Hell Car Must Not Be Kept to Himself

When John led the 14th Squad to the assembly point, the others in the unit were already fully equipped and ready to go.

A total of six hundred men were participating in this joint operation. Aside from the 120 Mage Soldiers, the remaining 480 were ordinary soldiers from the army's auxiliary forces.

Perhaps because Bahamut Town was so far away, Dormammu had also arranged for four military trucks and two jeeps.

Two of the trucks were specifically for food and ammunition. Since there were rivers along the way, they had brought only a small amount of water for emergencies.

After delivering a brief mission mobilization speech before the formation of six hundred men, John climbed directly into a jeep. Then, full of high spirits, he swept out a hand and gave the order to depart.

Four Mage Soldiers responsible for reconnaissance activated their magic backpacks and soared into the sky, racing to the very front of the column to scout the road ahead.

Under the respectful gazes of the Empire soldiers at the stronghold, amid a haze of yellow sand, John's unit soon vanished beyond the end of the road.

"Fuck, what kind of damn jeep is this? Why doesn't it have any suspension at all?"

"Fuck this, I'd rather walk!"

"This piece-of-shit vehicle can go to the front line? Is the Empire Logistics Department full of shit for brains?"

Two hours later, at four in the afternoon, Western Walden Front, near the Dom River.

In the back seat of the jeep at the center of the column, John felt the fierce jolts of the vehicle. After being bounced around until his ass was aching all the way there, his heart was full of regret.

Then, through the window, he caught sight of Wendy, who was currently mingling with the army troops. She held a magic rifle with a furtive look on her face, occasionally sneaking glances at the jeep he was in.

The corners of her lips carried a sly grin, like a husky that had successfully torn the house apart and wanted to see its owner fly into a rage.

Thinking back to when he had invited Wendy to ride in the jeep with him before they set off, only for that stupid pig to wave her hands again and again, refusing on the grounds that soldiers could not ride with commanders—and then inexplicably shooting him a meaningful look—

The clever Warrant Officer John instantly understood everything.

So this idiot knew that Empire jeeps could nearly shake a person's guts out, which was why she had refused to ride with him?

She knew and didn't report it, all because she wanted to watch her superior make a fool of himself?

Heh heh. Wendy, you stupid pig, you were really something. Just splendid.

When Wendy met his gaze, she guiltily withdrew her eyes. Then she put on a stern expression and scanned the surroundings, as though she were seriously observing this area that had already been cleared by friendly forces for enemy soldiers who might appear.

Feeling his sore, swollen ass, a sinister smile gradually spread across John's face.

He had decided. In a moment, he would use discussing the mission as an excuse to have the troops rest where they were. After explaining the next stage of the plan to Laiya, once they set out again, he would definitely call that stupid pig Wendy into the jeep and make her share the "paradise" he was currently enduring.

After all, as a commander who was good at caring for his subordinates, how could he possibly keep such "preferential treatment" all to himself?

What was more, Wendy was his "most beloved" vice-captain.

He had to bestow the appropriate "honor" upon that stupid pig, so everyone would understand what a benevolent commander Warrant Officer John was!

"What's going on? Everything was fine just now, so why does my back suddenly feel chilly? Did I forget to wear a shirt?"

Among the column, Wendy, who was pretending to scan the area, shivered for no reason.

She scratched her neck uneasily. Yet when she realized that the chill had not faded but instead grew stronger with time—

As though she had sensed something, Wendy could not help secretly looking toward the jeep where John was. When she saw him staring at her expressionlessly—

That gaze was like a hyena that had gone hungry for three days staring at the rear end of an antelope that had just finished dropping dung pellets, filled with ferocity and resolve.

The instant anyone met it, they would know that unless he achieved the goal of digging into the target's ass and scooping out shit, this guy would never let the matter rest!

Especially when she saw that the incomparably clever yet extremely petty Warrant Officer John wore a deathly smile that made one's heart tremble.

At that moment, Wendy, who had originally wanted to play a trick on her captain and let him experience the suffering every commander had to endure—

Instantly realized that she was finished.

"Everyone, make camp and rest where you are! Also, Wendy Brown, get the fuck over here! Immediately! Right now!"

