"Telegram! Latest telegram!"
At Allied Command in London, the Strategic Scientific Reserve, which had just been harshly reprimanded by Colonel Phillips, was shrouded in gloom.
No one even dared to breathe too loudly, afraid of provoking their superior's anger again. Then, the radio operator burst in excitedly.
His face was flushed red. Perhaps he was too excited, because the words he wanted to say were stuck in his throat and refused to come out.
"It's... it's a telegram from Captain Cavill!"
The radio operator was breathing rapidly, his face full of excitement and admiration.
"What are you making such a fuss about? Don't you have any military bearing... fuck!"
Colonel Phillips frowned. He snapped at him first, then reached out to take the telegram.
But when he saw its contents, he could not help swearing himself, completely forgetting the dignified image he was supposed to maintain as a commanding officer.
"Italy, 2:50 a.m. Rome time. Allied Nations Captain Luke Cavill led the Howling Commandos in capturing Italy and taking Mussolini alive."
That brief sentence left Colonel Phillips rooted to the spot, as though a bolt from the blue had exploded inside his mind!
The impact contained in that telegram robbed him of his ability to think, leaving him speechless for a long while.
"He succeeded..."
The colonel muttered to himself.
He was the one who had put Luke in command of the Howling Commandos. He was also the one who had devised that astonishing plan to assist the Allied Nations' landing in Sicily and launch a surprise attack on Rome.
But!
"He actually did it!"
Colonel Phillips could hardly believe it. He felt as though he were trapped in a dream, everything seeming utterly unreal.
In his plan, the best possible outcome had been infiltrating deep into Italy and creating an opportunity for the Allied Nations to land.
As for capturing Mussolini alive, that had merely been an extra objective added on a whim. It would not have mattered much if they failed.
No one had expected Luke to give the Allied Nations, and Colonel Phillips, such an enormous surprise!
"Super Soldier... Erskine, did you see that? Luke is the finest Super Soldier!"
Colonel Phillips was overwhelmed with excitement. One hand clenched the telegram tightly while the other gripped the radio operator's shoulder. His eyes had even turned a little red.
"Are you certain the news is true?"
If word got out, the Allied Nations' morale would soar!
The Strategic Scientific Reserve would no longer have to endure criticism from all sides. Not only would the pressure on them be greatly reduced, their status would rise as well!
Everything would be completely different!
"It's an uncoded telegram sent from Rome, Italy! There's absolutely no mistake!"
The radio operator seemed to have been swept up by the excitement. His voice trembled as he spoke.
"There's also a proclamation from the King of Italy announcing the removal of Prime Minister Mussolini!"
The radio operator quickly added.
"Hurry and notify Command! Notify the President! Notify everyone!"
Colonel Phillips gripped the telegram and swung his arm forcefully.
He had been right about Luke. The entire world ought to know about such a world-shaking feat!
The telegraph machines kept tapping away, turning into waves of electromagnetic signals that sped off in every direction.
From Britain to America, from Churchill's office to Roosevelt's White House.
That absurd yet undeniably real news seemed like a winged Pegasus, racing back and forth across the whole world.
The bedchamber in Venice Palace remained brightly lit, flickering candlelight illuminating famous oil paintings and extravagant decorations.
Unlike the clinking glasses and laughter of high-society guests at the usual banquets.
Venice Palace was quiet tonight, enveloped in a deathly silence.
"Rescue the leader! Kill the Americans!"
"Long live Italy! Long live the Fuhrer!"
Several piercing slogans suddenly rang out. They were followed by intense gunfire, which swiftly fell silent again.
Such a minor disturbance could not stir up the slightest ripple.
Those idiots brainwashed by fanatical fascism simply could not make much trouble.
"Commander, this is already the eleventh time."
Dugan's dark face was full of tension.
He had yet to recover from that victorious surprise attack in the afternoon. Even now, he still found it hard to believe it was real!
The Italian dictator, the Prime Minister of an entire country, Mussolini, who had supported the Axis Powers alongside Hitler, had actually become their prisoner just like that.
"Have the others take turns standing guard. The Italian defenders won't rashly launch an attack. Their king would love nothing more than to hang Mussolini in the square."
