Chapter 52 - Chapter 52: 44. Noland Lee’s plan

Chapter 52: 44. Noland Lee’s plan

Translator: 549690339

Third Underground Level.

The Imperial Army cleared out the area near the staircase and hastily set up a sturdy defense line using the grey worm barrier.

The barrier of grey worm obstacles halted the advance of the Undead Army.

Water-cooled light machine guns were set up inside the barrier, firing through windows and using a torrent of bullets to fend off the undead.

Bee Syrup Bombs were launched through fixed bomb launchers, accurately targeting and killing distant Big Skeletons.

The Sticky Flame Thrower spewed red flames, burning piles of Walking Dead to ashes.

Lieutenant Grett, transformed into a Biochemical Giant, was simply a terrifying human war machine.

Having fought continuously for nearly half an hour, his attacks remained sharp without any stagnation.

He moved from the left side of the hall on the Third Underground Level to the right side with a swoosh, and then smoothly back to the left again, like a giant metal plough rolling back and forth, crushing the Undead Army.

This grand combat scene was captured in the eves of the wounded soldiers. transforming into flickering light and shadows on their irises.

Noland Lee half laid on the floor, leaning against the wall, and let out a slow breath.

Next to him, Sergeant Mars was holding his arm, grimacing and gasping:

“Ugh… I almost lost my life to that Metal Skeleton. Luckily, I always carry a strong combat stimulant with me, otherwise, I really would have died in this ghostly place…”

Noland glanced at the bandage on the arm of Mars and shook his head slightly.

Mars singlehandedly dealt with the Metal Skeleton and the Self-Destructing Skeletons, skulking around the edge of the battlefield for more than ten minutes before taking a stimulant and returning to the front line.

He probably fell in love with army life due to the sensation and excitement of being caught between life and death…

Sergeant Mike Adams, sitting paralyzed on the ground, complained:

“Chief Officer, please don’t leave us alone next time. If only you were with us, Sergeant Piggs wouldn’t dare to bully us…”

The expression of Sergeant Mars darkened, as he slammed the wall and his eyes welled up with tears:

“It’s all my fault… I’m the one who asked Koben to drug Piggs’ nutrient solution… Koben could’ve given me away, but he didn’t… He never mentioned me… How could I face his parents… It’s all my fault…”

Sergeant Mike Adams opened his mouth to say something comforting, but due to his simple mind, he couldn’t find the right words and looked at the former history assistant teacher instead.

Noland met his gaze, shook his head, and made a gesture for silence.

There was no use in saying more.

It was better to let Sergeant Mars digest his negative emotions by himself.

Mars was smart and adaptable, but he lacked experience and seemed a bit impulsive.

Perhaps after this incident, he could understand that his first responsibility was as the commander of the squad, followed by being a brave military officer.

The atmosphere of the team became quiet, with each person thinking about their own concerns.

Taking advantage of the break, Noland quickly reviewed his memories relating to Pim and Piggs.

There was one thing he was almost certain of:

Pim was indeed a Death Notice spy.

There wasn’t much to question about that.

Piggs was assigned by Pim, and his hostility and gaze were identical to Pim’s. Regardless of whether it was through intuition or confidence, Noland would treat Pim as a Death Notice spy.

So, if Pim were to put himself in their shoes, after discovering that his subordinate had unexpectedly perished and lost his amulet, what would he want to know the most?

Two points:

How Piggs died and the exact whereabouts of the amulet.

Concerning these two problems, Noland knew the answers, and Pim knew that Noland knew.

So, the future development of the incident was rather clear.

Pim would surely take away Sin Soldier Number 888 to interrogate him privately at some point in time, for an irrefutable reason.

“When that time comes, the trouble I’ll face is no less than when Piggs coerced me into joining Death Herald Guild. I must be prepared and find a way to suppress that son of a bitch Pim. Otherwise, there will be endless trouble. Now, what should I do…”

Noland Lee pondered secretly, vaguely having an idea.

