The transmission of news was rapid.
As Coles reunited with his family, word spread that the youngest rear admiral had returned home.
"The youngest rear admiral of the Charlotte family is back!"
"Is this true? I've been at the port all day, how come I didn't see anything?"
"Of course it's true. Charlotte Coles didn't come back on a naval ship, but rode a giant black dragon. That scene was so majestic!"
"What? There's a 'dragon'! I have to go and see it with my own eyes."
Many residents of Rogue Town rushed to the villa in the west, wanting to catch a glimpse of the youngest rear admiral, or to see what the legendary "dragon" looked like.
Since Coles started patrolling the streets last year, almost no pirates have been able to go ashore and cause damage. They all have a very good impression of Coles.
Now that Coles has been promoted to rear admiral, who wouldn’t want to meet him
There is also the legendary black dragon. Does that ancient creature really exist
Under the attraction of curiosity.
Most of the people in Rogue Town flocked to the villa in the west.
The originally bustling streets suddenly became deserted.
Dense and chaotic footsteps echoed along the road leading to the villa west of Rogue Town.
Fortunately, the space outside the villa is huge, with a very wide lawn, so the crowd can barely gather here.
The strong sense of anticipation attracted almost half of the people in Rogue Town to come and watch, making the place crowded with people.
Such a scene is extremely rare, and it was only surpassed by the execution of Roger twenty years ago.
The guards stood solemnly beside the villa, not allowing people to cross. They were just like the general's personal guards, with the same honor.
In Charlotte's villa, the black shadow dragon parked aside was particularly conspicuous, and the crowd couldn't help but talk about it and wait.
"That's the black dragon?"
"That should be it. With such a huge body, black wings, and a ferocious head, it really looks like a monster in the legend!"
"Today we finally saw a living legend. We saw a dragon!"
"Where's Rear Admiral Coles? Didn't they say that the youngest rear admiral has returned?"
"I heard that he just came back and is talking to his family in the villa. He should be out soon. I really want to meet this 19-year-old rear admiral!"
…
Inside the villa.
Coles had already noticed the crowd and noise outside, and there was a look of helplessness on his face.
But this was also expected.
After all, the news of his promotion to Rear Admiral was all over the newspapers, and the people were amazed by it. Now that he had returned to Rogue Town, these people naturally wanted to see it with their own eyes.
The crowd outside was growing larger and larger, and it was not a good idea to keep people waiting.
Coles put on his major general-level coat of justice and strode out of the villa.
Sunlight refracts from the sky.
The door outside the villa was slowly opened.
Under the strong expectations of the people of Rogue Town, the newly promoted rear admiral of the navy who was very popular in the newspapers also appeared in their sight.
The most impressive thing is the pair of blue eyes that shine resolutely even in the dark, followed by the heroic sword-like eyebrows, the angular white face, and the handsome and unusual facial features.
The navy uniform fit him perfectly, with a spotless white coat of justice draped over his shoulders and blue epaulettes representing his honorary rank of major general.
With the two working together, Coles exuded a sharp aura.
This is the 19-year-old rear admiral!
Charlotte Coles!
…
Coles came out of the villa, talked with the people around him for a while, and after letting everyone leave, he headed towards the naval base in Rogue Town.
After coming back after a year, he still wanted to visit the naval base where he had once served in the navy and worked for a long time.
During this time, Coles walked through the familiar central street, the places he had patrolled before, and the alley that had been attacked by the pirates Atun and Adulon...
He finally arrived at the gate of the naval base.
Compared with the grandeur of the naval headquarters, the naval base in Rogue Town can be said to be very shabby.
At this time, there were only four navy soldiers standing guard at the gate with guns.
When they saw Coles coming, the four guards were stunned at first, then they thought of the newspaper headlines from the previous two days and immediately saluted.
"Hello, Major General Coles."
Coles nodded slightly in response and walked into the base with a calm expression.
It is now close to four or five in the afternoon, and there are still many naval recruits training on the training ground of the naval base.
This scene reminded Coles of his training here.
Two years have passed, and it seems like just yesterday.
"Major Coles, ah, no, Major General Coles! Why did you come back suddenly?" A surprised female voice came from the side.
Coles had already discovered the other party.
This female navy girl was none other than Tashigi, who had joined the navy at the same time as him and was recommended by Smoker to attend the elite training camp but was not selected.
Tashigi had just finished her training, her breathing was a little rapid, and her black hair was wet with sweat and stuck to her forehead.
Coles replied.
"The headquarters arranged a vacation for me, so I came back. Where's Colonel Smoker?"
