Sky Shadow only cared about the body transplantation; well, that was an easy task to manage. There was no time for handshakes when parting; Freedom Port in Maraca awaited their return visit. After a brief greeting, Blade Warrior hurried on his way, boarding the transporter and racing straight into the high skies, making his escape without looking back.

Having acquired the desired crystals, staying on Satellite Number Eight only increased the risk. I certainly don't have the noble intention of sacrificing myself for the country.

——

The morning sunlight in Mardis was exceptionally warm and genial, and the cool summer breeze swept across the Century Plains. Golden greenery interspersed with red and purple leaves, during this season of cultivation, hardworking farmers took their private vehicles carrying farming tools, to begin a full day's work, a scene of thriving prosperity.

The so-called roads in every direction lead to the wilderness; the Flame Legion sentries often saw private vehicles whizzing by, their passengers eagerly waving at the soldiers. It was these brave soldiers who ensured the peaceful days for the people, defending their last sanctuary with their lives.

Apophis's mood had been quite low recently, often going out alone to clear his head. In the past, he would have laughed off such a scene, but now his rigid, numb face bore an unbearable weight, and he couldn't force a smile.

It had been several days since he received the news of the Legion Commander. John had still not returned, and the weight of the matter pressed down on him like a mountain, leaving him breathless.

In the morning communication, Apophis learned that John would return by noon, so he had been silently waiting at the elevator...

In this brief yet long duration, when countless points of light silently appeared on the horizon, the continuous roars soon drowned out all other sounds just minutes later. Spirited soldiers stepped out of the elevator one after another. Some were arm in arm, others chatted and laughed together, having survived a perilous escape, they finally triumphantly returned, having successfully hindered the exploration efforts of other nations.

Leading the talk was the old veteran Powder Keg, "Hey, if it isn't our young leader Apophis. What's the matter, you came to welcome us with such a gloomy face?"

"Heh, welcome back victorious. Welcome, welcome."

Apophis forced a faint smile while exchanging simple greetings with the passing officers. It wasn't long before he saw John and stepped forward to pull him aside, speaking in a lowered voice: "Deputy Commander, there's something I need to discuss with you..."

"What's with the mystery? It's not like you to be so cryptic."

"Before I tell you, you might want to prepare yourself mentally."

John's expression grew unusually solemn, "What happened?"

"Actually, ha... well, it's not much. Do you remember the Legion Commander's suggestion last time? He wanted you to take over the Flame Legion. The day before yesterday, he gave me his final order."

"Is that all?" John looked at Apophis in disbelief, then shook his head, "Are you hiding something from me?"

"Heh, no, I've been weighed down by this order for some days now."

"Hmph, making a fuss over nothing. Next time you go all mysterious about something like this, I'll have to reprimand you." Saying so, John walked briskly back to the camp without looking back...

Watching John's figure recede into the distance, Apophis's conflicted heart didn't know how to proceed. The Deputy Commander had just been through a battle and hadn't rested, now to speak out... wouldn't that be…

You could say that before John's return, Apophis had been eagerly looking forward to seeing him again, but now when the time had come, he found itself at a loss to explain.

In terms of personal feelings, John's connection with the Legion Commander was far deeper than his own. Many years ago, they had fought side by side in the same trench, lived and died together, and battled countless times. Moreover, John's sentiment towards the Legion Commander went beyond simple comradeship in battle—back then, as the Special Envoy, the Legion Commander came alone to Mardis and smartly captured Vivian, liberating the suffering rebels, restoring peace to the area, and allowing everyone to once again have a home, a place to live, and enjoy the treatment of federal citizens. To a certain extent, Feng Yi was the faith of these people.

Once the matter was spoken aloud, Apophis feared that John might not be able to bear it at all!

But Mardis wasn't such a simple place either. Was it not the Legion Commander who had paved the way for Icebird, bringing unprecedented changes to the livelihoods of the local people, ensuring that the criminals of the fringe planets were punished by the law, and that the Ancient Martial Arts factions were not oppressed by foreign forces?

But, but... how should he even begin to speak? Apophis slammed his fist onto the ground!

After wrestling with himself over and over again, he finally resolved in the afternoon to knock on John's door with difficulty...

"Reporting in."

"Come in."

"Deputy Commander, it's me, Apophis."

"Take a seat, what do you want to talk about?"

"That... it's about the matter from this morning."

John's gaze was sharp; he had already noticed Apophis's troubled look. In fact, from the morning he had vaguely sensed that Apophis might be hiding something from him. John said: "Speak up, it's just us two here."

"This may be something you can't accept, so again, please prepare yourself mentally."

His heart inexplicably skipped a beat, not knowing what Apophis intended to say, but clear that the Flame Legion had fought many battles and treated life and death with casual indifference.

Apophis hesitated for a moment and once again urged John to emotionally brace himself before he spoke with a grave tone, yet his voice was incredibly calm: "The Legion Commander has passed away."

"What, what did you say?" John seemed not to hear clearly, and as if comforting himself, he suddenly stood up, "Say that again."

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