Alice in the Land of Steam

Chapter 1239 Can I go back first?

Moonlight was like frostbitten silver foil, flowing slowly along the sandbags at the edge of the trench. Mitch sat alone behind a low wall made of ammunition boxes, holding a mottled shell in his palm - picked up from the fortress that had been occupied by the Liberation Front. Mitch didn't know why he brought this shell with him, but his body's reaction was faster than his brain's thinking. When he came to his senses, his fingertips were slightly frostbitten by the blood-soaked brass shell. It was unknown whether the blood stains were from the enemy or Moya, of course, it could also be from someone else.

The night wind swept across the scorched earth, rolling up a few dry weeds. The moonlight stuck to the eyelashes of the young leader, like a group of gray-white moths swarming in. There was a sound of heavy footsteps behind him. Someone approached cautiously, stopped behind the boy, and called his name softly: "Mitch..."

"Kadora," he said to himself without turning back, "I'm thinking about a question."

"what is the problem?"

"Why did Moya insist that he was a lucky man until he died?" Mitch recalled his words and smile at that time, and felt an indescribable pain in his heart. What's the use of being lucky? No matter how lucky a person is, they will eventually die on the battlefield: "Does it really matter to him?"

The battlefield was strangely clean at midnight, and the desolate mountains were filled with the whistling sound of the wind. Even the voice of Mitch asking her was a little unclear. As if to hear his question clearly, or just to be closer to the boy, Kadora climbed over the low wall and sat next to Mitch. She noticed that the scarred magic sword was casually placed aside by its owner, unlike before, when the owner would hold it tightly after every victory, as if there was still endless faith and hatred in his heart that needed to be vented.

Everything that burns with enthusiasm will eventually cool down. Only those who can emit a faint light among the embers are the real hope. Kadora thought for a moment and replied softly, "Maybe what he wants to emphasize is not how lucky he is, but that we are luckier than him."

Mitch heard this and turned to look at the girl: "Because we are still standing here, and he is...dead?"

"It has nothing to do with life and death, Michelle. Some things have nothing to do with life and death." The girl reached out and gently stroked the boy's hair. Her tone was gentle and pious, just like a priest confessing to his believers and guiding the lost lambs: "From wandering alone to knowing the reason for fighting; from silently supporting oneself to relying on each other; never feared the war before it started, never had the idea of ​​escaping after the war started, and when the war ended, we could still eat enough and sleep well... Thinking about it this way, we may be really lucky, Michelle."

Mickey is lucky, Kadora is lucky, and those who have died, such as Moya, Sieg, Chris and others, are all lucky. The only misfortune is the war, but the misfortune of war should not be a reason to blame yourself, because you have worked hard enough.

Is this what Moya wanted to express?

Mitch always felt that the free-spirited guy would not think so deeply. Maybe he just wanted to play a joke on himself and everyone before he died? But anyway, Kadora's comfort did make him feel better. He carefully put away the shell and decided to use it as a talisman when he returned. If one day, the same type of bullet passed through his body, but "luckily" did not hit any vital parts, then, could he say the same words to his companions with a smile like Moya did?

The future is uncertain, but precisely because it is uncertain, it cannot be denied.

Cadora looked at this scene, her brows couldn't help but curved, and two cute dimples appeared on her cheeks. She knew that Mitch had cheered up. Boys of this age are always so easily confused, but always so easy to cheer up, so he would become the leader of the Boys' Army, instead of herself or anyone else.

It's time to go back so that others won't worry.

The girl was about to open her mouth to make a suggestion when they heard footsteps behind them. They were all very familiar with the owner of these footsteps. He was supposed to be in charge of the situation in the newly recaptured mineral town of Lostra, but for some reason he appeared here.

"Mitch, Kadora." He called to the two, "So you are here."

"Brother Carson?" Mitch was surprised. "How could you--"

"That's what I wanted to ask as well." Grayhill Eagle stopped and said, "Winning this battle is only the first step. There are still many things to deal with after we recapture Lostra Town. Regina is extremely busy and wanted to ask you for help, but couldn't find anyone. I was worried that something had happened to you, so I came to check on you. But it seems that I don't need to worry about you anymore?"

He looked at Kadora, then at Mitch, and couldn't help laughing: "It seems that after Kadora became a follower of the goddess, she also learned the pastor's counseling. In Mr. Ling's words, this is called... psychological counseling?"

Mitch was embarrassed when he heard this, but Kadora said seriously: "Mitch is very strong. Even without my help, he can figure it out on his own."

Although Kadora's original intention was to praise him, for some reason, it made the boy even more embarrassed. He secretly glanced at Gray Hill Eagle and thought that he was not strong enough, at least not as strong as Brother Carson. He heard from many people that Gray Hill Eagle performed bravely on the battlefield, blocking the enemy's bombardment with his own strength, and successfully raided the rear. When the enemy was panicked, he broke into the enemy's formation alone and destroyed all the enemy's magic turrets and position devices, laying the foundation for his victory.

Moreover, in this war, Brother Carson also lost many close comrades, companions who lived together day and night, and like-minded friends. But he never showed his sadness, and always kept those weak emotions in his heart, but that was not because he was cold-blooded, but because he knew how heavy the mission and responsibility on his shoulders were. In the eyes of others, he was always so strong, so firm, and so unshakable. A man like this is truly strong, and he is the kind of leader that Mitch wants to be.

However, Mitch suddenly thought, does being strong mean hiding everything and not letting others know?
He was a little confused again.

