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

Chapter 8: Warrant Officer John possesses extraordinary wisdom!

"Speaking of which, Captain John, what exactly is our mission this time?"

In the valley southeast of the Walden front, Wendy, flying behind John, couldn't help but ask a question, glancing at the surrounding cliffs while instinctively tightening her grip on the magic gun.

Although she wasn't looking at the map at the moment, Wendy's veteran experience told her that Squad 14 seemed to have strayed from the main force's location.

And whether it was just her imagination or not, Wendy felt a chill down her back.

It was as if many figures were silently watching her every move from places she couldn't see.

Thinking of this, Wendy couldn't help but feel a little anxious. Then, looking at the captain who was flying slowly ahead at a first-gear speed as if on a 'spring outing,' she couldn't help but urge him on:

"Also, Captain John, won't flying this slowly affect the mission?"

"Sergeant Wendy, as a soldier, you talk too much."

John, who was channeling magic power into the magic bag and barely stabilizing the magic bag's level 1 auxiliary flight mode by relying on the body's physical memory, immediately reprimanded the other party expressionlessly upon hearing this.

Of course he wants to fly faster too!

But the key point is that, as a pilot taking off for the first time, he is already using almost all his strength just to stabilize himself.

If the speed had been any faster, he probably would have crashed on the spot.

To be honest, the researchers in the Imperial Magic Department are all idiots.

They've already designed a magic pack to assist with flight, so why couldn't they make it a little smarter and add an automatic flight mechanism?

This foot-operated gear shifter that requires you to use your legs to control the speed and angle of movement is utter garbage!
If it weren't for my experience riding a balance scooter in my previous life, I probably would have fallen flat on my face during takeoff!

What a load of rubbish! It's utter garbage!
John cursed inwardly, but feeling the aggrieved yet suspicious look in Wendy's eyes, he knew he had to give her a reason that would convince her.

Otherwise, he probably wouldn't have been able to reach the location of the suspected Allied anti-magic device, as indicated in the intelligence, and complete the defection negotiations with the Allied high command before he could even do so.

His thirty soldiers would then become suspicious of him.

After mentally reviewing the mission information, John suddenly had a flash of inspiration and immediately explained to Wendy, who was currently sulking:

"This time we are carrying out a secret infiltration operation, which requires us to conceal our actions as much as possible. Although flying at full speed can reduce the time of the operation, it is also easy for the Allied forces to become alert due to the magical fluctuations. Therefore, flying at full speed will only lead to the failure of the mission."

"As for the next operational plan, I will explain it in detail after we arrive at the mission objective. Sergeant Wendy, do you have any questions about my instructions?"

"That's all, Captain."

Upon hearing this, Wendy immediately understood and nodded to show that she understood.

At the same time, the way she looked at John became more embarrassed.

After all, soldiers only need to operate firearms to kill targets, but commanders have many more things to consider.

Moreover, John is a high-achieving student like himself, who graduated from the Imperial Military Academy and possesses exceptional intelligence.

It's perfectly normal that the other party would disdain explaining mission arrangements to a mage who only knows how to fight.

But Warrant Officer John still wasted her precious thinking time explaining the general situation of the mission.

Warrant Officer John must have admired her to do that.

Although the captain seems like an unapproachable guy, is he actually a surprisingly gentle person?

As expected of a top student sent by the academy, Wendy, you really need to learn from the captain!

Wendy gazed at John with adoration, her admiration for her intelligent and 'gentle' boss growing ever stronger.

"Why is this idiot staring at me like that? Does she think I'm thinking of changing jobs?" Feeling Wendy's 'cold' gaze, John felt a chill run down his spine and a sense of panic creep into his heart.

But after carefully reviewing his own remarks and finding no flaws, John still braced himself and raised his hand towards Wendy, signaling her to move aside.

He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that the other party no longer flew alongside him, but obediently followed the instructions and kept a distance of one body length from him.

However, feeling the other party's piercing gaze, John understood that he had to change his job-hopping plan!

After all, given Wendy's almost fanatical 'loyalty' to the Empire just now, the possibility of trying to persuade her to switch sides and join the Allies is practically zero.

"Therefore, I can't let the members of Squad 14 meet with the Allied high command. At the very least, it's best to keep them away from each other until I've finished discussing the defection with my 'friendly forces'."

Otherwise, the harmonious job-hopping scene he dreamed of would definitely turn into a bloody battle.

"We can't let the two sides meet, but I still need to get in touch with the Allied high command... tsk..."

John frowned, his mind replaying the scene of Dormammu talking to him in the command post before they set off.

In fact, when explaining the details of the mission, Dormammu also gave him the detailed coordinates of what appeared to be an Allied anti-magic device being deployed.

According to Dormammu's description, these coordinates were derived by the reconnaissance department through data deduction from anti-magic factors during the nearly one-month-long battle in the Walden region, combined with other coordinates obtained by interrogating the captain of the Allied squad last night. The head of the reconnaissance department then conducted multiple screenings and judgments overnight using magic amplification instruments, and finally arrived at the final coordinates.

And this coordinate is precisely John's final destination on this trip.

John, as a player, was naturally very familiar with the power of the Empire's magic detection methods and the terrifying level of the unique analytical abilities required of a commander.

Therefore, he did not doubt that the coordinates were fake.

Rather, it was precisely knowing that these coordinates might be the exact location where the Allied forces deployed their anti-magic devices that made him feel uneasy.

After all, if he really brought Wendy and the others to the location of the core weapons on the Allied front, John knew, even with a grain of salt, that the first reaction of the Allied forces upon seeing this scene would be that the Empire had sent troops to attack.

His plan to leave the Empire and join the Allied Forces would then completely collapse.

This is an outcome he absolutely does not want to see.

Damn it, John Maslow, use your brilliant brain to think of a solution!
“…Got it!”

As John rapidly racked his brains, a brilliant idea quickly formed in his mind:

Why can't I just find some excuse to get Wendy to take the other idiots somewhere else?

After that, he went to the Allied headquarters alone to discuss the matter of switching sides. Once he had agreed on the terms and conditions with his allies, he would then lead the Allied soldiers, armed with anti-magic devices, to block Wendy and the others' retreat and persuade them to surrender obediently.

In this way, I can not only prevent Wendy and her poor little bulls from losing their lives, but I can also gain the appreciation of the new leader. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

"Genius! I'm a genius for coming up with this plan!"

As John thought about it more and more and found the plan feasible, he couldn't help but marvel at his own extraordinary wisdom.

His previously tense expression now softened into a relieved smile thanks to his brilliant plan, and his heart began to race with excitement.

He's completely in control of this situation; he has no idea how much more he could possibly lose!
"Come on, my dear Allied friends, let's have an open and honest talk, hehe!"

John chuckled to himself, his eyes filled with anticipation as he looked towards the distant valley exit.

Meanwhile, outside the valley, on the edge of the Allied Fifth Army Corps, in a makeshift command post, a figure carrying documents slowly pulled back the tarpaulin covering the command post and stepped inside.

……

(End of this chapter)