Chapter 182: Twenty-first Episode: Chapter 1 (1/2)

Chapter 182: Twenty-first Episode: Chapter 1

Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Church's year 800, the fourteenth day of the seventh month. There had yet to be any elaborations of this day in the ”History of Titan's Defending War”. Thus, we needed to add it on.

In the morning of the fourteenth day, the day had just brightened. Just like any other day of the summer, the forests, rivers, cities had roused along with the new day. Countless young lives stared at the dome above. They had once thought that …when they were still young, they could walk their journey slowly, as if it was a casual stroll. However, the war was something that was capable of shrinking lives. In the face of war, many things would be considered luxuries, many things could be given up, such as the God of Light, love, dreams and ambitions.

Looking at the silhouettes flying past under the sunlight, they had no regrets. As if nothing had happened, they woke up in the morning and proceeded to fold their lovers' bed sheets, dismantling the long-resided tents, and carried either aluminum trays of helmets, queueing up near the cookhouse to receive their breakfast.

During this moment, the military priests were the busiest bunch. The soldiers of the group had begun to confess one week earlier, as these souls, bound to be thrown onto the battlefield, were desperate for salvation. The priests listened to what every soldier had to say, but they had only spoken one sentence to the men, ”the God of Light made it such that the leaves bloom with greenery before spring, and wilt after autumn. This is the essence of life, and if you're willing, such is the same with life as well.”

The soldiers then stopped ranting. They gathered together to enjoy their breakfast, and then arranged their weaponry for the ballet again. Many could not take their eyes away from the sparkling armor, shields and weapons which had been polished numerous times. Donning them on their bodies, it was as if they had a caring lover.

”The History of Titan's Defending War” was a historical reading material which the imperial military had assigned the Historical Department of Dulin University to publish. Under normal circumstances, any historical publication would never acknowledge elements of coincidence. In the aspect of the defending war, the contents of the historical publication were largely focused on the impactful events and mighty figures who had been significant during those times. As for Titan, a true history was a combination of certainty and coincidence. If it was said that the major events and those famed individuals had been the factors of the certainties of history, the numerous young people and their respective stories would be the combination of the coincidences of history.

When a rhythm of three long and two short notes sounded from the bugle, the infantry troops fell back into their formation and walked out of the valley, where the cavalry troops lined up into a long queue and stepped out of the woods. The plains of the Shawob River fell silent all of a sudden, with no shouts of the officers, no disturbances of old soldiers, and no performances from the Relief Corps. There were only harmonized footsteps coming from the depths of the plains, all the way to the high-up clouds. Finally, the men were gathered into a compact mass of blackness. Looking from afar, the mass looked just like a forest floating on the horizon, albeit a black one.

What were history's coincidences? On this final battlefield, with more than five hundred thousand military personnel from each force, there were in fact five individuals named Karlchette. This was an example of history's coincidence! This might be a one-sided understanding, but we would only know the details after more thorough explanation. Not only was the opportunity to make history right in front of our eyes, it was also extremely easy to do so.

In the spring of Church's year 797, there was a skinny, timid, poor Second Lieutenant Karlchette Divoli, a pathetic royal who relied on his scholarship of two hundred Golden Ti to enroll into Dulin Imperial Military Academy. His major was the commanding of cavalries.

In the first year of his studies, Second Lieutenant Karlchette had gotten a job at the academy's stable which, paid sixty Ti per hour. Although he was the descendant of royalty, this had been a necessity. Otherwise, he could have never been able to bear the expenses of his studies. It was also because of this job of his that his nothing-for-good peers had called him ”groom”.

In the following year of his studies, to be honest, Second Lieutenant had gotten tired of it. He was still equally skinny, timid and poor, but life in Imperial Military Academy was even more depressing. There was the shaming from his peers, stress from homework, and troubles from his teachers. It had seemed that the entire world was against him alone. He had once thought of ending his life, but a silver lining had appeared soon enough. He had met a good girl, whose eyes looked like fire. Second Lieutenant Karlchette had fallen deeply in love with her, enchanted by her charms, and had been willing to sacrifice everything for her.

