The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 46

Chapter 46

Jordan hadn’t been in Sector X18 for long. At twenty–two, he had enlisted at eighteen, with only four years of combat experience.

The commander’s left thumb had already been broken from the day Jordan entered Sector X18.

Jordan thought with a slight frown, ‘Why does this girl speak as if she had something to do with it, when no one knows who did it?‘

‘Besides, she never served. How could she know so much about Sector X18? It’s like she’s met the top commander. But how could it be? She’s so young!‘

“You… You…” Jordan’s voice trembled. He stammered for a moment before, drawing on his experience, he took a deep breath and steadied himself. “Do you know the commander of Sector X18?”

Nova didn’t deny it. “Yeah, we’ve met a few times.” They had indeed met a few times.

Back then, in the Apo Conflict operation in Xylem, she had collaborated with the commander to infiltrate an enemy camp. To gain the enemy’s trust, she broke his left thumb on the spot.

The incident seemed to have left the commander quite a psychological mark. Recalling his expression at that time. Nova couldn’t help smiling.

But someone of Jordan’s rank wouldn’t dare imagine such a connection. Based on Nova’s behavior, he could only conclude she was no ordinary person.

Nova was too young. Jordan didn’t think she was a mercenary or assassin–unless she had entered the profession in her early teens.

Top international assassins were usually controlled by organizations and rarely broke free. As for mercenaries, escaping that kind of control was impossible.

Survival, violence, and cash–those three words said everything about how mercenaries lived. They were money–driven killing machines drawn to conflict zones.

He thought, ‘Maybe Nova met the commander through an acquaintance? Like a friend or relative who knows him. Hence the few meetings. Young girls love being cryptic, acting all familiar. It’s normal.’

He straightened up and said to Nova earnestly, “If I get the chance, I’ll pass your words to the commander.”

Nova hadn’t expected someone so stern–looking to be quite sincere. She raised an eyebrow, asking, “What did you need me for?”

Jordan scratched his head. “There is something I’d like to discuss with you.”

He glanced around and lowered his voice. “There are people everywhere. Not the best place to talk. Could we speak somewhere privately?”

They went to the cafeteria’s second floor.

1/3

14:04 Sat, Jun 6

Chapter 46

75

55 vouchers

At this hour, the kitchen staff hadn’t started work yet. Only the first–floor dessert shop, café, and snack store were open, with an occasional student stopping by.

They moved to a secluded corner. Jordan spoke, “You defeated Zane. Now you’re the strongest student at

SLRA.”

Nova responded with a lazy wave, “Go on.”

Jordan took a deep breath and continued, “You know SLRA is far more complex than it appears, right?”

Hannah had mentioned this many times. Nova was well aware. She glanced up, signaling Jordan to go on.

Jordan continued. “SLRA hides many masters. Some are retired special forces, some ex–international bodyguards, and-”

Nova suddenly cut in. “Hold on a second.”

Jordan was confused. “Huh?”

He froze as Nova walked to a cafeteria table, one hand in her pocket, the other effortlessly dragging the table into a blind spot. Then, she leaped onto it and swiftly removed a high–mounted surveillance camera with audio recording capability.

Nova took the device as she returned to Jordan. Seeing his bewildered face, she explained, “External microphone. This camera records audio. Now you can continue.”

Most surveillance cameras didn’t record audio. The way to tell if a camera had that function was to check for a built–in or external microphone.

Obviously, the one in Nova’s hand could record audio. To prevent their conversation from being leaked, she had directly dismantled the camera.

Jordan hadn’t expected someone so young to be this meticulous, confirming he had chosen the right person.

Containing his excitement, he went on, “Among these hidden masters are underground fighters, figures linked to secret societies, and… assassins.” His expression tightened at the word as if facing a grave threat.

Jordan had assumed that even if Nova was strong, she was still just a student and would show fear at the mention of assassins.

But instead of fear, a flash of unmistakable excitement crossed her eyes, startling Jordan.

As a trained special forces soldier, Jordan suppressed his shock. Unless he absolutely lost control, he wouldn’t let his emotions slip.

He quickly gathered himself, thinking, ‘Even someone as capable as Nova probably hasn’t encountered assassins. She’s just curious? It’s pretty normal for a girl her age.

Worried she might back out if she learned too much, he tried to reassure her, “But don’t worry, the assassins hiding here are likely low–level.”

2/3

3/3

14:04 Sat, Jun 6

Chapter 46

ร

75

$5 Vouchers

Jordan continued, “Actually, I came to SLRA on a mission. Training the Taekwondo Club members was to enlist the strongest student, Zane Morgan, for assistance. But since you defeated him, you’re the toughest one here right now.”

Jordan looked intently at Nova and spoke seriously, “I need your help.” That was the real reason he came to

her.

Nova raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What’s your mission?”

Jordan admired her caution. Unlike ordinary students who jumped at the chance to assist in military tasks, she asked for details first.

He said bluntly, “Among those hidden masters are several low–level assassins disguised as students at SLRA. Outwardly, they seem normal, but they’re actually international fugitives–wanted criminals who escaped from multiple prisons.

“My mission is to capture them without alerting them. I need your assistance.”

୦