II

*** ***

The unusually cold subsided, and the warm currents from the Interocean returned to the vicinity of Lenny. The snow line shrank northwards and struggled away, leaving only the cold winter rain behind.

If the weather forecasters of later generations talked about it, it would be a bunch of terms like "high pressure ridge" and "front", and for the people of this era, the only thing that could be believed was the prophetic magician with seventy percent accuracy—not necessarily much more accurate than the weather forecast.

In the last month of the year 1665 in the standard calendar, the eyes of the whole world were focused on Fortibourg.

Lenny, the "City of Freedom," is known as the core of the Southern Republics, and Fortiburg, the "second fortress of the Republic," located at the mouth of the Meterbisi River and 110 kilometers from Lenny, is the hub of the republics. Fort Forte was founded in 1066, shortly after the Second Dynasty's recovery, with the aim of "maintaining the presence of His Majesty's military forces in the south, and suppressing the disobedience of the heretical races of the south, and proclaiming the glory of His Majesty to distant lands." In order to ensure the fortress's deterrent effect on the whole of the South, His Majesty's civil engineers took great pains to locate the fortress at the mouth of the Metrebuti River – even the most discerning critic would have to admire the wisdom of those who decided on the location of the fortress in the first place.

The so-called "wise location" is not an example of "an invincible cannon fortress that chokes the throat of the cloister", "a fortress in a dangerous mountain range that divides everything", or "an evil fortress springing up from a huge black gate", after all, no one has ever heard of such strange terrain in the world; Fortiburg is a fortress in the plains that was truly designed for garrison and regional control. It actually consisted of land forts located on both banks of the Meterbisi River, as well as coastal forts located at the mouth of the river. "The mission of the fortress is to maintain the presence of the army", this design idea is consistent with the architecture and design of the fortress of Fortiburg.

To the north of Fortiburg is to control the fertile shores of the rich bay, which is only a hundred kilometers wide from north to south, and is the main communication artery between the two major territories of Phaetes-Julok, and if it is cut off, the only way to find it is to find the passes of the Medivo Mountains further north. From here to the west is Lenny, where the fort and the former Southern Governor's Palace are in a position of horns, which can effectively interfere with the trooping forces of the invading or rebel armies. Huge coastal fortifications and land fortifications blocked the mouth of the Metributi River, and the powerful Intre Bay Fleet was stationed in the port of Forteburg, providing an advantage of the waterway between Lenny and Fortibourg. Finally, the East Italian-American Plain, southwest of the fortress, was the granary of the republics, and the fort was supplied with enough supplies for a year, enough to keep 30,000 soldiers in the fortress for a year, or 100,000 soldiers—almost the entire standing strength of the Free Army—for three months.

Every commentator on politics and current affairs has their eyes on this massive military fortress that stands between mountains, rivers and seas, because it is home to the soul of the coup army. Former Freire Army Marshal Radetz Govar, who had escaped the nightmare of 7 December, assembled his headquarters and elite main forces there, and together with the Rurogas 350 kilometers northwest, he established the "Directory", while declaring that he would not take the initiative to attack areas and armies still loyal to the Lenni government. Military observers, on the other hand, were keenly aware of the excellent position of Forteborg Fortress: it divided the Free Army loyal to the government into two disconnected legions, Phathes and Lenni, and the fleet loyal to the government into two incommunicable groups on the river and the ocean. In a sense, Govar's "no civil war" proposition may have relieved many Free Army officers.

"Every soldier and officer in our army did not carry out a coup d'état for selfish desires or a thirst for power. We only hope that this can be corrected before the republics embark on the wrong path. Perhaps in the comfortable south and in the safe east, the people who live happily do not know the dangers they face, but as the defenders of the North, the defenders of the Ruloks, and the defenders of freedom, we hope to be able to show the way of the Republic by our actions. Appeasement and weakness do not appease the enemy, we must have a strong army, an army sufficient to defend our country! We do not want civil war, and we do not want the tragedy of a week ago to be repeated in the wider region. We always hope that all of you in the Provisional Government of Lenny can agree with us to create a better and safer new era!"

