Chapter 580: For Charles
At the City Hall of Namur, the headquarters of Belgium’s First Special Reconnaissance Army...
King Albert I sat at the dining table in the lounge, having breakfast with a grim expression.
It wasn’t because the meal was insufficient. As a king, being able to enjoy a breakfast comparable to Charles’s standard within his own territory should leave little room for complaint.
Nor was it due to discomfort in his residence. Despite the heavy snow outside, the room was warmed by a fireplace, creating a spring-like ambiance far better than the freezing front lines where soldiers confronted their enemies.
What dampened his spirits was the absence of Charles in Belgium.
The moment Charles left, Albert I felt like he had lost his backbone, his confidence, and his courage.
I can’t go on like this, Albert I repeatedly told himself.
Does it mean I can’t fight a war without Charles?
Does it mean Brigadier General Eden cannot command the troops?
Belgium still had seven million people. Could they not find someone else capable of keeping the enemy at bay like Charles?
Albert I tried to cheer himself up with these thoughts, sitting up straighter and reminding himself to face everything with courage.
But the very next second, he slumped onto the table like a deflated balloon, unable to hold his knife and fork. They slipped weakly from his fingers and clattered onto the tabletop.
Yes, Belgium could not do without Charles.
Without Charles, Belgium was like a tiny shrimp, always at risk of being crushed in the war between the major powers.
Even though Charles had retaken key cities like Namur, Brussels, and Antwerp, linking them into a coherent defensive line...
Even though he had provided detailed defensive plans...
Charles was the soul of the army. Without him, no one had the morale to face the German army—Brigadier General Eden included!
Albert I couldn’t help lamenting inwardly:
“God, the Sixth Army has over 200,000 troops, and Charles is their commander. Does that mean Belgium’s armored and mechanized units will also be transferred away?”
“If the troops are gone, fine, but will Charles stay in the Somme and never return?”
“The key is Charles. As long as they keep Charles here, I would immediately hand over the First Special Reconnaissance Army... No, I would give him command of all the troops.”
...
“Your Majesty.” As Albert I was lost in his thoughts, Brigadier General Eden rushed into the room, his voice arriving before him. “Your Majesty, Charles is in Belgium!”
“What?” Albert I exclaimed in surprise and delight. “He’s back? How come I wasn’t informed?”
“Charles may not have been able to notify you,” Eden replied with a peculiar expression, tinged with anger.
“What?” Albert I asked in confusion. “What do you mean, he couldn’t notify me?”
“Yes.” Eden nodded. “The Sixth Army is also in Belgium, just 30 kilometers away in Gembloux.”
Albert I’s expression grew heavy. He had heard of a French unit switching positions in Gembloux, but France hadn’t informed him that it was Charles’s Sixth Army.
Soon, however, his mood brightened. “This is good news, General! All of Charles’s troops are here...”
“Your Majesty,” Eden interrupted, “the information I received suggests they seem to have placed Charles under control.”
“What?” Albert I shot to his feet, his expression changing dramatically. “They’ve placed Charles under control? Where did you get this information? Is it reliable?”
Eden answered, “I got it from the militia, though it’s not confirmed.”
Despite General Gamelin’s tight information blockade, interaction with the outside world was inevitable—whether for procuring supplies or other reasons. Word would inevitably leak to the Belgian militia.
Eden added, “They said it’s due to the parliament. The French Parliament sent a group of officers to replace all the mid- and high-ranking officers of the Sixth Army.”
Albert I understood, nodding grimly, his voice filled with anger. “Yes, those bastards in the parliament have always seen Charles as a threat. They were fine with him commanding 20,000 troops, but a force of over 200,000 terrifies them!”
“What should we do?” Eden asked.
Albert I snorted coldly. “Daring to act recklessly in Belgium, they clearly have no regard for me as king!”
Without hesitation, he issued a resolute order:
“The Third Infantry Division of the Special Reconnaissance Army will stay here to defend, but the other two divisions will march to Gembloux immediately!”
“In addition, mobilize all nearby militia to Gembloux, no matter their numbers.”
Eden grew anxious. “Your Majesty, even with all the forces combined, we’d only have about 60,000 men, while the French Sixth Army has over 200,000...”
“No, General Eden.” Albert I interrupted him. “You think it’s 60,000 against 200,000 French troops? Have you forgotten whose side the French soldiers are on?”
Eden instantly realized that the French soldiers supported Charles.
Once the Belgian troops reached Gembloux, it would be 60,000 Belgian troops plus over 200,000 French troops—nearly 300,000 men—to deal with the officers sent by the parliament to sideline Charles.
Yet, Eden still hesitated. “But the French government...”
This made Albert I pause briefly. Given Belgium’s current position and circumstances, offending the French Parliament was not a prudent choice.
As a king and seasoned politician, he should have prioritized national interests.
But Albert I only hesitated for a moment before thinking:
“Even if we offend both Britain and France, so what?”
“As long as Charles is here, he can lead Belgium to reclaim its territory and fend off invasions from any nation, including Britain and France!”
“This is an opportunity—a monumental opportunity! The French Parliament is pushing Charles away, and Belgium has the chance to embrace this golden fortune!”
With that thought, Albert I’s resolve only strengthened. “Immediately execute my orders!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Eden responded and hurried off to deliver the command.
Albert I smiled as he walked to the window, his gaze drifting past the glass to the snowflakes fluttering outside. His mood had dramatically improved.
This incident could place Belgium on the path to becoming a strong nation. Regret it, you fools!
Just then, Eden returned. “Your Majesty, should we inform General Tigani?”
Albert I understood Eden’s intention. Bringing Tigani along would soften the confrontation with France. In case of repercussions, Tigani—a French general—could bear the responsibility.
But Albert I shook his head firmly. “No. Say nothing.”
What he wanted was a confrontation with France—for Charles.