xxi

Main road. Runners. Intersections.

Fort Fort's intricate network of roads stretched out in front of the fleeing lieutenant, who did not hesitate to pick a path that would not easily run into people, instinctively. It was as if he could see the thinking of the engineers each time the fortress was rebuilt, as if he could estimate the choices of each commander when confronted with such a structure. He didn't know if it was right or wrong, but he really didn't meet anyone.

Why did you run away, why did you choose this path? The boy didn't know anything, and he didn't have the energy to think about it.

Until an empty port appeared in front of him.

"What about the ship, is it not prepared to retreat, or has it already withdrawn?"

He approached the harbor, where there was a slight stain of blood on the ground, and the bonfire used to warm the wounded near the dock had not yet been extinguished. The normally bustling dock area was now empty, and the officers' quarters that stood on the small mound were pitch black. The Metbysi River took away the evacuation fleet, and also took away his hopes. After a few laps in despair, he tied his horse to the post of the harbor and walked up to the only commanding heights nearby, the dock battery.

"Hi, Lieutenant. Did you miss the retreat order? Or ......"

Naimon stepped up the last step and looked in amazement at the gray-haired middle-aged man sitting on the shell box. If it weren't for the big star on his shoulder, he probably wouldn't have recognized his commander-in-chief.

“...... You're here to take my big credit? It's been more than half an hour since the first retreat signal, and if you are willing to retreat, there is no reason to come so late. ”

Soleton stopped. This person shouldn't be here anyway. Could it be that God wants to give him a great merit for his last military career?" The boy laughed crampedly, found a shell box and sat down, took a deep breath, and said his true identity without hesitation.

"I am the chief disciple of Klad López. I'm sorry for hiding it from you. ”

"Clad?" Govar burst out laughing, until he started coughing.

"Betsy, Betsy...... You have painstakingly arranged such an outstanding plan, but in the end, you are still not as good as this junior. It's not the time for us old-fashioned officers. Okay, let's go, I don't mind who I'm captured. After laughing, Govar patted the fire dust on his body and stood up.

"Let's go, this ......" Naimon echoed with some embarrassment, not daring to say that he had actually rushed here in an unconscious escape. Where is he going?

Govar glanced at him and clapped his hands as if he had suddenly realized: "Ah, I was wrong. The ship you've been waiting for hasn't come yet, has it?"

Actually, there are no ships...... Naimon thought so, but didn't dare to say it. He failed to send any information, and was designed by Constance to be in a mess. He hurriedly got up, walked to the fort and looked in the direction of the river - and then froze.

Boat. Just as Govar had judged, the ships under the flag of the River Fleet were approaching the port at incredible speed. At this wind speed, it stands to reason that it can't be so fast...... But it does that fast. All the sails were puffed up, approaching the dock propelled by a supernatural wind.

"The ship you've been waiting for is here. Let's go. Talking casually, Govar walked over and handed him the sword and pistol at his waist.

Naimon took the heavy sword and gun, and suddenly felt the urge to cry. He should have been glad, but he felt a piercing sadness.

Even after admitting defeat, Radetz Govar is still worthy of being the commander of the Free Army. He really didn't have the right to take this man captive. The current situation was not his design, nor was it Clad's design, it was just a series of coincidences. He felt like a thief, stealing the credit of others. No, maybe he was a thief in the first place.

Everything he has now is not something he has worked hard for, but has been obtained in a series of exaggerated coincidences. Whether it's Lenny or here, he doesn't take credit, he just keeps reaping his rewards. It's the same this time......

Bang.

Self-pity is suddenly interrupted by a huge pain coming from the right shoulder.

A fifth-pound buckshot stabbed into his shoulder blades, knocking him half a shoulder. Unable to maintain his balance, he leaned back and rolled down the stairs with blood.

"I knew you magicians couldn't be trusted, and it was. Do you want to snatch the fruits of victory?"

The gun in Konstan's hand was supposed to have a faint smoke, but he couldn't see it. His right hand didn't obey the call at all, and the major artery was bleeding nonstop, and Naimon used his left hand to make up the last healing magic to fill the blood vessels, and then breathed a sigh of relief and wiped his own blood on his face.

