Counterfeit Hero

A lieutenant saluted and said, "Reporting to the General, the Second Group of the Fierce Tiger Special Brigade from the First Armored Division of the Federation Air Marine Corps, and the main force of the Special Reconnaissance Group from the 16th Armored Division of the Federation Air Marine Corps are currently stationed in the mountainous area 60 kilometers from here. We are ordered to escort you out of here!"

"General?" Fatty was taken aback, thinking to himself, "Since when did I become a general?" Knowing this wasn't the time for such questions, he quickly nodded and said, "Then, lead the way." As he spoke, he climbed into [Logic], initiated the transformation program, making the cockpit space excessively cramped. His face turned red, feeling a bit embarrassed, squeezing Nia in with him in the tiny space.

Several [Warrior Leaders] formed a circle to protect [Logic] in the center, with one leading the way at the vanguard position in stealth mode, swiftly heading toward the mountains.

The journey was bumpy. As Fatty controlled [Logic], he savored the tingling sensation from his arm brushing against Nia's chest, feeling incredibly happy.

Nia was well aware of Fatty's lecherous thoughts but remained silent, her face flushed, acting like a timid and lovely little cat, letting him indulge without protest.

"Nia, why are they calling me General?" Fatty squinted his eyes, raised his eyebrows, and shivered, feeling both excited and overwhelmed by the situation.

Nia held onto Fatty's arm, gave him a glance, and said blushingly, "The Federation President's Office and the Supreme Command Department have jointly issued a document promoting you to Federation Major General. This order took effect the moment they found you, provided you haven't been captured by the enemy and defected."

"Major General?" Fatty was very frustrated, muttering, "Weren't they the ones who dismissed me? Now they've promoted me to Major General? What does that even mean? Why can't they just let me go?"

Nia smiled sweetly and said, "This order was sent from home, because besides you, no one else can lead two Special Mecha Groups and a Freedom Front in the enemy's rear combat."

Fatty angrily replied, "Who wants to lead rear combat? I've had enough of playing behind enemy lines. I want to go back home."

Nia turned her head and sighed, speaking softly, "Now... we can't go back!"

"Can't go back?" Fatty was shocked and asked, "What does that mean?"

"Currently, the Desic Empire has completely occupied the Galileo Star System and has blocked all external channels of the Leray Federation, including the Public Star System. They are attacking the Federation from both the front and the back, together with the Jiepeng Empire. If it weren't for the joint fleet of the Tatania Commercial Autonomous Alliance and the Puditok Federation attacking the Athena Star System in the Sol Star Domain of the Desic Empire as a diversion, we probably wouldn't have even been able to hold the Newton Star System."

Each of Nia's words struck Fatty's mind like a heavy hammer, leaving him dizzy, "Desic Empire, Jiepeng Empire, Tatania Alliance, Puditok Federation..." he murmured, as the names quickly formed a terrifying picture of world war in his mind.

"Now, the Desic Empire is fiercely attacking our Space Jump Point in the Newton Star System. The homeland has begun a new round of mobilization, requiring all healthy men aged sixteen to fifty to serve in the military, so even though you were dismissed, according to the current law, you have once again automatically become a federal soldier."

Fatty mechanically controlled [Logic], struggling to accept the news Nia brought. The Federation, on the brink of victory, had fallen into the abyss of world war within two months. The thought of the disaster this war would bring made Fatty feel suffocated.

In the dark starry sky, fleets drifted like ghosts. The dazzling artillery fire, the intense explosions, warriors charging over mountains, and mechas violently crushing through the battlefield painted a vivid picture in his mind. The warplanes, like broken-winged birds, fell swiftly to the ground.

And what came after?

A desolate planet, cities flattened, refugees scouring the ruins and the cold wind for any morsel of food, obliterated nations and cultures, vanishing interstellar channels, lost prosperity, and more brutal governance, naked plunder, and the regression of civilization where the strong prey on the weak.

Did humanity really want to send itself to such hell?

"And what about Gazalin? What's the situation there now?" After a moment of silence, Fatty asked.

Nia tightened her grip on Fatty's arm and said softly, "I know what you want to ask. The Freedom Fighters escorting James have returned with the First Group of the Fierce Tiger Special Brigade to the capital, Ludelit. Ann Lei wanted to stay and look for you, but the Intelligence Bureau required her to return immediately for a new mission, so..."

Fatty sighed and asked, "Who is in power in Gazalin now?"

Nia shook her head, saying, "Gazalin announced its withdrawal from the war at the beginning of world war. They are currently in turmoil, embroiled in internal conflict. With the support of the Desic Empire, Reinhardt holds a slight advantage, as most military districts have sided with him. However, the traditional aristocracy still supports Stephen, and with the troops retreating from Lucerne, Stephen is not weak either. The outcome is still uncertain, and besides these two main forces, there is yet another faction that could change the situation..."