hunting light

The news of the great victory on the front line spread to the imperial capital, making Rafael ecstatic.

Although Raphael was born in the emperor's family, he was the heir to the throne since he was a child.However, according to the Huaxia tribe, Raphael is probably incompatible with the throne, and his luck is too low, so he has been suppressed by the crown and cannot hold his head up.

Not much has happened since Raphael came to the throne.As big as his own brother rebelling, accusing him of killing his father and usurping the throne, as small as his new lover behaves badly in bed, or biting his tongue out of blood from eating bacon in the morning...

In short, bad luck is like the endless ribbons in the magician's sleeve, or the water that can't be squeezed out of the sponge, which has almost exhausted Raphael's patience.

The news of the successful recovery of the Li'an area is almost the first good news that Raphael has come up with since he took the throne.The Champs Palace held a grand celebration that night, paying tribute to the bloody battle and sacrifice of the frontline soldiers with a luxurious banquet and extravagant wine and food.

Both Leon and his fellow Asuras gained fame from this battle.

Before this, not many people were optimistic about this young son.

In the eyes of everyone, Earl Wilman may be an excellent mech fighter and an Alpha with outstanding physique, but in the end he is just a pampered noble young master.

When Ian wandered around the banquet salons of the nobles, he often heard people's disdainful comments about Leon.

"Such a handsome young man is enough to perform in the stadium. The battlefield is not for people like them."

"He's just going to get his qualifications. Follow the veteran, complete a few not-so-dangerous tasks, and share the honor of the team. In the past, all the sons and brothers did this. You still expect him to really go to the front line and fight with him." Is the enemy fighting?"

"Earl Wellman is a young man with ideals and ambitions. I can understand that he wants to win a more well-deserved honor for himself. But don't be self-defeating."

"Don't look at how imposing he is on the field, I bet he won't last a month on the field!"

"I don't think you know much about Earl Wilman, gentlemen." A cold voice expressed disapproval.Yi'an Qingjun still had a smile on his face and was polite, but his eyes were shining sharply.

"Count, he will definitely not be a person who hides behind his comrades in arms!" The priest said firmly, "He is resolute and brave, and he is the most brave and fearless young man I have ever seen."

"Of course we don't know him as well as you do, Father." The young man named Brandon sneered, holding a drink, "how good your friendship with him is, we all saw it clearly on the Epoch Day. In your eyes, of course he is a flawless angel."

People more or less showed a little ambiguous sneer.

Although it was for the victory of the competition, the priest whom Leon risked everything to protect was someone he had known since he was a child. He was also a handsome and gentle Omega, not much different in age from him.

The speculation about the relationship between the two afterwards lingered in the hearts of almost everyone who loves gossip for a while.Fortunately, the AO pheromone proved their innocence, otherwise Ian would be completely speechless at this moment.

"My admiration for him doesn't just come from my preference for him, although he is indeed the most intelligent and talented student I've ever taught." Ian's expression was noble and holy, instantly setting off Brand's guess to be obscene Unbearable.

"But again, he received a rigorous theological education under my hands, and I watched him grow up. I am indeed the person who knows Earl Wellman the best among the people present. Therefore, I dare to assure you that the Earl's performance on the battlefield , it will definitely be even more exciting than what he did in the Epoch Day competition!"

After finishing his speech, Ian held a teacup and saluted Brandon: "Also, this time, he will never replace someone else on the field. Whether he wins or loses, he is fighting in his own name."

Brandon received this invisible slap suddenly, and his face was very ugly.

Ian is rarely so strong, and he doesn't hide his hostility towards the opponent.Leon has become a sacred place in his heart, and no matter who comes to offend, he will attract strong artillery attacks from him.

"I think you are still too optimistic about the war, Father." Brandon tried to regain some ground. "Or the wonderful performance you said is to save your life on the battlefield and get out of it?"

"Brandon!" Daniel reprimanded in a low voice, his face turning blue with anger, "You're talking too much!"

"I'm just telling the truth." Brandon sneered, "I don't have the aura of obsession you have with Leon."

