Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 487: Volume 5, Chapter 79: Ran into the Muzzle

The Leray Federation Supreme Command of the National Defense War is located in an unremarkable small building within the Army First Armored Division military base on the northern outskirts of the capital, Ludelit City.

The rare winter sunlight shone warmly on the small building, casting a bright and cheerful glow. Two guards stood tall and straight on either side of the deep brown main door, staring ahead without a blink. Their brand-new K-23 Gattuso-style high-energy assault rifles leaned tightly against the seams of their right pant legs. Like two sculptures, they stood solemn and dignified.

A few Silver Bell Trees, unique to Leray, swayed gently in the breeze around the small building. The silver-white leaves curled like wind chimes swaying in the wind. The wind blew through the curls, slightly stretching the leaves out. After the wind passed, the leaves rolled back, rustling softly.

Not far away, on an empty piece of ground, dozens of burly men in black National Security Bureau uniforms stood quietly beside a convoy. A closer inspection of these black bulletproof hovercraft revealed that they belonged to Federation President Hamilton. An official from the Presidential Office, dressed in a suit, anxiously checked his watch repeatedly.

Inside the small building, it was still silent. In Mihailovich’s office, the military and political leaders of the Leray Federation remained silent, sipping coffee while casting complex glances at the dazzlingly white letter spread on the table.

Everyone present already knew the letter’s contents.

Federation Major General Division Commander Tian Xingjian had unauthorizedly altered the combat strategies and defied military orders. Personal heroism replaced a rigorous overall battle plan, placing allied forces’ main units in extreme danger. The abandonment of Prisk led to the expedition’s core area falling to the enemy, resulting in severe losses of materials and non-combat personnel.

This was neither an official diplomatic document nor a public official message, just a letter from Fiscella. The troublemaking Fatty now belonged directly under the expeditionary forces’ command. The formal report was submitted directly by the Expeditionary Army Command to the Allied General Staff. Fiscella wrote this letter as a mere notification to Fatty’s kin.

”It is evident,” Bernardo broke the silence and spoke, ”This time, General Tian has hit the gun muzzle. There are Little Pyrenees interests involved here.”

”I see it this way too...” Admiral Mihailovich picked up the conversation: ”Regardless of the merits, Fiscella blew this up so quickly, and the Allied General Staff is entirely in favor of their side. It’s clear they’re telling us that the Little Pyrenees is no longer Leray’s affair.”

”This has always been the Feiyang Republic’s style.” Hamilton gave a bitter smile, ”Otherwise, how else could they have leaped from a major power to a superpower in such a short century!”

Bernardo nodded, ”This is to give us a hint! On one hand, Leray continuing to station troops in Mezrich doesn’t align with the Feiyang Republic’s interests. On the other hand, I know Fiscella; he has some military capability but lacks the capacity to tolerate others. He won’t allow a Leray officer who ignores orders and alters battle plans to remain in his area.”

The office fell silent again. In front of these seasoned generals and politicians, the intentions behind this matter were clear after a few words. Besides, the Allied General Staff’s Hastings never intended to conceal their intentions.

Politics is politics. Even if the Feiyang Republic and Leray Federation are trench allies, as close as glue and varnish, there is no sentiment to speak of regarding the Little Pyrenees’ interests. Although it’s far away, there are no obstacles between the Little Pyrenees and Feiyang. It can perfectly become an outpost of the Feiyang Republic in the southeastern airspace!

Establishing military presence and bases wherever possible and supporting pro-Feiyang regimes is the Feiyang Republic’s consistent tactic. After investing so much, how could the Feiyang politicians agree not to gain enough benefits from the Little Pyrenees!

Now that Leray has regained Galileo, it’s only natural to draw back a bit. Besides, who told Fatty Tian to hit the gun muzzle? They could rightfully publicize the charges and announce the punishment — it’s up to Leray Federation to be conscious. The best outcome would be to demote and penalize Fatty to uphold military discipline, then throw him back to Leray. Everyone could then live peacefully.

More importantly, every Leray leader understands. At this moment, the Leray Federation has no power to intervene in Gazalin. The fierce Bermuda situation has drained Leray. Struggling for the Little Pyrenees does not align with Leray’s current reality. This choice has only one answer.

But, the most crucial aspect here is Russell’s attitude. As the Freedom Front fully expands and assumes control, this is the best time! If the allied Leray Federation quietly withdraws its only armored division, influencing Gazalin’s political situation in the future would be nearly impossible.

