Chapter 580 For Ciel

Namur City Government, Headquarters of the 1st Special Reconnaissance Army of Belgium.

Albert I was sitting at the dining table in the lounge enjoying breakfast, his brows furrowed and looking unhappy.

It’s not that the breakfast is not rich enough. As a king, he can sit peacefully in his own land and enjoy a breakfast of the same level as that in the Charles. What else is there to complain about?

It’s not because the living place is not comfortable enough. Although it is snowing heavily outside, the fireplace in the room is warm as spring. It is much better than the environment where soldiers on the front line confront the enemy in the freezing cold.

He was unhappy because Charles was not in Belgium.

As soon as Charles left Belgium, Albert I felt as if his backbone had been pulled out, and he lost all his confidence and courage.

I can't do this, Albert I told himself over and over again.

If I leave the Shire I won't have to fight?

Brigadier General Eden won’t be able to command the troops?

Belgium still has 7 million people. Can't they find someone like Charles who can keep the enemy out of the country?

Albert I tried to use these excuses to cheer himself up and cheer himself up again. He even tried to straighten his chest and told himself to face it all bravely.

Then the next second, he collapsed on the dining table like a deflated ball, unable to even hold the knife and fork, which slid weakly onto the table along his limp fingertips.

Yes, Belgium cannot do without Charles.

Belgium without Charles is like a small shrimp, which can be slapped to death at any time in the war between several major powers.

Even though Charles had recaptured important cities such as Namur, Brussels and Antwerp and connected them into a complete line of defense.

He even gave a defense plan.

But Charles is the soul of the army. Without him, everyone will lose the confidence to fight against the German army, and Brigadier General Eden is no exception!

Albert I could not help but wail in his heart:

"God, the 6th Army has more than 200,000 people, and Charles is the commander. Does that mean that the armored and mechanized forces in Belgium will also be transferred?"

"It's fine if the troops are transferred, but will Charles stay in the Somme and never come back?"

"The key is Ciel. They just need to leave Ciel here. I will immediately hand over the First Special Reconnaissance Army... No, I will hand over all the troops to him."

…

"Your Majesty." Just as Albert I was daydreaming, Brigadier General Eden rushed into the war room and said before he arrived: "Your Majesty, Charles is in Belgium!"

"What?" Albert I was surprised and happy: "He's back? How come I didn't know?"

"Charles may not be able to inform you." Brigadier General Eden had a strange expression and some anger in his eyes.

"What?" Albert I looked confused. "What do you mean? He can't inform me?"

"Yes." Brigadier General Eden nodded. "The 6th Army is also in Belgium, not far from us, in Gembloux, more than 30 kilometers away."

Albert I's expression gradually became heavy. He had heard that a French army was changing guard in Jean Bloux, but the French side did not tell him that it was Charles's Sixth Army.

Then he became happy again: "This is good news, General, all of Charles' troops are here..."

"Your Majesty," Brigadier General Eden interrupted Albert I, "The news I received is that they seem to have taken control of Charles."

"What?" Albert I stood up with a bang, his face changed drastically: "They control Charles? Where did they get the information? Is it reliable?"

Brigadier General Eden replied: "I got the information from the militia, but it has not been confirmed yet."

The 6th Army was in Belgium. Even though Gamelin strictly blocked the news from the outside world, contact with the outside world was inevitable. For example, when purchasing supplies, the news would more or less reach the ears of the Belgian militia.

Brigadier General Eden added: "They said it was because of the parliament. The French parliament sent a group of officers to replace all the middle and senior officers of the 6th Army."

Albert I suddenly realized. He nodded thoughtfully, his tone full of anger: "Yes, those bastards in the parliament have always regarded Charles as an enemy. It would be fine if Charles only had 20,000 troops, but if he had more than 200,000 troops, they would be scared!"

"What should we do?" asked Brigadier General Eden.

Albert I snorted: "They dare to act recklessly in Belgium. They obviously don't take me, the king, seriously!"

He did not hesitate, and said firmly:

"The 3rd Infantry Division of the Special Reconnaissance Army will stay to garrison, and the other two divisions will be transferred to Gembloux immediately!"

"Also, transfer all the militiamen nearby, no matter how many there are, to Gembloux."

Brigadier General Eden was a little anxious: "Your Majesty, even if all of them are transferred here, there are only about 60,000 people, while the French Sixth Army has more than 200,000 people..."

"No, General Eden." Albert I interrupted Brigadier General Eden: "Do you think it's 60,000 people against more than 200,000 French people? You forgot who the French soldiers are on the side of!"

Brigadier General Eden immediately realized that the French soldiers were on Charles' side.

Once the Belgian army was transferred to Gembloux, it would be 60,000 Belgian troops plus more than 200,000 French troops, nearly 300,000 people, to deal with the officers sent by the parliament to undermine Charles.

However, Brigadier General Eden still advised: "But the French side..."

This made Albert I hesitate. Given Belgium's current status and situation, offending the French Parliament was not a good option.

As a king and a mature politician, he should perhaps consider national interests more.

But Albert I hesitated only for a moment, and soon thought:

"What if I offend both Britain and France at the same time?"

"Charles alone can lead Belgium to regain lost territory and resist attacks from any country, including Britain and France!"

"So now is an opportunity, a great opportunity! The French Parliament is pushing Charles out, and Belgium just happens to receive this overwhelming wealth!"

Thinking of this, Albert I not only did not change his order, but became more determined: "Immediately, execute the order!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Brigadier General Eden responded and hurried down to convey the order.

Albert I walked to the window with a smile. His eyes jumped through the window to the falling snowflakes outside, and he was in a very good mood.

Belgium may become a powerful country because of this incident. Just wait and regret it, you idiots!

At this time, Brigadier General Eden turned back and said, "Your Majesty, should we inform General Tijani?"

Albert I understood Brigadier General Eden's intention. If Tijani was brought along, the confrontation between Belgium and France would be weakened. If any responsibility was to be put on him, he could still be blamed on Tijani since he was a French general after all.

But Albert I shook his head without hesitation: "No, don't say anything!"

What he wanted was a confrontation with France, for Charles!

(End of this chapter)