xiv

"Come on, garrison! show the old men of the capital how good we are!"

"At your level, where can you compare with the masters of the whole army!"

Deafening cheers and cheers surrounded him. A crimson glow rose from all around the infantry training ground, ensuring that the power of the flames would not leak out of it. Forty men and women, dressed neatly in winter military uniforms and shrouded in a faint red fireproof halo beside them, gathered within the fireproof barrier and geared up.

- If there is anything incongruous, it is only the two hundred or so round firebirds running happily in the enchantment. No matter how you kill or have a bloody match, you will become powerless when you encounter these cute little things.

"I seem to be beginning to understand why the Free Army has such a cruel and costly tradition...... "Naimon muttered to himself, observing the situation inside the field.

He cautiously leaned his back against the fireproof barrier, staring at the firebirds walking leisurely around on his left and right. Their beaks are not tied with ropes, and they can erupt more than a meter of burning flames at any moment. Traditional items that are dangerous and irritating will leave light gray burn spots on the skin. According to the rules, players are not allowed to use weapons or magic to attack other players, and only the flames emitted by the Firebird are considered effective attacks - of course, attacking the Firebird is allowed.

But they weren't the most dangerous, and the most dangerous ones were just like him, looking around with their backs to the fireproof barrier. Naimon knew several people from other units: they were probably all magically better than him, but they were not as high in rank and rank as him. Regardless, they have ample reasons for jealousy.

"Game on!"

At this moment, a lieutenant colonel, who had taken advantage of his position to occupy the corner position in advance, loudly conveyed the order to the referee on the sidelines, and immediately after that, he pierced a nearby firebird with his short spear, adding the first point to his scoreboard. Before a second lieutenant of the 3rd Regiment could react, he was burned by the dying flames of the firebird, and the border patrolman immediately and mercilessly ordered him to leave the field - and Eugen had the second point.

"Cheat, cheat!" the soldiers of the 3rd Regiment immediately clamoured, but were silenced by Eugen's close observers. However, such an obvious provocation did arouse the hatred of the players who were originally fighting separately in the field, and all the firepower was concentrated on the lieutenant colonel. Several soldiers who were close immediately grabbed the firebird from their side and held it in their hands and rushed towards Eugen.

The lieutenant colonel, still chewing gum unhurriedly, suddenly rolled on the ground, dodging the first firebird and its flames that were thrown at him, and then quickly and loudly ordered: "The targets are all concentrated, Edith, Peter, fire!"

The voice of his order was so loud that the soldiers who were rushing towards him all reflexively stopped and looked around—and at that moment, Lieutenant Colonel Eugen smiled confidently at the corner of his mouth, and his right hand swept out like the wind, using the magic he was best at.

"GUM (gelatinous force field)!"

In an instant, a fan-shaped force field stretched out from the range of his right arm, and sped away close to the ground. As the force field gradually rose from low to high, there were countless invisible low walls in the center of the arena in an instant. Many firebirds were arched by this force field, but under the deliberate control of Lieutenant Colonel Eugen, none of them were directly touched by the force field. To the people at the edge of the field, it was as if there were countless invisible pillars hanging those firebirds in the air. All the players who were close to Eugen in this half changed their faces when they landed!

However, it was too late.

"Thank you, Eugen, it's important for us to grab points!" Major Peter Cussen lifted off his military uniform, and instantly took out more than a dozen throwing knives coated with fire-burning phosphorus from his belt, and threw them at the firebirds one by one.

"Well, I'll laugh at this Advent gift. The female captain smiled coldly, and the rays in her left and right hands kept shooting out like parallel machine guns, and each scorching wire hit the fire sac of a firebird.

Before the soldiers who had been trapped by the force field could react, they were imprinted with gray spots by the firebirds running around the top of the force field. Most people were so shocked by this quick and cunning reversal that they forgot to make a move for a while.

"Hey, don't run away, leave me a few points!" Eugen was in a hurry, and also took out his short spear, and kept stabbing the nearby firebirds. His shout alerted the others, and many of them immediately began earning points for the Firebirds at the top of the force field and the trapped people, with no regard for the camaraderie of their colleagues. The anti-Eugen coalition immediately disintegrated and plunged into a scuffle.

