Steel Soviet Union

Although there were some unpleasant episodes along the way, fortunately Malashenko, who did not put himself in an invincible position and thought too highly of himself, quickly returned to normal after the initial slight surprise.

After all, I am not a god. If I expect everyone to look up at me with their necks raised, I'd better go to bed early.

Captain Varosha has the right to make his own choices. Maybe he is burdened with something he doesn't know about, so let's just forget about it for the time being.

"It's nothing, forget it. If there is really a reason that cannot be said, I understand him. If I were in the same situation, I would probably do the same."

Even though Iushkin had long been accustomed to Malashenko's tolerance and generosity, Iushkin was still surprised by the fact that he didn't take it to heart at all and didn't seem to be deliberately hypocritical.

"He rejected you, didn't you hear it? Just forget it?"

"if not?"

Malashenko shook his head and smiled to himself. His relaxed expression seemed like he really didn't take this matter to heart.

"Anyone I invite, I have to be prepared to be rejected. That's it for now. I'll leave the rest for later. Now, let's go and kick this bastard Paulus's lair.

Malashenko himself said that the matter should be settled as it was, and naturally Iushkin, as a bystander, could not say anything more.

Malashenko is right. In the upcoming war, it is indeed important to deal with the enemy first. What is more important is to win honors for the 1st Guards Heavy Tank Brigade before other friendly forces. The first place to kill Paulus is only available. one.

Beside the street, Captain Varosha, who has been squatting next to the tank and smoking since he came downstairs, looks a little preoccupied. The cigarette held between his fingertips seems to be not for entertainment but a punching bag. The scene of constantly blowing smoke out is like It's a big burning chimney.

"You shouldn't have answered Brigadier Malashenko like that."

"We all know what kind of force the 1st Guards Heavy Tank Brigade is. It has the best weapons, the most elite soldiers, and the richest food. If someone else had encountered such a thing, they would have cried excitedly. It's better for you to refuse so simply. If Malashenko's identity as brigade commander didn't bother you, I even suspect that you might be retaliated against. "

The leisurely accompanying platoon leader squatted beside Captain Varosha and smoked together, blowing smoke rings out of his mouth and muttering in a low voice, with an expression on his face that seemed to be a mocking joke.

"If you say a few useless words, no one will treat you as a mute."

After throwing the cigarette butt that was about to burn to the ground and stamping it out, Captain Varosha stood up and his eyes had returned to normal. Perseverance and bravery once again returned to this man.

"You know why I refused. It can't even be said to be a refusal. I will handle it after this battle is over. The result may be different by then."

The muttering Captain Varosha stepped towards the soldiers not far away. The platoon leader, who still had half a cigarette left in his hand, was still squatting on the ground and shaking his head with a smile.

"It's always been like this. It's really weird and unpredictable."

When the siege team led by Malashenko set out again and began to move forward along the relatively easy but detoured path between the city ruins, Paulus felt that the whole world was gray in his headquarters. But there is a different feeling lingering in my heart.

The wait is long, many times.

Especially when you are waiting for some news that is almost certain to be bad, but there is still a trace of hope left in your heart, praying for a miracle to happen, this long and painful waiting time will be like a bullet when a master fights. Time is also extended indefinitely, making the waiting people even more miserable.

There is no doubt that Paulus was currently suffering from the great pain caused by this waiting torture, which made him feel physically and mentally exhausted.

"Still no call back?"

Colonel Adam couldn't remember how many times Paulus had asked such a question. Colonel Adam, who had no updates to report, shook his head with regret.

"I haven't received any valuable calls back, either from reinforcements or from the direction of Berlin."

Paulus, who had expected such an answer, smiled miserably. The world that should have been in color looked like a black and white photo to Paulus. The area of ​​vision within his eyes was only a dull and dull scene. The color is black and white. Even I, who haven't looked in the mirror for a long time, have a miserable black and white look on my face.

It's all finally coming to an end!

But it didn't end the way Paulus originally envisioned.

What kind of ending will happen to you?

Paulus, who was originally determined, now had a blank mind and no idea at all. He didn't even know where he should go next. It was like a helpless, bruised beast trapped in a cage, struggling to survive and peering through the iron bed cage at the outside world. Everything would be predictably shattered and unavailable.

The high spirits of the past have long since disappeared from this body that is now like a walking corpse.

Paulus, who was sitting in his chair and looking up at the ceiling, didn't know what to say. Colonel Adam beside him was also silent behind his hands. Paulus had to be the first to break the strange silence.

"Adam, tell me, could it be that Manstein deliberately didn't come to rescue us? He may have felt that the Sixth Army's results were brilliant and that we would steal his limelight after our victory, so he just made a show of attacking. From the above, it seems that they are actually just tickling the Russians, and they may even be pretending to cooperate tacitly. "

Paulus, who was already in a trance, may have thought it was nothing, but Colonel Adam, who clearly heard every word Paulus said, looked horrified.

"What are you talking about? Paulus, this is impossible."

"Marshal Manstein was the offensive master appointed by the head of state to rescue us. His accomplishments in offensive command were unparalleled. Even a fortress as strong as Sevastopol was easily captured by him. I I even wonder how large a strategic force the Russians must have assembled to stop Marshal Manstein's attack."

Although he said this, Colonel Adam, who was already very close to Paulus, could not help but lament in his heart.

Wasn't it you who blocked the hope brought by Marshal Manstein back then?