He looked up at the tall Spirit Pivot in the center of the hall.

Around the Spirit Pivot, a translucent black curtain of light was the Magic Protective Cover.

This protective cover wrapped the Spirit Pivot from top to bottom, even covering the altar on the top floor.

With the help of a telescope, the numerous, densely-arranged Undead Runes, as small as tadpoles, on the curtain of light could be observed.

These Undead Runes were the key to maintaining the operation of the protective cover.

And that is what Noland Lee needed to modify.

“That’s right, Chief Officer.”

Noland Lee turned his head and asked Corporal Mars, who was wallowing in his emotions alone:

“Do you know when we will start decrypting the Magic Protective Cover? So that I can prepare in advance.”

Corporal Mars wiped away his tears, lifting his bandage-bound arm and pointed to the two figures at the top of the tower:

“Look at the Death Notice assassin undergoing the Undead Transformation Ritual. I estimate, probably in about 20 minutes or so, the ritual will be completed. The order from Intelligence Headquarters is to cooperate with Division Intelligence Unit Two to capture the assassin or kill them on the spot.

“At least we must wait until we capture the assassin, or kill him, before we can deal with the Death Priest on the tower.”

Corporal Mars paused for a moment:

“We must deal with the assassin and the priest, and then move on to cracking the Magic Protective Cover. There must be at least a I-hour time difference.” Noland Lee slowly nodded his head:

“So, when the Skeleton Warriors on the first underground level revive, I should be adjusting the Undead Runes, right? At that time, will the Imperial Army return to the first underground level to support Sergeant Pim?”

Corporal Mars had been distracted from his regrets about Koben by Noland Lee’s question, emerging from his self-blaming and remorse.

After gathering his thoughts, he continued:

“Yes… Jarvis, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the complexity of the Undead

Runes on the Magic Protective Cover far exceeds the translated text I gave you.

You may only recognize a small part of the runes on the cover.”

“You are right, Chief Officer. I found this problem.”

Corporal Mars spread his hands:

“So, it would be impossible for you to remove the Magic Protective Cover all by yourself. In fact, you only have to slightly modify some of the Undead Runes to prove that doing so can indeed weaken the strength of the cover quickly, and your task will be complete.

“After this, we will still use a burning method to forcibly remove the Magic Protective Cover. Before the next clean-up of the Grave Vault, I will bring you more translated texts so that you can modify more Undead Runes.

“This is a gradual process. After all, we are worried that by exposing you to too much undead culture at once, you might become mentally confused.” Noland Lee now understood:

“I got it, Chief Officer. When the Skeleton Warriors on the first underground level revive, Sergeant Pim will only have his own troops to resist the undead.

We can’t spare any hands to help him.”

“Yes, if nothing unexpected happens, that’s the case.” Corporal Mars added:

“However, you do not need to worry about Sergeant Pim’s troops being defeated. Reinforcements from the Legion are arriving soon. Sergeant Pim should be able to hold on until then. Even if it comes to the worst, he can always retreat to the ground level. As long as the Grave Vault does not riot, the undead will not escape to the surface.”

Noland Lee looked at the Spirit Pivot, blinked his eyes and had a whimsical idea…

With Pig Cook’s matter hanging over his head, Pim would definitely fear for his own safety. After the Undead Revival, fighting in a bloody battle would undoubtedly demonstrate his loyalty with a ploy of distress.

Based on this, Noland Lee was certain that Pim would fight to the death on the first underground level, rather than retreating to the surface.

So, should he deliberately drag his feet when adjusting the Undead Runes, so that Pim could spend more time “getting along” with the Skeleton Warriors?

Maybe, Pim would die at the hands of the Skeleton Warriors.

Uh… that seemed a bit unrealistic.

If Pig Cook had an amulet, then Pim should have one too.

It should be quite easy for Pim to survive among the Skeleton Warriors.

To deal with Pim, a more secure method must be figured out.

Noland Lee opened his Personal Panel, checked the resources he had mastered, and entered a contemplative state amidst the gunfire..