Otherworld Advance Team-Chapter 53 - 49 Mission

53: Chapter 49: Mission

53 -49: Mission

With a subtle atmosphere, the group arrived at the command room.

This room faced the manor’s courtyard and was brightly lit.

It was filled with furnishings of Otherworld style, yet the bookshelves were lined with neatly arranged files, suggesting the room had long been repurposed.

Wang Xu stood by the window, gazing into the distance with his hands clasped behind his back.

It was only when he heard several people entering the room that he turned around.

“Line up!” Wang Xu ordered.

At his command, the group didn’t panic but quickly formed a line, which visibly pleased Wang Xu.

“Captain, step forward and prepare to accept the assignment,” Wang Xu said.

Tangmo blinked, somewhat taken aback, before Luo’er lightly tapped her and jolted her back to reality.

She hastily stood up, looking at Wang Xu with some apprehension.

Seeing Tangmo step up, Wang Xu was momentarily startled as he remembered.

He had been treating this team as if it were Luo’er’s, yet the captain had always been Tangmo, with no changes to that position.

In contrast to the flustered look on Tangmo’s face and Luo’er’s calm, Wang Xu couldn’t help but sigh.

Nevertheless, he coughed and issued his first official order.

“Your first task is to investigate the disappearance of military weapons being shipped from Earth to Otherworld.”

“Military weapons?” they all glanced at each other in surprise.

“I’ll explain briefly,” Wang Xu paused for a moment before continuing, “In 2033, as Earth’s communication with Otherworld deepens, weapons exports become an important source of income for Earth.

To limit Otherworld’s military strength, the UN Security Council that same year passed an export principle for Otherworld.

This controlled the export of non-automatic, semi-automatic, and automatic rifles.

According to the principle, semi-automatic and fully automatic weapons could only be sold to political and military groups, including armies, governments, and some nobles.

Ordinary people could only purchase non-automatic civilian weapons.”

“However, with the passage of time, we discovered that these export principles did not have the desired effect.

According to the intelligence we received, a large number of automatic weapons appeared among Otherworld’s civilian groups.

Even though we require the merchants who trade with us to disclose their sales targets, the reality is, due to lack of proper supervision, we have no idea where these weapons end up.”

“So, our task is to find those guys who are selling military weapons to civilians?” Hu Daoke asked.

“Not exactly.

The proliferation of civilian weapons does not affect our plans.

We have always required that armies equipped with Earth military weapons report their equipment’s quantities to us.

Although they have always been hiding something, the data we received are generally valid, but recently…”

Wang Xu paused deliberately, leaving them all hanging.

“We detected a significant discrepancy between the number of military weapons we exported, and those reported back to us.

In other words, the military weapons we exported were not equipped by the military, the government, or nobles, but were unaccounted for.”

“So, our task is to locate these missing weapons, right?” Luo’er asked seriously.

“Exactly,” declared Wang Xu, his expression turning serious, “At present, there are over five hundred thousand military weapons unaccounted for.

This situation is very serious.”

“Umm,” Hu Daoke raised his hand to ask, “Why can’t I see how serious this is?”

Wang Xu didn’t show any anger, instead patiently explaining, “We need to judge the size and overall strength of the Otherworld’s armies based on the number of weapons.

If they secretly organize armies fully equipped with Earth’s weapons, their disadvantage when operating away from their home turf will be significantly alleviated.

They could likely retake the Otherworld Gate and counterattack Australia.”

“Thirty years ago, their failed invasion was mainly due to inferior military technology, heavily relying on magic technology.

Equipping Earth’s weapons will significantly boost their military capabilities.

More critically, the UN Security Council is drafting a proposal to deploy troops to Otherworld.

Once the multinational forces are confronted with the Otherworld army, fully equipped with Earth’s weapons and bolstered with magic technology, we will be repeating our disastrous defeat from thirty years ago, only much worse.

We cannot afford to lose again; if we fail this time, Earth and Otherworld will likely be plunged into full-scale war, with no more prospects for peace.”

Upon hearing this, Hu Daoke obediently closed his mouth while Luo’er asked, “What information do we currently have?” freēwēbnovel.com

“Our intelligence is minimal.

Based on our latest weapon tracking efforts, this batch of weapons was shipped to Holy Heart City, the capital of Odelanqi, but we have no idea where they ended up, so you might need to take a trip there,” said Wang Xu, looking thoughtful.

Odelanqi is the largest human nation in the northwest of the continent, primarily inhabited by the Aud people.

The capital, Holy Heart City, was once the political center of the Aud Empire, so the people of Odelanqi like to consider themselves true descendants of the Aud people.

“How do we find these weapons?” Luo’er asked the crucial question.

“Each batch of exported weapons has an export number, which will be given to you shortly.

Once you arrive at Holy Heart City, you’ll need to find these weapons with specific numbers and try to trace their origin.

If they were simply sold to civilians, that’s fine, but if they were used for other purposes, then we’re in trouble,” Wang Xu expressed with a worried look.

The group engaged in vibrant discussions, completely ignoring Tangmo, the supposed captain.

She stood dumbfounded, at a loss, silently watching the ongoing discussions.

