Answer Me!

Answer Me!

The Fifth Legion's main force was inside Bahamut Town? So that was it. If so, it explained why headquarters had attached such importance to this operation.

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

Looking at John's calm expression, Laiya's admiration for him grew ever stronger. Without the slightest doubt, she nodded and asked:

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

"Very simple. We split the troops."

Seeing Laiya take the bait so easily, John was overjoyed inside, though on the surface, he maintained the appearance of having everything under control.

Then, beneath the astonished gazes of the two women, 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 buy off those villagers."

"That will cut off the eyes and ears the Allied Forces have stationed around the perimeter. We can obtain the Allied Forces' communication devices from them, intercept the detailed locations of the other forces they have deployed in Walden Territory, and then wipe out every last contingency the Allied Forces have prepared."

"As for the remaining soldiers, I intend to leave them in your charge, 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."

Faced with Laiya's silent expression, John feared this scapegoat might be frightened off by the situation he had fabricated. Before Laiya could speak, he hurriedly began painting her a grand vision:

"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 in Walden Territory, we can use the power of the Mage Soldiers to purge every Allied Forces soldier in Walden Territory, as well as every spy the enemy has planted there, 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 continuously. After a moment of silence, she slowly spoke under 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 afraid I can't do anything well."

"Your plan is perfect, but I'm afraid I can't shoulder the heavy responsibility of commanding soldiers. If I were truly the one to carry it out, I would most likely ruin this 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 regard had filled Laiya with unprecedented emotion and joy,

she also possessed a very clear understanding of herself.

Thus, Laiya knew very well that she was simply not cut out to be a commander.

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

She simply could not achieve the objective of holding them back.

And if things truly developed to that point and caused Warrant Officer John's plan to fail, she would likely have no choice but to repay her crimes with death.

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

Damn it, I talked big too much this time. I just made up some enemy troops off the top of my head, so how did I scare this scapegoat into a weak-kneed coward?

And Laiya, this unlucky girl—come on, you're an ace recruit! Why are you going soft at the crucial moment? Normally, when you heard about such a good opportunity, shouldn't you immediately raise your hand, accept the mission, and show your loyalty?

Pull yourself together! Otherwise, how am I supposed to dump this blame on you?

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

I might as well get cremated on the spot.

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

Seeing Laiya too frightened by the enemy scale he had fabricated to accept the mission, John became frantic and rapidly set his brain spinning.

Soon, combining it with Laiya's earlier behavior, he came up with another perfect reason.

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

"Laiya, do you believe in me?"

"I... I naturally believe in you, Warrant Officer John. It's just that I think I might..."

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

Before Laiya could continue belittling herself, John directly cut her off. Then, beneath her stunned gaze, he looked straight into her eyes and spoke each word distinctly:

"Do you think I, John Maslow, am a fool who cannot recognize talent? Or are you outwardly obeying my orders while secretly harboring resentment toward me, intending to pay lip service while acting against me?"

"I'm not. I just—" "Then why are you still refusing if you aren't? Could it be that you want to become a useless coward who flees before battle?"

"Laiya Binote, look into my eyes and answer me!"

"Do you want to become a piece of trash, 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 growing angry. She slowly clenched her fists, forcibly suppressing her rage as her eyes reddened, and replied:

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

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

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

"Did I ever say I wanted you to do anything else?"

"Huh?"

Hearing that, the anger on Laiya's face abruptly froze. Then her entire mind seemed to crash as she stared blankly at John before her.

Clearly, John's words had thoroughly confused her.

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

Laiya hesitated.

"Indeed, you didn't, but didn't you mean..."

"It seems you haven't understood what I meant. But that is also my fault. Perhaps I explained it too broadly and caused you to develop some unnecessary misunderstandings. I apologize for that."

John gave an apologetic smile, then spoke again:

"Let me explain in detail once more. What I need is a bait force. More precisely, a force capable of drawing the Allied Forces' main force's attention, one with sufficient combat strength to withstand the Allied Forces soldiers' attacks head-on without falling into a disadvantage."

"I need this force to go to Bahamut Town and engage the town's surface garrison in battle, but not wipe them all out. Instead, it must always remain in a state where it can win, yet chooses not to."

"That way, it will draw the Fifth Legion's main force's attention and make them think about joining with their other troops to capture this bait force alive."

"And that will help me obtain the locations of the enemy's other forces."

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

So Warrant Officer John meant she only needed to lead people into battle again and again, then avoid killing the enemy completely?

If that was the case, then it really did seem quite suitable for her.

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

After understanding what she actually needed to do,

Laiya suddenly saw the light. The anger and grievance in her heart vanished in an instant, and shame filled her gaze as she looked at John.

Sure enough, she was still too foolish.

Warrant Officer John had clearly already told her the general plan, yet she had been unable to fully understand it.

Later, she had nearly lost her temper at the Warrant Officer.

Yet faced with someone like her, Warrant Officer John had not only not been disappointed in her, he had even patiently explained everything to her in detail.

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

It truly was wonderful that she could become the deputy commander in this joint operation!

But Laiya also knew that apologizing to Warrant Officer John for her foolishness at a time like this had no meaning.

What she needed to do now was obey Warrant Officer John's orders and complete them perfectly, thereby proving her worth.

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

With that thought, Laiya no longer hesitated. Under John's wildly delighted gaze, she puffed out her chest and raised her head in salute, then answered resolutely:

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