XIII

"The grace of the gods be with us forever. ”

Lieutenant Naimon Soleton yawned and looked at the praying people on the stage, feeling a little amused. Seriously, he never thought that the pastor in charge of the presiding prayer would be this person.

The man's pronunciation was a little slurred, probably because of the relationship between the mouth glue pressing under the tongue.

"Here, I wish all the brave officers and soldiers a happy Advent Day. ”

Egar Eugen ended his prayer solemnly, and suddenly changed to his usual cynical tone, and shouted vigorously: "Then, you can finally start the long-awaited Firebird Tournament!"

There was a burst of cheers and whistles from the audience, mixed with shouts such as "Your Excellency the Imam, very respectfully!" Despite his temperament, Lieutenant Colonel Eugen is a self-respecting Introspective Imam with uncompromising status and recognition—the so-called "Parson", a man who is very respectable because of his high morals and beliefs.

"I can't see it at all. The boy whispered to himself, "Where is there a person with high morals and beliefs other than magic and magic?"

"But before that, I have very sad news to tell you. The lieutenant colonel lowered his head and put on a very regretful expression, "Due to some mistakes in our hateful logistics department, the firebirds we collected this year are not enough for the competition. As a result, it was necessary to cut back on fighting events and team events, which were heavily used by firebirds. Not to mention the boring team competition, but you definitely won't see the cute, sexy, exciting, and revealing women's wrestling score competition. Let us observe a moment of silence. ”

There was another tidal wave of whistles, mixed with protests and screams from some of the female soldiers—not against the cancellation of the women's wrestling score competition, of course, but against the lieutenant colonel's provocative statement. As the actual person responsible for the "hateful logistics department", Naymen Soleton subconsciously shrunk his neck. Due to a lack of awareness of the "noble tradition of the Free Army", he undercounted about three hundred of the total firebird requirements in his calculations.

"It's okay, it's not your responsibility. Logistics depends on the region and timing, and it is normal for us to have so many more people temporarily, and we cannot meet the requirements. Edith Magnum, who was standing beside him on a mission, saw him like this and said a few words of comfort.

"How much worse is it in the end, is your supply plan based on the proportion of the population of the area?"

The two of them were watching, Rasta, the Liberation Knight, suddenly asked, seemingly curious about the topic. After thinking about it for a while, Naimon replied with some vigilance: "I can't tell you the exact amount, but the supply plan is all left in margin." The population around this fortress was more than enough to supply the fortress, and it was only because the Firebird was a special supply that it was not able to gather enough numbers. ”

Viscount Rasta smiled slightly: "It's okay if you think so, Staff Officer." In our army, this situation is absolutely suspicious: an abnormal lack of supplies in our own zone of control proves that there must be a lack of intelligence or execution. If I'm not mistaken, there must be a lack of supplies on the north side, right?"

"Did you get our data? I'll report it truthfully. Captain Edith reminded in a deep voice.

"Ah, ma'am, if I stole your data, would I tell you here? Vrazor Rasta's face was helpless, "Don't bother your counterintelligence department, if innocent people are involved, my conscience as a paladin will be disturbed." ”

"Then report it as your personal ability...... Personally, I'd be interested to hear your analysis. ”

"It's simple. You must be keeping an eye on the Kraid Army battalion in the southwest at all times, and there is no theoretical possibility of missing it. The defense in the north is already solid, and reconnaissance will inevitably be relaxed; if there is a problem of missing information, there is naturally a greater chance of appearing on the north side, and I personally estimate that there is a 30 percent chance. Instead of making unbounded firm guesses like a strategist, the paladin used chance to make a rational judgment, "If I were a commander and there was a thirty percent chance of danger now, I would never organize an entertainment of this magnitude." Once these three percent are preemptively attacked, the end will be very tragic. ”

Naimon also became interested, and asked with a challenging attitude: "Where is the probability of 30% calculated?"

"First of all, in terms of interests, the interests of breaking here are 100 percent. As long as Radetz Govar is captured or killed, the civil war will automatically end. And in terms of probability, if the main general is an adventurous type, he will make a blitz plan, and this probability is 50%. In terms of timing, Advent is a good time, and the probability of choosing to do it at this point is 70%. 0.5 times 0.7, in fact, there should be three into five. Rasta replied.

