I Became a Tycoon During World War I - Chapter 69

Chapter 69: The Uniform Effect

Charles returned to the small town on the morning of the third day.

This was a decision made by Gallieni on behalf of the Chamber of Deputies: "Provide Charles with a relatively relaxed environment to ensure he has the time and resources to continue inventing new equipment."

Charles worked on a two-days-on, one-day-off schedule, spending two days with the military and returning home on the third day.

It was likely that Charles was the only one in the entire army with such a schedule.

During wartime, soldiers could only earn leave by performing heroic deeds, bribing officers, or sacrificing their limbs.

Laurent dropped Charles off at the doorstep and left immediately. His duties were tied to Charles: when Charles was in Paris, Laurent served as his driver and bodyguard; when Charles was in Davaus, Laurent was responsible for the factory's security and confidentiality.

After dropping off Charles, Laurent drove straight to the factory.

It was around nine in the morning. The sunlight lazily spilled onto the streets of the small town, resembling a thin layer of sand.

When Charles opened the door, he found the house empty.

It was natural for Djoka to be absent—at this time, he should be at the factory.

As for Camille...

Charles suddenly realized he didn’t know what Camille’s schedule was during this period.

Thinking back to the day he was confined at home, Camille would usually go to the market to buy groceries after breakfast. Charles guessed she might be there now.

He figured he should at least let Camille know he was home before heading to the factory; otherwise, she wouldn’t even know he had returned.

Walking alone on the town's streets, Charles felt something strange.

Normally, the neighbors would greet him enthusiastically, often overwhelming him with their warmth. But today, everyone was engrossed in their own affairs, not sparing him a glance, as if he were invisible.

Charles was puzzled until Teddy passed by, eating a slice of pizza.

“Teddy!” Charles called out.

Teddy turned his head upon hearing his name, his eyes widening in shock as the slice of pizza fell to the ground. Bits of onion clung to his face and mouth.

“Ch-Ch-Charles! It’s you, Charles!” Teddy stammered, swallowing hard.

“Am I that hard to recognize?” Charles asked, puzzled. After all, he’d only been gone two days.

“No, no!” Teddy’s tongue stumbled over itself in nervousness. “It’s just... you’re a soldier now—no, an officer!”

Charles seemed to understand—it was the uniform. Wearing it had transformed him into a symbol of "military personnel."

Lately, soldiers had been coming and going in the town, including patrol teams. The townsfolk had grown used to their presence and instinctively ignored them since it didn’t concern their daily lives.

The neighbors’ indifference toward Charles was likely for the same reason as Teddy’s: they hadn’t recognized him.

Teddy stared enviously at Charles’ uniform, his gaze eventually landing on the revolver holstered at his waist. He let out an unconscious “Wow,” his eyes gleaming with admiration. “Is that... real?”

“Of course!” Charles drew the revolver, holding it up for Teddy to see. It wasn’t loaded; in fact, Charles hadn’t even tested it yet.

“Can I... try it?” Teddy asked hesitantly.

“No, Teddy!” Charles shook his head firmly. “We have orders—we must take good care of our weapons.”

“Of course!” Teddy replied, his tone tinged with regret, though his admiration for Charles deepened.

While his classmates were idle due to the school closures, Charles had become an officer, complete with a brand-new revolver.

Charles, however, shook his head with a bitter smile. When they eventually held a weapon and donned a uniform, they might regret it.

At that moment, Charles spotted a familiar figure—Camille, returning from the market. She was carrying a basket filled with potatoes, onions, and what appeared to be some beef.

Hastily holstering his revolver, Charles left Teddy behind and rushed toward her, instinctively reaching out to take the basket from her hands.

Camille was startled by the gesture.

She had been lost in thought as she walked, her mind preoccupied with worries about Charles in Paris—whether he was adjusting to military life and, most of all, whether he might be sent to the battlefield.

Suddenly, a uniformed officer reached out to grab her belongings. With a frightened cry, she stepped back a few paces, dropping several potatoes in the process.

The neighbors turned their wary eyes toward the commotion, thinking someone was trying to harm Camille.

“It’s me, Mother!” Charles said, regretting his impulsiveness. He should have anticipated that the uniform’s symbolic effect would also apply to Camille.

Camille froze, unable to believe that the uniformed figure in front of her was Charles. He was dressed as a soldier, even bearing what appeared to be a rank insignia.

Then, it dawned on her—of course, Charles had joined the military. It was only natural for him to wear a uniform.

“Charles!” Camille gasped for air as if she’d just been freed from suffocation.

Her initial fear gave way to joy. She looked him up and down with pride, occasionally touching his cap and collar. “It really is you, Charles. Look at you—you’ve become a second lieutenant!”

The neighbors, now recognizing Charles, exclaimed:

“Good heavens, it’s young Master Charles!”

“I almost didn’t recognize him.”

“Look at him—he’s grown into a man!”

Someone called out to them:

“The uniform suits you well, young Master Charles!”

“You’ve got an exceptional son, Mrs. Bernard!”

...

Camille proudly held onto Charles’ arm, thanking the neighbors one by one with a radiant smile. Nothing brought more satisfaction to a mother than praise for her child.

Charles, feeling uncomfortable being treated as a child, used the pretext of carrying Camille’s basket to free himself from her affectionate grip.

At that moment, a patrol team passed by. The soldiers saluted from afar upon spotting a second lieutenant. When they got closer, they exclaimed:

“Good heavens, it’s young Master Charles! He’s become a second lieutenant!”

“Typical of a capitalist—just a few days in the army, and he’s already a second lieutenant!”

“Idiot, isn’t that only natural? Do you have any idea how much credit he’s earned?”

...

The security company was divided in its views on Charles. Some supported him, while others were staunchly anti-capitalist, and the rift remained unresolved. Without intervention from their officers, they might have started a brawl in the streets.

Charles suspected this situation was intentionally maintained by Laurent.

When journalists came to interview the troops, Laurent would send the anti-capitalist faction to speak. They would complain:

“Protect capitalists? We don’t have time for that. Our job is to ensure they don’t mess up!”

“Exactly. Who knows if a capitalist might sell technology to the enemy for money?”

“They’re capable of anything—we need to be vigilant!”

...

However, in key areas such as Charles’ home, the factory, and the streets, Laurent assigned Charles’ supporters to guard duty, ensuring his safety.

This was what you’d call adapting to circumstances and making the best use of resources. Laurent wasn’t as clumsy as he appeared—he was just a little unlucky.

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