Giulio and Leila ended up constructing quickly a very close relation, despite the difference of age, becoming inseparable. Together with the few friends the young aristocrat had in the Academy, she contributed in making his last year there more pleasant and less harsh.
Meanwhile, the territorial dispute between the EU and China over Vladivostok, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and other territories in Central and Northern Asia degenerated to the point that, on the 13th of June of 2013, 24th Prairial of 221 according with the Revolutionary Calendar (in use in the EU), the Chinese Federation officially declared war on the United Republic of Europa.
Giulio, who was by then on holidays in Amalfi with his family, was immediately called into service and as a recently graduated lieutenant, was sent all the way to Mongolia, attached to the Armée d'Italie.
Immediately his tactical expertise and courage made him play a decisive role in ensuring major European victories in the battles of Irkutsk, Zakamensk, Ulan Bator and Dalanzadgad, forcing the Chinese back over their borders. All this made him obtain a quick promotion first to the rank of Tenant and than of Capitaine. In addition, after the Battle of Dalanzadgad, where the Europeans finally took back the initiative and started advancing in China, he received the decoration of Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur.
It was at this point, however, that the problems began. Giulio, in fact, now known as "The Italian Khan", started supporting the proposal of Géneral d'Armée Gene Smilas of a massive offensive against inner Mongolia that should have enabled the Europeans to advance and take over Beijing. This idea was however in contrast with what the Etat-major thought should be done, since the Presidency of the Republic was committed to not mobilise large numbers of soldiers and minimise losses, given that the elections would have taken place the following year. As a result, they were sent to Vladivostok, where they could not do so many damages.
Even there, however, the ambition of both became evident, resulting in a very successful European offensive that took over the cities of Jiamusi and Harbin, in China. This time, however, the young Giulio was to learn that not always heroism in Europa is well accepted.
"Capitaine Galahad, you have been reported for the twentieth time for insubordination and break of military laws." Started saying the Marechal d'Europia Philippe d'Estaing, Supreme Commander in the region. Giulio was called by him directly at the headquarters, in Astana, Kazakhstan.
"With all the respect, Sir, I just did it to save the life of another European battalion that was being surrounded. In addition my action allowed us to take over the town of Dunhua and begin to open the way to enter in Korea…"
"Assez, Galahad! You still think and act like a schoolboy, thinking of heroism, aggressive warfare and this kind of crazy things. We are Europeans and we don't do that. This is a defensive war, you and Smilas… both you! Was it so difficult to just obey the order and defend Vladivostok? Now the press in Paris is complaining that we are sending our soldiers to die in foreign lands, the trade unions have protested and the Government is worried about the next elections!"
"I see." By this point, Giulio was disgusted by the pettiness of the leaders of his adoptive country.
"If at least you were using Elevens for that thing… but no, you are using European citizens. Do you even realise how serious is what you are doing?"
"Désolé, Monsieur."
"Go back to your place, now, and remember, next time you won't be able to repress your Britannian blood, I will make sure you will go to the Court Martial. You know what happened with Napoleon Bonaparte, right?"
"Yes, sir."
From that day onwards, Giulio developed a sense of disdain and contempt towards the EU and all its values. Not that he ever approved it: there was nothing to be approved in a revolutionary republic founded on the heads of the old Kings and nobles and based on aberrations like egalitarianism, atheism, materialism and individualism. Now however, his contempt towards it had grown even more: not only it was based on such decadent values, but it was also sublimating and promoting mediocrity and pettiness, discouraging instead will to power, heroism and everything that could have made an individual a real man.
"It's no surprise that they had beheaded Napoleon Bonaparte. A country like this doesn't even deserve to survive. It's even worse than Britannia, it really deserves to be wiped out!" Said Giulio by himself while on a plane back to his position.
Such reprimand would influence the rest and most decisive part of the campaign. In fact, As the Europeans stopped, following the success of their counter-offensive, the Chinese, who had less scruples, quickly reorganised their troops, mobilised more forces and launched a counter-attack against the Europeans, throughout the whole frontline.
"Here in Jilin we are holding the Chinese well, what's the situation there in Dunhua, Galahad?" Asked General Smilas via videocall.
"It's alright. They tried to attack us a few hours ago and it didn't ended well for them. Now it seems they are assembling a serious force."
"Very well then, let's prepare to defend, if we lose, Vladivostok will fall. So let's give our best."
"Well, actually I was thinking about withdrawing."
"What? Is this a joke, Galahad?"
"Not at all. Point is that our presence here is illegal under the European Military Law, which is why we are getting no support from the rest of the forces. In addition you have already suffered too many casualties, being therefore likely to end up in the Court Martial after this battle, no matter the result. Moreover, the commander-in-chief also threatened me with arrest. I would rather, therefore, fall back while I haven't suffered any losses yet."
"That's cowardice, are you crazy? In addition if you do so they will pass our lines and surround us and it will be over."
"I am sorry, Sir, I have great respect for you, but this country clearly knows its priorities better than we do, I will therefore respect them. Especially now that the Chinese are advancing again. Good luck, General."
"Wait, you bloody traitor! How you dare…" Giulio closed the call.
"Tenant Rizzo, order the retreat."
"But sir…"
"Don't question my orders, just do it."
They retreated, allowing the Chinese to break through the European lines and inflict one of the most humiliating defeats on the European Republic, in what was remembered as Battle of Jilin. Giulio was disgusted and saddened for having made an enemy of one of the very few persons within the European Army that he respected.
