Super Mothership
Seeing Nie Yun and Isabel exchanging flirtatious glances, the peacock man who’d been left aside felt jealousy burning in his eyes.
“Next, all unit commanders, please receive your assigned missions. Proceed to the designated locations and rendezvous with the main forces at the front line as instructed…”
The presiding officer at the meeting began distributing the tasks.
Beep!
Nie Yun’s personal terminal quickly received his assignment.
“Counterattack unit?” Nie Yun frowned as he read the mission details.
Although the information had been partially redacted for confidentiality, there was no doubt this was part of the counteroffensive plan that the peacock man had just mentioned—and it was a collective mission for the Pioneer Legion.
Nie Yun lifted his head and glanced at Isabel, only to find her also frowning at her own terminal.
Clearly, Isabel had realized this mission carried significant risk.
Even their combat assignments were being deliberately targeted now, huh…
Could this be directed at him again?
Still, risk was inevitable on the battlefield.
The internal system of the Gemini military was already highly developed. Anyone wanting to reap rewards without taking risks could forget about it—even the Speaker’s son wasn’t exempt.
Risk equals merit!
That was the unwritten rule within the Gemini military.
Even Nie Yun’s rapid three-rank promotion had only been possible thanks to his near-death experience in the Solar System and his family’s full political backing afterward.
That was precisely why the top families fought tooth and nail to send their heirs to the Wolf Civilization front.
Losing a family member in battle was regrettable, of course, but in large clans with many descendants, life went on. And if one of those heirs managed to rise as a high-ranking military officer, it was an investment that paid off a hundredfold.
Even someone like Arthas ranked only seventh in the line of succession within the Cruze family—his death, if it happened, wouldn’t truly hurt the clan.
Still, while risk did mean potential rewards, Nie Yun could tell that this particular mission’s danger far outweighed its benefits…
“Ugh! Just a mobile defense assignment?!”
The peacock man beside him let out a disgruntled complaint.
Nie Yun turned toward the man’s dissatisfied face, and suddenly, his eyes lit up.
“Lady Isabel, we’ve been assigned to the counterattack unit, right? What should we do? It seems kind of dangerous…”
Nie Yun deliberately raised his voice, sounding anxious.
Isabel blinked in surprise—then noticed the subtle look Nie Yun cast toward the peacock man beside them. She instantly caught on to his intent.
“What’s a little danger? Arthas, if I may say so, you’re still lacking a bit of a soldier’s courage and resolve!”
At Isabel’s sharp rebuke, Nie Yun put on a sheepish face and nodded obediently, as though admitting fault.
“Still… our legion just suffered a defeat, and morale is low. I’d been hoping to let the fleet rest and stabilize before redeploying. But it seems that won’t be possible now, sigh…”
Isabel frowned again, letting out a weary sigh.
The peacock man, who had already perked up his ears the moment Nie Yun spoke, was secretly gloating at Nie Yun’s scolding. But when he heard the “goddess” voice her concern, his heart started racing uncontrollably.
“Lady Isabel, since your legion is currently unsettled, I have a proposal—allow me to offer my humble assistance!”
The peacock man puffed out his chest and smiled confidently.
“Oh?” Isabel raised an eyebrow with interest.
“Our legion has been assigned a mobile defense mission. Given the current state of the battlefield, the Wolves can’t really stir up much trouble, so it’s relatively easier.
If Lady Isabel needs some time to rest and reorganize, this mission would actually be more suitable for your legion. In that case, our legion is willing to take your place in the counterattack operation!
For soldiers like us, charging into battle is the true stage of glory!”
How’s that? he thought smugly. With such a sharp contrast between us, Isabel will definitely see through that pretty boy’s true colors! Hahaha…
Not only would he display his valor and courage before the goddess, but he’d also seize a bigger chance at military merit—two birds with one stone!
“This… isn’t quite proper, is it? The missions have already been assigned…” Isabel hesitated, looking a little torn, as though she was reluctant to part with the potential merits.
“Please rest assured, Lady Isabel,” the peacock man said confidently. “These are only preliminary task allocations. We can still apply for adjustments based on our legions’ real conditions.
Besides, both our legions are second-class corps of the same level, with comparable combat strength. As long as both sides agree to the exchange, even the Operations Department wouldn’t reject my request!”
He thumped his chest proudly, his tone full of bravado—as though he had powerful backing to rely on.
Although his family was only a second-rate clan, his personal connections weren’t bad. And besides, for a voluntary mission exchange like this, approval was usually just a formality.
“This…” Isabel was truly conflicted this time. Partnering with Nie Yun to trick such an earnest man made her feel strangely guilty.
But before Isabel could say anything, Nie Yun had already stepped forward excitedly, grabbing the peacock man’s hands and shaking them up and down with great enthusiasm.
“Thank you so much! Lord Peacock, you’ve really helped us out! From this day on, you’ve earned the friendship of the Cruze family!”
The peacock man’s head was spinning from the vigorous handshake, and in his daze, he somehow ended up accepting that “friendship card.”
Under such “sincere insistence,” the two legions’ mission exchange request was soon submitted.
However, it was intercepted by the Operations Department—the very office in charge of assigning missions.
“Hm? A mission swap?” Beckman raised an eyebrow as he looked at the file.
“A coincidence—or have they already caught on to something? If it’s not a coincidence, then… is it Isabel? Or Arthas? Heh… interesting.”
Beckman tapped his fingers on the table, intrigued.
Indeed, the negative rumors that General Gillard held about Arthas had originated from Beckman himself. And he had taken advantage of his position to dig a little “pit” for Arthas’s legion to fall into.
To Beckman, anyone mentioned twice—each time with irritation—by his grandfather, Senator Victor, was worth testing.
If the man happened to “die” in the process… well, that simply meant he lacked the ability to be Beckman’s opponent. His death would be of no consequence.
“Young Master Beckman, I think it’s just a coincidence. Why not simply reject the application?” suggested a middle-aged officer nearby.
Though older and higher in rank, the man subconsciously spoke with deference.
“Reject it? Why bother? This kind of ordinary request gives us no grounds to refuse. Approve it.”
Beckman waved his hand dismissively, returning to his usual lazy demeanor.
Assigning a dangerous mission was nothing unusual—even Speaker Cruze himself couldn’t fault General Gillard for that, since most of the counterattack forces were Gillard’s own direct subordinates.
But if even a voluntary mission swap couldn’t pass, that would make them look petty—too obviously manipulative.
Still… it seemed the other side wasn’t entirely without influence either.
Clearly, that peacock man had already been made into the “sacrificial pawn” in the opponent’s game of chess.
“Hahaha!”
The peacock man laughed heartily after receiving the approved application file.
“Lady Isabel, please await the glorious victory report of my triumphant return!”
After finishing his grand speech, he shot Nie Yun a disdainful glance once more.
See that? he thought proudly. This is what true courage and duty look like!
We’re not the same—not the same at all…
TL Note- Indeed not the same at all....
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