Chapitre 34: Chapter 34: It's Better to Resolve than to Maintain Enmity
Before long, an officer who bore some resemblance to the former German footballer Jankel pushed through the crowd and strode up to them. His eyes were blazing like an angry bull's, and from the expressions, gazes, and the scene, it wasn't hard for him to identify the culprit.
Although Lynn couldn't understand the officer's roaring words, he finally grasped the situation: this town wasn't a direct combat zone, so unauthorized gunfire was obviously prohibited. But the consequences of this accidental discharge...
Seeing Lynn's silence, "Jankel" became even more furious. In front of everyone, he suddenly reached out and grabbed Lynn's collar. Lynn had never experienced such a situation before. If he had looked into a mirror, he would have seen his face pale with fear, like a helpless rabbit caught in the wolf's jaws.
Just then, "Butcher," who was standing beside them, roared angrily. Though he didn't lay a hand on anyone, he stepped forward and stood between "Jankel" and Lynn. After a moment, "Jankel" released his grip on Lynn's collar, and it was then that Lynn noticed the eagle emblem embroidered on "Jankel's" chest, a distinct badge of the Wehrmacht, distinguishing it from the Waffen-SS. The eagle emblem on his cap confirmed this distinction.
As a World War II enthusiast, Lynn knew well the fundamental differences between the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS. Undoubtedly, the Wehrmacht represented the regular armed forces of Germany, the legitimate successors to Prussian martial spirit, with a glorious history and excellent traditions. Prior to Hitler's rise to power, it was the only legally armed force in Germany. On the other hand, the Waffen-SS, or the Armed SS, was deeply politicized, serving as Hitler and the Nazi Party's enforcers in peacetime and as elite combat troops during wartime. Although there was some rivalry between the two, especially among officers, there was no animosity. In most battles, the Waffen-SS units operated under the command of Wehrmacht officers, and there was no room for personal grievances.
After releasing Lynn's collar, "Jankel" stepped back and confronted "Butcher," who was half a head shorter. Though he muttered something under his breath and didn't point directly at Lynn, his tone suggested he was highly displeased with the recent gunshot, clearly indicating he wanted repercussions for the culprit.
Punishment could range from confinement to hard labor or even corporal punishment. Searching his mind for information on German military disciplinary measures, Lynn found little in the translated texts. If the incident was deemed a mere accidental discharge, the punishment wouldn't be severe, but if it was perceived as negligence or even deliberate, the situation would change.
When "Butcher" responded, his tone, though not aggressive, was unwavering. Their standoff drew more and more onlookers, leaving Lynn feeling uneasy. He berated himself for such a rookie mistake but couldn't entirely blame the "white-faced troublemaker" — he was just minding his own business. Why couldn't they understand that? Was it because he wasn't gay or a "shotacon"?
The commotion attracted higher-ranking officers, and as a colonel with silver stars on his shoulders appeared, the soldiers respectfully made way for him. But most didn't leave; instead, they waited eagerly for the outcome.
When "Heidrich" was mentioned by the colonel, "Jankel" stepped back, saluting him, followed by "Butcher." Afterward, the colonel turned to Lynn, who felt an unprecedented nervousness when the colonel addressed him. But as expected, he couldn't understand what the colonel was asking him. He lowered his head and looked at the shotgun in his hand. Had his once-promising weapon turned into a liability? He even recalled the gaze of the young man who distributed ammunition and the disdain in the blond's eyes. Had they known this shotgun was trouble from the start?
Seeing Lynn's silence, "Jankel" said something angrily, and "Butcher" immediately responded in a firm but respectful tone. Lynn imagined he was explaining that he had lost his hearing on the battlefield and perhaps even mentioned their shared experiences of life and death. Regardless, "Butcher" managed to shut "Jankel" up.
After a moment of silence, the colonel spoke, his tone gentler, giving Lynn some hope. When the colonel turned away, "Jankel" shot a hateful glance at "Butcher" and Lynn before following him and leaving. A heavy burden lifted from Lynn's chest.
Turning to "Butcher," Lynn didn't know how to express his gratitude and felt ashamed and guilty. "Butcher" sighed, neither blaming nor explaining. After staring at Lynn for two seconds, he turned around and walked toward the square.
Feeling dejected, Lynn glanced at the shotgun in his hand. He thought about tossing it away but ultimately secured it at his waist. Then he hurried after "Butcher."
Returning to the temporary gathering of the SS comrades' house with the "Butcher," Lynn sat sullenly in the farthest corner, flipping through the dictionary he had acquired before the last ray of sunlight disappeared. As dinner time approached, two horse-drawn carts appeared on the square, one carrying barrels and a large iron pot, and the other loaded with wood and various shaped lumber. Several soldiers with similarly somber faces and attire set up a large pot in the center of the square. This scene was somewhat unexpected for Lynn. He had previously read some translations about the logistics of the German army. Although German supply was far inferior to that of American soldiers, under normal circumstances, it should at least be sufficient to meet the marching and combat needs of the troops. Field cooking equipment typically included bread vans that could bake bread while on the move, as well as food trucks providing hot soup at any time. Now that this town had turned into a frontline, it seemed that the situation hadn't reached the point where bread vans and food trucks had to retreat. Could it be that by the end of World War II, the logistical equipment of the German army had regressed to its most primitive state?
With these doubts in mind, Lynn temporarily couldn't obtain accurate information through language. Shortly after, several soldiers carrying baskets walked into the square, distributing bread to the gathered soldiers one by one. Although a whole loaf of black bread had to be divided between two people, Lynn still felt incredibly fortunate. Considering that during the two days at the front line, each person received less than a loaf of black bread, which amounted to just a small piece the size of half a palm for three meals a day. With the remnants of the bread they had confiscated from the Russians, receiving a new ration made Lynn feel quite affluent among his comrades.
European black bread was often baked as hard as a stone to ensure it could last as long as possible under harsh conditions, but eating it was more than just a struggle. If chewed dry, it was nearly impossible to swallow, so soldiers would at least eat it with cold water or even snow. However, having a bowl of hot soup in hand was quite comforting! Recalling the simple vegetable soup from noon, Lynn unexpectedly felt a sense of endless nostalgia. Like his surrounding comrades, he frequently glanced towards the center of the square, eagerly anticipating the soldiers to quickly boil the soup in the large pot. Some even couldn't wait and started queuing up.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone