Chapter 675

The winter wind brushed across their faces, scattering the drifting clouds and carrying the scent of earth straight at them, intoxicatingly fragrant.

In the quiet little village, wisps of cooking smoke rose and were blown every which way, as though telling of life's hardships.

Night gradually fell. Joseph Han, the militiaman on watch, let out a breath of relief. Today had finally passed safely. Having never gone to school, Joseph Han did not know how to put his feelings into words; he could only sigh helplessly.

Ever since the Prusso-Russian War had broken out, the atmosphere along the border had grown tense. Especially after the Cossack cavalry's depredations, the tension had been pushed to its peak.

Budaski Village lay in Lubusen, less than a hundred kilometers from the front line, making it naturally a key security area.

To curb the enemy's arrogance, the Berlin Government had organized local militias and issued them weapons.

The border between Prussia and Russia was simply too long. With the main force of the Prussian Army tied down, even if the rear stood ready in tight formation, it could not fully defend against enemy incursions.

The large cities were all right, with troops stationed there. The Cossack cavalry would not go gnawing on hard bones. It was the scattered towns and villages that suffered the worst luck, becoming the "bandits'" favorite targets.

Joseph Han had personally visited a village that had been baptized by the "bandits." It had been nothing less than hell on earth.

Burning houses, heads hanging at the village entrance, wreckage strewn across the ground, survivors missing arms and legs... all spoke of the "bandits'" atrocities.

Driven by reality, the honest and simple Joseph Han picked up a weapon and joined the militia to defend the little village's peace.

Calling it defense