Warrant Officer John Is a Genius

Chapter 4: Warrant Officer John Is a Genius

"Colonel Jett, how is the interrogation of the Allied Forces soldiers we captured last night going?" Early in the morning, inside the frontline command post on the Walden Front.

Hearing footsteps, Imperial General Dormammu Filot slowly shifted his gaze away from the sand table on the desk. His hawk-sharp eyes looked calmly toward the subordinate entering the tent.

"Sir, just as you predicted, the secret mission carried out by this Allied Forces squad was indeed intended to intercept our supply lines."

Jett Slaifute, commander of the Third Mobile Mage Corps under the Imperial Seventh Air Force and known as the "Imperial Black Wing," wore an especially grim expression.

At the thought of the intelligence the interrogation department had submitted after questioning the prisoners through the night, his granite-cut face twisted slightly. His fists clenched tightly.

"There is a traitor within the Empire. Our supply routes have been completely exposed to the Allied Forces. With all due respect, General, I'm afraid this attack is only the beginning."

"Mm. The roots of thriving trees always attract a few dark little crawling things. There is nothing unusual about that."

Listening to the colonel's report, Dormammu's expression remained calm, as though he had anticipated this outcome long ago.

He reached out, lit the pipe in his hand, and took a puff.

Then he slowly exhaled a cloud of bluish smoke, his eyes lowered to the sand table before him. Looking at the stalemated battlefield, he fell into thought.

In truth, as commander of the Imperial Seventh Air Force and the highest-ranking commander on the Walden War Zone frontline,

Dormammu understood the current deadlock in the Walden Region better than anyone.

Their deep advance had left both flanks without the protection of friendly forces, forcing them to face three Allied Forces legions alone.

Moreover, the inhabitants of the kingdoms in the territories they had previously conquered harbored an instinctive resistance toward the Imperial Army. They would never willingly escort Imperial transport convoys.

Although the Empire's air force was unrivaled in the world and could face three legions at once without much pressure,

without sufficient supplies, especially with magic stone consumption exceeding the military budget, even the cleverest housewife could not cook without rice.

On top of that, the northern war zone had recently encountered the Steel Warband led by that female Sword Saint, placing its borders in critical danger.

To prevent the Empire's front from being torn apart by the terrifying martial prowess of that female Sword Saint, His Majesty the Emperor had ordered the Imperial Third Navy in the western war zone, where Dormammu was currently stationed, to go provide support last night.

This had also shattered his original plan to use the Imperial Magic Cannons from the sea and seize the Walden Region in one stroke with overwhelming firepower.

Now, the Seventh Legion not only had to face the Allied Forces' attacks from three sides, but also risk having its supply convoys cut off.

Under such circumstances, let alone seize Walden's Lake of Magic Power and cultivate more Mage Soldiers for the Empire, even leading the Seventh Legion out intact had perhaps become a luxury.

If no change occurred on the battlefield, then after being worn down in this tug-of-war, defeat would likely be the Seventh Legion's only outcome.

Dormammu had already sensed that this would probably be the last battle he could command as the Seventh Legion's commander.

After all, those useless nobles of the Empire had regarded him as a thorn in their side for a long time.

Perhaps those people had even been behind the exposure of the Empire's supply routes to the Allied Forces this time.

Was this retribution for slaughtering nobles in his early years?

How absurd.

Dormammu shook his head and cast away the tangled thoughts in his heart.

He sighed, then looked toward Colonel Jett, whose expression was equally grim, and casually asked,

"Come to think of it, the reason our forces were able to capture that Allied Forces squad this time seems to have something to do with our newly arrived warrant officer?"

"Yes, sir. Warrant Officer John Maslow was the top graduate of the fifty-ninth class of Imperial First Military Academy. He was also awarded the Iron Wreath by the current headmaster, so he is an outstanding junior of mine."

When the general brought this up, Colonel Jett's expression eased considerably. He then took the initiative to explain what had happened to his superior.

