I Became a Plutocrat in World War I: Starting with Saving France-Chapter 98 Speaking the Truth

It was a clear day. The morning sun slowly rose behind the elongated clouds, casting rays of bright yet gentle light that sprinkled a pale rose-colored dawn over Davaz Town.

Lauren drove the car steadily into the town. Shire sat in the car, looking at the familiar streets on both sides and the neighbors waving and greeting him, feeling an inexplicable sense of warmth.

Simple, kind, serene, peaceful...

Shire had grown accustomed to having all of this, just like he had grown accustomed to the air, feeling its existence unknowingly and not realizing its value.

However, it wasn’t until Shire returned from Antwerp that he realized not everyone lived in such an environment as a matter of course.

The car slowly stopped in front of the house. Camille smiled and stood at the door, waving to Shire. Upon hearing the sound of the car, Dejoka also came out.

Following their usual habits, Camille should be out grocery shopping, and Dejoka should have finished breakfast and be at the factory, but they knew Shire was coming back at this time, so they stayed home waiting.

Dejoka, looking at Shire as he got out of the car, couldn’t help but be stunned, his eyes staring in confusion at Shire’s cuff.

Shire understood why Dejoka had this expression; he must have noticed the new golden trim on the cuff.

"So!" As Shire walked closer, Dejoka asked in bewilderment, "You went for two days and got promoted from Lieutenant to Lieutenant Commander?"

"What Lieutenant Commander?" As a woman, Camille should have been more attentive, but women are inherently not sensitive to ranks and uniforms. She only had eyes for Shire and did not notice the change in rank at all.

"Yes, Father!" Shire replied. freёwebnoѵel.com

They still didn’t know about Belgium, and neither did others.

Gallieni had implemented media control in the name of "national security."

Yes, "national security!"

In Gallieni’s view, media disclosures could confirm to the Germans that Shire was in Antwerp, potentially endangering Shire’s safety. Shire’s safety was equated with France’s safety, naturally elevated to the level of "national security."

However, now that Shire had safely returned, media control was to be lifted.

When Shire left the command headquarters, Gallieni admonished him: "Your parents will find out about all of this sooner or later, so it’s best that you tell them yourself! If you need, I can explain to them over the phone..."

Gallieni felt it was his duty; after all, the responsibility ultimately fell on him as Shire went missing under his watch.

Although Shire had now safely returned, Gallieni felt that he owed Shire and his family an explanation.

"No need, General!" Shire replied, "I will handle it. This has nothing to do with you. No one expected this to happen!"

Gallieni nodded in relief. Fortunately, the young lad turned out fine; otherwise, Gallieni would never forgive himself!

And then Gallieni laughed again. What could happen to this clever kid? No matter where he went, it was the enemy who ended up in trouble!

Shire sat at the dining table with Dejoka, where Camille had prepared breakfast and Shire’s favorite apples.

"What’s going on?" Dejoka asked, raising his head towards Shire’s rank insignia on the cuff, "From what I know, it normally takes years to get promoted from Lieutenant to Lieutenant Commander, unless you’ve done something meritorious. What did you do?"

Camille instantly became tense. She also noticed Shire’s fatigue: "They didn’t have you staying up all night, did they? Or was it training?"

"No!" Shire shook his head, "I only went to Antwerp, and helped them defeat the Germans! That’s all!"

Shire spoke the truth; after all, it would be exposed sooner or later, so he might as well be honest about it.

Dejoka and Camille were stunned for a moment, then looked at each other and burst into laughter.

"If that’s true!" Dejoka said, "They wouldn’t have just promoted you to Lieutenant Commander; they should have made you a Major or even a Colonel!"

"When did you become so humorous?" Camille chuckled as she walked to the kitchen. Upon returning, she handed Shire a fork, "Then you should eat more, reward yourself for helping the Belgians defeat the Germans!"

"I also received a medal, Mom!" Shire added, "The Kingdom Crown Medal!"

The smiles on Dejoka and Camille’s faces deepened.

Camille "hmphed" and turned her head slightly, deciding to play along with Shire’s show: "So, where’s the medal? Can I see it?"

"Well..." Shire replied hesitantly, "Unfortunately, I lost it while escaping from Antwerp!"

Dejoka chuckled, "Didn’t you just say you defeated the Germans? Why did you end up escaping?"

Camille lovingly ruffled Shire’s thick, soft hair and reminded him, "You know you can’t talk like this outside. Those reporters always try to make a story out of you. Your words will give them great material!"

Shire felt relieved, "If you think it this way, then I’m at ease!"

Dejoka gave a knowing smile, "You’re already here, what else is there to worry about..."

Before he could finish his sentence, more than a dozen cars suddenly screeched to a halt outside. Dozens of reporters jumped out of the cars like soldiers going into battle, rushed into the house with portable cameras in hand, and started snapping photos wildly, all the while bombarding Shire with a barrage of questions:

"Mr. Shire, can you briefly describe the process of the Battle of Antwerp?"

"They say you saved Antwerp and destroyed three ’Big Berthas’. Is that true?"

"You also invented an airplane cannon and shot down a German airship. Can you tell us what kind of cannon it is and why it can be used on an airplane?"

...

Dejoka and Camille were both stunned.

After a long moment, Camille finally exclaimed, "Oh my God, it’s true! He really did all that!"

Camille quickly turned her gaze to Shire, "They sent you to the battlefield? To Antwerp?"

"I already said..." Shire answered.

"The Parliament clearly said this wouldn’t happen!" Camille interrupted angrily, "You’re only seventeen, they tricked you into the army, and now they’ve sent you to the battlefield!"

"It was an accident..." Shire defended.

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

Shire took the opportunity to hurry upstairs into his bedroom and shut the door.

Camille’s voice called out from downstairs, "Shire, you need to explain clearly!"

"I’m tired, Mom!" Shire replied.

Camille was already lifting her skirt, walking up the stairs, but stopped suddenly upon hearing this.

Dejoka comforted her from behind, "Shire fought for two days, Camille. I heard he even destroyed some ’Big Bertha’ and shot down an airship. He barely made it back... Shouldn’t we let him rest for a while?"

Camille hesitated, but ultimately huffed and descended the stairs again.

Dejoka reassured her, "What’s important is that Shire is here; he’s already back..."

"We can’t just let this go!" Camille interrupted Dejoka, "They violated the Parliament’s decision. If we don’t resist, there will be a next time!"

(The image above is a Leica portable camera, invented in 1913, weighing over 500 grams)