Chapter 51: 43. Pim’s plan
Translator: 549690339
On the first underground level of Grave No.1079 vault.
Within the temporary campsite of Division Intelligence Unit Two.
Sergeant Pim’s guard was in a hurry.
He returned from the third underground level back to the first underground level and quickly ran towards the Chief Officer’s tent, panting and standing outside the curtain, shouting:
“Report! ”
“Come in!”
Sergeant Pim sat by the desk, holding a nail clipper and leisurely trimming his nails.
The guard pulled open the curtain and stepped into the tent, saluting and said:
“Reporting, Chief Officer! We received a message from the frontlines of
Intelligence Department 4—Sergeant Piggs was killed in action during the mission to blast the entrance to the Underworld Cavern.”
Sergeant Pim’s actions paused, and as he held the nail clippers tight, he slowly placed them on the tabletop.
The nail clippers gently fell onto the tabletop without making a sound.
But as Sergeant Pim’s face darkened rapidly, the atmosphere in the tent became oppressive, as if a lava-churning volcano was about to erupt.
“Killed?” Sergeant Pim took a deep breath, paused for two seconds, and asked expressionlessly:
“How did Sergeant Piggs die?”
Facing his Chief Officer, the guard swallowed hard and said:
.Report, Sergeant Piggs’ subordinates said that they caught up with Mars
Squad, who were executing the blasting mission near the entrance of the
Underworld Cavern. As Corporal Mars was not present at the scene, Sergeant Piggs took command and personally directed the blasting operation. While providing cover for the retreat, Serzeant Pizzs held the rear for his team
members and was attacked by the Big Skeleton and Skeleton Warriors. Ultimately, he was unfortunately killed in the onslaught of the Big Skeleton.”
Astonishment and confusion flashed in Sergeant Pim’s eyes, his eyebrows knitted together as he muttered to himself, “Attacked, killed by the Big
Skeleton…”
He was silent for a moment and asked again:
“Besides Sergeant Piggs embracing the Empire’s glory, which other soldiers from the blasting mission team were sacrificed?”
“Report! Private Second Class Corbin from Mars Squad was killed in action during the blasting mission.”
“That’s all?”
Sergeant Pim’s pupils constricted slightly, and the astonishment in his eyes became more apparent, but it was quickly masked by his oppressive gaze:
“Besides Sergeant Piggs and Private Second Class Corbin, no one else was killed… Are you sure you’ve thoroughly investigated the situation?”
“Yes, Chief Officer.”
The guard was intimidated by Sergeant Pim’s stare and shrunk his neck a little, speaking with some difficulty:
“Reporting, Chief Officer… Mars Squad filed a complaint with Sergeant Alvin Stafford. They claimed that Sergeant Piggs abused his authority and carried out personal vendettas during the operation… I mean…”
The guard hesitated, afraid to continue further…
Sergeant Pim’s face darkened, “And then? Finish what you were saying, don’t stutter.”
The guard took a breath, steadied himself, and said:
“Sergeant Piggs’ subordinates did not object to Mars Squad’s complaint; they implicitly acknowledged the authenticity of the complaint. Sergeant Alvin Stafford suggested applying to Intelligence Headquarters for an audit on
Sergeant Piggs after the Corps Task is over.”
“Auditing a hero who sacrificed himself to cover the retreat of his teammates? Hmph. I think the big-headed soldiers from Intelligence Department 4 are getting delirious.”
Sergeant Pim picked up the nail clipper on the table, lowered his head to trim his nails, and without looking up, said:
“Listen.”
“Yes, Chief Officer.”
“Go tell Sergeant Alvin Stafford that I will personally investigate whether Sergeant Piggs abused his authority during the execution of Intelligence Unit 2 tasks. Moreover, applying for an audit on Sergeant Piggs is questioning the fact that he sacrificed himself for his teammates. He is a hero and shouldn’t be questioned. Do you understand what I’m saying? You must convey my words verbatim to Sergeant Alvin Stafford.”
“Yes, Chief Officer!”
“After delivering my message, call Sergeant Piggs’ subordinates, I have something to ask them… now go.”
“Yes, Chief Officer…
The guard saluted, turned around, pulled open the curtain, and rushed toward the staircase.
Only Sergeant Pim was left in the tent.
Suddenly, he clenched his fist and swung fiercely at the curtain beside him, throwing the nail clippers in his hand, making a cut in the thick curtain.
Sergeant Pim’s face was dark as the pitch-black waters of the deep pool.
He knew why Sergeant Piggs volunteered to hold the rear for the soldiers and how he had the confidence to face the Skeleton Army.