Dashigi quickly led the way.
"Colonel Smoker is in his office."
"Yeah." Coles followed Dashiqi up to the familiar blue building in front.
…
Sixth floor, office.
White smoke was everywhere, and the tall man was still smoking his cigar.
He has short silver hair and wears a large coat with the word "Justice" written on the back. His upper body is naked, revealing his strong muscles.
It was Smoker, the garrison colonel of the Rogue Town Naval Base.
Kacha!
The office door was pushed open.
Smoker looked at Tashigi who pushed the door open, and his expression didn't change much. But when he saw Coles following in from behind, he was surprised.
"Coles, you're back from the Navy Headquarters so soon?"
A few days ago, the newspaper reported that Black Flame City was destroyed by the navy and Coles was promoted to rear admiral. How come he came back to Rogue Town so soon? Is the navy headquarters so close to the East China Sea
Coles explained: "I took special transportation, so I got back faster."
Smoker didn't bother to ask what kind of transportation it was and handed over a cigar.
"How about it, do you want to smoke?"
In the navy, it is almost normal for senior officers to smoke cigars. Smoker is known as a "smoker" and he never leaves his cigarette.
"Thank you, I don't smoke."
Coles shook his head and refused. He didn't like smoking, but he could drink a few bottles of wine.
Smoker did not insist. He lit the cigar butt with a lighter, then put it directly in his mouth and smoked two cigarettes.
"It's fine if I don't smoke. I can still smoke one more. Recently, after the Kingdom of Valleran was overthrown by the revolutionary army, the old and new regimes took over, and the country began to issue a no-smoking policy. Cigars are in short supply now."
Coles was silent.
As for the affairs of the Kingdom of Valleran, he could be said to have personally experienced them.
The vast majority of people in that country smoke and are physically weak. The military is much weaker than that of other countries and has little autonomy at all.
The revolutionary army's move to overthrow it and start banning smoking may be a good start.
Smoker just mentioned it casually, and had no intention of discussing the tense national situation in the Kingdom of Valleran. He turned to ask.
"How is Mr. Zephyr?"
Coles: "Very good, but I am the last class taught by Mr. Zefa. After this year, Mr. Zefa will resign as the chief instructor."
Smoker was speechless for a moment.
He also knew about what happened to Teacher Zefa. Now, when he heard that the teacher who had taught many navy men had resigned, he had a lot of thoughts in his mind.
After a moment, Smoker changed the subject: "Congratulations on being promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral right after graduating from the elite training camp."
Coles shook his head and chuckled, "I am still a little bit of a rear admiral. The navy now needs a benchmark to lead a new navy. I just took advantage of this convenience.
Otherwise, even if I killed a few pirates with bounties of over 100 million in Black Flame City, my rank would only be promoted to brigadier general at best."
Hearing this, Smoker stood up and walked to the window, speaking with a serious expression.
“No, you’re wrong.
The Navy's rank system can be divided into three major sections. The first stage is from recruits to sergeants, representing ordinary to excellent naval soldiers.
The second stage is from warrant officer to brigadier general.
The navy at this stage not only has strong strength, but also has the leadership to lead the navy soldiers to fight.
The third stage is the rank starting from Rear Admiral. Why are there not many naval officers with the rank of Rear Admiral and above
In addition to the difficulty in promotion, it is also because officers starting from the rank of major general have representative significance in the navy.
They have their own responsibilities, some resist powerful pirates, some lead the Grand Line branch, and some are responsible for building naval fortresses...
Every major general-level officer has important responsibilities that the Navy requires him to fulfill.
Like you said, you were promoted to rear admiral because the navy needs you to lead a new situation, but isn't this your advantage
Look at the navy recruits below. After the news of your promotion spread, these recruits trained harder, became more determined, and the number of them joining the navy also increased sharply.
And this is just one Rogue town.
If a 30-year-old major general was promoted, would he be able to create such a scene? Or, could a 25-year-old major general arouse such strong excitement among these people
This is all the result of your promotion to Rear Admiral at the age of 19, so I don't think there is anything wrong with your military rank.
It's not because the situation requires you to be a rear admiral by chance, but because you are the most suitable person for this position."
Coles stood at the window.
Looking at the naval recruits below who were sweating profusely but training with great energy.
Falling into long thought.
Are there responsibilities that general-level naval officers need to take on
Sure enough, nothing is as simple as it seems on the surface.
At this time, after hearing what Smoker said, Coles finally understood the intention of Marshal Warring States to promote him four levels in a row.