Chapter 60: 52. Army without a leader
Translator: 549690339
Captain Murphy took a step forward, entering the field of vision of Corporal Mars.
Her tall figure was hidden under a black cloak, and a black hood covering her face was added to her head.
She wasn’t wearing an imperial uniform, but instead had changed into a black outfit with no logos or identification numbers.
No matter from which angle, she looked like a person in all black, difficult to associate with the Imperial Army, and even her gender was difficult to discern.
If not for knowing her identity in advance, no one would connect her with the army.
Through her drooping hat brim and strands of hair, Captain Murphy’s gaze fell on Mars’ face, stained with dirt and tears:
“Did Lieutenant Grett give you any orders?”
“He told me to inform the soldiers to retreat to the First Underground Level,” said Corporal Mars.
“Then you go follow his command, Mars. I’ll take care of the field. Also, I heard your muttering. Your teammates are all brave Imperial Soldiers, and I’ll provide them with triple the compensation. Once the ‘Broken Coffin’ plan is successful, each will receive an additional medal.”
Corporal Mars took a deep breath, his head heavy with emotion:
“…Yes, Chief Officer.”
Captain Murphy continued:
“I’m going to kill the Cavern Evil Spider now, ending this battle unfavorable to the Empire. When the Cavern Evil Spider is dead, I’ll take Lieutenant Grett away.
“Corporal Mars, remember my command: keep my presence here secret and don’t let anyone know I was here.
“As for Lieutenant Grett, he has already heroically sacrificed himself here.”
“Do you understand?”
With a serious expression, Corporal Mars straightened his posture and replied:
“Yes, Chief Officer, I understand. Until the ‘Broken Coffin’ plan is successful, you are an Empire Officer who perished in Tomb No.669. Lieutenant Grett is also a Hero of the Empire who died in Grave No.1079.”
‘Very well, go on. Do what you must.”
Captain Murphy took a step back, her body fading into the darkness.
A chilly gust of wind blew, and Captain Murphy followed it, rushing towards the distant battlefield like a whirlwind.
Once again, Corporal Mars felt his heart quiver at the strength of a Third Order Extraordinary Person.
He identified the direction and ran to the nearest hole in the wall:
“Quickly retreat! Quickly retreat! Intermediate Undead Forces have appeared here! It’s a murderous Cavern Evil Spider, transformed by a Death Notice assassin! Lieutenant Grett is buying us time; we must retreat quickly, or his sacrifice will be in vain!”
On the other hand, Noland Lee was carrying Sergeant Mike Adams, slowly walking along the wall.
He suddenly felt a faint breeze brush past him, stirring the yellow-green poisonous fog and leaving ripples.
Noland Lee raised his eyebrows thoughtfully, turning his body towards Mars’ direction and throwing a series of Deconstruction Techniques.
[System Message: You are about to launch the Deconstruction Technique on
“Special Copper Whistle”…]
[System Message: You are about to launch the Deconstruction Technique on “Marsha Murphy”…]
Oh, so that’s why.
Noland Lee’s eyes lit up slightly, revealing an enlightened expression.
No wonder Corporal Mars was determined to act separately; he wanted to secretly use the second copper whistle to contact Captain Murphy.
Then it seems that the outcome of the battle on the Third Underground Level is basically determined.
The Cavern Evil Spider’s strength is roughly equal to 1.5 First Order “Imperial
Fists,” far from a Third Order “Imperial Fist.”
It is estimated that in a few rounds, the Cavern Evil Spider will be smashed into mud by Captain Murphy.
I really want to see how this battle scene goes, but unfortunately, I still have a mission…
However, to be honest.
Corporal Mars is quite ruthless.
Really ruthless.
He clearly had a trump card in hand, but he watched his team get wiped out before calling Captain Murphy to help.
Noland Lee didn’t quite understand the reason behind this.
Anyway, he felt that if he had a weapon capable of turning the tide, he wouldn’t wait until all his teammates were dead to use it.