However, Karlchette had never brought up the matter to her. She was the daughter of a General, and had been surrounded by numerous handsome, wealthy and young students. What about Karlchette? He understood himself too well, he was weak, timid and poor. Other than the few excellent performances in his academics, he was useless.

The God of Light praised love. Just when the situations at the Riel territories had become grave, the military had relayed its orders! Every soldier of the Imperial Military Academy between the age of eighteen to forty-five had to be prepared to enter the war any moment. On the farewell party of a General, Karlchette had a dance with the girl who had occupied his mind. His dance steps had been extremely disorganized, and the girl frowned upon this. Nevertheless, he had finally spoken. He had not confessed his admiration and longing for the girl, but instead, the sensitive lad had recited a poem which he had written himself to the girl along the melodies of the dance song.

The girl may have already forgotten most of the contents of the poem, because she had been deeply touched by one of the many lines. Karlchette said, ”Your eyes are like fire. Only you, when my days of passionate youth are no more, can light me up like charcoal!”

When the ball had ended, and the Guards' Second Lieutenant had begun a relationship. They had often strolled in the outskirts near the academy, and hugged in the lavender garden of the academy … in year 800, in the last few weeks before graduation, Karlchette, who had obtained excellent grades in nine subjects out of ten, had been promoted to a Major of the cavalries. He had strong desire to marry the girl, only to be rejected firmly by her. She said, ”I want to finish my studies. You're not possibly having the same mindset as my father that women's academic qualifications are ridiculous, are you?”

Karlchette immediately shook his head, ”No way! I respect your decision!”

The young Major of the Guards then hid the golden ring, of which he had spent his entire savings of four years on. Nevertheless, he still used one last trick of a soldier. He said to the girl, ”You know that you might not be able to see me anymore, we must leave some memories in our hearts. This separation of ours can be several years, or even forever!”

Karlchette's words had been so touching that the girl had been moved. When night time had come, the girl opened the windows of the bedroom for her lover. Then, the inevitable had happened.

In the morning of the fourteenth day, the seventh month of Church's year 800, Major Karlchette Divoli had confirmed his battlefield code number and the coordinates, just like any other Battlefield Commander who was a part of the final battle. His code number was 61933, which meant the third regiment, third division, nineteenth cavalry corp of the sixth column: his coordinate was 49.7, which meant the 49-meter-tall hill at the left wing of the central battlefield. His mission was to conquer the 49.7 highland before his enemies could do so during the advancement of his column. This was to clear a path for the frontlines of the ninth and tenth column.

In the morning meeting, the Column Commander handed a piece of the Golden Lion Flag to Karlchette.

After that, the Commander said no more. However, Major Karlchette was well aware. He and his cavalry troops would be the first to enter the battlefield. Each and every one of his actions would contribute to the paths of the following attack groups.

When the meeting had ended, the Commander of the Sixth Column asked Karlchette alone to stay back. He patted the young man on his shoulder, and pointed at the national flag in the Major's hand, ”Do you know? This flag is capable of strengthening your team's offensive prowess by three to four folds!”

Karlchette seemed to not have paid attention to the words of the Column Commander. He hesitated to speak, and was timid as usual.

”As the first person to strike, is it true that I can name the 49.7 highland?”

”That's right!” the Column Commander nodded in confirmation, this was an unwritten norm of the Titan armies, ”What do you want to call it?”

Karlchette straightened his body and saluted at the Commander, ”General, when we're going to commence our advancement tomorrow, I'll be awaiting your inspection at the Highland of the Fire-Eyed Girl!”

Words of Karlchette's Highland of the Fire-Eyed Girl had spread fast among the third column of the left-wing group of the Guards, as the location was the central spot of the left-wing battlefield. Nevertheless, those who had met Karlchette would never mind such a thing. They all asked the young Major, ”How's the Highland of the Fire-Eyed Girl?”

