Trench Bolts and Magic

Chapter 69 Escalation of the Situation

Moltke's words caused Albert II to hesitate for a moment.

Although he often proclaimed in public that "Saxon needs land under the sun" and said that he would not hesitate to fight the Brittany in order to achieve this goal.

At the same time, it vigorously promoted military development, especially sparing no effort to expand the navy.
But to be honest, neither he nor the entire Saxon Empire is currently prepared for a full-scale war with the world's strongest power.

The empire's economic transformation was not yet complete, the total size of its naval fleet was still somewhat smaller than that of the Britannians, and the colonies' contribution to the homeland was only just beginning to show signs of improvement.
Rationally speaking, the time is not ripe to start a war now.

But from an emotional standpoint, not daring to start a war now would be utter cowardice.

"Helmut."

Albert II stared intently at his Chief of the Army Staff.

"Tell me, is the army ready to fight a full-scale war?"

When questioned by the emperor, Moltke's answer was somewhat unexpected.

“Your Majesty, the Saxon Imperial Army has been committed to entering the battlefield when the Empire needs it, not after it is ‘ready’.”

"Therefore, as long as Your Majesty gives the order, the General Staff will immediately begin to formulate a detailed offensive plan, and all the soldiers of the Imperial Army will fight to the end for the Emperor and the Empire without hesitation!"

These words were powerful and resounding, filled with the unique, unwavering loyalty and determination characteristic of Saxon soldiers.

Of course, this is from the perspective of high-ranking generals in the General Staff.
Albert II looked at the determined-looking Chief of the Army General Staff before him and pondered for a long time.

Moltke's answer actually evaded his question, and from the way he answered, the answer was already quite obvious—the army was not prepared.

But now he has no way out.

If he backs down at this point, both he and the entire empire will inevitably slide into the abyss.

All the efforts and plans that the Saxons have made for their 'second rise' over the years have been in vain.

Finally, Albert II slowly stood up from his chair, walked to the huge French windows, and looked out at the view of Dresden.

"I agree to General Mackensen's request."

He had his back to Moltke, and his voice, though not loud, was filled with undeniable authority.

"Have General Mackensen lead the assembled troops out immediately and establish contact with the expeditionary force as quickly as possible!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Albert II paused for a moment, then summoned the eunuch outside the door.

"Immediately summon the Minister of the Navy, the Minister of the Air Force, the Chief of Naval Staff, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. In addition, summon the Imperial Chancellor and the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs!"

Half an hour later, the atmosphere was somber in a large reception room at the Dresden Royal Palace.

Almost all of the Saxon Empire's top military and political leaders were gathered here.

Having received prior notice, the Imperial Chancellor, the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, the Ministers of the Armed Forces, and the Chief of the General Staff all wore solemn expressions.

Moltke the Younger first gave a brief explanation to everyone of the current critical situation in the Kingdom of Aragon and General Mackensen's plan to relieve the siege.

When they heard that the entire expeditionary force was at risk of being annihilated, the faces of all the high-ranking officials of the Empire present changed drastically.

"How is this possible?!"

"Before the expeditionary force set off, didn't the General Staff solemnly assure us that this would only be a low-intensity armed intervention?"

The Imperial Chancellor looked at Moltke the Younger with astonishment, as if it weren't for him and the Chief of the Army General Staff who had gone to persuade the Emperor. Moltke the Younger ignored the Chancellor's questioning, not only because he was used to it, but also because he knew this was not the time for mutual recrimination.

He simply turned his gaze calmly to the emperor on the throne.

Albert II cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.

He glanced around at the crowd, then fixed his gaze on the Chief of Naval Staff Tirpitz and the Chief of Air Staff Schubert.

Field Marshal Tirpitz and General Schubert

The emperor's tone was calm, no longer showing the panic he had felt when he first heard the bad news.

"Are the Empire's navy and air force prepared for a full-scale war with the Britannians?"

Upon hearing Albert II's question, Grand Admiral Tirpitz, the Imperial Navy's Commander-in-Chief, the creator of the High Seas Fleet and the Mediterranean Fleet, and the originator of the theory of naval risk, stood up.

He stroked his signature forked beard and said in a deep voice:

"As long as His Majesty gives the order, the Imperial Navy fleet will sail to the ocean without hesitation. This is the meaning of the Imperial Navy's existence."

Air Force Chief of Staff General Schubert followed up with a statement: "Your Majesty, apart from a portion that can be retained on the border of the Gallic Republic, the other armored airships can be mobilized at any time. Two more armored airships equipped with new naval guns will be completed by the end of this month."

The responses from these two military leaders were exactly the same as those given by Moltke the Younger.

They all expressed the soldiers' absolute determination to obey orders, but cleverly avoided the core question of whether they were 'ready'.

Albert II knew that the navy and air force, like the army, were not fully prepared for a full-scale war, but that was no longer important.

After careful consideration, he finally made his final decision.

"Good! I order the entire armed forces to immediately enter a state of combat readiness and make all preparations for a full-scale war with the Brittany! At the very least, in our subsequent actions, we must show the Brittany our determination to fight to the death!"

"On the army front, General Mackenson's plan will be executed immediately! I authorize him to command twelve infantry divisions on the border to immediately cross the border and engage in the battle in the Kingdom of Aragon, to resolve the crisis for the expeditionary force as quickly as possible!"

"Naval operations: Mediterranean Fleet and High Seas Fleet, depart immediately! Commence combat patrols and demonstrate our power to the Brittany!"

"In terms of the Air Force, all armored airship units are on high alert. The Air Force General Staff has formulated an armored airship mobilization plan and is ready to support other services in combat at any time!"

A series of orders were issued in succession from the emperor's mouth.

The atmosphere in the entire conference room was instantly ignited.

Despite the current crisis and the fact that the Saxon Empire is not prepared for a head-on confrontation with Brittany, the eyes of these high-ranking military officers still gleam with excitement and fervor.

However, after issuing the order to prepare for war, Albert II turned his attention to Gottlieb von Yago, the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

"Maintain constant contact with the Britannian side and be prepared for negotiations. Once they signal any willingness to communicate, follow up promptly to secure the most favorable conditions for the Empire. War should always be the last resort."

"As you command, Your Majesty!"

As the impromptu meeting concluded, encrypted telegrams, like snowflakes, flew from the General Staff of the Armed Forces to combat units throughout the Empire.

On the border between the Saxon Empire and the Kingdom of Aragon, twelve infantry divisions that had completed their combat preparations crossed the border into the Kingdom of Aragon by military train under the personal command of General Mackensen.

They will disembark and deploy upon arrival at the front lines, then launch an attack on the enemy forces in Cuenca and Valencia at top speed.

More infantry divisions within the empire began to mobilize and gradually moved toward the border.

Partial conscription orders for the army reserves have been issued, and Chief of the General Staff Moltke the Younger has also drafted a general mobilization order, awaiting only the Emperor's final signature.

(End of this chapter)