"1916 - the Somme River!"
"Boom!" With a loud bang, Wang Weiya once again felt the intense vibration.
"Second time travel completed... Time, September 11, 1916... Location, Somme River..."
Xiao Ling's words left Wang Weiya somewhat bewildered. September 1916? Somme River? Did he travel to the Battle of the Somme during World War I?
The Battle of the Somme was a fierce offensive battle by the British and French forces against the German positions in the Somme River area in northern France during the mid-phase of World War I. The battle began on June 24, 1916, and lasted until mid-November.
This battle resulted in over 1.3 million casualties on both sides, with approximately 300,000 soldiers killed, making it one of the most devastating trench warfare battles of World War I and one of the first battles in human history to see the use of tanks.
Damn that purple light, how did it send him to the midst of World War I, and specifically to the Somme River? This made the days of returning to his own era seem even further away.
But it seemed that the time and place of the purple light's transference couldn't be controlled...
Xiao Ling's next words confirmed Wang Weiya's speculation:
"Four days later, tanks will be used for the first time in warfare, and in subsequent battles, the British and French armies will successively break through the German third line of defense at strategic points B, C, and F. Your mission is to lead the Bavarian Infantry Regiment 16th Battalion 3rd Company to defend point B..."
"What?" Wang Weiya thought he misheard: "I'm supposed to command a German company for defensive operations?"
"Yes, your name is Ernst Blaum, and Lieutenant Hess, the original commander of the 3rd Company, was seriously injured during the third offensive launched by the Anglo-French coalition on September 3. Therefore, the 16th Battalion has appointed a new commander for them, Ernst Blaum, this is his photo..."
A German officer with an eastern appearance appeared on the computer screen, and if not for his German military uniform, one might not notice much difference.
Wang Weiya was puzzled: "What if the real Ernst Blaum shows up?"
"No, he will never show up. When someone from a different era like you appears in this timeline, someone from this era will be replaced by you, otherwise it will cause temporal chaos... Okay, your documents have been prepared..."
Wang Weiya picked up the documents and was surprised to find that he could suddenly understand German.
"Before the second transference is completed, through my operation, you have already mastered German proficiently, with a Bavarian accent. From now on, you are a true German, and no one will doubt you. Oh, by the way, here is your weapon..."
A submachine gun with a magazine appeared in front of Wang Weiya.
"This is the Bergmann MP18 submachine gun, which should not appear until two years later, but now it will be your weapon, and corresponding ammunition has been prepared for you... The military uniform tailored to your size is in the closet behind you..."
Indeed, Wang Weiya marveled at being able to use weapons slightly ahead of modern times.
"Wang Weiya, oh no, Lieutenant Blaum, do you have any more questions?"
"Just call me Wang Weiya. What about the Purple Light Military Base after I leave?"
"The Purple Light Military Base will activate its stealth device automatically and will not intervene in the war. So now, whatever choice you make is your own affair... Of course, if you run out of ammunition or need necessary assistance, you can return here for my help."
"The second question, what should I do after the Battle of the Somme?"
"You will stay here until November 1, 1918. By then, when you complete your mission, you can return to the base. Purple Light will conduct a new transference, hopefully with better luck."
Damn, he had to stay here for over two years?
"Wang Weiya, do you have any more questions?"
"No."
"Okay, now let's install the mission tracker. I must emphasize again, the base will not directly intervene in the war. The purpose of the tracker is only to confirm that you have completed the designated tasks, and after you successfully defend Point B, new tasks will be conveyed to you."
A mechanical arm extended.
Wang Weiya's left arm felt a slight pain, knowing that the mission tracker had been installed.
"Can I call for support?" Wang Weiya suddenly asked.
"I doubt your intelligence." Xiao Ling unexpectedly joked, "I have emphasized many times that the base will not directly intervene in the war."
"But I need support!" Wang Weiya sounded very determined. "With unfamiliar troops and comrades, I can't guarantee I can complete the mission. Xiao Ling, if I fail to complete the mission, we'll both be stuck in this damn era."
Xiao Ling remained silent for a moment, seemingly conceding. "Alright, when you need support, you can call the tracker, and I will dispatch aircraft or tanks from this era for necessary reinforcements... But remember, you can't make any excessive demands."
Wang Weiya smiled satisfactorily.
Since his fate couldn't be reversed, he would adapt to this process.
Complete the mission, then undergo a new transference, and eventually return to his own era.
"Wang Weiya, I've told you, in this era, you are no different from any ordinary person. You will get hurt, bleed, and may even die. You must protect yourself well."
A mischievous smile suddenly appeared on Wang Weiya's face. "Xiao Ling, are you so concerned about me because you've fallen in love with me?"
"I dislike conversing with conceited individuals and prefer to have minimal interaction with arrogant people. Please don't forget, I'm just a computer. I care about you only because I'm afraid that if you die, I'll be left alone in this era, unable to go back."
"I really want to see what you would be like if you became human." Wang Weiya smiled as he put on his uniform and picked up his weapon and ammunition. "Okay, I'm ready."
The door of the base slowly opened, and sunlight streamed in, making Wang Weiya's eyes momentarily unable to adjust.
"You can depart now, Lieutenant Ernst Blaum."
Wang Weiya was still not quite accustomed to this name, but he knew his time had finally come. He glanced at the military base, then outside, and then strode out.
Here I come, Somme River; here I come, 1916; here I come, World War I!
Anyway, since I'm here, I'll leave my mark!