I only wanted to retire, but I ended up becoming an extremely popular character.

Xavier interlaced his fingers, resting them on the table, and asked with unusual seriousness, "If I asked you to go to the front lines as a suicide squad for the glory of the Empire, would you dare to go?"

This question really stumped Zod.

This appears to be a question, but it is actually an affirmative statement.

If Zod's previous display of bravery and fearlessness is to be taken as fact, then he can only give an affirmative answer.

But Zod knew he couldn't bring himself to die for his cause, nor could he join the suicide squad.

If he is lying and doesn't mean what he says, Xavier will definitely see through him and expose him.

Just as he was struggling to answer Xavier's question.

Fortunately, Stella, who was standing nearby, could no longer tolerate Xavier's aggressive attitude towards Zod.

Without any mercy, she grabbed Xavier's ear and said, "Colonel Xavier, if it weren't for Lieutenant Zod, we would have been kidnapped to the Holy Kingdom. Is this how you treat our savior?"

"Oh dear, Stella, let go, let go, I was just giving an example."

Xavier instantly lost his earlier sharpness, his identity shifting to that of a neighborly old man in the blink of an eye: "My subordinates are here too, Stella, at least show me some respect."

Stella glanced at Zod and Wesley, then quickly withdrew her hand.

Thanks to Stella's intervention, Zod was truly grateful to Ms. Stella; otherwise, Zod would have had no way to answer Xavier's question.

Stella introduced herself to Zod: "Lieutenant Zod, please allow me to introduce myself. I am Colonel Xavier's..."

"I know you must be Colonel Xavier's daughter..." Before Stella could introduce him, Zod already had the answer in his heart.

"Wife, Stella!" Stella gave Zod a very sweet smile.

Wait, wife? Isn't it a daughter? With that age gap, she's old enough to be a father.

"And the other person with you..." Zod tried his best to calm his shock and not let it show on his face.

"Sister Joanna is also Colonel Xavier's wife." Stella seemed to sense Zod's surprise and could only return the smile once more.

Old Deng is truly a winner in life; even in his fifties, he managed to marry such a beautiful wife.

Zod almost forgot that the Oserwell Empire had long ago implemented polygamy to compensate for the population shortage caused by the war, and that a man could have a maximum of three legally recognized wives.

The Oserwell Empire even encouraged its elites to marry and have children to leave behind superior genes for the future of the empire.

There must be quite a few families who want to curry favor with officers like Xavier, who can hold the rank of colonel in the Imperial Army.

For him, marrying a young and beautiful wife would not be difficult.

Zod then calmed down his surprise.

"Stella, I'm here today specifically to express my gratitude, Lieutenant Zod. As for Joanna..."

Colonel Xavier scratched the back of his head: "Although she would like to thank you in person, you know better than I do that she is still recovering in the hospital and cannot come for the time being."

"I can only express her gratitude to you on her behalf."

"Don't worry, she's fine. She just needs some rest."

Zod felt much more relaxed after Xavier dropped his airs and serious expression.

Stella also bowed deeply: "Thank you so much, Lieutenant Zod. Without your rescue, my sister Joanna and I might never have met Colonel Xavier."

Looking back on what happened, Stella is still terrified, and even dreams about it at night will wake her up in fright.

Once Stella and Joanna become hostages of the Holy Kingdom of Baines, Xavier will face a tragic fate no matter what choice he makes in the face of the Holy Kingdom's coercion.

If Zod hadn't rescued them in just five days, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

"You're too kind. I was just carrying out a mission." Zod scratched the back of his head, clearly uncomfortable with such sentimental scenes. "Just don't blame me for my rude behavior during your rescue."

Stella gave a bitter smile, as if recalling unpleasant memories: "Compared to being rescued, suffering a little injustice is nothing."

In short, she and Joanna were saved because of Zod.

If Zod suffers any injustice during the rescue, he is punished or given a hard time.

So who will dare to rescue them next time they encounter danger?

Stella understood this simple truth.

"Alright, Stella, you should go and rest for a bit. You've had a tough time lately."

Xavier gently patted Stella's back: "We still have military matters to discuss!"

Stella looked up at Xavier, as if she wanted to say something.

Xavier immediately nodded as if he understood, saying, "I understand, don't worry!"

After Stella left the office, the atmosphere in the entire office became tense again.

The air seemed to freeze, and Zod could almost hear his own breathing and heartbeat.

He feared that Xavier would pick up on the question Zod hadn't had time to answer earlier and continue to interrogate Zod about whether he was willing to join the suicide squad for the glory of the Empire.

Fortunately, Xavier didn't press the matter further, instead asking, "Lieutenant Zod, would you like to join my unit, the 'Imperial Blades'?"

"Huh?" Zod looked blank. What "Imperial Blade" legion? He'd never heard of it.

But he had absolutely no interest in going to the front lines.

Seeing Zod's bewildered expression, Lieutenant Wesley quickly stepped forward to explain, "Lieutenant Zod, most of the regimental titles you've heard of in the past are named in the form of numbers."

"They may know very little about naming conventions like the 'Imperial Blade' Legion."

"Usually, only corps with outstanding military achievements have the opportunity to forgo their serial numbers and receive special naming privileges."

"The 'Imperial Blade' Legion is such a highly decorated legion, and one of the Empire's seven elite legions. It is currently stationed in Goldberg, a key military stronghold on the Empire's western front."

"Joining the 'Imperial Blade' Legion is the dream of countless Imperial soldiers who yearn for the highest honor."

"Colonel Xavier's proposal is an affirmation of your abilities and strength."

"After all, the soldiers and officers who can join the 'Imperial Blade' legion are selected through layers of selection, and each one is one in a thousand, or even one in ten thousand."

"You should cherish this hard-won opportunity."

Lieutenant Wesley explained to Zod while frantically winking at him.

He hoped Zod would accept Colonel Xavier's invitation without hesitation, as such a precious opportunity could change Zod's fate.

No fool would refuse Colonel Xavier's invitation.

Zod might be that exception.

Upon hearing that this supposedly elite unit was some kind of ace unit, he became even less interested.

If a half-baked guy like him were to join an elite unit, he would definitely expose the fact that he is a dud.

Besides, Zod's idea remained steadfast; he simply wanted a peaceful retirement. Going to the front lines or military strongholds sounded dangerous.

He certainly couldn't accept Colonel Xavier's invitation.

Zod's mind raced; he needed to find a relatively respectable reason to decline Colonel Xavier's invitation.

As for Wesley, who was frantically giving him meaningful glances, Zod pretended not to see him.