Cannon Fire Arc

The banquet hall of the Summer Palace had been refreshed with new decor, for it was the kind of reception where everyone stood with a drink in hand, so two long tables were placed along the edges of the hall, laden with food that could easily be picked up and eaten.

Wang Zhong, holding Ludmila's hand, entered the venue, casually picked up a piece of walnut cake, and surveyed his surroundings while nibbling.

Diplomats and their spouses followed behind this pair, entering one after another until the room quickly filled to capacity.

The orchestra had already taken its place in a designated area, playing soothing music.

Wang Zhong whispered to Ludmila, "What comes next in the program?"

Since the saying "General Rocossov dislikes dances" had already spread throughout Ye Fort, Wang Zhong, who had been in his post for over a month now, had never been to a dance.

His understanding of dances was still based on various movies and television shows he had seen, like that unparalleled Soviet film "War and Peace."

There was also that genuinely one-shot Soviet movie "Russian Ark."

Beyond that, dances were a complete black box to Wang Zhong, an unexplored territory, whereas the character he had replaced in this world was supposedly a "party expert," or using the anime parlance, a "party wild guest."

According to others' accounts, the prodigal Rocossov was extremely adept at luring naive young girls to bed during dances.

And this was precisely the area where Wang Zhong felt most foreign.

A dance? You've got to be joking, the only time I went to KTV was to belt out "Steel Pails Tearfully Call for Repairs" with my bros! The only interaction I had with any girls there was when I sang "Girl Across the Way Look Over Here."

Faced with the befuddled Wang Zhong, Ludmila kindly explained, "There will be a speech later, just focus on eating for now."

"Sure. I'm good at that, just clap at the end, right?" Wang Zhong nodded in agreement.

Ludmila: "Then there will be the first dance, the hostess and the guest of honor will lead."

"Got it, I'll just keep eating," replied Wang Zhong, nodding as if pounding garlic.

Ludmila looked at him, "You can't, you're the guest of honor."

Wang Zhong: "Me?"

Am I being punked?

Is this for real?

Ludmila couldn't help laughing at Wang Zhong's solemn face, "Why so serious? It's not like you're being asked to devour Prosen's Army Group."

Wang Zhong: "I'd rather annihilate the enemy's Army Group."

Just kidding, you guys are scarier than a Prosen Tank; even a Tiger tank doesn't have armor as thick as you.

Wang Zhong: "So the hostess is Olga—Her Majesty, huh?"

Ludmila softly reminded him, "You left out the 'the First.'"

"Oh. So it's her then? I'm to lead the dance with her?"

Ludmila nodded, "Just be careful not to step on her feet."

Wang Zhong: "Did I used to step on feet before?"

"You always did. Then you'd offer to put ointment on her and give her a massage, leading the girl to the first-aid room that was prepared in advance," Ludmila said, blinking at Wang Zhong.

Wang Zhong: "Rest assured, I wouldn't do that to my sworn sister."

The court master of ceremonies struck the floor with his staff, drawing everyone's attention before announcing loudly, "Her Imperial Majesty Olga the First has arrived!"

Those who had been chattering instantly turned, all facing towards the door where the master of ceremonies stood.

The doors slowly opened, and Her Majesty the Tsar, Olga the First, entered the banquet hall dressed in regal attire, followed by two maids holding her gown's train.

Olga seemed a bit tightly wrapped, perhaps the weather was cold today.

Wang Zhong let out a sigh of relief.

However, the next moment, His Majesty the Tsar shrugged her shoulders, reminiscent of the boss battle intro from the Yakuza game series, and cast off her lengthy royal cloak!

She then conveniently unfastened the belt that secured the outer part of her gown.

Olga the First had 'lightened the load' in one swift move, smiling amiably at all the attendees.

She was actually searching, and upon spotting Wang Zhong, her gaze locked in place.

Wang Zhong was astounded.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Merry Christmas," Olga began her speech.

Wang Zhong, following Ludmila's earlier instruction, started to enjoy his food.

Olga glanced at him, saying, "The Tsarina is watching you, it's not proper to keep your head down and eat, is it?"

Wang Zhong: "But I'm also watching her. Just like this."

He held his food, looked towards Olga, then realized that when he had bitten into the cake, he had left cream on his lips. This made his gesture seem rather comical.

The Tsarina almost lost her composure but ultimately steadied herself and continued her speech, "This year has been tough for the allied nations fighting against the axis of evil. Our Ante Empire has lost millions of soldiers, with over one and a half million captured."

Wang Zhong thought to himself, weren't it for my fierce fighting, the number could have been increased by a few hundred thousand to make it an even two million.

The Tsar continued, "While the Federation lost six battleships in a sneak attack by the Empire of Fusang, innumerable sailors sacrificed their lives. As for the United Kingdom, until July of this year, they were still under bombing by Prosen, countless civilians died in the air raids. I propose a moment of silence for all the deceased."

Having finished, Olga crossed her hands over her abdomen and bowed her head in a moment of silence.

