In normal times, such as peaceful modern times or Vienna before the war, Kawei would not think too deeply about the people and things around him. Compared with these, what was lingering in his mind were surgeries, papers, and ideas for developing new drugs and devices.
Perhaps it was the disastrous defeat of the Sixth Army a few days ago and the tense atmosphere these days that stimulated him, forcing him to shift most of his energy to observing changes in the environment and figuring out people's hearts.
Aleister has always stayed in the church and has almost no interaction with Mendelstein, so he doesn't know much about this person.
From the first day, Kakawei often chatted with the Prussian officer, or was "chatted to". The more you get in touch with them, the character outlines will gradually become clearer.
In Kawei's eyes, Mendelstein is by no means weaker than Aleister. This kind of strength does not only refer to the ability to fight, but to the valuable experience accumulated from being immersed in dangerous battles for a long time, that is, the ability to analyze the situation.
From the beginning, Mendelstein had doubts about the identity of Kawei and others.
Although he was impressed by their Latin and French, and was also stymied by the so-called Geneva Convention and French reporters, he successfully treated Opal and Craig and even made him want to give up the use of force.
But he has never stopped doubting the nationality of the people in front of him. The reason is that the means he can use will be different depending on the nationality.
What Kawei missed was Mendelstein's motivation behind this series of actions.
He thought that the other party was still having trouble making a judgment on the identity of the escort, and removing the guards would be a good way to test their authenticity. So as long as you stay put and stay in the church, you can successfully avoid this round of temptation.
However, in fact, Mendelstein's motivation was not here, so Kawei's reasons did not convince Aleister.
Since Aleister, whose top priority has always been to protect Kavi, is even less able to convince other members of the Guard. After all, in their eyes, protecting safety and respect cannot simply be equated. Smith's actions just now are the best example.
"Captain, this is probably a trap set by the other party." Kawei carried his equipment box and said directly to Aleister as soon as he entered the church, "If you leave now..."
"I know there are risks, but such a good opportunity will never come again. Besides, the town has four exits. Harvesting the wheat fields requires manpower. After excluding the wounded soldiers, after the remaining people are divided equally, the number of people at each exit is almost the same as ours. , running away is not sending death.”
Aleister didn't want to explain more. His concerns and goals had already been discussed with Kavi. "If you still feel that it's dangerous, think carefully about the strength of the Sixth Army and our destination. If you continue to stay here, you just have to wait." die."
This statement is actually very vague.
Among this group of people, those who are really waiting for death are actually the members of the escort team.
Kawei had rescued Prussian soldiers and had long won the favor of the opposing commander, so he could survive by relying on the Geneva Convention. When the war ends in the future and the prisoners of war are exchanged, they can return to Vienna.
The escorts cannot be prisoners of war.
Becoming a prisoner of war will be regarded as mission failure, and mission failure means that all previously promised rewards will be in vain. What's even worse is that the 12 comrades who covered their retreat will become cannon fodder in the true sense and die worthlessly.
In fact, Aleister also understood very well that he was surrounded by excellent soldiers who were willing to die. Rather than become prisoners, it would be better to fight for the last time, kill a few Prussians and then give his life for the empire.
As captain, he is always ready to sacrifice.
But death cannot complete the mission. What Aleister cannot tolerate is that the Kawi medical team falls into the hands of the opponent.
The medical team will still enjoy the previous treatment after returning to China. After all, Kawei is a technician with a high military rank and academic status. As long as he is around, members of the medical team will climb higher and higher. It was the escort who died in the end. If the mission failed, it was also the escort. All lives and honor were lost, which is equivalent to obliterating the meaning of the existence of the escort.
Therefore, there was no other way for Aleister to go. Faced with Kavi's doubts, he only said: "The task given to me by His Majesty Franz must be completed."
