HBWnovel Chapter 1718 What is Glory?
Chapter 1718 What is Glory?
"Are you a member of the Royal Guard?"
Two young men approached and asked Freistheim with expectant looks.
Fleschheim had just ordered a beer and hadn't even sat down when he saw two young men walking towards him. Listening to what the two young men were saying, Fleschheim nodded silently.
The two young people instantly became excited.
"I heard the Royal Guard is besieging Baroquelie? And I just saw another Royal Guard unit arrive on the battlefield. It's only a matter of time before Baroquelie is destroyed!"
A young man who looked refined began to speak, his eyes filled with a longing for war.
Fleschheim frowned slightly, because he sensed that the man before him had a certain fondness for war.
War is no good thing.
Fleischäm was initially a warmonger, but he later realized that war was not a good thing.
Back when my brother was a company commander, his company had more than 200 people.
To this day, those of them who are still alive hold a reunion every year.
William was in charge of organizing the party.
But in reality, only about 20 people were able to attend the gathering. That's right, of the original company, only about 20 people remain today.
Moreover, even the worst performer among them rose to the rank of second-class sergeant major.
Most people chose to become officers, while only a small number chose to specialize in being soldiers and become elite soldiers.
The worst-performing officer was a lieutenant colonel.
There's no way around it; those who survived to this day are all exceptional individuals.
Some chose to retire, while others stayed to continue their development.
The reason is simple: they've discovered that the overall environment is not good anymore.
Most of those who retired were either wounded or simply tired of the war.
William also showed respect to these retired veterans, after all, they were his comrades-in-arms.
They were basically the same people who had dodged bullets with me in the trenches back then.
In just five years, William rose from a private to a general.
Of course, the rank of general was only the upper limit for the commander of the Royal Guard, not William's.
William's achievements were far fewer than those of Gudari.
Therefore, Cadis chose to place William in the position of Commander of the Guards for a few years to gain experience and seniority before finally promoting him.
Navy, Army, Air Force, Space Force, Airborne Force, and Missile Force.
The original plan was to have 6 marshals and 12 generals.
These six armies are legitimate national armies, which is why they have six marshals.
The Imperial Guard, however, was independent of other armies.
Ostensibly under state control, but in reality Lyon's private army.
As for the 12 generals, they were reserved for those with seniority.
The position of marshal cannot be given to someone who is incompetent.
However, the title of "general" is somewhat questionable.
The entire national defense force system is roughly like this.
The marshal is the brains, the general is the face, and the lieutenant general is the one who actually does the work.
Major generals are the backbone of the force.
Marshals like Cadis directly commanded the battles, while the generals mostly served as mascots.
There's nothing we can do about it; when Lyon was forming its national defense force, everyone contributed.
Inside the tavern.
Seeing that Fleschheim was somewhat resistant, the two of them immediately became unhappy, as it was late spring and still a bit chilly.
Fleischstein happened to be wearing a military overcoat.
The Guards' overcoats are still the old model, without any rank insignia or markings on the outside.
Fleschheim's overcoat just covered his rank insignia, while a medal hung on his chest.
This medal is one that Fleschheim and many other officers wear.
A Great Yan Guardian Medal.
Soldiers who participated in those horrific wars would almost always receive this medal.
For example, the Battle of the Elven Empire's capital, or the Battle of Lyongrad.
These medals are small in size and are a symbol of status for many soldiers.
Officers, in particular, really liked wearing this medal.
Therefore, the two young men assumed that the man in front of them did not have many achievements.
Another young man, even more impatient, went straight up and spoke.
"Sir, what was the meaning of your expression just now? As a soldier, you shouldn't be afraid of war!"
Hearing the young man's words, Freistheim almost lost his composure.
What do you mean I shouldn't be afraid of war? Please, do you even know how to write the word "war"?
"Didn't your families teach you what humility is?"
Besides, you two only look about sixteen or seventeen years old. When I was fighting, you two were still playing in the mud!
And do you really think war is a good thing?
After listening to Fleschheim's words, the two fell silent.
One of the young men spoke up and retorted.
"Why isn't war a good thing? We can gain unparalleled glory! If I could go to the battlefield, I would certainly earn more merit than you!"
Upon hearing this, Fleschmann slammed his fist on the table, startling the waitress who was carrying a beer.
After realizing he had frightened ordinary people, Fleschmann immediately apologized.
"Excuse me, waitress, I startled you. This is a tip. I was just disciplining those two kids."
After saying this, Fleschmann handed the waiter a few copper coins and took the beer himself.
After placing the beer on the table, Fleschheim calmed himself down and looked at the two frightened men in front of him before speaking.
"You say war is a good thing? But do you even know what war really is?"
War is not child's play, nor does it mean that you can kill people just by taking a gun to the battlefield.
Many times when you go to the battlefield, you are just cannon fodder. In our country, at least you are still a human being, but what about in those other countries?
You're just cannon fodder, you're not even cannon fodder!
In the eyes of those noble lords, all they need to do is bestow a few medals and give you a little bit of meager treatment, and you'll be able to die for them with a clear conscience.
This is what a low-ranking soldier looks like.
The war was won; the nobles gained land, the rulers gained prestige, but what about the ordinary people? They only received the urns containing the ashes of their husbands or children!
Yes, there may be war heroes, but many more are buried far from home!
In our country, you are treated like a human being. Even if you go to fill in the gaps, you will receive countless fire support.
But what about other countries? Cannon fodder is just cannon fodder!
In your eyes, participating in war can bring you supreme glory, but I want to ask you, what is glory?
Is it those medals, the praise from others, or the admiring gaze?
What is honor? I'll give you five minutes to answer this question. If you can answer it, I won't stop you from joining the army..."
Hearing what Fristein said, the two exchanged a glance, their expressions gradually becoming serious.