บท 9: Unexpected Outcome

--JULY 24, UNIFIED YEAR 1920, NORTHERN SEA BORDERS OF RUSSY, LEGADONIA, AND GERUN--

Yuri was currently going through most data that is on his new gadget.

He had to say that a 2-dimensional holographic display was something very amazing.

And to top it off, it was interactive like a smartphone display.

It was fascinating because in his old world technology was not that advanced.

Hell, even in the world where his PMC originated from it was not interactive like this. There had to be buttons and stuff on it.

In general, it was already surpassing the old iDroid.

His guess was that they mixed knowledge of all three worlds into one. Scary stuff if one had to think about it...

"Big brother..."

Yuri looked up from his wristwatch and saw his little sister calling out to him in her sleep.

After standing up from his own bed, which was on the other side of this passenger room, he approached her.

Kneeling down he gently placed one of her golden bangs behind her ear.

He still could see her shedding tears, even now, while asleep.

"I am sorry I could not protect everyone... I hope you can be strong enough to overcome this...and forgive me..." His words were hushed and he gently kissed her small forehead.

They both became orphans now. No, even worse since they are now hunted down by the very same country that they were born in.

If it would have been only Yuri, then he would not mind but for this little girl, it was like her very world shattered in just that instant, her foothold swept under her feet, catapulting her into the abyss.

All he could do now is keep hoping she would not break from this and become strong through it. he would gladly be her anchor as she is very much his own.

Sighing he stood back up and left the room to get some fresh air. While he left he nodded towards the soldier that stood guard in front of the room.

Finally being outside he caught the scent of the ocean. The salty air felt refreshing but coupled with the sun burning high in the sky it was not all pleasantry.

He could already feel his skin getting derived from all moisture. Even his lips started chipping.

There was no wonder now why many sailors were tanned while traveling from one port to the other.

"I really could use a smoke right now..." he exhaled and murmured while leaning his head on the metal reeling.

Old habits die hard but then again he did notice his reaction towards nicotine was majorly different now.

It smelled disgusting and he had difficulties breathing sometimes while in the presence of it. Maybe that is how people really feel when they had to endure smokers beside them.

Still, he would still like to, for old habits sake.

Just then one of his soldiers handed him something.

"Hmm?" Yuri looked over and saw him giving what looked like a cigarette.

He chuckled lightly. "Eavesdropping are we? Should you guys even smoke? It is bad for the health after all..." Yuri reprimanded the poor guy while knowing he was no saint with recalling his past.

"Besides, I am still underage..."

The guy that had the same uniform and balaclava as the other soldiers chuckled. Only the red beret on his head showed a higher rank in command.

That seemed to be the bare minimum to be able to talk with Yuri. Otherwise, the soldiers did not dare come closer to Yuri for some reason. Then again, a chain of command was a good thing. It kept things simple and efficient.

"These are special electric cigarettes. They have a herb mixture inside them that is healthy for the body. And it helps immensely getting over nicotine if one had been a smoker...", explained the guy. He definitely ould not want to be depicted as someone enticing a child to smoke.

Yuri raised one eyebrow and actually took the thing.

"That still doesn't explain you listening on me...", said Yuri

The soldier nodded. "I have something to report. Information from the mother base came in just now. It looks like, since our departure from the Russy mainland yesterday, there was an escalation on the eastern region."

Yuri narrowed his eyes and listened.

"Three nations revolted and rose up with their own flag."

"Huh, that was to be expected...But I doubt that is what you want to tell me, correct?" Yuri was not surprised and thought this was a trivial matter to be reported about.

"...The Akitsushima Dominion has declared war on those rebels and is already engaging in fights on the easternmost borders..."

"WHAT!?" Yuri was furious now. "Those guys are actually bold enough to try and pry away some Russy land in such a situation!?"

It may have been the still lingering anger inside him that build up over the last day, but this news sure made his emotions burst out again.

So if he would take back his country it would be just a mere shadow of itself!? Unacceptable! He was gnashing his teeth and looked at the herbal cig.

Taking it into his mouth he sucked air through it and inhaled the smoke that was generated. His pupils dilated a little and calmness washed over his mind.

Taking it out of his mouth and exhaling he could only look at it and compliment the one who came up with this. It was strong and immediately effective. But a drug nonetheless...

"Fine..." Yuri frowned deeply and took the cig back into his mouth. "We will wait for now...I doubt the red party will just take that punch so easily...Not with the history that we have with the dominion...And if they do...then they are bigger fools than I thought..."

Yuri got one shit event after the other as it seemed. Hopefully, his arrival at the Gerun Empire will not be as problematic as everything else.

Let's just hope his uncle is not a dimwit either.