Chapter 13
The new term made Wang Zhong frown.
Previously, the Prayer Hand seemed to be a radio operator guiding missiles, so what the hell is this "hymn monk" supposed to be?
But judging by everyone's reaction, this also appeared to be common knowledge, so Wang Zhong didn't dare ask.
The Tribunal had already been mentioned earlier - who knows if their duties included executing people possessed by strange otherworldly souls.
He needed to act like someone from this world and not give himself away.
However, Wang Zhong remembered there was another question he could ask: "Among these monks, is Brother Yatsemenko and his Divine Arrow squad present?"
Sergei hesitated: "Uh, I didn't ask. Maybe you should ask the priests directly?"
Before he finished speaking, a tall brown-haired man entered the room, followed by a group of soldiers.
Their uniforms were also khaki but of different design. If Wang Zhong had to describe it, his group wore combat uniforms while these people wore dress uniforms more suitable for ceremonial occasions.
The newcomers all had sun-shaped decorations on their shoulders, reminding Wang Zhong of the sun emblem on the cathedral roof at the Duke's headquarters.
These must be the monks of the state church.
The brown-haired man who entered first asked: "Who's the commander here?"
His eyes moved between Wang Zhong and Yegorov.
Wang Zhong remembered - both he and Yegorov were Lieutenant Colonels. His current authority over Yegorov came only from the Duke's "entrustment."
Actually, there was no entrustment - the Duke only had time to tell him to run.
Without overthinking, Wang Zhong stepped forward: "I am. Duke Vladimir entrusted me with command of his troops."
The brown-haired man frowned: "Why are you only a Lieutenant Colonel?"
Then someone behind him interjected: "Did His Grace the Duke provide written orders transferring command?"
Wang Zhong looked at the speaker and noticed the man wore a peaked cap with blue piping.
"Inquisitor, these are extraordinary circumstances. To maintain command functionality, we can dispense with formalities," the brown-haired man glared at the interrupter.
Inquisitor"... So these two were from the Tribunal. Tribunal, blue piping on peaked caps - Wang Zhong clicked his tongue, suppressing his thoughts while noting: "Be cautious around people with blue piping on their peaked caps.
The rebuked blue-capped man bowed slightly: "My apologies, Bishop."
He then stepped back, examining Wang Zhong like livestock at auction.
Wang Zhong forced himself to ignore the gaze and addressed the "Bishop": "I am Count Alexei Konstantinovich Rokosov, currently commanding these troops."
The Bishop saluted Wang Zhong: "Greetings, brave Count. I am Stepan Alexandrovich Pollock, leading the last monk contingent. We still have some Divine Arrows that should destroy many enemy tanks!"
Wang Zhong: "Brother Yatsemenko's Divine Arrow squad?"
Bishop Stepan seemed surprised: "You know Brother Yatsemenko?"
Wang Zhong: "I know their squad's Prayer Hand Lyudmila. She was originally my soldier - my Prayer Hand. But our Divine Arrow squad was wiped out, leaving only her without any Divine Arrows."
Bishop Stepan: "I see. I'll have Brother Yatsemenko ensure the Prayer Hand's safety."
Huh? Did the Bishop misunderstand something?
Wang Zhong couldn't be bothered to correct him - ensuring Lyudmila's survival was part of his motivation anyway. Special treatment for her was welcome.
"Then we..."
As Wang Zhong continued, the Bishop interrupted.
Bishop Stepan: "We're counterattacking the enemy, correct?"
For some reason, the Bishop looked expectant.
Wang Zhong hesitated: "Uh, well..."
Bishop Stepan clenched his fist: "We'll show the Prossenians our resolve! Tell them our Ante homeland won't fall easily!"
Wang Zhong gaped - why were these people so eager to throw their lives away?
"No, calm down," he regained control of the conversation, "We advanced because enemy defenses were weak there - they never expected an attack. Now we're at their division HQ - their entire division must be in chaos. We can easily break through their lines to escape encirclement."
As Wang Zhong spoke, Bishop Stepan stared at him meaningfully, as if viewing a nuisance.