"Waaah, Captain, I was wrong! I really won't dare do it again! Please spare me! I don't want to ride that kind of hell car! Please!"

You fucking knew it was a hell car, so why didn't you warn me before we left? You stupid pig deliberately wanted to see me make a fool of myself, didn't you!

Since you watched this warrant officer suffer with your eyes wide open, then don't even think about getting off easy, you idiotic subordinate!

As the saying went, share blessings and share hardships.

So prepare yourself to suffer with me, you hateful bastard!

By the riverbank, Wendy looked at him with teary eyes and a pitiful face, continuously pleading miserably.

John remained unmoved. He merely sneered as he pulled at her round, chubby face, completely ignoring the ugly sight of tears streaming down her cheeks as she continuously begged him for mercy.

Only after seeing that he had pinched her little face bright red did he withdraw his ruthless iron hand from her plump round cheeks.

Before the grimacing Wendy could accuse her captain of not doing human things, of making the army rest solely to punish a subordinate—

John directly turned his gaze to Laiya, whom he had sent someone to summon. He gave her a slight nod.

"You're here, Warrant Officer Laiya. I called you over because I wanted to take advantage of the soldiers' rest period to discuss some of the arrangements for the rest of this mission."

"As for the suppression mission in Bahamut Town, I have a few ideas. I may need your cooperation."

"..."

At those words, confusion flashed through Laiya's eyes.

Because in her view, their mission this time was simply to suppress and govern that town of Bahamut.

Under normal circumstances, once they led their forces there, she only needed to follow Warrant Officer John's orders and lead the Mage Soldiers in using their invincible force to kill every enemy in the town who tried to put up a last-ditch resistance.

Afterward, Warrant Officer John would issue the relevant governance policies according to the local situation, turning this Kingdom town into one loyal to the Empire.

That would mean their mission had been perfectly completed.

There should have been no need for any extra actions at all.

But considering that Colonel Jett had said Warrant Officer John was someone highly skilled at using schemes and whose ideas ran wild as celestial horses galloping through the sky—

Although she had doubts, she did not dwell on them. Instead, she obediently came to stand before John and watched him curiously.

She also wanted to hear what special thoughts the genius Warrant Officer John had regarding this mission.

"Uh, Captain, should I avoid this?"

Seeing that John had important matters to discuss and realizing this was no longer a suitable time for joking around, Wendy immediately turned serious and cast John an inquiring look.

Although she quite wanted to tease her petty captain, she had never been careless when it came to serious business.

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. You screwed me over and now you want to run? Not a chance. Besides, the two merits you earned are enough to get you promoted. Sooner or later, you'll have to learn how to be a commander. Stay right here and don't go anywhere, understand?"

John glared, speaking viciously to Wendy.

He had already seen through that stupid pig's plan to take the opportunity to escape, leaving him to "enjoy the hell car" alone.

But he would absolutely not give this idiot a chance to run away.

John Maslow had always meant what he said. No one could stop him from sharing "happiness" with his subordinates!

"Captain, you're so petty. You can't even take a joke. Besides, I don't want to become a commander. Riding that kind of hell car every day—by the time I retire, my ass will probably split into eight petals..."

Wendy pursed her lips and muttered a few objections. But when John's brows rose and he looked ready to use his ruthless iron hand on her again, she immediately put on a surrendering pose.

Then she honestly covered her little round face and obediently stood beside John, pretending to be dead.

"..."

Watching the two interact, Laiya could not help lifting the corners of her lips slightly. A trace of envy flashed through her emerald-green eyes.

But she knew well enough how unlikable her personality was. She also knew that such a warm scene was undoubtedly nothing more than a distant hope for her.

What was more, the mission she carried on her shoulders was destined to prevent her from being as relaxed and at ease as they were.

At that thought, Laiya silently sighed in her heart.

The smile on her lips gradually faded.

"Ahem. Forgive the spectacle, Warrant Officer Laiya. Now then, let me first explain my personal thoughts."

Once that idiot Wendy stopped making a fuss, John immediately cleared his throat and voiced the thoughts he had sorted out along the way.