Major Karlchette smiled shyly, ”She had come over from Dulin last week, and then the military priest had hosted our wedding ceremony. She … she's pregnant!”

The people said, ”Wow! Congratulations! It looks like the Highland of the Fire-Eyed Girl is fated to be yours!”

At the center-most position of the battlefield, Marshal Vann Hewitt Alan, the Commander of the Guards, had gathered the forces of five columns for the huge formation of ten infantry corps and five cavalry corps. There was a spearman named Karlchette Monroe among the ranks. As a top-ranking soldier who had served the military for seven years, spearman Karlchette had been wondering. If he happened to be able to survive this war, he could rise to the rank of Second Lieutenant, judging by his experiences. With that, he would have a stable income, and if he were to save up these incomes for three to five years, he would be able to donate a gate carved with religious decals to the small church in his hometown. Then … his father and mother would no longer feel ashamed in front of the priest.

The spearman Karlchette's thirtieth birthday had just passed. He had a pair of muscular hips, and there were either muscles or fats on his body. The menacing brute should have been assigned to the Commando Team of Ax Battalion as all his subordinates had been saying that he could knock the Western bastards to death with just his biceps.

However, Karlchette simply loved his gun. His gun had been by his side during the times he had killed the royal knights of Riel. It had also accompanied him in all his journeys, all the way to the huge group comprising of countless spearmen.

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Karlchette surveyed his surroundings, and had gotten close to his fellow soldiers within the short span. Although he looked menacing on the outside, those who had known him all knew that the spearman of a carpenter's origin was in fact soft-hearted, talkative and kind.

”Big brother!” the warriors in his team all called Karlchette like that. Sometimes, even the officers would even address him so. As Karlchette was an easy-going person and had forged great relationships with many, even a mere movement of his gun could entrance the people. The Column Commander called Karlchette to come to him after spectating the practices, ”So you're big brother Karlchette? Now this is something!”

Karlchette was never the type to be self-conceited just because of his seniority. Whenever he was not practicing, he would hide himself in his little shelter and focus on his wooden carvings. He had a way with handicraft. After he had completed a masterpiece, he pulled his warriors inside, and said to them, ”How's this? How's this? Won't it be amazing if it's embedded onto the church's lattice door?”

This was the only wish of spearman Karlchette. When he was confessing to the priest, he had brought along all the comrades he was familiar with, and ordered them to vow in front of the God. If he had died, his comrades must bring his wooden carvings back to his hometown, and the village's priest must select one of the carvings no matter what.

The great war was approaching. Since Karlchette was not a military officer, he was much more relaxed. However, his jokes were no longer able to satisfy the likes of his fellow warriors. Everyone had their heads lowered, and occasionally swept their gazes across the faraway battlefield. Big brother Karlchette was never fond of this type of atmosphere, and said to the warriors, ”How about this! Everyone, write down your wishes, and store them with me. After the war has ended, you can take them back.”

The bored soldiers did not want to disappoint their big brother who was so excited. They had all only written down simple words and brief sentences, and handed them over to Karlchette. Karlchette was naturally delighted by this as it meant that his warriors all trusted him. He said, ”Since all of you know my wishes, let me see yours too!”

Karlchette came to a discovery that all his men's wishes were very simple. Some desired to continue their secondary studies, some wanted to confess to the girl next door, others dreamt of becoming wealthy after the war, and some … had more absurd wishes – not having to pay taxes to the empire anymore! Will this even be possible?

According to the unified arrangements of the battle, spearman Karchette was assigned to the team with the code alphabet B, which was also the Third Regiment, First Division, Eight Infantry Corp of the Fourth Column. His Regimental Commander had located him among the bunch of soldiers when the team had assembled. In front of all the warriors, Karlchette's Regimental Commander grabbed his shoulder, ”Big brother, you're the best among the men here. If I fall, you'll continue to lead our fellow men forward!”

”To where?” Karlchette scratched his head.

