Chapter 56: Seventh Episode: Chapter 1 (1/2)
Chapter 56: Seventh Episode: Chapter 1
Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation
”Do you know what sort of place is outside there?” His Royal Highness Prince O’Neil Andrew Morisette gritted his teeth. ”Put your ears on and listen to me carefully! I don’t wish to see you disappearing after I turn my head away! If I find even one of you missing, then you better not come back to see me ever again!”
Ricky the Liar was counting his fingers; The King of Sins was counting the clouds on the sky; Snowstorm was counting the ants on the floor; Hedgehog Sarlat was counting the swords on him; Huge Godot was counting the axes on him; Poison Doctor was counting the medicinal bottles; While the carriage driver was counting the narcissus flowers engraved on the carriage. The faces of these people were full of bruises. Obviously, they have suffered in the hands of the military sheriffs.
”Do you hear me? Answer me!”
”En!” ”Ah!” ”Yeah!” ”I heard you!” ”Absolutely right!”
”Then put some strength into this! You are my followers, not prisoners in the prison!” Oscar told himself not to think about yesterday’s incident! But when he saw these guys, his anger simply flared. But the young lad realized that his way of saying this was actually wrong. These few guys were originally prisoners. There were not many prisoners in the whole Westland worthy of this label more than them!
”Well then! Follow me and don’t speak!” Oscar ordered in the end.
On the Holy Titan Light Year 791 29th day of 7th month, the Narcissus Knights of the Narcissus County welcomed the 435th anniversary day of the formation of the army. The day 435 years ago, twenty-three thousand seven hundred sixty-eight knights swore under the same military flag. ”In the name of the God of Light, in the spirit of the Narcissus, in the event of fearless sacrifice, we shall protect Titan, protect our home!”
The Shanvelor Training Ground was situated in the forest behind the main camp. This gigantic round-shaped competition ground has a three-century history. It was developed from the original 10,000 square meters to the 60,000 square meters today. If it was to say that the Persians yearned for destruction, then the Narcissus were the genius in architecture. The Shanvelor Training Ground was burned down by the Persian army who invaded their home three times, but each time they rebuilt it, the place grew bigger.
At 6 am, the people in Narcissus were already rushing into the competition ground. If you looked from the stage at all directions, there were people everywhere. Some brought their whole family, young and old. They even brought food and drinks that were enough for a whole day. The passionate people held small baskets in their hands. These baskets were filled with fresh narcissus plucked moments ago.
There were also many people gathered at both sides of the road leading to the competition ground. Right after 6am, the knights closed off the venue. These unlucky people could only enjoy the sight of the knights, who were waiting to join the parade outside the grounds.
When the light shone on the huge rocks that told the time and signaled that it was seven, the brass band of the Narcissus Knights blew the horn to welcome the guests. With the cheers from the people, numerous narcissus flower petals were thrown into the air. It was as if a snowstorm hit the competition grounds.
The knight staying on guard by the entrance of the competition ground suddenly saluted at the pitch black door. Surrounded by the cheers of thousands of people, Duke Andrew raised his arms and waved to the crazy crowd. Behind him were his three Duchess. The surprising thing was that the three Madames were wearing the same outfit.
Princess Alanis and Prince O’Neil followed the Duke and Duchess closely. The Princess wore the armor given to her by Madame Pauline. This set of armor suited the beautiful Princess very well. Under the armor was an iron skirt with silver chains. This set of armor was really heavy, but the Princess did not complain at all.
The Prince was the only one without an armor in the Andrew family. He simply wore a set of black Narcissus military suit. There was not even a military title on his shoulder. When Madame Celia saw her youngest son dressed poorly, she almost burst out in rage. But there was not enough time for the blur child to change his clothes.
The members of the Andrew family walked a circle around the venue like previous years. The people closer to the edge of the place on the stand fought to reach out their hands. They hoped to touch their leaders, even just a bit of his clothes would be fine.
The Prince watched this scenario extremely calmly. He did not understand this. What were the people celebrating for? Celebrating that a year has passed in the midst of suffering and grief?
The young lad could not understand this. What was wrong with the Narcissus? They possessed numerous good qualities. But were they really willing to be content at this moment as they are covered by the shadow of the war?
The members of the Andrew family finally finished their show. When they safely sat on the stand for the parade, the knights who were responsible to protect this place could finally breathe a sigh of relief! These knights wore a dark yet bright military suit. As the secret force in the Military Investigation Bureau, they knew that there were numerous ‘Dark Ghosts’ in their territory! The spies who were placed in Andrew by the western kingdom, the spies of the Persian and the few criminals who could easily take a person’s life with a few gold coins! Who knows what sort of guys were hiding on the platform? They carefully scanned their surroundings. They believed that there were definitely people with bad intentions in the crowd.
Duke Andrew thanked the crowd from the stage. And as it was in previous years, the Duke announced the first activity for the Day of Formation of Army after he expressed his gratitude. It was the flag-lifting ceremony.