“In addition, although the missing weapons are mostly of Soviet origin, there are also quite a few from the United States.

At present, we do not know what the Americans are up to, so it’s best you remain cautious,” Wang Xu warned.

Soviet weapons refer primarily to those used by Warsaw Pact forces during the Cold War, mostly AK-type rifles and are currently manufactured by Russian arms factories.

American weapons, on the other hand, refer to those used by NATO forces during the Cold War, often semi-automatic and are mainly produced by NATO countries.

Of course, to make money, these arms dealers often buy outdated weapons from conflict-ridden areas on Earth and sell the bundled packages in Otherworld.

These weapons are mostly non-automatic, and some are over a hundred years old with rifling already worn smooth.

“There are Americans in Otherworld too?” Hu Daoke asked perplexedly.

“Even though people from Earth can’t adapt to the conditions in Otherworld, it’s easy to hire a few spies with some money.

I just received information from Earth, the US military has directly dispatched their personnel into Ulysses City, they are investigating the merchants who travel in and out of the Otherworld Gate.

It’s clear they’ve noticed your disappearance, and I worry they might interfere with you in Otherworld.” Wang Xu said seriously to them.

“Are you sure they can trace us?” Luo’er asked.

“At the moment, we’re not sure.

If the Americans intend to get involved in Yazhi City, their only option is to appear as mercenaries from Otherworld.

You’re absolutely safe in the mansion, but once you all leave the mansion, I can’t ensure your security,” Wang Xu replied.

“You’re underestimating us.

We are brave men who have survived amongst thousands of people.

We won’t be afraid of some Otherworld mercenaries.” Hu Daoke patted his chest and spoke bravely.

“We lost at the finals!” Cheng Ziang murmured into his ear.

“Dammit,” Hu Daoke bellowed angrily, “you really know how to boost others’ morale by squashing our own.”

“Regardless, you all need to be very careful.

Once you leave the vicinity of Yazhi City, it should be very hard for them to trace your whereabouts.

By then, you should be safe.” Wang Xu didn’t interrupt their banter, but continued emphasizing caution.

“What about our transportation?” Luo’er suddenly remembered this important detail.

“Yes, you can’t expect us to travel by legs.” Hu Daoke chimed in from the side.

“Uh,” Wang Xu scratched his head, “currently the horses are still being purchased, so you might have to travel by horse carriage.”

“A horse carriage is great too!” Hu Daoke’s eyes lit up.

“How long would it take to reach Holy Heart City via horse carriage?” Luo’er asked.

“The terrain from Yazhi City to Holy Heart City is mostly flat land.

According to the coachman, you should reach in about two to three weeks.”

Yazhi City is situated at the border of Three Kingdoms, and although there’s a direct route, it would still take about half a month to reach by horse carriage.

Since steam engines haven’t been popularized yet, the main mode of transport in Otherworld is by animal power.

Of course, there’s a mode of transport here that even Earthlings would envy – an airboat.

Powered by an anti-gravity engine, even without a sail or a manual propeller, an airboat can reach Holy Heart City from Yazhi City in a few days.

However, it was clear that they didn’t have such resources.

Airboats are a core power of the High-peak Dwarves, and so there are very few available for commercial use.

The airboat service between Yazhi City and Holy Heart City only runs once a month.

They might as well just take a horse carriage.

“If there’s nothing else to discuss, then let’s depart.

The horse carriage is waiting at the entrance.” Wang Xu continued.

Luo’er looked at everyone, and noticed that all eyes were on him.

He turned to Tangmo for her suggestion, but she was lost in thought.

“Moumou, do you have anything else to add?” Luo’er waved his hand in front of her face.

“Oh,” Tangmo came back to her senses and said, “No, nothing else.”

“Wait, Tangmo.” Wang Xu suddenly thought of something and stopped her.

“What is it?” Tangmo asked absentmindedly.

“You have not completed all the preparations, stretch out your hand.” Wang Xu opened the drawer on the desk in front of him.

Despite the confusion, Tangmo obediently extended her hand.

Wang Xu pulled out a sticker from the drawer and passed it to Luo’er.

“This is a Magic Messenger Rune.

Stick this on her hand, from now on, this will be your only way of communicating with the headquarters.” Wang Xu explained.

Luo’er looked at the sticker and then back at him, confusion on his face.

Anticipating Luo’er’s concerns, Wang Xu explained, “Once the sticker is applied, it can only be removed with a special solution.

Rest assured, it’s non-toxic and harmless.”

“Why don’t we put it on me instead!” Luo’er looked at Tangmo, concern in his eyes.

“No,” Tangmo shook her head determinedly.

“I am the captain; this is my responsibility!”

“Alright then!” Luo’er sighed, peeled off the sticker, and carefully applied it on the tender, pale skin of Tangmo’s hand.

When the sticker was removed, a vivid rune appeared on her hand.

It looked like it had been tattooed on, perfectly blending with her skin.

“The communication class should have covered the use of the Magic Messenger.

I will not go into details here.

Once you’re ready, set off.

The sooner the better.” Wang Xu, still worried, reminded Luo’er again.