novelSusiti Chapter 238 Two Completely Different Celebrations
Chapter 238 Two Completely Different Celebrations
Larissa, the Greek frontline command headquarters.
The air was heavy and oppressive, making it hard to breathe.
The telegraph operator's finger hovered in mid-air as he stared at the telegram he had just translated, his mouth agape but unable to utter a sound.
Inside the command post, more than a dozen senior staff officers and generals held their breath, their eyes fixed on his face.
Time seemed to stretch on endlessly at that moment.
Finally, the young telegraph operator took a deep breath and roared out in a trembling, distorted voice.
"Victory! Ioannina, we've taken it!!"
Dead silence.
A deathly silence that lasted for three seconds.
It was as if an invisible bomb had exploded in the command center.
"Oh my God!!"
An elderly general with gray hair suddenly threw his military cap into the air.
"We won! We won!!"
The thunderous cheers nearly lifted the roof off the command post.
Those generals, usually so serious and meticulous about their demeanor, were now like children, embracing each other and patting each other's backs vigorously. Some even shed tears of emotion.
They rushed toward Constantine, who was standing in front of the sand table, and surrounded him.
"Your Highness! You are the God of War! You are Alexander the Great reincarnated!"
"An incredible victory! This is a miracle from God!"
Their eyes were filled with ecstasy, worship, and a deep-seated awe of the unknown.
Constantine's face was expressionless.
He calmly accepted the generals' congratulations, letting them toss him high into the air.
After the crowd's frenzy subsided slightly, he regained his footing and straightened his disheveled military uniform.
His voice, though not loud, clearly drowned out all the noise.
"Gentlemen."
He looked around at the faces that were flushed with excitement.
"The threat from the west has been eliminated."
"Now, we can stay here in peace, keeping our old friend Edhem Pasha company, and slowly drift away."
His tone was as if he were talking about something trivial.
But every general who heard these words felt a chill run down their spine.
When the radio waves of victory reached Athens.
In an instant, the ancient city was completely abuzz with excitement.
Citizens who were performing evening prayers in Constitution Square heard the first cannon salute coming from the direction of the Royal Palace.
Then came the second sound, the third sound...
The deafening roar of cannons heralded the arrival of great news.
"We have won! His Highness the Crown Prince has liberated Joanina!"
I don't know who was the first to shout that out.
The whole city went mad.
People spontaneously surged from all directions, like a tidal wave, toward Constitution Square and the Royal Palace.
The church bells rang out with a deafening roar.
Shops closed down one after another, and the owners moved barrels of wine onto the street and distributed them to passersby for free.
Strangers embraced, cheered, danced, and sang loudly in the street.
The names "Constantine" and "Metaxus" swept through every corner of the city like a storm.
This is a carnival that belongs to all the people, without reservation.
Deep within the royal palace.
In Crown Princess Sofia's palace, however, all was quiet.
The cheers came through the thick walls and windows, sounding somewhat distant and unreal.
She dismissed all the maids who were excited about the victory.
Instead of changing into a glamorous gown to receive the cheers of the crowd, she chose a simple black dress.
Alone, carrying a small candle, she walked through the deep corridors to the royal family's small Orthodox chapel, which was only open to members of the royal family.
The church was empty.
She walked to the icon and lit the candle in her hand from the candlestick.
She lit three prayer candles in turn.
The first one was for her husband, Constantine.
The second one was for the general named Metaxas, whom she had only seen in photographs.
The third one is for all the nameless soldiers fighting on the front lines.
The orange candlelight flickered quietly in her blue eyes.
Her calmness and piety, her tranquility and solemnity, formed a stark yet harmonious contrast with the bustling ocean outside the palace walls.
The Athens Parliament building was also brightly lit.
Just days before, Congressman Ticas had been vehemently criticizing the Crown Prince for "pushing the nation to the gambling table of war." Now, sweat beaded on his forehead as he stood at the podium, his notes soaked through. He stammered, "Your Highness... Your Highness's strategic vision is... is wisdom bestowed by Athena! It's... a divine revelation of military art!" Before he could finish, another congressman interrupted, his voice booming, "From the very beginning, I firmly believed that under His Highness the Crown Prince's leadership, victory would surely belong to great Greece!"
Those politicians who were previously whispering behind the scenes criticizing the crown prince's autocratic and adventurous military actions are now vying to sing the praises of this war they once vehemently opposed, using the most ornate and exaggerated language.
Their faces, under the bright lights of the parliament hall, looked both comical and ugly.
The cafes along the street were equally bustling with activity.
Several well-informed locals enjoyed the unexpected celebration while discussing it amongst themselves.
"I told you, His Highness is a man of great wisdom! He's on a completely different level from those fools in the council who only know how to argue and debate!"
"A divine army has descended! In my sixty years of life, I have never seen the Greeks fight such a magnificent battle! This is simply a story from ancient Greek mythology! Our army has finally regained the glory of the Romans of yesteryear!"
"Have you heard? Her Highness the Crown Princess has donated all the dowry and jewelry she brought from Prussia to fund the military! That's a true queen, a future mother of the nation!"
"Hmph, why are those Republicans in Parliament so quiet now? Weren't they clamoring for limits on royal power and some kind of parliamentary accountability system just a few days ago?"
"The Turks have truly bitten off more than they can chew this time! In my opinion, the day when we reclaim Constantinople and restore the glory of Byzantium is not far off!"
The public's fervor, the politicians' sycophancy, the generals' adoration...
All of this converged on Constantine at Larissa's command post.
He stood before the enormous sand table, in the heart of the revelry, yet his mind remained as clear as an iceberg that had never melted.
The military victory only opened the door to a new situation.
How to swallow this scalding, barbed victory whole, under the watchful eyes of the European powers, without choking on it?
This is the real test that's about to begin.
He picked up the phone and dialed the private line of Alexandros, the head of the Royal Intelligence Service.
"Alexandros, let's get our 'friends' moving."