As he looked at the Imperial soldiers surrounding his group, Dick Hardman, eldest son of House Hartman, felt a fear unlike anything he had ever known. He had never imagined that, despite following his father's orders and leaving Bahamut Town at noon—
After disguising every member of House Hartman as an ordinary merchant caravan, they had even chosen the most secluded and difficult route to avoid Imperial scout patrols and bring the family's direct line to the Victoria Kingdom.
Yet despite such a meticulous plan and such cautious action—
Just as they were about to leave Walden Territory, they had been stopped near Stone Village by a suddenly appearing Imperial Army unit.
And what filled him with the most despair was that the person who had stopped them was an Imperial Mage Soldier!
Before that terrifying explosive magic, never mind that the guards he had hired were merely ordinary soldiers.
Even an elite Allied Forces unit would not have survived a second in that person's hands!
Had the Empire planned this all along, or was it merely a coincidence?
Just as Dick Hardman was growing increasingly uneasy, footsteps sounded from ahead. Amid the caravan's anxious stares, a man and a woman emerged from the terrifying Imperial Army ranks and approached them.
The man in the lead had black hair and black eyes, with a handsome face. Yet a strangely chilling, fake smile lingered at the corners of his mouth.
Unlike the surrounding Imperial soldiers, he wore a golden star insignia on his shoulder. Coupled with the respectful manner in which the terrifying female Imperial Mage Soldier had treated him, Dick Hardman instantly concluded that this man was the commander of the Imperial unit.
At that thought, Dick suppressed the panic in his heart. He was about to put on a smile and, as an ordinary merchant, use his smooth tongue to bluff his way through.
But the black-haired man did not even spare him a glance. At the female Mage Soldier's gesture, he walked straight to the caravan's cargo wagon, ripped off the covering, and revealed the glittering gold and jewels inside.
Then a greed Dick Hardman knew all too well appeared in his eyes.
Damn Imperial dog!
Realizing that the fortune his family had accumulated was likely gone for good—
Dick Hardman felt as though his heart were bleeding, but he silently comforted himself. It was fine. Money could be earned again. As long as he successfully fooled his way through and brought his clansmen to the Victoria Kingdom—
Once his father joined forces with that terrifying dragonkin girl to eliminate the commander sent by the Empire and complete Lord Star of Dawn's mission, House Hartman could make a comeback with the Allied Forces' support.
Once the Allied Forces defeated the Empire, he would find this damned Imperial dog sooner or later and make him repay today's debt.
With that thought, Dick felt much better. A trace of disdain also appeared in the way he looked at the black-haired man.
On the surface, however, he maintained a humble posture. He took a cigarette from his pocket, eagerly approached the man, and offered it to him before saying ingratiatingly,
"Esteemed officer, we are merely an ordinary merchant caravan hoping to do business in the Victoria Kingdom. We truly are not Allied Forces spies. Please do not misunderstand."
"Of course, I also know that the Imperial Army has been fighting the Allied Forces very hard lately. To show my sincerity, I am willing to donate half of these valuables to the Imperial Army free of charge, to prove my loyalty to the Empire. What do you think?"
Dick had assumed that after he said this, the damned Imperial dog across from him would haggle with him, perhaps even order his soldiers to threaten him.
He could then play the victim and reluctantly hand over the entire family fortune in exchange for his family's safety. Yet to Dick's surprise, after hearing him out, the young man merely glanced at him before turning his gaze back to the gold in the wagon.
With that sharp gaze and calm demeanor, how could he possibly look like someone blinded by wealth?
From beginning to end, his eyes remained fixed on the inscriptions and serial numbers on the gold.
It was as though he were examining the cargo, trying to uncover more detailed intelligence and identify who they really were.
Something was wrong with this guy!
Dick's heart sank, and cold sweat began to form on his forehead.
At that moment, he suddenly realized that this Imperial officer seemed far harder to deal with than he had expected.
Holy shit!
Holy fucking shit!
So much gold!
I'm rich! Fuck, I'm going to be filthy rich!
As long as I get my hands on this gold, I can go straight from broke loser to rich, handsome stud!
Hahaha, Wendy, Wendy, you really are the lucky star the goddess of fortune sent me!
I fucking love you!
John stared unblinkingly at the gold before him, so excited inside that he was practically turning into a screaming marmot!
Even in TV dramas in his previous life, he had never seen so much gold.
But now, this gold—enough to be described as a wall—lay bare before him.
The impact of such a sight was simply beyond words!
At that moment, John made up his mind. No matter what, he had to get this batch of gold.
Even if the Empire lost in the future and he was charged with robbery, he did not care.
With this much gold in hand, who gave a shit about a robbery charge?
What? You say this money belonged to the caravan and that taking it would be unjust?
Bullshit. These people were clearly thieves who had stolen the local nobles' property amidst the chaos. How could they possibly escape the sharp eyes of Ensign John, champion of justice?
I'm eliminating harm for the Allied Forces. This is a genuine act of justice. If you don't understand, don't talk nonsense!
John was filled with excitement, but aware that many people were watching, he maintained a completely impassive expression on the surface.
Then, with unprecedented willpower, he barely managed to pull his gaze away from the glittering gold.
Suppressing the excitement in his heart, he glanced at the stiffly smiling caravan leader beside him. As the man's pupils contracted, John spoke calmly,
"Sir, I suspect that you are Allied Forces spies. Now, I need you to prove your identities. Otherwise, I will follow the Empire's regulations for handling agents and have you executed on the spot."
(End of Chapter)
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