"But logically, it is impossible to have a large-scale enemy army in the vicinity now. In any case, time is running out, and the Phaetes have brought all their main forces here - and I am sure that your national intelligence has not found any signs of laxity on the northern frontier. If you multiply the difficulty of execution, how much is left?"

The Liberation Knight smiled confidently: "In our hypothesis, the difficulty of execution is not taken into account. As long as the executor and the team are determined, any kind of plan can be formulated. As long as the enemy decides to raid the fortress on Advent night, it will be able to do whatever it takes - the success rate is another matter. ”

"However, the most important thing is the efficiency and results of execution! How can anyone execute a plan without a success rate?!" Naimon stammered back, which was incompatible with the tactical theory he had previously studied.

"No, determination is the most important thing. Any plan can be worked out, and the outcome depends only on the choice of both parties. When you both feel that the plan has no success rate, it has a success rate. ”

Hearing this fresh argument, Naimon was like an electric shock, his lips moved, and he couldn't pick out the words to refute it for a while. If the actions of the enemy are assumed, this theory will indeed be more comprehensive, but also more ......

Deviant. Is all assumption based on the enemy......'s use of unconventional tactics? Unless all of them choose a commando team of light cavalry and magic users, this is not allowed to attack a well-fortified fortress in this way. Is there really a 3 out of 10 chance?

"Namon, Edith, the game is about to start, what are you doing?"

Major Cussen's shouts came from not far away. Naimon shook his head, suppressed the vague uneasiness in his heart, and walked towards the arena of the Firebird Tournament.

*** ***

"The first event is a physical sniper competition, the use of magic is prohibited, and there is no limit to the types of weapons! There are eight contestants, please recommend candidates quickly from each team!"

The crowd moved to the vicinity of the tall columns, listening to Lieutenant Colonel Eugen's command. The lieutenant colonel's tone was very excited, and it seemed that he enjoyed the lively occasion. The sturdy sergeants tied the firebirds to one high post after another and erected them again. Taking advantage of this time, the majors, captains and lieutenants of the staff immediately began to chat.

"Who's representing us in this tournament?" asked Captain Edith beside him, staring at Rasta as he routinely stared at him.

"Sean Constance. Another captain next to him interjected, "Because he's the only one of the rest who can't do magic, he signed up for this event." ”

"Oh, Major Constan, what are the weapons he's good at, bows, knives, or crossbows?" the lieutenant continued.

"Pistol. Edith replied, "He is the only one who has followed us here without magic. ”

"Pistol, but can the lead bullet of a pistol hit such a small fire bag?" Naimen subconsciously touched the pistol on his waist. The accuracy of this repeating pistol is limited to within ten meters, beyond which you can only try your luck.

"Don't worry, my pistol is different from you amateurs. ”

There was a bit of pride in the gendarmerie major's tone, quite different from his usual cold, angry and complaining tone. Naimon noticed that Major Sain was playing with a ...... in his hand Hand cannons. For some reason, when he saw that thing, Naimon reflexively wanted to call it that.

The most striking thing is the large-caliber barrel, which can obviously only be used with homemade lead bullets, and Naimon can't think of any standard weight lead bullets that can be thrown in. Unlike his intricately designed black pistol, this one has two barrels side by side, which looks very intimidating. The barrel is nearly half the length of a regular arquebus, and since it is too long, there are additional grips and counterweights in the back. This kind of thing cannot be described as a "pistol" at all, only a "hand cannon".

"Awesome...... Maybe we can win the championship. ”

Everyone was overwhelmed by the new gun and made way for Major Constein. The gendarmerie major smiled rarely, sat down on a small stool at the end of the white line, measured the distance, and waited for the order to start the game.

"So, the participants in this competition are the General Staff, the 1st to 4th Regiments of the 10th Division, the Northern Garrison and the Southern Garrison, and the Marine Corps, have all the players arrived?"

