Arc of Fire

As Wang Zhong’s car crossed the bridge, the Balasians had completely collapsed, with all Balas warriors fleeing the bridgehead, leaving only corpses strewn across the vast battlefield.

And a Balas officer standing his ground, pistol aimed at tank number 422.

It must have been because the Commando had interrogated some of the Balas soldiers earlier, so at this moment Wang Zhong could see the name of this yet unyielding enemy.

Colonel Mayar Abdullah.

Wang Zhong heard the sound of Amelia cocking her gun next to him and hurriedly stopped the girl, "Wait a minute!"

Amelia looked at Wang Zhong with confusion, "Why? An officer like this, who still has the will to fight to this point, cannot be spared! He will see our actions as an invasion and keep resisting!"

"Isn’t it an invasion?" the Balas Colonel roared in Antenese, "You invaded our country without notice, isn’t that an invasion?"

Wang Zhong, "Your country cut off the supply lines of the Allied Forces, and was even ready to defect to the Prosens."

Colonel, "Then you can invade my country?"

Wang Zhong, "The Prosens started the war actively and implemented a full-blown racist policy in the occupied countries, killing those they deemed inferior without restraint. They are evil, and this war is a battle between good and evil. When you were planning to turn to the dark side, it’s only natural for us, as part of the world’s anti-*** coalition, to stop you."

The Colonel sneered, "My motherland has always been an independent country. It’s our freedom to choose our allies. Now that you’re invading my country, you are the evil ones. You and those Prosens you call evil are cut from the same cloth!"

"Not so," Wang Zhong declared emphatically, calling out the Colonel’s name, "Colonel Mayar Abdullah, use your brain for a moment! How could the Prosens, who claim themselves to be the superior nation, ever treat you well? If the Prosens win this war, the Anteans will become slaves, and so will you, just maybe slightly higher-ranked slaves."

Colonel Mayar Abdullah looked at Wang Zhong suspiciously, "You have investigated me?"

Huh? This reaction?

Wang Zhong decided to feign ignorance, "It’s not investigating. We just know your name, that’s all."

Amelia suddenly spoke, "Colonel Mayar Abdullah! One of the leaders of that freedom officers’ group mentioned in the intelligence!"

Wang Zhong thought, I’m trying to bait someone, why did you jump in first?

Colonel Mayar Abdullah retracted the pistol that had been aimed at the tank, pointing it at his own head instead, "You have investigated me and now try to lure me into betraying my country with sweet words!"

Wang Zhong, "How is that betraying your country? If the country is ruled by a foolish King, with famine widespread and the people barely surviving, then overthrowing the King is just, it’s an act of loyalty to your country.

"You are now helping the King oppress the people and seeking glory through betrayal by joining an evil Empire, that’s the true betrayal of your country! Think about it, if Prosens are destined for downfall, imagine what will become of your nation then."

Mayar was visibly hesitant.

Amelia said, "Keeping him will be a disaster! He will..."

Wang Zhong, "He will lead Balas in the fight for freedom and independence, he will drive your colonial forces out of this country. If he can’t drive you out, he will continue to fight. I know this, and that’s why I want to keep him.

"I’m a member of the Secular faction; we Seculars support the fight of all colonial peoples for national independence."

In truth, Wang Zhong didn’t know whether this was part of the Secular doctrine, but he felt that Saint Andrew might well have been a fellow countryman of his, and it was very likely that a doctrine established by a fellow countryman would include such a clause.

Amelia frowned, her gaze fixed intently on Wang Zhong.

But Mayar Abdullah stared at Wang Zhong with wide eyes, his expression like someone who had been walking in the dark for ages seeing the pale light of dawn, like a ship tossed about in a storm spotting the light of a lighthouse.

However, he immediately hardened his face and barked, "I’ve seen plenty of these sugar-coated cannonballs. They’re all pie in the sky, offering nothing concrete!"

Wang Zhong, "Look at the expression on the young lady’s face next to me, her eyes a moment ago could have killed me. Would I really risk fissures among allies by offering you an empty promise? Besides, what would I lose by executing you right now? Nothing!

"The prince chosen by the United Kingdom will still become the new King, and the influence of the United Kingdom radiating from Bahara will penetrate Balas deeper. Meanwhile, we Seculars will continue to spread in the northern region of Balas.

"Some local tribes have already converted to the Secular faction. Do you know the leader called Bahram? When the time comes, and the contradictions between UK’s compradors and the Secular tribes become irreconcilable, a civil war will break out.

"The Secular tribes will receive support from Ante, while the compradors will have weapons shipped in continuously through Bahara. Think about it, Mayar Abdullah! Think about it!"

Mayar maintained the pistol to his temple, deep in thought. Find adventures at empire

Finally, he slowly lowered the gun from his temple—

At that instant, a navy infantryman in black sailor’s attire rushed up, snatched the pistol, and attempted to throw Abdullah to the ground.

