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Page 254
“But what if District 45 is a world where bloodlines don’t matter and it’s all about life and death?” Georgeston shrugged—he seemed to understand why so many reporters and cameras were allowed to crowd the audience. “Speaking of which, don’t you think the girls sang very well? Compared to our national anthem.”
“Your words are dangerous, Colonel… but you are indeed stating the truth…”
……
The German Song has come to an end, and the rhythm in the orchestra pit suddenly becomes much more exciting and lively—based on past experience, we're about to move on to the third piece.
While the prelude was still warming up, several staff members on both sides of the stage handed up the ceremonial rifles of the female guards. More than a hundred people and more than a hundred rifles were passed around in an orderly manner amidst the notes of the music.
Those sitting at higher positions could see that the bayonets that were previously attached during the parade had been removed, and the leather-wrapped sheaths on the rifle stocks had been replaced with a large, thick iron plate.
The prelude was almost over when the powerful sound of a snare drum began to rise from the orchestra pit—it came from a gentleman who hadn't touched the strings until now, and he was wearing sunglasses.
Just as they were about to begin singing, the girls in the guard gripped their gun barrels, raised them to chest height, and then slammed them down to their feet. The clanging of steel clashing with the rhythm of the drums was perfectly synchronized.
……
"No matter how fierce the wind and snow, the sun smiles at us."
"Under the scorching sun, the moon hangs on the treetops at night."
"The wind and sand soaked through my riding lance and military robe, yet my heart remained joyful. How wonderful."
"The fearless iron cavalry roared forward, howling amidst the vast yellow sands!"
The sound of the military drums, combined with the firm stomping of the rifle butts, fueled the enthusiastic cheers and applause of the crowd. As for the VIPs in the upper-level boxes, whether they were drowsy or inattentive, they were all jolted awake.
"Swift shadows streak across the thunder, military might wields flashes of lightning. Facing the stubborn enemy, shoulder to shoulder with our chariots and comrades!" As the first two songs were being sung, and the audience was still enjoying the hard-won melodious elegance, the girls' collective shout pulled everyone back to the cold-blooded formations of the military parade.
"Leading the charge and forging ahead is our highest honor. We face difficulties and dangers with a smile."
"If we die gloriously on the battlefield and cannot return to the embrace of our motherland, we will become iron cavalry from hell and fight our way out of the nest of the dead!"
……
"good!--"
The ending was grand and magnificent. The ordinary audience on the first floor shouted and whistled, giving the girls and band on stage their full applause. As for the meaning of the slightly obscure German word "Panzerlied" in the score, and why it was in German, it was no longer important.
"We did a fantastic job, Iska." Standing in front of their respective microphones, the two captains of the guard quickly put away their sharp military demeanor and revealed some of the youthful smiles that were usually only seen in school dramas. "We have successfully made the audience completely disbelieve that we are actually a group of young ladies who are not yet thirty."
“Aha, well said.” Iska spread her arms wide, like a green actor finishing her lines. “Then I’ll show you how I used the songs of the defeated men of District 45 to lull you, Grafria, to sleep.”
The audience burst into laughter. At that moment, two snare drummers in the orchestra pit changed their gear and picked up accordions. The notes danced, and the concert hall, which had been filled with the smoke of battle, was now transformed into a small river that meandered through a village.
"Just as pear blossoms bloom all over the world, and a soft veil floats on the river; Katyusha stands on the steep bank, her song like the bright spring sunshine."
Iska and Grafria gently held the microphones in front of them, gazing at each other with smiles and deep affection—just a few minutes ago they had the stern and resolute faces of loyal knights, but with the humming and harmonies of the team members behind them, it was as if they had already changed into the little skirts they wore for the festival dance.
"Flowers and leaves flutter with a delicate fragrance, buds and green leaves are where bees wander." This part is Grafria's turn, and they have completely changed the original words: "The distant mountain peaks reveal the morning glow, she is calling to her dear friend Erica."
"Red dawn flows through the fruit trees, laughter accompanies Erica in the forest. The scorching sun stings like bee stings, Katyusha's violin plays for her."
……
Amidst the laughter and chuckles of the audience, the two captains of the guard joined in a medley of piccolo tunes from "The Grenadier's March," bringing to a close this jubilant duet and the wonderful performance.
