Requesting Battle

Time passed slowly, and soon it was time for Sean to visit Lieutenant Colonel Merkel. Sean went straight to the office building, where Sergeant Jason was waiting for him. Seeing him arrive, Jason smiled and subtly signaled him to wait, then immediately turned and knocked on Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's office door.

Soon, after a dignified "Come in," Sean pushed open the door to find Lieutenant Colonel Merkel smiling at him as he entered. He quickly stepped forward, saluted Lieutenant Colonel Merkel, and said, "Greetings, sir."

"Sean, you're here. Come, sit down and talk..." Lieutenant Colonel Merkel said to Sean with a smile. Sean smiled politely, replied "Thank you, sir," and naturally sat down across from him.

"Have you heard something..." Lieutenant Colonel Merkel asked once Sean was seated.

"Yes, sir. I am deeply concerned about Frey's situation..." Sean said, deliberately hesitating in his tone. After a pause, he continued with an excited voice: "Sir, I beg you to agree; let me participate in the battle to rescue Frey..."

"Heh heh..." Upon hearing Sean's words, Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's face immediately showed a satisfied smile. No matter how eager one was to increase their military experience or gain military merit, they could not appear too deliberate. That would cause senior officers to think less of them while also inviting contempt and exclusion from peers of the same rank. After all, no one liked a colleague who habitually stole credit. Sean's words, however, were tightly tied to his unfortunate classmate, presenting a completely altruistic attitude.

"Sean, I was just about to have Jason notify you. You came on your own, heh heh... Don't worry." Lieutenant Colonel Merkel said with a smile, his tone and attitude exuding a sense of warmth. After a pause, he continued with a laugh: "Be prepared... wait for orders at any time."

"Thank you, sir... I await your orders at any time." Upon hearing the affirmative response, Sean slightly bowed in thanks, then deliberately spoke in a serious tone. After a pause, he asked Lieutenant Colonel Merkel cautiously yet with concern: "Sir, do you know how Frey is doing? Is he... safe for now?"

"Heh heh... Don't worry... He should be fine for now. The River Bandit Gang wants to use your classmate to exchange for grain with his family..." Lieutenant Colonel Merkel replied, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth before his expression turned grave. At the same time, he deeply appreciated how Sean, even after achieving his goal, carefully avoided leaving any loose ends.

"Exchange for grain? They kidnapped a noble just for grain?" Sean asked in surprise inside Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's office.

"Hmm... The Lord's Mansion recently restricted grain trade..." Lieutenant Colonel Merkel explained briefly.

After asking, Sean immediately understood what was happening. The winter wheat in the Southern Region still needed another month before harvest. This period was exactly the time of grain shortage, compounded by the Imperial Civil Service System's intervention. It seemed to have affected the grain reserves of the bandit gangs in the Southern Wilderness Region. What surprised Sean, though, was that kidnapping a noble was only for grain...

"Sir, it seems that so-called Drowned Guard was actually sent back by them to present terms..." Sean said.

"Hmm," Lieutenant Colonel Merkel nodded in agreement with Sean's guess, then frowned and asked: "Sean, do you have any ideas on how to safely rescue the trapped Noble Cadet?" After speaking, he looked up at Sean.

"Well... Sir, we could organize an Elite Squad and try to rescue Frey in advance..." Sean said tentatively after some hesitation. He knew that the empire and the Noble Council would never let the bandits who dared to kidnap a noble off easily. They would surely use thunderous measures to completely eliminate any threat to the nobility.

Even if this River Bandit Gang immediately returned the Noble Cadet unharmed to Linshui City, they would still face utter destruction afterward. In other words, from the moment they decided to kidnap a noble, their fate was already sealed.

So Sean proposed a strategy common in his previous life: first launch a surprise raid to rescue the hostage, then follow up with a frontal assault. Of course, there was also the option of pretending to complete the transaction, ensuring the hostage's safety before attacking—this could both eliminate the enemy and recover the trade goods.

But this method had very troublesome consequences in this world. Not only would the empire and the Noble Council never compromise with those who threatened nobles, but Lieutenant Colonel Merkel, who would have to authorize such a plan, would see his reputation severely damaged. In future promotions, opponents could freely accuse him of compromising with and indulging bandits. It would be a fatal stain on his record.

After hearing Sean's proposal, Lieutenant Colonel Merkel fell into a long silence. Finally, with a slightly apologetic expression, he said: "Sean, your idea is good. Forming an Elite rescue squad is easy, but... who will lead it..."