Wang Zhong, "No need!"

The navy infantryman who took the pistol stopped.

The Naval Infantry coming to assist in the capture of Mayer Abdullah from the other side also stopped.

Wang Zhong: "Give him back his gun."

"General!" The Naval Infantry and Amelia shouted together.

Wang Zhong: "Return the gun to him, he won’t shoot himself anymore, nor will he shoot at me."

The Naval Infantry quickly returned the gun to Mayer Abdullah.

"What do you mean by this?" Mayer, holding the gun, asked.

Wang Zhong: "I am resisting the demon’s invasion for the sake of my motherland. You are doing the same, only you’ve been mistaken about who the real demon is, blinded by appearances. But now you see clearly."

Mayer put the safety on his gun and slid it into its holster: "So what if I see clearly? Do I mean anything to you?"

"Yes, you can inspire those officers who share your ideals to see clearly who the real demon is, to let them know who they should be fighting!"

Wang Zhong said this as he climbed out of the tank, took three steps, and jumped to the ground, striding confidently toward Abdullah.

Amelia exclaimed in alarm, "You can’t approach an armed enemy like this!"

The Naval Infantry seemed ready to stop him too.

Wang Zhong bellowed, "I am approaching our new friend! His knowledge of Antenese shows he understands the thoughts of Saint Andrew!"

At first, the Naval Infantry were a bit resistant, planning to forcibly stop Wang Zhong, but upon hearing "the thoughts of Saint Andrew," they all looked toward Abdullah.

"You’re right," said Mayer Abdullah.

Only then did Wang Zhong pass through the soldiers to come before Mayer Abdullah, extending his hand: "Davarish, a pleasure to meet you."

Mayer did not reach out: "I still don’t understand, what can we do?"

Wang Zhong: "The intelligence we received claimed that the Balas Imperial Guards lacked combat spirit, but as the tanks came, I saw many Balasian corpses. They had died in the assault.

"Their fighting spirit was incredibly tenacious, which I think has to do with you and your group of free officers."

At this point, Wang Zhong heard someone speaking in the Onsa language behind him, he turned his head and saw a Commando officer wearing a green beret standing not far away, saying something to Abdullah.

The pale scholar translating for him said, "The Commando Captain says these Balasian soldiers were indeed very brave, and that it shocked him—and all the Commandos."

Mayer: "We have always tried to instill in the soldiers the belief in protecting their home and country. Just now the Division Commander and higher officers got carried away with their ambitions, wanting to rescue a prince, and led a counterattack. But they all died, and with their deaths, our group of free officers took control of the troops.

"I could tell your ammunition was running low, so I kept up the attack."

Wang Zhong shook his head: "Your beliefs are commendable, but unfortunately, you’ve picked the wrong enemy. Also, your command skills are very poor. Finding the enemy low on ammo and then using the lives of soldiers to deplete it is something I could never endorse. If it were at the Suvorov Military Academy, I would give you zero points and question your qualifications to become a competent officer."

Mayer frowned: "Then what should we have done..."

"The region is surrounded by mountains; the correct move would have been to retreat into the mountainous areas and continue resistance there. Of course, this is hypothetical. Perhaps one day, if you’re truly facing invaders, do not use the lives of your soldiers to wear down the invaders’ ammo."

Wang Zhong paused, then continued: "You would need to avoid the invaders’ cutting edge, mobilize the support of the local populace widely, and engage in guerilla warfare, specifically targeting the invaders’ supply lines, hitting the invaders’ small units when they are separated, disappearing without a trace..."

Mayer Abdullah’s eyes lit up: "Please General, teach me!"

Wang Zhong: "That would be far too complex to teach right now. After the war, you can attend the Suvorov Military Academy to learn. But to address the current issue, I need you to tell your comrades who the true enemy is and bring any loyal, combat-capable troops to our side.

"When we overthrow the foolish current King, you can come to Ante. In the war, you will learn about war. Once the war is over, you will have acquired sophisticated tactical skills and considerable prestige. When you return to Balas, the sky’s the limit for what you might achieve!"

Amelia hurriedly said, "He’s deceiving you! He’s just luring you with empty promises!"

Wang Zhong pointed his thumb at Amelia: "See, she’s getting anxious. You know what that means?"

Mayer Abdullah shook his head: "No, I won’t let my people be cannon fodder for Ante."

Wang Zhong frowned.

But then Mayer quickly changed tack: "But we do indeed need to learn about war. It was wrong to have the soldiers we trust exhaust the enemy’s ammunition with their lives."

Wang Zhong’s brow immediately smoothed: "Then I’ll leave it to you."

At this moment, Wang Zhong did not yet know that later Mayer Abdullah would become known as "The Lion of Balas," he was simply happy to potentially turn part of the Balasian forces and thereby reduce casualties for his own troops.