Apocalypse Villainess? Nah, I'm Nice

The head of the Jovitas intelligence team nodded. ”Our contacts at the various bases are unable to reach them. We’ve scouted the main roads but found no trace, and they haven’t stopped at any base to resupply, which is highly abnormal. At the same time, two very suspicious vehicles were spotted refueling at Aquila Base, which is on their expected route. Our people managed to get a look at one of them and reported a man who strongly resembled Sheldon Reid—it’s very likely him. The other vehicle was guarded too tightly for us to get inside, but they heard the faint cries of a little girl... Putting it all together, I suspect they ran into Sheldon Reid on his way back to Central City.”

After a moment, Marcus Monroe gave a quiet ”hm.”

Sheldon Reid was poisoned at the encampment. Kiera Walsh claimed he was in seclusion, but in reality, she had likely placed him under house arrest.

But then his trusted guards disappeared. The possibility that they rescued him and are heading back to Central City was quite high.

Considering the timeline, it was very likely they ran into Levi Young’s group on their way back.

’This is... terrible...’

’The last thing I want is for Paige Summers to come back and find both of them missing, their fates unknown!’

After a moment of thought, Marcus Monroe said decisively, ”Send more people to search! And keep a tail on those two vehicles. Dispatch the Orange Team. Once you have confirmation, you must rescue them!”

Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Cyan, Blue, Violet... The Orange Team was Jovitas’s second-strongest combat unit, ranking just below the Red Team. They were incredibly formidable. With them on the case, the matter would almost certainly be resolved.

As long as Sheldon Reid hadn’t lost his mind and killed them already.

’He probably wouldn’t.’

Marcus Monroe shook his head to himself.

’He only captured them to threaten me or Paige Summers. They’re useless to him dead. Killing them would only cement the hatred between us, making it a fight to the death.’

’At a critical time like this, he wouldn’t be that stupid.’

Yes, it had indeed come to a critical moment for Sheldon Reid’s survival.

Stripped of his military authority, his only option was to return to Central City in search of a lifeline.

But while his plan was sound, it was... too late.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Marcus Monroe’s lips.

In the time since Sheldon Reid had left, Marcus had already struck a deal with the Governor. The Governor would handle Commander Chandler, and together they would not only officially strip Sheldon Reid of his military command again, but also charge him with numerous crimes.

As the head of The Power Corps, Sheldon Reid had always been arrogant, acting as if he were above Commander Chandler of the regular army. The two did not have a good relationship. Why would Chandler possibly speak up for him now?

The world is full of people eager to kick a man when he’s down.

So even if he made it back, he would only end up before a military tribunal. There would be no chance of a comeback!

’Once this major threat is dealt with, I’ll need to put some work in on Kiera Walsh.’

’If she knows what’s good for her, things will remain peaceful with Jovitas.’

’It wouldn’t even be out of the question to give her a hand, help her sit securely in that position.’

’That way, I wouldn’t have to spend all my time scheming about these matters.’

’I might even be able to drop everything here and go find Paige Summers.’

’I’m really looking forward to that day.’

It all sounded simple, but in reality, accomplishing these things one by one was anything but easy.

In a short amount of time, he had not only solidified his position in Jovitas but also cut off all of Sheldon Reid’s escape routes. Even Marcus, who was always hard on himself, had to admit he’d done well this time.

The only loose end was the disappearance of Levi Young and Erin Quinn.

Marcus Monroe’s expression darkened once more.

’I have to find and rescue them.’

’It looks like I’ll have to go myself.’

「Two days later.」

The intelligence team leader came to report. ”We’ve confirmed it. The man in the vehicle is Sheldon Reid. But it looks like they realized they were being tailed, so they changed course to try and shake us. They’re currently heading southwest.”

”Keep following them. Stay hidden, and do not lose them. Notify the Orange Team to change their route. Everyone else, keep searching. Until we can confirm they’re in Sheldon Reid’s vehicle, the search doesn’t stop.”

”Yes.”

The intelligence team leader hesitated for a few seconds before adding, ”Black S asked me to relay a message. He said he’ll keep an eye on things in the city and that nothing will go wrong. But as for Sheldon Reid, he said not to underestimate him, and that it would be best for you to go yourself.”

After delivering the message, he discreetly wiped his sweaty palms on his trousers.

’That’s why Boss Black S is so terrifying.’

’He can call the man standing right in front of me an idiot, saying things like, ”That brat let his woman run off to some godforsaken corner of the earth, and he still has the nerve to sit on his ass here and send others to do his work? Go tell him that if he doesn’t personally capture that punk Reid, he shouldn’t even think about coming back!” Black S could say something like that, but how was a lowly team leader like me supposed to relay that message word for word?!’

’I know he’s going to be the big boss in the future. This is basically a death sentence!’

’If he’s got the guts, he should come and say it himself!’

While the team leader waited for a response, his heart pounding in his chest, Marcus Monroe simply furrowed his brow and asked, ”Is that what Black S said?”

”...Yes.”

Marcus Monroe paused for a moment. ”Alright, then. Grab some things and come with me to see him. I actually have something I need to talk to him about.”

’Huh? AHHHHH! Am I going to be exposed for lying just seconds after I did it? No, Boss, please no! Some other day! No, go with someone else!!’

Unfortunately, no one could appreciate his turmoil.

With a pained expression, the team leader followed Marcus Monroe downstairs and into the car.

He had no chance to refuse!

Fortunately, however, when they arrived at Boss Black S’s house, Marcus Monroe didn’t make him come along, instead entering Black S’s bedroom by himself.

He waited outside, his heart in his throat, for a long time.

But when Marcus Monroe came out, his Luck Value must have maxed out!

’He didn’t mention anything about me at all!’

’This is great!’

In truth, Marcus Monroe had no time to deal with the team leader. He was busy mulling over how to capture Sheldon Reid with his own hands.

’It’s not that I don’t want to do it.’

’What a joke!’

’It was only because Black S’s health had been declining that I couldn’t just drop everything here.’

’But seeing that Black S seemed to be doing much better today, and since he was the one who suggested I go, I finally agreed.’

’Good.’

’Sheldon Reid... you’d better not die before I get my hands on you!’