Chapter 104: Redemption Day (Part Two) (Seventh Watch—Please Vote)

A large group of former prisoners, though all thin and frail, looked spirited as they wore their splendid national military uniforms and posed for a grand photo at the Kremlin.

This was absolutely undeniable!

For a moment, the Allied nations were thrown into uproar.

Many even designated December 20, 1942, as "Redemption Day"!

There had been lucky souls who escaped from concentration camps before, but most were caught and executed shortly after due to unfamiliarity with their surroundings. Only a rare few were rescued and protected by local underground resistance groups before the German forces could find them.

Such luck was one in a million.

Never before had there been such a large-scale successful escape, especially from a maximum-security concentration camp, involving so many highly influential generals and officers.

While the people of various countries rejoiced, the Allied forces also began to regard the Soviet agents with newfound respect.

This operation greatly enhanced Stalin’s prestige.

After the outbreak of the Soviet-German war, Yakov had eagerly enlisted and quickly became a lieutenant in the 14th Tank Division of the Soviet 16th Army Group.

Although he was unfortunately captured, Yakov was a man of steel, firmly refusing all German coercion and bribery, revealing no information and steadfastly refusing to cooperate.

His steadfast spirit was confirmed by the other prisoners of war.

In contrast, Khrushchev’s education of his son Leonid was a complete failure. Leonid initially killed a Soviet officer while drunk but was spared severe punishment due to his father’s influence. After the outbreak of the war, Leonid also became a German prisoner and disclosed many secrets to the German forces during captivity.

If not for some unexpected turn, Leonid would have been executed by Stalin as a negative example upon his return.

The contrast between these two figures was glaring.

What was even more remarkable was Yakov’s youth and experience.

Merely for his unwavering loyalty and resilience, a promotion to captain would not have been excessive.

Then he led an uprising, rescuing numerous Allied generals—surely that warranted at least a two-rank promotion.

Stalin’s health was still robust; he could remain General Secretary for another decade without issue. Perhaps Yakov could have become the next Soviet leader.

Stalin’s political rivals were frantic with anxiety.

But just ten days after Yakov returned to Moscow, he died. The cause: severe weakness and multiple organ failure. Even under Stalin’s furious order, the autopsy revealed nothing unusual.

In a concentration camp, suffering beatings and malnutrition was commonplace. If anyone was to blame, it was simply Yakov’s ill fate.

Look at all those other aged generals who survived; only Yakov died.

Stalin was utterly devastated.

He had believed that his son’s future was secured.

Sometimes life is cruel: the heavens grant you hope only to snatch it away.

Yet politically, Stalin succeeded.

Yakov’s funeral was held with full state honors, with generals from major Allied countries attending to pay respects.

Everyone knew Yakov hadn’t actually led any uprising, but Stalin’s message was clear: if he hadn’t saved his son, those prisoner generals would have rotted in the camps.

Whether out of shared sorrow or respect, the usual Allied bickering was set aside to grant Stalin face.

After the state funeral, Stalin finally summoned Mey Mumu.

“In recognition of Lieutenant Colonel Meijer Delauski’s outstanding bravery behind enemy lines, we hereby award the Hero of the Soviet Union medal for the second time. As this is a second award, the Order of Lenin is additionally conferred…”

“Promoted Delauski to Red Army Brigadier General and transferred to the reserves.”

Seeing the large scar on Mey Mumu’s temple, the bruised eye, and the limp right arm, Stalin, no matter how harsh, could not fault this exceptional young man.

This young fellow had risked everything to complete a mission deemed impossible by intelligence—and what more could he ask?

Hiding his sorrow, Stalin comforted Mey Mumu: “You have done remarkably well. It is regrettable that the Red Army will likely lose a talent like you. Do you have any wishes?”

Mey Mumu looked up earnestly: “Though I am disabled, I hope to pass down my infiltration skills and train more talent for our great motherland. Let me be an instructor at the sniper school—or in the intelligence department.”

Stalin turned to his intelligence chief, who nodded.

“Very well. There happens to be a newly established department that needs someone like you. It will be called the ‘Red House.’”

“Thank you, General Secretary, for your trust! I will give my all to cultivate talent for the motherland.”

“I look forward to your achievements.” Though he said this, Stalin felt a pang of regret. If this young man were truly formidable, perhaps next time he could be sent to assassinate Hitler—if successful, that would be a great relief.

Yet soon, Stalin forgot about Mey Mumu.

Mey Mumu’s rise and glory were brief, like a shooting star.

Stalin had more pressing matters to attend to.

Meanwhile, Mey Mumu was overflowing with joy!

Seeing the system prompt on his retinas, he was truly ecstatic!

Red House! Red House! Hahaha! Here I come!

As he left the Kremlin, Mey Mumu felt as if his bones had been lightened considerably.

A bona fide Hero of the Soviet Union, a Red Army brigadier general—how could he be looked down upon in the Red House?

Just then, the long-missed voice of Miss Balance sounded.

“Host, you are truly devious.”

“Uh…”

“If Stalin knew it was you who saved his son and also who killed his son with shadow magic, would he have a heart attack on the spot?” she teased.

“Ah! Ha! Ha ha ha!” Mey Mumu forced a laugh deep in his mind. “I’m just maintaining history and preserving the balance of time! Heh heh heh!”

“Tch!”

Heard shamelessness, but never this shameless!

This was worse than dancing on a grave. If Stalin knew this in 2016, the coffin lid would surely fly off.

That said, if Yakov hadn’t died, it would have had a tremendous impact on the Soviet Union in this world.

It could easily lead to the rise of figures like the second and third leaders of a certain peninsula nation, spawning a so-called Red regime that was actually imperial.

As a superpower in the Marvel universe, such a temporal disturbance would be massive.

But what difference does it make whether you save a man or kill him?

Of course, there is a difference!

The next day, Mey Mumu was appointed as the chief instructor and supreme head of the Red House.

“Ding!”

System prompt: “Due to your leadership of the Red House, which has significantly altered the fate of Marvel’s superhero Black Widow Natasha Romanoff, you have gained 15 fate deviation points.”