Luke remained calm. With Mussolini as a bargaining chip in his hands, the fascist forces in Rome did not dare act recklessly.
As for the sidelined King of Italy and the royal family, they wished Luke would send Mussolini to the gallows immediately.
"The king has issued a proclamation removing Prime Minister Mussolini. The royal family has taken control of the military... Seven riflemen died during the surprise operation, and four were seriously wounded... Allied Command sent a telegram. The British and the Americans both want to claim Italy, while the State Department and The Pentagon, the War Department and the Navy Department, are arguing fiercely..."
Dum Dum Dugan reported the day's developments. Everything was proceeding as Luke had expected.
No matter how the British and Americans argued, the credit belonged to him. No one could take it away.
Thinking of the reputation points on his character panel refreshing at incredible speed and soaring like a rocket, Luke felt a surge of excitement.
"Let them argue all they want. Rome and Mussolini are bargaining chips in our hands. Whoever offers the higher price gets them."
Luke smiled faintly. He had made his plans long ago.
This was not a military operation. It was an armed kidnapping.
The moment Mussolini fell into their hands, the mission had been completed.
What remained was merely a political struggle between the rising White-headed Eagle and the gradually weakening John Bull.
But those complicated schemes and intrigues had nothing to do with Luke, nor did they interest him.
What Luke wanted was a Medal of Honor belonging to a War Hero, along with an enormous amount of reputation points.
"The Italian people have a good attitude. The king is a smart man. He removed Prime Minister Mussolini at the first opportunity and ignored our occupation of Venice Palace... because they want to show goodwill toward the Allied Nations."
Luke saw the situation clearly. The Howling Commandos alone could not possibly stop the defenders in Rome.
However, there were not as many fascist forces loyal to Mussolini and the Axis Powers as one might have imagined.
That was Luke's confidence in remaining at Venice Palace. Behind him stood the Allied Nations, who had already landed in Sicily.
"Just as you said."
Dugan said sincerely, full of admiration.
Even after achieving such an astonishing victory, this young commander of the Howling Commandos had not been carried away. He remained as calm as ever.
"But who are we selling Italy to?"
Dugan asked again.
His voice trembled slightly, because Luke's decision would directly determine the future of the Howling Commandos.
"Of course, we'll hand this heavyweight bargaining chip to President Roosevelt."
Luke did not deliberate for long before quickly giving his answer.
The longest-serving President in American history was powerful and politically adept, making him a worthy partner.
Besides, the President in the White House desperately needed a massive achievement that had fallen from the sky to silence the public.
After all, no one could deny that Roosevelt had indeed played tricks during the presidential election, deceiving countless voters.
If he received the credit for capturing Italy, he would surely appreciate the goodwill Luke had shown him.
"I estimate Allied Command will be able to send someone over to take control by tomorrow."
Dugan nodded. He now followed Luke's every word.
Victory after victory had established this young commander's authority within the team.
Who could have imagined that an unknown six-man squad would accomplish such a world-shaking legendary feat?
"Send a telegram to the White House, then wait for the President to award us our medals."
Luke gave the order casually.
From the moment Dugan sent the telegram announcing their victory to Allied Command, the notifications for refreshed reputation points had never stopped.
Side Mission: Flowers and Glory, the War Hero's Second Step! (Completed) Requirement: Reach 8,000 reputation points with any faction (Achieved) Reward: Bane Skill Card, "Backbreaker Master" (Obtained)
Luke cleared the completed mission, only for a second one to immediately appear.
Side Mission: A Legendary Name, the War Hero's Third Step! (Completed) Requirement: Reach 20,000 reputation points with any faction (Achieved) Reward: One chance to draw a Superman Template (Obtained)
Then came the third mission, the fourth...
Luke raised his head and looked at the deep night sky, revealing a satisfied smile.
P.S.: Thanks to Qidian Space for the 10,000-point reward, Half a Vat of Ink for the 100-point reward, and Flowing Water 0810 for the 100-point reward~
P.S. 2: Hmm, guess what template the protagonist will draw. If you guess right, there'll be an extra chapter~
P.S. 3: While you're at it, toss the author some votes, add the story to your collection, and invest in it. Thanks~
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