Chapter 3: Blood and Fire in Verdun

The head is wrapped in bandages and is very painful. According to what that young man said, this is the most severely injured area. Could it be that it was directly hit by a fragment? How unfortunate, that would be truly unlucky

Why is it still pitch black in front of me even though I am clearly opening my eyes?

After the self-examination, Zhang Haino could confirm that he still had at least some ability to move. However, he remained eager to understand one thing: how exactly he had been injured, and why, despite being wounded all over, he was able to survive unscathed.

Zhang Haino suddenly felt a jolt in his heart: this naval battle is not over yet

As he sat up, Zhang Haino happened to notice a round porthole on his left. Through this porthole, he saw flickering lights on the distant sea surface. It seemed that he was indeed on the edge of the battlefield

Zhang Haino originally intended to ask the other ten or so tourists on the boat, but the response he received took him by surprise

However, one does not know why one cannot control one's own body, and is even unable to open one's eyes!

Characteristics: fast sailing speed, strong navigability, and excellent defense

The sound coming from beside him was not loud but seemed very excited. After a while, a faint light appeared before Zhang Haino. He turned his head with difficulty and saw that it was a match. Behind that dim light was a very unfamiliar face. It was a Western man with blue eyes and a high nose, wearing a military cap that looked familiar.

The match went out, and the surroundings fell into darkness once again. Zhang Haino's head felt as if it were about to explode as he desperately repeated these few words; having lived in Germany for more than three years, he would never misunderstand these words.

Ship Name: Sedlitz

The torpedo room suffered heavy casualties. Sedlitz... the High Seas Fleet. The British...

Or more precisely, he has fallen into a deep sleep this time

Seydlitz ... ... the High Seas Fleet. ... ... ... the British ... ... torpedo room. ... ... ... heavy casualties

Has the power system of this warship been completely destroyed

forehead, left and right hands, abdomen, as well as thighs and calves

The Western youth spoke at length in one breath, nearly filling Zhang Haino's recently recovered mind to the brim, forcing him to spend significantly more time than usual to comprehend the words. At that moment, he realized that the Western youth had been speaking in German all along, and coincidentally, the language he had spoken upon waking was also German

Before this question was answered, Zhang Haino began to explore his surroundings with his still-functioning left hand. Beneath him was a bed that could only accommodate one person, with a moderate level of softness and hardness. Perhaps due to the high temperature, he was only covered with a very thin blanket. To his left was the cold cabin wall, and to his right was a small bedside table, on which rested the cup of water mentioned by the young man. At that moment, he realized he was very thirsty, so he picked up the cup to take a sip. There was no unusual taste; however, after swallowing the water, the pain in his abdomen slightly intensified. Could it be that his stomach had already started to leak?

Zhang Haino was trying hard to recall, but he always felt that this voice was very unfamiliar

In his dream, Zhang Haino saw a man dressed in an unusual military uniform. The man had a tall and slender figure, with neatly cropped hair that was somewhat brown. His face was thin, and he was clean-shaven, possessing a countenance that exuded a classical noble aura typical of Central Europeans. His clear eyes seemed to reflect a hint of melancholy. The dark blue-black military uniform he wore featured double-breasted buttons and a hem that extended past his knees; this style of clothing was typically issued only to certain European military bands. His trousers were a grayish color, and his leather shoes were polished to a bright shine. Under his arm, he held a short-brimmed military cap, which was primarily blue-black and adorned with a golden eagle emblem on the front.

Zhang Haino woke up again, disturbed by a rumbling sound that resembled thunder before rain. It seemed distant, yet upon closer listening, one would notice a significant difference between this rumbling and the thunder of nature—no region would experience forty thunderclaps within a minute, nor would it continuously alternate between dense and sparse sounds.

The voice came again, and Zhang Haino heard it more clearly this time. It was a male voice, sounding like a young man. Was it a companion from his diving tour group? Or was it a hospital staff member?

What is happening to me

After calling out twice more, the voice did not sound again. The environment here seemed very quiet, yet faintly, there was a strange humming sound from a machine. As he pondered, a wave of fatigue washed over Zhang Haino, and he lost consciousness once again

Uh ... ... Is everyone else doing well

The left foot is painful; fortunately, the pain is located in the thigh rather than the knee or the sole of the foot, which should not hinder my ability to walk

Zhang Haino felt a bit confused, and for a moment, he did not know which question to ask first

Oh, then you should rest well! I will take over for Lanchelot in a while, so I will head out for now! The water cup is on your bedside table; I will come to see you after I finish my shift

He had always enjoyed watching scenes related to naval battles in documentaries, but unfortunately, those segments were far too few. Moreover, it was difficult to recreate the atmosphere of the time based solely on monotonous visuals and rough audio. Although later war epics improved significantly in terms of visuals and sound effects, they always seemed to lack a certain sense of authenticity

Haino! Haino! What is wrong with you?

Haino, you have finally woken up! Oh, that's wonderful!