His Regimental Commander stared at the faraway horizon, and opened up a scroll which had been sent by the Military Intelligence Bureau Control Center. A military flag-like image had been drawn on the paper.

”The Kingdom of Faran's Fifteenth Infantry Corp, if you happen to see anyone waving this piece of flag in front of your eyes, don't hesitate. Lead your brothers forward, and destroy it into pieces.”

Karlchette nodded firmly. He was an excellent carpenter, and was most familiar with distinguishing patterns and lines.

Morod Karlchette retracted his stare and rubbed his palms. Soon enough, he felt some heat within them. Advance toward that military flag! Nothing could be easier!

It was already noon. Compared with the warriors who had been enduring the harsh sunlight on the faraway battlefield, Sergeant Morod Karlchette was much more comfortable. He guarded a small hut alone, silently and loyally. There was also a jug of old wine at the corner. Dust, spider webs and ashes, these were the things that Morod Karlchette had been facing every day. As a local, he had been specially transferred here by the Military Intelligence Bureau Control Center. It was not because of his handful of tricks up his sleeves, but his understanding of the weather around the areas of the Hetto Plains. Just like those second-rate articles on the newspapers and magazines, Morod Karlchette had to report the weather forecasts to the entire offensive army group. Even if it did not match his physique at all, he was willing to accept the fact that his superior was used to calling him ”Robin”.

On the plains which were connected to the downstream of Shawob River, the God of Light had granted the majestic mountains and rivers of Titan with many magical natural phenomena. However, Sergeant Morod Karlchette had his eyes on two kinds of mystical phenomena most of the time, namely the ”tearing rain” and ”vast rainbow”

The rainwaters at the areas of the streams were extremely peculiar. The rain clouds here did not cover up the entire sky and sun. Instead, it rained in chunks and clusters. Most of the time, rain would descend in the West, the sun would set in the South, the wind would howl in the North, and a rainbow would appear in the East. Standing on the old hut's rooftop where the Sergeant of the Guards was, the entire great plains would be within one's scope of vision. The group of warriors of the Guards had painted the sky with motley colors. Just like the exterior of a strange animal, the guns were the hairs while the armors were the blood and flesh.

Morod Karlchette retracted his gaze, and rubbed his palms against each other. Soon enough, his hands felt hot.

Looking at the sky again, oh God of Light, there was not a single cloud.

The Corporal guessed that he would not be seeing the ”tearing rain” and ”vast rainbow” today.

Just like the literal definition of its name, the ”tearing rain” would tear the sky apart whenever it rained. Beneath the vast sky, there would be chunks of concentrated black rain clouds here. The blue sky would appear as if it were littered with dirt stains or it was an old shirt drenched in black ink. Either way, when the ”tearing rain” showered the Hetto Plains, the sky was clear and the sun shone brightly. Only the constantly moving rainwater was unpredictable.

As for the ”vast rainbow”, Morod Karlchette brought his palms together, thank the God of Light! Although the ”vast rainbow” was the by-product of ”tearing rain”, it was much more magnificent than the few swipes of ink on the sky. When the ”tearing rain” had transformed into fine streams or when it had finally vanished, numerous rainbows appeared at the sky above the Hetto Plains which had been visited by the rain and clouds. This might be due to the sunlight, or even the air current. Karlchette had in fact calculated before and had come to a conclusion that the numbers of both the rainbow and rainclouds would never be equal. It was if the God of Light just drew on the sky casually with his painting brush.

Thus … the magnificent rainbows were arranged in rows, formed teams, effectively forming countless colorful bridges beneath the sky. Some of the rainbows stretched past the faraway streams while some ended in the nearby forests. During this moment, the hot and humid air above the ground of the fields would become alive, and the mountains and streams of this area would be enveloped in a faint layer of mist.

A group of knights in dazzling armor rushed upward from the woods to the highland where the hut was situated. Morod Karlchette immediately ran out from the hut. He only had a registrar and a correspondent with him, but these two were nowhere to be seen at this moment. Thus, he would have to welcome the big shot coming from the direction of Jebron.