In his inaugural speech on 15 December, Marshal Govar delivered an impassioned speech emphasizing the Directory's good intentions and righteous aims.

Of course, it is doubtful how many people will believe the content of this speech. At least, Lenny's senators, who survived, probably wouldn't believe it, nor would Lieutenant General Clad López of Lennie's Legion, and Admiral Vena Betsy of the Fatess Legion. The Empire and the Elves must also be thinking about looting or fishing in troubled waters, and they will probably scoff at such speeches.

Even among the members of Govar's own cronies and the troops directly under the headquarters, there were those who did not believe these words—

- For example, he is now a young lieutenant in the North Shore fortress as the commander of the Lenny Assault Company and the staff officer of the headquarters.

*** ***

"It's been raining all the time...... Will it stop in the afternoon?"

Naimon Soleton sat bored inside the fortress with its heavy walls, looking out through the narrow vents.

The walls of the old masonry fortress, which were destroyed twice and rebuilt on top of the ruins, are now incredibly thick. Numerous curving vents and deliberately carved muzzles were scattered in every corner of the fortress walls, each an arm's length and many of them could be found in every room. Defensive magic, inclined bulletproof design, composite multi-layer wall ...... Everything is designed for safety.

However, excessive security requirements can only bring more darkness. When it's cloudy outside, the inside of the fortress looks even darker and colder. Doing paperwork in this level of light can be really maddening at times.

Soleton sighed and reviewed the documents in his hand again. Supply orders, confirmations, reports, numbers, numbers, numbers...... In the dim light, the lines of curved text writhed like ghosts. Due to the decisive defeat at Lenny, there is now a shortage of manpower to handle everything, and even a new staff officer like him has to devote himself to these tedious and monotonous transactional tasks. These things were not easy to understand for a civilian teenager who had never done such work before, but he was quickly able to master the basic skills of logistics and staff matters on his mathematical prowess, prompted by a sense of crisis. He didn't dare to lead his troops out on patrol or in battle yet: even if he was nominally the commander of an assault company, if he really let him lead the troops without any military experience, he would definitely be immediately recognized.

Just thinking on his heels, he knew what would happen to him if he was recognized. His real identity is not an officer of the coup army at all, but a civilian, and not only that, he is also a disciple of the coup army's greatest enemy, Lieutenant General Clad López. At a time when war is on the verge of breaking out, there will never be a serious investigation, and there will be no court-martial......

He shuddered, refocusing his attention on the list of supplies in front of him.

"In celebration of this year's Adventist Day, a special supply list must be provided on the 25th of this month: one firebird per class, for a total of 1,100 birds. Half a pound of pale beer per soldier, for a total of seven thousand eight hundred pounds. There is also an additional annual bonus for all soldiers, and an additional hundred pigs to consume for six thousand pounds of fresh meat, ham, and sausages, as well as chaplains and higher food and lighting needs...... In celebration of the holiday, the additional military expenditure was about 1,900 gold pounds. ”

After checking the results, he signed the request for supplies, "Accounted for correctly, approved, and sent to Lieutenant Colonel Eggar Eugen, First Chief of Staff of the General Staff," and threw it aside on the already piled up "to be delivered" shelf. Finally finished the last one...... He leaned back in his chair and stretched.

A hand tapped him lightly on the shoulder, and he reflexively bounced up from his seat and turned around vigilantly.

"Hey, don't be that nervous. I just wanted to ask if you're done?"

The female captain, who was also subordinate to the troops directly under the General Staff, spoke in a relaxed tone, but still had a grim smile on her face. Her deliberately reluctant smile seemed to Soleton to be like a panther ready to prey, full of spirit and danger, unapproachable. He still couldn't figure out Captain Edith Magnum. As the only woman on the staff, she had many different faces for her chores—but all of them were cold and unfathomable—even beneath the shyness he had only seen once. Perhaps, the staff officer should be elusive and difficult to guess the true mind? Indeed, it is difficult for everyone here to see through......

