"Captain Cross's promise represents the Marine's promise!"
Upon seeing Cross and Doma Shanna return from Doma City, and learning of Duke Attawa's death and Countess Shanna's intention to inherit the throne and ally with the Marines, Sakazuki decisively agreed to Cross's promise to Shanna.
Immediately, in front of Countess Shanna, he used a Den Den Mushi to contact Marine Headquarters, having Fleet Admiral Kong in Marineford personally acknowledge the alliance.
With the support of Marine Headquarters, Countess Shanna was undoubtedly put at ease, her worries completely dispelled. It wasn't that Shanna didn't trust Cross's promise. On the contrary, Shanna trusted Cross immensely, even more than the entire Marine organization and all members of the Royalist faction in Doma City. Even her Royal Uncle, Doma Lavishur, would have to rank below Cross.
For a monarch, the merits of enthronement and rescue were the most significant. As Shanna, soon to become King Doma VIII, trusted Cross immensely. In fact, she even considered poaching him from the Marines, recruiting him into her own ranks, or perhaps... making him her subject, becoming another Prince...
However, currently, Cross was merely a humble Marine Captain, unqualified to interfere with Marine Headquarters' decisions, let alone represent the entire Marine.
If Cross's previous promise had only sparked hope in Shanna's heart, then Sakazuki's agreement held high credibility, and Kong's ultimate approval completely reassured Shanna.
As Fleet Admiral of the Marines, Kong's status, strength, and prestige surpassed those of the monarchs of almost all nations in the world. Even the Five Elders of the World Government would have to think twice before opposing a resolution made by the Fleet Admiral (unless it involved significant matters concerning the Celestial Dragons or the Poneglyphs).
"Thank you, Sakazuki-san!" Shanna politely expressed her gratitude.
"No need for thanks, everything is for justice!" Sakazuki maintained a stern, unsmiling expression, then earnestly inquired, "However, the Marines are unfamiliar with the Bion Kingdom's geography, making our march difficult, like a snail's pace. Does Shanna-san have any solutions?"
"Damn it, I forgot about that!" Cross suddenly snapped out of it.
During the day, the main Marine force had set out from Oneway Port, entered the heart of Shiloh Island, and stepped into these towering mountains, already experiencing initial difficulties.
But he hadn't expected the situation to be so urgent.
Before the Marines could rest and prepare for marching and fighting in the mountains, they had to traverse another three thousand kilometers of mountains during the night. It was likely that by the time the main Marine force arrived at Doma City, the Roberts Legion, in conjunction with the aristocrat faction's private army and the Royal Guard, would have completely annihilated the Royalist faction.
"Perhaps my enlivened legion could lead the way, clearing a path for the main force," Cross suggested.
"That's one method... However, those enlivened creatures are currently pulling artillery and transporting supplies. If they lead the way and the Marines carry the artillery themselves, our marching speed probably wouldn't increase much!" Sakazuki replied hesitantly.
At this moment, Shanna pondered for two seconds, then said earnestly, "I know a clear shortcut that leads directly to Doma City. It belongs to my Doma clan as a trade route. Although it's a shortcut, the path is clear and maintained monthly, and even your army's artillery can pass through!"
"Excellent!"
Hearing this sudden good news, a faint smile appeared on Sakazuki's face, and his gaze towards Shanna softened considerably.
"Since that's the case, I still request to lead the enlivened legion as the vanguard. At least they are swift and can quickly reinforce Prince Lavishur and General Hebrass, buying time for our main Marine force to arrive!" At this point, Cross met Sakazuki's gaze and said gravely, "I've left most of the flying enlivened creatures in Doma City to provide aerial support for the Bion Kingdom's army. Combined with the main force of the enlivened legion, we can definitely delay them for a long time!"
"This approach allows our main Marine force to reach the vicinity of Doma City with time to rest briefly before attacking. This is much better than over ten thousand people struggling for several hours, then having to participate in an even fiercer battle while exhausted... The casualties after the battle might be much lower!"
Listening to Cross's words, Shanna remained silent, not offering any opinions, while Sakazuki seriously considered Cross's proposal.
If these over ten thousand Marine soldiers could rest briefly after reaching Doma City to recover their stamina before launching an attack, they would undoubtedly be much stronger than three groups of exhausted soldiers.
Immediately, Sakazuki made a decision. He said directly, "We'll proceed as you said. Assemble all the enlivened creatures immediately and head to Doma City at the fastest possible speed!" At this, he paused, then said earnestly, "...Do you have any good recommendations? Which Vice Admiral would be most suitable to go?"
"Since the enlivened legion is mobilizing, I naturally won't be absent. But Vice Admiral Prodi can command, and you can summon some Rear Admirals and Captains to accompany him to strengthen the enlivened legion's combat power!" Cross replied.
"Good suggestion, but..."
Sakazuki nodded in agreement, but his gaze fell upon Cross's chest wound. He said with slight concern, "Can your injuries hold up? Do you need a military doctor to examine them thoroughly?"
"It was just a claw mark, it's nothing!" Cross shook his head, smiling, "I'm proficient in the Rokushiki and have learned Life Return. I already closed the wounds, so I didn't bleed much. Besides, I even used my hair as thread to stitch the wounds!"
"Life Return... using hair as stitches..."
Sakazuki looked at Cross's silver short hair, his expression a bit strange and a bit speechless. He hadn't expected Cross, at such a young age, to have already mastered an advanced martial art like Life Return, even being able to freely control and grow his hair. If he remembered correctly, Onigumo was also skilled in this art.
"In that case, I'll have Vice Admiral Prodi and Vice Admiral Zack Huss accompany the enlivened army, along with four Rear Admirals: Doberman, Onigumo, Massol, and Pegasus, and 100 officers of various ranks!" Subsequently, Sakazuki did not refuse Cross's proactive request to lead, and even dispatched many personnel to strengthen the enlivened army's combat power.
Two Vice Admirals, four Rear Admirals, and 100 officers of various ranks, plus several thousand powerfully enlivened creatures who feared no death—this force could not be underestimated even by the Roberts Legion.
And combined with the tens of thousands of Royal Army soldiers led by Prince Lavishur and General Hebrass, even if they couldn't repel the Roberts Legion, it would certainly be enough to delay them until the main Marine force arrived.
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