Chapter 100 - Relieved by God

Chapter 100 - Relieved by God

Two rows of torches lined the runway, forming a path as if a line of guards, marking the plane's descent. Soon, a faint hum broke the silence, the distant rumble of an engine growing louder, nearer.

Gallieni looked up into the black sky, taking an unconscious step forward before a guard held him back. "General, it's dangerous to stand too close."

"Yes, yes," Gallieni replied, stepping back.

In the cockpit, the pilot saw nothing but the two rows of torches to guide him. A single misjudgment could send the wing slicing through anyone on the ground, soldier or general alike.

Finally, the plane appeared as a faint shadow in the night, descending steadily. Its first attempt seemed too steep, prompting the pilot to pull up, circle twice, and then try again. This time, he brought it down smoothly, the wheels touching down on the runway in a controlled landing.

As the plane rolled to a halt, Gallieni and his men approached. Gallieni saw a figure rising from the cockpit—it was the young man he'd been waiting for. Relief washed over him; Charles was home safe.

But a pang of embarrassment hit Gallieni as he realized he'd overlooked one detail: he hadn't brought anything for Charles to wear. Shivering in a nightshirt, clutching a pillow, Charles's teeth chattered in the chilly wind.

Without hesitation, Gallieni quickened his pace, unbuttoning his own coat as he approached Charles. Draping it around the young man's shoulders, he murmured reassuringly, "It's alright now, lad. You're home, and everything's alright."

"G-General!" Charles managed through his shivering, his jaw clenching as he spoke. "I left my uniform and weapon… back in Antwerp. I didn't even get to file a report…"

Gallieni chuckled, amused that Charles was still thinking about a mission report. "Bring more coats!" he ordered, and within moments, a mountain of overcoats were thrown over Charles until he looked like a bundled-up cocoon, even donning Gallieni's general's cap atop his head.

Charles felt self-conscious, thinking how silly he must look, but the soldiers' faces showed nothing but respect. As they were about to depart, Charles called back to his companion, "I'll be back for you, Uncle Eric!"

"Alright!" Eric waved in return. "I'll be waiting here for you, kid!"

What Charles didn't know was that he wouldn't have to come back for Eric—despite safely returning Charles, Eric was now on Gallieni's list of suspects.

As the car made its way back to headquarters, Gallieni sat in silence, his gaze fixed ahead. Finally, he chuckled, turning slightly toward the back seat.

"I hear you performed a few feats over there in Belgium. And even earned a Royal Crown medal?" Gallieni's tone was playful.

Charles's expression soured as he remembered the medal. "I left it in Antwerp!"

"Don't worry, Lieutenant. It won't be lost!" Gallieni laughed. "The king will have it sent back to you."

"Excuse me?" Charles was puzzled.

Gallieni explained, "A lot happened in Antwerp during your three-hour flight. Everyone there now knows about General Giss's scheme."

Charles nodded; this was no surprise. General Winter wasn't acting alone, and with the truth out, his men would have exposed Giss's actions as soon as Charles had safely departed.

"Want to know what happened to General Giss?" Gallieni asked.

"Was he… dismissed?" Charles guessed.

Gallieni smirked. "Yes, you could say he was dismissed."

This young man seemed to think that imprisoning, plotting against, and ultimately handing over a hero to the enemy would result in nothing more than a dismissal? Giss hadn't merely been removed from duty. Before King Albert had even officially relieved him, angry citizens had stormed his headquarters, dragging him out and nearly beating him to death.

It was Albert himself who intervened, wanting Giss to be brought to justice publicly so they could reveal the full extent of his betrayal and unearth his accomplices. But Albert's hopes were soon dashed. In the hospital, without anesthesia, Giss had undergone a series of painful procedures before his wounds mysteriously turned fatal. Officially, he'd been relieved of duty—by God himself.

Gallieni handed Charles a note from his pocket. "A message from King Albert. He apologizes and says he'll send back all your things—the uniform, the medal, everything."

Charles accepted the note but stuffed it into a pocket, knowing he'd read it properly later.

"You might not need that old uniform, though," Gallieni remarked with a thoughtful look at the passing buildings.

Charles had no time to ask what he meant, as they'd just arrived at headquarters. Soldiers helped Charles into his quarters, where he finally wrapped himself in blankets, drank two cups of hot milk, and eventually drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Charles understood what Gallieni had meant. His orderly, Adrien, had brought two new uniforms, complete with a fresh revolver and other gear.

Curiously, Charles inspected the uniforms. "Why two? I only lost one…"

He dressed and noticed the gold braid around his cuffs—he'd been promoted to lieutenant.

Gallieni beamed with pride as Charles walked into the command room, greeted by applause and cheers:

"Well done, Charles!"

"You've brought honor to France!"

"Sending you was worth more than an entire British division!"

Gallieni, who usually wore a stern expression, looked genuinely pleased as he stepped forward. "Your performance in Antwerp was commendable, Lieutenant. You've earned this. Keep up the good work!"

Charles blinked, slightly surprised. He realized Gallieni had dropped the usual pretenses and was now treating him with real respect, as if there was no longer any need to play nice with the financiers.

After all, no matter what happened, they would always be at odds with the financiers, and nothing could change that.

"Yes, sir!" Charles straightened, relieved that his voice no longer quivered with cold.

"Today is your day off," Gallieni said, glancing at his pocket watch. "After breakfast, head home. Your parents should be waiting for you."

"Yes, sir!" Charles answered, a bit dazed. He had thought he'd only just resumed his duties at headquarters.

(End of Chapter)

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