The Apocalyptic Queen's Werewolf Journey (Thora and Darius) novel Chapter 473

Outside Sky Casino, the aircraft was already waiting.

When Thora appeared, everyone split into two rows on either side—each one clad in combat gear, standing tall and rigid as steel, gripping their submachine guns with textbook military posture.

Thora unfastened her vest and dress shirt without breaking stride, tossing them to the person beside her. Beneath it all, a sharp, clean set of combat gear was revealed.

"Boss!"

The shout came in unison, loud and thunderous.

Thora's voice dropped low as she issued her orders. "Shirley, Luke—take First Squad with me. Tristan, you lead Second and Third Squads to the deal site. Everyone remember—watch your backs. This is not a suicide mission. Your lives come first. The mission comes second. Only the living get to graduate from the military academy. Do I make myself clear?"

Those last few words rang out sharp and hard, her voice rising like a crack of thunder.

"Roger!" The response roared back in perfect sync, shaking the air.

Thora nodded. "Good. All units, move out!"

The operation consisted of 30 operatives, split into two groups heading in different directions. Thora's team had ten, making a straight shot for the Golden Triad with a focus on stealth infiltration—fewer bodies meant a smaller footprint. Tristan's team had 20 operatives heading for the deal site, where the chances of a firefight were significantly higher, so they'd been given heavier firepower to match.

Thora had always trusted Tristan. After a full year of advanced training at the military academy, his capabilities had grown beyond recognition. It was time to let him step up and run the show on his own.

With assignments handed out, everyone boarded their respective aircraft and tore off toward the Golden Triad.

The moment Thora stepped onto the plane, a message crackled through her communicator. It was Roxen, his tone clipped and efficient. "Watch out for Tobias. I'm already en route to the Golden Triad."

On the other end, Roxen was seated on the deck of a cruiser, its perimeter lined with armed forces standing in tight formation. The salty sea wind whipped through his golden hair as it pleased. Hearing Thora's brief reply, the corner of his mouth lifted.

"So tell me, Thora—who do you think is going to finish their mission first this time?"

Thora stood inside the cockpit, gazing down at the vast, endless ocean below, and shooting back without mercy. "Definitely not you."

Roxen let out a low chuckle and didn't argue—getting roasted by Thora was nothing new at this point. After a few more lines of idle chatter, he cut the comm line.

Just then, Mike emerged from the ship's cabin carrying food. He handed it to Roxen. Around the deck, the other cadets on watch also began eating, restoring their strength.

Only now did Roxen understand—the reason the military academy had put out a bounty on Lance was precisely because he was suspected of killing Carlos. There was no hard proof, but the fact that Lance had vanished from the military academy right after Carlos's death had all but confirmed it.

"So are we..." Mike's expression wavered, his voice heavy.

Carlos, Roxen, and Mike had known each other since the military academy entrance exams. The three of them had walked the same road together, and the bond they'd forged ran deep. They weren't blood brothers, but in a place as ruthless as the military academy, they'd built the kind of loyalty that only comes from surviving side by side. Carlos's death had hit them both like a sledgehammer.

If Roxen decided to go after Lance for revenge, Mike would follow without a second thought.

Roxen gazed out across the ocean toward the distant horizon, a knowing smile tugging at his lips, his voice steady and sure. "We came here to finish the mission. So naturally ... the job comes first."

Mike frowned. He could tell Roxen was holding himself back through sheer willpower. But he also understood—their first duty right now was to complete the mission the military academy had given them.

Mike lifted his gaze toward the horizon too, saying nothing, but deep in his heart, a silent vow had already been made.

Roxen took a bite of bread, then suddenly remembered something. He turned to Mike, his tone tinged with curiosity. "Back at Sky Casino, you went off the grid for a few minutes. What were you doing?"

Mike was mid-bite when the question hit. He nearly choked, breaking into a violent coughing fit. "Cough ... cough, cough, cough..."