When Wang Zhong finished, the Bishop raised his voice: "Escape encirclement? Isn't that a counterattack?"
"It is a counterattack, of course! Look around!" Wang Zhong spread his arms, "We destroyed their division HQ - isn't that a counterattack? Counterattacks and breakthroughs aren't mutually exclusive. We'll withdraw to our next defensive line and join the defense."
Bishop Stepan exchanged glances with the two Inquisitors.
Wang Zhong felt something off about these three.
When the Bishop looked back, he declared firmly: "This is desertion!"
Wang Zhong: "It's tactical withdrawal - preserving strength to better destroy the enemy."
Bishop Stepan: "That sounds like an excuse!"
Wang Zhong: "No no, listen - holding land while losing men means losing both eventually. Preserving strength while yielding some territory leads to ultimate victory - keeping both men and land!"
This was the Chairman's saying, which Wang Zhong appropriated.
Bishop Stepan glared: "This is treason! His Majesty just decreed our sacred soil inviolable! Everyone must fight to the last!"
Wang Zhong's scalp prickled. Fight to the last? "Homeland" soil inviolable? Damn it, I only learned this country's name from enemy maps! To me, it's just a name on paper!
I'm Chinese!
And from a country whose ancient saying is "Are kings and nobles born to rule?" No emperor can order me to die!
Wang Zhong: "Impossible. A suicidal attack now would waste lives! We'll counterattack - maybe in a year, two, or three! Now we must retreat, trade space for time, establish new defenses!"
Bishop Stepan glared, his earlier admiration gone.
After a moment, he ordered darkly: "Inquisitor Shaposhnikov, arrest the Count - no, we're attacking soon with no one to escort him. Execute him for desertion - now!"
Wang Zhong's scalp truly crawled. Did this idiot know what executing a commander mid-battle would do?
Huh? I also executed a deserter... but I'm not deserting!
Inquisitor Shaposhnikov smiled as he opened his holster--
Wang Zhong grew extremely tense, thoughts racing:
Should I order Yegorov? If I order him to disarm these men, would he obey? If I order him to shoot these "monks"?
What would happen then?
Would I still get shot?
Suddenly, he remembered something.
Before the shells hit, Duke Vladimir had planned to evacuate Wang Zhong - Count Alexei Konstantinovich Rokosov - because--
Because the Crown Prince had called the Duke's headquarters.
Huh, so I have connections?
Shaposhnikov drew his pistol.
Yegorov stepped between them, hand reaching for a captured submachine gun--
Wang Zhong stopped him and declared: "Bishop Stepan, you don't know who I am. I'm the Crown Prince's close friend. If news of my execution reaches him..."
Wang Zhong mocked himself: Damn, what am I doing? Threatening people about to die heroically? Useless! They won't care about the Crown Prince!
But Bishop Stepan hesitated.
So this bastard wasn't truly willing to die-- Wang Zhong thought, then noticed the Bishop eyeing Yegorov's submachine gun.
Maybe he just feared Yegorov's weapon?
Then Bishop Stepan yielded: "Fine. But I'll record who abandoned our sacred soil and defied His Majesty!"
Wang Zhong seriously considered shooting these bastards in the chaos of battle to avoid future trouble.
After all, his connection with the Crown Prince was uncertain. Quick action now could prevent complications.
Moreover, Wang Zhong sensed something off about these three, especially the Bishop - his initial praise and later hostility felt theatrical...
Just then, a pleasant female voice came from the doorway: "Report!"
Thinking it was Lyudmila, Wang Zhong turned to see an unfamiliar black-haired girl with a braid.
"The Agsukov Choir reports capable forces should proceed to Shepetovka immediately! Duke Meshkin is organizing defenses there!"
Wang Zhong knew neither location but interjected: "We can go!
"We're the unit that defeated Prossenians and took their division HQ - our combat experience would greatly aid defense."
The Bishop looked slightly disappointed: "In that case, organize the withdrawal, Count."
(End of Chapter)