Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 274: Volume 4 Chapter 42: Times Create Heroes

The breakout of the three guides went very smoothly. Since the Gazalin Empire had already fallen into chaos, the paralysis of the SkyNet System and the spread of various messages left every unit, official, and citizen of Gazalin at a loss. Thousands of soldiers from the Freedom Front relied on the cover of powerful interference sources in the prison, guidance from same-frequency radar, and Fatty’s distraction of enemy attention, taking less than two hours to successfully enter the eastern slums of Tanville.

As soon as they entered the slums, the Freedom Front blended in like a drop of water into the ocean. They quickly integrated, dispersed according to instructions, and vanished among the people.

”Two things, we must do immediately!” Back at the base, Sanjad faced his two companions and raised two fingers: ”First, we must immediately launch the uprising according to the emissary’s plan. This uprising has two phases. The first phase is from covert to overt, gathering strength in the slums and starting a propaganda offensive. The second phase is a large-scale armed revolt to establish our army and government! ... Second, we must contact Algarfar immediately, because from now on, what we need to do is no longer striking but occupying!”

”I’ll contact Algarfar right away!” Yaric rubbed his hands excitedly: ”This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Now, even James is in our hands. With the support of the Leray Federation, we will definitely succeed!”

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”General, the Imperial Army has abnormal actions. Here’s the report.” Colonel Pat, the director of Combat Department 6th Research Room, placed a report in front of Russell, pointing out several doubts on the eastern battlefield of Lucerne through intelligence and data analysis.

”Oh?” Russell flipped open the report and said: ”Tell me.”

”The attack intensity of the Gazalin Empire Army has clearly decreased compared to two days ago, but the electronic attack intensity has increased by more than one level. Such abnormality originally indicates that they would launch a planned attack soon. However, we’ve discovered from data of several skirmishes that the enemy’s defense strength has dropped by twenty percent, which is a very suspicious issue. Additionally, we’ve just received a report that Liebgoet has begun to contract defenses.”

”Contract defenses?” Russell said incredulously: ”Is he trying to make us turn around and wipe out that air-dropped unit?”

”I think there’s a trap in here!” Pat guessed: ”Could it be they are luring us to make a wrong judgment in preparation for their second air-drop?”

Russell pondered for a long time and decisively said: ”No! Lowering attack intensity at the most opportune time for a large-scale counterattack is not their true intention, but an indication that their forces are stretched thin!” He stood up abruptly, striding to the electronic map: ”That transport fleet, returning three days late, must have taken away part of their troops! There’s change inside Gazalin Country!”

”Inside Gazalin Country?” Pat was somewhat outpaced by Russell’s thinking. He didn’t understand how Russell so quickly switched his thoughts to the internal situation in Gazalin Country and made such a decisive conclusion.

”Do you know the unit trapped between Amayo Mountain and East Valley City, still inactive, is designated what?” Russell pointed to that region on the map: ”Gazalin Army’s 1st, 2nd, 11th, 12th, 21st, 22nd Armored Divisions! Those are James’s loyal troops that helped him ascend to the throne! Plus the two ace Infantry Divisions and eight first-class Infantry Divisions of the Military Department. What are these? They’re James’s assets! He would never allow these troops to be used as bait, nor allow them to easily fall into a predicament!”

”Now, with Liebgoet daring to contract defenses while these troops are trapped by us, there’s only one possibility: there has been a mutiny within Gazalin Country. They won’t receive reinforcements anymore, or... Liebgoet no longer has to follow James’s orders in commanding battles. He’s stalling for time and seeking vested interests!”

”Then, should we immediately redraw the battle plan and aim to launch a counterattack?” Pat asked excitedly, with bright eyes.

”Too late. Since Liebgoet has already begun contracting the defense line, it means his strategic deception has achieved its purpose. If we attack now, it’ll surely end in a stalemate, exactly what he hopes to see. Now, what we need to plan is how to eliminate that air-dropped unit!”

”Russell! Look, here’s news just received.” The office door was pushed open violently, and Bernadotte strode in, followed by a panting Hamid.

”Gazalin coup!”

Russell snatched the report from Bernadotte’s hand, which came from the Mezrich Freedom Front base, and quickly read through. Even his usual calm demeanor couldn’t hide his excitement as he waved the report towards Hamid: ”Connect me immediately to the Supreme Command Department General Mihailovich and the President’s Office... Quickly!”

Still catching his breath, Hamid turned and ran without saying a word, while Russell paced back and forth excitedly, muttering: ”This guy, he really pulled it off!”

Always anxiously following behind Russell, reaching out to grab the report but hesitant to act rashly, Pat asked: ”General, who pulled it off?”

”Who else, that guy from your 6th Room.”