Then, the audience saw a familiar yet unfamiliar face: Princess Elizabeth appeared there without any warning.
She waved generously to the commoner audience below, like a student receiving an award at school—a stark contrast to Schneizel's otherworldly demeanor on the viewing platform just days before.
"Ah... First of all, I must apologize to everyone." She smiled. "I'm sure you all know about District 45. So, I'm sure many ambitious young people will be coming here. As the commander of the expeditionary force, I need to make some preparations for your arrival. Naturally, the regret is that I won't be able to meet you all at the parade the other day. I'm very sorry."
"I thought I would miss today's performance, but thankfully I was able to meet everyone here, just a hundred miles from the capital. The parts that my brother Schneizel didn't present will be brought to you by me."
“I’ve heard a lot of people curious about District 45. They want to know what kind of new world this is. My answer might be a bit off-putting: the truth of this new world is in unavoidable conflict with His Majesty the Emperor’s words.”
The audience looked at each other in bewilderment, while the VIPs in the private rooms erupted in uproar.
"My father once said that people are not equal, and equality is evil. This has been proven in the EU and the Chinese Federation, and District 45, which is on the other hand, is already entangled in all kinds of evil."
"That's right. Their rules for dealing with the battlefield are almost identical equality—like desperate outlaws, they all possess a cunning and bloodlust that reaches a terrifying level. From their thoughts to their bullets, they are like emotionless machines on the battlefield. They don't care about our background, they don't reason with us, from beginning to end."
"Of course, I'm not saying this to dampen your enthusiasm, nor to embolden our opponents." Elizabeth paused. "To be honest, the 38th Army Group that you saw on TV a month ago, sweeping through the EU forces in Africa, is also the same force that just returned from District 45. Almost all of them are from humble backgrounds, including the ones who are here today to perform otherworldly classics for you."
……
The public was immediately excited, after all, this star-studded team was already outstanding on television, and they even had some who were knowledgeable in music—a fact that Elizabeth and Kelly had taken into account when they secretly discussed it earlier.
Amidst cheers and applause, and the smiles and waves of the musicians in their uniforms, holding their instruments, responding to the praise from the audience, the princess handed the microphone to the man who had stepped down from the conductor's position.
"Ah, let me introduce myself, Colonel Berival Smith." The smiling uncle wiped his sweat. "As Her Highness the Princess said, I also apologize on behalf of all the heroes of the 38th Army. Unfortunately, most of our comrades were unable to attend the parade due to the urgency of the war, and when we were playing music just now, we could only use the slaps we gave to EU prisoners as the concerto rhythm."
"Okay, I'm not very good at telling jokes, hahaha." The colonel paused. "First of all, thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to watch this concert we put on in collaboration with Her Highness the Princess's personal guard. Your enjoyment of it is the best affirmation of our achievements."
"At the same time, I, along with all the officers and soldiers seated in the orchestra pit, can also testify to everyone that District 45 truly upholds equality. However, I would like to invite a special guest to speak on our behalf."
The colonel and Elizabeth locked eyes, their genuine emotions revealing that they were not acting.
“I heard that in another army group that also fought in the 45th district, there was a captain who, due to an eye injury, would never be able to fight alongside his comrades in the 45th district. I later found him. He was also an ordinary person who played music all night long. Today, we specially invited him here. He was the one who played the bass drum when we sang Panzerlied earlier.”
"Now, I would like to give a warm round of applause to this retired hero, Captain Giger Johnson."
Amidst the thunderous applause from the audience, the crowd in the orchestra pit carefully helped the man wearing sunglasses from between his seats to Elizabeth's side, where the princess personally led him to a position where he would stand alongside the colonel.
"I am truly honored that Her Highness the Princess personally led me here. Thank you, thank you." The captain was clearly still somewhat flattered and repeatedly raised his hand in greeting.
“My home is in a town more than a hundred miles south of here. My only family is my brother, and I have been living there since I returned from District 45. A few weeks ago, Colonel Smith and the two SS captains, Grafria and Iska, came to me: “The meaning of a soldier’s existence is not just to charge into battle, but also to make more of our compatriots believe in everything we are loyal to.”
