Prince Wedelek raised his head, and Claude realized that the second prince of the kingdom was actually not very young anymore. He was probably in his thirties, and there were faint wrinkles on his forehead. His face was pale, and his lusty appearance made him look decadent and tired. His eyes were red and bloodshot, and his face was smeared with white pollen, giving him a demonic aura.
After glancing at Claude, Prince Wedelek said nothing. He poured himself another glass of wine, picked up the golden wine glass, and took a sip. Then he turned to face Claude and raised his glass slightly. Chin, with a condescending arrogance, looked Claude up and down: "You are Claude Field, a student accepted by my aunt in the countryside of Bailu Town."
Your aunt Claude thought about it and immediately understood that the aunt the second prince was referring to was Lady Maria. No wonder many people said that Sterling X regarded Baroness Maria as his biological sister. It seems that the rumors are still there. It’s really well-founded. This Prince Wedelek now personally admits that Lady Marya is his aunt.
"If you are referring to Baroness Maria, I think I am her student. She gave me a lot of guidance in pharmacy." Claude saluted Prince Widelek and answered respectfully. .
"Hmph." Prince Wedelek snorted softly: "My aunt said that you have a very good talent in pharmacy, but I think you are not very good at it, and you are still a big shot. It seems that you have failed. Her expectations did not lead to a good development in pharmacy. Fortunately, when I came here, she told me to do my best to take care of you."
Claude didn't want to speak. This Prince Wedelek was obviously a headstrong and arrogant person. He only made conclusions based on the first impression and could not listen to other people's excuses. But what I argued with him had nothing in common with the second prince.
"Thank you, Baroness Maria, for your concern. I have indeed let her down as an unqualified student. But I am living well in the military camp now and do not need the care of Your Highness," Claude said politely. reject.
But it was obvious that Prince Wedelek did not hear Claude's words of rejection. He frowned and thought for a moment: "Well, I will talk to General Philipt tomorrow and let him take you." Transfer to me as a guard with the rank of lieutenant, so that I can explain to my aunt when I return to the capital."
Claude's face changed: "Your Highness, I said that I don't need your care. I am living a good life in the army. Besides, I don't want to be a bodyguard by your side."
The words were so loud that those in the tent stopped talking and turned their heads to look here.
Prince Wedelek's face darkened, as if he didn't expect Claude to reject his kindness and care, and to say so loudly to his face.
"You, you're fine." Prince Wedelek stared at Claude and said each word.
Having offended this prince, Claude felt bitter in his heart, but he still saluted Prince Wedelek: "Please tell Baroness Maria that the student has failed her good intentions. Since I have joined the army. Since then, he has shed blood on the battlefield to serve the kingdom. Claude is now acting as the captain of the security squadron. He cannot bear to give up his brothers and come to be driven by His Highness the Prince. I also ask His Highness the Prince for your forgiveness."
This was said more beautifully, and the sullen look on Prince Wedelek's face finally disappeared. Claude then said: "Your Highness, Claude is a rough man, so I won't disturb your pleasure here. Please allow me to leave."
Prince Wedelek opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but he didn't say it. He just waved his hand and turned away from looking at Claude. Claude naturally understood what this meant, and quickly saluted again, turned around and strode out of the command tent, which made him feel very aggrieved.
Before he could reach the tent door, he heard the attendant who had brought him ask Prince Wedelek: "Your Highness, are you going to let this ignorant boy go like this?"
Claude paused for a moment, slowed down, and then heard Prince Wedelek say nonchalantly: "This is an ignorant country boy. What do I have to argue with him? I really don't understand why my aunt accepted him." Be a student. For the sake of my aunt, let him be spared this time."
After leaving the tent, Claude wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, but he was blaming Madam Maria in his heart. How could this cheap pharmacy teacher whom I recognized keep doing me a disservice? She has good intentions, but for Claude, even if the Baroness wants to take care of herself, she should entrust her to a reliable person. Is this Prince Widelek a reliable person
From what he heard during this period and what he saw with his own eyes, Claude could conclude that the second prince succeeded more than he failed, but he still thought highly of himself, could not listen to unfavorable advice, and was keen on sensuality. He was crazy. Only then will he be labeled as the second prince.
Lady Maria asked Prince Wedelek to take care of Claude. She must have known that the second prince was going to serve as a supervisor of the Blue Feather Army. Placing Claude next to the second prince would indeed keep him away from the dangers of war. , no need to go to the battlefield and become cannon fodder. But she didn't understand Claude's current situation. Just as the second prince said just now, asking Claude to serve as a guard with the rank of lieutenant by his side would really be a drain on the water.
If Claude was a top soldier, he might agree, but now that he was the sergeant major of the Blue Feather Corps and the acting guard squadron leader, the second prince's promised honorary lieutenant rank was unattractive to Claude. Perhaps it is more correct to say that Claude gave up the rank of sergeant major, gave up his position as acting guard squadron leader, and became a lieutenant guard next to the second prince. It's a joke to make such a self-righteous request.
There are two military ranks in the Kingdom of Ovilas, one is formal and the other is honorary. Formal military ranks last a lifetime and can be engraved on tombstones even after death. The honorary military rank can be used for a period of time, and it is time-limited and restrictive. For example, Claude can hold the rank of honorary lieutenant when he serves as Prince Wedelek's bodyguard, but he loses this honor when he does not serve as a bodyguard. The rank of lieutenant.
Also during the war, the kingdom would grant honorary military ranks to some wealthy individuals who donated assets to aid the war effort, or some nobles who were interested in a military career and hoped to make meritorious deeds in the war would donate large sums of money, obtain honorary military ranks, and enlist in the army. Most of these honorary officers who joined the army half-way serve as temporary staff assistants. They may officially become full-time officers and retire due to their military exploits, but there are few such successful examples. Even if they are converted to full-time officers, they are not the same military rank as the honorary military rank. Usually it's downgraded to three or four levels.
