Cannon Fire Arc

Chapter 841: Chapter 2 Main Direction of Attack (9.4K)_3

Celtic Marshal: “But the First Front Army of Kazarlia is the strongest, with a large number of Guards and the best equipment. Even if their offensive preparations are just a ruse, we still have to be cautious. If they break through our front and encircle towards the Baltic Sea, the situation would be terrible.”

Plathen Emperor: “We can make Rocossov believe that we have a large number of troops at the front, but actually redeploy them elsewhere.”

Celtic Marshal: “That won’t work, the other Front Armies will capture prisoners, seize our documents and maps, and soon they will know that a considerable portion of the troops they are facing were still deployed in front of Rocossov’s Kazarlia First Front Army in April.

“As long as Rocossov is not a fool, he will be able to deduce that the force in front of him is just a shell, a facade.”

Emperor: “With that argument, are you assuming our defense will fail? Why can’t it be our defense forces who capture Rocossov’s—capture the Anteans’ maps and documents?”

Celtic Marshal: “Because we all understand military common sense. Earlier this year, the enemy Saint Andrew Regional Army has already shifted to the offensive. They have even fought us in the forests and snowy plains despite the muddy conditions.

“We have not been able to withstand the offensive of the Saint Andrew Regional Army, Your Majesty!”

The Emperor sat in his chair, lips pressed tightly together, as if there was a zipper between them.

At this moment, the head of the Imperial Ministry spies burst through the door, hurried to the Emperor’s side, and whispered in a low voice: “Your Majesty, we have obtained conclusive evidence that the Moravians are negotiating with the Anteans alone and may be planning to leave the Empire.”

“What?” the Emperor lifted his head, “Back then they were more than willing to send all their princesses to sleep with me in order to gain the rights of second-class citizens within the Empire, and now they dare to betray us? Are you sure about the information?”

Head of the Imperial Ministry spies nodded: “Certain.”

After a brief hesitation, the Emperor said: “Send for Otto. Now, immediately!”

Head of the Imperial Ministry spies: “Is this about planning the assassination of the King of Moravia and claiming the crown for yourself?”

“No,” the Emperor said after a brief pause, “I simply want Otto to have a good talk with His Majesty of Moravia.”

————

After hearing the mission, Otto went straight to the water cooler, filled a cup to the brim, and downed it in one gulp.

Then he started on a second cup.

Emperor: “So, you lack confidence, Brigadier Otto?”

“Ah? No, of course not. I will find a way to ensure the loyalty of the King of Moravia.”

“Moravia,” corrected the Emperor.

“Ah yes, Moravia. I haven’t spent the time to memorize the names of second-class citizens, or rather, the names of their ethnic groups.”

The Emperor looked puzzled at the water cooler: “I remember that is mineral water in there, not alcohol, right?”

“Of course, it’s not alcohol.” Otto wiped the sweat from his forehead, “Then I will be on my way.”

“For this operation, you have the authority to mobilize anything you desire!” the Emperor emphasized loudly.

Otto saluted the Emperor and strode briskly out of the room.

He went straight to the supply department and asked the supply officer: “You know about the Emperor’s promise that I can mobilize anything for my mission?”

The supply officer looked confused: “Eh? Uh, I don’t know about that. But I’m sure what you said is correct, is there anything I can help you with?”

Otto: “I need fifty Prosen-style sausages, 20 canned meat, and another 20 canned soybeans, hurry up!”

Supply officer: “That’s a lot of stuff and heavy. Are you going to carry it all by yourself?”

“No, I’m requisitioning three Guard Corps soldiers to transport these goods back to my house. The Guard Corps soldiers will return to their unit later.”

The supply officer looked at Otto with an “I totally get it” expression, which was ignored by Otto.

Thirty minutes later, Otto, accompanied by a truckload of food and three Guard Corps soldiers — went home!

————

April 10th, 917, at the southernmost defense line in the Carpathian Mountains, 0600 hours.

Kosolek smoked a cigarette and asked Andreas: “From here, how far is it to go home on leave? I mean, by walking, can one get back home before the leave ends?”

Andreas thought for a moment and answered, “It should take about two months. It’s all mountain roads, not easy to walk.”

Kosolek: “Then I’ll need even more time. My house is near the original borders of the Empire of Prosen, sixty kilometers east of my home is where the Carolinians built the defensive line; one can see the Carolingian turrets and fortresses from near the border line.”

Andreas: “That… you’re living on the southwestern border of the Empire? You’d have to cross the Empire to get home.”

“Yes.”

At that moment, the platoon leader rushed hurriedly into their shelter.

Kosolek: “You want me to promise you won’t die too?”

The platoon leader looked puzzled: “What?”

“Sorry, never mind.”

Platoon leader: “Listen, there are bad rumors from the neighboring Moravian troops, they seem to have surrendered to the Anteans. I need to form a patrol team to check on the situation.”

Andreas angrily said: “It’s always the Moravians! How many times have we seen our defense lines collapse because of them? Each time it is us who stop the Antean cockroach onslaught, and then the ordinary Antean forces break through the Moravians.

“How many honorary titles of Guards have they given away to the Anteans? They’re practically wholesalers of capes!”

Platoon leader: “That’s not important! I need veterans to lead the patrol, which of you two will go?”

“We’ll go together,” Kosolek said.