"The reason our forces were able to capture that squad was thanks to Warrant Officer John's quick thinking. He took the initiative to change the patrol time to nighttime and used the fact that Mage Soldiers were less likely to be noticed at night to set up an advance search, uncovering that secret Allied Forces unit."

"That was how we stopped those rats from pushing deeper into our lines. By sheer coincidence, he solved a major problem for our army. He could be considered a lucky charm." "By sheer coincidence? I don't think so."

Dormammu shook his head. Meeting Colonel Jett's puzzled gaze, he removed the pipe from his mouth and smiled as he explained,

"As a rookie commander newly arrived on the battlefield, especially a distinguished officer from Imperial First Military Academy, publicly defying a superior's orders during his first mission... Colonel Jett, if it were you, would you do such a thing without a certain degree of confidence?"

"I... of course not. Obeying orders is a soldier's duty. Wait, General, you mean..."

"There is no need to be nervous, Colonel Jett. Our warrant officer's background is clean, without the slightest suspicion. Furthermore, he has received the recognition of that headmaster, so there is no need to question his identity. I merely said that because I think this young man is rather impressive."

Dormammu waved his hand, dispelling Jett's doubts. Looking at the sand table on the square desk and recalling the report he had received not long ago, a trace of appreciation flashed through his eyes.

"I have to admit, our warrant officer has remarkably sharp strategic insight. Though he has only just entered the battlefield, he was already able to accurately analyze the situation."

"Even without directly clashing with the enemy, he inferred the arrangements the enemy commander might make next by analyzing environmental factors."

"More importantly, unlike ordinary officers accustomed to simply following orders, after determining that the enemy might use the rain and darkness as cover to infiltrate our rear, this warrant officer did not turn a blind eye out of fear of punishment from his superiors. Instead, he risked being punished and dispatched soldiers to take action."

"Though there was an element of risk, our Warrant Officer John proved his judgment with facts."

"Sharp eyes, exceptional wisdom, and the courage to act—every one of these qualities is rare and precious on the battlefield. Yet what gratifies me most is the last one."

"Because not everyone has the courage to take responsibility."

"It seems the Empire's First Military Academy has indeed brought me a pleasant surprise."

"Without a doubt, Warrant Officer John Maslow is a true genius!"

"Amid the current stalemate of the Walden War, he is the only piece of good news that has made me smile."

"!"

Hearing General Dormammu praise his junior, whom he had never even met, so highly, Jett felt honored as well. An idea immediately came to him, and he hurriedly said with a smile,

"General, you flatter him too much. However, if you intend to cultivate him, then perhaps I could bring him into—"

"No. Only after being tempered by blazing fire can gold reveal its own dazzling brilliance."

Dormammu's smile faded. He understood his own circumstances very well. If he could win this battle, that would be one thing. But if he lost, bringing this promising young man under his command too early would not be helping him—it would be harming him.

Still, he did have a new plan to carry out, and this warrant officer, who had displayed such astonishing talent upon entering the battlefield, seemed especially suited for it.

There was some risk involved, but if John could complete it brilliantly, that would prove he was indeed worth cultivating.

Of course, he would first have to meet this young man before making a decision.

After all, this plan would determine the course of the entire Battle of Walden. He absolutely could not entrust it to an idiot.

But considering the other party's unique identity, as well as his Unique Formula, which was no less remarkable than the three great Miracle Formulas,

perhaps he could place a little more expectation on this mysterious warrant officer.

Dormammu took another puff from his pipe, his eyes continuously studying the sand table before him. He said nothing more.

Only after pondering in silence for a long while, as though he had finally made some decision, did Dormammu slowly exhale bluish smoke and issue a solemn order to the colonel before him.

"Colonel Jett, invite this young hero here. Tell him I wish to meet him. And while you are at it, I have a mission that requires this young man, who dares to take the lead, to carry out."

(End of Chapter)