Lieutenant Colonel Eugen made a final roll call. Since Lenny's nightmare, the 10th Division's "regimental" level establishment has been almost a joke, and even if the original Lenny garrison was incorporated, it was only 4,000 men. Each group of 1,000 people ...... It might be more appropriate to say that it is a larger battalion. Naimon noticed that at least two of the fighters were members of the assault companies he knew—presumably some regiments no longer had sergeants and corporals.

"Then, then, it is up to our Supreme Commander, His Excellency Field Marshal Radetz Govar, to announce the start of the game!"

Surrounded by a few strong sergeants, Radetz Govar walked to the center of the rudimentary rostrum, and Eugen immediately protected the marshal with his divine magic. Naimon paid attention, and every time he saw it for a few days, the gray hair of His Excellency the Marshal turned a lot whiter.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's the annual Advent Day again! Although this year's situation is somewhat special, the traditions of our Free Army will not change...... I announce that the Firebird Contest is now open!"

The crowd surged, accompanied by the cheers of the mountains and a tsunami.

Before leaving, Marshal Govar looked around and paused for a moment as his gaze swept to Viscount Rasta. The knight of liberation met his gaze with the old marshal, smiled, raised his hand, and saluted in an imperial salute, and Marshal Govar hesitated for a moment, then turned and walked off the rostrum. Naimon saw that Rasta seemed to be muttering something to herself, but she couldn't hear it.

Because the game had already begun, the loud roar of fire overpowered the surrounding noise.

"Boom!"

Major Constance took the lead, and the double-barreled hand cannon opened fire first. The huge recoil hit his hand, and he had to take two steps back to stabilize his figure. The people around them were momentarily stunned by the noise, and their weapons were out of sight, and most of the crossbow and bows were nailed diagonally to the wooden wall behind the pillars.

Lieutenant Colonel Eugen spat out the gum in his mouth and excitedly explained: "Oh oh! Look at the earth-shattering shot of our gendarmerie captain, Major Theon Constein...... Sure enough, it was worthy of its name! Look at the results of the battle, he accurately ignited the ......"

The smoke cleared, revealing the wooden pillar. There wasn't a single firebird left on it!

In the crowd, there were voices of exclamation. Even the commentator of the lieutenant colonel, who talked a lot, was speechless about this astonishing result, and it took a long time to make a decision.

"This ...... Because Sean Constance interrupted the relationship with the column, he was disqualified. Others continue to play. The Firebird recycles it for the next game. ”

The three firebirds, which had fallen to the ground along with the top half of the column, struggled to cry out in gratitude. Flames and smoke began to erupt from the nearby pillars, and the archers returned to their usual state.

*** ***

The guy went back to the gendarmerie with a gloomy face, and didn't even watch the rest of the game. As another major in the staff, Second Staff Officer Peter Kusen gloated as Major Constein left, "If we want to save face for our direct troops, we still have to rely on a game that does not limit magic." Where can those regimental mages and priests compare to our elites?"

"So, you're next to Peter?" asked Naimon with interest, "Is it a throwing sniper game, and what's the difference between it and a physical sniper game?"

"Of course there is a difference. "You can't use guns, bows, or crossbows in this game, everyone can only use darts - but with magic support." I've been preparing for a long time to detect and enhance my magic, and I can tell at a glance the location of the fire sac hidden in that pile of bird feathers!"

As it turned out, he didn't brag about the magic level: the first time he found the perfect mesh to throw into the target firebird, which was burrowing around in a small iron cage. His darts throwing technique and accuracy are certainly not boastful - almost every mage who excels at ranged attack magic is not too bad at accuracy.

The only problem is that there are people who are faster than him. By the time he was judging the position of the fire sac, an ensign standing on his right had already thrown a dart. Eight in two rounds, one of which hit through the mesh.

"Oh, it's a pity, but it's not a foul to use multiple darts at once. You can use the guide magic to guide the darts, and there is nothing to say about more than one at a time, right?"

Hearing the judgment of his immediate superior, Major Coussen had no choice but to retreat to the side in frustration. Although the second-place result was already much better than Constance, he was immediately overpowered by the next competitor.

