Chapter 765 Hero El (Part 1)
Of the 300,000 combat troops, only less than 2,000 were able to return home safely.
The logistics troops also suffered heavy losses. When the Knights of Michael captured the Muhavitz Fortress, many civilians were killed or injured, and almost all the elite quartermasters were captured or killed by the Knights of Michael.
The large-scale expedition of the Holy Hiran Empire, called "Iron Hammer", ended in a complete defeat.
After El and others returned home, they learned that their Majesty had successfully escaped from the fortress with Dmitri and Mond when the Muhavitz Fortress fell, and was now in the empire's secondary capital, Ariel.
His Majesty was safe and sound, which was a blessing in disguise.
El and others headed towards the secondary capital Ariel, preparing to meet with His Majesty first and then receive further instructions from His Majesty.
While waiting for El and his remnants to return to the secondary capital Ariel, Vasili was having a secret conversation with his prime minister Mond.
Vasili's young face now seemed much older.
The "Iron Hammer" operation he advocated ended in a disastrous defeat, with less than 2,000 people returning home safely. It would be strange if this made Vasili look good.
"My fellow citizens, how will the ministers look at me..." Vasili groaned in pain.
Vasili was originally in the Imperial Capital's Labor and Military Institute, suppressing the opposition of many senior generals and senior quartermasters headed by Dominic, and forcibly launched this expedition.
This expedition, which he forced to launch, ended in an unprecedented disastrous defeat. Vasili dared not imagine how much of a blow this would have on his prestige and his face.
When he thought of this, Vasili closed his eyes in pain, covered his face with his hands, and wanted to cry but had no tears.
Mond, who stood beside Vasili, was always good at guessing Vasili's psychology.
The reason why Mond was able to rise all the way to become the prime minister of the empire was not because of how strong his ability was, but because he was good at guessing Vasili's mind and knew how to please Vasili.
As long as it is something that can make Vasili happy, he will do it.
Because he is so good at pleasing Vasili, Vasili also likes and relies on Mond very much.
Seeing that Vasili was frustrated and embarrassed by the complete defeat and his loss of face, Mond had already thought of a way to please Vasili.
Mond said to Vasili:
"Your Majesty, I have a plan to divert the attention of the people and ministers and minimize the damage to your Majesty's face from this defeat."
As soon as Mond's voice fell, Vasili suddenly raised his head and looked at Mond with hope:
"Sir Mond! What is the plan?"
Mond put his lips to Vasili's ear and whispered his plan.
...
...
After a while——
The Holy Hilan Empire,
Somewhere very close to the secondary capital Ariel.
El and his group of defeated soldiers are finally about to arrive at the secondary capital Ariel.
Looking at the magnificent city that had appeared in his field of vision, Gabriel said to El in a tone with a hint of excitement:
"El! Be happy! We have finally arrived in Ariel!"
"Hmm..."
In response to Gabriel, El said a low "Hmm".
"El..."
Looking at El's current look with a hint of loss, the joy on Gabriel's face slowly faded.
El has been like this since leaving the Muhavitz Fortress.
Until now, El has been blaming himself.
He blames himself for not saving everyone.
Gabriel opened his mouth and wanted to say something to comfort El.
But he was not good at speaking, and after thinking for a long time, he couldn't squeeze out any words to comfort El.
In the end, Kamil, who was walking behind El on the right, said to El in a tone that was neither salty nor bland:
"El, this is not your fault."
Camil didn't say much.
The tone was not high.
But the tenderness and care contained in it were heard by both El and Gabriel.
On the way from Muhavitz Fortress to the secondary capital of Ariel, Camille, Dominic and others had already learned from El and Gabriel how El rescued them.
"Thank you, Camille." El forced out an ugly smile and thanked Camille.
...
...
When they arrived at the outskirts of Ariel, El and others found something strange.
On the outskirts of Ariel, a young man and a middle-aged man stood, and behind them were a large number of soldiers in armor and a group of people dressed as officials.
These soldiers must be the defenders of Ariel.
And those people dressed as officials should be the officials of Ariel City.
Gabriel frowned and looked at the young man and the middle-aged man: "Who are these two people? Are they here to greet us? They are so handsome, it seems that their identities seem to be not simple."
"...It's His Majesty the Emperor and the Prime Minister." As soon as Gabriel finished speaking, El said in a deep voice.
El had the honor of seeing the emperor and prime minister of their country in person, so he recognized the young man and the middle-aged man as their emperor, Vasili, and their prime minister, Mond.
As soon as El finished speaking, Gabriel's eyes widened in surprise:
"His Majesty the Emperor and Prime Minister Dubois personally went out of the city to welcome us, the defeated army?"
Not only Gabriel was surprised, but also El and Camille were very surprised.
They were just a group of defeated soldiers who survived by chance. His Majesty the Emperor and the Prime Minister personally went out of the city to welcome them?
The Emperor went out of the city to welcome them - this is a treatment that only the victorious army can enjoy, right?
With such doubts, El and others went to meet His Majesty the Emperor and his men.
When they were only a few steps away from Vasili, El took the lead in kneeling and saluting Vasili.
"Hurry up!" Vasili said with a smile, "Who among you is El Bernard?"
"I am the third-class quartermaster - El Bernard." El hurriedly responded.
As soon as El admitted his identity, Vasili immediately walked up to him very intimately and pressed El's shoulders.
"Sir El! Thank you for your hard work!"
After that, Vasili said loudly to the generals and officials of Ariel City behind him:
"Everyone! This is the great hero of the "Iron Hammer" battle - El Bernard! Cheer loudly for the hero's triumph!!"
As soon as Vasili finished speaking, all the generals and soldiers of Ariel City behind him cheered loudly:
"Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!!"
"Hero El!"
"Hero!"
...
Compared to these generals and soldiers, the reaction of the officials of Ariel City was slightly calmer.
But perhaps due to the oppression of the environment, the officials of Ariel City also issued a series of insincere cheers.
Listening to these cheers, El... No, it should be more accurate to say that El and his party were all stunned on the spot.
Military genius came to another world with Zizhi Tongjian
Military genius came to another world with Zizhi Tongjian