CHAPTER 562 PASS THE BUCK

"If the Commander in Chief can't make it in time, someone must command the garrisons of Evian City,"

Elite Commander Ron said steadily.

"Didn't the Commander in Chief make it clear that if Rocky could get back to Evian City, he should have

the Crimson Dragon Token and the command to defend the city?" Commander Wang interjected as he

pulled out the token from his pocket, eyeing it as though it were a holy treasure.

Upon seeing the Crimson Dragon Token, all the commanders were shocked. A few days earlier, when

Lance declared he would give the token to Rocky, they were in a dire situation and didn't have the time

to react. It was only when they returned to Evian City safely did they start doubting Lance's decision.

The Crimson Dragon Toke was the commander's seal of the Crimson Dragon Group. Anyone who

possessed it would have command over thirty thousand soldiers. Of course, it was also a status

symbol, as it was so rare. Apart from the Commander in Chief, only Deputy Commander in Chief Isis

possessed one. Thus, presenting Rocky with a Crimson Dragon Token meant he was entrusted with an

important responsibility.

This was precisely why the commanders were puzzled.

"Wasn't Rocky just demoted from Elite Commander to logistics camp by the Commander in Chief? So

why would the Commander in Chief hand over the Crimson Dragon Token and the right to command

the city to him?" a commander pondered aloud.

The commanders exchanged glances with one another, each one unsure as to why Lance would make

such a contradictory decision. Of course, they hadn't known that the Crimson Dragon Token was

Rocky's all along. It just so happened that after the accident with Isis, Lance took it back as he wronged

Rocky.

"Rocky hasn't shown up yet. What a coward! Hmm, just let him command the city garrison of Evian

City. I really don't know what Commander in Chief was thinking." All the Commanders including Flank,

who had a deep resentment towards Rocky, were annoyed when they heard that Lance actually

handed Crimson Dragon Token to Rocky and let him command the city garrison. Thus, everyone

silently hoped Rocky wouldn't show up. This material belongs to .

Among everyone in the room, only Marin knew Lance's reasons. However, because Rocky still hadn't

shown up, she was a bit worried. With the thirty thousand men of the Timber Deity Empire fast

approaching, the Evian City defenses were sure to fall if no one were to take command by then.

"I'm sure Rocky isn't coming. We should select a new commander to lead the city garrisons, from

Commander Wang, Commander Ron, Commander Li, and Commander Lin," a Frontline Commander

suggested, gesturing at the four Elite Commanders.

"Commander Wang, I think you should be the leader," Flank immediately said. "Commander Wang is

the most experienced commander among us, and the right-hand man of the Commander in Chief

himself. That's why Lance gave the Crimson Dragon Token to him. He meant that if Rocky didn't come,

Commander Wang would have responsibility over the defending forces," Flank explained with a

satisfied look.

"No, I can't," Commander Wang hurriedly declined. "Commander Ron is the sole person here who has

the ability and experience to command and control an army." Commander Wang had a pained

expression, as though someone had tossed him a steaming hot potato.

"Me?" Commander Ron squeaked incredulously. "Come on. The last time the army of the Timber Deity

Empire attacked the three passes, I was screwed over by a hidden traitor! I almost lost the Wild

Heaven Pass. I think Commander Lin should hold the post, as he always does." Commander Ron

laughed nervously, seemingly having no intention whatsoever to shoulder this responsibility.

"You've got to be kidding me. I'm nowhere near as good at leading an army as this guy!" Commander

Lin gestured desperately to Commander Li.

"I'm the most inexperienced among the four Elite Commanders. If you three are not eligible for the

position, then neither am I," Commander Li said calmly.

Clearly, none of the four Elite Commanders wanted to accept the responsibility of having to lead the

troops of Evian City. After all, they would be vastly outnumbered against the thirty thousand men of the

Timber Deity Empire. It would definitely be a challenge to hold the city. Each Elite Commander was

aware of this: that if they were to lose the city, they would go down in history as an inglorious sinner.

This would, of course, brutally end their career. After all, they had served in the army for twenty to thirty

years prior to getting promoted to Elite Commander. Naturally, they didn't want to lose this position due

to one loss. And obviously, they also felt that without Lance, Evian City was bound to fall. This was a

guaranteed failure, so no one dared to take this responsibility.

With each Elite Commander declining the task, Marin's fury grew. It was time for them to stop buck-

passing and take responsibility.

The Elite Commanders were such cowards! The Frontline Commanders also stayed silent.

"Now that we have established that none of you are willing to command the city garrison, I'll take

charge," Marin said firmly, as she stood up to be heard.

Hearing this, all the commanders were stunned. They never thought Marin would willingly take this hot

potato. It was a bold decision indeed.

However, as Marin was a young and inexperienced commander, it would be embarrassing if the four

Elite Commanders let her take control of the city. They glanced at each other ashamedly.

"I think we'd better wait a little longer. Rocky might be on his way as we speak," Commander Wang

said, evidently trying to save face.

The other three commanders nodded enthusiastically. They were all in silent agreement that it was

inappropriate for Marin to take command. She was too young and inexperienced. It's fine if she were to

fight in the small battles, but the one they faced now would affect the destiny and honor of the Crimson

Dragon Group. How could they possibly let Marin take over the command! If Lance caught wind of this,

they would be doomed.

"Marin, I appreciate your initiative. But I don't think you can do such a thing, with your limited

experience and skills," Elite Commander Lin scoffed arrogantly.

Whispers filled the room. It was clear that the other commanders also felt that Marin wasn't suitable for

this important task.

"You..." Hearing these words spoken from the mouths of these cowards made Marin seethe with anger.

Her beautiful eyes glared fearsomely at each Elite Commander before she abruptly turned around and

left the hall.

The sun set in the distance, and darkness crept over the city. Two miles outside of Evian City, a line of

torches dotted the land in a zigzag manner, like a snake of fire. Countless figures formed a black mass,

rushing towards Evian City which was barely illuminated by the fire snake.

Once the guards spotted them from atop the city wall of the south gate of the city, they were filled with

fear. They hurriedly lit the beacon to inform the base camp of the arrival of the Timber Deity Empire

troops. The sentries from the base camp were alerted by the lit beacon from the south gate. They knew

what this meant, and immediately headed to the meeting hall to deliver this information.

The commanders, who had been waiting idly in the meeting hall, were shocked when they heard the

news. They nervously glanced at each other, yet still no one wanted to step up.

Just then, a guard rushed in hastily. "Commanders, Commander Marin gathered five thousand troops

and is now headed towards the south gate. It seems she is going to face the enemy head-on!"

Everyone in the room was stunned. No one could believe that Marin was reckless enough to lead her

troops into a suicide mission.