Wang Zhong hastily set down his food and bowed his head to pay his respects.

After a minute, Wang Zhong raised his head and looked at Olga, noticing the tears glistening at the corner of her eyes.

Was she reminiscing about Ivan?

Olga: "As the Tsar, I too have lost two loved ones under the iron heel of the Prosen. This blood feud can only be resolved with fire and sword! The lost lands must be regained, and justice will prevail!"

Wang Zhong led the applause, which soon thundered throughout the hall.

Once the applause died down, Olga continued, "Today we celebrate Christmas to show the Prosen Empire our determination, to declare that we have not bowed to their tyranny. Let us raise our glasses and celebrate Christmas!"

Waiters with impressive skills appeared in a line, carrying trays filled with wine glasses, and then dispersed among the guests, moving deftly through the crowd.

Soon everyone had a wine glass in hand.

Wang Zhong and others raised their glasses high and shouted, "Cheers!"

After finishing their drinks, Olga handed her glass to a waiter and then signaled to the orchestra, and so the first dance began.

Ludmila nudged Wang Zhong: "Go."

Am I your Pokémon?

No, that's not right, it should be "Am I your Parlu?" now.

But he stepped forward anyway and offered Olga the invitation to dance.

Strangely, he had no idea how to invite someone to dance, but his body seemed to remember, and he naturally made the inviting gesture.

Olga laughed heartily and placed her hand in Wang Zhong's palm.

Thus, Wang Zhong led her to the position for the lead dancers.

At that moment, Wang Zhong finally confirmed that his body did indeed have muscle memory, and boldly let his body take over, guiding Olga through the graceful dance moves across the dance floor.

Normally, Ludmila would be dancing with the host, but in the absence of one, she stood by, smiling as she watched Wang Zhong dance with his "foster sister."

Wang Zhong struggled to avoid concentrating on the bust in front of him, locking his gaze onto Olga's face instead.

As the piece ended, he managed not to step on her feet even once.

Damn it, wasn't I supposed to step on her foot and then take the girl to the infirmary?

No, I definitely didn't intend to take Her Majesty the Tsar over there, no way!

Amidst the applause, Olga whispered regretfully, "I thought it was going to be a more thrilling dance."

Wang Zhong: "Your Majesty, that kind of dance requires music like the tango, or something even more intense like flamenco. I can't get passionate with a waltz the orchestra is playing."

"So it is." Olga turned to look at the orchestra and snapped her fingers, "By the Tsar's name, I demand a flamenco!"

As an orchestra capable of playing at the court, naturally no tune was beyond their scope.

The sound of the guitar resonated immediately, indeed it was a flamenco.

Wang Zhong's heart beat faster, unsure if this body had that skill.

When the violin joined in, Wang Zhong asked, "You... have you learned flamenco?"

Olga: "I've seen you dance it with other girls."

Well done, indeed there is this skill, Rocossov you party beast.

Then the violin resounded, and Wang Zhong remembered, he had seen this piece danced by Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta in "The Mask of Zorro"!

So, following their example and with his body's assistance, he stepped forward and wrapped his arm around Olga's waist.

The beginning part of the piece was actually quite gentle, and Wang Zhong just strolled around the dance floor with Olga, but when the guitar and the drum beats picked up, so did his movements.

As he lifted his hand, Olga spun like a top, her footwork perfectly matching the guitar's rapid strumming.

Eventually, Olga rushed into Wang Zhong's arms, and he had to perform a move that brought his face close to her front armor, nearly inserting his nose into the armor's seam.

Olga hadn't broken a sweat from the spinning, so Wang Zhong could only smell the perfume, not identifying the scent but knowing it was pleasant and not pungent like cheap perfume.

And then, so white, wanting to bury his face in it.

Wang Zhong effortlessly matched Olga's dance steps, twirling her so that her skirt bloomed like a flower.

At the end of the piece, Wang Zhong controlled his breathing and looked back at Olga's face, finding that she was finally sweating—it was the middle of winter, and the temperature inside the banquet hall wasn't low.

They froze in their final pose as the last note played.

The applause was thunderous.

Olga took the opportunity to whisper to Wang Zhong, "I've long wanted to dance with you. My brother taught me those steps."

What the hell, Ivan, this is a setup!

Wang Zhong stood up straight, let go of Olga's waist, and naturally took her hand, bowing to everyone.

The applause swelled again, with Ludmila joining in.

Wang Zhong escorted Olga back to her rightful place, bowed once more, and turned to look at Ludmila.

There should be a break between two dances at a ball.

The orchestra began to play a soft tune.

Wang Zhong approached Ludmila and bowed, "May I have the pleasure of a flamenco dance with you?"

Ludmila: "I haven't had a teacher though, I might step on your feet. And I'm wearing a military uniform."

Wang Zhong: "Isn't that perfect? Come on."

So, Ludmila placed her hand in Wang Zhong's palm.

Wang Zhong, leading her to the center of the dance floor and utilizing his freshly acquired moves, snapped his fingers at the orchestra, "Flamenco!"