Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 115: After revision: Volume 3, Chapter 25, The Mindset of Betrayal

Stephen smiled and said, ”General Gordon, don’t you want to invite us to sit?” This third heir to the Empire had excellent manners and demeanor, always graceful and composed. However, Gordon knew that if anyone stood in the way of this man’s progress, he would kick them aside without hesitation. In his eyes, the ultimate goal was not the imperial throne, but to lead the Gazalin Empire to become the greatest of the Imperial Countries. The throne was already in his pocket.

Gordon’s hesitation lasted only for a moment before he put on a brilliant smile and reached out his hand, saying, ”Please, have a seat. It is truly a pleasure to have you both here!” Stepping forward, Gordon grasped Stephen’s hand and pretended to complain, ”Your Highness, here, you are the host. Since when does a host need to ask guests to sit? Besides, I’ve long admired your teacher, General Liebgoet.” Shaking hands with Liebgoet as well, Gordon invited them to sit down and continued to display his delighted but slightly flustered demeanor. He rubbed his hands together, spun around twice, and then glared at his secretary, demanding, ”Serve the tea, why are you standing there?!” As he saw the confidential secretary nod and head to the door, Gordon called out, ”Go, summon General Hailig and tell him we have distinguished guests!”

Hailig was currently the second-in-command of the Military Department and a loyal follower of Prince George. Summoning him was a way for Gordon to use a firm shield. He was unsure why Stephen chose this moment to appear with his famous teacher, General Liebgoet, which made Gordon anxious. The heavy losses the Military Department had suffered in the Newton Star System had already caused a major uproar domestically. It was uncertain whether he could maintain his position as First Admiral.

Now, the Leray Federation’s counteroffensive had entered the Galileo Star System. A medium-sized space fleet was devoured by the Federation Army in one swift move. As the battle unfolded in the Galileo Star System, the surrounding petty nations with old animosities were also stirring, seemingly inclined to form an anti-Empire alliance with the Leray Federation. If a decisive victory could not be achieved in the Galileo Star System, the first to fall would be none other than himself!

In the Gazalin Empire, those who were ousted midway never met good ends. Once stripped of power, within a few years, their successors would replace all their appointees, and those with grudges would seize any excuse to get rid of them, even potentially sending them to the gallows! Just thinking of this made Gordon shiver.

Of course, Stephen knew Gordon’s intentions. Mentally cursing him as an old fox, he pretended not to hear and said to Liebgoet, ”Teacher, General Gordon is well-known for his cautious and defensive military strategies. In terms of military acumen, General Gordon is no less than Russell.” Liebgoet, with a friendly expression, nodded to General Gordon and said, ”I’ve long heard of your great reputation.”

Gordon felt a bit embarrassed, aware of his own overly cautious approach to leading troops, far less decisive than Russell, and even less commanding on the battlefield than Hailig. As he was about to respond and change the topic, Stephen didn’t give him the chance and interjected, ”But...” He turned to Gordon, continuing, ”I hear the situation in the Galileo Star System isn’t very optimistic. There are still remnant Federation forces on the five immigration planets that haven’t been eliminated, and now a fleet has been swallowed. Even the newly established space jump point by the Federation hasn’t been found yet.” Gordon was annoyed. The Third Prince was being too blunt. His words were nearly a direct reproach. Yet Stephen smiled slightly and continued, ”General, Father sent me to check on the Military Department and to offer some assistance. General, you’ve worked hard and it’s time for a well-deserved rest. Leave the rest to us.”

The Gazalin Emperor had personally intervened! Gordon was as if struck by lightning, stunned and unable to move. This emperor, who had reigned for thirty-eight years, was the stabilizer of the Empire! He played the art of ruling with ease, having kept Russell as the top man of the Imperial Army for over a decade, yet Russell did not dare openly revolt against the Royal Family. He could only use the battlefield and the Leray Federation to achieve his goals! The emperor usually issued broad orders, appearing to rule without interference, but anyone who had direct contact with James knew that this emperor was like a tiger pretending to nap, incredibly shrewd and terrifying. Anyone who dared provoke him would face his thunderous wrath and total destruction!

The only one who managed to deceive him was Russell!

When James heard of Russell’s defection and the setback in the Newton Star System, he merely waved his hand dismissively, but Gordon knew he then spent three days read thoroughly! The angrier this emperor became, the calmer he appeared, gauging his wrath by the length of time he read. He would never tolerate Russell’s betrayal, and would hunt him to the ends of the earth to show the world—betray me and suffer the consequences!