"You seem to like to belittle our soldiers, Lord Baron." Ian accused unceremoniously, "Any soldier who goes to the battlefield is putting his life behind him and fighting the enemy. With their sacrifices, you can sit in the Huatang with fine wine and enjoy yourself today. What right do you have to question them?"

Brandon froze: "I didn't..."

However, the always gentle and tactful priest turned into a severe judge at this moment. Not only did he not let Brandon go, but he questioned aggressively.

"Earl Wellman gave up his comfortable and comfortable home, his fine clothes, food and pleasures, and for the sake of the unity of the country, he went to the front line and risked his life. This kind of spirit of abandoning his small family and dedicating himself to everyone must be a young man like you." incomprehensible?"

In his twenty years of life, Brandon has never been so embarrassed as he is today.

"If I offended you, I apologize to you, young master." Ian finally threw out his apology lightly, and showed his signature solemn and holy smile, "I was rude, just because I really Because of the respect for the soldiers on the front line. May the Holy Lord bless the Byron Empire, and may peace come soon!"

All the guests toasted and blessed loudly, and the warm atmosphere weakened the embarrassment caused by the previous dispute.

Brandon left early in anger.But the priest still talked and laughed happily with the guests as if nothing had happened.

This dispute did not leave much impression on people.After all, Leon is only one of the [-] soldiers on the front line. No matter how outstanding his personal performance is, how can it have a critical impact on the battle situation?

After the good news of the victory came, Earl Wilman's performance was fully understood by Father Mitchell.

Leon was brave and fearless throughout the battle, rushing to the forefront.

He was the first to tear through the enemy's defensive line and the first mech soldier to land on the ground.He was also the one who destroyed the most enemy strafing towers and armored soldiers, and was the first to lead the infantry to attack the high ground of the enemy camp.

As the mecha of Emperor Brad, Asura also performed admirably under the control of this excellent fighter.They are like an invincible sword, they brazenly inserted into the enemy's position as soon as the battle started, laying a solid foundation for the next battle.

And after the enemy surrendered and the main battle ended, Leon also made an extremely great move.

He judged that an enemy mecha soldier who claimed to surrender was actually a false surrender, so he shot and killed the opponent, and blocked a bomb with his mecha.Asura was damaged on one leg, and Leon himself was slightly injured.But at least more than 1000 soldiers present were spared the fate of being blown to ashes.

In recognition of Earl Wellman's military exploits, he was promoted to sergeant sergeant and awarded a gold star badge.

Ian later recalled that almost from that time, people's views on Leon changed drastically.

That young man is no longer a handsome and sunny athlete, or a nobleman, but a genuine warrior forged by iron and blood.

In Leon's letter to Ian, the war was the least mentioned.

Because of confidentiality, Leon can't say much to Ian.He downplayed the war, but liked to talk about his life in the barracks.

"The meals here are heated from frozen food, everything is coated with a starchy paste, and if you add pepper, you don't know whether they should be eaten or just excreted."

"Asura feels very lonely. He is the only advanced AI mech equipped with an emotional module in the entire barracks. He can't find a friend with whom he can communicate."

"There is a local flower called Xia Furong. The flower language is 'lover's longing'. I want to give it to you..."

"I've seen you for four months and eighteen days, Ian. I've been dreaming that I'm going home lately. It's not the capital, it's Flair. And you're playing the piano in the study, waiting for me The sun shines on you, you look beautiful and gentle..."

Leon's tone was friendly but cautious, as if he was stretching his furry paws to gently scratch his master, probing and flattering him a little bit, not daring to be reckless.

In Ian's reply to Leon, he also downplayed his new job, saying only "do Father Adway a favor".

The kiss that happened before was a tacit secret between the two, and was never mentioned in the letter.Leon's tone became much more intimate, but Ian was still as serious as ever.

"I pray for you every day, Leon. May the war end soon, and may you return safely."

Over the next month or so, good news from the front line came one after another.Occupied areas continued to be recovered, and Kruvia's generals were continuously arrested or surrendered.

The Champs Elysees Palace will hold a celebration banquet every two days.Raphael I blushed, accepting the congratulations of his ministers.