Quickly after that battle, the Chinese advanced in European territory and conquered Vladivostok. Smilas filed Galahad and both had to leave the front to face a juridical litigation in Paris. For the United Republic of Europia the war turned into a total disaster: the Army was defeated everywhere and quickly the Chinese were able to conquer the whole central Asia, Mongolia and all those Russians territories close to the border, including Vladivostok. The war officially ended on the 17th of April of 2014 a.t.b., 28th Germinal of 222 R.C.. Europa had to renounce to all the territories lost and to any investment made in those lands. The humiliation ended up being felt so much by the public opinion that the Federal Government ended up falling and new elections were called.
While Europa was being defeated, on a court in Paris, General Smilas was trying to have Giulio executed for high treason.
"Under a moral and ethical standpoint he is perfectly right, but anyway I will win this case and probably I will receive even much more than I deserve. Commented one day Giulio with Leila, while at her house, in Paris."
"You think so?"
"I know that. You see, the system in which we live compensate people that act like me and punishes heroes. They were punishing me when I distinguished myself on the Chinese battlefield, but now that I did something for which in any normal country I would have been executed straight away on the battlefield, look at what they are doing. Tell me if they can be anyhow serious."
"Seeing that she was not replying, he tried to say something encouraging."
"I am sorry to ruin your image of the place where you live. It does not have to be like that though, Europe was once a great land once, of artists, heroes, philosophers, it can be like that again, it is difficult, but not impossible."
An hour later, they left the Malcal Mansion heading towards the Conciergerie. The process against Giulio had been going on for months and that was the decisive day, when the Military Department of the Supreme Court of Justice would have decided over his fate, by reading the sentence and the verdict.
The court was crowded. Members of the Armed Forces, relatives, friends, journalists and curious people was there to follow the final episode of this case, titled by many as "The Dreyfus case of the 21st Century." Leila was sitting in the tribune together with her family, that had been doing an impressive work of mobilisation of the public opinion in favour of Chevalier Giulio Galahad-Canossa.
The judges entered and after taking their seats, the President of the Supreme Military Court started reading the sentence.
!In name of the United Republic of Europa, One and Indivisible, I, Citizen Rodrigo Gutierrez, President of the Supreme Court of Justice, declare opened, in date 23rd Prairial of the year 222 of the Republic, the concluding session of military trial 12/564, concerning the accusation of High Treason and Desertion moved by General d'Armée Gene Smilas against Capitaine Chevalier Giulio Galahad-Canossa.
Considering that both parts, with their respective witnesses, have been heard throughout the previous sessions, and considering that this Court has already deliberated and took its final decision over the case, we are here gathered today for the announcement and publication of it.
First point. The Court had considered the accusation of treason moved by General Smilas devoid of any legal base, given the total absence of evidences suggesting any possible collusion between Capitaine Galahad-Canossa and the Chinese Federation.
Second point. On second stance, however, the Court has found Capitaine Galahad-Canossa guilty of Desertion, as he abandoned the battlefield against the orders of his superior a few moments before an attack, causing the defeat of the Armée d'Italie in Manchuria. The Court has adopted as definition for "desertion" the one listed under Article 12, paragraph 1 of the Military Criminal Code.
Third point. The Court however, has found General Smilas guilty of insubordination, as he carried on an offensive action against the orders of his superiors, by occupying Manchuria. In addition, such action violated the principle of proportionality and of rejection of aggressive warfare listed under Article 6 of the Constitution of the Republic, constituting from his part a deliberate breach of the Constitutional Pact.
Fourth point. The Court has found that since the Armée d'Italie was already in a situation of illegality by the moment in which Capitaine Galahad deserted, the accusation moved by General Smilas is unsustainable, as the Captain had simply acted in a way that was needed to restore the legal status among the ranks.
Having made these considerations, the Supreme Court has taken the following decisions:
First. That Capitaine Galahad-Canossa is declared innocent from any accusation moved against him and has to be rehabilitated with his rank and all the honours earned in the Armed Forces. However, considering that despite his military geniality his decision might have impacted negatively the conduction of the campaign in the Far East and considering his frequent insubordination, the Court recommends that he won't be deployed in future military operations for the upcoming four years. -At this point, a half of the presents erupted in ovations and applauses, while another half in insults and curses. It took some time before the judge could re-establish the order-.
Second. That General Gene Smilas will be indicted for Insubordination, Breach of Constitutional Pact and War Crimes for the actions of his forces in Eastern Mongolia and Manchuria. -Here another wave of mixed ovations, insults, applauses and curses erupted-.
That's all, the case is closed. Vive la République!"
At this point Giulio could not contain himself anymore and started laughing.
All this is ridiculous. I should have been shot the day after the battle and instead they declare me innocent, let me go free and even give me four years of holidays, I would bet money that within two years I will be also promoted. That's why Europia deserves to and will fall: mediocre leaders who punish their best commanders and compensate deserters and traitors. Commented between himself. He found that quote brilliant and also wrote it down in his diary.
"You made it! I am so happy!" Leila came hugging and kissing him, even before his mother.
"Yes Leila, were you really so worried?"
"Yes, I was truly scared!"
Meanwhile the rest of the family and the Malcals also came and started heading towards the exit, with the police opening the way.
A few journalists approached Giulio asking questions.
"I want to say only one thing, ladies and gentlemen. Today we had here a clear demonstration of the solidity of the juridical bases of our Republic and of the application of the principles of Republican Justice. A true and honest demonstration of Europeanism and Republicanism." A fairly ambiguous declaration, that while the press interpreted as a praise made by a former Britannian noble to the Republic, contained an extremely harsh although true criticism.
Giulio left the Conciergerie with an air of triumph, amidst journalists, policemen and other people. Behind him his mother, also happy for the result of the trial, Leila and Giulio's sister Lucrezia, the Malcal family and the lawyers.