I, who was eager to retire, became an Imperial General.

Chapter 127 Heart-to-Heart Talk and Meetings

This guy actually gave in so easily?
Tony was greatly surprised to hear this answer. In his opinion, Major John, who was particularly cunning, should not have punished the soldiers so easily.

After all, the two sides are not from the same unit, so he has no right to punish them across units.

Furthermore, condoning soldiers' looting of property was itself a violation of the empire's policy of governing its colonies.

Although the higher-ups were aware of this, they had always turned a blind eye. If he were to directly report the matter to the higher-ups, he might not necessarily gain their support in the end.

Therefore, as long as John insists that the lieutenant was using the Colonial Administration Act to stop the soldiers' looting, he has no way to do anything about it.

Tony was prepared to argue with the other side and, citing the bigger picture, have them bring in that foolish lieutenant to issue a public apology. This way, he could save face for his own troops and also make the major realize that he was now the one who called the shots in Horseshoe City.

In that case, the conflict can be considered over.

But Tony never expected that before he could even start a war of words, John would take the initiative to admit his mistake and even transfer the captain who made the mistake from his original position.

Although the other party will most likely find an opportunity to reinstate the other person afterward, it can be considered a mild punishment.

However, this way he could save face for the 1st Division.

He just couldn't understand the other party's purpose in doing so.

"Is it to prevent the conflict from escalating and making the problem more complicated, or does this major know something and intend to take the initiative to befriend me in order to prevent me from secretly shooting him in the back?"

Tony pondered the matter, feeling that the second possibility was more likely.

After all, the fact that the Third Army sent a full 1000 magic soldiers shows that General Dormammu did not intend to sacrifice Major John, but rather to try to save the devastated battlefield through his actions.

Otherwise, the other side wouldn't have committed nearly a quarter of the Seventh Air Force's current strength to John Maslow.

However, under Prime Minister Wolf's arrangement, even if he does not intend to take action against him due to moral condemnation, can the isolated and helpless Major John really escape the clutches of the other two major generals and even completely reverse this troublesome battle situation?
That's a bit too absurd.

Major General Tony shook his head inwardly. It wasn't that he looked down on John; after all, the brilliant strategies John displayed on the battlefield, and the surprise attack that was worthy of being included in military combat training cases, had already proven how outstanding John's command ability was.

Ultimately, however, the Falcon Bay was captured by the Empire through a landing operation and by the Rhineland's relentless offensive, which resulted in significant difficulties in subsequent resupply and support.

In contrast, the orc forces, thanks to their local advantages, can not only continuously transfer troops from other regions, but also do not have to worry about acclimatization issues.

Moreover, the sea is filled with the Saga Kingdom and its allies' warships, which can be described as covering the sky.

In this war of attrition, let alone the fact that John's thousand magic soldiers would have a hard time fully utilizing their strength on this battlefield, even if their numbers were increased fivefold, it would still be difficult to win this war.

He didn't know what gave Dormammu the courage to gamble on a war with such a vast disparity in strength, but he knew it wasn't something he should be considering.

The fact that he, under the influence of chivalry, did not attack Major John is already considered extremely kind and righteous.

As for offering to help the other party, let's forget about it.

He certainly didn't want to become Prime Minister Wolf's next target.

Tony's mind raced, but he didn't press the matter further. Instead, he nodded and said in a gentler tone:

"Since Major John has already devised a punishment plan for the lieutenant who made the mistake, I will not interfere further. Besides, although I personally dislike this kind of looting of civilians, war is inherently cruel, and soldiers also need to receive the rewards they deserve. So even if we don't like it, we can only accept it."

"Moreover, these orcs are nothing but a foreign race, enemies of the Empire, far from being citizens of the Empire. Therefore, I think Major John, you don't need to show too much mercy to these filthy bastards."

"After all, the Empire's mercy should be reserved for the citizens of the Norman Empire. As for foreign races like orcs, to us they are nothing more than a group of ambitious slaves trying to overthrow the Empire."

"For these people who have brought suffering to the people of the empire throughout history, to be allowed to live is already an act of leniency, isn't it?"

“…You’re right, I’ve learned something.” John didn’t refute, but smiled and nodded. He didn’t want to engage in such a pointless argument.

At this moment, he had already determined the other party's position.

I also understand what I should do now.

Indeed, John Maslow, you are a smart man.

Seeing that John did not deny his point of view, Tony felt extremely satisfied.

He enjoyed chatting with intelligent people like John, where he didn't have to put in the effort to give pointers; he only needed to casually reveal a few words, and the other person could grasp the true meaning.

To be honest, if it weren't for Minister Michel specifically demanding the man's death, he would have been quite happy to give this outstanding major the opportunity to join the Second Air Force and recommend him to the Conservative Party.

After all, given the opponent's outstanding command ability, it will probably be able to stand on equal footing with us in just a few years.

He could even gain the favor of Prime Minister Wolf by recommending talented individuals, thus moving closer to the center of power.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned!
Tony sighed inwardly, but didn't say anything more. Instead, he nodded slightly with regret at the young major in front of him.
"If there are no other matters, then Major John, you may proceed with the punishment. As for the soldiers who were attacked, I will have someone inform them of the outcome."

"Furthermore, I don't want similar things to happen again in the future, so you understand what I mean, Major John?"

"I will take good care of the 1st Battalion of magic soldiers, Major General Tony need not worry."

“Very well, then go ahead and carry it out. I still have some official business to attend to, so I won’t keep you any longer. May the glory of the Empire be with you, Major John.”

"May the glory of the empire be with you."

"Tap, tap!"

After leaving the city lord's mansion under Tony's scrutinizing gaze, John took a car to the temporary camp of Battalion 1, located in the western residential area of ​​Horseshoe City.

Along the way, I watched through the window as the group, led by officers of various ranks from the 1st Division, looted shops and beat centaur civilians, listening to the cries and pleas for mercy in the air.

John's expression remained unchanged, but his eyes grew increasingly cold and deep.

But he did not step in to stop it.

He knew that any further action before he officially ordered the execution of tonight's plan would only alert the enemy.

What he needs least this time is change.

He believed that after such a long period of continuous combat, it was time for Major General Tony to fall ill and recuperate under the care of a doctor.

As for the deadline, let's set it until the end of the Battle of Fauken.

"Squeak!"

As the jeep slowly pulled up inside the 1st Battalion's outpost, John got out and patted Wendy's shoulder reassuringly. Wendy, who was hanging her head and looked like a schoolchild afraid of being scolded by her parents after getting into trouble, was sulking.

He then turned his gaze to the side, to Siegfried, who was standing in front of Squad 14 with eyes that seemed to burn with fire, and to Leia, who was pursing her lips and remaining silent.

He then spoke calmly:

"Gentlemen, let's have a small tactical meeting."

……

(End of this chapter)