"No Limit Sniper Tournament Begins! Let's look forward to the only female seeded player, Captain Edith Magnum 'Queen of the Rays', who is the All-Army Magic Shooter Champion for the second year in a row!"

The so-called "unlimited sniper tournament" has always been an occasion for professionals such as illusionists, shadow mages, and sealers to show their strengths. Traditionally, the most important thing in this event is not the speed or shooting accuracy of the players, but the hindrance of other people's attacks. At the beginning of the game, two dark magics, a layer of solid mist, and a thin force field alternately built into the empty field in front of the firebird, covering the firebird behind these barriers. Every mage from Lenny has heard of the name of Edith Magnum, the "Goddess of Rays", and they all decide to seal her rays before using their magic to determine the winner.

However, Edith didn't give them that chance. The two rays of light that popped out of the captain's index finger first created a light transmission hole in the dark curtain, and then used the two pops and ice rays of his middle finger to provoke an explosion to break the solid fog and force field. Before anyone could see what her ring finger ray was, the two firebirds in front of Edith were already smelling of roasted meat. Afterward, she turned away leisurely, leaving the seven down-and-out specialists to pick up the pieces—all of them still struggling to remove the other's magical barriers.

This was followed by the cheers of "Long live Edith!" that resounded throughout the arena, and the female captain's performance fully met the expectations of the audience. Only a handful of people would seriously think about the techniques used by Edith - such as the Knights of Liberation from the Empire.

The technique of concentrating many distinct rays of magic on different fingers seemed to impress Viscount Rasta quite impressed: "What is the super-magic technique she uses...... Is it a multi-ray, or is it the legendary triggering or storing magic? It's such a rare technique, and I haven't seen many people know it. ”

"Uh...... I beg your pardon for not being able to comment on this. Although he knew nothing about Edith's skills, Naimon answered him anyway.

Rasta was stunned for a moment, and then reacted: "I'm sorry, I lost my words." If you have mastered such advanced magic skills, of course it is a secret. By the way, you signed up for that too, right?

Naimon counted: "Uh...... If two programs are cancelled, then the next one will definitely be my registration......"

Before the words fell, Lieutenant Colonel Eugen announced the start of the next project.

"All the personnel cleared the field and retreated beyond the white line at the edge of the playground! The logistics company removed the cloth strips of the 220 firebirds that had been saved and put them into the field! All the priests who are not ready to participate in the competition should take the trouble of arranging a simple fireproof barrier at the edge of the field...... The indiscriminate team fight is about to begin!"

"Two hundred and twenty?!isn't the convention a hundred?" someone asked aloud.

"Since we canceled the team guard competition, our staff department urgently decided to change this fighting competition to a team competition with free registration, and the members of each team who were originally going to participate in the team competition can participate, regardless of gender, and finally calculate the results of the whole team!

Hearing this, Major Coussen, who was squatting in the corner in the dark, jumped up suddenly: "Eugen, this guy...... He took matters into his own hands again! Sure enough, he could not be entrusted with any transactional work...... Eight teams, forty players, it's going to be a mess!"

"Oh, isn't that interesting? You're going to quit, Cusson?" Edith asked, staring at Major Cusson.

Peter Kusen's face turned red and he shook his head resolutely: "Who said that? Of course I want to participate! Otherwise, Lieutenant Colonel Eugen will definitely do something embarrassing like quietly using fire magic to destroy other people's fire barriers!"

The female captain nodded: "Uh...... You're right, Eugen is indeed someone who would do such a thing. Well, we still have two slots, Lieutenant Soleton and ...... Constance has run away, shall we find another captain? Which of you would like to come?"

Hearing Edith's invitation, the captains of the direct unit immediately jumped up and volunteered to join the team. But then, another man spoke.

"If the beautiful captain and the young lieutenant are going to compete, then who will be on the surveillance mission? Rasta's speech sounded chivalrous, and no one in the know would have thought that he was the target of a surveillance mission. However, this reasonable statement bothered both Namen and Edith.