"Could it be...... From seven o'clock in the morning to one o'clock in the afternoon, I haven't even eaten lunch, can you give me a little rest?"

Soleton stared worriedly at Captain Magnum's hands behind his back, hoping that a new stack of papers wouldn't emerge from there. Experience had taught him that even if the Captain's hands were empty, she might have found a strong sergeant to help her carry her papers.

The captain frowned, "That's a terrible sound, I'm here to comfort you." Well, lunch. ”

She magically conjured a cast-iron lunch box from her back—an act that stunned Soleton and nearly dislocated her jaw. The boy's troubles and delusions surfaced uncontrollably, and he hurriedly expelled these unrealistic delusions. Although her boobs are indeed large, indeed large, they ......

"And I've brought you the rest you've been waiting for. ”

"Rest?"

"Well, rest. Fifteen minutes later assemble at the north gate and ride on the orders of Lieutenant Colonel Eugen. ”

Edith threw the lunch box on the table and walked away quickly, not giving him a chance to ask.

"Lieutenant Colonel Eugen...... ...... this kind of noon time?"

Naymen Soleton thought as he hugged his lunch box. Lieutenant Colonel Eagar Eugeue was the de facto dispatcher of the remnants of the defeated army, and he was responsible for the compilation of all intelligence and the handling of day-to-day affairs. In the nightmare of December 7, the General Staff lost almost all of its senior officers, and it was thanks to the man's efforts that the coup army was able to regain its function and succeed in assisting the main force to retreat in the melee that night. Unlike Edith, who looked like an elite staff officer, this young lieutenant colonel didn't look like an elite staff officer from any angle. Rising to lieutenant colonel in your twenties is really powerful, but that's beyond that......

The lieutenant colonel had a short light gray beard and the most common expression on his face was a smirk. When I think, I don't smoke a cigar or a pipe, but I keep chewing on a gum that has been passed down from Southern New Zealand. Talking to him usually has to be said twice, otherwise the man who is so absorbed in the gum in his mouth will not hear anything. Although it always seemed very busy, it was not at all very productive, and most of the work was left to his subordinates, Captain Edith and Major Cusson. No matter what the standards, it is not what a mature man should be. Unlike the rest of the team, this lieutenant colonel did not have any imposing nicknames, and seemed to have been just a low-key ordinary colonel staff officer before.

But it is such a person who really supports the shaky situation. He felt like he couldn't see through everyone here......

With a bit of hope, Soleton opened the lunch box that Captain Magnum had brought him.

It was just an officer's standard meal, it was still cold, and it should have been a while since it was brought out of the kitchen. He could only smile wryly.

*** ***

The winter rain seeped through the oilcloth raincoat and hit the young lieutenant's shoulder, making him shiver slightly in the cold.

Soleton had been complaining about the coldness of the fort just a moment ago, but now he was missing the not-so-hot fireplace. He tried to remember what little riding he had learned before, trying not to let the horse under his crotch lose control.

The number of people in the team around him is small, but all of them are elites, and he knows many of the faces he is familiar with.

Lieutenant Colonel Eugen, who had two guards by his side, walked at the front, chewing gum as usual and humming an out-of-tune tune. Captain Edith's chestnut horse followed him, followed by another captain he didn't recognize, and then the stern-looking Second Staff Officer, Major Peter Kurson. Walking beside Soleton was Major Sain Constant, the only non-magical major in the entire staff, a rather middle-aged man who felt like he was either an intelligence officer or a gendarmerie captain. Soleton also saw the two soldiers who had been disarmed in the chaos that day, and they followed a little further behind. There is no doubt that each of them is an elite member of the general staff or the troops directly under the headquarters, and their military ranks are higher than that of him.

But that's not enough. Soleton turned his head and glanced at Marshal Radetz Govar at the back, dismissing the idea of finding an opportunity to escape.

In such a cold and rainy day, such a lineup is inevitably too gorgeous. What the hell is this going to do?