The three generals that Claude saw in Prince Wedelek's tent actually had honorary military ranks and were not official officers of the Blue Feather Legion. This can be distinguished from the epaulettes. The epaulettes and identification certificates of honorary military ranks have a golden rose pattern around them. They look much richer and more luxurious than the epaulettes of formal military ranks. They are worthy of the title of honor.
For Prince Wedelek, it would be very embarrassing if the servants and guards who serve the royal nobles like them are big soldiers, so the honorary military ranks of second lieutenant, lieutenant, and captain are free of charge, and even his grooms are free of charge. You can have the rank of second lieutenant. On the contrary, it is those attendants who are officially hired by the royal family, just like the attendant who went to see Claude just now. They are obviously the confidants of the second prince. He does not have any military rank on his body and does not need these tricks.
So for Claude, he gave up the rank of sergeant major and the position of acting guard squadron leader, and became an honorary lieutenant for Prince Wedelek. From then on, he was ordered around by the second prince and his confidants. If he is treated like a lackey, then he is really mentally ill.
Although the advantage is that he doesn't have to go to the battlefield to be cannon fodder, and he can even use the second prince's power to show off his power, but for the arrogant Claude, he doesn't even want to hug Lady Maria's thigh, and just wants to stay simple. With such a teacher-student relationship, how could he become a lackey for this self-righteous second prince? He would rather go to the battlefield and risk his life than put down his pride to serve Prince Wedelek, who was worthless in his eyes.
The next day was as expected by Claude. Because the noble second prince was too tired from dancing last night, he couldn't get up in the morning. It wasn't until after three o'clock in the afternoon that he packed up, broke camp and set off, and then walked for two hours. Then he ordered them to set up camp.
The same was true on the third day, so much so that the top brass of the Blue Feather Corps couldn't stand the noble prince's dilly-dallying and delaying, so they ordered a large number of pack horses and carriages to be mobilized from the rear and assigned to the 11th Field Battalion and the Guards Corps combat battalion. , and the team of attendants following the second prince, which finally increased the daily itinerary. After all, riding in a carriage is faster than marching on foot.
When the noble second prince arrived at the Odin Mountains, the journey that could have taken five days on foot was dragged to half a month by riding a carriage. However, the top brass of the Blue Feather Legion already knew the character of His Royal Highness, and had already prepared the carriages and porters to carry him up the mountain, preparing to carry him across the Odin Mountains.
There is no reason why the top brass of the Blue Feather Legion are not anxious. Not to mention anything else, the army of the Principality of Sidings alone on the two defensive fronts of the Odin Mountains has taken 70,000 to 80,000 prisoners after surrender, and they have been imprisoned on the other side of the Odin Mountains. Amis City, waiting for His Royal Highness the Prince to arrive to preside over the surrender ceremony. In addition, the Blue Feather Legion is also progressing smoothly in the Principality of Sidings. It has now occupied the two seaport cities scheduled by the Admiralty Department. The only remaining large city in the Principality of Sidings is the capital city of Afinasburg. .
It's just that the Blue Feather Army is currently powerless. Although the Second Field Division has advanced to Fort Afena, it is unable to launch an attack due to insufficient troops. The 3rd and 4th Field Divisions still stayed in the two seaport cities to maintain order. As for the 1st Field Division, they were stationed in Ames City and guarded a large number of prisoners with the second-line army.
If Prince Widlék had not arrived at Ames City, the First Field Division would not even be able to hand over the prisoners and Ames City to the second-line army, because this is the merits of the Blue Feather Army, and it must have Prince Widlék as a supervisor. recognition.
What makes the senior officials of the Blue Feather Legion anxious is that Prince Widrick's delayed trip has had a very bad impact on the entire war situation in the Principality of Sidings. The Principality of Sidings is taking advantage of this rare free time to recruit troops, build defensive facilities in the capital of Afinasburg, and send envoys to seek help from its allies.
But all this is not the point for Prince Wedelek. He is always complaining that his father, Sterling X, has given him a hard job. If possible, he would rather stay in the royal capital than go to Lanzhou. The Yu Legion came to serve as some sort of supervisor, and even this journey was treated as a sightseeing trip by him.
When crossing the Odin Mountains, Prince Wedelek, who kept complaining that climbing was too tiring, would get off his saddle from time to time, order the soldiers to fire shots at the empty defense facilities, and then stand on the bullet-riddled He made a victory gesture next to the defense facility and asked several attendant painters who followed him to draw his heroic figure. These portraits were to be sent to newspapers in the royal capital for publication, which roughly means that he was under the command of the wise prince. Next, the brave soldiers once again captured the enemy's stronghold and fortress.
In addition to the deception, the prince even went on a hunt. Just because a hare ran across the mountain path, the noble prince decided on a whim to organize a hunting competition himself. The contestants were all his friends and the honorary officers who followed him. Of course, these honorary officers did not go to the battlefield to make meritorious deeds, but followed them to make a fortune. They occupied the Principality of Sidings. Although most of the seizures were returned to the Ministry of War and the treasury, as long as they got the favor of His Highness the Prince and authorized a private search, they would still Very rewarding.
This hunting competition delayed His Royal Highness the Prince's trip to the Odin Mountains for another day and a half, but the top brass of the Blue Feather Legion were helpless and they could not even file a complaint. Everyone knows that Sterling X's favorite is this second son. Compared with the eldest prince's stability, the third princess's unruliness, the fourth prince's cowardice, and the fifth princess's greed and stinginess, this second prince is just playful and fun-loving. The father is very filial and pleases Sterling X the most.