readytorunbook Chapter 351 I Have Never Forgotten
Chapter 351 I Have Never Forgotten
People have many different opinions about Alice. Since her return, everyone has been thinking about that era, that era of boundless hope, an era where the future seemed within reach. In just a few years, the collective name "humanity," which encompassed many races, was born. The power of industry rose from the ground, and the application of magic became even more brilliant. People began to examine themselves and events, giving birth to the first realism. The rational age, which was not blinded by the preaching of the church or the claims of monarchs, transformed the civilization on this planet into what it is today.
People certainly won't forget that Alice brought all this to the world, but now, some question Alice: does she still remember these things? Has she changed? Or has she actually already left? Is the person standing here today truly her, or just a deceitful scoundrel?
Charles Dessler shared this question. He graduated from the Trian Military Academy founded by Alice, distinguished himself in foreign wars, and advocated a tough stance against the enemy, which led to his current position and status as Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Theater.
The voice standing in front of him was so similar, but he knew he had to open his eyes wide to see; he couldn't be mistaken.
"I heard you've returned from Colombia, Miss Alice?"
"Of course, Mr. Desler, I participated in the Colombian revolution. For Colombians, civil war was inevitable. Society was so divided that even if someone raised their arms and called for unity, there would be no response. Even if peace advocates gathered, it would only add a new contender to the civil war. Peace will never come from calls, but will be won with iron and blood. As a soldier, you know this better than I do."
Alice crossed her arms, her silver hair flowing naturally, as if it were meant to be that smooth. Charles couldn't help but think back to his first day at school, when he was just a cadet, the day Alice gave her speech as honorary principal—
Peace will never come from the cries of the weak; only the deterrence of iron and blood can bring peace.
People often judge a person's inclinations by their appearance, but Alice Delalaye, with her delicate and charming face, has always been a major radical and hawk.
In her eyes, the means of iron and blood were the primary and most important methods of action.
Charles Dessler saw it all – now that the Amelia government had dissolved and the president and his cabinet were missing, Alice could easily go south and, given her status, be hailed as president immediately – but if she did that, she wouldn't be herself.
She rallied the people in the North, calling them to join her cause and establishing the Northwest People's Corps of Amelan. Millions of men and women took up arms, quickly more than doubling the strength of the North's defenses. Coupled with the continuous arrival of "international brigades," he realized that Alice was planning an operation.
She sat down in front of herself, trying to gain the cooperation of the Northern regular army. After all, those who joined Alice, although composed of a large number of reservists, retired soldiers, and ordinary citizens, had not been incorporated into the military system of the Northwest War Zone of Amelan.
Alice's intention in coming today was very clear: she wanted to ask him, Charles Desler, whether he wanted to fight or not. If he didn't, then Alice would fight against the Lucy Empire alone. If they did fight, the two sides would have to cooperate closely.
Charles knew that although Alice had great prestige and power, she valued rules. The rules of the army were those of the "national army" that she had created herself, and she tried her best not to break them, but to start anew. This was a very clever tactic. On the one hand, Alice's prestige meant that there was no resistance to her doing this, and even if someone opposed her, it would be difficult to stop her in action. Wherever Alice went, the people spontaneously formed militias to respond.
While the center of the entire Northern Theater Command—Hilla Port—seems to still be under the control of the military, it has long been Alice's domain. The Hilla Naval Shipyard, an important military facility in Hilla Port, has been her supporter since Alice's time. And Admiral Yug Latto has long since taken control of all the key facilities in Hilla Port with his men. No matter what Charles Desler is like, his power in the military is not as great as these veterans.
While Ciel Dessler may seem to have two choices, he actually only has one – Alice respects him because, so far, Ciel Dessler has at least not shown any dissatisfaction with Alice, and what they are doing is actually the same thing.
So when Alice sat down in front of him, Charles Desler immediately followed her lead—he nodded, sat down behind the table, and said, “Of course, of course, Your Excellency Alice, the people of Amelansi have only one choice, and that is to resist those ambitious men and self-important emperors of Saint Yekaterburg!”
"We have already mobilized our troops and are ready to fight a brilliant battle."
Alice produced an offensive plan, a series of interconnected steps. First, 15 to 20 divisions would be assembled on the Hilla side to launch a feint attack on Whiterun. Then, 10 regular divisions from the east, along with 9 newly formed People's Legions, and forces from the Don Republic and the Donavian People's Republic, would launch a regular offensive in the Lasvia region to first break the momentum of the Lasvia Empire and prevent it from joining the battle.
Following this, the forces of both sides will head straight for Trian, which has formed a huge salient in front of them—this is the third phase, known as the Battle of the Bulge.
Trian's Imperial Covenant forces assembled their best troops, but given Trian's importance, the Amerlancy forces did not construct defensive lines within the city, and the fighting did not extend to the city where Alice had declared the founding of the Amerlancy Federal Republic.
The city's occupation by enemy forces was a huge blow to morale for Amelansi. Although the NASA Joint Research Complex, the National Union University of Triansi, and the Polytechnic University of Triansi had all evacuated to the south before the war, a large amount of scientific and technological and cultural treasures remained in Triansi, including the Trian Red House, which legally still belonged to Alice. Alicia's maid Angela was still cleaning the Red House, and Empress Catherine had ordered that troops not enter the Red House. Although the building is now not only the home of Alice and Alicia, but also the location of Triansi's administrative offices.
"I wonder how the birch trees in Trian are doing now."
Alice sighed softly, and Charles Desler caught a fleeting glimpse of Alice's emotion—Amelia, she couldn't even protect Alice's home, how could one not feel sorry for her?