Chapter 32: Fourth Episode: Chapter 5 (2/2)
The old Marshal rolled his eyes. Even though Silver Fox Alan rarely showed his emotions, but he obviously feel disgusted with the analogy of this young lad. ”Little guy! Even though your analogy is terrible, but I must admit you have guessed something right.”
”Thank you”
”Do you know why His Majesty had such a large temper yesterday night?” The old Marshal took out a box of Cigar. He naturally gave one to the child in front of him.
”I can assure you about this. At least when I am still in this position, those hypothesis of His Majesty will definitely not happen. But I can also assure you that these hypothesis will definitely come true in your generation.”
Oscar was a little touched. He knew those danger meant the destruction of a country. ”Why?”
”It’s still too early to tell you this, but I hope that you can report everything that you heard and saw as it is to your father. Andrew is at the far east border of the country. He is too far away from the turmoil of war of power in the Westland.”
”You haven’t tell me the reason that could fuel these hypothesis into reality.” Oscar asked in a rushing tone.
”Generalizing in one sentence: along with the economic and political development, the power of the few major Empire in the Westland had developed to the extent that the population and land of the whole land needs to be redistributed. So I am sure that in the future, there will be a war or numerous large-scaled wars that will involve the whole Westland.”
”What you described seem to be the World War that confirmed the current pattern of modern country before the Church calendar?”
”Yes. That World War confirmed the modern distribution pattern of countries. But that had been seven centuries ago. Everything seem to have gone back to its original point. So, war is inevitable.” The old Marshal looked at the young lad calmly.
”I... I must trust your judgement.” In fact, Oscar knew nothing of this, but he thought that the Military Affairs Chancellor of the Titan Empire had no reason to joke with him about this. Moreover, Marshal Vann Hewitt Alan was probably the most famous military strategist in the whole Westland currently.
The old Marshal pinched out his cigar. He could not stand the strong smell of the tobacco but this old man still could not let it go.
”Young lad, I believe that you don’t understand what exactly is going on in the Westland. But you should know that was is inevitable. If you are in my position, what will you do?”
The Andrew blood in Oscar suddenly activated. He almost gritted his teeth as he spitted out the few words. ”Expand the army! Prepare for war! Except for these I can’t think of anything else.”
The old man finally received the answer he needed. This child was no doubt the most excellent. But after hearing the answer from the young lad, Marshal Alan seemed to age so much at that moment.
”It should be around September when you come back from the Andrews!”
”Yes. What arrangement do you have for me?” Oscar was a little confused about the Marshal’s words.
”Dulin Steinburg Royal Military Academy 39th War Theory Research Class for Imperial Guards Officer. I hope that you will become the head officer that leads the research class that is made up of fifty-nine middle-ranked officers.”
”Why?”
”No particular reason. I have clearly written this suggestion in my letter to your father. That letter is with Reynold, my grandson. He will pass this letter to your father when he meets him.”
Oscar did not plan to give up. ”I don’t think I will become some officer in some hell of research class.”
Marshal Alan relaxed his shoulders. He had aged. Old man was not suited for thinking and sitting quietly for a long time.
”No, you will. Dortmund also agrees with my suggestion. In fact, for you, for this Empire, for the people of Titan, there is only so much that I can do.”
”You must be kidding me. Are you saying that organizing a research class that is participated by a bunch of middle-ranked officers represent everything?”
”Yes. We can’t be expanding our army and preparing for war, can we? You are not His Majesty. Moreover, this kind of suggestion would deem as madness in the Ministry of Senior Nobility.”
Oscar became silent. He could not understand this. He suddenly felt like he actually needed to improve himself in that research class. This Empire and this world existed too many unknowns. The young lad for the time ever felt like the knowledge he possessed was extremely lacking.
”Also, my grandson will lead a troop of knights of the Hewitt family together with you on this journey. In addition to that, I had just received an order from the Royal Secretariat this morning. Will you like to hear about it?”
Oscar felt extremely anxious. He had never felt so out of place before like now.
”Please say so. I also will like to know what new moves His Majesty have now.”