The gigantic carriage waiting outside of the competition ground finally began to move! The strong man with the axe cut off the rope tied around the carriage. Four strong men lifted the thirty-meter flag pole. The rope tied to the flag pole was slashed again. The infamous Fierce Lion Flag of Narcissus throughout the Westland spread out towards the ground just like a waterfall in the grand sunlight.
Under the rare summer breeze, the flag of Narcissus flew high over the Day of Formation of the Army. The world seemed to be filled with a strong festive cheer.
It has been four hundred years! The Narcissus Knights have always moved towards this huge flag. Today would not be an exception. Following the cheers of thousands of people, the parade began! The marching band at one side of the stand hit a crisp and dense beat without the order of the Duke. The 100-year tradition has told thousands of Narcissus that the Day of Formation of Army would go into the first exciting event of the day - the parade.
The parading team, formed by the most excellent ‘singles’ from fifteen arms under the Narcissus Knights, began to move! Under the neat command of the leader of the marching team, they began to move from their gathering place towards the competition ground.
The battle horses under the Knights stepped uniformly. These brave little guys were thoroughly repackaged. They have their sunscreen on; the brown fur was trimmed by their masters; they even have heavy armors on them. Row after rows of knights advanced towards their destination under the high-pitched screams of the girls. When the first team entered the venue, the hosting officers on the parade stand screamed in a loud voice!
”Look at that! The first to enter the venue is the Birboehm Field Army! The young guys in the Birboehm Field Army are all wearing an orange cape, with an iron heavy-weight sword on their waists and a steel spear in their hands. The horses have the heavyweight armor as well. Ahhhhhh! That is the Birboehm’s heavy-armored knights that terrify the Persian! The ladies on the stand, please take note of this! The Madame should take note of this as well! The guys in Birboehm are men who are worthy to take care of your whole life...”
”Look!” Another officer shouted. The crowds by the stands also let out a scream, so he wished he could get his head into the huge speaker made by bronze for the purpose of magnifying his sound!
”People, have a look! Let the guys from Birboehm go! The ones entering the venue now are the warriors of Abbaniya Field Army! They don’t have capes, no heavy swords, no spears. Oh god! They don’t even have a shield! What are they doing here? Do not fret, young ladies! No worries for the Madame as well! This is the architecture army of Abbaniya. The most excellent technician, architects, masons, carpenters, bricklayers, digging workers and shipbuilders are all here! Without them, we will probably still sleep in camps! Madame! Ladies! Don’t you want to spend a wonderful night with a knight who is delicate with this hands?”
”If it is tonight, then forget it! The men who are worth your whole lifetime has finally appeared! The first officer once again covered the voice of his subordinate.
”Look at this! Look at this! Beautiful ladies! Honorable Madame! These are the strongest warriors in the dessert! Rangers First Army from Buchwald Field Army! They are the strongest bunch of men amongst the knights. Their will to live was just like the cactus in the dessert! Their ability to fight is like the rattlesnakes in the dessert! Look at their hands that hold the heavy crossbow. Then look at the muscles on their arms. You don’t need more explanations right? Ladies! Madame! How strong their hug could be!”
”Oh my god! What is this bullshit?” Oscar went limp on his own seat. The ones who came to join the parade ceremony were all the famous units in the Narcissus Knights. But, it seems that they are described as pitiful worms who have never seen a woman before by these two useless commentary officers.
Oscar looked at the Princess who was feeling odd as well by his side. He suddenly felt ashamed. What in the world is this parade? It was a fucking bullshit ceremony!
”Where did those two guys who are spitting at the crowds come from?” Oscar asked his second oldest brother.
”Those two loud voices? They are from the Military Publicity Department. If it isn’t that Lieutenant General Laura did not want to let go of them, I would’ve taken them under my command!”
Oscar showed an unbelievable expression! ”What use do you need them for? To bullshit your own knights?”
Figg looked disapprovingly at his little brother. ”What do you know? You have not seen true battle. Do you know how much volume a fight that involves thousands of people will build up? If I don’t have any underlings with loud voices, how can I convey my command to my unit during confusion?”
”Oh! Yes! You seem to have a point!” Oscar nodded. ”But must they promote the glorious knights of our family this way?”
”What should they do otherwise?” Figg was more disapproving! ”Take the Rangers First Army for example, do you know what sort of conditions they fight under? An endless desert! Not to mention woman, they could not even see female animals! They are warriors, but also men. They have fought many years for the family! Shouldn’t the family build a warm family for them at their back? A wife can not only show kindness physically and emotionally to the man, but also the determination and beliefs that sustain the men in the last moment of the battle under extremely difficult conditions.”
Oscar still did not want to give up! ”But... But there is no need to involve the Madame right?”
Figg felt hopeless! ”My dear dear little brother! I beg of you! Do not expose your ignorance towards the matters of the family completely in front of the people! Let me tell you. In Narcissus County, the number of women is more than the double of men! Moreover, look at those Madames on the stand. At least half of them are widows!”
”Then what you mean is... This parade... Presenting the team is the second priority, arranging marriages is the first priority?”
Figg showed a look to his brother that said he finally understood this!
”Oh god! It is truly this way!” Oscar groaned with his energy drained. This was undoubtedly the largest arranged marriage activity he has ever seen!
