Free Web NovelChapter 195: Chapter 183: He Really Has Fallen for Her
Barto accepted the box with mixed feelings.
Andrew smiled. "You want one too? Production on these is low. If you want one, work hard and earn it yourself. Or, you could apply for one from me in her name."
"For her safety, I would approve the application. But you have to be the one to apply." Andrew leaned against the desk, looking down at the little fox. "I’ve always liked to do things by the book."
"You can do whatever you want. I don’t look down on anyone, whether they’re a regular Beastman or a Mixed Breed. I only care about a person’s abilities," Andrew said. "Little fox, you’re not an impulsive person who acts without thinking of the consequences."
When Andrew referred to him as a "person," Barto
Barto understood the hidden meaning in his words. Andrew had given it two choices.
It could use Gu Ning’s status as a female to obtain certain privileges that other Mixed Breeds couldn’t.
For Gu Ning’s sake, Andrew would ensure its stability.
As for Cook, Andrew had already made arrangements. Vine’s appearance was meant to stabilize Cook, who had the backing of his entire wolf pack.
’It seems like an excellent choice.’
’But I also know that if I rely on Gu Ning like this, I’ll just become a burden to her. Once her identity is exposed, people with malicious intent could exploit the situation. My plan to go to Zone 5 was made with the future of all three of us in mind.’
’Zone 5 is currently in complete chaos because of the wolf packs. The alpha, Alihot, is showing a strong desire to seize control of the entire zone, which is a huge headache for the Beast Alliance.’
’But an alpha like him can be easily replaced.’
’Wolf packs usually have an alpha for every few dozen members. No matter how powerful Alihot’s methods are, these other alphas will, at most, only obey his commands. It’s in a wolf’s genetic nature; an alpha would rather die fighting than bow its head in humiliating submission.’
’Alihot only gained dominion over nearly all the wolf packs in Zone 5 through extremely brutal means.’
’I admire Alihot for uniting so many packs, but his methods are too cruel. They’re bound to backfire sooner or later.’
’I believe Alex’s temperament and abilities can rival Alihot’s. That guy knows when to make a strategic retreat. By coming to Zone 19, he both avoided Alihot and laid the groundwork for gaining real power in the Military Department. Once things here are settled, he can logically return to Zone 5. All he’d have to do is stir things up a bit, and the alphas dissatisfied with Alihot would switch sides. No one is better suited than Alex to lead the charge.’
’I had it all planned out. To ensure Gu Ning, Cook, and I could stay in Zone 5, I would help Alex.’
However, after what Andrew said, Barto was shocked to realize that the lion had the same plan.
Vine’s appearance, in particular, made it even clearer just how cunning this lion was.
’When Alex negotiated with him, this lion was probably laughing his head off internally. It was a complete godsend.’
’With Alex, and now Vine, the situation in Zone 5 that had been so troublesome for the Beast Alliance would be no problem at all.’
Barto clutched the box and left the conference room, fuming. He cursed the lion for his cunning and now understood why Alex didn’t want them going to Zone 5, telling him to take Gu Ning and leave instead.
Alex was willing to abandon all the progress he’d made toward returning to Zone 5 just so he wouldn’t be led by the nose by Andrew. That actually made Barto think a little more highly of him.
With Gu Ning in the picture, neither of them could be sure if Andrew was genuinely trying to solve the Zone 5 problem or if he had some other motive.
Not long after Barto left the conference room, Cyril returned with a file.
"Admiral, did you make a deal with that fox?" Cyril placed the file, stamped with the seal of the Beast Alliance’s investigation department, in front of Andrew.
Andrew picked up the file and flipped through it. "I just had a little chat with the kid."
Cyril was silent for a moment before asking, "Admiral, aren’t you worried they might secretly run off with her?"
Andrew glanced up at him. "The little fox is a smart one. It knows what’s in their best interest. As for Alex..."
Seeing him pause, Cyril asked, "What about him?"
Andrew said meaningfully, "He’s actually fallen for her."
A flicker of understanding crossed Cyril’s eyes.
Andrew said calmly, "When you’re too afraid of losing something, you become timid. But even if this little one hadn’t appeared in our plans, I would have sent Vine to Zone 5 with him anyway."
"Alex has an excess of benevolence but lacks ruthlessness. He can unite the wolves, but he definitely won’t be able to control the situation in Zone 5 for long. Vine is the perfect one to compensate for that weakness."
Cyril gave a wry smile. "I don’t think getting them to cooperate will be easy."
Alex’s pack and Vine’s pack have already divided their territory. They’ve even split the construction site gate and the conference building stairs in half—one pack enters on the right, the other on the left. Neither side dares to cross the line.
And Alex...
He was even worried Alex might fly into a rage and attack Andrew, even though it wasn’t in his character.
Andrew said, "Don’t be impatient. I’ve also assigned Leo to Zone 5. They will cooperate just fine."
Cyril was filled with admiration. "...Admiral, you truly are a brilliant strategist."
’With that dog around, even mortal enemies would end up on the same side.’
Andrew checked the time and said, "The pups should be about done resting. Go arrange for them to clear the roads to the nearest few outposts leading to Zone 5. Burn off some of their energy. I have to deal with the Beast Alliance during this time, so I don’t have the time to humor the pups."
Cyril acknowledged the order. Looking at the file in Andrew’s hand, he hesitated. "Admiral, the police department and the people sent by the Beast Alliance’s investigation department all know her identity now. We can keep an eye on the investigation department’s people, but the police... Her information has been entered into the system. Although it’s under the identity of a Mixed Breed, I’m still worried that the Ghost System at Sky Watch Point might detect something."
Andrew paused, mulling it over. "I’ll apply to the higher-ups for authorization to clear her information from the police system." ’Though that won’t do much. After all, the little one loves playing on her terminal. A move like that is more to guard against our own people.’
"How many people at the police department know her identity? Did you check?" Andrew asked.
"I did. Only one officer truly knows her identity. His name is Leighton."
Cyril pulled up Leighton’s profile on his terminal and showed it to Andrew.
The file not only contained Leighton’s personal information but also details of his contact with Gu Ning.
After reading it carefully, Andrew remarked, "His abilities aren’t bad."
Hearing this, Cyril said, "Admiral, are you thinking..."
Andrew said, "The Zone 5 police department is short on officers. Transfer him there."
The police department in Zone 5 existed in name only; Alihot had replaced everyone with his own subordinates. The only thing the Beast Alliance could do was reassign personnel, but Zone 5 was a tough nut to crack. Under Alihot’s control, not only were police officers sent from other zones driven out, but even Zone 5 natives were fleeing.
A police officer from Zone 19 would definitely have a higher stress tolerance than the Beastmen from the Upper District who were used to a comfortable life. The transfer would be perfect.
Cyril said, "Those few from the investigation department are also causing a huge fuss, and they’re so precious."
Andrew shot him a sidelong glance. "Don’t worry, I’m already in contact with their boss. We’ll handle it as it should be handled. Just be a little more restrained, that’s all."