Marshal Alan took out a document and the old man brought the document towards the spray of sunlight from the window.
”The Emperor of Titan hereby orders: As the Princess of the Empire Her Highness Alanis Alfa Morisette will be accompanying His Highness Prince O’Neil Andrew Morisette during his visit to Andrew, thus hereby orders the Imperial Ministry of Military Affairs to send a troop of knights where appropriate to ensure the safety of the Princess and Prince along the journey. Signed by His Majesty the Emperor. This order is in immediate effect. Army Transfer Seal.”
Oscar’s eyes bulged. This was too sudden. ”Alanis? She is going to Andrew?”
The old Marshal kept away the document. The way he smiled was a little creepy. ”Little guy! Isn’t this good? Her Highness Princess Alanis is a nice girl just like an angel. You are so much luckier than I am when I was young!”
Oscar gave a bitter smile. The Emperor and that Princess were not some simple people, especially that Princess. He was already pressured when he was facing Alanis. Who knew what that Princess would do in Andrew.
”Enough, child. Don’t show such bitter face. This matter will only be announced after you and the Princess have begun your journey. Or else, the men in Dulin will definitely tear you into pieces. Travelling with the Princess isn’t a chance that anyone would get. You should appreciate this chance.”
Oscar smiled helplessly. ”Thank you! I will be grateful for this!”
”Then when do you plan to move out?”
”Who knows? The women in the house kept packing their stuff! Oh god! I almost died from all the commotion! Now a Princess adds to the scene. Oh right! Give me more knights. I am afraid that my middle-sized troop of knights isn’t enough to help them carry luggage.”
”Well then. I should give you another middle-sized troop of knights. In addition to that, I will add one more thing on top of the order by the Emperor. And that is to allow Your Highness Prince to command the Home Base Military Power. This will make things more convenient!”
At this point only Oscar confirmed that this Marshal had an intention to protect him. He stood up and respectfully gave a bow to the Silver Fox. Alan accepted the bow, pleased.
”Marshal Alan, thank you for doing all of these for me.”
The old man stood up. He hugged the young lad again. ”Leave these words during my memorial! Whatever you say now cannot touch me.”
Oscar bid farewell with the Military Affairs Chancellor, then he was guided by the service officer to exit the Army Division. The officers of the Capital Security Division were already gone.
Colonel Vick had waited for more than half a day. When he saw the little Prince, he immediately welcomed him. The Colonel had already adjusted to his new identity and the young lad’s. If it was at Damorga, Vick would never have believed that he would be welcomed into the Army Division like some V.I.P. At the same time, no matter what, he would never be able to relate that young lad in the Prison with the Prince of the Empire. Vick sighed. This world was truly a crazy place!
”Vick, how was your injury? Can you ride?” Oscar asked his confidential secretary worriedly.
Vick was a little troubled. His arm was still wrapped with bandages.
Oscar realized that that he had obviously made a mistake. He immediately called upon the leader of the Narcissus Knights.
”Rayen! Where is my Holy Knight?”
Colonel Kamille Rayen slapped his horse and came running energetically. He had just passed the final assessment of the Paladin. Being prideful was inevitable.
”Your Highness, your Paladin at your service!”
”Bring two people to the Royal Secretariat. I want to know where Princess Alanis is at now. When you have that information, go to that place and relay a message from me to her. I want to see her now. And I will be waiting right here. Let your people come and report to me immediately after knowing the whereabouts of the Princess.”
”Yes, Your Highness!” Rayen’s spurs poked at his horse and cause it to stagger. This horse angrily stretched its legs and sprinted off. ”Kaga! Johanne! Follow me!”
Right after the Colonel had spoken, two agile shadows came out among the Narcissus Knights. Two knights followed Rayen as if they were riding the wind of the horse and disappeared at the intersection of the Street of Honor.
Upon seeing this, the Capital Guards were a little speechless. They began to murmur among themselves. It appeared that the knights of the Capital could not perform such highly accurate yet quick actions.