Kadora glanced at him. Although he saw through the boy's thoughts, he did not expose them. Instead, he asked the Gray Hill Eagle: "Sister Regina, is there anything we can help you with?"

"Well, all kinds of things. Counting casualties, taking inventory of supplies, collecting prisoners of war, and... preparing for a celebration banquet."

The last sentence surprised the two, but they also felt that it was expected. After winning such a great victory, the big rock that had been weighing on the Liberators' Front could finally be put down. Whether it was to celebrate the victory or to boost everyone's morale, it was necessary to hold a celebration banquet.

Mitch certainly understood this truth, and he also knew that holding a celebration banquet did not mean that everyone had forgotten those who died in the war. On the contrary, inheriting their will and continuing to move forward with firm belief and high confidence was the best way to pay tribute to the dead. But understanding is one thing, and being able to accept it with peace of mind is another.

At least he felt that he might not be able to smile at the celebration party.

If I look miserable, it will be a big disappointment to my companions who have finally won the victory after fighting desperately.

He sighed silently.

Carson Borg looked at him quietly for a while, as if he saw through the boy's struggle. He suddenly asked, "Don't you want to attend the celebration party, Mitch?"

The boy didn't expect Grayhill Eagle to directly point out his little thoughts. He hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded and admitted it. However, he didn't tell him the reason why he didn't want to attend the celebration banquet. The boy believed that even if he didn't say it, Grayhill Eagle would understand.

As expected, Carson Borg did not continue to ask questions, but showed a thoughtful look. He knew that Mitch, or rather, the members of the Boys' Army, were all children with delicate minds. Delicate minds also mean sensitivity, and they are always easily influenced by things in the outside world. In the past, the Boys' Army only participated in some simple tasks. Although there were casualties, they were not serious, so they did not have such a deep understanding of the inevitable connection between war and death. And this fierce battle tonight taught them a new lesson. Although I don't know how much these children can learn from it, it still takes some time to adapt.

Time, what the Liberators' Front lacked the most, was time. However, Grayhill Eagle felt that no matter how scarce it was, he could not take away what belonged to the children.

and so.

"If you don't want to participate, then don't participate." He smiled and said to Mitch: "I will give you another task, Mitch."

Mitch looked up and asked blankly, "What mission?"

Isn't the battle over?

"It has nothing to do with the battle." Grayhill Eagle explained, "It's about those who died in the battle. Our people are collecting the remains of the dead on the battlefield. Due to limited conditions, they cannot be buried decently and can only be cremated first. As for the ashes after cremation, some will be sent back to their hometowns according to their wishes before their death; but some people did not leave any instructions, and we have no way of knowing where their relatives and hometowns are. In any case, we have to find a resting place for them. Mitch, do you know where I wanted to bury them at the beginning?"

Mitch shook his head.

"Black Forest." Gray Hill Eagle uttered an unexpected place name.

But if you think about it carefully, you will feel that there is really no other place more suitable than it. The Black Forest is the symbol of the Ansus region, and it is the root of why it is called the Ash Hill Land. Even in the eyes of outsiders, the Black Forest is equal to the Ash Hill, and the two are inseparable. Burying the dead in the Black Forest may also symbolize that the souls of these people will always be connected to the ashes under their feet, and will always be placed on this land that haunts their souls.

But, Katzenberg said, that was the original idea.

"What about now?" Kadora asked, "Have you changed your mind, Brother Carson?"

"Well, I think they deserve a better home."

"Where?" Mitch couldn't help but ask. He couldn't think of a more suitable place than the Black Forest.

Grayhill Eagle slowly raised his head and looked into the night sky in the distance, which was also the direction of the Black Forest. However, what he saw was a land full of vitality and hope that was incompatible with the dark and corrupt ash forest. "I want to... entrust them to Mr. Ling. If it is him, perhaps he can help the souls of these dead soldiers to gain true peace."

Mitch was stunned for a moment. He wanted to say that Tianxin Church didn't have a cemetery. But he didn't know what he remembered, and his mouth slowly closed again, because he suddenly thought that if he could be buried on that land, Moya and the others would be happy, right? Apart from the increasingly distant childhood memories, it was the only place where wanderers could feel the warmth of home again.

I just don’t know whether Pastor Ling and Metien will agree.

Generally speaking, death is always associated with religion. Believers pray in temples and sleep in cemeteries, which may imply that life and faith are always equally solemn. However, most church cemeteries only accept the remains of believers of their own religion. For them, allowing pagans to be buried in church cemeteries is an absolute blasphemy. Including Moya, the dead in the Liberation Front are not believers of the goddess.

Only Katara was.

"Don't worry." Kadora's voice sounded quietly beside his ear: "They will definitely agree."

Because in the eyes of the goddess, there is no difference between believers and pagans. All the creatures in the world, whether material or not, are her children. Since they are her children, how can she refuse their souls to return to her embrace and return to the eternal and peaceful lightless sea?
Kadora's words made Mitch feel a little relieved. He told Grayhill Eagle that he was willing to accept the task and would definitely do it.

The expression on his face was even more determined than when he told him "I will definitely complete the mission" before the war began.

Carson Borg was naturally relieved, but he also made another request to Mitch: "Take Kadora and the others with you, and don't forget to go to Regina to get weapons and ammunition. When the news of our capture of Mineral Town spreads, the 17th Legion will probably respond soon. No matter whether the response is fierce or forbearing, the next battle is always inevitable. Bring more people and weapons, and you will be safer. However, if the enemy is too strong, don't be impulsive, and avoid fighting first, understand?"

They both nodded in agreement.

Give me some meow