It didn't matter if it was the Citadel, the Pacific Lands, or the Wild Lands, battles happened everywhere. It wasn't always physical, it wasn't always deadly, and there wasn't always a winner.
But, if there was one, it was always the strongest, whether it was simple physical strength, intelligence, amount of money, or energy. Everything that could lead to victory was considered and influenced the further outcome of all beings involved in the battle.
Did the Blind Commander understand this?
Sure, but he was pushing this moment as far away as possible. He infamously lost to the first Phantom to enter the fortress, and to some extent that was the end of his mission, since Adam could move on straight to the External Artifact.
He was badly wounded, but it wasn't a big problem for him. If he wanted to, he would have joined the battle defending the fortress long ago, but there was no need for him to do so, until now.