He Was My Dear Family!

He Was My Dear Family!

The Maslow Lineage?

John? John Maslow?!!

The instant he heard that name, Dick's eyes flew wide open. He stared at the black-haired, black-eyed Imperial dog before him in utter disbelief, while stormy waves crashed through his heart.

At that moment, he could no longer spare any thought for his current predicament. In its place came unprecedented panic and disbelief.

Wasn't this guy the target of the assassination plan his father and the Allied Forces had secretly agreed upon?

He should have been leading troops to Bahamut Town. How could he be here? How could he possibly be here?!

Could it be that there were Imperial agents within the Allied Forces, and the assassination plan they had agreed upon had already been exposed?

No, no, no—how could that be?!

This wasn't how it was supposed to be!

The moment that thought arose, cold sweat instantly soaked through Dick's clothes. The overwhelming terror and shock made even breathing feel difficult.

He watched John Maslow look at him with that gentle, humble smile one might show only when speaking with a friend.

At that moment, Dick profoundly realized that the smile was merely a false performance deliberately put on for him.

Beneath that hypocritical mask of a fake smile undoubtedly lurked a monster baring its fangs—a monster that delighted in toying with people's hearts, letting fear grow within its prey until it reached its peak.

Then seizing the chance to swallow them whole, skin and bones alike, grinning savagely as it savored them amid the squelching of crushed flesh and the wails of their souls, letting out laughter that chilled one to the bone!

This guy.

A guy like this was nothing less than a demon wearing human skin!

"Why does this idiot keep staring at me? Don't tell me he got so mad about suddenly betraying me that he went stupid?"

Seeing Reddick's face turn deathly pale, his body beginning to tremble uncontrollably as though he were having a seizure, John could not help feeling puzzled.

But after putting himself in the other man's shoes, John figured that if he himself had been happily riding in a little car, eating hotpot and singing songs, fantasizing about soon taking the military funds to the Victoria Kingdom, completing his mission, and then stepping into office to rise through the ranks and make a fortune—

Only to be intercepted halfway by a band of soldier-bandits and forcibly reduced to their prisoner—

Then if it had been him, he definitely would not have been able to feel happy either. Not falling into such despair that he killed himself on the spot would already have been pretty good.

So the ever-understanding Warrant Officer John could understand that quite well.

However, considering that this idiot still had the possible identity of a "suspected" Allied Forces spy—and could help him carry out his grand plan of changing sides—

John felt it was necessary to have a proper chat with this older young man, who might become his future colleague, while sounding him out to see just what sort of identity this fool really had.

That would determine how he treated the guy afterward.

But no matter what, there was no harm in acting a little friendlier toward him.

After all, even if Reddick really was just an unremarkable shady merchant, a smile was not too much to offer in light of the gold he had delivered.

After all, put plainly, every line of work had to care about service!

Otherwise, how could one achieve the goal of sustainable development?!

With that thought, a standard smile immediately appeared on John's face. Under Dick's trembling gaze, he reached out and patted the man on the shoulder before speaking gently.

"Don't be so nervous, Mr. Reddick. I'm personally quite interested in business as well. You happen to be a merchant, so isn't that a perfect coincidence? I happen to have a few business-related questions I'd like to ask for your advice on."

"Although I, John Maslow, consider myself to possess a bit of business talent, theory is theory after all, while practice produces true knowledge. Since you've been in business for many years, you're my senior in this regard. I should humbly learn from you."

"Also, rest assured. We Imperial soldiers are all very upright, and we handle matters according to the law. Unless you truly deceived me and betrayed the trust I placed in you, we will not lay hands on you or your Lineage and commit such atrocities as make heaven and earth weep."

"After all, our force is used only against enemies. Everyone loyal to the Empire is family to us in the Imperial Army. And as family, of course we should live together in harmony. Don't you agree?"

Having said that, John looked at Reddick before him with a benevolent expression. At the same time, he stared fixedly at the man's face, afraid of missing even the slightest detail in his reaction.

He wanted to use this line of questioning to determine whether this idiot-looking fellow was truly the "ally" he had been hoping for.

That was a threat, wasn't it?

That had to be a threat, right?!

If he revealed even the slightest action unrelated to his identity as a "merchant," this demon would definitely have someone kill him!

Feeling John's "icy" gaze, Reddick's scrotum instantly tightened to the limit beneath the crushing panic, and his proud long spear shriveled into a tiny little balloon.

Under the pressure of such a "domineering" aura, he was almost suffocating.

But he also knew perfectly well that this was the interrogation of John Maslow, that demon.

The other man had already grown suspicious. If he wanted to survive, and even preserve his Lineage, then no matter what, he had to respond perfectly to any questions the man might ask while maintaining the identity of a "merchant."

Only then would he have a chance to carve out a path to survival for his entire family!

Driven by that sense of duty, Reddick barely overcame the fear in his heart and forcibly squeezed an almost absurd smile onto his face.

"Yes, Warrant Officer John. We're all family. Family should definitely help one another. I'm very, very happy to discuss how to run a business with you. Truly!"

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Happy? Were you serious?

But why did it feel like that smile of yours was rather forced?

Sure enough, you stupid pig really were a lackey of the Allied Forces, weren't you?

Ahem, no, that was wrong. This dear Mr. Reddick must be an upright and kind friend of the Allied Forces—my true family!

Hahaha, in that case, wouldn't this warrant officer's life after changing sides be within easy reach?

John's gaze instantly sharpened. He had already "seen through" Reddick's true identity.

But he also knew that he could not reveal his attitude yet.

After all, his dear ally Reddick was currently facing the threats of a pack of Imperial dogs. He must be terribly frightened and would certainly doubt any claim that John's heart leaned toward the Allied Forces.

But that was normal. After all, he was currently an Imperial commander, and he was even showing signs of becoming their number one lackey.

Yet Warrant Officer John, who wished to abandon darkness and turn toward the light, knew that later, when he and this dear ally had a heart-to-heart talk inside the Hell Car, and he subtly revealed his yearning for the Allied Forces—

The other man would surely understand that he was not an Imperial dog, but a true-blue supporter of the Allied Forces.

At that time, he only needed to find some excuse to protect the man. When the Allied Forces discovered that part of the military funds was missing and sent someone to contact Reddick, he could ride the wave and add fuel to the flames, meeting the Allied Forces' upper ranks he had been longing to see and completing his dream plan of changing sides!

Ah, what a perfect plan.

As expected—simply brilliant!

Imagining the wonderful future he had envisioned, John's smile immediately grew even broader. He then warmly invited the shivering Reddick to get into his jeep with him.

Next, he would have a proper talk with this dear ally.

(End of Chapter)