Ian knew that the Duke of Oran had written letters several times, and hoped that the frontline offensive would slow down and re-plan.But Raphael ignored it, and the duke's political opponents took this sneer and accused him of cowardice and military incompetence.

By April of 14753 in the new calendar, nearly one-sixth of the occupied areas had been successfully recovered from the empire.The confidence of the imperial side rose like spring water.

And Leon continued to make meritorious service on the front line. In just a few months, he was promoted to second lieutenant again.After his platoon leader was seriously injured and retired, he took over the post of platoon leader, leading 22 mecha commando fighters, and has been fighting at the forefront.

The revolution of Glory Star is different from that of Fryer Star, and there are only [-] months in a year.At this moment, it has been half a year since Ian and Leon parted ways.

When the accident happened, it was the night of February, and Ian was working overtime in the office to process official documents.A secretary of the Duke of Oran came to the door suddenly and asked him to go to the Duke's palace.

As soon as Ian stepped into the Duke's mansion, he felt a strong low air pressure coming towards him, which made him short of breath immediately.

Almost all of the Duke of Oran's staff gathered in the study, and every face was covered with clouds.They whispered, panicked, and crowded around the prince.

Gercia saw Ian, whispered a few words with the Duke, and walked towards Ian.

Ian looked at Gercia's face, and his heart tremblingly hung over the abyss with a silk thread.

It's definitely not good news for this man who is usually relaxed and easy, with a smile on his face, to show such a dignified look!

"I'm sorry to ask you to come here in person, Ian. But I think it's more appropriate to tell you face to face." Gercia held Ian's hand.

"We also just got the news from the front line that the city of Nimes, where Leon's third company was ordered to guard, was attacked by the Cruvia army and has fallen. Leon and his entire platoon of soldiers were trapped in order to break up when they retreated. In the city of Nîmes, contact with the headquarters has been lost for 46 hours.”

Ian felt countless ice needles piercing his back, stabbing like a spine, and the chill spread along every nerve.

46 hours, almost two days ago.

What were you doing two days ago?It was the weekend, and he was preaching in the church, promoting the omnipotence and sageness of the Holy Lord, and calling on believers to be faithful to the Holy Lord.

And on the battlefield thousands of miles away, his Leon and his comrades were trapped in the flames of war, and could only watch the warship take off and go away.

"The military is still actively rescuing, but the situation is more complicated. Nim's military position is very important. After the rebels occupied it, they immediately sent additional troops to garrison, and there are still remaining imperial troops in the city. They are not considered prisoners of war. How merciful God is... Our rescuers cannot enter the enemy-occupied area until they can determine the location of Leon and the others..."

"What can I do?" Ian asked softly.

Gercia thought for a while, and said helplessly, "Pray. You are the one closest to the Holy Light among us. Maybe God can hear your prayer."

Can God really hear?

When Ian returned to the monastery and locked himself in the dormitory, he asked himself in his heart.

You also know that prayer is just a kind of illusory wish, which completely entrusts the initiative to the god who has never met.All that's left is to wait.

Are you punishing me?

Ian turned his attention to the holy light stand placed on the corner of the desk.

Did you notice my vacillation and punish me for my infidelity by taking away the person I care about most?

Ian sat stiffly beside the bed in the dormitory, watching the sunlight climb inch by inch on the wall, change color, be replaced by the light from the window, and then be covered by the morning light again.

Time flies, and he just sat quietly like this, feeling as if ten thousand years had passed before he knew it.

Ian recalled afterwards that his memory during those eleven days was a mess.

Day and night alternated irregularly, he was busy aimlessly, his expression was normal, and he talked with people, but he couldn't remember what he said.

It was as if a hand had moved the pointer of time, and the scenery flew past in front of my eyes, but I was the only one standing in the center of the world, standing still.

"There is news from Leon! He is still alive! He found a chance to send a distress signal!"

"The second rescue failed! The rescue team encountered strong artillery fire and had to evacuate back."

"Nim is currently guarded by heavy troops, and it is extremely difficult to get in and out. Leon and the others can only hold on on their own. He was injured, and his adjutant said that he is not in a good condition..."