"That's right...... Then I'm not going to participate. Naimon immediately jumped at the chance to retreat, he didn't like this kind of racing.

The viscount hurriedly waved his hand: "No, I didn't mean that. I just wanted to propose to the beautiful Miss Captain that I could be counted as a place? ”

Nammon, Edith, and Peter glanced at each other, and they all thought the proposal was a bit strange.

"Would you like to ask Lieutenant Colonel Eugen?" suggested Namen, "and wouldn't that be a bit ...... Breaking the rules?"

Hearing this suggestion, Edith and Peter sighed at the same time: "If you want to ask, just ask." ”

*** ***

"Oh, that's funny! Instead of picking those boring captains, let this guest join!

Egar Eugen said as he threw new gum into his mouth. His body was already covered in a light red one-time fire halo, which was used to protect the safety of the players and to determine the winner. Naimon stammered in surprise at the requirement, and the captain and major simply patted him on the shoulder with sympathy.

"We, the lieutenant colonel, will do anything interesting as long as it is interesting. He doesn't understand common sense. ”

At that moment, Lieutenant Colonel Eugen leaped into the fireproof barrier.

"All contestants, enter the enchantment! The game will start immediately!"

*** ***

Notes: Establishment of the Free Army

The Free Army is an army of volunteers recruited and assembled from the forces of the independent republics, approved and appropriated by the United Assembly of the United Provinces and republics.

The supreme command of the Free Army is vested in the Joint Council, and the actual command is held by the Free Army Staff Council and the commanders at all levels and the General Staff, and the commanders have the final say. The command of the Free Army was in the form of a prefect - a staff department, and there was no deputy prefect. If the commander is unable to carry out his task, he is replaced by a chief staff officer, and so on.

Without a state of emergency and the approval of the Parliament, the Free Army must not attack civilians and property in the United Provinces. It is the responsibility of the republics and autonomous provinces and municipalities to raise supplies for the Free Army, and the Free Army must pay for these supplies in full. It is the responsibility of the council to guarantee the supply of the Free Army with an annual budget.

The basic establishment of the Free Army is Division, and there are currently 12 in total. In principle, the divisions of the Free Army are ordered according to their combat effectiveness and importance, and priority is given to appropriations according to their serial numbers.

The standard establishment of each free division ranged from 8,000 to 12,000 men (four to six regiments). The standard strength of each regiment is 1,500 to 2,500 men (artillery companies, logistics companies, and magic operations companies are deployed at the regimental level, and these units are sometimes dispersed and continued to be delegated to the company level), and there are three to five battalions (about 450 men in the standard number). Each battalion has three companies (about 150 men). In phalanx warfare, the company is generally deployed as an independent combat unit in five rows of battle lines, with 30 men in each platoon. In skirmishers, each platoon is divided into three squads (about ten people), and each squad is divided into three combat teams (three people).

According to the overall strategic needs, the defensive side is designated as the "Front", and the main force of the Free Army in the north is currently divided into two operational fronts: Julok (Northern Front) and Phathus (Northeast Front).

At the strategic level, if there are more than two Free Divisions operating together, they will be organized into "Corpses". At the tactical level, different regimental units are grouped into brigades. Fronts, corps, and brigades are informal units, with officers appointed on a temporary basis, but there is also a staff staff.

The rank system of the Free Army is concise and to the point, and the actual rank directly corresponds to the position. When a higher rank is worn for a temporary promotion, the word "temporary" is added to the rank.

Marshall: Only one, Chairman of the Free Army Staff.

Front General: Two to four who serve as commanders or "corps commanders" of the operational front.

General: Four to eight who serve as "corps commanders" or commanders of a type of free division – sometimes appointed as commanders of special units or military juntas.

Vice General: Serves as the commander of an ordinary free division, or those who do not have a real position for the time being. It can be regarded as the beginning of the rank of general.

Colonel: Commander of a National Guard Division, Commander of a Minor Separate Unit, or Garrison Force, a rank rarely seen in the Free Army. It is also an honorary rank for some high-ranking garrison magicians or priests.