”My little brother, stop groaning! Oh god! Quick, quick! Be more energetic! It is my Traisen Field Army!” The second oldest brother finally saw his knights entering. He pulled his younger brother up quickly.
The knights urged the battle horses to move towards the stand neatly. As they entered the venue, they reorganized their formation. As they marched, the formation of the knights became a formation of twenty-five people in a row. When they passed the main stand, the neat sound of swords covered all sounds in the venue!
”Salute to the General!” The roar of the knights was magnificent.
”Salute to the warriors of Traisen Field Army!” Duke Andrew led all generals on the stand to return the greetings.
At this time, the commentary officer’s voice sounded once again!
”Ah! It has been a long time. The Traisen Field Army! We haven’t seen the Knight-Infantry Unit for a long time! They let their horses drink by the Ufalarre River in Persian. They have pissed at the Baghdad West City, the Capital of Persian! Now they are back in Andrew Haila! Let everyone have a guess! They have encountered a major trouble!”
”What trouble?” The other commentary officer of the parade suddenly became cooperative.
”You would not believe it! General Figg Andrew Tibotty has made an official Military Order! If his knights cannot win five champions in the upcoming training competition, he will go to the Military Court to receive his punishment! Ladies! Madame! Another ten whips! On the butt of General Figg!”
”Hahahahahaha...” Bursts of laughter exploded in the crowds! The Figg Andrew Tibotty was already in the mode ready to fight with the commentary officer, but he was stopped by his younger brother the Prince!
”Who can prove this?” The commentary officer still fearlessly added oil to the fire.
They saw a few generals of the other field army on the stand raise their hands. They looked at the enraged Figg and smiled with bad intentions.
The place became even livelier! The training competition of the Narcissus Knights gathered the strongest people in all army units. Not to mention five champions, even a champion for a section is difficult enough! It seemed that this time they are in luck. The ladies and Madame were in a crazy uproar. How happy they could be to see the butt of the hero Figg with their own eyes!
Figg’s expression could no longer be described as bad! This young man cursed in a low voice! ”Fuck this! This time I am truly trapped by this calculative, short-lived dudes!”
The second oldest brother looked at his father, confused. The commentary was all approved by this Marshal!
”Say, father! Who wrote this commentary?”
Duke Andrew took a glance at this never-growing second son. He felt that this kid did not deserve any sort of pity.
”Tracey! Who else could it be?” The Duke answered in a helpless tone.
The expression of the second oldest brother immediately broke. Yes! Who else could it be? ”I knew it must be her!” Figg thought that he should marry Tracey as soon as possible. He did not know what other things this beautiful lady would bring to him again!
After this small interruption, the parade carried on. Ceres Field Army, Seist Field Army, Coran Field Army, Liszt Field Army, McCarran Field Army, Libero Field army, Mistral Field Army, Neruda Field Army, Albine Field Army, Raytheon Field Army and Nedgabel Field Army. These fifteen Field Army parade team entered the competition ground. After circling the venue once, they all stopped at their designated places.
The last two parade teams who entered the venue were the Guards of Andrew Haila Military Unit and the student team who came for the ‘Riding to War’ championships
When these children entered the venue, the people cheered for the future leaders of Andrew, whether it was the audience at the stand or the knights lining up in the venue. The children were like heroes as they rode their horses into the venue. They used the most formal courtesy of knights to salute to the highest Marshal on the stand.
”Hey! Where are we going? Aren’t we watching the competition?” Oscar flung his brother’s hand away.
”Competition? Fuck that! Should I wait there to get my whipping on the butt? I am not crazy to do that!” Figg Andrew Tibotty said this in fury.
”Yes! I know you are not crazy yet! But why are you involving me too?” Oscar was totally cautious against this second older brother of his. He advised himself not to get caught up in this guy’s trap.
”Hehe! You’ll know when you reach!” Figg tried to be secretive, but his little brother obviously did not plan to go along with that.
”No! You tell me now! Or else don’t expect me to go anywhere with you!”
”Dear little Oscar, you actually are cautious against me as if I am some sort of thief! Good! I won’t mind telling you. I am going to bring you to the family’s armory. There are a lot of armors and weapons left behind by our ancestors. I am going to pick out the best ones for you! As a member of the Andrew family, you don’t even have a set of armor. That is disgraceful. If this goes to the public, people are going to laugh at you so badly!”
”Really?” Oscar was suddenly looking forward to this.
”If you doubt me once more, I will get angry!”
”Hehe, alright brother! Don’t be angry. I apologize to you sincerely.” Oscar went to the front and put his hands around his brother’s shoulder. He realized that even though his brother was a total asshole, he was truly delicate. And the way he treated people could barely be said as sincere.
”Yoghurt...”
”Fuck!” ”Oh god!”
The sudden sound frightened the two who were walking!
”Hey, I have warned you so many times! Don’t appear behind me so suddenly. Have you forgotten that? I almost took your life the last time! Do you think the number of assassinations I have experienced is not enough?” Figg shouted at a loud voice. He hated the third brother’s action the most!
”Dear brother! Are you following us?” Oscar kindly asked Cody who was drenched in sweat.