Chapter 1401: Prologue (Part 1)

[United Provinces Republic]

[Guidao City]

[Army Officer Academy]

Fritz couldn’t remember the last time he returned to the Military Academy.

In his memory, after graduation, he never came back here.

But at this moment, as his gaze swept over the Military Academy in the night, a wave of warmth surged in his chest.

Nothing has changed.

The walls that seemed tall but were not difficult to climb over;

The rustic-looking gate;

The tree-lined path that could never be swept clean of fallen leaves;

And the main teaching building located at the end of the lane of trees;

Also the auditorium, dormitory, playground, warehouse, stable in the distance… Fritz could recognize what was where at a glance.

The Military Academy was like a sleeping giant, lying gently on the ink-colored canvas, the sporadic lights not disturbing her dreams, but making her seem more serene.

Fritz sat on the saddle, gazing at the night of the Military Academy, lost in thought.

However, the others present weren’t as comfortable as he was.

The three cadets on duty at the main gate, seeing the officer uniform of the visitor, stood in perfect military posture, not even giving a sideward glance.

But the time it took for the duty teacher to report was unreasonably long.

As he did not return for a long time, the cadets on duty could only continue to stand penalty with the visitor.

Just when the poor cadets felt their waists were about to break, the duty teacher finally returned.

“He is waiting for you.” A short junior officer walked out from the side door, gave a quick salute to Fritz, with a tone as cold as ice: “Major.”

Fritz snapped out of his trance, looked at the short junior officer, hesitated for a moment, then deftly dismounted and seriously saluted back: “Thank you for your trouble.”

A cadet on duty quickly stepped forward to take the reins from Fritz, while the other two cadets opened the gate with combined effort.

“You are too kind, Major.” The short teacher waved expressionlessly: “This way, please.”

The road leading to the cradle of the Alliance Army Academy opened up to [Fritz of Nise].

Walking along the tree-lined road occupying the central axis of the Military Academy, looking at the oak trees planted personally by the Old Marshal, now towering like canopies, Fritz couldn’t help but sigh: “Just like before.”

“No.” Carrying a lantern, the short teacher walking ahead gave a light snort: “Everything has changed.”

The short teacher continued speaking without turning around as he led the way:

“The first-year and second-year Vineta cadets have all been taken away, and the Venetians no longer send new cadets here.

“The Paratu cadets too; not only the cadets who haven’t graduated, but even the prep students have all been sent to Kingsfort, and the selection of new students has been suspended.

“The dormitories are half empty, and the school has become much quieter as a result.

“A lot of teachers have been reassigned, to the south, to the west, and now it’s hard to even set up a roster for the research offices.

“Even with things like this, the Army Headquarters still talks about expanding enrollment, shortening courses, and lesson hours…”

Fritz walked behind the short teacher, silently listening to his complaints, not making any comment.

When they reached the steps of the main teaching building, the short teacher stopped, turned, and stared directly into Fritz’s eyes, asking word by word:

“Everything has changed. The current Alliance Army Academy is just an empty shell… Is this what you wanted to see? Fritz—Major?”

Fritz felt a sharp pain in his back, especially when he heard the address “Major,” the pain became more intense.

He did not answer the teacher’s question, could not answer, and did not want to.

“He is waiting for you in his office, you know the way. Forgive me for being on duty and unable to accompany you.” The short teacher placed the lantern at his feet, saluted, and turned to leave: “Major.”

Fritz saluted back, watching the teacher leave.

—————–

From the day of the “revolution’s” victory, Fritz’s fate was no longer in his own hands. He was a small boat thrown into a stormy sea, lifted by waves, and then cast down by them.

He was first touted as the hero of the revolution, experiencing countless flowers, praises, and applause.

But after Richard Mayerhaus delivered that stunning speech in the National Assembly, stating “even if a coup is necessary, a coup is still a coup,” the tide immediately turned.

Overnight, Fritz of Nise went from the darling of Guidao City’s social scene to the outcast of the Provincial Army.

After obtaining the highest authority’s “temporary license,” Richard Mayerhaus did not hesitate to kick out the reformist officers, and instead cooperated with the institutional faction dominating the Provincial Army.

They enjoyed the fruits of the coup — greater authority, fewer constraints, fewer opponents.

Then, they threw the initiators and executors of the coup out to face the anger of those infuriated by the coup.

Public accusations, behind-the-scenes criticisms, friends who avoided him like the plague, peers whose eyes showed disdain…

He experienced the cold and warmth of human nature, the various tastes of life, the dramatic ups and downs all thoroughly.

Like other “revolution” participants, he received a special promotion.

But for Fritz, this promotion felt more like a mockery and humiliation.

As if someone in the shadows mockingly asked, “Is this what you did it for? Are you satisfied now?”

Perhaps due to habit, or perhaps enduring it with great effort, Fritz always maintained silence; since the death of Harlem Nalden in his arms, he never defended himself once.

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