Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

The annoying face with a little mustache didn't appear at the iron bars, but Winters heard other sounds: the familiar shouting of his classmates and the same banging on the carriage.

The Venetians in the other carriages heard Andre's shouts and responded in the same way.

Even though they could not see each other, the warrant officers confirmed in this way that there were four carriages, and all twenty-seven warrant officers who had returned to Guidao City from Vineta for the conferring ceremony were there—including Bard, the United Provincial.

But beyond that, the warrant officers received no response.

The sun outside the iron window set once, then rose again, and only Winters continued to hit the carriage with his spoon.

Just as Winters, who was beginning to dehydrate, was about to give up, footsteps sounded outside the carriage.

The iron lock was smashed open, the carriage door was split, and the blinding light made the warrant officers, who had grown accustomed to the darkness, instinctively cover their eyes.

Unable to see clearly for a moment, Winters clung tightly to the arm of the person who had come to rescue him and asked eagerly, "Where are we now?"

"Where?" The person asked was quite puzzled, "Where else could we be? Of course, we're in Kingsfort."

[Note: Kingsfort - Hetumoger, the capital of the Republic of Palatu, named for the legend that seven ancient kings had sworn oaths here.]

...

...

In a sense, at the moment Winters was locked in the carriage, Marshal Ned Smith's last wish was fulfilled.

Only it was in an unexpected way and for reasons completely contrary to Marshal Ned's original intentions.

When Winters learned that he was in Kingsfort, news that Vineta graduates were being sent to the Republic of Palatu had also reached Sea Blue.

This move by the Provincial Army was absurd, ridiculous, incomprehensible, and even... childish.

Why would they do this? That was the question looming in the minds of all Vinetan military and political personnel.

By what right could they do this? That was the fury rising in the hearts of all Venetians who learned of this. Discover hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire

But the deed was done, and the problem had to be addressed first.

"This matter is really a bit complicated," Colonel Andro said, puffing on a stale cigarette, "It's not easy to resolve."

The Vineta Army Headquarters Throne Room was filled with smoke; the war plan against Tanilia had been decided here a year ago.

A year later, the senior Vineta Army officials gathered here again. But this time, they were discussing the career of a group of lieutenants, making the officers in attendance feel a sense of dark humor.

"What's so difficult about it?" Another officer in the meeting room was puzzled, "They sent people to Palatu, can't we just bring them back?"

Colonel Andro glanced at the questioner impatiently and said, "They weren't 'sent' to Palatu, they were 'assigned' to Palatu, understand? Assigned! Their military records went with them! The kids who graduated this year are now officially officers belonging to the Republic of Palatu!"

"What? Why were our Venetians assigned to the highlands?" The questioner was shocked and dismayed.

Andro sighed and had to explain the reasons in detail once again.

Why could the Military Academy assign Venetians to the highlands?

Procedurally speaking, the Military Academy indeed had the authority to assign Vineta graduates to the Republic of Palatu.

Because the military records of the cadets did not belong to the various republics, but to the Senas Alliance.

Take Winters as an example; when he was enrolled in the Army junior school and the preparatory school, he was still an ordinary citizen. Only after being admitted to the Military Academy did he acquire a military record and became a true soldier with the rank of private.

So although Winters was born in Vineta, during his time at the academy his military record was not with the Republic of Vineta but with the Military Academy, and his personal file was kept by the academy's records office.

The Military Academy was also affiliated with the headquarters of the Provincial Army...

In other words, cadets at the military academy are not "soldiers of the various republics" but "soldiers of the Alliance."

Before cadets are assigned to the various republics, the Alliance Army possesses absolute and complete personnel authority over them.

The problem arises with this "assignment."

"From whence you came, to thence you shall return." This rule has been in place for nearly thirty years since Marshal Ned established the academy, and it has never gone wrong.

Vineta cadets return to Vineta, United Provincials stay in The Federated Provinces; everyone is distinct and keeps to their own side.

However, the problem is that Marshal Ned also retained a clause in the school charter that reads, "When conditions permit, graduates should be allocated rationally irrespective of their region of origin."

Marshal Ned Smith had the best intentions, hoping this would bridge the gaps between the republics.

But what do "when conditions permit" and "rational allocation" mean?

No explanation.

No explanation... which means the interpretation is up to whoever holds the charter.

Although this power has never been used, in reality, the Alliance Army Committee could assign the military academy graduates however they wished.

When people like Winters were "rationally allocated" to the Republic of Palatu, they legally became soldiers of the Palatu Army.

"[Expletive]! Isn't the Alliance Army Committee just The Federated Provinces Army in disguise?" Hearing Andre's explanation, the attending Vineta generals were staggered, "By... By what right?"

All the generals in the meeting room hail from the Army Officer Academy, yet they had never heard of such dealings.

"Indeed, the Alliance institution is nothing but a puppet of The Federated Provinces. But procedurally speaking, the Alliance Army Committee has complete and absolute authority over the personnel assignments of the cadets. That's just the way it is, we've been played by the United Provincials," Colonel Andre said with a touch of despondency.

"Have the United Provincials lost their minds? What's the point of such disgusting maneuvers? Will sending a couple dozen lieutenants to Palatu prevent us from waging war? Isn't this purely to disgust us?" Colonel Boone, in charge of the military police, was infuriated.

Many officers also started cursing, creating chaos in the meeting room.

"Have you seen a couple in passionate love?" General Zio, who had been quiet for a long time, finally spoke up.

The Throne Hall fell suddenly silent, as the abrupt mention of love affairs left everyone somewhat perplexed.

Zio spoke calmly, "When men and women are in love, they'd walk through fire and water for each other. But once they become enemies, they'd use any means to hurt each other. I believe it's the same with us and the United Provincials. In love, we couldn't be closer, but now that we've fallen out, things naturally turn uglier."

His words seemed like a joke, yet not quite. Those present mulled over them, unable to bring themselves to laugh.

"What meaning was there for the Torrent River Legion to cross the Border River and burn down two of our signal towers? Or, for that matter, sending the kids to the plateau? What meaning does that serve?" Zio stood up and faced his subordinates with a frigid expression, "None of it has meaning, yet these actions themselves are highly significant. The United Provincials are simply provoking us with every means they can think of. Whether big or small actions, the goal is the same. For us, there's only one core issue. If The Federated Provinces go to war with us, can we win now?"

The officers remained silent, as the answer was all too clear.

Seeing that his subordinates were silent, Zio sat down and continued calmly, "Then we must endure. This is not the end, nor even the beginning of the end, but the end of the beginning. Watch, The Federated Provinces will make more moves... but we can only bear it for now."

"What about this year's youngsters, then? Are we just going to leave them on the plateau?" Major General Pegoroti couldn't help but ask.

"If they can send people over, we can bring them back. Just send someone to bring back this year's newly commissioned lieutenants," Colonel Boone spread his hands, his attitude quite optimistic.

"Service records can be transferred, but now, they belong to the Republic of Palatu, and we need their approval," Colonel Andre's expression remained very worried.

"Then we ask for their consent. Isn't it only fair for Venetians to return to Vineta?" Boone said, as if it were a matter of course.

"I'm afraid the Highlanders won't agree easily this time," Andre sighed.

"Why not?"

"Because their kids have been sent overseas."