Just as John advanced toward the trench occupied by the "friendly forces," Colonel Jett led three hundred members of the Black Eagle Special Forces to the tree trunk where John had previously stopped. He then studied the marks on the trunk with a grave expression.
At the center was a circle carved with a knife, with a small pit carved into its middle. To the left of the circle was an arc made from some unknown white liquid, while directly beneath the circle was a faint horizontal water stain John had left behind.
Overall, it looked somewhat abstract, like a child's doodle, making its true meaning difficult to discern.
But Colonel Jett, a graduate of the Imperial First Military Academy, immediately realized that this was not some meaningless doodle at all, but a complete military operation plan!
Given their current situation, didn't that circle represent the Allied Forces, who had prepared an ambush in advance and intended to surround and kill them?
And that point in the center, combined with John disguising himself as a civilian and walking alone toward the enemy, clearly meant that John had no intention of exposing the Black Eagle Special Forces to draw enemy fire.
Instead, he intended to attract the Allied Forces' attention by himself, creating time for the Black Eagle Special Forces to infiltrate the trenches and successfully destroy the magecraft equipment!
This was more than enough to prove it, through the intermittent water stain below. If Jett had arrived a few minutes later, it would likely have dried up and vanished.
After all, the inconspicuous symbol Warrant Officer John had left behind clearly matched the ghostlike combat style of their Black Eagle Special Forces.
With that, the meaning of the white arc became even clearer.
After all, in military symbols, an arc always represented flanking from behind. There was no need to overthink it!
Still, although he had mentally prepared himself, he had never expected that John would be willing to sacrifice himself to such an extent for the Empire's victory!
Even if it meant putting himself in danger, even if it meant facing thousands of enemy soldiers, one tiny mistake would leave him dead without a burial place.
Yet in the face of such danger, he had chosen to entrust his entire back to Jett without reservation?
They had clearly never even met!
And yet John could trust him to this extent?
How loyal did one have to be to the Empire to make such an admirable decision?
Such absolute trust, such fearless courage.
Such loyalty to the Empire, as dazzling as a star.
It was simply, simply breathtaking!
Even the most hard-hearted person would likely be moved by it!
"Honestly, you've beaten me!"
Watching the figure in the distance stroll leisurely toward the enemy trench, Colonel Jett felt an unprecedented sense of admiration for the man.
He had truly been won over by John Maslow.
But he did not intend to act entirely according to the "plan" John had left behind, just as he had promised General Dormammu before departing.
After confirming John's ability and loyalty to the Empire, he could not possibly allow such an outstanding junior to face danger alone.
No matter what, he had to find a way to protect this genius, even if it meant abandoning this mission!
With that thought, Colonel Jett immediately made up his mind. He took a deep breath, informed the adjutant beside him of John's plan, and ordered him to lead the Black Eagle Squad into the Allied Forces' trench, locate the magecraft equipment, and destroy it with the Demolition Spell upon receiving the command.
After arranging everything, he used the Phantom Spell Formation to catch up alone with John, who had reached the Allied Forces' trench ahead of him, then crouched in a suitable position.
His eyes fixed on John's back, he waited for this genius junior to put on a grand show before the Allied Forces with his astonishing wisdom!
"Who goes there? Stop immediately!"
As John approached the trench, the patrol soldiers responsible for the outer perimeter quickly noticed him. They immediately raised their weapons in vigilance and shouted sternly:
"Civilian, state your identity and purpose immediately, or I will open fire!"
"Soldier, go tell your commander that Warrant Officer John Maslow, commander of the 14th Magecraft Soldier Squad of the Imperial Seventh Air Force, has come to visit."
Faced with the patrol soldier's challenge, John smiled faintly and calmly stated his identity.
Honestly, though, with those dark gun barrels pointed at him, he was still somewhat nervous inside.
But he also knew that if he showed weakness now, his future colleagues would definitely look down on him.
After all, a person without backbone on the battlefield could never earn anyone's respect.
What was more, he had come here to switch sides. If he looked like some ridiculous fool kneeling on the ground and begging for mercy, John knew without even thinking that the leaders he expected would not admire him.
They would only despise and scorn him.
That was absolutely not the outcome he wanted.
So even though he was scared stiff inside, John could only keep brainwashing himself. Imitating the Godfather from movies in his previous life, he clasped his hands behind his back and smiled at the patrol soldiers' shocked gazes as he spoke in a deliberately calm manner:
"Soldier, if I were you, I would not continue foolishly pointing a weapon at the other party. After all, the weapons in your hands are nothing more than toys to me, and I believe you should understand that very well."
"So, if you are smart enough, you should understand that you need to bring someone important enough to speak with me. For example, the commander of this outpost, isn't that right, Captain of the Allied Forces?"
"..."
Looking at the man before him, who was clearly being targeted by dozens of their guns and could be riddled with bullets at any moment, yet still wore a smile on his face, the captain of this Allied Forces patrol felt cold sweat trickling down his back. His gaze toward John became exceptionally grave.
As an old soldier, he was naturally no stranger to the Empire's infamous Demon Corps.
Therefore, he knew very well just how terrifying the Mage Soldiers were after undergoing special modifications and gaining mastery over the Demolition Spell.
And this civilian-clothed man before him claimed to be the commander of those Mage Soldiers. Even thinking with his ass, he understood that this was not someone a mere patrol unit like his could handle.
Although he did not know the other party's true purpose, the situation had already exceeded the scope of his duties.
