Chapter 59: Seventh Episode: Chapter 4 (1/2)
Chapter 59: Seventh Episode: Chapter 4
Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The huge, circular conference room was so silent that one could hear the dropping of a needle. The officers had set aside the work in their hands. To them, the Chief of Staff of the Narcissus Knight Regiment, namely General Laurier Nedgabel Andrew, was undoubtedly the person with the most right to speak.
Oscar could not help but glance at his father beside him who had not uttered a single word. He was sensitive enough to feel the change in the atmosphere. Could it be that his father was not the one with the highest authority among the Narcissus knights?
On the outset, his doubt did not make any sense as no one could go against Duke Andrew’s absolute leadership sovereignty, whoever it might be. However, in certain aspects, this doubt was not without its justification. In terms of the assurance of policies as well as the management of the territories and army, Marshal Dortmund Andrew Nedgabel was undeniably more outstanding compared to all the other Dukes of Andrew in all of history. However, when it came to war, this Commander-in-chief would have had no choice but to stand aside, considering the fact that even his second son was about to surpass him in terms of the abilities in commanding armies and employing war strategies.
Everyone had their own strong points and similarly, shortcomings were evident as well. Duke Andrew’s gift in politics determined his future path while on the contrary, his mediocre abilities in military affairs determined that this Commander-in-chief could be nothing more than a leader to the Narcissus knights’ morale.
The Narcissus knight regiment’s Chief of Staff, General Laurier Nedgabel Andrew rapidly skimmed through the war summary in his hands once. Within a blink of an eye, he had already flung the documents aside. Oscar even suspected whether the man genuinely went through the contents of the documents.
”Fellow officers, please pay attention!” The Chief of Staff had spoken, ”The latest war strategy analysis indicates that the Persians are following their old tricks and are using a three-point assault to break through.”
”The first to be attacked are here, here and here.” Laurier, using a quill pen dipped in red ink, marked out the three garrison areas on the map. ”These three locations are respectively the Peigerdom defensive line protected by the Traisen Front, the Buchwald Front’s desert border area, and path area of the Niro Grassland protected by the Mistral Front. As for the Birboehm Front, as soon as they received the warning call, they dispatched all their scout squads first thing. In the end, they discovered that this area,” The Chief of Staff exclaimed, drawing a circle on a specific location on the map, ”is very close to the border of Aragon Fortress. At least nine of the Persian’s corps have assembled there! However, these tens thousand men do not plan to launch an attack.”
The distinguished Chief of Staff took a quick glance at the Duke beside him; this Marshal did not seem to have an opinion. He continued on, ”Our current problem is that the Persian’s battle array for the three-point assault has come into form, but we are unclear as to where they will conduct their breakthrough. Although they have assembled a massive military force at the border of Birboehm, I have nevertheless noticed everyone’s expressions and none of you are even startled, that is to say, the Persian military strength is still within our capacity to curb.”
”But!” General Laurier added, ”But I think the Persians would definitely not let us do as we please, at least for now we are still unclear about the intention of their attacks.”
”For example here,” the Chief of Staff indicated one of the red circles on the map. ”Birboehm Front, Aragon Fortress, and the surrounding areas. Our men in the advisory department have quite an interesting presumption. Presuming that the assembled Persians are only part of a diversionary force of the actual offense, where, then, will they launch the actual attack?”
”Your distinguished Chief of Staff!” One of the Major General from among the officers crowded around the table, raised his hand.
”Permission to speak.”
”Your distinguished Chief of Staff, according to the latest battle report, the four Fronts at the front have ascertained that the Persians taking part in the military offense are of the two huge tribes, Mirzai and Mogadishu. These two old wolves have once again joined hands! However, there is still another matter worth noting.” The Major Colonel officer passed a battle report to his colleagues next to him, which is then passed to the Chief of Staff.
”According to the report from the Commander of the Traisen Front defending the Piegerdom defensive line, these two old wolves have made many errors in their coordination, seen in the assaults within half a day. I have a reason to believe that the troops attacking this defensive line are phony armies put together by those old wolves, that is to say, the most vicious of the wolf packs have been well concealed!”
The Chief of Staff finished reading the battle report swiftly. ”Indeed! Little General Mortus’ suggestion is very reasonable. The Mirzai and Mogadishu, these two large tribes are indeed known for their violence. Such obvious errors should not exist in the strategic coordination of their armed forces. However, this still does not indicate that the true location to which they launch the breakthrough is Traisen.”
”Yes!” Dortmund finally voiced out, ”If Mirzai and Mogadishu are old wolves, then that lad Figg is a crazed dog!”
The officers burst into laughter. They were aware that the Marshal always could not stand his second son.
