Their romance storyline only begins on the second playthrough

She accepted Rod's medal and smiled professionally:

"Okay, you're here to exchange something, right? Captain Rhodes, what kind of items do you need?"

"How many Soul God Seed Link Scrolls that have been upgraded four times can I exchange for with my points?"

"Hmm... only enough to buy two."

Two portions?

Although Rhodes anticipated that the merits he had would likely not be enough to exchange for many secret scrolls, two scrolls were indeed too few.

But trying to get more points now is obviously not realistic.

After all, completing those tasks of hunting demons would take too much time, and he didn't have time to do that.

That's it.

Two copies it is fine. Anyway, the things I'm here to do at the military headquarters this time aren't just about improving our strength. There are two other things to do as well.

Of course, if we add killing the Dragon Head lurking in the military headquarters, then that makes three things.

"Then please exchange two secret scrolls for me. And, could you please schedule an appointment with Admiral Axel Nolan? We have something to discuss with him."

"Ah, Admiral Axel?" The receptionist paused, her gaze seemingly shifting behind Rhodes.

"What's wrong? Does he have something important to say?"

"No, no, it's just... could you look behind you?"

The instant the receptionist finished speaking, a heavy hand slapped him on the shoulder.

“Here, Rhodes. I knew you would come looking for me.”

The figure tossed his medal onto the table with his other hand, while the arm that had been resting on Rhodes' shoulder remained there.

At that moment, Rod turned his head in the direction of the voice and saw who had said those words.

Axel Nolan, one of the leaders of the Imperial Capital Military Department, is a general with the strength of a seventh-rank lower-level officer. He is quite familiar with Rhodes.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that during his youth, Rhodes followed the Emperor through many departments, so it's only natural that he would get to know these powerful figures.

Axel was completely covered in heavy, jet-black armor, with layers of thick, tattered brown cloth covering the outside. He was tall and bulky, with wrists as thick as tree trunks, and the rough, large sword hanging beside him sent chills down one's spine.

It could be said that his first impression was that of a street thug, a ragged strongman, with only the gleaming general's medal hanging on his chest revealing his distinguished status.

"Give him five link scrolls, and I'll cover the deducted merit points," Axel said to the receptionist.

“Admiral Axel,” Roderick said casually, “what are you doing here?”

“Valerie informed me you were coming, so I came to see you from the Central Council Building first.” Axel patted Rhodes on the shoulder and withdrew his hand. “The Emperor summoned you, but you didn’t go. Instead, you came here to see me. Aren’t you afraid I’ll be scolded by the Emperor?”

"The Emperor will be at ease, after all, you are protecting us."

"Haha, that's true, that's true. It's been a long time. You're still as genuine as ever. How about we grab a few drinks sometime?"

“That won’t be necessary.” Rhodes shook his head. “One purpose of my visit to the military headquarters this time is to exchange for items, and the other is to meet with you.”

"Now that His Holiness the Pope has already told you, what are your thoughts?"

Axel's gaze fell upon the medals:

"Of course I'll take care of this, but I also have a troublesome matter on my side."

Rhodes's gaze followed, "These merit points?"

Axel nodded seriously and said:

"That's right, let's not beat around the bush. There's a task I'd like to ask if you'd be willing to take it."

"I thought you were being so kind by giving away so many merit points."

"Or should we have some tea? I know you, Rhodes, you hate these things too. You need the secret document, I have something to ask you, just get it done efficiently, there's nothing wrong with that."

People in the military are all about exchanging benefits, and Axel is no exception.

As a veteran of the military, Rod had actually had quite a bit of contact with him when he was a child, and they were indeed quite familiar with each other.

"But Admiral Axel, I can't spend too much time on this side."

"It won't take long, you just need to come with me to take a look. If you can do it, great; if not, that's fine too. Consider this a chance for you."

“This matter requires a Soul Seed. I was worried about where to find a powerful Soul Seed to resolve the current problem, but I didn’t expect you to come at this time.”

