Chapter 406: National Day
July 14th is France's National Day.
On this day in 1789, the citizens of Paris armed themselves and stormed the Bastille, an event of great symbolic significance, which led to the establishment of the holiday known as Bastille Day.
Along both sides of the Champs-Élysées in downtown Paris, the crowds surged like waves. They held red, white, and blue tricolor flags, discussing excitedly and gazing eagerly at the other side of the street.
A few days earlier, they had read in the newspapers that Charles would lead his 1st Tank Brigade and the 105th Infantry Regiment in a review before the people of Paris.
This news instantly ignited the passion of the French people, and crowds began pouring into Paris from all directions, hoping to catch a glimpse of Charles and his elite troops.
The residents of Davaz town had also come, including Deyoka and Camille, who were curious to see Charles fully armed and leading his forces.
"It's going to be so impressive," Camille said with excitement in her eyes. "Maybe some girl will fall for him."
Today, Camille had altered her usual modest attire, dressing up deliberately. She wore a long gown made of silk and satin with a black satin cloak trimmed with fine fur, featuring red and white floral lace. She looked several years younger—if Charles saw her now, he might not recognize her.
Deyoka wore a black suit that he had purchased for 1,500 francs, a sum he usually couldn't bear to spend.
Though his income was much higher than before, he still kept his frugal habits.
He often reminded himself, "I don't have the right to spend extravagantly. This money is all earned by Charles."
Therefore, whenever he spent, he felt a vague sense of guilt.
As they waited, Deyoka felt eyes from across the street. Looking up, he saw that Grevy and Armand were both staring their way. Both were in suits with top hats, and each had a walking cane under their arms.
Grevy tipped his top hat and nodded toward Deyoka, greeting him with a smile.
Armand snorted disdainfully. "You don't need to do this, Grevy. You're after his son, not him."
"He raised such an outstanding son, that's enough to earn anyone's respect," Grevy replied.
Armand's lips curled into a smile. "Hearing that makes me think I should have more children."
"No matter how many children you have," Grevy answered, "they'll all inherit your flirtatious nature."
Armand chuckled.
Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves echoed on the cobblestone street, causing a slight stir in the crowd.
The French Dragoons were marching in formation along the street, dressed in black military uniforms, holding sabers, and wearing red-feathered helmets. The first row consisted of three white horses, followed by a few head horses and a formation of cavalry behind.
The cavalry moved in perfect unison, looking well-trained and imposing.
Normally, at this time, people would greet this symbol of France with enthusiastic cheers, and the cavalry would naturally accept their praise.
But this time, the crowd was oddly silent, seemingly saving all their cheers for Charles and his troops.
However, they soon realized that behind the cavalry, the street was empty, with only an open-top car slowly trailing behind the horses.
Sharp-eyed people recognized the person in the passenger seat as Galliéni, and they began murmuring:
"What's going on? Why isn't Charles here?"
"Has the parade been canceled?"
"We didn't see any troops, and no tanks!"
…
Camille anxiously scanned the crowd, unconsciously gripping Deyoka's hand.
Deyoka gently reassured her, "Don't worry, it's fine. He's probably with the troops."
At that moment, Galliéni's car stopped in front of the crowd. He stood up, glanced to both sides, and with a proud tone said:
"Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize that Charles and his troops couldn't appear here today."
"Because right now, the Second Battle of Combray is already underway!"
"Yes, the reason Charles and his troops aren't here is because they are on the battlefield, attacking the enemy."
"Charles decided to present the most special military review for the French people in this way!"
The crowd was stunned for a moment before erupting into loud cheers.
Many people rushed to Deyoka and Camille, eagerly shaking their hands and saying:
"Thank you! Charles is the hope of France."
"You have an outstanding son!"
"We envy you, sir, madam. We are so happy for you."
…
Deyoka and Camille smiled in response, though their smiles were somewhat bittersweet, because this meant Charles was once again on the battlefield.
On the other side, Grevy's face turned ashen upon hearing Galliéni's words. He glanced around warily, lowered his top hat, and quietly said to Armand, "Let's go."
He turned and began pushing through the crowd.
Armand was puzzled but didn't give it much thought, following Grevy.
"What's going on?" Armand caught up with Grevy.
"Charles used us," Grevy said.
"What?" Armand asked, confused.
"Intelligence," Grevy quickened his pace. "Don't you understand? Charles knew the intelligence would leak. He used us!"
Armand froze in place.
It all started with the fact that Charles had been training workers for three months.
A training cycle of three months meant Charles planned to retake the steel factory before then, so there must have been a battle plan for the factory.
Grevy saw this as a great opportunity and passed the intelligence to the Germans.
Now, Charles had launched his attack, not in three months, but in one month—and on National Day, when everyone expected Charles' troops to be reviewed, they had attacked Combray instead!
Was Charles intentionally misleading Grevy, and through him, the Germans?
Armand swallowed hard and quickly caught up with Grevy, whispering, "If Charles used us, does that mean he knows we…"
Before he could finish, several men in black clothes surrounded them. They had their hands in their pockets, obviously holding pistols inside their jackets.
The leader, a man in a suit with a waxed mustache, walked up, took out an ID from his pocket, and waved it in front of Grevy:
"Mr. Grevy, Mr. Armand, I'm from the General Staff's Second Bureau. My name is Dura."
"Please come with me. We need to clarify something with you."
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