The Duke also broke into laughter, ”If it is a direct attack, that crazed dog Figg will not leave any opportunities whatsoever for the wolf pack. Instead, he will even bite those wild wolves until they are black and blue all over, this I believe he can achieve.”
”That’s right!” The Chief of Advisor, General Laurier, affirmed the Marshal’s opinion. ”Figg should still be on the way, hurrying back to the Front’s Command Center. However, the Traisen Front’s Second in Command, General Ziyad, is well known for his prudence, meaning that before General Figg returns to his Military Command Center, the Traisen Front will unlikely have any large movements.”
Oscar really could not bear it any longer, ”Generals, everyone has said so much that even I, an outsider, can understand the current situation. So generals, how are we to approach this battle? You seem to keep holding off this most specific topic.”
The officers on the scene laughed quietly. Oscar momentarily could not make heads and tails of it but Oscar knew that he must have said something wrong.
”Little lad, before you speak next time, bear in mind to ask for permission to speak,” Duke Andrew was the first to correct his son’s mistake. ”Your question is still best answered by our distinguished Chief of Staff, he’s most clear regarding it.”
The Chief of Staff of the Narcissus knights gave the lad’s shoulder a heavy pat, ”Oscar! I can see that you have a very strong craving for battle, but you should know that the army is like a chiming clock; it is an exceedingly refined instrument. If this instrument wishes to operate normally, then each of the individual components of this instrument has to play their roles. This is the Strategy Command Center and as Staff officers, we can play our roles by analyzing the intelligence about our enemies for the front army, as well as expanding our strategies and tactics based on the overall impression. As for how we are going to approach this battle, that is the responsibility of another component!”
”Which component is that?” Oscar asked, still carrying some doubts.
”Idiot!” Duke Andrew knocked his young son on the head, right in front of the entire body of officers, ”Obviously it is the unit at the front lines who are in charge of assault, do you even have to ask?”
Oscar rubbed the top of his head and cried in pain. He now understood that he was out of place here. The only way to counteract the officer’s impression of him being silly was to put on a facade of a child,
***************
When His Royal Highness the Prince came out from the Strategy Command Center, it was already 2 in the afternoon. He paced aimlessly along the wide corridors of Shanvelor Palace. Failing to break away from the surveillance of the guards of the United Army, he felt extremely stressed out over it.
Without knowing how Oscar suddenly realized the corridor’s path had come to a dead end. Moreover, he was rather familiar with this place for he had visited it this morning. Looking at the huge ancient fir doors, and again at the family totem engraving on the top of the door, this was his family armory, handed down from generation to generation.
Oscar knocked on the door, he suddenly felt like checking in on Grandfather Logiartes who was guarding this place. Before that, he had already found out from his father and brother that the old grandfather Logiartes was Andrew family’s well-known war hero. At the age of 64, he had even led an army to march towards the Persians and launched an attack! Oscar knew that this was a senior who was worth his respect and revere.
”Why are you here again?” The old Logiartes yet used a peculiar accent when he opened the door.
”I came to apologize to you! Uhh... For what happened this morning. I evidently offended you greatly in terms of manners. I now apologize to you, I hope you can forgive my impertinence.”
The old Logiartes eyed the stocky little chubby boy up and down, ”Very well, considering that your skills with the machete are still commendable! Quickly, come with me inside!” After saying this, the old man stepped aside.
”Thank you…..” Oscar entered the armory, but he was immediately stunned by the spectacle before him!
”Oh god! Oh god!” The youngster was practically gasping in awe subconsciously. He saw countless weapons and armors, stacked layers upon layers in the warehouse. Each blade was glinting with an icy cold radiance and all the armors were, in contrast, giving off a metallic glimmer.
”These are... There are all the weapons that our ancestors used before? Oscar stroked a piece and inspected another; he was reluctant to let go of them.
”Yes!” Old Logiartes already closed the huge doors. ”Every weapon represents a segment of an epic. These are the only evidence of the family’s four-hundred-year life of war.”
”Yes... Yes!” Oscar’s eyes emanated beams of excitement. He took out an old-fashioned model of a knight’s heavy sword. This sword had succinct lines, its fuller carved with the pattern of a six-winged angel.
”Andrew Haila!” The youth bellowed loudly while lifting the sword high up into the air, ”Grandfather Logiartes, at long last I understand what it feels like for the family to brandish a sword and attack! It’s... It’s like answering a call from the ancient times; nothing feels more intense than when I thrust this sword forwards!”
”Then take it along with you, this is a fine sword that has already been passed down for four generations. Its weight makes it unsuited to be carried; you could hang it at the side of the saddle!”
”Can I really take it away?” Oscar gazed at Grandfather Logiartes in incredulity
”Of course!” Logiartes finally broke into a kind smile. He already conceded that this teen was a qualified child of Andrew. Moreover, this teen also seemed to possess something that Andrew lacked.