Corporal Morod Karlchette pulled on the horse for the old man. He sized up the elderly man with white mustache and silver hair questioningly. He thought that he had met the person somewhere else.

”Corporal! I want a glass of water!” the Commander of the Guards smiled at the soldier who had appeared out of nowhere.

Morod was stunned momentarily. Eventually, he noticed the person's military name tag, ”Silver-haired Marshal? Silver-haired Marshal?”

”Oh my God of Light!” the Corporal exclaimed in shock. His sudden salute had surprised even the Marshal's combat horse. Alan chuckled, got down from the horse and left the white, plump horse of pure Arabian breed at the grass.

”Alright Corporal, I'm only asking for a glass of water from you.”

Morod Karlchette scurried into his old house like a porcupine, and rushed out like a bull. He scooped a big portion of cold water, but much had overflowed due to his haste.

”Reporting, Marshal! Oh no! Reporting Supreme Commander, the water is here!” Morod paused and straightened his body. Some of the well water in the scoop flowed out again, and had almost splashed onto the Marshal's body. The Corporal had really almost gotten himself into some trouble.

Alan took the scoop, and poured the water into his mouth. The old Marshal stretched his body, the long journey had almost broken his spine.

”What are you doing here?”

The Corporal immediately bowed, ”Reporting, Marshal. This is my observatory posting!”

Alan surveyed the surroundings with skepticism, ”This place still far from the battlefield, what exactly are you observing?”

The Corporal bowed again, ”Reporting Marshal, I'm observing the weather! This was a direct order to me from the Scheduling Officer of the Military Intelligence Bureau Control Center.””Oh …” Alan moaned, ”So you're that … that robin?”

Karlchette smiled shyly, he noticed that Marshal Alan was grinning too.

”I must thank you, Robin!” the Marshal of the Guards handed the water scoop back to the devoted warrior. ”Your weather reports have been very accurate. It's all thanks to you that we've managed to prevent some of our valuable war resources from being drenched in the rain!” Alan pointed at the honorary medal on the Corporal's chest, ”I still remember this award, I've issued myself!”

Morod Karlchette could only respond to the Marshal's words with his best military saluting posture, he had never imagined that he could meet the Supreme Commander of the Guards in the small abandoned corner which had been forgotten by most. This was somehow a great motivation for him.

”Robin! What do you think of the weather now?” Alan raised his head, his gaze as clear as the sky.

”Reporting, Marshal …” the Corporal contemplated his choice of words with utmost caution, ”I've been born and raised here before I've joined the military, and the men in our family had never missed the farming seasons! According to my past experiences, this should be the time when the water flow in the Hetto Plains is the greatest, but …”

”It has only rained once since the middle of the sixth month!” Alan scrunched his brows. Although his tone sounded like he was ranting, he did not dare to ask for more from the God of Light. The faraway God had been treating him quite well; the enemies had stepped foot into the greatest military trap in the entire history of the Western armies, and the little friend of his had already confirmed the final strategies and targets of the Offensive Army Group Two. Everything had been slanting toward his side of victory, and he felt that he should no longer be complaining about anything.

”But … the Hoillander have cannons! Have you heard it? Cannon fires!” Alan retracted his gaze from the sky, and turned toward the ”Robin” who stood in a daze.

”Yes Marshal, I've heard of it!” Morod Karlchette nodded his head repeatedly, ”The bullets of the cannons are huge, and they are capable of blowing up the ground into a massive crater!” he spoke while he flailed his limbs happily at the Commander.

”That's right …” Alan turned his head away, and stared at the faraway battlefield, ”If there's a rain, the artillery troops of the Hoillander won't be able to do much, which means that the casualties of our men will be much lower as well.”

Morod Karlchette moved his lips, and said, ”Marshal … tomorrow! We still have tomorrow, and I believe that it'll definitely rain the next day!”

Upon hearing this, Alan got excited, ”Are you sure?”