Chapter 101 I am telling the truth

It was a sunny day, and the morning sun rose faintly from behind the narrow clouds, revealing bright and soft rays of light, casting a light rose-colored morning glow over the small town of Darvaz.

Laurent drove the car smoothly into the town. Charles sat in the car and looked at the familiar street scenes on both sides and the neighbors waving hello to him. He felt an inexplicable sense of intimacy.

Simple, friendly, quiet, peaceful...

Ciel has become accustomed to having all this, just like he is accustomed to the air but cannot feel its existence and does not know its value.

However, when Charles returned from Antwerp, he realized that not everyone takes it for granted.

The car slowly stopped at the door of the house. Camille stood at the door with a smile and waved to Charles. When he heard the sound of the car, Djoka also came out.

According to usual habits, Camille should have gone shopping for groceries and Djoka should have finished breakfast and gone to the factory, but they knew that Charles would be back at this time, so they were all waiting at home.

Djoka couldn't help but be startled when he saw Ciel getting out of the car, and stared at Ciel's cuffs in confusion.

Charles understood why Djoka had such an expression. He must have noticed an extra golden stripe on the cuffs.

"So!" After Charles approached, Djoka asked in confusion: "You have been here for two days and you have changed from a second lieutenant to a lieutenant?"

"What lieutenant?" Camille, as a woman, should have been more careful, but women are inherently insensitive to military ranks and uniforms. She only had Charles in her eyes and did not notice the change in military rank at all.

"Yes, father!" replied Charles.

They don't know about Belgium yet, and neither does anyone else.

Gallieni implemented controls on the media in the name of "national security."

Yes, it’s “national security”!

In Gallieni's view, the information disclosed by the media may allow the Germans to confirm that Charles is in Antwerp, which will threaten the security of Charles. The security of Charles is the security of France, and it naturally rises to the level of "national security" .

However, now that Ciel is back safely, media controls will be lifted.

When Charles left the headquarters, Gallieni told Charles: "Your parents will know these things sooner or later, so it is best for you to tell them in person! If necessary, I can explain to them over the phone..."

Gallieni felt that this was what he should do. After all, the person was lost in his hands, and there was no doubt that he was ultimately responsible.

Although Charles is now safe and sound, Gallieni feels he owes him and his family an explanation.

"No need, General!" Charles replied: "I will solve it. This has nothing to do with you. No one would have thought that such a thing would happen!"

Gallieni nodded happily. Fortunately, nothing happened to the little guy, otherwise Gallieni would never forgive himself for the rest of his life!

Then Gallieni laughed again. What could happen to this little clever guy? No matter where he goes, the unlucky ones are always his enemies!

Charles followed Djorka and sat at the dining table, where there were breakfast prepared by Camille and apples that Charles loved to eat.

"Tell me what's going on?" Djorka raised his head towards the rank on Charles's sleeves: "As far as I know, promotion from second lieutenant to lieutenant is usually calculated in years, or it is because of meritorious service or merit. What?"

Camille became nervous instantly. She also noticed Ciel's fatigue: "They won't let you stay up late, right? Or is it training?"

"No!" Charles shook his head: "I just went to Antwerp to help them defeat the Germans! That's it!"

Ciel tells the truth, it will be exposed sooner or later, so it is better to be honest and be lenient!

Djoka and Camille were stunned for a moment, looked at each other and then laughed in unison.

"If that's the case!" Djorka said, "They shouldn't have promoted you to lieutenant, but to major or even colonel!"

"When did you become humorous?" Camille walked to the kitchen with a smile, and handed Charles a fork when he came back: "In this case, reward yourself with more food, because you helped the Belgians defeat the Germans!"

"I also got a medal, Mom!" Ciel added: "The Kingdom Crown Medal!"

The smiles on Djoka and Camille's faces deepened.

Camille turned her head with a "hmm", and decided to cooperate with Ciel's performance: "So, where is the medal, can I see it?"

"This..." Charles replied awkwardly: "Unfortunately, I left it there when I escaped from Antwerp!"

Djoka laughed: "Didn't you say you defeated the Germans? Why did you escape again?"

Camille fondly touched Charles's thick and soft hair and explained: "Don't talk nonsense outside. You know, those reporters always want to make some articles about you, and your statement will be sent to them." Excellent material!”

Charles breathed a sigh of relief: "If you think so, I'll be relieved!"

Djoka smiled knowingly: "You are already here, what else can you worry about..."

Before he finished speaking, more than a dozen cars suddenly rushed outside the door. There was a sudden sound of braking. Dozens of reporters jumped out of the cars and rushed into the house like soldiers in battle. They took pictures without explanation with portable cameras, mouthing. Li rushed to ask a series of questions to Ciel:

"Mr. Charles, can you give us an overview of the Battle of Antwerp?"

"They said you saved Antwerp and blew up three Big Bertha heavy guns. Is that true?"

"You also invented an airplane cannon that shot down the German airship. Can you tell me what kind of cannon it is? Why can it be used on an airplane?"

...

Dejoka and Camille were stunned.

After a long while, Camille exclaimed: "God, this is true! Everything he said is true!"

Camille quickly turned his eyes to Charles: "Did they send you to the battlefield? To Antwerp?"

"I just said it..." Charles replied.

"The parliament clearly said that there would be no such thing!" Camille interrupted Charles angrily: "You are only seventeen years old, they tricked you into the army, and now they tricked you into the battlefield!"

"This is an accident..." Charles defended.

However, no matter how Charles explained, it was useless. Camille had already picked up a broom and started to drive away the reporters.

Charles took this opportunity to quickly escape upstairs, got into his bedroom and closed the door.

Camille's voice came from downstairs: "Charles, you should explain it clearly!"

"I'm tired, mother!" Charles replied.

Camille was already walking up the stairs with her skirt lifted, but she suddenly stopped when she heard this.

Djoka advised from behind: "Charles fought for two days, Camille, and heard that he blew up the 'Big Belsa' and shot down the airship. He finally escaped back... Shouldn't we let him rest for a while?"

Camille hesitated, but finally turned back and walked down the stairs angrily.

Djoka comforted: "The important thing is that Charles is here, he has returned..."

"You can't just let it go!" Camille interrupted Djoka: "They violated the decision of the parliament. If we don't resist, there will be a next time!"

(The picture above shows the Leica portable camera, invented in 1913, weighing more than 500 grams)