novelaction Chapter 1371 Penetration
Chapter 1371 Penetration
There was also a deep fear of the conqueror's iron fist.
They hung their heads, not daring to look directly at the soldiers in East Asian Federation uniforms who stood guard on both sides of the street, like a group of prisoners awaiting their final judgment.
Handa had already given orders that soldiers fluent in Slavic languages, armed with makeshift megaphones, would repeatedly broadcast his words at all major passages and temporary assembly points:
"Slavic people! Raise your heads! The East Asian Federation has no intention of enslaving you, much less destroying your homeland!"
"Your Tsar Nikolayevich Shahar, that tyrant who betrayed the Slavs and treated you like expendable resources to be pushed into hell, has long since abandoned you and fled to the north alone! He used your blood and tears only to buy himself a little more time to live!"
The soldier's voice was loud and clear, echoing over the silent ruins; however, every word felt like a sharp knife piercing their hearts...
When the word "consumables" was mentioned, many people visibly trembled, their eyes revealing deep pain and anger.
Although Shahar vehemently denied it, he proved these claims with his actions...
"Marshal Handa made it clear to everyone: The Federation army has come here only to end Shahar's tyranny and eradicate the extraterrestrial demons he has colluded with!"
"Your Princess Eva, the rightful heir to the Slavic Empire, is waiting for us at the Usty Fortress! She will represent the Slavs to discuss the future with us and rebuild our peaceful homeland!"
Princess Eva
The appearance of this name was like a pebble thrown into stagnant water, creating ripples in the numb crowd.
Many people looked up, a glimmer of disbelief flashing in their eyes.
For a heart ravaged by Shahar's lies, this princess, who was once vilified as a traitor, is a treasure!
At this moment, it became the only visible symbol of hope in the darkness, carrying Slavic blood.
"We also followed Princess Eva's request, and she said you were innocent! Therefore, Marshal Handa listened to her firm advice!"
"Of course, I'm willing to give you a chance!"
"The Marshal instructed us to convey that you are being asked to leave this hellish capital, not to drive you away from your homes!"
On the contrary, it's to protect you! Think about Shahar's character, think about his so-called reinforcements!
Once he returns, you unarmed civilians who remain behind will once again become the first batch of materials crushed under his war machine!
Marshal Han, unwilling to see such a tragedy repeat itself, has ordered you all to temporarily retreat to the rear, under the protection of Princess Eva, and await the arrival of true peace!
This statement clearly revealed Shahar's ruthlessness and the affection between Handa and even Eva...
Fear began to mingle with thoughtful consideration on the faces of many survivors.
Yes, Shahar escaped, but will he be content with that?
If he returns with even more terrifying reinforcements, what fate awaits this ruined capital and those left inside, except to become cannon fodder once again?
Han Da's words struck at their deepest concerns.
"but!"
The soldier's voice suddenly turned stern, carrying an unquestionable authority, and he shouted to the crowd: "The Marshal also asked me to tell you that this is Marshal Han and the Federation heeding Princess Eva's last act of kindness and a way out for you!"
If there are any stubborn individuals who hide weapons and mingle among the surrendered people, attempting to carry out suicide attacks and drag innocent compatriots down with them!
Such actions not only betray goodwill but also alienate them from their fellow Slavs!
Any such acts of violence, once discovered, will be considered acts of accomplice by all residents of the neighborhood, regardless of who the attacker is, and will be severely punished without exception!
"So, those of you who are trying to fly like moths to a flame, those who are trying to incite riots, throw away your weapons. Don't seek your own deaths, don't kill yourselves, and don't kill your compatriots! The Marshal only wants you to live, so please don't seek your own demise..."
This final warning, like ice, instantly froze any remaining sense of complacency and hostility in the crowd.
The soldier's sharp gaze swept across the crowd, and although his weapon was lowered, it exuded an invisible pressure.
After a brief silence, movement began to stir in the crowd.
At first, it was sporadic, then it became more and more frequent.
Some men, their faces contorted with struggle, pulled out concealed short knives, daggers, crude homemade bomb fuses, and even sharpened pieces of iron from their pockets, trouser legs, and tattered bundles…
They kept their heads down, not daring to look at their compatriots and soldiers around them...
