Battlefield Priest's Diary

Chapter 35 I'm Here to Take You Home

When the two met, the black-haired priest was standing by the window.

Pushing open the wooden window, the black-haired priest gazed at the clouds in the sky, reaching his hand out of the window, the cross wrapped around his wrist swaying in the wind like a wind chime.

"Ahem!" The general coughed lightly, breaking the silence in the room.

"Father Pugin, are you doing some kind of divination?"

"It's just a little habit from the past. I liked windy weather when I was little." Qin Hao smiled slightly and turned around.

"Sir, are you preparing to withdraw your troops?"

Lenningkamp's expression froze for a moment, but he quickly recovered. "Yes, Father, our next step will be to adjust our strategy and move eastward. If you wish, you can take the train back to St. Petersburg."

After saying this, Lenningkamp stared intently into the eyes of the Easterner in front of him, trying to find clues about the other's emotional fluctuations.

Your Excellency remains wary of this fellow whose origins are not fully verifiable, yet whose "predictions" always come true.

Unlike those illiterate soldiers, Lenningkamp, ​​who came from a noble family, had a far broader perspective than the average person of his time.

When rural farmers were swindled out of their offerings and even their wives and children by one prophet after another, the mystical masters they had encountered were at least more than two hands' worth.

Mysticism has flourished in the Russian royal family for over a decade, spearheaded by the Tsar and Tsarina themselves.

Leaving aside others, more than ten years ago, the Winter Palace was thrown into chaos because the Empress wanted to have a prince. He had met several "prophets" and "masters" who were received by His Majesty the Emperor. (Basically, each of them also served as a savior of children.)
In the general's view, there are only three possibilities regarding the identity of this Asian priest.

First, just as he said, he was an ascetic monk introduced by that clumsy bear Samsonov.

Secondly, like several of his predecessors in the palace, he attempted to create some incredible magic tricks as a stepping stone to a prestigious status and wealth.

Of course, another possibility cannot be ruled out: this person may be a spy for some purpose, which is why he possesses so much secret information.

If he were in one of the latter two roles, he would definitely agree to go to St. Petersburg, because only in that way could he gain access to the Russian high command and maximize his interests.

If that's the case, he wouldn't mind taking this guy under control.

But the next second, the other party smiled and said, "Sir, would you be surprised if I said I wanted to stay?"

"Stay? Are you sure?!" The general could no longer hide his surprise. Could it be that his previous guesses were wrong? Was this person really an ascetic? A hermit?

“Yes, I’m sure.” The black-haired priest bowed slightly. “Suffering and thorns have always been part of my spiritual practice. It is through them that I can hear the voice of the Lord more clearly.”

Lenningkamp thought for a moment and nodded. "So, what are your requirements?"

“First, I want to go back to those soldiers. I brought them from the other side of the river, and I also hope to bring them back to their hometown,” the black-haired priest said with righteous indignation.

“That’s no problem. Considering your and this unit’s special circumstances, I won’t send any other commanders.” The general readily did him a favor.

"My soldiers are short of weapons."

"I'll have the quartermaster prepare it. You can pick whatever you want from the armory that you can't take with you."

"The soldiers also need supplies."

"We'll provide you with the highest standard configuration."

"We're leaving the day after tomorrow. If you change your mind, please let me know."

……

Half an hour later, Lenningkamp left with his men. His adjutant whispered to him, "Your Excellency, haven't you been too lenient with this priest? Not only did you allow a clergyman to participate in command, but you also granted him the privilege of independent action. I really don't understand... I apologize, I have overstepped my bounds."

The subordinate bowed his head in apology, but the general waved his hand without explanation. He looked at the houses in the distance and muttered to himself.

"I've given you what you wanted. Let me see if you're really a prophet or just a big-time fraudster!"
-
On August 29, 1914, the Russian Second Army, which was surrounded by German forces, was annihilated, and its commander, Samsonov, committed suicide.

Three days later, the German 8th Army was quickly moved north, while the Western Guards Reserve, the 11th Corps and the 8th Cavalry Division were mobilized to reinforce the Eastern Front, and the left and right flanks were used to continue to encircle and annihilate the Russian 1st Army.

On the 9th, the German First Army broke through the Russian left flank positions. Upon realizing the risk of encirclement, the commander of the Russian First Army, Renningkamp, ​​ordered a full retreat towards the east bank of the Neman River. (Russian army camp)

The soldiers haphazardly carried their belongings, preparing to retreat. The wagons, carrying groaning wounded soldiers, creaked and groaned as they struggled forward. The staff officers lit braziers to burn the documents they couldn't take with them.

The Russian army camps were in a state of chaos and busy activity, but there was one place that was deathly silent.

Boom! !

A fist slammed heavily on the table.

"You're leaving us behind to hold them off?!"

"There are over 100,000 Germans! These officials clearly want us dead!"

"We quit! We'll go back ourselves!" someone angrily threw their military cap on the table, saying this in a fit of pique.

"What do you think our two divisions are for? If we try to escape, their guns will be faster than the Germans'," someone said, pouring cold water on our hopes.

"Does anyone know where the priest is? He must have a way." Someone finally asked the question.

It was like pouring cold water into a boiling pot; the chaotic scene instantly quieted down, and everyone seemed to subconsciously avoid that name.

"Don't even think about it, the priest probably went back with the others," someone said in a muffled voice.

“Liar!” “I don’t believe it!” “The priest won’t abandon us!” Other voices immediately objected.

“It’s true. I saw the priest talking to the high-ranking official for a long time and even packing his luggage,” the guy continued.

“Damn it! Did he abandon us? What are we anyway…” someone said, looking dejected.

“Wake up! He’s not one of us. They won’t stand with us in our misery.” A newcomer to the camp said to the person next to him, “None of these lords are good, and that guy is no exception. I think we should have…”

Suddenly, the man noticed that the view in front of him had risen.

A burly man grabbed his collar, and a bowl of food on the table shattered on the floor with a crash, scattering potatoes everywhere.

Vasily, the former carpenter, didn't say a word, but angrily raised his fist.

The situation nearly spiraled out of control, with the soldiers almost coming to blows with each other.

Bang!
Someone took his hand.

“Vasily, didn’t I tell you? Don’t throw a punch outside of the battlefield.” A voice with a distinctive accent rang out, and a figure with black hair and a black robe stood to the side.

Everyone turned around at the same time, their eyes filled with disbelief.

The all-powerful man is back!
The priest in black bent down, picked up the potato from the ground, wiped it casually on his clothes, and took a bite.

"I regret that I am not a soldier, but Your Excellency's orders cannot be disobeyed."

"But coincidentally, I am a priest, and if I want to stay here, no one can stop me."

"Pavka! Give me the gun!" Qin Hao shouted as he turned around.

"Yes, Father!" The veteran pulled a Mosin-Nagant from his side and handed it to him with both hands.

With a gun in his right hand and a cross in his left, Qin Hao jumped onto a box and waved his hand down, as if casting a silencing spell. The chaotic crowd below instantly fell silent.

The priest in black robes gave a very brief speech, consisting of only two sentences.

"I am back!"

"I've come to take you all home!"

The next second, cheers erupted throughout the camp!
(End of this chapter)