Ludwig returned to Saint Petersburg not long after, he was shaken up to be sure. But compared to when he was in the shelled-out village, whose name he could not even remember, he was much better off than he could have been.
The man was no doubt scarred for life. But not to the degree in which he might be considered disabled. Perhaps if he had stayed in the field for another battle or two, he would enter such a state. But luckily for him, Bruno had discharged him and sent him home.
After receiving a medal for distinction in combat, which came in the form of the Russian Cross for Saint George second class. Ludwig was overwhelmed with emotion. He had come to this hellscape seeking to gain glory on the battlefield and had returned as a literal war hero.