"Even if the protection is made into coercion, it must be completed?" Kawei smiled at him, then turned around and glanced at Smith, "I didn't expect that you also hid a pistol with you. It hurt my waist just now. "
Counting Aleister, there are 13 remaining soldiers in the escort, with 13 rifles and 2 pistols. There were a lot of bullets, each person had a bullet bag with about 20 rounds. Before the Prussians entered the town, they were tied together and hidden in a pit in the small garden outside the church.
】
In order to cover up the traces of soil turning, they also moved a statue out of the church.
Aleister kept the pistols specially in case of accidents. One was on him, and the other was on Smith, who often went out for reconnaissance.
"Are you holding a gun against one of your own?" Aleister was a little angry, mainly because Smith was young and ignorant, but mostly because he was showing off to Kawei, "He is just a little anxious, Doctor Kawei must not care."
"I am also a lieutenant general."
"It's just the military rank that matches the military doctor." Aleister asked Smith to help with the final preparations, and said it completely, "When the war is over, the military rank will be dispensable."
Kavi knew he would say this and replied: "I am the Baron."
"Then I can only say sorry." Aleister said, "Your behavior just now must have inadvertently hindered the protection mission. Out of consideration for the overall situation, Smith took out his pistol. This is just a precaution. Extreme behavior that wastes time is not recommended, but it’s not necessarily that bad.”
At this point, there is no room for change.
Then everyone, including Ingenac, Botini and others, were invited to the church. They all have their own things in hand and can set off as soon as the escort team is ready.
"Smith, give me the map!"
"yes!"
Three days were enough for them to draw a route map of the town of Otaka. The road leading from the church to the north required bypassing the hospital and two residential areas. The distance was not too far. At their normal trotting speed, they should be able to see the north exit in just 10 minutes.
"Captain, everything is ready."
"Let's go, it's completely dawn."
Aleister was still looking at the map, and his eyes did not stay on the north exit for too long, but moved repeatedly between the east and west exits.
The east exit is a small road, which can lead directly to Kischin if nothing else happens. It can also be regarded as a good retreat route. The west exit is a main road that will definitely lead to Gablenz. Going here is equivalent to entering the Prussian frontline camp.
To the south is a wheat field. Regardless of whether there are traps or not, there will always be a large number of soldiers cutting wheat here, making it impossible to move. The east side is the route closest to Kisschin. Regardless of whether the other party suspects them or not, this should be the place where the Prussians are most guarded. After all, no one knows whether reinforcements will come from the direction of Kisschin.
At this time, the most dangerous west exit is removed, and the north becomes the most correct choice.
But Aleister has to consider not only his own escape route here, but also needs to consider the problem from Mendelstein's perspective.
From Mendelstein's perspective, the escort would definitely consider these things if they wanted to escape. By then there will be heavy troops in the south, protection in the east, and danger in the west, so the north will become a logical choice.
Therefore, his deployment is most likely to be mainly in the north, and there may only be a few checkpoints left in the east...
"Don't go north." Aleister pointed to the path to the west, "Let's go here instead, to the west!"
"West? Isn't that the way to Gablenz?"
"Wait until you're halfway there before changing your route and heading north."
To the west, you have to pass through a small commercial street and take the middle path to bypass many shops and two residential areas before you can see the west exit. In terms of route, it is more complicated than the northern route and takes 5-10 minutes longer.
The escort soldiers all felt that this choice was risky, but they all obeyed Aleister's judgment: "I understand!"
The medical team had no better choice under the tough attitude of the escort team. Even Kavi chose to obey the order, and they had no choice but to leave the church with the large army.
At the front of the team, Smith led two soldiers to conduct reconnaissance and clear the way. Next, Aleister led a real escort of six people to walk on both sides of the medical team to protect their safety. At the end of the team are two people at the rear, responsible for observing whether there are pursuers or other abnormalities.
At 7:05, the originally noisy church became empty and returned to what it was like three days ago.
At 7:08, everyone walked into the commercial street. The street was very quiet, with only sporadic birds chirping, and nothing unusual was found.
At 7:10, Smith's three-person team walked into the alley next to the street and led the team in after doing a simple investigation. Apart from the difficulty of walking on this path, there are no other problems. You can even find some unwanted handicrafts in shop windows along the street.