He silently and forcefully threw these things, which he had once regarded as weapons to protect his home, onto the open ground in front of the crowd.
Clang! Bang! Pfft...
The sounds of metal striking the ground, fuses falling, and sharp objects piercing the soil rose and fell, sounding particularly jarring in the quiet morning.
Every sound was like a heavy hammer blow to everyone's hearts.
That was a completely shattered fighting spirit, and a compromise made in despair, grasping at the last straw.
Many people, after throwing away their weapons, seemed to have a huge weight lifted off their shoulders. They swayed slightly, then were held tightly by their loved ones, and suppressed sobs rose softly in the crowd.
They may not have fully trusted Handa's promises, and they may have had doubts about Princess Eva's return, but the harsh reality before them and Handa's incisive warnings, which seemed to foreshadow these events...
The people's eyes were filled with frustration and even despair. However, after Han Da went to the rear and met Eva, he knew that...
These people will regain hope.
Han Da also felt that such a war might not be a good thing for them at the moment...
But watching it for a long time might be a good thing.
The Slavic Empire hadn't been particularly professional when it formed its federation before...
Their excessive self-interest has placed the Slavic Empire in a very awkward position.
Now, after all these events, nothing can be built without destruction. The entire Slavic system was shattered, and the country was subsequently incorporated into the federation.
This truly embodies the principle of "no destruction, no construction"...
So, in the long run, it might actually be a good thing...
However, after Han Da made those remarks beforehand, most people gave up on the idea.
However, there are still a few people who refuse to give up. These people may be conservatives, or they may have been brainwashed and made foolish.
Among the crowd, a few extremists, driven to near madness by Shahar's incitement, roared out the sacred sacrificial slogans instilled by Shahar with bloodshot eyes.
One of them suddenly leaped from his hiding place, brandishing a Molotov cocktail, and pounced on the nearest Allied soldiers like a mad tiger: "For the Tsar! For Slavs! Fight these invaders..."
The words have not yet been spoken!
"puff!"
A muffled sound, extremely faint yet with tremendous penetrating power, pierced the air.
From a high vantage point in the distance, a precise sniper beam pierced the man's forehead in an instant.
The Molotov cocktail he had been holding high slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground with a crash. The flames barely had time to lick the hem of his clothes before his body collapsed to the ground, twitching twice before falling silent.
Almost simultaneously, two other extremists who attempted to rush into the crowd and create chaos were also precisely killed by deadly beams fired from an unknown source.
Their bodies went limp like sacks with their bones removed, unable to utter even a complete scream. The scorching beam of light evaporated flesh and blood, leaving only charred holes and an instant, nauseating smell of burning.
These three rapidly cooling corpses were like three buckets of icy water, poured harshly over the heads of the remaining restless individuals.
Their arms, which were raised high with weapons, froze in mid-air. The fanatical slogans that were about to be shouted were choked back, leaving only their bodies trembling violently with fear and their unfocused pupils.
The cold, tangible touch of death was so real that it shattered the illusion of mutual destruction they had been instilled with.
The stones, daggers, and Molotov cocktails in his hands fell to the ground with a clatter and a thud.
They looked around in terror, as if every shadow might shoot out a deadly beam. No one dared to make the slightest move; the last vestiges of fanaticism were completely replaced by pure, survival-driven fear.
They shrank back into a corner like startled quails, then staggered and tumbled into the silent evacuation crowd, becoming completely obedient.
In fact, Han Da had prepared in advance. He knew he could definitely persuade the majority, but there would always be a minority...
Upon witnessing this scene, Axe Ox, standing beside Han Da, asked him with some confusion, "Marshal Han Da, is this the Prince's intention?"
Upon hearing Axe Bull's question, Han Da seemed to be deep in thought. He first nodded, then shook his head again.
Han Da's actions puzzled Axe Bull, who continued, "Marshal, these fools have been deeply misled by Shahar, and those people just now deserved to die."