Oscar did not get on board the carriage. He was chatting with the knights. People from the same hometown were answering the Prince’s questions in a passionate language. Even though the simplicity of the knights had slightly influenced Oscar, but the emotion of the young lad remained extremely dark. He did not know what was happening to him. It happened after he heard about the World War.
From afar came a family of three. Oscar stopped the conversation with the knights. He recalled that that child in his mother’s embrace was the little guy who determinedly saluted him.
The three approached him. The Narcissus Knights who took over the pedestrian walkway automatically let out a way. They would not simply let any normal person a way through, but that little guy’s father seemed to be a respectable person.
The father of the child wore the outfit of a General, but it was obvious that he did not wear any epaulette that represented his military rank. Oscar also noticed the action of the knights. Then he saw the father of that child. Oscar took a breath. This father was in fact worthy of the respect of the knights.
That soldier were very burly. His appearance was easily identifiable. A deep scar stretched from his left cheek all the way down to below his collar. Oscar could not determine how long that scar would be, but there was one thing worth taking note of. There was nothing below the left elbow of the soldier. This was a medal awarded through some fierce fighting! Oscar let a way through for him. The people of Narcissus had always held warrior in high regards.
The soldier brought his wife and son to a halt. He knew the armor of the Narcissus Knight. Then there was absolutely no need to speak of the identity of that young lad surrounded in the middle by these knights. He wanted to give a military salute to His Royal Highness Prince. But when he realized the gaze of the young lad fell on his empty epaulette, he had no choice but to put his half-raised hand down awkwardly. Even though he had attained victory in the battlefield, he was no longer a soldier anymore.
Oscar realized his mistake. He gave a salute to this unknown soldier with his chest up. The soldier was a little clueless of what he should do, but his young son once again broke off his mother’s grasp.
”Saluting to the Marshal! Louise Abassia at your service!” The child’s voice gave a hint of determination that did not come with his age. Oscar’s gaze fell on the father of that child once again.
The soldier did not scold his son. At first, he wanted to scold this little guy badly who knew no manner, but when he met the gaze of the Prince, he was suddenly influenced by something in that gaze.
The soldier remembered. It was the gaze of a Marshal! That was a gaze that was full of hope to him! Attention! Salute! ”Ex-Guard Major General Gondol Abassia salute to you! Most respectful Your Highness!” The decadent of the soldier dissipated. The determined expression made people believed that he was a true warrior.
His Royal Highness Prince put down his arm and the soldier did the same afterwards. The Prince did not speak. He only thought that for a small encounter, he did enough to this family.
The soldier seemed to realize that it was time to end this sudden encounter. He have an apologetic smile to the Prince and took his wife’s arm. After all, he was no longer the Major General of the Guards anymore. He had nothing except for his wife and son now.
Just when the soldier was about to leave, a small leader of a Narcissus Knight suddenly held his arm. The soldier was stunned.
”Pardon my rudeness. Are you the General Gondol Abassia, the Commander of the Ninth Troop of the Ninth Military Area? The General Abassia that had won the Doncaster Defending War for the Empire?”
”Yes. I... used to be.” The soldier wanted to smile, but he realized all that was left of him was bitterness.
”Attention!” The Narcissus Knights quickly went into formation after hearing this order.
”Salute!” Forty-seven Narcissus Knights had a coordinated movement. ”Salute to General Abassia who had defended the land of the Empire with courage!”
General Abassia quickly returned the salute. There were tears in his eyes, but he was a true man. So he could only let one drop of his tears to drip. Only one drop was enough. There were still a bunch of warriors in this country that remembered his achievement. Wasn’t that enough?
The General brought his wife and son and disappeared at the intersection of the roads. The people seemed to have not notice what had transpired. Yes! Who would notice a crippled soldier who brought his family around?
Oscar heard the sound hooves from afar approaching him. He took back his gaze, but he knew that he would still meet that unconventional General.
”Your Highness!” The Narcissus Knight whose name was Johanne halted his horse in front of the carriage of the Prince. ”Haha, Your Highness. We run for a round but unexpectedly ended up at our home. Her Highness Princess Alanis was right at our mansion as a guest!”