Upon realizing this, Zhang Haino was greatly alarmed. Given the current situation, he found himself on this renowned battlecruiser, which had just undergone a naval battle. If everything was as he understood it, then this battle must certainly be the famous Battle of Jutland—throughout the entirety of World War I, only this naval battle would feature the name of the German High Seas Fleet

However, according to the words of that young man just now, the "Seydlitz" has essentially lost its combat capability. Based on my understanding of the Battle of Jutland, the German High Seas Fleet is currently making a concerted effort to retreat to Kiel Harbor—this means that the British fleet has already established absolute superiority

Immediately thereafter, within a very large naval port, dozens of warships were neatly arranged in the harbor. In the distance, on a white observation platform, a man wearing a pointed helmet and sporting two prominent mustaches was speaking loudly to those around him, and the faces of everyone there radiated confidence and pride

After putting down the cup, he fumbled around the cabinet for a while, then discovered a knob switch that might control the wall light. However, to his slight disappointment, turning this knob did not bring any light to the room

The right foot should be in the best condition among the limbs, although there is some pain on the side of the calf, which feels like a superficial abrasion.

However, before that, Zhang Haino must clarify one point: just how severe are the damned injuries on his body, and whether he possesses the most basic ability to take action to realize those great ideas.

The left hand is wrapped in a thinner bandage, it hurts, but I can still move it within a certain range. It should only be a minor skin injury, fortunately, I can still use it to brush my teeth, wash my face, eat, and take care of my needs.

As he contemplated this series of words, Zhang Haino felt an increasing burden in his mind, yet the more he thought, the more his head ached. Coupled with the pain surging from various parts of his body, he unexpectedly fell into a deep sleep again

The Western youth beside him struck another match.

Alas... it is very dire. We have lost three and injured six in the torpedo room, and it is said that other positions have also suffered heavy casualties. Now the "Seydlitz" is basically out of combat capability, the only good news is that we can still sail with the High Seas Fleet. Those damned British!

Ship Type: Battlecruiser

Lancelot

Haino ... ... Haino ... ...

He realized that almost every part of his body was in pain

Now, an opportunity to witness a naval battle up close has unexpectedly fallen from the sky, and how could Zhang Haino not feel excited? This is the Battle of Jutland, a naval engagement that has captivated countless historians and military enthusiasts, known for being the most intense and final clash between dreadnoughts in human history, also referred to as the "Last Farewell of the Battleship Fleet." Since then, no naval artillery battle of such scale has occurred, marking a transition in the history of naval warfare to a new era.

This time, he dreamt of a massive and formidable warship, which boasted 5 large turrets, each equipped with two thick and long gun barrels. A black vulture crusader flag fluttered in the wind atop the high bridge, while individuals dressed in blue-black and white military uniforms stood in neat formation along the ship's sides, a scene that stirred one's blood with excitement

Driven by this idea, he decided to take immediate action, for time waits for no one

At this moment, Zhang Haino fell into another line of thought. It no longer mattered how he had come to this era; what was important was that since he was already here, he should choose a path for himself: to act as a mere observer of history, taking each step as it comes, merely aiming to survive, or to utilize his "prophetic abilities" to change this history, becoming a powerful figure in history, achieving glory even in death

My name is Zhang Haino, I am an international student, and I am on vacation. This is a trip around Europe. I have arrived in Greece, specifically on the island of Crete, where I joined a marine diving tour

However, he still did not understand what the other party meant by "this is your own room." Wasn't he traveling in Greece? And a military doctor, could it be that he had been sent to some military hospital?

The right hand is in excruciating pain, clearly immobilized by a splint and bandages secured to the chest, indicating a fracture. I hope there will be no lasting effects, as Zhang Haino absolutely does not wish to suffer from a condition akin to Parkinson's syndrome at such a young age

In the darkness, Zhang Haino helplessly smiled wryly at himself; this truly is a terrible crossing, an unpromising beginning indeed

Could it be the legendary fleet cannon battle

If it were someone else, they might not know what "Seydlitz" means, but as a long-time part-time employee at Hansen's Antique Shop and a frequent target of Mr. Hansen's ramblings, Zhang Haino is quite familiar with the term. The original owner of Mr. Hansen's most cherished command sword was none other than Rear Admiral Stranta von Graf, the captain of the "Seydlitz". Due to this connection, Mr. Hansen is well-versed in the circumstances surrounding the "Seydlitz". Influenced by this environment, Zhang Haino, who already has a passion for military affairs, can even sketch out the basic outline of this warship.

Zhang Haino was at a loss for words. He struggled to touch his forehead with his left hand, feeling the thick bandage wrapped around it. His head throbbed painfully, but fortunately, the pain was clearly from external flesh wounds. Now, he began to doubt whether his injuries were caused by the blue-glowing object at the bottom of the sea or by this grand naval battle.

Abdomen—what a nightmare, it hurt immensely the moment I sat up. It is wrapped in thick gauze outside, and I do not know if there are any shrapnel left inside, nor do I know if this will lead to serious aftereffects. I hope that the medical technology of this era can be somewhat better.

Zhang Haino struggled to produce these few syllables; it hardly resembled his usual voice, but at that moment, he had no time to think about it any further

Seydlitz ... ... the High Seas Fleet. ... ... ... the British ...

