Arc of Fire

Wang Zhong was still playing with the child when he faintly heard the sound of a telephone ringing from the study—to avoid disturbing Ludmila, who was nearing her due date, the telephone in the bedroom had already been removed by Wang Zhong.

Anyway, it was unlikely that an emergency situation requiring immediate attention from Rocossov would arise in Yeburg at this moment.

The telephone rang a few times and then stopped, presumably answered by the butler.

Ludmila whispered to Wang Zhong, "With so many people taking care of me and the child, you should go and take care of your matters."

Wang Zhong nodded, stood up, and walked out of the bedroom.

Just as he stepped out, he was greeted by the elderly butler, Mikhail.

Mikhail, "The Royal Palace called to congratulate the birth of little Duke Charon and informed us that His Majesty the Tsar is already on his way, unstoppable by anyone."

Wang Zhong, "Understood. Anything else?"

"I had just put down the phone when the Grand Patriarch called, the usual congratulations, and then, it seemed, he hopes to personally preside over little Duke Charon’s baptism and... you know."

Could it be that the Judge will carry out purges of the traitors during my child’s baptism? A perfect homage to the classic scene from the movie "The Godfather."

But then again... for the benefit of the child, wouldn’t having the Grand Patriarch as the godfather be more advantageous?

Wang Zhong was already starting to think from the perspective of a father.

At that moment, the sound of a telephone ringing came from the distance, cutting off after only one ring.

Mikhail, "I’ve arranged for a dedicated secretary to take calls; we’re bound to get many today."

Wang Zhong shook his head, "Even though I haven’t achieved many notable military accomplishments this time."

Mikhail sternly reminded him, "You crushed two Armored Divisions and two Infantry Divisions; looking at the overall situation in the first half of this year, you are the most successful General, without equal. I know you are being modest and have high standards for yourself, but refrain from such talk.

"Not to mention other matters, the Church is publicizing your amazing victory, while the Equipment Committee is emphasizing the outstanding performance of the Whirlwind Tank Destroyers that you advocated for. You shouldn’t slap your own people in the face."

Wang Zhong, "That’s just a private remark."

"Our guests will be numerous today, General. And not all the servants can be relied upon," Mikhail said, "Although after the purges, the atmosphere of court intrigue in the Ante Empire has somewhat reduced, but court intrigue still exists."

"Understood," said Wang Zhong.

As soon as he finished speaking, a servant ran up and loudly reported, "His Majesty the Tsar’s motorcade has just passed the gate!"

Wang Zhong, "Understood. Mikhail, you prepare things here; I’m going to the main entrance of the hall to greet my god-sister."

Having said that, Wang Zhong briskly walked down the corridor.

Mikhail stood in place, watching him leave, when a maid opened the bedroom door, and the deep cries of the infant leaked out from the crack.

Mikhail’s expression changed, appearing deeply moved.

As Wang Zhong approached the main entrance of his family estate, His Majesty the Tsar’s motorcade arrived.

The estate had employed more workers than usual, all of whom were the old, weak, sick, and disabled who couldn’t work in factories. Employing them was essentially like giving them a meal, so they wouldn’t starve in these troubled times. ȑἁƝȮBÈş

Now, seeing His Majesty the Tsar’s Double-headed Eagle, the people’s reactions were divided: the elderly were excited, almost to tears, seeing the Tsar as both a father and a mother figure; the young children showed only curiosity and no reverence.

And some children were whispering, "I heard the Tsar is the General’s mistress and will bear the General a prince in the future."

"Nonsense, I heard that after this war there won’t be a Tsar anymore, His Majesty will live in the General’s estate as a sister."

"The General is looking this way! You two, don’t speak so loudly, if the General weren’t a good man, you would be facing the whip!"

...

Wang Zhong averted his gaze and looked at the stopped limousine of His Majesty the Tsar—surprisingly, it was a Stiponk limousine, which reminded Wang Zhong of some romance-tinged matters.

Olga couldn’t wait for the servants to open the car door; she opened it herself and leaped out, sprinting up the steps and giving Wang Zhong a hug, "Congratulations!"

Wang Zhong, "Your Majesty, please be mindful of your image."

"What’s wrong with a sister giving you a hug? So, do I have a new nephew or niece?"

Wang Zhong, "A nephew."

"Excellent! He will surely be a promising General of the Ante Empire in the future!" Olga stepped back, raising her fist jubilantly before her.

Wang Zhong, "It’s not certain yet."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Zhong saw a new caravan passing through the garden.

"Do you have more people coming after you?" he asked Olga.

The Tsar turned his head to look and said, "It should be Belinsky. The month you went off to war, Yeburg was in turmoil. Tugenev said the ’Imperial Guard’ left, so everyone had ideas."

The First Mobile Group Army under Wang Zhong’s command was considered the Tsar’s Imperial Guard in Yeburg. Whoever wanted to stage a coup had to weigh whether they could defeat the fearsome First Mobile Group Army that even the Prosens feared.

