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

Chapter 27 The Allied forces have laid a trap!

"...I was quite surprised. I thought that the intelligence I had was blocked by the Empire and would not be known by others. It seems that Baron Micah's intelligence capabilities are better than I imagined."

Serbia gave Micah across from him a deep look, but didn't press for details. Instead, he pulled out a chair and sat down, then poured himself a cup of black tea and asked calmly:

"However, compared to all that, I'm actually more curious about why you contacted me."

"It's not that I'm being nosy, but with the Allied forces defeated, you, as a lord, should have had little time or energy to spend on meetings with someone as lowly as me, yet you did it anyway."

"Hmm, I must say, this situation is somewhat strange. Let me guess, could it be that you received a special operation order from some important figure?"

"..."

"It seems I guessed right. But you don't need to look at me with such a terrifying gaze. I can assure you that I have no spies in the Baron's castle."

"The reason I made this guess is simply because when I was visiting the Baron's mansion just now, I noticed that the direct descendants who should have been there were not showing up today for some reason."

"Also, if I remember correctly, around noon today, a foreign merchant caravan appeared in the town of Bahamut. There were quite a few people, including both old and young. They didn't look like a caravan, but rather like families fleeing together."

"What are your thoughts on this, Mr. Micah?"

"...Just as that sir judged, Serbia, you not only possess astonishing strength, but you are also extremely intelligent. It is truly an honor for Pino to die at your hands."

Seeing that Serbia had easily exposed his plans, Micah didn't get angry. Instead, he took a sip of tea to calm himself down and then proactively revealed some information:
"Since you have come to this meeting, you must already know that the Allied forces have been defeated. The Empire is currently sending troops to clear out the remnants of the army in the Walden region, as well as to suppress and govern the remaining unoccupied towns in the Walden territory. Bahamut is also on this list."

"Furthermore, perhaps because the Allied forces wiped out a heavily wounded Imperial force near us yesterday, the Empire attaches great importance to the capture of Bahamut town."

"According to the latest intelligence from our agents, the Empire has now assigned an Imperial commander to lead a force of over 600 men to carry out the task of occupying and governing Bahamut."

"And the reason I came to you is also related to this matter."

Recalling the Allied lieutenant general's arrangements in the telegram, Baron Micah, feeling a chill run down his spine, took a deep breath, slowly set down his empty teacup, and turned to the gleaming eyes of Serbia, saying in a deep voice:

"That lord hopes you can take care of the commander the Empire sent this time, and preferably bring back his head after confirming his death."

"As a reward for completing the mission, you can directly join the Allied Fifth Battle Group and serve as the commander of an army special operations force of no less than 600 men under that person, with an initial rank of captain."

Sure enough, the people behind Micah were high-ranking Allied officials.

No wonder the other party took the initiative to contact me and even knew my past information.

If it's the Allied forces, then everything makes sense.

However, the Allied Fifth Army?
If I remember correctly, this battle group should be the unit of that strategist from the Kingdom of Victoria, who has the title of 'Morning Star', right?
So, was the person I spoke to this time arranged by the Morning Star?

If that's the case, then the Fifth Warband might not be a bad place for me.

After all, the other party was someone who had fought against that damned white-haired demon general of the empire several times.

At the young age of 23, he independently commanded 46 wars, each involving more than 10,000 people, and all of them resulted in victory for the Allied forces.

If she could work for such a powerful figure, then her goal of destroying the empire would likely have a high probability of being achieved.

Serbia was somewhat tempted, but he didn't show it on his face. Instead, he raised an eyebrow and said in a playful tone:
"Captain? This position is a bit lower than I expected, but it's still acceptable."

"Also, I'm a little curious about who the commander sent by the Empire to suppress Bahamut is, that someone you, Baron Micah, call 'sir,' are so concerned about. Would you mind telling me so I can assess whether I'm capable of taking on this mission?"

"Although I believe my strength is indeed not bad, I have to say that there are quite a few strong people on the Empire's side."

"For example, the Empire's famous 'Ghost Walker,' his elusive and unpredictable techniques are far too deadly for a lowly person like me who only has brute strength."

