I, who was eager to retire, became an Imperial General.

Chapter 10: Warrant Officer John is selfless!

Because John and his team had been flying at low speed the entire way, it was already 5 p.m. when Squad 14 arrived at the mission objective location, Howling Plains.

"despair!"

After exiting flight mode and returning to the ground, John immediately ordered Squad 14 to prepare in place.

At the same time, Wendy and four scouts from the team were sent up the surrounding hillsides to scout the trenches ahead using the Magic Eye.

He had to make sure the mission objective was correct; otherwise, his plan to get rid of the rest of Squad 14 and try to negotiate with the Allied high command would likely fall through.

This would undoubtedly be fatal for him.

Fortunately, the Empire's intelligence did not disappoint him. Less than three minutes later, Wendy's excited voice came through John's communicator:

"Report to the captain: It has been confirmed that there is indeed an anti-magic device at the target location, and the enemy troops are cooking and have no idea of ​​our presence. Should we launch a surprise attack immediately?"

"No rush, bring the people back first."

"……receive!"

Although she was a little puzzled as to why her captain would pass up such a good opportunity for a surprise attack, after yesterday's experience, Wendy's image of her captain's exceptional intelligence was completely imprinted in her mind.

Therefore, even though she was somewhat puzzled, Wendy suppressed her urge to ambush the enemy. After looking regretfully at the trenches in front of her, she led four scouts back quietly from the hillside to the jungle where the 14th squad was located.

"Wendy, are you sure you're seeing an anti-magic device?"

Inside the jungle, watching Wendy return with people, John, who had already prepared a reason in his mind, spoke first before she could even ask any questions.

"Are you sure it's not something else?"

“I captured the core of an anti-magic device during a previous battle, so I know what it looks like very well. Therefore, Warrant Officer John, I can assure you with my rank that I am absolutely not mistaken. There is definitely an anti-magic device core installed in this Allied trench camp!”

"Moreover, judging from the size of this trench, the enemy must have deployed multiple device cores here. Only in this way can we explain why our friendly forces at the front line have been unable to find any trace of the anti-magic formula being activated after various searches."

"Because the enemy did not place the core in the battlefield area at all, but used some kind of special magic technology to achieve a cross-space magic interference effect."

"This must be the core location where the Allied forces deployed their anti-magic devices. As long as we destroy this trench, our Seventh Legion will be able to officially win this war!"

Wendy's face was full of excitement, and her voice was full of enthusiasm.

At this point, she had even forgotten that Squad 14 was located behind Allied lines and was at risk of being wiped out by the Allies if she wasn't careful.

After all, as long as they can destroy this stronghold, they will be free from the interference of the anti-magic device.

It's only a matter of time before the Seventh Army defeats the Allied forces and captures the Magic Lake in the Walden region.

As the creators of this opportunity for victory, they will certainly receive the highest level of military merit in the empire.

They might even be summoned by His Majesty the Emperor!
Faced with such a chance to soar to new heights, what is a mere risk to one's life?
"Therefore, please issue the order to attack, Warrant Officer John. Victory for the Empire is within reach!"

What a load of crap! If this allows you to win, how am I supposed to switch jobs?

Are you trying to make me go further down the path of self-destruction, you idiot?

John cursed inwardly, but under the fervent gazes of the crowd, he stroked his chin, feigning deep thought for a moment, before shaking his head and speaking according to the plan he had devised on the way:

"No, my gut feeling tells me that things are definitely not that simple."

"But the warrant officer..."

“No buts, Sergeant Wendy. I’ll ask you one more time: are you sure you saw all the anti-magic devices?”

John looked seriously at the anxious Wendy, then said something that stunned everyone in Squad 14:

"Have you ever considered that perhaps this trench is just a trap?"

"trap!?"

Wendy's pupils contracted, and the restless emotions in her heart instantly dissipated, replaced by a chill.

“Yes, you did see the anti-magic device using the Magic Eye, but Wendy, are you really sure what you saw was real and not a magical projection created by the Allies?”

"Moreover, under normal circumstances, if this is indeed the location where the Allied forces have set up anti-magic devices, would you, as the commander of this front, make the foolish decision to expose the anti-magic devices to the public eye?"

"What's the difference between this and actively giving intelligence to the enemy, allowing them to attack you?"

"Therefore, in my view, this is undoubtedly a trap! A trap designed to annihilate our entire raiding force!"

"!"

Amidst the incredulous gazes of the crowd, John spoke with a serious expression, his tone filled with determination.

His confident demeanor instantly convinced everyone, leaving the originally eager members of Squad 14 feeling as if they had been doused with cold water, and they all became somewhat at a loss.

Of course, John's display of wisdom was entirely an act, and the so-called trap was something he made up on the spot.

After all, as a player in his previous life, he was extremely familiar with anti-magic devices.

Therefore, he was well aware that at this point in time, the Allied forces had not upgraded the Anti-Magic Workshop to the second stage at all.

The anti-magic device currently being developed by the Allied forces has been structurally completed. However, if it is to be activated across space, the core device must be exposed to air over a large area.

Otherwise, if the spell fails to activate, the device will explode on the spot due to insufficient magic purity.

It's similar to the principle of a gun exploding in the barrel.

Therefore, the Allied forces had no choice but to expose the anti-magic device; there is absolutely no basis for the claim that the other side deliberately exposed the anti-magic device to ambush them.

He said that simply to give the members of Squad 14 a reason to leave.

Otherwise, how could he avoid being seen by everyone and try to have defection talks with his dear Allied friends?

Hmph, to think of such a perfect plan, indeed, the wisdom of John Maslow is unparalleled!