”Withdraw them!” Russell sipped his coffee calmly, ”The situation that the Freedom Front can achieve, I have no further demands of General Tian. The Feiyang troops in Gazalin will eventually support a local regime.” He put down his cup and said flatly, ”For my nation, we already have the future.”

Looking at Hamilton, he smiled with a slight mystery, ”I’ve decided to write to Hastings shortly. The Freedom Front must show loyalty!”

Bernardo and Mihailovich exchanged glances and finally burst into laughter. Hamilton pointed at Russell with his finger, unable to speak for a while, finally struggling to say, ”Well, you’ve learned our politicians’ tricks cleanly!”

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Fatty stood with his chest out and stomach in, putting on a steadfast expression, and stood straight in Fiscella’s office for nearly half an hour. Fiscella had been discussing something with several military advisors, occasionally glancing at Fatty, yet entirely acting as if he didn’t see him.

His damn face was going stiff. Fatty’s face twitched as he looked at Douglas standing next to Fiscella.

Douglas looked embarrassed and a bit helpless, and the look he gave Fatty foreshadowed something amiss.

”Damn it,” Fatty no longer maintained the standard but difficult iron-blooded military image, looking around Fiscella’s office: ”I’m a hero.”

Fatty’s thoughts returned to the conclusion of the Gazalin campaign.

At that time, he was like a stray dog, madly fleeing from the pursuit of the 39th Division towards Gazalin.

He didn’t know that his every move had been fully captured by the SkyNet satellite. He also didn’t know that every Expeditionary Army warrior had seen these recordings. Even more, he didn’t know that he had already become a hero in the hearts of all Feiyang soldiers who held a tradition of respecting heroes!

He just kept on running with his backside raised, praying to the gods along the way.

When he advanced to less than thirty kilometers from Gazalin, Fatty suddenly discovered in front of him thousands of Feiyang Second Armored Division mechas charging towards him.

Fatty almost started crying. At that moment, his heart sank deeply. He thought, if he were blocked by Feiyang mechas at this time, and whether by enemy or ally, they all teamed up to beat him, he wouldn’t die peacefully!

Fatty immediately changed direction. However, facing the broad wings of the Feiyang Armored Group, such maneuvering was futile. Feiyang mechas surged up. Fatty kneeled down, raised his arms high, and howled, ”I surrender, I surrender!”

The Feiyang Mecha Group automatically split into two streams, bypassing the shivering, surrendering [Holy Sword] 18 on its knees, and plunged into the 39th Division’s mecha group.

Fatty looked endlessly delighted as one Feiyang mecha after another rushed past him, realizing his surrender strategy worked, he shouted even more vigorously.

A black [Divine] stopped in front of the howling Fatty, asking in an extremely uncertain tone, ”Aren’t you General Tian?”

”General Tian?” Fatty paused, then shouted, ”I am, I am!”

The following events were completely beyond Fatty’s expectations. After confirming his identity, hundreds of [Divine] mechas from the Special Forces Group surrounded him and guarded him. What surprised him the most was that every subsequent Feiyang mecha stopped beside him on the battlefield, filled with the roar of cannons.

These mechas performed the same gesture — raising the right arm of the mecha diagonally over their heads.

Fatty stared blankly, he naturally recognized this universal mecha sign. That was... the highest respect a mechanical warrior can show.

Everything felt like a dream.

These days, Fatty had been indulging in the reverent gazes of the Feiyang warriors.

Receiving the respect of elite mecha warriors from a superpower, in the past, Fatty didn’t even dare to think of it! These were elite mecha warriors of the Feiyang Republic! Saying it out loud, it’s nothing short of formidable!

Thus, the vain Fatty often appeared in crowded places, humbly accepting praise, blissfully happy. Until the 19th Division arrived at Gazalin and joined him, Fatty found Bonnie, Nia, and several group leaders’ gazes somewhat flickering and strange. Only then did he realize that his once pristine image had been thoroughly exposed.

For this, Fatty gave little kid a good beating.

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These two Chapters serve as a bridge and conclusion to the battle of Gazalin, and afterward, it won’t quickly enter into warfare, as planning needs to be more complete. Writing is slow, I hope everyone can bear this, the second Chapter is being drafted, it might require working overnight. You all can wait to check it out early tomorrow morning.

Moreover, I kindly ask for your support with recommendation votes!

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