"While traveling here, I carefully reviewed the intelligence in the mission briefing. Combining it with my own understanding of the Allied Forces and the information Major Kode provided during the meeting, I discovered that Bahamut Town, our mission target this time, seems to be more complicated than it looks."

As Laiya's expression gradually turned solemn, John realized she had been drawn in by his lie. His heart immediately settled. He took out the map he had prepared beforehand, then signaled with his eyes for Wendy, who was pretending to be dead, to act as his tool and hold it up.

After Wendy held the map in her hands and fully displayed it before the two women, John pointed at Bahamut Town on the map and slowly spoke.

"The Dragon Eye Domain, where Bahamut Town is located, belonged to Baron Hardman of the Golden Rose Kingdom before the Battle of Walden. As far as I have investigated, House Hartman has a history of nearly five hundred years in the area. They can be considered an old aristocratic house."

"Of course, now that the Allied Forces have been defeated and Walden Territory has been captured by our army, politically speaking, that noble status only qualifies them to become our prisoners. If they cooperate actively, we can grant them certain preferential treatment."

"But that is not important. The important point is here."

Under Laiya's curious gaze, John's finger slowly moved downward until it reached an area marked by crossed swords on the map. His expression became solemn.

"Last night, while our army was counterattacking and taking Lake of Magic Power, two companies from the Thirteenth Battalion under Captain Baronov defeated part of the Allied Forces' Fifth Legion main force. Because they lacked ammunition, they prepared to withdraw to the nearest supply point and reorganize their formation. But on the way back, they encountered an ambush by an Allied Forces squad at this location."

"Other than Captain Baronov himself, both companies were killed here. Furthermore, after the Fifth Legion main force wiped out those Thirteenth Battalion companies, scout reports showed that the enemy soldiers seemed to vanish into thin air, leaving no trace anywhere on this front. What that situation means, I probably do not need to explain."

"That's right. I suspect there is a very high chance that the Allied Forces' Fifth Legion main force is lying in wait inside Bahamut Town. They may even have bought over the villagers from the four villages under Bahamut Town and turned them into their eyes and ears. The moment we enter the Dragon Eye Domain, they will know our movements at once and can prepare either an ambush or a retreat!"

Facing the shocked looks of the two women, John spoke with complete conviction.

However, it was a lie.

As a veteran player of this game, John understood the Allied Forces even better than the Empire did.

Thus, he knew perfectly well that after their defeat on the Walden Front and the loss of the Anti-Magic Device, the Allied Forces leadership no longer had any means of countering the Empire's Mage Soldiers. No matter how unwilling they were, they would never hide their remaining living forces in Walden Territory.

Even if they truly intended to lay an ambush and launch a counterattack against Walden Territory, they would never place that ambush in such a remote location as Bahamut Town.

Not only was this place far from the nearest Allied Forces gathering point, but it was also surrounded by mountains, with practically no roads suitable for transporting equipment on a large scale.

So unless the Allied Forces commander had water in his brain, he would never hide the Fifth Legion's main force in this godforsaken place.

More likely, one of the Allied Forces Fifth Legion's main-force units had been beaten into a headlong rout by the Empire's Mage Soldiers. In their panic, they fled to this mountainous outlying region.

When they planned to withdraw and rendezvous with the other legions, they happened by sheer luck to run into the Thirteenth Battalion led by Captain Baronov. They casually gave the unlucky Baronov an "FBI, open the door!" and turned the ill-fated captain into a bare-pole battalion commander.

But after wiping out Captain Baronov's soldiers, as long as those people were not idiots, they would definitely have immediately withdrawn along the mountain roads.

The key was that the Empire did not know this.

That was why they had mistakenly judged the place to be a dangerous area, which had led to his suppression mission this time.

Yet for John, this was a good thing.

What he needed was exactly this kind of misjudgment.

Because only then could he make his plan to split the forces and act separately seem reasonable!

At that thought, the corners of John's lips could not help curving upward.

When he looked at Laiya, who was frowning in thought, his gaze gradually became unscrupulous.

My dear scapegoat, Warrant Officer Laiya Binote. Are you ready to welcome the defeat that belongs to you?

(End of chapter)