Chapter 233: Twenty-fifth Episode: Chapter 9-1 (1/2)
Chapter 233: Twenty-fifth Episode: Chapter 9-1
Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Compared to the noble guards who defended big cities, it was naturally more difficult to guard in remote border areas. At the end of the 7th month, the Faran invaders came after the soldiers who guarded at southern frontier of Titan endured the annoying rainy season.
The soldiers guarding the frontier area did not sleep well since the battle arrangements were delivered from the base camp of the Fifth Region. They hurried to the rear to replenish their supplies and occupied themselves with their respective defensive work. Although, to be frank, the soldiers knew clearly that the wooden wall and stone fortress in their station could not withstand a massive catapult.
In spite of this, the soldiers did not complain. They trained intensely as usual and patrolled on various frontier roads as well as open areas. Besides, they assisted native residents to move to the rear and helped the local taxation departments and government organizations transfer their staffs.
A month passed by quickly in the midst of chaos. The number of invaders on the other side of the border increased gradually, and they were getting closer to the land of Titan. Sometimes, the soldiers could spot the flames of Faran camp across a grove. Countless clouds of smoke curled up in the great plains of the south, and the sight of this would send shivers down the spines of Titan soldiers. However, they were soldiers. After cursing several times at the enemies, the soldiers bit their lips and returned to their respective posts.
Silburt Village was located on the central axis of the southernmost border of the Burton Province. The village should have been a large market town, or more accurately, it used to be one. Using defensive needs as an excuse, the Imperial Guards demolished half of the village and transferred half of the villagers. Those who had lived in this area for a long time was naturally left dissatisfied. Even after decades, the old people in the village could not help but reproach whenever the army passed by their village.
In the early morning of the 23rd day of 7th month, Silburt and the small river at the village entrance simultaneously became lively. The golden sun spread over the valley between the river and the small village. A milking cow wandered alone, leaving its calf aside. The young calf was as curious as any other young lives were. It stood motionless, appearing to be pondering some serious matters as it gazed at the station guards that had been awake all night.
About a week ago, the villagers were in a heated discussion over one thing – the disappearance of Aunt Donna's little Ciel! To be exact, it was Staff Sergeant Ciel whose term of military service was about to come to an end. He was recently on duty at the nearby military station. Initially, the villagers believed that Donna's son was lost in the nearby mountains and that he would return one day, but… Ciel was born and raised here. During his service, even his commander would demand Ciel to lead the patrolling team.
The villagers who have always paid attention to this matter were divided into two groups. The ”captive” group insisted that little Ciel must have been ambushed by evil Faran during his patrols. However, if he was willing to be at their service and be nice, the Faran would send him back once the war was over. On the other hand, another group of people thought otherwise. It was something that everyone knew well what happened, but could not allow the words to roll out of their mouths.
Ciel was not missing, nor was he been taken captive. The truth was, Ciel was already dead.
In the morning, people who from the two ends of the spectrum gathered around Aunt Donna's house for breakfast. When they were preparing to begin the day's debate, nosy little children ran over with the news that a team of soldiers took Uncle Layton's calf and left behind four silver Tis. People began to make noise, saying it was a pretty reasonable price... Not long later, the children came again to notify that there was an officer followed by a few knights that had come to the village carrying a wooden box that has been painted white.
A First Lieutenant of the Imperial Guards and four servicemen riding on horses stopped outside the fence of Aunt Donna's house, ”Here we are.” The First Lieutenant looked at the stunned villagers and turned to his servicemen. Two of the servicemen were carrying a white wooden crate which was way too small to be a coffin. The villagers on the side let out the breath they had been holding, ”Fortunately, it is not Ciel.”
”Aunt Donna!” The First Lieutenant of the Imperial Guards performed a military salute to the old woman in the yard, ”We have brought Staff Sergeant Ciel back to you.”
Like the old neighbors, widow Donna widened her eyes in disbelief. Her daughter-in-law struggled to support the old lady. Both the rough palms of the women that were held together trembled uncontrollably.
”Sir... What... What did you say?”
The First Lieutenant officer took off his army cap and held it in his hand. He turned around and asked the soldiers to carry that white wooden crate into the house, ”That's Ciel... We... these are all we could find!”
The yard became completely silent. The farmers who had cultivated and prospered in this land for generations still could not figure out what has happened. If what the soldiers brought back was not a coffin, then what was inside should not be Ciel.
”Staff Sergeant Ciel and his squad were ambushed during the patrol. Our man managed to retrieve his body from the border only last night! Those wolves in the woods took Ciel...” The First Lieutenant swallowed hard. How could he tell the truth to these two women now that they only had each other to depend on?
Donna extended her hand slowly. The peasant woman's big hand touched her son's little coffin only the slightest bit before quickly pulling her hand back.
The First Lieutenant took a long breath, ”The wolves had not left much behind, even the bones were being scattered around. We...”
”Ah!” the young daughter-in-law suddenly screamed. Then, like actors in the market performing troops, her eyes shut at once as she fell down to her knees. The villagers ran into each other as they scrambled forward. Some moved the chairs while others went to fetch some salt water… In the midst of this, someone whispered, ”Is it the Faran wolves, or was it the forest ones-” An impatient elder shouted at this brainless man, ”They are all wolves. What difference does it make?”
The soldiers and the only priest in the village set up a small platform on the porch of the widow house, and a literate gentleman wrote Ciel's name in a copybook placed on the platform. People hustled as they squeeze their way through Aunt Donna's house.
”If you want to cry, then-”
”No!” Widow Donna shook her head firmly and pointed to the white wood. ”You're telling me that's my son, my little Ciel? That's certainly not! That's certainly not!”
There was nothing else the Lieutenant could do, hence he ordered the priest to commence.
The white wooden crate was placed on the table under the platform. The soldiers kept vigil next to the coffin, and the priest chanted prayers for the mass. The two groups in the village, who initially had different ideas, had finally reached a consensus. The young men glared at the border outside the door; the old men bowed their heads and whispered words of condolences over to the dazed or perhaps crazy Donna.
Widow Donna, whose face had been expressionless, waited a while. However, she noticed the priest was not intending to stop. The strong woman, who was not afraid to offend the servant of God, rushed to the table in a few vigorous steps and pushed the priest aside.
”Sir! You have to tell me... how do you open this?”
The First Lieutenant of the Imperial Guards, who was greatly surprised, stared at the old woman in shock.
”Aunt, the crate... the crate is nailed tight. We are afraid that the contents might spill out.”
The widow did not seem to understand the officer. She widened her eyes in determination and glared at the Imperial soldier. After a long time, Lieutenant had no choice but to explain again.
”Aunt, you can't open it, as it's nailed down tight! If you break -”
”I just want to see my child, I just want to see my child. Can you understand? A mother can't bear to bury her child without a last glance!” Donna could not help but burst out in tears.
The Lieutenant bit his lips in embarrassment; he did not think this was a good idea since he had already seen Ciel's remains beforehand. How should he tell her? It was definitely not easy to describe! If the mother were to witness with her own eyes that her son has been turned into fragments of bones... From a distant, there came the sound that signaled for a gathering. The First Lieutenant, who could finally escape, issued a sigh of relief. He performed a final salute to the sacrificed comrade with his servicemen then they bade farewell to the weeping woman before walking out of the yard.
Some villagers stayed in the house. The women comforted the widows as the old people began making arrangements for the funeral. The young people surrounded the soldiers. They repeatedly ask questions that had already been made clear on the public notices, ”When will the Faran come?””What about the animals at home?””Will they go before the autumn harvest?””Where should we sign up for the army at this time?”