"The reward is simple: you need combat power to deal with the witch, right? This is something our military is supposed to do, so I will naturally go with you to deal with the witch."

"And then, these few linked secret scrolls are also a gift from me to you."

Rhodes paused slightly:

"Is it dangerous?"

"Perhaps, after all, it involves the soul. But I won't force you, otherwise if something happens to you, I'll probably die first."

Rhodes remained silent for a long while, then looked at Lilith—

Lilith didn't speak, but nodded quietly, indicating that he should ask for more food.

Just as he intended.

After receiving Lilith's approval, Rhodes immediately spoke:

"Three more linked secret scrolls, upgraded five times, General Axel."

Axel opened his mouth, stunned, speechless.

Isn't that asking for too much?

He simply wanted to give Rhodes a chance to prove himself. After all, the Emperor needed to increase Rhodes's honor points in the capital, and since Rhodes was a Soul God Seed, entrusting this task to Rhodes was the best option.

But honestly, no matter how much rumors circulate about Rhodes, Axel, who has known him since he was young, certainly knows the extent of Rhodes's maximum strength.

The energy emanating from the body is roughly equivalent to the lower-middle level of the fifth rank. In fact, it would be very difficult to complete this task with such intensity.

"...Upgrading to five levels of linking secret scrolls requires three copies, but that requires ten times the merit of your four levels of secret scrolls."

"I'll pay you back after I finish the task; this is the final payment."

Axel frowned. If these merit points were converted into money, they would be enough to live on for a lifetime.

but……

Well, treating the patient is definitely more important.

He thought for less than ten seconds, then reached out and patted Rhodes' shoulder, the force of which made Rhodes feel a little pain:

"Fine! If you don't deliver, then it's just empty talk, and I don't care."

"And if you do it, I will naturally give it to you. No one is unaware of how to flatter a genius, and I am no exception."

"However, this is not an easy task, and I have only heard rumors that it can be done, so just do your best. I don't have high hopes."

"Oh? Rumors." Rhodes' curiosity was piqued, and his eyes were fixed on Axel's face.

"Well, it's rumored that people infected by external evil can actually break free of their prison and return to normal through powerful souls."

Rod paused.

This case seems very familiar.

Indeed, it's not so much that he was familiar with the case, but rather that Rhodes realized in an instant that the commission Axel had mentioned was essentially the same as the case of the [God of the Deep Sea].

It requires him to enter into someone else's soul to heal them.

If it were any other kind of divine soul, it wouldn't be considered experienced, but he's different. He's not only saved people, but he's even saved gods.

After learning the contents of the commission, Rod tentatively asked:

"Do you need to treat someone else?"

"you know?"

"I understand the commission. Who is it?"

"Hmm?" Axel was slightly surprised by Rhodes' familiar manner, but she immediately replied, "It's many people from the military."

"Pollution, strange pollution suddenly spread, starting in the military headquarters this morning, and almost all the soldiers who took on the task of hunting demon seeds have developed problems."

"My son is also in a coma now."

"I understand your abilities are limited, so this time I only need you to treat my son. Are you confident you can do it?"

Who is your son?

“Stellan, a boy who has been promoted three times, you haven’t met him much.”

"Understood, it's not difficult. Leave it to me."

"Everyone, let's go."

"Yes, sir!"

Rod put away his medal, waved his hand, and started walking.

His movements were swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

It was this figure that made Axel freeze in place, his pupils trembling slightly, and he remained silent.

Finally, he reluctantly said:

"They look pretty impressive."

……

...

The military set up refuge tents.

Now, dozens of tents have been erected in the square, almost covering the entire area, and heated stones insulate against the cold, keeping the bodies of the unconscious soldiers at a normal temperature.

Besides the soldiers dressed in the same thick clothing, there were also quite a few [Life Seeds] on patrol trying to maintain the patients' vital signs.

Axel slowly spoke:

"Isolating everyone from the outside world was a last resort. The incident happened suddenly and inexplicably today."

today?

Rhodes stopped in his tracks, and in an instant he guessed the root cause of what had happened.