John laughed smugly to himself, but he also knew that he absolutely could not reveal any flaws at this moment, otherwise his plan would completely collapse.

So he suppressed his joy and pride and turned to the somewhat dejected Wendy, saying in a deep voice, "However, the information you saw is not entirely useless. As far as I know, the core of the anti-magic device requires multiple cores to resonate in order to achieve the spell of casting spells across space."

"Therefore, even if this trench was just a decoy used to ambush us, it is enough to illustrate one point."

"Warrant Lieutenant, do you mean... there's a real anti-magic device site nearby?"

Wendy, realizing the implication, widened her eyes. The fire of ambition for victory that had been extinguished by John's judgment was reignited.

“That’s right. So, Sergeant Wendy and everyone in Squad 14, I’m about to give you the second order for this infiltration operation!”

Under the gaze of the crowd, John slowly stood up from the ground, then casually selected a hillside about five kilometers away, and began to make up a story for everyone:

"Sergeant Wendy, I am granting you temporary command of Squad 14. You will lead Squad 14 to conduct a search and investigation of that hilltop area."

"Your objective for this mission is to locate the actual anti-magic device deployment site and destroy it, thus securing a victory for our allies on the front lines!"

"I hope you won't let me down!"

Of course, it's absolutely impossible for you to find the anti-magic device on that small mound five kilometers away.

After all, the Allied forces had already installed anti-magic devices in the trenches.

Unless they're out of their minds, they wouldn't bother having someone drag the anti-magic device into that troublesome mountain forest, let alone think of using trees to conceal it.

After all, this isn't the front line, but rather the Allied rear. It's a thankless task, and only a brilliant commander would do something like this.

So you'll have to run there miserably, and then slowly search that godforsaken little hill. I guarantee you won't find a single hair on it.

Of course, considering that it's really unethical to sabotage your teammates like this, and it's also likely to drive Wendy, that stupid woman, crazy.

So, after I finish discussing the terms of defection with my Allied friends, I will ask my dear Allied friends to go easy on you when you are captured.

That's a way of showing our camaraderie over the past two days.

"Understood, but Captain, are you sure you don't want to join us?"

Upon hearing John's instructions, Wendy was excited but also somewhat puzzled.

Although commanders usually do not participate in attacks with their soldiers to ensure the safety of the team leader, it depends on the situation.

Given their current situation—being located behind enemy lines, they don't know when enemy patrols will come to check on them.

If John, as the commander, stayed here, his situation would undoubtedly become extremely difficult.

It would be better to act with them. At least with the cover of 14 squad members, even if the enemy reacts, it will be difficult to harm him in the slightest.

"Now that it's been confirmed that this place is bait left by the Allies, it means that there must be a lot of soldiers and special combat units hiding in this trench. So, someone has to stay behind to provide support and alert you."

"And since I am the commander of the 14th Mobile Magic Squad, this important task naturally falls on my shoulders."

Of course, I'm just kidding you guys. If I didn't say that, how would I have a legitimate reason to test this so-called 'bait' and thus make contact with the Allied high command and complete my defection plan?
Ah, wonderful freedom, my dear Allied friends, here I come!

John was incredibly excited, but outwardly he maintained a heroic and generous demeanor, as if he were about to die a martyr.

Facing the almost tangible, adoring gazes of the crowd, John simply smiled faintly, then slightly raised his hand and gestured downwards:

“Regardless of what others think, I, John Maslow, have always believed that as a commander, one must set a good example for the soldiers. Only commanders who lead by example are worthy of being loved and followed by the soldiers. Therefore, staying behind to cover you is my duty.”

"Moreover, I haven't mastered the bombing technique, so I can't effectively damage the anti-magic device like you do."

"Therefore, both morally and logically, I need to stay here to provide support and draw more fire."

"Of course, the members of Squad 14 need not worry about me, nor should they be saddened by this, because we are all part of the Empire. From the moment we received the Empire's call and chose to step onto the battlefield, as soldiers, we should be prepared to sacrifice ourselves for the Empire."

"Instead of lingering over such trivial matters, let's pick up our weapons and charge forward, adding even more dazzling glory to the immortality of the empire. That's what we should be doing!"

"Everyone, cast aside your hesitations and do what you must do!"

"To protect our families within the empire, for glorious military achievements, for victory in this war, now, the fate of everything is in our hands, right now, right at this moment!"

"So, for the sake of the Empire, advance without hesitation, soldiers!"

"Warrant Lieutenant John!"

Upon hearing John's generous speech, the members of Squad 14, who were already excited, were instantly moved to tears by their captain's selfless spirit. Wendy, the vice-captain, cried so hard that snot streamed down her face.

The admiration and respect in his eyes as he looked at John were almost overflowing.

What bravery, what selflessness!
John Maslow, he was simply the most perfect commander in the world!

Should I really leave such a respectable superior in danger?
Wendy was filled with hesitation, but feeling John's determined gaze, she quickly felt at ease.

Because Wendy knew it through Warrant Officer John's unwavering gaze.

Even if she wanted to knock out Warrant Officer John and forcibly take him away, the upright Warrant Officer would certainly not agree and would instead rebuke her for her foolishness.

After all, the other party is such a selfless person.

"Everyone, salute!"

Wendy took a deep breath, then gave Captain John, whom she had never given before, the most perfect military salute she had ever given him with unprecedented respect.

Then, suppressing the sadness and reluctance in her heart, she lowered her head and respectfully spoke to John:

"Warrant Lieutenant John, I will never let you down."

"Wendy Brown will lead the members of Squad 14 forward as you command, until the Empire wins this war!"

“I swear to you on behalf of the Brown family.”

……

(End of this chapter)