Arc of Fire

Chapter 60

As everyone silently watched the opposite platform, Vasily suddenly shouted: "Filippov, start the drum!"

Wang Zhong was shocked - how did this troublemaker have another trick up his sleeve? Drumming?

He looked at Vasily - the guy was exceptionally tall, standing a full head above even the already tall cadets, clearly visible across the formation.

And that Filippov actually obeyed, taking down the marching drum from his back and starting to play.

The drumbeat alone didn't reveal the song, but Vasily immediately began singing:

"We march on distant roads~

"Soldiers, look ahead!"

Wang Zhong instantly recognized it - this was "Departure," but wasn't this a 1950s-60s era song?

The other cadets immediately joined in singing:

"Regimental banners fly high in the wind, commanders lead at the front!"

Then came the song's signature section - the Ant language "departure" sounded like a "bang" made with the mouth. The brilliance was how it repeatedly used "departure" to sound like drumbeats or artillery fire.

"Soldiers, depart! Depart! Depart!"

With each "departure," the cadets began swaying in unison as if marching in step.

The chorus suddenly shifted from "natural minor" to "major," creating an uplifting sensation:

"My dear girl

"I'll write you letters along the way!

"Hear the bugle's call, soldiers, depart!"

Railway workers washing blood off the opposite platform stopped to watch across the tracks.

Even the barely alive severely wounded soldiers seemed to rally, straining to look.

Yegorov joined the singing:

"Every soldier brave and young,

"Eyes sharp like eagles!

"We all share supreme glory

"For great deeds done in battle!"

Only then did Wang Zhong snap out of his shock. Infected by the youths' vitality and fearless courage, he loudly sang along: "Soldiers, depart! Depart! Depart! My dear I'll write you, letters along the way! Hear the bugle's call, soldiers, depart!"

As the first verse ended, Vasily whistled sharply, the high-pitched sound mocking the storm like a storm petrel's cry!

As the second verse began, a troop transport train arrived, its engineer staring in amazement at the soldiers swaying in perfect rhythm.

After the anti-air car passed, countless young faces in the boxcars looked out, joining the loud singing.

"Soldiers, depart! Depart! Depart!

"My dear I'll write you, letters along the way!

"Hear the bugle's call, soldiers, depart!"

In the massive chorus, even the train seemed to speed up!

Only one thought came to Wang Zhong: There's only one true heroism in the world - to love life after recognizing its truth.

And only one true heroism on the battlefield - to march out after recognizing its horrors.

He paced the platform, each step perfectly timed.

When the song finally ended, Wang Zhong said: "Vasily, for breaking formation discipline - toilet duty today. The drummer joins you."

"Huh?" Vasily protested loudly, "Didn't I boost morale?"

Wang Zhong: "That's why you're not confined. But rules are rules. Remember - after lights out, and carry the waste buckets to the manure pit."

Then Bishop Popov approached: "Don't steal my job."

He turned to Vasily: "Morale boosting is commendable, but discipline matters. After lights out, clean all toilets and carry waste to the manure pit."

How the hell was this different from my order!

Before Wang Zhong could complain, Popov turned to the special priest holding the Guards flag: "Give me the flag. This unit needs no formalities - they've earned it."

Yegorov immediately protested: "The rookies have spirit, but my veterans have more! And they fought for that flag!"

Wang Zhong: "Same difference. Give it here."

Popov took the flag, tilting the pole to fully unfurl it.

White background with Saint Andrew's Cross, plus the double-headed eagle, "31" designation, and infantry insignia.

Honestly, Wang Zhong found the flag underwhelming - the eagle was grand but... well, folded, it resembled a white flag.

He voiced this thought.

Vasily: "Pfft."

Wang Zhong: "Want another day of toilet duty?"

The troublemaker immediately straightened up, chin high.

Yegorov: "Could be worse. At least Saint Andrew's Cross is blue. Carolingian flags are truly white."

Pavlov frowned: "Theirs have silver fleur-de-lis - just hard to see from afar."

Grumbling aside, Wang Zhong accepted the flag for Yegorov.

Then he realized - he didn't know the protocol, having never seen this ceremony.

Just hand it to Yegorov?

As he hesitated, Popov said: "Present it to the flag bearer. If none exists, appoint one."

Wang Zhong's first glance went to Vasily, whose eyes lit up.

In theory, Vasily was tallest - back in school drills, the tallest always led as flag bearer.

But he hesitated.

Do flag bearers die easily?

Finally, Wang Zhong gave the flag to the second-tallest - Zakayev.

Vasily: "Why not me?"

Wang Zhong: "Want extra toilet duty? Shut it."

Then Wang Zhong turned to the cadet leader: "Form up! Prepare to return to base."

"Yes, Brigadier General! Company! Eyes right!"

----

At base, veterans lounged on the drill ground when someone came running: "They're back! With the Bishop and a bunch of rookies! Fall in!"

Cigarettes were stubbed out as the veterans formed up in under a minute.

The sentry at the gate raised the barrier bar, presenting arms.

A tall rookie led with the Guards flag, followed by four columns of new recruits.

Watching their precise steps, veterans muttered: "That drill - these are rookies?"

"Maybe did reserve service."

"At least we won't teach marching."

"Why they still got bolt-actions? Where's the Tokarevs?"

"No capes either!"

"Quiet!" barked the only uninjured ex-squad leader now Sergeant Major, "Shut it!"

Moments later, the cadets halted before the veterans, turning left in perfect unison to face them.

Brigadier General Alexei Konstantinovich Rokosov stepped between the groups: "These are our replacements. Veterans - you're all squad leaders now. I'll assign each rookie personally! Sound off when called!"

----

Thirty minutes later, the sole remaining rookie Vasily looked admiringly at Wang Zhong: "You really memorized all our names?"

Wang Zhong thought: Not really, I cheated - but I definitely remember you.

"Yes," he shamelessly admitted, "I said I'd remember you all - every fallen comrade. That's my duty."

Vasily nodded: "Then... which 'veteran sergeant' gets me?"

Wang Zhong: "Troublemaker like you? I'd trust no one else. Grishka!"

Grishka was Grigori's nickname.

Sergeant Major Grigori stepped forward: "Here!"

Wang Zhong: "You'll whip him into shape. Teach him battlefield survival before combat."

Alliance Leader Zuan Arts Champion Bonus Chapter. See you tonight.

(End of Chapter)