"Is it time to repay the fraud? ”

He twitched on the ground and quietly clenched his left fist, as if he still had some strength left...... But now that the muzzle is aimed at himself, it is better to continue to twitch.

Sain jumped off his horse and walked briskly closer to the battery. He also saw the big ship approaching the harbor and knew he was pressed for time.

"Major, you have a really good timing, and you have been patient until the critical moment. Govar sneered, "From a deputy chief of the gendarmerie department to the number three man in the headquarters, excellent performance." I've read your report for so long, but I never thought you were that traitor yourself. ”

"I hope it is as you say. The captain of the gendarmerie was expressionless and wary of approaching, "Of course, you can't let anyone else take the credit." Let's hurry up before that boat docks. Where's your sword?"

"It's a pity, it's already been delivered. Govar spread his hands and gestured to the lieutenant lying on the ground.

"Then I'll go get it back. ”

Hearing Theon approach, Soleton whispered a incantation, but could not escape the Major's keen hearing. The sharpshooter Sein's other pistol jerked up, and the lead bullet accurately hit the boy's left hand, and then bounced to the ground, stirring up a cloud of dust. Naimon screamed and rolled on the ground in a half circle.

"Stop struggling, Lieutenant. If you don't struggle, I'll spare you for the sake of my colleagues. New officers are like this, and they will do whatever it takes to grab credit, I can understand it. You officers who have studied magic can't hold your breath at all. The captain of the gendarmerie said as he took out fire particles and lead bullets from his waist and began to reload......

Now is the time.

The pain in the right shoulder didn't matter, and the paralysis of the bullet with the left hand after using protective magic to force it down didn't matter. With a slap of his left hand, Naimon rolled over and pulled out his gun!

Shoot, shoot, shoot again!

The first bullet slashed against Constan's left. The major was startled, dropped his two empty guns, and made a beautiful prostrate motion.

"So the magic in his left hand just now was 'bulletproof'? This little ghost has already estimated ......"

It dawned on Sein. Before he could draw the pistol from his waist, Naimon, who stood up, opened fire on his arm. Thankfully—unfortunate for the boy—the next two fires were soaked, and he wasn't hit by any more bullets. Taking advantage of this time, Sein rolled out so that the fourth shot only grazed his forearm. Then another stink bomb was created.

"If you still have the chance, take good care of it after soaking in water next time......"

Naimon secretly cursed the inferior fire grains and fired the last bullet. But almost at the same time, Constantine also pulled out the double-barreled hand cannon from his waist and handed it to his left hand. Of course, he had also expected Naimon to attack his right hand.

Bang!

Three bullets interacted in the air.

The black revolver fell to the ground, and its owner fell to the ground, while the owner of the double-barreled pistol was still standing. Constance once again touched the fire and buckshot, and he was also skilled in reloading with his left hand.

"Even if you are a magician, you may not be able to compare with someone who has actually been through war, young man. ”

Naimon used the last bit of magic to stop the bleeding from his abdomen. The pain came like a tidal wave, and it was like hell. If he can concentrate...... If he had more, even a few more spells......

"I'm sorry, your reinforcements are coming soon, and I can't leave witnesses. ”

He heard the sound of Constance compacting the projectile with a projectile with a delivery stick. At this point, Naimon became calm.

He has seen so many people die, and he has long been enlightened. The so-called military is nothing more than a profession that kills and is killed. Being able to die with the approval of others cannot be said to be a very regrettable way to die. But......

Shots rang out. Naimon simply gave up on dodging. It seems like time has become very, long.

It's the limit. He hadn't been in a real relationship, and he hadn't even received a Advent gift. Did he spend his whole life dying here? Died a painful death as a spy? According to Mr. Fran, fifteen percent of mages die in the first battle of their lives...... I guess that's how it feels now. No, maybe more people died without even realizing it. What if he was lucky enough to live? Go back to Lennie's house and continue to live in the muddy? To be a third-rate magician, working his way from the slums to the middle class, to find a girl from a similar family? But is this the kind of life he has been practicing magic so hard? Or do he simply join the army, and then kill people with his own magic, and finally get killed? But is magic used to kill people? It seems true that the moment before death becomes very long......

