Chapter 373: Farewell, Julian Arsilo

Charlot Mecklenburg said, “Herolf, go and bring over that Byron sniper and all his belongings.”

Although it wouldn’t take Charlot much effort to go himself, why not make use of the strong labor force of his Golden Ram?

Golden Ram Herolf was visibly displeased but still flew off to retrieve the Byron officer. A middle-aged man, his body was carried over without ceremony.

Charlot picked up the anti-space long-range rifle the officer had been using. After a brief inspection, he couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement. This alchemical rifle had an even greater range than his anti-space long-range rifle and Silver Rhino. The anti-space long-range rifle’s effective range was 3,700 pimi, while the Silver Rhino could reach just over 2,000 pimi. In comparison, this rifle’s range was comparable to his two Red Vipers, each capable of hitting targets up to 4,500 pimi or more. Such a weapon was beyond the capabilities of an ordinary marksman—only a transcendent gunner could wield it effectively.

(For reference, one pimi in the Old Continent’s measurement system equals approximately 1.15 meters on Earth.)

The Byron sniper had fired several shots earlier, and now had only 23 anti-magic armor-piercing rounds left. Charlot estimated that Byron snipers generally carried about 30 rounds, with a few potentially equipped with 50. Carrying more would be unlikely.

The middle-aged officer also had some miscellaneous items on him, but Charlot left them untouched. Following standard wartime protocol, he confiscated them and documented their existence for potential return to the officer's family after the war.

Having secured the anti-magic armor-piercing rounds and the long-range alchemical rifle, Charlot’s thoughts turned to Anastasia. On this mission, he had left his other subordinates behind to manage his territory and brought only the illegitimate daughter of a certain baron. Though Anastasia had once been a second-rank transcendent, years of traveling and battles under Charlot’s guidance had accelerated her growth. Charlot wasn’t entirely sure of her current rank, but regardless of her advancement, being targeted by Byron snipers remained a grave danger.

He didn’t know how many Byron snipers might be lurking in the Red Dragon Strait, but he decided to organize a sweep to eliminate them, preventing them from operating freely.

Charlot summoned the Black Dragon and Silverback Gorilla Choudrou, instructing them to select capable orc warriors. They dispatched 50 to 60 combat teams to scour the area.

That night, Charlot was meditating on Blood Glory when a sudden sense of danger surged in his heart. Grabbing his Red Viper, he leapt to his feet and burst through the window, landing on the streets of Red Cliff City. In the distance, he spotted a young man aiming a long-range alchemical rifle at him.

Lowering the barrel of his Red Viper, Charlot said, “Julian Arsilo, we meet again.”

The Byron prodigy smiled faintly and said, “Do I have to fight you this time?”

Charlot silently holstered his Red Viper, and Julian slung his rifle onto his back. “Yulian was my shooting instructor,” Julian said softly. “He guided me when I first joined the military. Could you let me take his body back?”

Charlot nodded. “I’ll have his body sent 20 kilometers outside the city tomorrow. You can retrieve it yourself.”

War is war, and friendship is friendship. Charlot kept these distinctions clear.

With his request granted, Julian returned to his usual talkative self, chattering away. “I’ve joined the infinite sniper campaign, and all 11 cities in the Red Dragon Strait are under my watch.”

“I’ve scouted them, but honestly, there aren’t any worthwhile assassination targets in these cities.”

“Oh, you have a female subordinate, right? Anastasia, isn’t it?”

“…”

“At first, I planned to ambush you personally, but Yulian went behind my back and tried to kill you himself…”

“Sigh! Your strength has grown again, hasn’t it?”

“By the way, good news—I’ve advanced to high rank too.”

Meeting an old friend on the battlefield evoked many emotions in Charlot. Instead of finding Julian’s chatter irritating, he felt a sense of warmth. Their conversation was brief, as Herolf, the Black Dragon, and Choudrou arrived shortly after. Seeing three orc Saint ranks, Julian’s expression shifted to shock.

“How do you have Saints working for you?” he exclaimed. “Did all the orc Saints pledge allegiance to you?”

Herolf interjected indignantly, “I’m not an orc!”

“Okay, okay, you’re not an orc,” Julian replied hastily.

Charlot calmed the offended Herolf and said, “Leave the Red Dragon Strait.”

Glancing at the three Saints again, Julian murmured, “You have three Saints under your command. I have no choice but to withdraw.”

“Actually,” he added, “I came here today to say goodbye. In a few days, I’ll be leaving the military to serve as a diplomat to the Lionheart Empire.”

“I don’t know if we’ll meet again after the war.”

Charlot thought to himself, If I accept High Priest Auguslatin’s offer, we might see each other sooner than you think.

Julian gazed at the moonlit sky, fell silent, and then nodded to Charlot before turning away.

As Julian disappeared into the night, Charlot said quietly, “Send supplies with the body, placed 20 kilometers out as well.”

He hoped his old friend could leave the battlefield behind and shine in his new diplomatic role.

With Julian’s departure, Charlot felt relieved. The Byron snipers were proving too formidable, and even Saint ranks couldn’t shield everyone from their reach.

Still, Julian’s appointment to the Lionheart Empire wasn’t surprising to Charlot. During their previous journey to Ingrima with High Priest Auguslatin, Julian had separated from the Fars envoy and assumed a new identity. Charlot didn’t pry into what diplomatic role Byron had granted him, but he was confident Julian could handle it.

After all, Julian hailed from the Arsilo family, one of the three imperial clans, esteemed and prestigious. Alongside Ban Lamorak and Sophia Gallanord, he was recognized as one of the brightest talents of the Old Continent.

Of course, the most famous young person under 20 in the five great empires was Sophia Gallanord. Ban Lamorak had yet to set foot on the battlefield, while Julian toiled as a sniper. Meanwhile, Sophia Gallanord already commanded a fleet within the Fars Navy, establishing her own power base.

Charlot wondered if Julian’s visit had brought him unexpected luck. Not long after, he received an official document from Strasbourg—an imperial circular listing recent developments in various nations and updates from the Fars Empire.

Tucked in a corner of the document was a brief mention: “Annie Bretagne is set to serve as an envoy to the Lionheart Empire.”

Hearing this, Charlot was instantly restless.

Why should High Priest Auguslatin’s trip to the Lionheart Empire matter to me? I’d never agree to serve as his deputy.

But if Annie were going to the Lionheart Empire, Charlot couldn’t sit idly by. He had to follow, even if it meant going without any official status.

He couldn’t leave Annie unprotected.

No matter the cost, he would go with her.

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