Chapter 96: Quit While You're at It

“Boom boom boom”

…

Rockets exploded near “Big Belsa” one after another.

From the outside, there was no way to know whether it hit or not. We only saw “Big Belsa” engulfed in flames and smoke. Several artillerymen were killed or injured, and some were on fire, waving their hands and feet and shouting in the flames.

Charles couldn’t even see what was happening in the aperture of his telescope. “Big Belsa” happened to be in the blind spot of his vision.

After a long time, there was no follow-up. Charles sighed in his heart. After all, it didn’t work. The rockets might not pose a threat to this tough guy, or they could only cause some malfunctions to it, and it only needed simple maintenance to be used again.

Eric, who was on the mission, thought the same. He looked back at "Big Belsa", slapped the cabin hard, and cursed: "Damn it, we need more rockets, come again!"

But he knew that there was no chance. The Germans were prepared. If he came again, he would not only face the interception of German pilots, but also the Maxim guns set up by German infantry at high altitudes. The latter would use dense bullets to prevent him from getting close, otherwise he would be smashed to pieces.

"Boom!"

At this time, there was a loud noise behind him. Eric looked back again and saw that the location of "Big Belsa" had turned into a huge cloud of smoke.

Eric immediately understood what happened and laughed:

"It's a shell, a shell from "Big Belsa"! I detonated its shell!"

"Hehe, little guy! We are so lucky!"

"I really killed it, and it's still alive!"

...

Everyone knew what happened. They were too familiar with the explosion, which was huge and dull, with thunder-like aftertaste.

Antwerp trembled for more than ten days under this sound. No one expected that the final outcome of "Big Belsa" would be to fall under its own shells!

Bessler's face was pale. He was just glad that there might be a chance to save it, but he didn't expect that "Big Belsa" would be broken into pieces in an instant.

The smoke and dust had not yet dissipated, but the gun barrel of "Big Belsa" that was originally raised high could be seen, now drooping to the ground powerlessly, lifeless.

Antwerp cheered again, and people excitedly waved to the plane in the air, their faces full of joy and reverence.

Eric deliberately lowered the fuselage and passed over the heads of the crowd, which set off screams and shouts from the people, and some people even chased after him.

Albert I glanced at General Guise and said, "General, it seems that we don't need to carry out your sneak attack plan, what do you think?"

"Oh, of course, Your Majesty!" General Guise bowed his head and replied.

This should have made General Guise feel relaxed, after all, the target had been blown up and Antwerp was safe, but he still felt great pressure when he answered.

General Guise thought that what Albert I really wanted to say was: Are you really suitable to be the commander of this fortress? Should someone else be replaced?

Albert I said nothing. He put away the telescope and turned to walk down the watchtower. He wanted to continue to be elegant and calm, which was the demeanor that a king should have.

However, after going down a step, Albert I couldn't help but take a big step and soon ran wildly. He couldn't wait to hold Charles' hand and tell him that he had won. He saved the Belgian people again!

Behind Albert I, General Winter whispered to General Guise: "General, it seems that we don't need to hand Charles over to the Germans anymore!"

General Guise said "um" and answered with a little embarrassment: "Of course!"

...

Eric's plane slowly landed on the runway. As soon as he got off the plane, he was lifted up by the cheering people and thrown into the air again and again.

Another biplane and a Dove landed, and Fisher and another pilot got off, and they were also received as heroes.

However, there were only so many people left in the entire squadron. There were eight planes in the battle, and only three returned.

The sacrificed people died tragically and bravely, but people still ignored them.

Eric saw Charles coming over with his guards, so he raised his head and asked, "How did I do, sir?"

"Not bad!" Charles replied, "How about a pot of wine for you?"

Everyone around laughed.

The sound of horse hooves came from far away, and the king's carriage galloped over. It slowed down after entering the airport gate and soon stopped in front of the crowd.

The soldiers lined up to greet him. Albert I jumped off the car excitedly. He was stunned when he saw the soldiers' queue. He quickly put on a stern face and stopped walking. He shook hands with the soldiers majestically and praised them as he walked:

"You are the heroes of Belgium!"

"Well done, I am proud of you!"

"I thank you on behalf of Belgium!"

...

When he walked in front of Charles, Albert I's face relaxed and said, "Can I talk to you, lieutenant?"

"Of course!" Charles replied.

The two did not return to the office, but walked to the side of the airport. The airport was very empty. As long as the guards stopped people in the back, no one would know what the king said to Charles.

"I know this is impossible, but..." Albert I hesitated, but finally spoke: "Can you help me command the Belgian army? I believe the parliament will agree, and the Belgian people!"

"Your Majesty..." Charles was stunned.

"I know, Charles!" Albert I smiled: "You are French, this will be difficult for you! But I will try my best to give you everything you want."

Albert I believed that as long as there was a one in ten thousand chance, it was worth a try.

"You may think so." Albert I continued: "France is winning, but Belgium is still in danger. France can do without you, but Belgium cannot, and the Belgian people cannot either. Belgium is safe with you!"

"No, Your Majesty, I can't do this!" Charles refused very simply.

If Belgium was a country where Albert I could make decisions, Charles might agree. After all, "I will try my best to give you everything you want" is very tempting.

But this is not the case. The parliament controlled by capitalists is the one that really decides national affairs.

In this way, Charles is not safe in Belgium. Because there is always a danger: as long as Charles is handed over to Germany, Germany will not attack Belgium.

This is not a moral or righteous thing, but a relationship of interests between countries, an unsolvable contradiction.

Capitalists everywhere are the same. If Charles continues to stay in Belgium, this contradiction will be intensified one day!

Smart people know when to quit while they are ahead. Charles doesn't want to live in fear. There is no point in that!