As Naimon was thinking, the smell of fire in the air gradually dissipated.

"That major over there, if you continue to fight, you will have to go to court-martial, will you stop? I know you want the final credit, but it's too late. ”

A female voice interjects into his NDE. He didn't react for a moment.

"Are you from López?" Constant, clutching his injured wrist, his voice filled with indescribable resentment.

"Hmm. The task now is not to continue to take credit, but to end the coup d'état quickly, right?"

“...... Are you here to take credit? Shameless. ”

The ships of the river fleet slowly approached the pier, but one person had already arrived on the shore ahead of schedule. She appeared like a ghost and stopped this sordid duel.

It turns out that NDE doesn't stretch time long. This was Namen's first judgment.

He really didn't die. This is Namen's second judgment.

Was there a god who heard his last wish on his deathbed and saved him? That was Namen's first reasoning.

The boy looked up at the flush that had appeared with the bell at the end of Christmas Eve.

It was the uniform of the Intern Army, the General Reserve of the Free Army, also known as the Southeastern Army or the Red Shirts. Located on the huge twin islands in the southeast, the military uniform of the unsinkable naval power of the Interres Republic.

Like the vice-flag of the republic, the uniform was a blood-red color with a white trim as white as snow. The General Reserve Red Shirts, always at a critical moment to save freedom.

It looks like the legendary messenger of the gods who will come down to grant people's wishes, but the pointed hat without blood color. Contrary to legend, she was a woman with a seductive curvy back, shoulder-length blonde hair, and a pleasant voice - yes, like the kind of angels that the gods would send.

"I don't know who is taking credit from our people? I'm sorry, this important person, we will take it. ”

Why was her look and voice so familiar? The third judgment is a bit tricky.

"No way...... This time you're one of the most skilled. Sain dragged his injured arm to his mount, struggled to climb onto his horse, and threw down his last words, "Beware of choking to death at a celebration banquet that is not your own merit." ”

The female officer looked at his back and sighed: "Thank you for your efforts, so that all problems are solved." It was perfect. ”

No matter how you look at it, she also looks like the one who will leave him with tragic memories every time she appears...... Second reasoning......

"That...... Are you Miss Anne of 'pure gold'?"

He asked tentatively. The girl turned sideways, and then froze there as if under immobilization magic.

“...... Soleton?!—Shouldn't you have ventured out with Danika happily?"

"I want to ask you, why, why are you here, wearing such a military uniform? Aren't you supposed to be the clerk at the store next door to us?"

The first faint moonlight on the twenty-fifth shone on the stunned him and her panicked, full of warm irony.

"It's a bit of a long story......"

"Each other, each other. ”

The two nervously pondered ways to change the subject.

“...... Either way, Happy Advent. ”

"Uh, Happy Advent. ”

Then he fainted.

When the midnight bell strikes Advent Day, if someone looks down on the entire human civilization west of the Great Wilderness from a high altitude, he will see a very peculiar man-made landscape.

Starting with the oasis towns established by humans in the Wilderness Mirage River, until the western border of the Elven Sacred Forest.

From the frozen harbor city of Diza in the far north, to the hot and hot frontier outpost of Nadit in the far south.

From the thousand-year-old Deland and Lennie, to the new fortress Newburg, which has just been built less than two decades ago.

At that moment, the bells on the roofs of countless churches rang --

Millions, nay, tens of millions of people raised their heads again at the same time, looked up at the bell, closed their eyes and prayed reverently.

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

A sea of joy spreads, and countless candles are blown out. Happy boys and girls fell asleep, expecting to bless their oracle in their dreams.

After saying goodnight to each other, couples are ready for a blissful, carefree evening.

Except for some soldiers who were starving, wounded and moaning on the battlefield.

Except for some generals who are about to be cornered and emotional.

Except for certain adventurers who hurried on poor horses that were about to fall to the ground.

Except for certain teenagers and girls who meet at unexpectedly bad times......

In any case, Scarlet Christmas Eve is over. And people still wish each other happiness.