The amulet in Sergeant Piggs’ hand was the key.
Sergeant Piggs was crushed to death by the Big Skeleton.
This meant that he didn’t have the amulet in his hand before he died.
Someone stole Sergeant Piggs’ amulet and used the undead to kill him. Afterwards, they became greedy and kept the amulet, intending to possess it forcefully.
Secondly:
After using the undead to kill Piggs, this person didn’t keep the amulet, but threw it into the pile of undead.
Sergeant Pim knew in his heart that the last person to come into contact with Sergeant Piggs must have been Sin Soldier No. 888.
That’s because he personally gave the order to Sergeant Piggs.
—The specific content of this order is self-evident, which is to let Piggs try to persuade Sin Soldier 888, and if the persuasion fails, execute him on the spot.
However, the problem was that Sergeant Pim couldn’t be sure if the amulet was in Sin Soldier 888 1s hands.
If it was in Sin Soldier 888’s hands, Pim could use Division Intelligence Unit rlWvo’s authority to completely subdue Sin Soldier 888 under the pretext of further investigation, and then take the amulet back. But if Sin Soldier 888 didn’t have the amulet…
That would be the worst-case scenario…
Intelligence Department 4 might accidentally discover the amulet while cleaning up the battlefield and then apply to Intelligence Headquarters to investigate all personnel related to Tomb No. 1079.
Sergeant Alvin Stafford applied to investigate Piggs with human evidence but no physical evidence.
However, if Intelligence Department 4 uses the amulet to investigate Piggs, and Sin Soldier 888 also reports Piggs as a Death Herald Guild spy, both human evidence and material evidence will be complete, only lacking the evidence chain to connect the two clues.
At this thought, Sergeant Pim’s heart raced, and the lines of his face twisted due to anxiety.
He took off the glasses from the bridge of his nose and wiped them over and over again, barely managing to maintain his composure.
Five minutes later.
The soldiers of Military Intelligence Second Division, who ran all the way, entered the chief officer’s tent.
After listening to the soldiers’ accounts of the incident several times, Pim grew more and more uneasy.
After rescuing Sin Soldier 888 from the pile of undead, the soldiers with physical contact with Sin Soldier 888 and Sin Soldier 888 himself were all attacked by the undead without exception.
Thus, there was only one answer.
Damn Sin Soldier 888 unexpectedly resisted temptation and didn’t make a move on the amulet that could ensure his safety from undead attacks!
Was he an ex-addict or what?
How could he resist it?
Are the personal qualities of sin soldiers so high nowadays?
A row of question marks formed in Sergeant Pim’s mind.
He suddenly realized that Sin Soldier 888’s history book was not read in vain; indeed, he was more patient and restrained than ordinary sin soldiers, and more rational.
Sergeant Pim waved his hand, letting soldiers of Military Intelligence Second Division leave.
He sat in his chair, turned his head to look at the metal box hidden under the bed, his expression extremely complex, with a determined, yet cautious, deliberation
After pondering for a few minutes, he slapped the armrest and silently sighed:
“Forget it, I can’t use that ultimate weapon in advance, or it will affect the follow-up plans. I’ll find the amulet myself. In the meantime, I have to keep the situation under control.”
Pim opened the drawer, picked up the comb, tidied his hair, adjusted his clothes, and then shouted outside:
“Come in.”
“Reporting to you, chief officer!”
The guards entered the tent.
“How long before the Korabo Legion reinforcements arrive?” Sergeant Pim casually asked.
“Report, according to the Legion’s notice, the reinforcements have already set off and will arrive at Tomb No.1079 in two hours.”
Pim nodded slowly.
He stood up, hands behind his back, speaking in a steady tone:
“Intelligence Department 4’s soldiers are fighting on the third underground level, shedding sweat and blood for the Empire. Sergeant Alvin Stafford and Lieutenant Grett lead the charge. They’ve left us to guard the rear. Although we’re understaffed, we must not let their efforts and sacrifices go in vain; we must hold on until the reinforcements arrive.”
After an impassioned speech, Pim’s expression became solemn:
“The Undead Revival on the first and second underground levels is imminent. Now, I order everyone to enter the highest level of combat readiness. We will defend all Korabo Legion positions in Tomb No.1079 to the death!”
Sergeant Pim snapped to attention and saluted:
“For the glory of the Empire! We will fight to the death as long as we stand our ground!”
The guard saluted loudly in response:
“Yes, chief officer! For the glory of the Empire! We will fight to the death as long as we stand our ground!”