My Perfect Female CEO-Chapter 978: Partners in Misfortune
Michael was meticulous in his thoughts, explaining his intentions and his comprehensive considerations for Laura.
"Captain Laura, do you think what I said makes sense?" Michael was in no hurry, waiting for Laura to make a decision. In fact, he had been pondering Laura’s thoughts thoroughly. Since Laura accepted his invitation to come back, it meant that Laura naturally wanted to leave an extra route for herself. This was the fundamental reason he could say such things.
"What you said does make some sense."
"However, I can’t ignore the great power Kasam has given me and take the risk of messing around with Yahward. It’s very dangerous. I don’t like to take risks, so assisting you in attacking the Wild Alliance Headquarters is absolutely impossible."
"What I can do is try not to listen to Miss Nami’s orders, giving you enough time to attack the Wild Alliance Headquarters. I hope you can accomplish it quickly. I won’t create trouble for you; this is the biggest concession I can make."
"Miss Nami will surely order me to attack you, so, you see, I’m caught in a difficult position. I can only try to choose a middle ground, which is to stand by and watch."
"If you can really destroy the Wild Alliance Headquarters and kill the leaders, I will certainly do my best to assist Lord Yahward in counter-attacking Kasam. It’s not out of the question."
Laura had her considerations. She couldn’t fully accept Michael’s opinion because that would be too foolish. Besides, what he said might not all be true, especially the promise to assist Yahward in counter-attacking Kasam. That promise was just an empty check without any credibility, but it’s certain that he didn’t want to completely offend Yahward. Saying some nice words to leave himself a way out was a thought he had decided on.
If Kasam indeed reached a very dangerous situation, or if he was surrounded with no way out by Yahward and Lani’s people, he might choose to surrender to Yahward or Lani. In other circumstances, it would be impossible for him to betray Kasam lightly and risk everything for glory and wealth, such things he couldn’t and wouldn’t do.
"Captain Laura can’t take a risk just once. I’m confident that my people can break the Wild Alliance Headquarters and kill the target. At that time, I would owe Captain Laura a big favor. After all, I’ve made a military pledge in front of Lord Yahward; I have to risk everything. If my people suffer too much loss, Yahward will hold me accountable too," Michael pleaded.
"Haha, what a joke, such a huge joke. What does your military pledge have to do with me? A big favor? Haha, in Ba Country, nothing is cheaper than human favor, even weaker than a woman’s membrane," Laura commented with a taunting laugh.
Michael was angry inside but dared not show it. After all, he needed something from Laura. He smiled and said, "Captain Laura, your stance is clear, so I won’t force you. As long as you don’t stab me in the back, I’ll be assured."
He could only take a step back, not daring to let Captain Laura take risks with him because Laura wouldn’t be that stupid.
"That’s for sure." Laura laughed with glee, as if she had done something incredibly gratifying, watching the scene of his former superior bowing and scraping in front of him. It was indeed a heartening sight.
Bear in mind, he used to be a lowly figure in front of Michael, the kind who couldn’t speak up.
"Captain Laura, if I fail, will you trouble me then? There’s still a possibility you’ll spare my life, right?" Michael asked with concern, seeing Laura’s peculiar expression. He quickly added, "I’m just saying if, of course, I won’t fail. Destroying the Wild Alliance Headquarters is assured."
"Why would I target you? Even if you are utterly defeated, I wouldn’t ever target you. After all, we have history, and besides, I have to consider Yahward’s face, I wouldn’t dare to challenge Lord Yahward’s favored lieutenant," Laura solemnly assured. However, in his mind, he thought quite dismissively, "Hmph, if he fails, once he fails, I’ll surround him with the army, kill everyone around him, and capture him alive to claim credit. Such a good opportunity to earn merit, how could I miss it? After all, not following Miss Nami’s orders is already an offense. If I don’t bring back any military achievements, how can I explain? Miss Nami is the highest officer under Kasam, the successor to the ruler’s position, I can’t leave a bad impression in front of Miss Nami. I must know when to advance and retreat."
"Then here, I’ll thank Captain Laura in advance," Michael expressed gratitude.
Actually, he also had his thoughts in mind, secretly murmuring to himself, "What if I’m defeated, Laura would definitely pounce like a hungry wolf and tear me apart. Of course, that chance is very small. I firmly believe that destroying the Wild Alliance Headquarters and killing the target is certain."
"Even if that one-in-a-million possibility happens, I would be doomed. Based on my military pledge and Yahward’s efforts to stabilize the military’s morale, they would use my life as an account to the subordinates, so this possibility is not entirely off the table."
"To secure my life, I can’t return to Yahward’s camp. I can only seek another place. It seems that I’ll have the remaining forces fight Laura’s people, and then be captured by Laura for claiming credit at the right moment when I surrender. That way, I can stay alive and gain significant power in Kasam’s camp. If I surrender to Kasam, Yahward’s subordinates would surely be unsettled. If someone like me, second only to Yahward, is willing to surrender to Kasam, naturally, others will be influenced. As long as I persuade a few more, it is possible. This way, I can have great power in Kasam’s camp."
Michael was not foolish, already planning for his way out.
He also understood that once he sided with Kasam, regardless of the reason, Yahward would definitely try to assassinate him at all costs to stabilize the army’s morale and provide an explanation to the subordinates.
Therefore, unless there was no other choice, he dared not take such a step.
Both Michael and Laura were shrewd. This was precisely the reason behind the unrelenting internal strife and ongoing battles in Ba Country. Officers like Michael and Laura, relying on their weaponry and soldiers, found room for promotion and survival. To stay alive, they used every means at their disposal. For them, the so-called belief and goodwill did not exist.
What existed was merely the pursuit of whoever gives something is considered the mother.
From a certain perspective, Michael and Laura, these two brothers in arms, also reflected the state of affairs in Ba Country.
After their discussion, the two parted ways, each returning to their own camp.
Meanwhile, the warriors attacking the Wild Alliance Headquarters, after making great sacrifices, achieved significant results. The defense of the stronghold was already on the brink of collapse, with heavy casualties.