”Little Fatty, you must remember its name. With the identity of a God-chosen warrior, accept this sword with the name of ‘Shazari’.”
Oscar perceived that Grandfather Logiartes seemed to be performing some kind of sword-bestowing ritual, ”What... What should I do?”
The old man sliced across the youngster’s palm and a drop of blood trickled down from the point of the sword, ”Andrew Haila! The sixth generation elder chairman of the family, Logiartes Andrew blessed Shazari and Oscar Andrew Morisette.”
”Thank you, Grandfather Logiartes!”
Old Logiartes once again beamed. Although he did not have an attractive smile, nevertheless the youngster still felt a hint of warmth.
”Young lad, follow me; take a look at what I have prepared for you! You should know that just for you, I have already destroyed six armors.”
Oscar’s feelings once again surged up, ”Do you mean to say that you’ve even prepared an armor for me?”
”Of course!” The old man shot a disapproving look at the teen; he had always seen the wild boy’s figure with disdain. ”That boy Figg said that if a child of Andrew does not even have an armor, then people would ridicule him, so much so that our entire family will become a laughing stock because of you!”
Oscar grimaced inconspicuously, knowing that the matter was not that serious. this old man was merely finding an excuse for he was not adept at conveying his concern and care.
”How is it? Surprised, aren’t you?” Old Logiartes looked at the youngster’s dazed expression in satisfaction.
”This is my armor?” Oscar gulped. Before him was a battle armor with alternating black and red. This armor had an ancient Narcissus pattern depicted on it. The spaulder and cowter even had black edges, as frightening as blades, protruding out. The cover of the helm was a figure of a vivid, life-like tiger head and it was connected to a visor made out of a certain kind of unknown black metal. Each side of the visor even had a black fang! Although the patterns on the helm and cuirass did not match, the three black pointed corners of the tiger head and the pointed corner of the gauntlets were precisely congruent.
”You had to destroy six armors to put this together?” Oscar found it a little hard to believe.
”Of course, or where else would I find an armor that fits your figure so perfectly?”
”Grandfather Logiartes! I really don’t know how to thank you!” Oscar rushed forwards and embraced the wizened old man.
”No need to thank me, my little chubby boy, just kill a few more Persians on the battlefield and that would be the best repayment!” The old man ruffled the youngster’s huge head.
”Yes! Of course, I will! Don’t you worry! But do you have any means of allowing me to appear on the battlefield? You know, aside from being a child of Andrew, I also have another title, when the united army protects and guards me, it’s as if they are defending against a thief!”
Old Logiartes wrinkled his eyebrows, ”Chubby little boy, you’re a little too much! You actually drew attention to me?”
Oscar gave an unconcerned laugh, ”Grandfather, when you were my age, you were already the General of a whole army of tens of thousands! As for me, I don’t even know how the Persians look like; don’t you think it’s time for me to explore the world?”
The youngster’s flattery had left old Logiartes feeling complacent. Indeed, this child was almost an adult. If the situation was as he said, then letting him get a glimpse of the Persians might not be a bad thing.
”Ah... You little suck-up of a fatty. Come here, this will be our secret!” Old Logiartes finally decided to help the youngster.
”Sure, Grandfather Logiartes! This will be our secret!” The youngster laughed joyfully; it seemed as if he could already hear the blow of the horn coming from the battlefield!
***************
The hour was close to evening; the sun was setting over the western horizon. Its glow, bright as flames, spilled over the land of Andrew. The smoke from the fire beacons far in the distant mountains slowly drifted off with the mountain breeze, yet the warning still persisted. Despite the noise of the festive celebration traveling far off from the city, there were no signs of travelers on the roads outside the city, only the occasional knights who flitted to and fro as if they were lightning or flying.
On a high mesa in the west of the city of Andrew Haila, about more than ten kilometers from the city gates, the Division Commander of the Red Lion Division had led the whole army to gather here. They were waiting in consternation for the Highest Commanding Officer, who was on his way. That Royal Highness Prince appeared to have forgotten about them. If he was unable to make it due to the United Army authorities questioning him regarding this army that was not listed in the battle sequence, then this dream of theirs that was still in the making would surely be left unfulfilled.
”General, take a look!” The officer pointed to a strip of dust and dirt being turned over upwards; that was obviously a knight who was galloping at high speed.
Murat used his hand to block the sunlight. Squinting, he saw that that was a knight dressed in peculiar armor that was approaching their party rapidly
Oscar made his way up the little hillside quickly. His Raytheon reluctantly came to a halt under the reins cutting into it. He was just getting started; it seemed following this little master will undeniably lead to a fate of obesity.