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

Chapter 5 John Maslow has the makings of a great general!

John felt he must be plagued by bad luck.

He couldn't think of any other reason to explain his current situation.

He was just making something up on the spot, so why did it turn out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy?
Is it true that good things only work and bad things don't?
Are all those Allied people a bunch of geniuses?

If the current situation continues to drag on, the Imperial Army will definitely be defeated. Why do these people have to cause trouble at this critical juncture?
"Stupid pigs, a bunch of stupid pigs!"

Inside the tent, John, nestled on his bed, couldn't help but curse inwardly.

Just thinking about how he was greeted by an excited Battalion Commander Olaf when he returned to camp last night, and how he was praised in front of the other high-ranking officers of the battalion, John now wished he could die on this hard bed.

What a load of crap, this is completely the opposite of what he expected!

Does this mean his plan to retire in retirement has completely fallen through?

"Tired, destroy!"

John slumped dejectedly on the bed, his eyes glazed over.

He could easily guess that the Allied forces probably already knew everything that happened last night through spies.

Furthermore, his personal information may have been placed on the conference table of the Allied command.

Even the Allied commanders were now discussing whether to send in specialized agents to eliminate their newly crowned 'imperial hero'.

Clearly, things have developed to the point he least wanted to see.

The thought that soon, the silver-haired witch, known as the 'Undertaker of the Empire' and the protagonist of the game, would approach him under the orders of the Allied forces, and behead him in his sleep on a pitch-black night...

John then felt phantom pains starting uncontrollably in his neck.

He was already sweating profusely.

Damn it, I can't just lie here and wait to die.

I have to do something.

"Make amends, yes, I have to find a way to make amends!"

John muttered to himself, but before he could figure out how to gain the trust of the regular army after thwarting the Allied supply line disruption plan, he was still pondering how to do so.

The next second, the tarpaulin of his tent was pulled back, and then Wendy's energetic voice reached his ears:

"Good morning, Warrant Officer John. The sun's already high in the sky, time to get up!"

Really? But I don't see anything good in you.

You jerk of a subordinate, can you get out of my way?!
John glanced resentfully at Wendy standing in the doorway, and replied listlessly:
"Good morning, Sergeant Wendy. But if you don't have anything to say, you'd better not bother me. I need some quiet time to think. Also, did you forget to knock again?"

“Understood, I will correct it next time. However, although I personally do not want to disturb your sacred moment of contemplating the future of the empire, I am afraid I have to play the bad guy this time.”

Wendy shrugged helplessly, then, meeting John's questioning gaze, she explained her purpose with a hint of envy:

"General Dormammu wants to see you, so, Warrant Officer John, you'd better get up and tidy yourself up."

……

Half an hour later, at the Imperial Walden Front Temporary Command Post.

"Tap, tap!"

"General, Lieutenant John Maslow, commander of the 14th Magic Squad, reporting for duty. May the glory of the Empire be with you."

"No gift."

Looking at the young man bowing respectfully before him, Dormammu nodded subtly, but calmly spoke:

"Warrant Lieutenant John, I am aware of your active performance on the battlefield last night. You not only saw through the Allied forces' trickery and helped our army successfully resolve a major crisis, but you also successfully intercepted a batch of important enemy intelligence and supplies."

"Your outstanding achievements have greatly pleased me. The Empire has not seen such an excellent young man as you for a long time. Therefore, Warrant Officer John, what would you like as a reward for your meritorious service? Please tell me, and I will do my best to fulfill your request."

A reward? Can I retire? I'm begging you.

John muttered a curse to himself, but he also knew that such cowardly remarks would only attract the attention of the surveillance forces and would serve no other purpose.

Therefore, even though he felt extremely helpless, John had no choice but to politely decline:
"No reward is needed, General. This is the duty of every Imperial soldier!"

"Compared to the great achievements of the Empire, I am nothing at all. The key to our success in repelling the Allied attack was the members of Squad 14, and I only offered some insignificant suggestions."

"Therefore, if you insist on giving a reward, General, please bestow this reward upon the soldiers of the 14th Squad."