"The people in the orchestra pit behind me come from the Great Lakes region, the Gulf Coast, and the Brazilian Highlands. We have different families and upbringing, and we also believe in the law of the jungle as His Majesty the Emperor said."
"We went to District 45 with such questions in mind, but what we got was the principle of 'all men are created equal.' Because on the vast battlefield, whether we were born into an imperial family or a noble family does not affect the enemy's bullets taking our lives when we are cowardly. And even if we are born into poverty, courage and bravery can still allow us to have the last laugh on the battlefield and become heroes who raise the lion and snake flag."
"Yes, District 45 gives every Britannian son and daughter an equal opportunity, even in the dog-eat-dog world. To those of you with ambition and ideals, I eagerly await the day when my old friends still residing in District 45 will see you again, regardless of your origins. As long as you arrive with passion and courage, and charge alongside us on the battlefield, we will be brothers and sisters for all eternity!"
……
The crowd erupted in applause and cheers, one wave after another.
The colonel was moved to tears, just like the officers and soldiers behind him in the orchestra pit—this was the most genuine, fitting, and grateful reward, affirmed and resonated with by the common people of similar humble origins, rather than a cold medal issued by arrogant nobles.
Captain Giger could no longer contain his emotions. Like a student who had just been accepted into a university, he excitedly grabbed one of Elizabeth's hands and then embraced Colonel Berivall, sobbing uncontrollably.
“I am very grateful for Captain Giger’s firsthand account, and I am also very grateful to everyone here for applauding his story.” Elizabeth was also a little excited and incoherent. “In the future, when the quota for settlers in District 45 is fully opened, we will set up an exclusive recruitment point for the expeditionary force in District 45. We are very willing to welcome every hero who comes.”
"Finally, I would like to give the remaining time to you, and to every officer and soldier of the 38th Group Army and member of the guard on stage. Warriors who swept through the African battlefield and heroines who marched with firm steps in the parade, I very much hope to take a precious group photo with you today, in the lobby of the Tucson Opera House."
……
The two large boxes of photo paper prepared backstage by the Royal Guard and officers and soldiers were devoured overnight by people taking photos and using Polaroid cameras.
As the event came to an end, Grafria and Iska sat side by side on the edge of the stage, exchanging photos and looking at the images of the people who had come to take pictures with them.
The concert hall was quiet, with only the unrestrained celebratory laughter of the guards and soldiers coming from backstage, and the sound of Elizabeth's quiet footsteps pacing below the stage—her every smile and gesture was no longer those of the naive child who, half a year ago, had been idly imitating the emperor's nonsensical words in the Reichstag building in Berlin.
The opera house staff hadn't started cleaning yet, and some trash from the audience still lingered in the empty auditorium. Elizabeth was among them, seemingly searching for something.
Suddenly, the princess bent down excitedly, as if she had discovered a treasure. In the dim light, she recognized the letter in her hand, which was identical to an invitation. It was an acceptance letter that a young man had received at a recruitment office a few days ago after Schneizel announced the start of a nationwide conscription.
It was abandoned by its owner, just like Elizabeth's scornful laugh when she saw through Schneizel's lies, and was left to become trash trampled on by everyone as it gathered on and off the stage.
Chapter 353, Section 449: The Poem of Seven Steps
"The stand-up comedy and funny advertisements that were originally playing on the giant LCD screen in the mall were all replaced overnight. The recording of the military parade on the main avenue of the capital was playing day and night. Even the cleaners who were silently scrubbing the floor couldn't help but stop and look up, their blood boiling with excitement."
"Overnight, thousands of young people who were still confused about their future received the news of the massive military expansion as excitedly as if they had received a love letter from their crush. They rushed out of their rooms, pulled their brothers and sisters along, and joined the sea of people enlisting. The situation was incomparable to the fall of Japan and the EU's crushing defeat in Iberia and Siberia."
The imagined scene was so consistent with reality. Seeing himself as the Imperial Chancellor appearing before the public time and time again with military parades was like tea being poured into Schneizel's cup and about to overflow.
Until someone else grabbed the porcelain pot.
