The Dagger Revealed

"Hello, Count Roberts!"

Leiden, Commander-in-Chief of the Western Military Region, shook hands with the once battle-hardened British veteran, his face wreathed in smiles.

Faced with this East African general more than a decade younger than himself, Count Roberts would certainly have admired him under different circumstances. But the painful shadow of defeat coiled around his heart, impossible to dispel.

His facial muscles stiffened as he said helplessly, "Congratulations. You won this time."

Though the outcome of the war was hard to accept, East Africa had won. The winner became king and the loser bandit—there was no need for further words.

Moreover, East Africa had defeated the coalition army fair and square this time, without resorting to any opportunistic tricks. Thus, Count Roberts had only two words for such an opponent: formidable.

"Do not be discouraged, Count. Though the war was lost, the blame absolutely does not lie with you. The British Army performed exceptionally in this war. The only regret was inadequate preparation and insufficient follow-up support. Therefore, this defeat was not the fault of the fighting. You have already fulfilled the duty history entrusted to you."

Leiden consoled him. The British Army's record in the South African War had been respectable enough. However, Britain and the Portuguese homeland had provided inadequate subsequent support, while the coalition itself was a motley mix of fish and dragons. That Count Roberts had led this force against East Africa for a full year was, in Leiden's view, entirely worthy of Count Roberts's former reputation.

After all, East Africa was fighting on home soil, and its capabilities in every respect were no worse than those of the British Army, while its numbers were three times greater. Thus, Count Roberts could not truly be considered defeated.

As for the Portuguese Army, the Indian Army, and