The failed assassination had dealt another heavy blow to the Royal Family. Hopkins, the Empire’s top assassin and the ace of the Royal Family, was inexplicably killed by an unexpected variable—in a sniper duel, no less! This variable not only rescued prisoners of war and tarnished the reputation of the Gazalin Royal Family and Military, but also saw through Russell’s initial plan. If not for that plan’s failure, the Newton Star System would have long been the Empire’s, and Russell wouldn’t have gone to Miloke Planet, and none of the subsequent events would have occurred. This variable, coordinating with Russell’s second plan and personally rescuing Russell from the Mythical Army, was a mystery—who positioned him in this strategic game?

Since Hopkins’ assassination failure, Gordon had a premonition: the imperial emperor’s rage was reaching a boiling point. The once calm Military Department was now turbulent with an unmistakable cleansing impending. The emperor was about to act directly, aiming to decisively defeat the Leray Federation and restore the Empire’s honor.

And the two individuals before him were the hands of Emperor James! The position of First Admiral was now fleeting. Gordon felt a deep sadness; decades of hard work would evaporate at this moment. More sorrowful was the fact that the emperor seemed to overlook the variable, convinced that everything was Russell’s meticulous planning. A mere lieutenant did not warrant the Royal Family’s consideration! The emperor was particularly infuriated by Gordon’s actions regarding this variable, deeming them sheer incompetence, a rebuke Gordon still vividly remembered.

”A Federation Lieutenant! What do you expect the Empire to do, assassinate or kidnap him?” Emperor James had slammed his book on the table. ”There are so many Federation strategists and special soldiers—should we assassinate each one? And what about Russell? Let him watch and mock the Royal Family?! The Empire hasn’t lost enough face already? Get out!”

Variable, ha, ha, Gordon suddenly laughed. This lieutenant had become the catalyst for his downfall. He couldn’t wait to see what surprises this lieutenant would bring to the Gazalin Empire in the days to come!

Gordon smiled to himself, thinking that if Emperor James knew the information he sent into the sniper’s internal network had become useless, and that tens of thousands of Tian Xingjians emerged within minutes in the Leray Federation, while the spies attempting to approach this lieutenant on Miloke were all invited into the Intelligence Bureau, would the emperor reevaluate his decision? But now, the Royal Family had no chance to discover this lieutenant’s value. Gordon immediately decided to destroy all information; he must protect this person. At the most critical moment, maybe this person could save his life!

Stephen and Liebgoet left after sitting for a short while. They had no need to stay. When Hailig came to Gordon’s office, he only saw Gordon standing alone in front of the window, smiling while looking outside.

Hailig asked, ”Where are they? What did they come for?”

Without turning around, Gordon continued looking out the window and suddenly burst into laughter, ”Although I don’t know why Russell likes to stand here, I finally understand why I also enjoy looking at the scenery from here!”

Hailig asked perplexedly, ”Why?”

Gordon didn’t answer. He smiled and handed the emperor’s decree to Hailig, thinking, ”It turns out, all I wanted to know was Russell’s state of mind during his betrayal.”

Seeing Hailig’s livid face, Gordon slowly walked out of the room. Now, I have finally embarked on the path of betrayal.

James! The lofty emperor, don’t you know how many people I offend with my actions? People like us, once ousted and stripped of our rights, what kind of fate awaits us? You haven’t even thought about it! It was you who betrayed me first!

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Fatty felt like he had lost weight, but when he stood on the weighing scale, the cruel numbers showed that, damn it, he had gained another pound!

A week passed quickly. Fatty finally passed Russell’s test. The 4th Fleet had already turned the Galileo Star System upside down. They continuously regrouped, dispersed, and attacked any target available without any pattern. Encountering a primary enemy fleet, they would immediately retreat like a pack of cunning wolves. Two fleets had already been destroyed by them. Their carrier’s fighter group even attacked a ground unit on an Immigration Star. Meanwhile, the 2nd and 3rd Mixed Fleets stationed at the Space Jump Point between the Newton Star System and Galileo Star System were prepared, ready to open the passage, paving the way for the Army with the cooperation of the 4th Fleet at any moment.

Fatty lay exhausted in the simulation cabin, sighed, and in two days, he would face yet another brutal test from Russell and Bernadette. Today, he finally discovered a new Mecha combat technique, which made him incredibly excited.

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Going to the hospital to visit the elderly tonight, updating two Chapters today. If I return early tonight, I’ll try to write some more.

The third one is running fast, catch him! Don’t let him run! (To be continued. For more Chapters, please visit WWW.CMFU.COM. Support the authors and read legally!)