……
These past few evenings, in Canada (Region 2), the Gulf Coast and Caribbean (Region 3), and South America (Region 6), local television stations, at Elizabeth's request, have been repeatedly rebroadcasting concerts performed by her personal guard and soldiers of the 38th Army.
Living in a resource-rich and peaceful land, enjoying the shared praise of two worlds connected by melodies—joining the army and fighting everywhere to gain supreme honor—this is the powerful incitement of militarism on its people, a charm that appears morbid to outsiders.
As the glory of Britannia was sung in foreign lands, Schneizel noticed that the number of young men clamoring outside the palace to go to the conscription office was gradually decreasing.
They went instead to the recruitment site for settlers in District 45, clearly intending to first go to the New World as lawful civilians before enlisting in the New World Expeditionary Force's recruitment office. In Britannia's national law, military ranks are no lower than generals and titles are no lower than counts; possessing either one allows for military training of local civilians under the guise of emergency conscription in preparation for combat.
……
Schneizel summoned more than ten of his close generals and high-ranking officials to a palace to devise a way to counter Elizabeth's behavior, which they saw as "arrogant and abusive of the law."
"Forgive my ignorance, Your Highness," a relatively soft-hearted marquis asked, "At the military parade, you replaced the First Army Group and the Lancaster Shield Legion with the expeditionary force, which I can understand for the sake of... but why did you send these two forces to the front line against the Chinese Federation, and make it public?"
“I found a sentence in an American soldier’s diary: ‘It is more honorable to serve alongside heroes than to be a hero.’” Schneizel paused. “After the 38th Army returned to the EU front, its achievements inspired and inspired millions of people. One of the purposes of our current military expansion is to counter the Federation, so we naturally need to leverage the star effect.”
"Then...would the public believe that so easily?"
"Now the whole world knows that we have troops returning from District 45, and everyone has seen what the 38th Army has done." The prince waved his hand casually.
"Use deception to appear real, and real to appear deception. By laying these two cards out in front of the Federation, the Federation's desire to resist will be shaken. Subsequently, a large number of new recruits will flood in, further weakening their confidence to fight us. In the end, the Asian region will truly be at peace, and the new recruits will have no way of verifying whether the veterans returning from the expedition are genuine."
“Yes, and at the same time, this way, before we even have a chance to act, Her Highness Elizabeth has already exposed her ambitions without reservation.” A marshal sitting opposite chuckled softly. “This way, Her Highness can legitimately seize the expeditionary force's rear supplies…”
"No!" Unexpectedly, Schneizel voiced his opposition. "We can only do so by strictly limiting the number of settlers."
……
Why not use such a method that could easily cut off the lifeline of the expeditionary force?
The night before last, Schneizel found Odysseus. His purpose, of course, was to sow discord between Odysseus and Elizabeth through sweet talk and embellishment, thereby ostracizing the so-called "powerful" girl from the royal family.
“Isn’t this too risky?” As expected, the kind-hearted Odysseus shook his head. “I wouldn’t do it myself, let alone someone like Marybell who has received a favor from Elizabeth.”
“You’d better think this through, brother,” Schneizel began to exaggerate. “Everyone knows how the 38th Army has performed. If all 25 armies and corps under Elizabeth’s command are so unstoppable, it would be an unprecedented disaster if she were to launch a coup.”
"What kind of logic is that?" The eldest prince shook his head. "Just like you said at the beginning, you can't even be sure whether the troops under Elizabeth's command are really understaffed."
"but……"
“Furthermore, I believe that every general who went to District 45 hoped that the Emperor’s empire would enjoy long-term peace and stability.” Odysseus interrupted him excitedly, “When Marshal Aucheni and General Gabriel returned from District 45, their comrades treated them with either respect and admiration or envy and displeasure because of the fighting strength of their troops. They never praised Elizabeth’s name.”
“But the Marquis Louis-Sébastien, whom I sent to Berlin, was barred from the command center by all the expeditionary force commanders and forbidden from intervening in the war.” Schneizel’s expression remained serious. “Even at this point…”
“Since you can suspect that Elizabeth is using her military power for personal gain, can I also suspect that her generals have been deceived by her and that's why they've distanced themselves from us?” Odysseus hit the nail on the head. “If we continue to confiscate the expeditionary force's supplies, and Elizabeth continues to lie to them, there might still be a sliver of hope left for you, but then all hope will be gone.”