"So, if you have any specific information about the target, feel free to tell me so I can consider it carefully."

"After all, although I do have some personal grudges with the Empire and am always thinking about how to get revenge, I am actually a coward and can't do high-risk mercenary missions."

At fifteen, he single-handedly destroyed the Empire's magic modification laboratory; at sixteen, he single-handedly slaughtered nearly six hundred soldiers sent by the Empire's army.

In the same year, he even broke through the border, tearing apart the defenses of the imperial border garrison with terrifying brute force, and escaped alive from the area guarded by elite troops, eventually arriving in the kingdom.

If someone like you is still a coward, then everyone in Bahamut Town, without exception, wouldn't even deserve the title of "useless"!
Baron Micah sneered inwardly. To be honest, he was indeed somewhat intimidated by this monstrous orc.

But after thinking about the lieutenant general's arrangements, he felt much more confident.

He knew that even this woman, who considered herself no less powerful than the Shattered Star Sword Saint, would ultimately become just like him, a pawn in the other party's plan, under the machinations of Lieutenant General Roxie, who held the title of Morning Star!
Therefore, Micah did not reject Serbia's probe, but instead spoke frankly and openly:

"Don't worry, your target this time is named John Maslow. He is a low-ranking commander of an Imperial Magic Soldier Mobile Force. He doesn't have much combat experience, and his specific combat strength is unknown."

"The only thing we can use for reference is the intelligence about the other party that the agent sent us. The other party received full marks in the magic spell and shooting courses at the Imperial Military Academy, so it can be basically determined that the other party does have a certain combat ability, roughly equivalent to a member of the special forces, and is not a high threat to you."

"However, John Maslow's personal combat strength is not important. What follows is the key point. According to that person's description and analysis, the opponent is very smart and extremely good at using schemes. It can be said that the reason why the Allied forces were defeated this time was due to the opponent's actions."

"And what's even more troublesome is that, compared to the white-haired demon general of the Empire, this man named John Maslow is completely ruthless in his methods."

"In this war, he used the despicable tactic of feigning surrender and successfully destroyed the Allied forces' anti-magic devices. It was this action that gave the Empire the opportunity to turn the tide in the War of Walden."

"The fact that such a person disregards the laws of war and has no moral bottom line is enough to confirm that the other party is far superior to the white-haired demon general in his youth in terms of both cunning and ruthlessness. He is an absolute genius general with the potential to become a hero."

"Therefore, in order to prevent it from growing and becoming a threat to the Allied forces in the future, that lord issued me this order to assassinate the enemy."

"That concludes all the intelligence regarding John Maslow."

Following Dormammu the White-Haired Demon General, has the Empire produced another outstanding young general?

It must be said that this situation was a major blow to the Allied forces.

In that case, it's no wonder that the other side would be willing to tear off all pretense of civility to launch such a sniping operation.

After all, one white-haired demon general has already allowed the empire, which should have been destroyed, to survive until now. If another one were to appear, the Allied forces would probably have to postpone their victory over the empire for another hundred years.

Listening to Baron Micah's description, Serbia immediately understood. However, she didn't agree immediately. Instead, she calmly took a sip of her black tea and then asked Micah with interest:

"I know the target's situation. What about the specific mission plan? Baron Micah doesn't think I can withstand the bombardment of the Imperial Magus Soldiers by myself and take their heads, does he?"

"Although half-dragons do have a certain tolerance for magic, there is a limit to it. Not to mention six hundred magic soldiers, just the casting of spells by thirty people would probably be enough to leave me with nothing but ashes."

"And I think you should be very clear about that, shouldn't you?"

After saying that, Serbia looked at Micah across from him with a forced smile, waiting for his reply.

She does want to join the Allies, but she's not going to die for an empty promise.

She could give it a try with six hundred ordinary army soldiers; after all, appropriately demonstrating her military strength could make the Allied forces re-evaluate her value.

But what if it were replaced by six hundred magic soldiers?

Forget it. Faced with such a terrifying army of monsters, let alone trying to kill that so-called target.

It's difficult to even get close to the other person.