Lieutenant Colonel: The rank of Chief of Staff or "Brigade Commander". Generally the most important person in the army staff, almost all the actual executive members of the Free Army are in this class.

Major: The rank of senior staff officer or regimental commander.

Captain: The rank of senior staff officer or battalion commander.

Lieutenant: The rank of an ordinary staff officer or company commander, the backbone of the junior officers.

Sublieutenant: The rank of Trainee Staff Officer or Non-Commander Caster Officer.

-Dividing line between officers and soldiers-

Master Sergeant: If the company commander does not pass the officer exam, this is the rank.

Staff Sergeant: Platoon Commander.

Sergeant: Guards and technicians, as well as veterans with excellent combat skills. A popular saying in the Free Army is the "strong sergeant" to show the backbone of this class. The roles are extremely diverse.

Corporal: A squad leader, and a soldier with a first-class combat performance.

Private: A normal soldier.

Recruit: A newly recruited soldier.

List of divisions of the Free Army (see a map for the exact location...... The combat effectiveness is arranged in the order of serial number, named after the place name):

1st Division "Republic" (1st. FF "Republics"): Northern Forward Unit of the Julok Front, in the garrison of Fort Still. Facing pressure from the Imperial Southern Legion.

2nd Division "Interre" (2nd. FF "Entlave"): General Reserve of the Free Army, based on the Intre Bay Flotilla, based in the Republic of Entre.

3rd. FF "Fatuis"): General Reserve of the Fatuis Front, in the garrison of Pylo.

4th Division "St. Sen" (4th. FF "Holywood"): North-western forward unit of the Julok Front, in the Flonasti garrison. Facing pressure from the forces of the Principality of St. Sen and Soma.

5th Division "Imeya" (5th. FF "Imiya"): General Reserve of the Rulok Front, in the garrison of Wolin.

6th Division "Metbutsi" (6th. FF "Riv. Metabissy"): the backbone of the left flank of the Julok Front, in the garrison of Gistov.

7th Division "Southwest" (7th. FF "Southwest"): Free Army's sea-based mobile forces, based on the Endless Ocean Fleet, Les Harbor and Garrison Vanzo.

8th Division "Julok" (8th. FF "Rulloc"): the backbone of the right flank of the Julok Front, in the garrison of Kengrad.

9th Division "Central Mountains" (9th. FF "Mt. Mediest"): Stalwart of the Fates Front, Brandi Garrison.

10th Division "Lenny" (10th. FF "Loni"): garrison of the capital. Lenny in garrison (now organized by Govar as the Fortiberg Legion).

The 11th Division "The Great Wasteland" (11th. FF "Great Waste"): Forward unit of the Phates Front, in the Champagne garrison. Facing pressure from the army of the Duchy of Figota.

The 12th Division "Oss" (12th. FF "Riv. Oras"): Forward unit of the Phaeth Front, in the Amberas garrison. Facing pressure from the Imperial Army of the South and the Army of the Duchy of Figota.

National Guard Division (named after weapons):

The 1st "Machete" Guard Division of the National Army (1st. MF "Falchion"): responsible for the defense of the new frontier in the southwest. Stationed in South Italy, America and Asia.

The 2nd "Trident" Guard Division of the National Army (2nd. MF "Trident"): Subordinate to the Phathesan Front, filling the vacancy in the Phathesan Army. Stationed in Phates.

The 3rd "Double-edged Sword" Guard Division of the National Army (3rd. MF "Two-Bladed Sword"): National Guard Reserve, which mainly performs coastal defense tasks. Stationed in Interre.

The 4th "Morning Star" Guard Division of the National Army (4th. MF "Morningstar"): Attached to the Julok Front, filling the vacancy of the Julok Army. Stationed in Julok.

The 5th "Battle Halberd" Guard Division of the National Army (5th. MF "Halberd"): temporarily recruited by Clad López, stationed at Lenny. It is currently incorporated into the Southwestern Corps of Clad.

The 6th "Throwing Gun" Guard Division of the National Army (6th. MF "Javelin"): temporarily recruited by Clad López, stationed at Lenny. It is currently incorporated into the Southwestern Corps of Clad.

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