"The cost of the rescue is too high, and the military has been in dispute."

"The third rescue still failed..."

"The rebels announced that they had arrested all hiding imperial troops...and released a...execution video..."

"Leon is still alive." Ian said calmly, looking at the person opposite.

It was Sang Xia who reported the news to him. This girl was probably pushed out because she won the lottery.

Ian found it funny: "Don't worry, I know Leon is not dead. I don't know why, but I can feel him."

Even if it is AO's emotional mark, it will not be effective after such a long distance, but Ian is very sure that Leon is still alive.The bond that connects them, though weak, is not broken.

But Leon's company made no more distress calls.

On the 12th day, the Imperial Army announced to the families of the missing soldiers that they would suspend rescue operations.

Reporters surrounded the doors of the Cabinet Office after the news broke.As soon as the Duke of Oran stepped out of the office building, he was surrounded by a crowd.

"As the father of one of the trapped soldiers, I accept this decision of the military department." The Duke's face was solemn, his pain was wrapped in solid ice, and the flashing lights made the contours of his facial features deeper and darker.

"I believe that the military has made this painful decision after careful consideration. As long as there is a slight chance, they will not give up rescuing our soldiers. In the current situation, we really cannot spend more time and resources on rescue operations. "

The Duke looked around the group of reporters, his eyes far away: "I can't ask other people's sons to exchange their lives for my own son. Leon, my son, he is a brave warrior. Before he went to the battlefield, he had already expected I will go through such a test. Whether he can come back safely or not, I will be proud of him."

The reporters chased after him: "Do you still believe that your son is still alive?"

"What are you going to do next? Don't you just let it go?"

"Will you go to the front yourself?"

Before boarding the car, the Duke of Oran turned to the reporter closest to him and said, "A father will certainly not give up his son. Even if my son has died, I will bring his body home!"

The land vehicle drove away from the Cabinet Office building, leaving the noisy and flickering reporters behind.

In the back seat of the car, the Duke of Oran sat with his inseparable cardinal secretary.The Duke raised his hand, and the two held hands tightly without speaking.

When he returned to the Duke's mansion, Ian had been waiting in the study for a long time.

The priest was wearing a very formal black robe with a holy light frame on his chest, standing upright in front of the fireplace, like a green pine.On the side of the sofa, there is still a half-old suitcase.

More than a year ago, Ian carried this suitcase, bid farewell to Fryer, and came to the strange imperial capital.Today, Ian will also carry it, leave the imperial capital, and go to the next strange place.

He no longer pinned his hopes on illusory prayers, and decided to take action to achieve the results he wanted and meet the people he wanted to see.

The Duke of Oran only glanced at Ian, and there was nothing he didn't understand.He was instantly moved, his usual cold and indifferent expression was cracked, revealing traces of touch and shock.

"I'm here to say goodbye to you two." Ian said calmly, "My position has been transferred, and I will go to the refugee camp in Magdeburg as a religious aid worker of the Red Cross."

Magdeburg is the base camp of the Imperial Army on the front line.If you want to go to Nimes, this is also the most suitable first stop.

Neither the Duke of Oran nor Gercia asked Ian why he was suddenly transferred.The answer is obvious and heavy, like a scorching heart beating in the palm of your hand.

"You can't get close to the city of Nîmes alone." The Duke of Oran said briefly and neatly, "I have found a group of mercenaries to sneak into the city of Nîmes with the help of the refugee tide. You can act together with them."

"Okay." Ian's answer was also very neat, "Then I will contact them when I arrive in Magdeburg. We will keep in touch."

"Ian!" Gercia called out to Ian and hugged him.

He was slightly taller than Ian, and his embrace was very fragrant and warm, and the arms hugging Ian were trembling uncontrollably.

Ian raised his hand and patted Gercia on the back.

"He's still alive, Mr. Gercia." Ian was now the calmest person in the room, "I can feel him. He hasn't given up yet, and is waiting for me to find him."

Ian said: "I will find him, like in Flair's deep sea, or in the field of Anno Day. I can always find him and bring him back."