"But I don't understand why we should let those incited civilians, whose hands may be stained with the blood of our soldiers, go. According to military law, they are also considered resistance fighters. Wouldn't it be safer to deal with them on the spot or detain them for hard labor? It would also save them from causing trouble in the rear."
Han Da stood on the roof of the command vehicle, his deep gaze sweeping over the numb figures that gradually disappeared into the dust.
He said in a deep voice, "Captain Axe Bull, the Prince once taught me a saying, 'A general should know when to stop.' I've been thinking about it, but I haven't really understood it yet."
"As you know, ever since the Prince settled everything, we haven't had a chance to fight... So, we've really been talking strategy on paper... But only after actually setting foot on this battlefield did I, in that instant... understand..."
Looking at Han Da, Axe Ox muttered and repeated Han Da's words to himself...
"Should...stop?"
"Not bad!"
Handa said firmly to Axe Bull: "Stop the fighting, stop the killing, and stop the indiscriminate killing! Shahar treats the people like weeds, using them as shields and discarding them like worn-out shoes."
"Our Federation forces do not seek slaughter, but to stop the war and bring peace to the people! If we were to exterminate the civilians who have laid down their arms and been coerced, how would we be any different from Shahar? Wouldn't that play right into his hands and confirm the 'aggressor' smear he has smeared on us?"
He paused, then looked intently at the axe-ox and continued, "Letting them go is precisely to let them see and experience it for themselves!"
"Let them carry with them what they have seen and heard today! The despicable act of Shahar abandoning the city and fleeing, the restraint of our army in ceasing the killing, and the tragic truth of how they themselves were used as cannon fodder!!"
“Go back to the rear, back to other places under Shahar’s rule, back to those corners still shrouded in lies! Their mouths are the most powerful mouthpieces; their personal experiences are the most irrefutable evidence!”
Handa's voice suddenly rose as he continued, "They will tell everyone how Shahar pushed them to their deaths, while we 'invaders,' who could have easily crushed them, chose to give them a way out!"
"They will use their own words to tear apart the lies woven by Shahar, and let everyone see who the real devil is and who pulled them back from the brink of hell!"
"Princess Eva will be better positioned to take over this shattered country. Destroying their nation is to help them be reborn!"
After hearing Han Da's words, Axe Ox looked enlightened: "This humble general understands! Marshal, you have great foresight! Your Highness is insightful and far-sighted!"
"Brilliant! The truth spoken by these firsthand witnesses is far more powerful than any number of leaflets we distribute or slogans we shout! The brutality and despicable nature of Shahar and the benevolence and restraint of our army are clearly demonstrated in this one battle! The will of the people will be decided after this campaign!"
After seeing off the last group of staggering Slavic citizens of the capital, Handa immediately ordered his army to enter the city and take over the heart of the city, which was riddled with holes but no longer resisting.
The soldiers sprang into action, some maintaining order and clearing out any hardliners who might be hiding, while others began taking inventory of the spoils from the palace and armory.
Just as Handa had predicted, Shahar's retreat was extremely hasty, and a large amount of supplies that could not be taken away or destroyed piled up like mountains.
Crates of conventional ammunition, mountains of grain, relatively intact artillery parts, and even a considerable amount of gold and silver...
Although most of the weapons are relatively outdated compared to the Federation's equipment, they are extremely valuable as raw materials for recycling or to replenish supplies in occupied territories.
"Marshal, a very fruitful haul!"
An officer in charge of the inventory reported excitedly!
"Especially the armory; although part of it was damaged, the remaining quantity is astonishing. However, these weapons all seem to be old junk that we've phased out several generations ago..."
Han Da nodded, but there was little joy on his face.
The soldiers clearing the battlefield were working diligently, carrying loads of goods; the air was thick with the mixed smells of gunpowder, blood, and dust. Looking at the piles of spoils before him, Han Da thought, "Even a little bit is still a resource..."
Meanwhile, deep within the northern ice plains, a perpetual winter fortress was built, relying on the rugged mountain terrain!
This fortress can be considered the last line of defense for the entire Slavic Empire.
If they lose this position, the entire Slavic Empire will be pierced through by them!