"If all you're going to do is sit there and tremble like a nervous wreck, then I'm not sure the rest of your subordinates will survive for much longer," Erwin said in a tranquil voice.

Shiba was truly frightened to the core. He knew that Erwin wasn't just bluffing, and thus, he immediately tried to struggle to his feet.

However, Erwin gave him a cold glare, indicating that he could talk while sitting on the ground.

This was not a conversation between equals, so Shiba didn't deserve to stand.

"A smart man should know when they can stand, when they can sit, when they have to kneel, and when they have to crawl," Erwin said in a cold voice. "You could've had a comfortable seat here, but you can only sit on the ground now, and you only have yourself to blame for that."

Shiba could only nod in response and didn't dare to speak.

"So you want me to join your mercenary legion, is that correct?" Erwin could tell that Shiba was incapable of speech at this point, so he decided to take the lead.

"Yes..." Shiba hurriedly nodded in response as he forced an awkward smile onto his own face. However, as soon as the response slipped out of his mouth, he immediately realized that it was inappropriate, and he hurriedly amended, "Oh, no no no, my apologies, there's no way my mercenary legion is worthy of having you two."

"I'll pass on joining your mercenary legion," Erwin said with a derisive expression. "How about you follow me from now...