Zhang Haino felt both shocked and anxious. He hurriedly searched his mind for the last memories before he lost consciousness

Zhang Haino wanted to ask who he was, but he couldn't utter a single syllable. The person was moving his lips as if saying something to him, yet he could not hear a sound. The more he tried to understand what the other person was saying, the more anxious he became, and in his anxiety, he unexpectedly opened his eyes.

Suddenly, Zhang Haino recalled the peculiar object that emitted a faint blue light. Could it be an electric eel in a state of slumber? No, it was impossible; it was definitely not a fish! But what exactly was it? Could it be some special instrument forgotten on the seabed, and he just happened to be struck by it, which is why he was now in pain all over and receiving treatment in the hospital?

Dizziness! A wave of dizziness!

In that very moment, Zhang Haino's consciousness became completely clear, and he could distinctly feel the pain he had previously experienced.

Final Destiny: Self-sinking during the Rainbow Operation in 1919

Affiliated with the Reconnaissance Division of the High Seas Fleet of the German Empire.

Zhang Haino quickly accepted his speculation, yes, it must be so! Since there is consciousness, and since he can feel the pain in his body, it at least indicates that he has not yet passed away

You ... ... me ... ... what place is this

Upon reflecting on this, Zhang Haino could not help but feel a sense of melancholy. Missing the most thrilling part of the Battle of Jutland was one thing; at most, he would be forced to retreat to his home port of Kiel along with this warship in a state of disarray. However, many protagonists in novels often play a pivotal role in turning the tide and altering the course of events after their time travel. Yet here he was, helplessly watching from the sidelines. Was it truly the case that this segment of history had already been set in stone, with no opportunity for change?

In a state of confusion, Zhang Haino suddenly heard someone calling his name, but as his consciousness became slightly clearer, the first sensation that entered his mind was a pain that radiated from his entire body

I am fine, just feeling very confused

Zhang Haino thought hard and confirmed that he had never heard this name before. He could have learned some information from this seemingly caring individual, but it seems he will have to wait until he returns from his shift.

Suddenly, several massive warships appeared on the sea, their masts flying a flag that Zhang Haino was very familiar with—the British naval ensign. For some reason, Zhang Haino felt an unusual aversion to this flag, which featured a white background with a red cross and a blue canton with a white saltire. The sea was shrouded in the smoke of cannon fire. The British warships continued to bombard this side, their shells crashing into the water and creating towering columns of water several stories high, while on this side, there was thick smoke, flames, and people covered in blood.

Year: Construction began in February 1911, launched in March 1912, and entered service in November 1913

This was Zhang Haino's first reaction, but he quickly thought of another scenario: during wartime, some ships may implement blackout measures while navigating, depending on the situation. To prevent those who are either unaware or have ulterior motives from exposing their vessels, some captains would order the shutdown of the regular electrical circuits on board, retaining only the necessary power supply. The lights in the crew's quarters clearly fall into the former category.

Zhang Haino felt a solid hand gently patting his left hand, followed by the sound of a chair moving and footsteps. When the door opened, it was accompanied by a metallic friction sound he had never heard before. There seemed to be a bit of light outside, but once the door closed, darkness returned before his eyes

After clarifying all of this, the confusion in Zhang Haino's heart suddenly dissipated like mist. At this moment, he was eager to go to the deck, to participate in a real naval battle, and to strive to change the fate of this conflict through his own talents

You are in your own room, and the military doctor has already treated your wounds. He said that apart from the one on your forehead, the injuries elsewhere are not serious! Do you know? I was really afraid that you would remain unconscious forever, but now it’s all good!

In terms of personal feelings, Zhang Haino is by no means an admirer of Wilhelm II or the Nazi war machine. As an enlightened youth of the twentieth century, he is acutely aware that militarism and Nazism will ultimately be replaced by more advanced ideologies, but this is not something he can change alone. At the same time, he has a strong aversion to the British who only know how to bully the weak and the Americans who, having become wealthy, are self-satisfied. He has often contemplated that if he were to return to that wartime era and choose a side to fight for, he would, like most military enthusiasts, choose the side that is disadvantaged yet filled with fighting spirit and a sense of dreamlike fantasy.

Later, Zhang Haino witnessed another scene: under the night sky, one majestic warship after another sailed out of the harbor in an orderly manner. The soldiers around him remained silent, their expressions revealing a sense of seriousness. In that moment, Zhang Haino felt a surge of longing for battle. Having been born in a time of peace, he had never experienced war, yet this peculiar feeling was so vivid and intense.

Thinking of this, Zhang Haino struggled to sit up. Regardless of whether his arrival here was an accident or a certain inevitability, and regardless of whether the final outcome would align with the historical records, he should not remain in this dark room and miss the most spectacular battle in human history

Uh ... is anyone there

Haino ... ... Haino ... ...

War Experiences: The Battle of Dogger Bank and the Battle of Jutland during World War I

Tonnage: Standard 25,000 tons, fully loaded 28,500 tons