Cannon Fire Arc

Chapter 965: Chapter 17 “Rest in Death

December 3, 0930 hours, Ante’s Forward Command Headquarters, located 51 kilometers from Plowsonia city center.

When General Eugene entered the room, Wang Zhong was gesturing at the Plowsonia City Defense Map with Pavlov.

General Eugene: “Report! Marshal, I’ve arrived.”

Both men at the map turned around. Pavlov looked at Wang Zhong.

Wang Zhong: “Why are you looking at me?”

“You’re the Marshal—I’m just a General.”

Popov: “You’ll be there soon. I, on the other hand, am different; Military Bishops barely ever get promoted to Marshal.”

Wang Zhong: “You can go be a Cardinal Archbishop; you’re not in the same chain of command as us. Eugene, you’re here—we specifically called you over for a mission.”

Wang Zhong gestured for Eugene to come closer. The former miner jogged to the map with a puzzled look: “What’s the matter?”

Wang Zhong pointed at a Prosen-controlled area, over twenty kilometers from Plowsonia city center.

“The Asgard Knights stationed in this area have been fiercely resisting.”

General Eugene: “Indeed. Per orders, we’ve employed encirclement tactics, occasionally launching attacks to deplete their ammunition. However, it seems the enemy has considerable reserves; they show no signs of running out of either ammunition or provisions.”

Pavlov: “But now we need you to take that place. Headquarters, after reviewing the overall situation across the warzone, hopes to establish a supply center there. The enemy has embedded this thorn here, making things extremely difficult for us.”

Wang Zhong: “Headquarters will allocate the best siege forces to your unit. Ensure the Asgard Knights’ resistance is crushed—this will also support Stass’s Davarish initiative.”

General Eugene snapped his heels together and saluted: “Consider it done.”

Popov: “Hmm, that expression tells me you’ve got concerns. Speak up; if any challenges arise, we’ll help you resolve them.”

General Eugene: “Well… not much, really, except—for now, could the Forward Command Headquarters stop advancing?”

Pavlov clapped his hands: “Good! I support this proposal!”

Wang Zhong pressed down on Pavlov’s shoulder: “Calm down. Eugene, why do you suggest this? Did the Chief of Staff treat you to coffee or something?”

General Eugene shook his head: “No, not at all! I genuinely feel that the Forward Command Headquarters is pushing too far forward. If you advance, our Front Army Headquarters can’t remain far behind.

“The current reality is that our Front Army Headquarters has been forced into the enemy’s artillery range. Just yesterday, we suffered a heavy shelling that resulted in over twenty casualties.

“The divisional and regimental headquarters of our frontline troops are also all within enemy artillery range. Fortunately, the enemy’s artillery strength has been significantly weakened; otherwise, we’d have faced severe consequences!”

Taking heavy artillery fire and only losing 20 people—this is indeed a surprisingly low casualty rate for our Front Army Headquarters’ size.

Wang Zhong: “How was your location exposed?”

“Guerrillas,” General Eugene added quickly, “Stass’s Davarish operation has successfully uprooted the enemy’s guerrilla presence. They were using phone lines to report positions, but we’ve now fully secured control over the telecommunications system.”

Wang Zhong clicked his tongue in disbelief.

Pavlov: “I told you not to keep advancing, but you didn’t listen! And now people have died because of it. If I didn’t rein you in, you might’ve challenged the Prosen Emperor to a duel by now!”

Wang Zhong: “Fine. Until we fully capture Plowsonia, Headquarters will no longer move forward.”

“You should stay put as well!” Pavlov raised his voice.

Just as Wang Zhong was about to respond affirmatively, the intelligence staffer entered the room: “Report! We’ve received a telegram from the Third Melania Front Army.”

Wang Zhong: “Read it!”

Pavlov, having not received an explicit commitment, made no effort to hide his disappointment.

The intelligence secretary paid no mind to this and began reading aloud: “Our forces have been contacted by the Prosen 9th Army Group. They intend to stage a battlefield defection and vacate their Army Group’s defense zone.”

Wang Zhong: “The 9th Army Group? Weren’t they destroyed?”

Pavlov: “It’s a newly formed Army Group—entirely new commanders, soldiers, and equipment. An entire Army Group planning to defect?”

As he spoke, Pavlov walked over to the intelligence secretary and snatched the telegram for closer examination.

A few seconds later, he muttered: “It’s true.”

General Eugene: “I recall the 9th Army Group’s defensive zone being quite extensive. If they relinquish it, the Third Melania Front Army can push forward unimpeded.”

Wang Zhong looked to Pavlov: “What’s the equipment status of the Third Front Army?”

“They’ve already replenished all technical equipment and personnel. The sole issue is that only 60% of junior officers are available—one corporal now has to lead 20 recruits.” Pavlov replied.

Wang Zhong: “What about the junior officers?”

“In the hospital. A majority have voluntarily canceled their recovery leave and rushed back to the front, but even this isn’t enough. There are still about 300,000 junior officers in hospitals; once they return, conditions will significantly improve,” Pavlov added.

Wang Zhong fell silent.

Intelligence Secretary: “How should we respond?”

Wang Zhong hesitated briefly before replying: “Accept their defection. Once the defensive positions are relinquished, launch an immediate attack. News of a full Army Group defecting will severely shake enemy morale, and our forces advancing unhindered will further destabilize them.

“This will greatly benefit Stass’s surrender negotiations as well.”

As the intelligence secretary was about to leave, Pavlov called him back: “Not so fast! I’ll personally draft the letter. The stakes need to be articulated clearly.”

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