Chapter 579 - Captain Yan, Arrival of Distant Travellers (2/2)
When this man approached on the back of his saber-toothed warbeast, the guards immediately lined up side by side as they fell to their knees and bowed down.
'Hm?'
For the guards to react in this manner, Izroth surmised that this person's ident.i.ty was someone well beyond that of a Captain or any troop, for that matter. After all, not even a General's arrival could cause their soldiers to kneel to them in such a fas.h.i.+on.
”Prince Yan! We are honored!” The guards spoke in unison.
When the guards referred to him as Prince Yan, a frown quickly found its way onto the face of the one sat upon the saber-toothed warbeast.
”Stand. On the battlefield, I am not a prince—only Captain Yan of the 2nd Unit's 8th Division.” The one called Yan stated indifferently as his gaze drifted over to Izroth.
'2nd Unit? So I was not mistaken.'
Izroth felt that he heard the name Yan somewhere before, and now he remembered. Back at the Unsanctioned Zone, Aurie mentioned this name over the communication talisman. At that time, Yan was tasked with a.s.sisting their Rosentarus allies, so Izroth had never met him on the battlefield. He knew of his name, but not of his person or character.
”Our apologies!” The guards replied as they quickly leapt to their feet and tried to collect their nerves.
”You are... Captain Izroth of the General Support Unit's newly created 9th Division, correct?” Yan said as his focus suddenly s.h.i.+fted to Izroth.
”I don't believe we've crossed paths before, Captain Yan,” Izroth replied.
”You are quite popular, Captain. There is no one among the 2nd Unit who has not heard of your name. Leveling the Vostracane stronghold, thereby a.s.sisting with the Unsanctioned Zone's easy capture—this feat is not one achieved and then promptly disregarded. I also heard from the Commander that you were the last person to speak with our late Captain Gritt.” Yan stated.
”I did not think I would become so popular among your unit. Captain Gritt—he was a great man.”
”A great man indeed. It was an honor to serve in the same unit as him. I heard you turned down our Commander's offer to take over the 4th Division.”
”My place is elsewhere.”
”I see... A shame. When did you...” Yan casually conversed with Izroth as the guards looked on in amazement. Did this person not know who they were talking to? Even Generals would have to treat Prince Yan with the utmost respect! Yet, he dared to address him so carelessly?! To them, this guy was either really brave or incredibly stupid!
...
After conversing for a bit, Yan eventually figured out what the initial commotion was all about.
”This is a problem. However, it is one that can be easily resolved. After all, if it is someone you are willing to vouch for, Captain Izroth, then we cannot afford to have them remain idle in this time of danger.” Yan rea.s.sured.
The guards seemed somewhat nervous at those words. Judging from their conversation, the prince was on good terms with the GSU Captain. They feared that he would use his influence as a prince to make them disobey direct orders!
”I came ahead, but the others should be approaching any moment now,” Yan commented as he turned to face the direction he initially approached from.
Not too long after Yan spoke, a wave consisting of thousands of troops marched in an orderly fas.h.i.+on towards the campsite.
'So she came here after all.'
At the forefront of the troops were two individuals. One was someone Izroth had not met directly, but through his Soul Avatar, Empyrean. The Rosentarus Panther Battalion Commander, Baut.
As for the person next to Baut, Izroth recognized them immediately as the War Brigade's 2nd Unit Commander of the 1st Legion, Aurie!
It had been a little less than five days of in-game time since Izroth was last at the Unsanctioned Zone. Moving so fast to the Demilitarization Belt after just securing the Unsanctioned Zone spoke volumes to the current situation's direness.