With this doubt in mind, Soleton continued to ride forward. The gravel road beneath the horses' hooves begins to turn uphill, and gradually you can see the central mountain range that divides the republics of Phartes and Juloks. The post road to the north stretches and eventually splits into two strands at the foot of a hill: one to the northwest and the other to the east. Towards the fork in the road, the line slowed down.

He saw dozens of horses gathered around the inn at the fork in the road, clustered in a circle, and a carriage stopped near the inn. The small rooms of the inn were packed, and some scattered cavalry stood guard nearby, and Soleton recognized them as their own patrols. As soon as they saw their group approaching, the patrolmen rode over, and Lieutenant Colonel Eugen stepped forward and spoke to them in a low voice.

"Is there only one messenger?"

"There is only one messenger, but there are two followers, I don't know if it's true or not......"

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Soleton jumped off his horse with the group, squinted his eyes, and quietly approached the carriage to see what was going on.

Both horses were motley and bad, but in good spirits and did not look like they had traveled long distances, and the materials used in the carts were good, and they looked like they had been made to order in a big city like Kengree or Lenny. There was no small flag at the front of the car symbolizing the identity of the passengers, probably for fear of being robbed in such a time of war. The doors of the carriage originally seemed to have been marked with a mark, but they were later covered and the paint was still fresh.

The person who came must be a messenger, and a very important messenger. But, which side is it? Is it the Lennie government?

Sonor!

The loud sound of metal crashing came from the fireplace inside the inn, attracting everyone's attention. The young false lieutenant ran in with the others, and saw Lieutenant Colonel Eugen with a broken sword in his hand, helplessly spreading his hands. Opposite him, stood a handsome young knight in shining armor with a two-handed broadsword at his waist.

"It's genuine. That move is really a dispersal sword, he is a liberation knight, and the level is still very high. The lieutenant colonel chewed on his gum and said indistinctly, "That flash not only broke my sword, but also dispelled the magic I had cast before." Only a true dispel sword has this power. ”

Hearing the lieutenant colonel's words, almost all the staff officers exclaimed in a low voice. Soleton feigned surprise as well—though he had no idea what Lieutenant Colonel Eugen was talking about.

Marshal Govar waved his hand to silence everyone: "So, you are ......? Do you have a credential?"

Soleton frowned. As far as he knew, it was impossible for either Lenny or Kengel to send an envoy with a credential here. There is only one answer...... And it's very obvious.

The knight smiled faintly, and lit up the sword-like leaf crest of the Liberation Knight on the hilt of the sword at his waist. In addition to a sword-shaped leaf, the coat of arms also has two lines of letters, "K.O.L" and "S.K.E", symbolizing the "Knights of Liberation" and the "Holy Koman Empire", respectively. This sword contains magic and divine blessings that cannot be easily faked.

"A credential is not necessary, but I can swear by my honor and by this Emperor's secret decree. I am Vlasol Rasta, the knight of liberation, and the Holy Empire will be responsible for my words. You can consult your intelligence network to prove my identity. ”

Most people didn't react to the name, except for Major Theon Constan's pupils. He leaned into Marshal Govar's ear and whispered a few words.

The marshal's pupils also widened, and he looked at the imperial knight in front of him again: "That's it...... I must make it clear beforehand: I am afraid that I will not be able to make any promises that please you, and I will never be able to make those promises. ”

"There is no need for this, because I am here for peace and trade. With his hands on his chest and his upper body bent slightly, Vrazor Rasta saluted Govar, "Your Majesty does not want to see any war. ”

"Hopefully you can prove your goodwill and that of your empire. If you want to plot against my country, I will not grant it. Govar coldly ordered, "Escort this knight of liberation to Fortiburg." ”

Soleton swallowed. At this moment, he completely gave up his intention to flee home - his sense of responsibility did not allow him to choose so. No matter what others judged, he saw in the body of this knight of liberation an iron-colored shadow of the cross - a shadow that could bring about the destruction of his homeland.

He's going to stick here anyway. He had to find a way to contact his teacher.

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