"Ahhh......h No one paid any attention to him now, and he was happy to earn Firebird points on the edge of the melee little by little, occasionally earning a click or two with projectiles or sneak attacks. Regardless, being inconspicuous is a good thing at a time like this—not to mention that he's shifted himself a little bit with refraction magic. Illusion magic is one of the few spells he is best at.

5 points, finally not at the bottom...... However, these people are so powerful, he thought to himself a little ashamedly. The more I thought about it, the slower my men became.

*** ***

Less than ten minutes into the game, twenty-seven people had already left, leaving only thirteen. No one counts the number of firebirds, but there aren't many left.

The 40-man scoreboard that had been erected on the side had already been painted in a mess by a group of scorekeepers, with Major Cussen and Captain Edith with "18" and "21" behind their names, and what was more surprising was that they were followed by Flasol, a foreign aid who swaggered through the flock of firebirds with the holy shield of the paladin, and Viscount Rasta, who had 15 points, higher than Lieutenant Colonel Eugen's 12 points. Further down the line was the second lieutenant who threw multiple throwing knives, and a lieutenant who excelled in dispersal and fire magic, with 11 and 9 points, respectively.

"Don't be in a hurry to grab points from infighting, first defeat the team of the General Staff, otherwise don't talk about group points, we won't even have a chance to score individual points! Everyone drive the firebirds at your feet over, be careful of the sniping of the major and the captain, and gather in the northeast corner!"

The second lieutenant of the navy was a little panicked when he found out that the first four were all people from units directly under the General Staff. He immediately gathered all nine of the remaining men in the vicinity, retreated to a corner, and confronted Lieutenant Colonel Eugen in the southwest corner. His orders were clear and coherent, and the soldiers of the other units who had been in chaos before were able to restore order in an instant.

"Not bad...... "Eugen spat out the gum in his mouth, habitually reaching his waist for something, as if looking for something, "spoil their collection!"

But before he could give the order, Edith had already struck. Accurate rays of flame streaked through the invisible force field and flew towards the soldiers who were collecting the firebirds. Three rays collided with Eugen's field, but the rest sprinted into the eastern half, where there was no field to obstruct it.

"Throw away the firebird in your hand, and lie down at once!"

The lieutenant was a little flustered, but still resolutely gave a loud order—a timely order that made Edith's ray fall off the mark. It was true that one corporal was caught by the Firebird's remnants*, but there was also a sergeant who was not only burned by the Firebird, but was also directly burned by Edith's flame rays. At this time, the faces of everyone in the staff turned blue.

"Corporal Wisconsin, exit! Sergeant Cato, exit! Captain Edith, exit!"

Hearing this decision, the captain's eyes showed a hint of regret, and he left the game with his own 25 points. There was a sigh of regret from Captain Edith's personal guard on the sidelines, and then applauded for the highest score.

"Tsk, it looks like we men are going to have to work hard. Eugen touched his chin and shouted, "Over there, let's fight!" Rush to the middle with your monopoly firebirds, and whoever stands last will take over the remaining dozens of firebirds! We can't let weak women take the championship, can we?"

"Sir, your pact is fair...... That's it!" the second lieutenant replied, waving his left hand and leading his soldiers forward, "All charge with firebirds!"

As soon as the lieutenant raised his hand, Eugen's force field turned into dust in the air. Just as the lieutenant colonel and the other three were concentrating on preparing to meet their charge, the second lieutenant of the navy, who had been hiding behind his back, raised his right hand and suddenly threw four throwing knives, slashing through the entire center of the arena where there was no force field!

"Oh no! Careless! It turns out that the left hand is just a cover ......"

Eugen hurriedly raised his hand and used a force field to stop the flames of a firebird beside him. Viscount Rasta, a foreign aid, did the same, and used an invisible divine shield glowing with turquoise light to deflect another firebird. Seeing that these two guys who practiced defensive magic escaped with this unseemly method, the audience outside the arena was clamoring again.