Having said that, John straightened up, his face radiating generosity and righteousness. He truly didn't want this so-called reward; once he received it from the Empire, his damned status as an 'Imperial Hero' would be cemented.

Even if John thought about it with his backside, he would understand.

He was certain he would be put on the assassination list by the Allied high command.

But heaven behold, he genuinely wanted to surrender.

If it weren't for that inexplicable accident, he might already be assigned to clean toilets by his boss as originally planned.

Instead of coming to the villain's head like this and accepting the so-called "grid reward"!

"!"

However, upon hearing this answer, even the well-informed Dormammu was somewhat taken aback.

Then, the look in his eyes as he looked at John gradually became complicated.

Before asking the question, Dormammu had envisioned various possible answers John might give.

But I never expected that the other party would voluntarily give up his credit to his subordinate.

After all, Dormammu rose from a mere trainee to his current position on the battlefield, overcoming countless obstacles and climbing through mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Having witnessed far too many absurd things, I have long understood the principle that merit belongs to superiors, while responsibility is borne by subordinates.

This concept has even become common knowledge within the empire's army today.

But this common sense, which is accepted by everyone, was broken in the face of this young man named John Maslow.

John Maslow, is this a polite way of backing down, or are these your heartfelt words?
Dormammu's eyes flickered slightly, but outwardly he nodded slightly to the other party and said:

“I see. I understand. Although I don’t know why you have this idea, as the initiator of the plan, you have the right to allocate the rewards for the mission.”

"As you wish, Warrant Officer John, I will distribute this battle merit to all members of the 14th Magic Soldier Mobile Squadron, how about that?"

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Excellency General."

John smiled sincerely, and his gaze toward Dormammu became more respectful than ever before.

It has to be said that this was the best news he had heard since he traveled through time!

He didn't show the slightest anger or lose his composure, so this must be his true thought?
How pure and just!
Dormammu was filled with amazement. As a veteran who had lived for seventy-four years and had countless experiences in judging people, he could be said to never be wrong in recognizing people.

Therefore, he could be certain that John's words came from the heart.

Exceptional wisdom, sharp insight, and the courage to act are all qualities that will inevitably make him an outstanding general.

However, if you add the support of the soldiers and fair discipline, then without a doubt, with such a commander, the soldiers under the enemy's command will all become fearless and will not easily be defeated, even when facing an army that is several times or even more than ten times their own size. Instead, they will continue to resist tenaciously.

This kind of unparalleled commander, whose presence inspires the entire army to follow and support him, is exactly what the empire, currently besieged by numerous allied forces, desperately needs!

As for the possibility that the other party's behavior was just a pretense, even the Allied's most powerful spies would find it difficult not to reveal their true colors when facing Dormammu.

Secondly, if John can truly achieve this level, then the other party is certainly worthy of Dormammu's attention.

Despite his young age, he is already very shrewd and calculating. If he has the opportunity to develop his skills, he will surely become a master manipulator of people's hearts and minds, and he will be even better than the former "benevolent general"!

Is it really necessary to put such a talented person in such a dangerous situation to test him?

A flicker of hesitation crossed Dormammu's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by calm.

The current war leaves him no time to think about the future. If he cannot win this war, then without the new Magic Lake and the ability to continue producing powerful magic soldiers, the empire's brilliant glory will only become dimmer and even disappear under the combined attack of the allied forces.

This was something he would never allow to happen.

So, if you really are qualified to be the one leading the soldiers' marching flag.

So, John Maslow, prove it to me with your actions!
This proves that you are a piece of pure gold that will only become more dazzling no matter how much hardship you endure.

It's not a fake!
A resolute glint flashed in Dormammu's eyes. He then slowly put down his pipe, his eagle-like blue eyes fixed on the young man in front of him, who seemed to radiate light in his eyes.

Her slightly purplish lips moved slowly, revealing the true purpose of her invitation:

“Lieutenant John Maslow, I have a special mission that I need your 14th Magic Soldier Mobile Squad to carry out.”

"The danger level of this mission is: lethal."

……

(End of this chapter)