Chapter 818: Chapter 591: It Was All the Empire’s Doing!
(Second update presented, third update to be published at 22:00.)
After deciding the direction for the rest of them, Teresa scanned the surroundings with a fierce expression.
“There are 73 of us survivors in total. From now on, everyone must completely forget about the explosion. We are always guerrillas in the hilly areas, constantly fighting the Empire forces!”
“Has everyone remembered!”
“Remembered!” came the steadfast responses.
“Very good, contact the 104th Division headquarters, tell them we’ve discovered signs of retreat and are awaiting support. Then we begin the march!”
Under the cover of night, the team quietly left their hiding cave and returned to the Fire Hills region along a meandered, winding dark path.
As they walked, stumbling in the darkness, Teresa took one last look at the half-sky glowing red.
Starting tomorrow, who knows to what extent things will escalate.
Major, I brought the brothers… and survived.
Teresa’s figure eventually faded into the shadows.
…
As dawn approached, the events in the Fire Hills finally began to unfold!
The stationed troops around the mining site began receiving the news, which shocked them into disbelief.
Especially when each high-ranking officer tried to contact division headquarters, only to be met with communication failures.
They finally began to believe that intelligence—
The division commander was ambushed and killed by the Empire forces!
Thus, reports were layered upwards, eventually forming a greatly substantiated version.
[The Fire Hills area was attacked by the Empire forces, the stationed forces of the 104th Division were annihilated, the 149th Division suffered heavy losses, and Colonel Quinton was shamelessly ambushed by the Empire forces during retreat, sacrificing himself heroically for the country!]
Upon learning of the news, E75 Planet Federation military headquarters’ Commander-in-Chief, Vice Admiral Vasily, was furious and reportedly smashed several cups in the headquarters.
Because merely half a day later, the Empire Frontier Army openly announced…
[The great Empire forces have just successfully attacked the Federation 149th Division headquarters, dealing a heavy blow to the enemy.]
The headquarters that originally wanted to thoroughly investigate this matter now had its hatred completely shifted towards the Empire forces.
Especially for Lieutenant Colonel Nimaiya of the Empire Frontier Army 33rd War Zone, who overnight became a hero in his camp.
Compared to teammates with complete communication breakdowns and message blockades, Mu Fan was utterly dumbfounded by the development of events during this day’s march.
Especially when the Empire forces came forth, admitting to launching the attack!
This was simply a perfect scapegoat.
With the Empire forces’ confession, any verification became unnecessary.
Only the Empire forces could have created such a horrific explosion scene.
…
The Deputy Division Commander of the 149th Division, Lindek, stood silently in the middle of the already burnt-to-ashes camp, where the still-standing mechanical equipment showed traces of past human activities.
“Are there any survivors?”
“Report, Lieutenant Colonel, only some unrecognizable bodies were found.”
“Colonel Quinton’s body, was it found?”
“No… but I think, Colonel, you should come and see this secret room.”
Led by the soldier, Lindek saw the newly excavated, ash-covered metal secret room.
As the deputy division commander, he naturally knew Quinton’s hobby, which was hiding in the secret room to count money.
However, now not even ashes could be found, a truly ironic end.
Now his headache was how to report to the influential backers of the 149th Division.
“Find me another clue!”
“Lieutenant Colonel, a headless body was found far from the base, confirmed to be Colonel Quinton’s adjutant, Major Gerry.”
The gaze in Lieutenant Colonel Lindek’s eyes tightened, and he quickly followed the soldier to the site.
Soon, Mu Fan’s masterpiece came formally under their scrutiny.
“The major was brutally beaten to death, trampling marks appeared on the ground, but since this area has not escaped the rocky hill terrain, tracking footprints is impossible, and the blood trail disappears twenty meters away…”
Seeing the gruesome scene around, some only felt sick to their stomachs.
Damn Empire forces!
“Major Gerry was very likely discovered and killed by the Empire forces while fleeing…”
Lindek raised his palm, and the adjutant’s voice abruptly stopped.
The 149th Division’s reputation must not suffer due to these dead people, so Major Gerry had to be a hero.
And he, Lindek, was very likely the next division commander of the 149th Division.
“Prepare to formally report to headquarters: Lieutenant Colonel Lindek has dispatched personnel to verify that our division’s soldiers fought bravely, encountering in the Fire Hills War Zone…”
Lindek’s authoritative voice echoed in the area, while the adjutant beside him faithfully recorded.
This version emphasized the courage of Federation soldiers more than prior rumors.
Of course, what remained unchanged was the crux of the narrative—
Yes, it was all done by the Empire forces!
Thus far, investigating the detailed causes was no longer necessary.
…
Mu Fan arrived on this planet for the 30th day, now they’re over 50 kilometers in a straight line from the explosion site, they are located in the far northwest of the entire battlefield, where the terrain is most complex and harsh.
The group was resting in a rocky cave, using a telescope to glimpse the distant Empire encampment.
“Has the response from the division headquarters arrived?”
“Yes, Captain, Colonel Liang Chuan himself passed the order, in three days they will surely arrive here to join us.”
Hearing the soldier’s report, Teresa grinned, now each of the 73 looked just like refugees.
However, such high-intensity mountain marching was nothing unusual for these veterans, but he was amazed by this private’s performance, even better than theirs.
From body to mind, top-notch, a natural war machine!
Though accustomed to calling Mu Fan a private, no one truly believed he was just a private anymore.
Yet today, this private seemed somewhat unusual.
Mu Fan leaned against the rock wall at the cave entrance, looking into the distance as if pondering something, he had been sitting there for two hours since morning.
So Teresa let the brothers chat enthusiastically nearby, taking out a half-pack of crumpled cigarettes, he walked over to Mu Fan alone.
The private’s military boots were patched red and black, looking like he just escaped from a heap of refugees except for those bright eyes.
Today marked his last day on the planet, exactly the day agreed upon by everyone on the Black Flying Dragon, and the day he would leave here.
The experiences on the battlefield during this time were entirely different from the previously trained military camp life.
Suddenly, he longed to confide in someone, for some reason, looking upon the gray sky made him remember that tearful, laughing, quirky little girl.
Wondering how Nuonuo is doing now…
“Want one? My precious stash, very high quality.” A large scarred hand extended a slightly crumpled cigarette.
Mu Fan looked up to see Teresa’s friendly smile, returned it with a grin, and waved it off.
“Thanks, not used to it.”
“You’re missing out on something good, guess I’ll just have it myself then.” Seeing Mu Fan’s smile, Teresa lit it without any pretension, exhaled a big smoke ring, squatting on a stone beside him.
After a large smoke circle, he looked at Mu Fan, “What’s the matter, you’ve been acting unusual since the morning, homesick? Everyone has this phase when they first set out, take it easy.”
“Someday, if you have the chance, visit my hometown on Flowing Cloud Star. Over 70% of it is ocean, the girls are absolutely beautiful, I’ll treat you to a feast, hahaha!”
Looking at this hearty captain, Mu Fan shook his head, his face finally turning serious.
Because the button on his chest, silent for thirty days, finally vibrated…