"Major Cussen, get out!"

The second lieutenant breathed a sigh of relief. In the end, the raid was not completely fruitless, taking out the opponent's long-range firepower......

"Lieutenant Condy, Sergeant Cumberland, Sergeant Raymond, Private Hanyo, Sergeant Milano, Ensign Sennar, and the above six are out!"

He jerked his head back to see a young, inconspicuous lieutenant slicing open the fire sac of the fourth firebird. The flames of the firebird had removed the fireproof barrier from him.

"Rebel...... Do you care so much about your own points?" said the second lieutenant named Sennar, gritting his teeth.

Lieutenant Soleton sighed at the departing ensign, "But I'm part of the staff force." Since you didn't expel me in time, it was your mistake. ”

*** ***

There was another round of boos from the sidelines, mixed with slogans such as "Eugen, shameless! Shameless, Eugen!" The lieutenant colonel still had the same look on his face, shrugged his shoulders, and walked towards Naimon.

"Ah, no matter what, we won. This kind of competition is all about using all means to win. Well done, Lieutenant, you did an excellent job as a spy. How many points are there now?"

Hearing the spy, Naimon's brow furrowed, and he hesitated for a moment before replying, "15 points." ”

"Good. Then it was time for the individual race...... Let's get started, shall we?"

Eugen suddenly poked the short spear in his hand at a firebird at his feet, but unfortunately this one did not spew flames, ruining his sneak attack plan.

Startled, Naimon retreated, pulled out his pistol from his arms, lowered his arm and immediately shot at several nearby firebirds.

"Six-barreled?!This gun is pretty good. ”

In the face of the cross-flames spewed by the firebird, Eugen did not retreat, and with a wave of his palm, the force field came out majestically, taking advantage of the opportunity to jump over the flames that were only sprayed at the height of the ground.

"Oops!"

Naimon kicked a firebird with his left foot, and fired three shots of the six-barreled pistol in his hand, piercing the firebird's fire sac, and the flames flew diagonally upward, intending to kill Eugen himself, while the lieutenant colonel's hand was weak, and the invisible force field was dispersed, and the short spear was thrown by itself, grazing the young lieutenant's ear, piercing a firebird fire sac behind him!

Naimon was stunned. At that moment just now, the lieutenant colonel did not use trickery, nor did he use resourcefulness. He saw that there was not a hint of laziness or slackness in the lieutenant colonel's face, but it was full of sharpness—like a sharp blade unsheathed!

This...... Is this the true face of this hanger?

"Lieutenant Namen, exit!"

With surprise at the spear just now, Naimon left the arena with a happy heart. At 19 points, he was content.

So there were only two people left on the field, and the only eleven firebirds left.

"Sure enough, it's the lieutenant colonel, you stayed until the end. Viscount Rasta, who now has 18 points, stepped forward with a firebird in each hand.

"Each other, each other. I also estimated that you should stay in the end. It's the elite of the empire...... Do you want to test it? I wonder who is stronger between our special operations forces and you?" and after the speaker's name, "18" was also written.

"With this kind of amount, it doesn't seem like you can win the individual score championship, right?, what are the prizes for the individual competition?" asked the paladin curiously.

The presiding lieutenant colonel thought for a moment: "It should be a bottle of champagne from 44 years old...... Of course, I'm going to decide. ”

"Oh...... Champagne in '44 was the year of the Fourth Freedom War. Next, neither of us will use a force field or a shield, how about it?" Viscount Rasta lowered his voice.

"Okay, let's get started. Eugen immediately threw out his first firebird, sending the flames to Rasta.

The paladin seemed to be prepared to avoid the flame with a slight side, and the flame of the firebird in his hand shot at the lieutenant colonel at a very tricky angle.

"Hmm...... You've used your insight, not bad!" Eugen was not idle, and the second and third firebirds were thrown at the same time, the one in the left hand pierced the fire bag with the pistol on his forearm, and the one in the right hand pierced with his short spear, and attacked Rasta with crossfire.

