Chapter 2483


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    The West Army''s headquarters.


    A devastating silence permeated the entire office.


    Lucas had been sitting in his office for the whole day without even bothering to switch on the lights.


    Knock knock''.


    His subordinate, Chris, knocked on the door gently before calling out worriedly, "General Ziegler!"


    Lucas lifted his head slowly and nced at the door. "Leave me alone.N?velDrama.Org ? content.


    Don''t disturb me if it''s nothing big."


    Chris'' voice was low as he said, "We received news from the military hospital."


    Hearing that, Lucas fell silent for a few seconds before saying, "Come in."


    Soon, Chris entered the office and came to a stop before his desk. "General Ziegler, Thomas lost too much blood and was on the brink of death, but the doctor managed to save his life. However, he lost his right arm. I''m afraid he''ll have to be a cripple for the rest of his life."


    A sh of anguish appeared in Lucas'' eyes. "It''s all my responsibility," he uttered slowly.


    Chris knew he was feeling guilty about Thomas'' plight and the death of theirrades.


    For the past ten years, Chris had never seen Lucas this despondent.


    He consoled Lucas, "General Ziegler, winning or losing a battle is amon urrence. We might''ve lost today, but we can work harder and win tomorrow."


    Lucas shook his head. "There''s no tomorrow. I believe the military has found out about my actions. I can imagine how furious the Chief Military Governor is. My time as themander-in-chief of the West hase to an end. Even the President''s intervention can''t change anything." Chris nched. "General Ziegler!" he blurted out.


    Lucas gave a dismissive wave. "The military punishes and rewards ordingly. I made a serious blunder and deserve to be dismissed from my position. I hope I can finish up some work before I get dismissed. Did you apply for ourrades'' death gratuities? Did the military approve the application?"


    Chris answered softly, "I''ve handed the casualty list to the Headquarters of the Chief Military Governor. After he signs the papers, our three hundred overrades'' families will receive their death gratuities. But..."


    Lucas urged, "But what?"


    Chris'' lowered his head. "The Chief Military Governor is extremely furious after learning of the matter. He wants to hold an urgent meeting, and all themanders-in-chief of various military areas are to attend the meeting. He also wants you to show up on time. As he''s busy dealing with important matters, I think the death gratuities would have to wait." After a brief silence, Lucas answered, "Right. It was all my fault. I was the reason they had to die, so the country shouldn''t be paying for my mistake. Chris, how do you calcte the death gratuity?"


    Chris answered honestly, "The death gratuity will be forty times the sry of a soldier, then double the amount. If a soldier''s monthly sry is ten


    ???


    thousand, he will receive a death


    gratuity of eight hundred thousand. However, soldiers who had performed meritorious deeds receive more money ording to their deeds. Thus, ourrades should receive at least one million each. Those with higher ranks would receive more."


    Lucas said, "Tell me the rough amount in total."


    "There are many King of Warriors and military officers who sacrificed themselves this time, so I think the total amount would be around five hundred million," Chris exined.


    Lucas inclined his head. "I can''t ask the country to fork out the money, so I''ll do it myself. My family has been wealthy for generations, so we have some funds. As the head of my family, I have the right to sell off some assets," he dered.


    What? General Ziegler is going to sell off his family assets to pay the death gratuities?


    Chris said hastily, "General Ziegler, I know you''re quite wealthy, but if the Ziegler family takes out five hundred million, you''ll not be able to recover from the losses."


    Indeed, the Chief Military Governor would definitely dismiss Lucas from his post.


    After Lucas lost his job, the Ziegler family would have to pay up. The loss of power and wealth would be too much for them to bear, it might take them over twenty years to recover from the losses.


    Lucas stated firmly, "Just do as I say. Tomorrow, I shall ask my family to sell off some assets. After receiving five hundred million, please distribute the death gratuity to their families."


    Left with no choice, Chris had to listen to his order. "Yes!"


    Lucas continued, "I won''t be attending the urgent meeting held at the Headquarters of the Chief Military Governor in Brimmopolis."


    What? But the Chief Military Governor ordered you to be there''.


    Before Chris could say anything, Lucas said, "I''ll be punished even if I''m not there. Besides, I ept all forms of punishment. There''s no need for me to humiliate myself. shall wait here for his decision Ourrades'' bodies might be at Volk, but we still have to hold a funeral for them. Get me all their uniforms so they could be buried in cenotaphs. Tomorrow, I shall attend their funeral and bid goodbye to them."


    "Got it," came Chris'' answer.