of them were spirit manipulators dressed in

Commanders' garb. And all their powers were of a level far superior to Rocky's, with a few of them

even beyond the Heavenly Stage. Some of the observers were dressed in the robes of the civil

officials. These were the spirit manipulators at their Mortal Stage. Standing with ranks equivalent to that

of the Frontline Commanders, they specialized in managing the daily affairs of the Crimson Dragon

Group.

Upon Isis' arrival, they stood up in unison and saluted to her. "Deputy Commander in Chief!"

Isis nodded calmly to the crowd, her regal demeanor creating a dramatic effect as she arrived.

It wasn't long before they noticed a young man that accompanied her imposing figure. Surprised at the

unexpected presence, they wondered what he was doing there as her escort, and what business he

could possibly have here. It was a puzzling situation.

Ordinarily, only Lance, the Commander in Chief of the Crimson Dragon Group could walk alongside

Isis. Even the Elite Commanders who were ranked just below the Deputy Commander in Chief would

only be permitted to walk behind her. It was not a surprise, then, that all the assembled would stare and

wonder as to what the relationship between Isis and Rocky could be, if they could walk alongside each

other.

Isis, noting the crowd's growing unease and confusion, finally spoke. "Commander Marin of the

northeast military camp has to deal with some very pressing affairs, and therefore could not come

personally. She has sent a representative in her stead, and he is accompanying me today."

Upon hearing her words, the crowd was surprised, murmuring among themselves as they took in this

information. All but one of them was satisfied, and that one man was someone who was already

familiar with who Rocky was. Bitterly, he looked up and down at Rocky in his now vaunted position and

wondered, 'Why him? Why did they choose him to represent the northeast military camp? This animal

almost maimed my son. If it wasn't for the Deputy Commander in Chief, he would have been doomed!'

Frontline Commander Flank was this man who held a fierce grudge in his heart. But because of Isis

and her presence, he was compelled against his will to give respect to Rocky, the man who had taught

his son a lesson that wouldn't soon be forgotten.

Rocky felt that vindictive gaze on him, and lifted his eyes to meet Flank's. He allowed his lip to curl into

a sneer at such thinly-veiled hostility coming from him.

A fierce staredown commenced between the two of them.

"As you come here on behalf of Commander Marin, what exactly are your duties as a civil official in the

northeast military camp?" one of the Elite Commanders asked thoughtlessly. After all, he knew both of

the two Deputy Commanders of the northeast military camp. Rocky did not have the same authoritative

air, and he rightfully assumed that he was merely a civil official. It also seemed as though Rocky was

far too young to merit any other rank at the moment.

"I'm the assigned breeder for the northeast military camp," Rocky answered coolly, without so much as

batting an eye.

At that, the crowd was dumbstruck, astonished.