The Shadow of Great Britain

476: Chapter 258: Collision of Eras (5K6)_2 476: Chapter 258: Collision of Eras (5K6)_2 Just as the people inside the room had acclimatized to the darkness of the theater and were about to discuss something else, suddenly, they saw countless torches entering in procession from two pathways behind Astley Theatre’s circular stage.

Seen from above, the torches resembled a steady, rhythmic march of ants, assembling into a regular circular formation around the stage center.

Unable to contain his curiosity, King William IV murmured, “What is that?”

Standing nearby, Lionel replied softly with a smile, “Just as His Grace had mentioned earlier, Your Majesty, the surprise has arrived.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the torches, as if by agreement, swept inward from the outer circle to the inner, witnessed by the audience holding their breath.

The darkness receded like a receding tide, replaced by a spectacle of radiant light.

Amidst gasps, the audience finally could see the settings around the stage—each torch column standing at the stage’s outer edge, with their red-yellow flames rolling in the chilly breeze of late autumn, seemingly about to converge into a fireball and incinerate the entire theater.

Under the glow of these flames, the audience could also see who exactly had entered with the torches—it was none other than Astley Circus’s equestrian instructors, the flagship performers of Astley Theatre.

However, today their attire was neither as extravagant as usual nor as minimal as it would be for performing a fire hoop stunt.

Since Mr.

Astley, the founder of Astley Theatre, was a retired sergeant from the Cavalry, the equestrian instructors of Astley Circus were nearly all selected from retired cavalrymen thereafter.

Today, the instructors were dressed in their old military uniforms from their service years, even their horses were deliberately chosen to match the colors of their old regiment.

The leading equestrian instructor rode proudly on a signature white horse of his old regiment; his deep red coat, blue-grey close-fitting waistcoat, yellow and white striped belt, topped with a black and gold helmet with blood-red tassels fluttering in the wind—all unequivocally identified him as an outstanding knight retired from the First Royal Dragoon Regiment.

The eagle standard he held aloft appropriately showcased the glorious history and nickname of the regiment—’The Birdcatchers’, as capturing the French Empire’s eagle standard during the Battle of Waterloo was their most glorious moment.

Following close behind were two bearded knights on grey horses, each with a Scottish broadsword at their side, a lavish red saddle, a towering bearskin cap, grey long trousers complemented by a red striped jacket—a veteran from the Second Royal Dragoon Regiment ‘The Scottish Greys’.

Behind them were several equestrian instructors with helmets adorned with white feathers, wearing peculiarly striking blue leather coats with gold tassels, fur shawls, and exquisite pistols tucked in their belts, yet everyone’s focus shifted to the sheaths hanging on the sides of their saddles, which neatly contained four long, mysterious pole weapons.

Some knowledgeable gentlemen in the audience whispered, recognizing their equipment, “They are from the Royal Horse Artillery; those four long poles are rocket launchers, capable of launching 12-pound rocket heads with just a spark.”

Bringing up the rear and responsible for anchoring the formation was a cavalryman exuding authority and nobility.

His gold-bordered helmet shone under the flames’ illumination, the deep black tassels dancing with the wind, the glittering St.

Edward’s Crown Badge embedded in the golden helmet lighting up the astonished faces in the audience, the saddle stitched with golden threads and featuring two yellow daffodil patterns, a deep red coat with green-trimmed lines, gray trousers with a green edge, along with hexagonal silver spurs on his long boots and a distinctive 1796 British heavy cavalry sword—his identity was unmistakable.

By the name of his regiment alone, he could justifiably claim the highest status among all the equestrian instructors—he was from the cavalry regiment decorated with prestigious terms like ‘Guard’ and ‘Royal’— the ‘Green Dragon’, the Fifth Royal Guard Dragoon Regiment of Princess Charlotte of Wales.

Seeing so many veterans who had witnessed the fires of Waterloo, Duke Wellington found it hard to restrain his emotions, but due to the King’s presence beside him, he had to control himself.

Unexpectedly, before he could speak, the King affectionately called him closer, “Wellington.”

Duke Wellington bowed slightly, “Your Majesty?”

“Come,” the King said with a laugh, inviting him to the box’s small balcony.

Seeing this, Lionel hurriedly instructed the servants to light all the lights inside the box.

The bright lights fully accentuated the box, and the equestrian instructors, who were commanding their horses to trot near the stage edge, also noticed the King and Duke Wellington on the balcony.

They drew their sabers in unison and saluted the balcony, drawing the audience’s gaze there as well.

King William IV, with a smile, inquired, “Wellington, how did you give the final attack order at Waterloo?”