Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

Chapter 1612: Chapter 95: Fox and Rat Game (Part 5)

Kadar locked the door of the prison carriage, pulled the handle a few times heavily, and after confirming it was foolproof, handed the key to the cadet behind him.

The cadet took the key and carefully put it into his chest.

"Keep your eyes peeled," Kadar tapped the cadet’s arm, "be careful on the road."

The cadet gave a silly smile and raised his hand in salute.

Kadar looked at the fresh face of the cadet in front of him, still bearing scars from the last battle, struggled for a while but ultimately couldn’t hold back, pulled the latter closer and said through gritted teeth, "If something really happens, absolutely don’t fight head-on, be smart, just kill and retreat—your safety is the most important, understand?"

The cadet was confused by the new instructions that contradicted previous orders but still instinctively nodded.

Kadar patted the latter’s back, reassured but still urged, "Be smart."

The cadet nodded.

Kadar took a few steps back, raised his arm, signaling to the other cadets in the alley, "Let’s go, move out!"

The cadets galloped onto their horses, the waiting coachman also shook the reins, and under the close escort of the cadets, the impenetrable black carriage rattled out of the alley.

At the end of the convoy was Father Kaman, passing by Kadar, the latter called out to Kaman.

"Father," Kadar shouted, "I’m entrusting my men to you, you must return them intact."

Kaman nodded silently and then spurred his horse to catch up with the convoy.

Kadar watched the convoy disappear at the alley corner, paused for a moment, then turned and walked towards the sea-blue styled mansion, which served as the ambush site.

Upstairs, Major Luosong and Major Moritz were talking.

Seeing Kadar come up, Luosong greeted proactively, "Sent off?"

"Father Kaman has taken them away," Kadar raised his hand in salute.

"Safe and sound," Luosong exhaled a long breath and casually returned the salute, "You guys back off too."

"Yes," Kadar raised his hand in salute, yet his boots seemed rooted to the spot.

Luosong noticed the odd behavior of the young junior, even Moritz, who usually avoided eye contact, looked towards Kadar.

"What’s wrong?" Luosong asked, "Anything else?"

"Major," Kadar steeled himself and poured his dissatisfaction towards the two officers, "These brats are goofy, clumsy, but they have rolled through rounds of lead bullets and hooves, even if not treasures, they’re good materials. Situations like Jade Crossing which can only send them, fine, but today’s job too? They’re about to be commissioned, isn’t it a bit wasteful?"

Luosong was caught off guard by questioning and didn’t know how to respond, and pondered for a long time before speaking, "Well, your squad leader specifically asked for them."

Kadar was speechless, his grievances choked in his throat, took a while to digest, and reluctantly answered, "Understood."

After saying this, he hurriedly raised his hand in salute, turned to leave.

"Lieutenant," Moritz called out to the young junior from behind, softly said, "When they chose this path, death is a risk they must face, and the same goes for you and me."

Kadar’s smoldering anger was instantly reignited, he swung around to explode but was held back by Major Luosong.

"Lieutenant," Luosong squeezed the young junior’s shoulder, "I know you care for them, I’ll explain to your squad leader, asking him to be cautious using cadet soldiers in the future."

Kadar’s defiant words were again choked in his throat, he reluctantly raised a salute and left quickly.

"He understands what you’re saying, doesn’t he?" Luosong watched the lieutenant’s back and murmured discontentedly to Moritz, "Why provoke him?"

"He is not suited for this," Moritz said calmly.

"Indeed," Luosong nodded.

Moritz lowered his eyes, "Neither are you."

-----------------

Kadar headed towards the inner courtyard, just as he reached the staircase, he heard Houdel screaming like a hen that had just laid an egg.

"[Expletive], what’s this Alchemical Smoke, it’s all nonsense!" The other cadets rested while only Houdel "stood out," holding his fishing net and pretending to tidy up, "In the end, isn’t it down to my fishing net?"

He gestured a few times while speaking.

On the stairs, Kadar saw Houdel’s smug look and couldn’t help his anger.

Seeing Little Majiya grinning beside him, completely unaware of the danger just faced in the capture, made him even more furious.

"Houdel," Kadar walked down the stairs and fiercely said, "You’re docked ten points!"

"Huh?" Houdel instinctively stood straight, confused for a while then holding the net, asked aggrievedly, "But... why?"

Kadar walked to the cadets, coldly said, "Because you bragged [bleep]."

Houdel used all his might to swallow back "[Bleep] bragging isn’t allowed either."

"Machiya Lao’er," Kadar continued the grim reaper roll call.

Little Majiya bounced up like a frog, "Here!"

"You’re docked ten points too," Kadar glared at Little Majiya, "Because you listened to him brag [bleep]."

"Yes..."

"Assemble," Kadar ordered without stopping, "Fall back."

"Yes."

The cadets quickly formed line and reported numbers.

Docked ten points for no reason, Houdel felt both wronged and distressed. Subdued by the little white face’s tyranny, he dared not ask further, but losing points like this was hard to swallow.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Houdel, after the whole team finished roll call, he shouted, "Report!"

"What is it?" Kadar asked with a dark expression.