Noland Lee shook his head slightly and continued towards the staircase.
In his mind, the thought of leaving the dreadful Suffering Borderland became increasingly firm.
Near the staircase of the third underground level.
The imperial soldiers stationed here were busily overwhelmed.
Seriously injured on the battlefield, the wounded would be carried by squad members to the staircase, and then taken by the guards watching the staircase to the upper level for treatment.
The guards watching the staircase were exhausted by all this effort.
Carrying people back and forth on the lengthy stairwell was a grueling task, even for guards who had been injected with a strengthening potion.
“What the hell happened at this level of the grave vaults? After the stone wall rose from the ground, why did so many wounded people suddenly start turning up here?”
The guard leaned against the wall at the entrance of the staircase, panting and muttering under his breath.
The two other guards next to him were in a similar state.
Their rapid consumption of physical strength made their faces pale and their arms and thighs tremble slightly.
“There shouldn’t be any major problems… Didn’t you notice that the wounded brought here were all injured by the bone hammer of the Big Skeleton? I estimate that the Big Skeleton should have been killed by our people at this point.”
“I hope so… Hey? There’s someone else coming.”
The guards stopped talking and looked up at the figure emerging from the poisonous fog. He had a surprised look in his eyes.
No wonder, though!
Noland Lee suddenly discovered that he had left the range of the “Perception Obstruction” technique!
It turned out that near the staircase, the influence of “Perception Obstruction” had reached its limits.
His vision instantly returned to normal, and the negative effects indicated on his Personal Panel disappeared at the same time.
It seemed that the “Perception Obstruction” only affected a certain area of the third underground level, not the entire level.
Noland Lee collected his thoughts, and with an anxious expression on his face, he said to the guards who were looking at him:
“Quick, evacuate! There are Cavern Evil Spiders here!”
“Cavern Evil Spiders?!” The three guards watching the staircase were close to jumping up on the spot: “Are you sure?”
The guard’s face showed doubt.
Noland Lee had anticipated their reaction.
He propped up Mike Adams on his back, freeing up his right hand to reach into his pocket and pull out his Copper Whistle, showing it to the soldiers:
“Really, I’m not lying to you. As soon as we encountered the Cavern Evil Spiders, Corporal Mars had me use this copper whistle to call for support.”
“Lieutenant Grett arrived just in time. He saved me, Corporal Mars, and
Sergeant Mike Adams on my back, holding off the frenzied Cavern Evil Spiders.”
“His command to Corporal Mars was to let all the soldiers on the third underground level evacuate as soon as possible!”
As Noland Lee spoke, his tone was urgent, but with clear logic.
Only then did the guards believe him and stepped aside to make way for him.
At this moment, many soldiers emerged from the poisonous fog and converged near the entrance of the stairwell.
They looked obviously panicked on their faces.
This scene struck right at the hearts of the guards watching the staircase. “Did you encounter Cavern Evil Spiders as well?”
“Yes, mate, we better retreat now. Lieutenant Grett is sacrificing his life to block the intermediate undead creatures for us. We must regroup on the first underground level… By the way, has anyone seen Sergeant Alvin Stafford? We didn’t see him the whole way here.”
Facing the inquiry, the guards watching the staircases looked downcast: “Sergeant Alvin Stafford is in a coma due to severe injuries! He is too old and his body is already weak. After using too many life-draining battle potions, he has been taken to the campsite on the first underground level by his guards.”
“This is really terrible!… With Sergeant Alvin Stafford unconscious, and Lieutenant Grett held up by the Cavern Evil Spiders… who among us can act as a commander?”
The soldiers looked at each other.
“Sergeant Pim…” One soldier gritted his teeth and said:
“This disgusting Military Intelligence Section Two investigator is the highest-ranking officer here… If we return to the first underground level, we will definitely have to follow his command, until Sergeant Alvin Stafford wakes up or the Korabo Legion sends a new commander.”
Noland Lee’s pupils shrank slightly..