The viscount fell backwards, and the firebird in his other hand was also used as cover, and he rolled on the ground twice to avoid the opponent's attack. When they all got back into their stance, they realized that there were only two firebirds left for each other.

"I'm 21, and so are you...... There are only 4 points left on the field, and 1 point will be wasted in the duel, which is not enough. With a wave of his hand, Rasta pierced the fire sac of a firebird and let the flames burn on him, "I abstain. ”

"I'll follow up. Eugen smiled wryly and made the same move, abstaining. Immediately after, it was the cheers of Captain Edith's personal guard.

*** ***

After the game, Lieutenant Colonel Eugen reappeared on the viewing platform.

"Officers and men of the Free Army, everyone is hungry, right? Then, our firebird feast is about to begin!"

"Hooray!! The hungry GIs immediately became excited.

"Then, please dine!" Eugen waved his hand, and the entire cooking company pushed large and small food trucks into the venue. Then, everyone saw the long-awaited roast firebird......

...... A firebird that has been pierced by various things such as short spears, buckshots, darts, rays, etc.

Everyone was silent.

"Guys, there's a reason for that. Because...... Something went wrong with that damn back office...... This year, we don't actually have the budget to roast the firebird at all. Therefore, the firebird that I just shot was actually squeezed out of your rations. Please bear with me, all the brave officers and men of the Free Army, and work hard to carry forward the spirit of our Free Army and eat these things!"

At that moment, almost everyone was in the back office. Everyone continued to be silent, trying not to let the dissatisfaction manifest on their faces.

*** ***

Lieutenant Soleton felt a chill in his back—a biting cold, even as he stood right next to the campfire.

Edith patted him on the shoulder sympathetically: "It's not your fault. It's Eugen's willfulness that this year shouldn't have been a firebird contest. ”

"No, it's my responsibility not to take into account this extra consumption. Naimon stared at the firebird in front of him, who had been punched by the musket, and shook his head, "I'll remember this mistake...... It's good that it's just a firebird. There will never be a second logistical error, I swear. Feel free to accuse me...... I have no objection. ”

Seeing his depressed appearance, the captain shook his head and turned away, and a moment later she returned with her prize.

"Bang!"

21 years ago, the champagne was turned on, and the corks flew into the air like bullets.

"The greatest credit for today's victory still goes to Lieutenant Soleton. If he hadn't been a spy, we'd have lost. Let's toast to the lieutenant and our victory!" said Edith, raising her glass.

"Cheers to the lieutenant and our victory!" everyone responded with a bang, and the clashing of wine glasses rang out.

Naimon was stunned. Although he is a person who should not belong here...... But he felt cared for in his companions. This Advent was no worse than any Advent he had ever spent in his life – at least, so far.

As long as what Viscount Rasta said is not fulfilled......

"God...... Bless us. The boy prayed and drank the champagne from his glass. The wine, which was older than his age, tasted very fragrant, but also a little astringent.

However, his luck was always bad. Almost at the end of his prayer, a fast horse disrupted the soldiers' complaints.

"East ...... The northeast corner fort has been raided and has fallen! The other side demands that we surrender!"

From Ega and Eugen down, all the pupils froze at the same time for half a minute. At least a dozen cups and clay bowls fell to the ground at the same time, shattering.

"Is it the Phaetes?" asked Lieutenant Colonel Eugen, who finally took his breath, "which unit?"

"The 3rd Division 'Phaethus' and the 9th Division 'Central Mountains'!"

Hearing this return, several commanders looked like they were going to pass out. How is this possible? It only took so much time to transfer the two main divisions of Brandi and Lenny, including the Fathes Division, which ranked second in actual combat effectiveness in the entire Free Army, to Fort Fordy?!

"Inform Your Excellency Marshal at once!" Eugen ordered calmly, his face no longer as lazy as usual. "How do you know it's these two divisions?

"I've seen it with my own eyes, the Yellow Cross Sword Banner and the Mountain Warhammer Banner!"

"Are you sure?"

"Report sir, I've seen at least a few dozen faces!"

Hearing such a report, Eugen thought for a moment, and his tense brow loosened.

"I see...... Tell the way, assemble the team!"