Send it over, my ass. If they were really handed over, then going by the interrogation department's usual habits, these poor bastards would probably become spies even if they weren't spies to begin with.
This gold would be confiscated outright too. You'd be lucky to get a verbal compliment out of it.
But what if you gave it to Boss Prison here? As your boss, once I had money, would I ever mistreat you subordinates?
Wendy, you idiot, why couldn't you understand the situation?!
Seeing Wendy interrupt, John's face instantly darkened like the bottom of a pot. But before he could tell Wendy to shut up, her next words immediately woke him up:
"Also, Captain, this batch of gold is worth far too much. There's no way an ordinary merchant caravan could afford it. They're deceiving you, Captain. You absolutely mustn't let them fool you!"
Hearing that, John, whose mind had been clouded by money, instantly regained his senses and fell into deep thought.
Indeed, these goods were worth at least 500,000 D altogether—fucking equivalent to nearly eighty-four years of his salary.
How could a merchant caravan possibly be this rich?
Even if they were nobles, they shouldn't have possessed such an enormous fortune.
On top of that, there was the plot's description of the Allied Forces continuously transporting supplies to the front lines.
And their earlier claim that they were heading to the Victoria Kingdom.
Putting everything together, there was probably only one reasonable explanation.
These people really were members of the Allied Forces!
And this gold was not some merchant's property. There was a high chance it was military funding for the Allied Forces!
Once he reached that conclusion, John's excitement over obtaining ill-gotten wealth vanished without a trace.
It was replaced by tension and hesitation.
If it had been ordinary property, then even if there was some risk, he could still rob them.
After all, not a single merchant in the kingdom was any good. Every commoner wanted to hang those crooked bastards from streetlamps.
But if this money involved the Allied Forces, then for John, it was not extra income at all, but a hot potato.
If he had truly intercepted Allied Forces military funds by accident, then he could figure out with his ass that the Allied Forces would investigate it to the bottom.
And once the investigation led to him, what awaited him would probably be a complete blacklist.
He would likely lose any chance of changing jobs for good.
If he didn't let them go, he would offend the Allied Forces.
But if he let them go, he wouldn't be able to explain himself to the Inspection Forces either.
Damn it, hadn't this turned into a fucking dead end?!
Hm? Wait. If he neither released them nor reported them, but instead took them prisoner, wouldn't that solve everything?
If this guy calling himself Reddick really was with the Allied Forces, then once they discovered the military funds had not arrived on time, the Allied Forces would definitely send someone to make contact, right?
When that happened, he could use this idiot as a channel to return the military funds while also asking to meet the Allied Forces higher-ups.
That would officially complete his job-hopping plan.
If it turned out afterward that they really were not with the Allied Forces, but actual crooked merchants from the kingdom, then he could naturally seize the money these bloodsuckers had gained by exploiting commoners and carry out a righteous deed that benefited society!
This was clearly the most perfect plan possible!
Genius. To come up with such a perfect plan so quickly, I'm practically a genius!
At that thought, the tension in John's heart vanished completely, replaced by unprecedented ease and delight. Then he looked at Wendy, who was frowning deeply. For the first time, he felt that having an idiot pig of a subordinate like Wendy was occasionally not so bad.
When he ran away later, he should notify her in advance and take her with him.
Otherwise, this idiot might be held accountable by the Empire and end up with the miserable fate of rotting in prison.
Sure enough, meeting Boss Prison here was the blessing Wendy had cultivated over eight lifetimes.
Other than this lieutenant, what outsider in the world could possibly treat her this well?
This fool had better remember it well, then swear to serve this lieutenant unto death!
At that thought, John could not help but reveal a gentle smile. Then, looking at Wendy with appreciation, he said:
"Not bad. I also noticed that this merchant caravan had some problems, which was why I deliberately said those things just now. The purpose was to test your reaction, Sergeant Wendy."
"I thought you would stay silent, but this time, your performance has truly pleased me."
"It is very necessary to maintain appropriate doubts and promptly remind your superior, as well as ask about the circumstances, when your superior makes an unreasonable move."
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"Compared to when you rashly questioned me before, Sergeant Wendy, you have indeed matured greatly. I'm very pleased!"
So Captain John had been deliberately testing me!
No wonder he acted so strangely just now.
I knew it. How could Captain John, who was so incredibly intelligent, be deceived by such a simple lie?
But the captain's acting was a little too realistic. He really looked like he'd fallen headfirst into a pile of money.
As expected of Captain John. He was simply amazing!
Hearing this, Wendy immediately came to a realization. Then she felt unprecedented pride and joy, puffed out her chest, and declared:
"It was nothing. I'm still far inferior to you, Captain. It's all because you taught me so well. I'll continue working hard and learning from you!"
"Good, good. Keep it up, Sergeant Wendy. I'm looking forward to your future performance."
After giving the silly girl another bowl of motivational nonsense as usual, John turned to Dick, who was standing before him covered in cold sweat, and gave this "ally" a friendly smile:
"Mr. Reddick, correct? For the time being, I'll assume your real name is Reddick. Thank you for cooperating with me just now to complete this test for my subordinate."
"Secondly, I have some guesses regarding your identity. However, they are only guesses. Before they are truly confirmed, I will not do anything excessive to you."
"Also, for your safety, I believe it would be best for you and your merchant caravan to travel to Bahamut Town under our protection. At that time, your identity and safety can both be verified and guaranteed. That's a very good suggestion, isn't it?"
"Of course, once your identity has truly been verified, I will give you your freedom at an appropriate time. On that point, I can swear in the name of the Maslow Lineage."
"So please rest assured. From here on, I, John Maslow, will do my best to protect the personal safety of you and the other members of the 'merchant caravan.' What do you say?"
(End of Chapter)
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