"So, according to your opinion..." It seems that someone has been secretly plotting for too long. Schneizel was enlightened by a stranger's words.
"Send trustworthy marshals and generals, those high-ranking officers, to District 45 to bring you back solid information before you decide on your next move. Please listen to me this time, okay?"
……
[022 Friendly Reminder: The second half of the chapter can be enjoyed while listening to the theme song "Eight Princes Trailer" from the Total War: Three Kingdoms game trailer.]
"That's enough for now, my esteemed subjects. We should wait quietly for our important guest to arrive." Schneizel put down his pen and waited for the receptionist outside to announce the name.
Elizabeth was invited here today by the prince.
She entered without greeting Schneizel or paying attention to anyone else present. As she pulled out a chair and sat down, she kept her head down, looking at a book in her hands—the cover of which had several Chinese characters written in calligraphy.
“Several months have passed without us realizing it. Back when you and Kelly met me in the Tokyo Concession, preparing to go to the 45th Ward, you were still very eager to ask me questions,” Schneizel said, but Elizabeth showed no intention of putting down her book. “Why are you so independent now that you’ve become the commander-in-chief?”
"Brother, when someone can solve problems on their own and even benefit more people, wouldn't a normal observer immediately assume that she has ulterior motives?" At this moment, Elizabeth slowly put down the book.
"Brother, do you know anything about Chinese history?" Seeing Schneizel's puzzled look, Elizabeth looked up and asked in a questioning tone.
"For a time, this great country in East Asia was mired in an unprecedented period of division... well, in their words, it should be called the Warring States Period, with various warlords vying for supremacy. During this nearly hundred-year period, the emperor was powerless and the lives of ordinary people were extremely difficult. For miles around, there was no sound of chickens crowing or dogs barking, and for miles around, there were no fields of grain."
"In this chaotic world, there was a down-on-his-luck merchant who claimed to be a close friend of the emperor. At first, he was penniless and helpless, unlike the overlord who held the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords, or the talented man who inherited his father's and brother's great cause. However, as time went by, more and more strategists and generals flocked to his banner. In the end, he became a king who shared the world with the two mentioned above..."
“Oh!…” Schneizel knew who he was talking about as soon as he heard it. “You mean that big-eared thief who cries all day long, is indecisive, and throws his own young son in front of his favorite general in an attempt to win people’s hearts?”
"A thief? Brother, do you mean he's a notorious villain in Chinese history?" Elizabeth shrugged, picked up her book again, and turned to the pages with folded corners.
“‘A man of outstanding talent, but slow to act; he possesses great talent and is very popular. His two sworn brothers are both men of unparalleled ability, and they would die for him. They will never be subservient to anyone, so it is better to deal with them sooner rather than later.’”
Seeing that Schneizel didn't speak, she turned a few more pages.
"'Being kind and generous, knowing how to treat people well, and able to win their loyalty'; 'A descendant of the royal family, with unparalleled talent, admired by all, like water flowing to the sea. If things fail, it is the will of Heaven. How can one be subservient to it?'... Brother, is this the kind of evaluation a treacherous and wicked person should receive from posterity?"
"Why do you listen to what others say so readily?" Schneizel tilted his head slightly. "Shouldn't the evaluation of a person be based on examining their actions throughout their life and making one's own judgment?"
"A man who was forced to abandon his city and flee with his troops when faced with a powerful enemy advancing from the north, yet the entire city's inhabitants voluntarily brought their families to cross the river with him to seek refuge. My account is exactly as stated in the original historical record. Why can't I, based on such actions, define his character while also believing the praise of others?"
"Similarly, why would an upright ruler be so wary of a general who is on a distant expedition and widely praised?" Elizabeth sighed deeply, her eyes suddenly sharpening as she looked at Schneizel. "I don't understand why my brother holds such a view. Is it truly as the old saying goes, 'How can a sparrow know the ambitions of a swan?'"
……
The people sitting around immediately held their breath and looked at Schneizel—this was clearly a provocation.
"Hahahahahahaha!" Suddenly, the elder brother's meaningful expression changed, and he burst into laughter. "Then, let me give this giant swan some plump feathers."