The Valkyrie Returns and Slays (Raven)

Chapter 354

Chapter 354 Rise In Rank

"Does Brigadier General Fleming know I've taken down a thousand enemies?" Miles asked.

Miles did not want to question whether the girl in front of him was truly his granddaughter, nor did he want to

doubt whether Lionel had lied to him.

Everything would becclear once he traded a thousand enemy kills for his granddaughter's release from the

Bastion Prison.

Ken visibly froze when he heard Miles's words.

The young doctor gave Miles a strange look.

"Captain Henderson, are you sure you didn't take a hit to the head or something? In the whole military, only

Brigadier General Fleming got close to a thousand confirmed kills.

"Your own count hasn't even reached double digits. There's simply no way you could accomplish that today," he

said. Miles froze at the doctor's remark.

Since trading a thousand enemy kills for his granddaughter's release was not part of any official military

regulation, Lionel had warned Miles not to speak of his actual kill count to anyone.

Miles had known this arrangement was not exactly by the book, which was why he had given strict orders to all

his subordinates never to mention his battlefield record.

Hence, though many knew Miles had been stationed at the front lines for years, most assumed he played it safe,

commanding from the rear while letting his men charge ahead.

There were times when Miles had fought alongside soldiers from allied forces, and shad witnessed his

desperate, blood-soaked efforts firsthand. Even then, Lionel had made sure those witnesses were silenced with

confidentiality agreements.

Miles had always believed Lionel's help cfrom empathy-a man who had once endured the death of his own

young granddaughter.

Miles had respected and trusted Lionel deeply, never once doubting his intentions.

At that moment, as the young doctor made the comparison between him and Lionel, Miles suddenly realized with

a jolt- Lionel's celebrated feats were built on accomplishments remarkably similar to his own, accomplishments

that had never been revealed to the world.

Suddenly, the ringtone of Ken's military-issued phone broke the silence in the operating room.

He glanced at the caller ID and gave the young doctor a meaningful look. The young doctor immediately

understood and quickly left the operating room.

Once the door to the operating room was shut, Ken pressed the answer button and switched to speakerphone.

"Captain Henderson has pulled through and seems to be in stable condition, Brigadier General Fleming," Ken

reported. On the other end of the line, a relieved voice responded, "That's a relief. Glad to hear everything's

fine."

Miles was not sure if it was just his imagination, but he could have sworn there was a trace of regret in Lionel's

voice. Miles tightened his grip until his knuckles turned white, then asked, "Is my granddaughter still in the

Bastion Prison, Brigadier General Fleming?"

There was a brief pause on the other end.

Then Lionel said reassuringly, “Miles, | understand you've just cthrough a life-and-death situation, and your

emotions are still raw. But you have to know, with the crimes she's committed, it won't be easy to have her

released.

"still, you've honored our deal, and I've already submitted her release request to the higher-ups. | promise you

that she'll be out within two weeks.

"Once your retirement is finalized, everything will fall into place-you'll have your granddaughter back, and more

than enough tto enjoy a peaceful life with her."

As Miles listened to Lionel's seemingly idyllic vision, a wry smile formed on his lips.

In that instant, whatever hope he still harbored toward Lionel was shattered. Miles had never once said he

wanted to retire Successfully unlocked! Lionel, the man who always preached about putting the nation above all

else, would never have permitted a soldier of Miles’

s caliber to leave the battlefield. And yet, here he was, subtly suggesting that retirement was Miles's best option.

If not for the sudden appearance of his granddaughter, Miles had no doubt he would have blindly followed the

path Lionel had laid out for him.

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Chapter 354 Rise In Rank

And once he stepped off the battlefield, what awaited him would likely have been nothing but death.

Even his granddaughter might not escape unscathed.

Miles cast a soft look at Raven, who was now a field medic in the military. The affection in his eyes gradually

sharpened into an iron resolve.

'As long as | live, | will never allow my granddaughter to suffer again,’ he swore to

himself. 'No one will touch her-not even Brigadier General Fleming!"

A moment later, Miles seemed to have reached a decision. He stared at the phone and spoke once more.

"Commander Fleming, after brushing shoulders with death today, something inshifted. | see things

differently now." On the other end of the line, Lionel suddenly felt a flicker of unease.

But before he could dwell on it, Miles's next words crashed into him like a bolt of thunder.

"As of exactly one hour ago, my confirmed kill count passed one thousand. | wonder-what kind of title does that

earn me, Brigadier General Fleming?"

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