Answer Me!

The Fifth Legion's main force was in Bahamut Town? So that was it. If that was the case, it explained why headquarters placed such importance on this operation.

He had analyzed the enemy's objective so easily. Warrant Officer John really was a genius!

Looking at the calm-faced John before her, Laiya's admiration for him grew even stronger. Without the slightest doubt, she nodded and asked him:

"I understand, Warrant Officer. What do you plan to do?"

"Simple. We split up."

Seeing Laiya take the bait so easily, John was overjoyed inside, though he maintained an expression of complete confidence on the surface.

Then, under the astonished gazes of the two others, he explained:

"I plan to divide the troops into two groups. I will personally lead the 14th Squad and seventy Army soldiers to the surrounding villages to confirm the situation and attempt to bribe the villagers."

"This will cut off the Allied Forces' eyes stationed on the outskirts, let us obtain their communication devices, intercept the exact locations of the other Allied Forces units currently deployed in Walden Territory, and wipe out every last contingency the Allied Forces have."

"As for the remaining soldiers, I intend to leave them under your command, Laiya."

"I need you to lead this force of five hundred men to Bahamut Town and try to draw their attention, buying me enough time to complete this intelligence infiltration plan."

Seeing Laiya's silent expression, John feared this scapegoat would be frightened off by the situation he had fabricated. Before Laiya could speak, he hurriedly began painting her a rosy picture:

"Warrant Officer Laiya, I know this will be an extremely arduous and difficult mission for you."

"But likewise, if you can successfully tie down the enemy forces, then once we obtain the enemy's deployment information in Walden Territory, we can use the Mage Soldiers' power to eliminate every Allied Forces soldier in Walden Territory, as well as all spies planted by the enemy, allowing Walden Territory to belong completely to the Empire!"

"And I believe you understand better than I do what such an achievement would mean."

"So, what do you think of my plan, Laiya?"

"..."

Laiya did not answer. Her emerald eyes flickered constantly. After a moment of silence, she slowly spoke beneath John's expectant gaze:

"I'm sorry, Warrant Officer John. I may not be able to fulfill your request."

"Just as Colonel Jett said, aside from fighting, I'm probably incapable of doing anything well."

"Your plan is perfect, but I'm afraid I can't bear the responsibility of commanding soldiers. If I were really the one carrying it out, I would most likely ruin the entire plan."

"So... I'm sorry."

After saying that, Laiya lowered her head in shame, as though all the air had gone out of her.

Although Warrant Officer John's high expectations and trust filled Laiya with unprecedented emotion and joy,

she also had a very clear understanding of herself.

Laiya knew very well that she simply was not suited to being a commander.

If she truly accepted this mission, then after leading the troops to Bahamut Town, she might unknowingly lead them straight into an Allied Forces trap.

She would be completely incapable of achieving the objective of tying them down.

And if things really developed to that point and caused Warrant Officer John's plan to fail, she would likely only be able to atone with her death.

It was not that she feared death. She feared that her death would have no value at all.

Damn it, I talked up the enemy forces on a whim, so how did I scare my scapegoat into turning into a trembling mess?

And this poor fool Laiya too—come on, you're an ace recruit. Why are you losing your nerve at the crucial moment? Normally, when you hear about an opportunity like this, shouldn't you immediately raise your hand, accept the mission, and show your loyalty?

You need to pull yourself together, or how am I supposed to dump this mess on you?

If you don't take this mission, am I supposed to face that dragon girl Sellviya myself?

I'd rather be cremated on the spot.

No, I have to convince her. No matter what, I have to convince her, or won't I be dead this time?

Seeing Laiya too frightened by the enemy scale he had fabricated to accept the mission, John became frantic and began turning his brain at high speed.

Very soon, based on Laiya's earlier behavior, he came up with another perfect excuse.

Under Laiya's puzzled gaze, he immediately reached out and placed both hands on her shoulders. Then, with a sincere expression, he asked in a low voice:

"Laiya, do you trust me?"

"I... of course I trust you, Warrant Officer John. It's just that I think I might..."

"I don't care what you think. I care what I think!"

Before Laiya could continue putting herself down, John directly cut her off. Then, beneath her stunned gaze, he looked straight into her eyes and spoke slowly, word by word:

"Could it be that you think I, John Maslow, am an idiot who cannot recognize talent? Or is it that while you obey my orders on the surface, you actually harbor resentment toward me and intend to defy me behind my back?"

"I haven't, I just—"

"Since you haven't, then why are you refusing? Could it be that you want to become a coward who flees at the sight of battle?"

"Laiya Binote, look me in the eyes and answer me!"

"Do you want to become a worthless coward, or an Empire's Hero praised by countless people?"

"Is there still any loyalty to the Empire in your heart?!"

"!"

Under John's barrage of questioning, even Laiya could not help feeling angry. She slowly clenched her fists, forced down her fury, and replied with reddened eyes:

"Of course I want to become the Empire's Hero, but I simply can't do it! I can't complete your mission at all! Why won't you understand?"

"Why do you think you can't do it? Give me a reason."

"A reason? Haven't I already said it? Other than fighting, I can't do anything well, so I really..."

"Did I ever say I was asking you to do anything else?"

"Huh?"

At those words, the anger on Laiya's face froze. Her mind went blank for a moment as she stared at John in confusion.

Clearly, John's words had completely bewildered her.

"I said, did I ever ask you to do anything besides fight? Answer me, Warrant Officer Laiya."

Laiya hesitated.

"You didn't, but isn't your meaning—"

"It seems you haven't understood what I meant. But that's my fault. Perhaps I spoke too vaguely and caused you to misunderstand unnecessarily. I apologize."

John smiled apologetically, then spoke again:

"Let me explain it in detail again. What I need is a bait force. More specifically, a force capable of drawing the Allied Forces' main force's attention, with enough combat strength to withstand the Allied Forces soldiers' attacks head-on without falling behind."

"I need this force to go to Bahamut Town and engage the town's apparent garrison, but not wipe them out completely. Instead, you must remain in a state where you can win, but deliberately do not."

"This will draw the Fifth Legion's main force's attention and make them want to join up with their other units to capture this bait force alive."

"In turn, this will help me obtain the locations of the enemy's other units."

"This is what you need to do in the Bait Plan, Laiya. Do you understand now?"

So Warrant Officer John meant that I only needed to keep leading people into battle and make sure not to kill the enemy completely?

If that was the case, it really did seem suitable for me.

After all, wasn't fighting what I was best at?

After understanding what she actually needed to do, Laiya suddenly came to a realization.

The anger and grievance in her heart instantly vanished. Shame filled her gaze when she looked at John.

Sure enough, she was still too stupid.

Warrant Officer John had clearly already explained the rough outline of the plan, yet she had been unable to understand it completely.

She had even nearly lost her temper at the Warrant Officer afterward.

Yet in the face of someone like her, Warrant Officer John had not only failed to become disappointed in her, but had patiently explained everything to her in detail.

Sure enough, just as Colonel Jett had said, Warrant Officer John was an exceptionally outstanding person.

It was truly wonderful that she had been able to become the deputy commander of this joint operation!

But Laiya also knew that apologizing to Warrant Officer John for her stupidity would be meaningless now.

What she needed to do most was obey Warrant Officer John's orders and carry them out perfectly, proving her worth through her actions.

Only then could she live up to Warrant Officer John's expectations.

With that thought, Laiya no longer hesitated. Under John's ecstatic gaze, she stood tall and saluted. Then she answered in a firm voice:

"Laiya Binote understands. I will complete your orders, Commander!"