He had to report this immediately! "You lot, keep your eyes on him! If he makes any strange movements, fire immediately! I'll go report to the commander first!"
The patrol captain gave the order to his subordinates, then immediately tossed aside the weapon in his hand and sprinted toward the camp behind him with all his strength. His frantic appearance made it seem as though some terrifying demon was watching him from behind.
"Gulp!"
Watching their captain flee in panic, the patrol members who had snapped back to their senses all swallowed instinctively.
When they looked again at John, standing there with a smile, they felt as though a shadow had fallen over their hearts. Under that invisible pressure, they unconsciously slowed their breathing. Every nerve in their bodies was taut, and even the fingers gripping their rifles began to tremble.
They could not help it. They were only an ordinary army unit, worlds apart from the Iron Wall Unit inside the trenches.
Asking them to face the Empire's Demon Corps was already making things difficult for them.
Not to mention that they were facing the commander of a Mage Soldier Squad this time!
"..."
Outside the trench, John used the Analysis Spell Formation in his eyes to take in all the negative labels above his "friendly forces," such as "panic" and "fear." At this moment, he did not dare move either.
He knew that the "friendly forces" ahead were in an extremely tense state. Forget stepping forward to talk with them.
Even if he merely moved his aching wrist a little, they might mistake it for an attack and have those idiots open fire on him until they emptied their magazines.
Damn it, I'm fucking here to defect! Why are you all so nervous?!
You're even making me want to piss myself.
I'm clearly your ally. Can't we put down our guns and have a proper talk?!
And that idiot who just ran off, can't you move a little faster? If I keep smiling like this, I'm really going to end up with a frozen face, you bastard!
Feeling his cheek muscles beginning to ache uncontrollably, John felt bitter beyond words.
After both sides endured immense psychological pressure and faced off for roughly five or six minutes, a fat colonel wearing an Allied Forces uniform finally appeared at the edge of the trench under John's eager gaze. He had long hair, a bald patch in the middle, and a face full of flaws.
He was accompanied by a well-equipped special forces unit that was clearly highly trained at a glance.
After arriving, he did not immediately question John.
Instead, he swept his gaze around the sky with a grave expression, then whispered a few words to the adjutant beside him. Only after receiving confirmation that no Mage Soldiers were hiding in the surrounding sky did he turn his attention back to John across the trench.
His tiny mung-bean-like eyes narrowed as if he were judging something.
After a long silence, he finally spoke in a deep voice:
"I am Colonel Bolter Master, commander of the Allied Forces 3rd Battle Group Army 75th Regiment and the person in charge of this front. Warrant Officer John Maslow of the Imperial Seventh Air Force, given that our two nations are currently at war, explain your purpose immediately. Otherwise, under the regulations for dealing with enemy agents, I will order my soldiers to shoot you on the spot!"
Fuck, is this guy out of his mind? I came here to switch sides, so why do I still have to get shot?
So friendly forces are just my war trophies, and stabbing people in the back all the way makes you a general?
Can't you, you dead fat bastard, act like a human being?!
John cursed furiously inside, but he knew that he absolutely could not show weakness before this future colleague, nor could he voluntarily admit that he had come to surrender.
Instead, he had to put on the image of a tough man and use his words to show that he had only surrendered because he had no other choice.
Only then could the Allied Forces formally value him as an elite graduate of the Empire.
With that in mind, John took a deep breath, stretched his numb arms, and cast a disdainful glance at Bolter before him. Then, under Bolter's puzzled gaze, he threw back his head and laughed loudly:
"Ha ha ha!"
"...Why are you laughing for no reason, sir?"
Seeing John's strange behavior, even the experienced Bolter was somewhat baffled.
His first reaction was that he had encountered a lunatic suffering from hysteria.
Otherwise, he could not imagine why this man, who claimed to be the commander of an Imperial Mage Soldier Squad, would come to an enemy trench without even carrying a weapon and openly reveal his identity.
Wasn't that just asking to die?
Just as Bolter furrowed his brow and prepared to order his men to seize this unidentified madman and send him to the interrogation department for a thorough questioning, John, who had been laughing for a long time, finally spoke:
"I laugh at the Empire for failing to recognize talent and persecuting loyal men. I laugh even more at the Allied Forces for being so witless and foolish. You have clearly fallen into the Empire's trap and stand on the brink of death, yet you still do not realize it!"
Meeting Bolter's constricted pupils, John snorted coldly, clasped his hands behind his back, and spoke with an air of unfathomable wisdom:
"However, Colonel Bolter, you should count yourselves fortunate now. Fortunate that I was framed and became a sacrifice in a power struggle, forced to lead my soldiers on a so-called suicidal assault."
"Fortunate that I value my soldiers' lives more than my loyalty to the Empire. Otherwise, every one of you would already be dead beneath the Mage Soldiers' Bombardment Spell Formation!"
"Instead of standing here unharmed and speaking with me as you are now!"
Seeing Bolter staring at him in shock, seemingly having grasped the meaning of his "defection," John inwardly praised the dead fat man for not being too stupid after all.
But he did not make things explicit. In negotiations, the first person to propose the terms of an exchange usually fell into a disadvantageous position.
If he wanted to secure more benefits for himself, he had to make the other party want him.
With that thought, John stopped speaking. He simply watched Bolter, whose eyes were gradually brightening, with a faint smile, waiting for this "friendly force" to take the initiative and invite him to join them.
(End of Chapter)
Before you continue