CHAPTER 342: CHAPTER 342: THE HONOR OF VICTORY

The French people experienced a transition from sorrow to joy.

Shire’s combat plan was strictly confidential, even the City Defense Headquarters, including Gallieni, were unaware of it.

Therefore, when the 43rd Division was routed by the gas, everyone thought Shire had failed.

At first, some speculated that it was "Mobile Defense": "Shire’s plan was to retreat when the enemy released the gas and counterattack once the gas dissipated, so this was not a failure."

But soon, someone refuted: "That is not ’Mobile Defense,’ it’s a matter of wind speed. Today’s high wind speed caused the gas to quickly spread to the preset defensive position, as far as 3 kilometers, causing everyone to retreat, including the 105th Infantry Regiment."

So people fell silent.

They knew one thing: even Shire and his elite troops couldn’t survive under gas, which meant this battle was lost.

Someone made excuses for Shire:

"Shire has already done his best; this was an accident."

"Yes, that was gas; no one can handle it. At least Shire tried."

"His actions were still brave."

...

However, people couldn’t hide the disappointment and fear on their faces.

They couldn’t help but think: if even Shire can’t handle the gas, it seems that France has no choice but to surrender.

...

In Davaz Town, Camille was quarreling with Dejoka.

"Are you sure Shire is in the City Defense Headquarters and not at the front line?" Camille asked.

She had heard that Shire’s 105th Infantry Regiment had been routed and was missing in the process of resisting the gas attack.

"Of course!" Dejoka answered firmly: "He was at the City Defense Headquarters, being interviewed by reporters in the morning."

As he spoke, Dejoka handed Camille a copy of the Merit Newspaper, which had photos of Shire at the City Defense Headquarters, dated today.

Camille took the newspaper and glanced at it, breathing a quiet sigh of relief.

But then she flipped through the newspaper again and looked up warily at Dejoka: "How do I know this newspaper isn’t ’privately printed’ by you, like last time?"

Dejoka was stunned and explained helplessly: "This is real, Camille; the neighbors all know it. They said it’s a good thing Shire wasn’t on the battlefield, as the 105th Infantry Regiment may have been completely wiped out."

The 105th Infantry Regiment did not retreat with the 43rd Division; the retreating French Soldiers believed they had been left on the battlefield and gassed to death.

Some speculated that the 105th Infantry Regiment did this to cover the main force’s retreat.

"This is an act of heroism; they protected our safety." They expressed their gratitude, but their eyes still showed fear of the gas, and some couldn’t help but tremble.

Camille breathed a sigh of relief.

She knew this wasn’t something to be happy about; the destruction of the 105th Infantry Regiment was still a tragedy, but at least Shire was safe, which was more important than anything.

However, the news soon took a turn; someone outside shouted:

"The 105th Infantry Regiment won, they defeated the Germans and retook the lost ground!"

"Shire was on the battlefield; he personally led the 105th Infantry Regiment to counterattack the enemy under the gas."

"That was not ’Mobile Defense’; they were not afraid of the gas, counterattacking under the threat of death!"

...

Camille was instantly frightened pale, staring at Dejoka with eyes full of anger.

Dejoka, half-mouthed in shock, looked innocently at Camille, this time he was telling the whole truth!

...

France was in an uproar, the true intelligence had not yet been transmitted, and everyone was speculating on how Shire and the 105th Infantry Regiment achieved victory:

"I believe it was Shire’s magic power; his presence on the front fueled the troops’ morale, which led to this victory."

"But even with high morale, they couldn’t withstand the gas."

"Perhaps they attacked at the moment Germany released the gas, when there wasn’t much of it, and it needed time to take effect."

...

Everyone had different ideas.

The common sentiment was admiration for Shire’s heroic act of personally turning the tide of battle, and concern for him and his troops:

"He saved France once again, saving us."

"By God, that was gas; it’s unimaginable that they charged the enemy in the gas."

"Will they suffer aftereffects? I’ve heard many people go blind because of it!"

...

People spontaneously gathered outside the City Defense Headquarters, knowing it was the closest command post to Shire. They hoped Gallieni could provide a definitive statement to assure them of Shire’s safety.

Gallieni did not intend to say much, considering military secrecy, as the war was still ongoing.

But the people continued to stand outside, their numbers growing, unwilling to leave even at lunchtime.

At this moment, a call from Fuxu came.

"Congratulations, General," Fuxu said. "The battle is over, and they have won."

But Gallieni was not interested in this.

"Is Shire safe?" Gallieni asked cautiously.

Although Gallieni knew about the gas masks, he was still worried about Shire’s safety, considering he was fighting deep in enemy-controlled territory.

"Yes," Fuxu replied. "It’s confirmed that Shire is safe. He led the troops in the gas to launch an attack, which was very brave and a model for us to follow!"

Fuxu deliberately emphasized the word "attack."

This victory matched his "attack theory," and praising Shire was indirectly praising himself.

Fuxu then added:

"Two German infantry regiments, after failing to break through, had no choice but to surrender to our army."

"They suffered about two thousand casualties, most of them caused by their own gas."

These two infantry regiments advanced behind the gas, and Shire’s troops suddenly appeared at their rear, occupying the defensive line, leaving them only with the ammunition they carried.

Forced by circumstances, they had to consider using the French Army’s ammunition abandoned in the trenches.

However, the trench was filled with gas, and their makeshift gas cloths quickly lost their effectiveness, resulting in many falling to their own gas.

"The information blockade can be lifted," Fuxu said with reverence. "I think this honor should go to you, General, for telling the French people this good news!"

So, Gallieni stepped onto the balcony, proudly shouting to the anxiously waiting people below:

"It’s true, Shire was on the battlefield. He personally led the 105th Infantry Regiment to counterattack in the gas and achieved victory."

"Shire is safe."

"Because Shire invented a gas mask that effectively resists the gas!"

"With it, we no longer need to fear the enemy’s gas!"

The people were stunned, then suddenly burst into cheers. Some smiled with relief, some embraced each other in celebration, and others were moved to tears!