At 7:16, the team finally walked out of the alley and started heading towards the residential area.
7:20, walked through the first residential area.
7:26, walked through the second residential area...
The traveling speed was a little slower than expected. It was because the medical team's belongings were a bit heavy, and the road in the alley really slowed down their pace.
What's even more troublesome is the sense of unknown fear brought about by this silent atmosphere. No one knows when one or several bullets will suddenly be fired, and no one knows which unlucky guy will suddenly leave the world.
In this case, the man could still withstand it, and several female nurses who were with the team also wanted to withstand it, but the tears still fell down after all.
If you listen carefully, you can still hear the faint sound of sobbing in the team, but this is meaningless in the eyes of the escort.
"Wait, stop!"
Smith walked to the corner of the residential road and made a gesture to stop the team. In front of them was the brick road leading to the west exit. Perhaps because they had walked a lot on the path just now, the stone road less than 10 meters wide in front of them seemed particularly wide.
The size gap between the two-story house across the road and the houses next to it makes the visual impact even greater.
Smith felt a little embarrassed, but deep down he felt that the path behind him that blocked out the sun was more suitable for them. But at this time, he will never be stopped by fear. Detecting the danger ahead is his first priority: "Ronnie, Dres, follow me."
"yes!"
"yes!"
The three of them held their guns in their waists and slowly walked out of the corner. They leaned against the wall and slowly moved forward. At the same time, they observed the surrounding buildings: "There seems to be no problem."
Smith also repeatedly checked the windows and dark corners on both sides: "There is still a long way to go from the exit. Dres and I continue to move forward. You go back and tell the captain to let them come out slowly."
"yes!"
"Tell them not to be impatient and move forward slowly against the shadow of the wall."
"knew......"
The two continued to move forward.
In their eyes, these uninhabited houses were indeed similar to the ones they encountered just now, and there was no sign that anyone was inside. Victory was just around the corner. Derleth walked behind Smith and gradually relaxed his guard: "It should be no problem."
"Go a little further." Smith didn't dare to mess around, but continued to maintain the necessary vigilance. "The Prussians are very cunning. They might give it to you at some point..."
Before he finished speaking, a gunshot rang in his ears, followed by a burst of wind. The bullet scratched his cheek and created a cloud of blood mist on Derleth's neck.
...
If you ask military strategists what their least favorite method of warfare is, I believe most experts who study military affairs will tell you that it is street fighting. The reason is not only due to the number of attackers and defenders and the utilization of terrain, but also because in densely populated towns, civilian casualties are much higher than soldiers.
Now the small town of Otaka is about to usher in its own street battle.
Unlike other tragic street battles that have left their mark in history, the civilians in the small town of Otaka have long since left. The number of participating parties is very small and their weapons are very backward. No matter which angle you look at it, this street fight cannot remain in history textbooks, or even become a topic of conversation among people at that time.
But for those involved, this battle will definitely become a turning point in their lives.
Dres is a living example.
The bullet came out of nowhere, crossed a slightly downward parabola, and directly interrupted the blood vessels in his neck. The blood spurted out violently, and Smith's face was covered in blood. He still turned around subconsciously and dragged him to the side of the tree, hiding in the blind spot of the opponent's field of vision.
Fortunately, he acted quickly enough, because the next two bullets landed exactly where he was just now, and he escaped death.
Smith tried to seal Derleth's wound with his hands, but it was no use. The pressure on the carotid artery doomed the scout's life or death.
"do not move!!!"
Aleister had just led the team out of the corner and watched his men being seriously injured by bullets. However, he still suppressed Kawei and Yingnaz who wanted to save people: "Don't move, all of you!"
"If we bring him back now, there might be a chance."
Aleister has been with Kawei for a long time and knows that this guy has this ability. But he still gritted his teeth and led the team back to the alley: "This is a battlefield now, not a place for you doctors to show off. Just stay quiet and don't cause trouble!"