Moreover, the opponent's cunning far surpasses that of the White-Haired Demon General.
If the intelligence Micah described is true, then Serbia has no doubt that before she could carry out her assassination plan, even after infiltrating within a kilometer of the enemy's camp, she would be met with the devastating explosive magic of the magic soldiers.

She needs Micah to come up with a practical plan to convince her.

Otherwise, this so-called assassination mission would be a one-way ticket to hell for her.

And she would never rush to her death.

"That's natural. Considering the special nature of the target, that person had already made arrangements in advance for this assassination operation."

Micah wasn't angry when he heard this, after all, Serbia's reaction was within that person's expectations.

It can only be said that the other party truly deserves to be the most brilliant commander in the Kingdom of Victoria, having taken all factors and contingencies into account before even starting the plan.

Even if he was unwilling, didn't he eventually comply with the other party's arrangement, obediently giving up his family's centuries-old foundation and choosing to become the other party's pawn?

Micah couldn't help but sigh inwardly, casting aside his complex thoughts. Meeting Serbia's scrutinizing gaze, he slowly recounted the lord's arrangements for this assassination mission:
"The sniping mission is arranged as follows: we have already gathered soldiers around the four villages under the jurisdiction of Bahamut Town."

"Once John Maslow arrives in Bahamut with his troops, I will feign surrender and cooperate with him in governing the town. At the same time, I will create some trouble for him and personally help him solve it, thereby gaining his trust and lowering his vigilance."

"While the other side is busy dealing with political affairs, the other four units will be able to complete their assembly and join forces."

"At that time, I will send someone to give a signal so that the four troops will pretend to launch a counterattack on the town of Bahamut, thereby attracting John Maslow's attention. If nothing unexpected happens, the other side will definitely organize soldiers to set up a defense, and at the same time, they will arrange for me to lead my personal guard to cooperate."

"Correspondingly, the number of guards around the other party will also be reduced. At that time, Serbia, you can disguise yourself as a maid of the Baron's mansion in advance, and take advantage of the night to approach the other party under the pretext of serving him, so as to completely eliminate him."

"This is the complete plan for this mission. Are you satisfied?"

After saying that, Micah calmly looked at the red-haired woman in front of him, although the woman's expression remained calm.

But Micah knew very well what was going on in the other person's eyes.

This woman will definitely agree in the end.

Because this scheme was proposed by the Morning Star, its ingenious calculations and manipulation of human nature made it clear to anyone who knew it that it was an absolutely flawless plan.

No one can refuse such a reward delivered to their doorstep.

Even for Serbia, it wouldn't work.

Feigned surrender, a feint attack, and assassination?
A series of vicious schemes, and it even seems to have borrowed from John Maslow's tactics.

This style of imitating others' tactics and defeating the opponent in their area of ​​expertise must surely be the work of that morning star.

It seems the Allies weren't all idiots after all!

Thus, under the planning of this unique Allied leader, the mission was virtually guaranteed to succeed.

It seems I have no reason to refuse such a benefit that's been offered to me.

A slow smile crept onto Serbia's lips, but she didn't immediately agree. After a moment of contemplation, she spoke slowly under Micah's questioning gaze:

“A very good plan. Faced with such a tight net, even if John Maslow is very smart, he probably won’t be able to escape death. I have no reason to refuse. However, I need to make some changes to the details of the mission.”

“I have no interest in becoming a maid, but on the contrary, I am quite interested in becoming your daughter.”

Serbia said with a smile.

She was certain she was not capable of playing the role of a maid.

More importantly, she didn't trust Micah. Even now, she wasn't sure if this cunning old man would discard her after using her.

Therefore, the best approach is to align one's own interests with those of the other party.

Only by achieving a situation where everyone prospers or suffers together can she ensure that she will not become Baron Micah's pawn after successfully killing John Maslow!

Thinking of this, Serbia's smile grew even wider.

Then, ignoring Baron Micah's gloomy expression, she smiled brightly and spoke to him:

"So, my dear father, are you ready to join me in welcoming the upcoming Imperial Commander?"

……

(End of this chapter)