Sean hadn't expected Lieutenant Colonel Merkel to throw this hot potato to him, making him feel like he had shot himself in the foot. But he couldn't show any hesitation either, so he immediately smiled and said: "Sir, I would of course be honored to be your first choice..." As he spoke, Sean slightly bowed to show respect. He continued: "However... Sir, we should first focus on gathering intelligence. For example... confirming Frey's exact location and the number of bandits guarding him... Only with such specific information can we have a chance at a successful rescue..."

As soon as Sean finished speaking, it immediately caught Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's attention. After thinking it over, he silently nodded in agreement with Sean's point. Sean used this to briefly shift his focus, then pressed on by proposing many common-sense ideas from his previous life.

The more Lieutenant Colonel Merkel listened, the more he appreciated Sean. Although some of Sean's suggestions still seemed a bit naive, there were many aspects he himself had never noticed. By the end, he even felt he had gained quite a bit.

When Sean left Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's office, his forehead was covered in cold sweat. This was just from dealing with the barrage of questions Lieutenant Colonel Merkel had thrown at him afterward. Finally, Lieutenant Colonel Merkel hinted that he might not need Sean to lead the rescue squad.

This made Sean breathe a sigh of relief. After all, going deep behind enemy lines to reach their core and causing trouble in their heartland was something that couldn't be described merely as dangerous. If something unexpected happened, it could cost him his life.

Especially now, when the enemy situation was still unclear, agreeing rashly would be the height of stupidity. But if there was a complete, feasible plan with a high chance of success, that would be a different story. As for the current situation... all he could say was "heh heh."

Sean had a bright future ahead, but if he fell prematurely, everything would be lost. He would rather wait safely and slowly than do something dangerous and uncertain. When the cost and reward weren't balanced, one must never act impulsively. Only after calm deliberation should one make a choice that aligns with their own interests.

Afterward, Sean directly took Torr, who was carrying the Soldier's Leather Armor, and returned to his residence near the barracks.

On the way, Sean was still thinking about the request Lieutenant Colonel Merkel had made at the end. He asked Sean to refine his plan as much as possible—to both safely rescue the trapped Noble Cadet and strike or even eliminate the River Bandit Gang that dared to kidnap a noble. Clearly, Lieutenant Colonel Merkel was also troubled by this difficult problem and needed to pool ideas to broaden his thinking.

In Sean's view, the reason Lieutenant Colonel Merkel gave up on having Sean lead the rescue squad was naturally his appreciation for Sean's military strategy and foresight. It was also a reward for his feasible plan of rescuing first and striking later, since he still hoped Sean could propose ways to perfect the plan and increase its overall success rate.

He knew this was Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's regard for him, but it was also another test.

At the same time, it showed Lieutenant Colonel Merkel's urgent desire to increase his influence within the Garrison, preparing for his future promotion to Colonel Commander. Although he had no direct competitors within the unit, it wasn't impossible for the Imperial Capital to send a commander from outside.

The two dismounted at the small courtyard gate and then stepped through the entrance together. Alice was wearing a black-and-white Maid Outfit, her glossy black hair tied back with a ribbon into a ponytail hanging behind her. Her pretty face lit up with joy at the sight of Sean, and a charming fragrance drifted over from a distance—the perfume he had specially given her.

"Young Master, welcome home. Lunch is ready for you." Alice curtsied slightly to Sean with a radiant smile, then said cheerfully.

"Thank you for your hard work, Alice. Are Phil and the others here?" Sean smiled, reached out to pinch Alice's cheek, and asked.

"Ah... they're all here. I'll go call them..." Alice said, blushing and glancing nervously at Torr beside her. After speaking, she gave Sean a slightly reproachful look, then turned and trotted off like a joyful deer to find Phil and the others.

Sean watched Alice leave with a smile, then turned to Torr, who was wearing a strange expression and pretending to observe the weather, and asked: "Torr, is there something in the sky?" He looked at the feigning Torr with a teasing gaze.

Torr's face was awkward, unsure what to say. He could only scratch his head with his free left hand and put on a silly grin.

"Stop grinning like an idiot. Come inside with me." Sean said helplessly, looking at Torr's foolish act. Then he stepped forward.

"Yes, Young Master." Torr immediately replied with a smile, then trotted a few steps to catch up with Sean.

When they reached the dining room door, Sean saw Phil and the others, along with Alice who had gone to find them, already waiting at the entrance. Seeing him approach, everyone bowed and greeted him. Sean casually waved his hand and called for everyone to follow him into the dining room for lunch.

Everyone sat at different tables. The only one sharing a table with Sean was Torr. In this world, Servants were not qualified to dine at the same table as nobles, but Torr, as a Knight Squire, could enjoy the meal alongside his knight.