Wang Zhong: "I’ve been back for so many days, and I already know some about the situation in Yeburg. It’s not that dire, is it? Belinsky’s Guardian Army is very strong, and there are so many reserve Front Armies in training. Those forces might not be enough to fight the Prosens, but they are surely sufficient to deal with rebels."

Olga pouted: "I think none of them are our own people, you are my only one. How about next time you go to war, don’t take the entire First Mobile Group Army, leave at least one division..."

Wang Zhong: "You should know that we don’t have that luxury right now, right? The First Mobile Group Army, known as the finest of the Ante, is only exchanging blows with the enemy."

"That’s so," Olga pursed her lips, "when will we be able not just to exchange blows, but to crush them?"

"When half of the seasoned Prosen elites are dead, it will be about time. I don’t know how long it will take, but that day will definitely come."

In fact, Wang Zhong knew how long it would take since there was a ready-made answer on Earth, but the recent shock he received from Admiral Erwin almost taking Alexandria had been considerable, so he didn’t spell out the "standard answer" from Earth—although he had already said quite a bit before.

Olga seemed somewhat melancholic, but she immediately cheered up, took hold of Wang Zhong’s arm, and started walking towards the gate: "Let’s go see the newborn little Duke!"

Wang Zhong: "The Grand Patriarch’s carriage is about to arrive, and I need to greet him. You follow the maid over—that way, you already know the way."

Previously Olga used to come running to have afternoon tea with Ludmila, and she was now very familiar with the Rokossovsky Estate.

While they talked, the Grand Patriarch’s carriage also arrived at the door, and Olga transformed from the soft, cute character she just displayed into a dignified and majestic female Tsar.

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Belinsky’s guards got out of the carriage first, opening the door for Belinsky. The Grand Patriarch then descended from his carriage, giving Wang Zhong a hearty laugh: "Ho ho ho, the Admiral isn’t by his wife and child’s side, but here to welcome me, I see."

The Grand Patriarch glanced at His Majesty the Tsar as he said "welcome me."

Wang Zhong immediately read into this detail: there wasn’t as much harmony between the Tsar and the Grand Patriarch as it seemed on the surface.

Perhaps it was because Olga didn’t fully trust the Church.

After the war ended, if Olga wanted to continue maintaining the true form of the Tsariate, perhaps unspeakable things would happen.

Wang Zhong frowned and decided to wait until they had defeated Prosen to think about these issues.

At that moment, Olga greeted the Grand Patriarch: "Your Holiness, my brother and I have come to welcome you."

The Grand Patriarch laughed, which felt much more natural than before: "Oh, is that so. By the way, who will preside over the child’s baptism?"

Wang Zhong immediately said: "If Your Holiness is willing, I would like you to oversee it."

"No problem at all!" The Grand Patriarch’s laughter grew more joyful, his beard quivering, "Then, it’s decided. Also, about the child’s godfather, I was wondering..."

Wang Zhong: "If you wouldn’t mind..."

"Of course, I wouldn’t mind, you are the Empire’s first War General! Your child deserves the Church’s highest blessings!" With that, the Grand Patriarch stepped forward, took hold of Wang Zhong’s hand, and, while pulling him inside, said, "The blessing ceremony will be held in the Great Cathedral; we’ll use the Holy Artifact stored there, which was used to baptize Peter the Great. Saint Andrew himself had also used it."

Well, stack up those buffs, and at least little Lev will be a War Marshal in the future.

While Wang Zhong was being dragged along by the Grand Patriarch, Olga suddenly asked, "So what is my nephew’s name? Let me think about the date today..."

Wang Zhong: "Lev. I’ve decided to follow the Church’s call and not choose a name from the list of saints."

Belinsky was delighted: "Good, very good! The Church also advocates doing this. Lev, the mighty army on the steppes, not bad. You could also call him Steel; facing enemies and danger in the future, he could be as hard as steel."

Wang Zhong pondered that Steel was best avoided; that name might trigger a strange chain reaction in the Ante realm.

Olga: "You could also choose a name related to eagles; that way, when girls miss him, they can sing ’Katyusha,’ singing to the eagles of the steppes."

Wang Zhong: "No, the eagle of the steppes is me. So my son can only be the lion."

This time both Belinsky and Olga burst out laughing.

They had almost reached the bedroom door—now the door of the maternity room—when Belinsky suddenly said, "Oh, yes, you two are only engaged and then had the child; it’s a bit improper procedurally. But I have already solved that."

Olga: "If necessary, I will issue a decree to acknowledge your marriage, so we don’t have to worry about the rule that you have to be engaged for a year before getting married."

Wang Zhong: "Thank you both. We’ve arrived at the maternity room; my son and wife are waiting for the two of you."

The moment he stopped talking, the door opened, and Nelly came out, looked at the three people outside, and stepped aside, maintaining the door open.

The infant’s strong crying came from inside the room.

Belinsky: "Such a strong and powerful cry; he will be a healthy child."

Olga had already rushed inside: "Nephew, your auntie is here! Eh, is it auntie, or... never mind!"

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